Mark Brunson

It turns out that Utah is home to numerous species of live snails, but the shells we see beside Bear Lake have been there for nearly 10,000 years! They’ve lasted this long because they’re preserved by the calcium chemistry of a lake.

It turns out that Utah is home to numerous species of live snails, but the shells we see beside Bear Lake have been there for nearly 10,000 years! They’ve lasted this long because they’re preserved by the calcium chemistry of a lake.

It’s not unheard of for birds to be active in the nighttime. But most nocturnal birds are not songbirds. Then there’s the yellow-breasted chat.

One of the lesser-known natural, and underappreciated, areas in our state is found 32 miles south of Vernal in eastern Utah: the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge.

Winter is a season when most of us spend more of our time indoors. But wild animals don’t have that option. Not only must they find ways to keep warm all winter, but they have to work harder to find food.

What we call “nature” can flourish almost anywhere, including the places where people dominate.

We hear a lot these days how people spend too much time with their electronic devices. But for me, as someone who has always loved natural spaces, I’m finding that a screen can actually enhance my time outdoors.

For many of us who love the outdoors, the first half of March is a least favorite time of year. But if we close our eyes and listen, nature still can brighten the dingy days.

When we’re out enjoying Utah’s backcountry in wintertime, we should always resist the temptation to have a close encounter of the wild kind.

I’d like to tell you a crime story. But is it still a crime story if it’s about the natural world? I’ll tell it and then let you decide for yourself.