3 places to see cherry blossoms that aren't Washington D.C.
You don't need to visit Japan or Washington, D.C. to see cherry blossom trees. Here are three places around the U.S. where you can see the blooms — weather permitting.
nature
'Moss Appreciation Week': a lot of celebration for a very little plant
Moss Appreciation Week is packed with events both scientific... and also silly. Moss walks, moss talks, moss movies, crafting moss-themed Valentines, and a "gastropod derby" with snails and slugs (for whom moss is a nice moist microclimate).
Tracking eastern golden eagles, elusive ghosts of the forest
A team of researchers went into the woods of Maine searching for a mysterious bird of the eastern forests — a golden eagle. They're conspicuous in the American west but secretive in the east.
Reporter Journal: A sunrise trek through wild solitude in New York City
New York City is home to more than eight million people but NPR's Brian Mann mapped out an urban hike through solitude and parkland wildness.
Opinion: Nature dazzles in autumn
NPR's Scott Simon is dazzled by the turn of the seasons, especially the color of the leaves.
Nature has a mixtape. The U.N. hopes young people will listen to it
The Museum for the United Nations has partnered with musicians to re-release some of their songs with added nature sounds to generate royalties for conservation efforts.
Come along on a canoe trip through a flooded forest in a Vermont bird sanctuary
In springtime, Vermont's Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is a paradise of migratory birds where you can paddle through flooded maple forests.
An owl twice attacked a Washington woman. A biologist says it's becoming more common
Such attacks have happened elsewhere in Washington state. They're more common now because of the shrinking availability of dense forests that allow the owls to be more secluded, an expert says.
See the buzzworthy winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition
This year's top prizes went to a teen from Thailand and an American who is just the fifth woman to win in 58 years. Karine Aigner spoke with NPR about the significance of the photo and the award.
A new program in Canada gives doctors the option of prescribing national park visits
And the best part? The annual passes are free.