The art of photography an incredibly powerful and important tool for the conservation of biodiversity and education about the natural world—and the amazing thing is that anyone can do it. In this article we’ll discuss how to take great photos of wildlife with just your smartphone as well as give you beginner tips on how to use DSLR cameras and what types of lenses are best for wildlife photography. 

Spring is in full swing in the Blue Ridge! We can tell thanks to the small, ground-dwelling plants that have started to bloom—the spring ephemerals! Spring beauty, Dutchman’s breeches, and trillium are among our favorites—keep reading for more info about these gorgeous short-lived wildflowers.

March 20 marks the beginning of spring for the Northern hemisphere. It’s the vernal equinox; the day the sun rises on the North pole, we start having more than 12 hours of daylight, and the halfway point between the solstices. As the temperatures rise and the soil wets, new signs of life appear all around! Keep reading for some early spring appearances we've noted on campus.