If I say poison oak, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Most likely, you would think of red itchy rashes, and I don’t blame you. That itchy rash is caused by an oil on the plant called urushiol. This oil is found on the leaves of poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac. Poison oak is typically found in riparian ecosystems and is usually found growing near sycamore trees, oak trees and mugwort. It can be a low shrub or a vine that climbs up to 40 feet.
When it comes into contact with humans or animals, the urushiol found on poison oak clings to the skin or fur and can cause allergies which lead to itchy rashes. Burning poison oak is also dangerous. The urushiol becomes aerosolized in the smoke and can be toxic to lungs and can even cause death. Everything about this plant may seem evil, but is it possible that this sinister plant has a hidden side to it? Well, yes! Urushiol oil that resides on poison oak does not affect all animals in the same way. Poison oak can actually provide shelter and food to small animals. Fox squirrels nourish their appetite by eating the summer berries of poison oak. The California Towhees build their nest on poison oak. Some people call poison oak the guardian of the forest. For example, If a lumberjack wants to cut down a tree surrounded by poison oak, he may think twice about going through all that poison oak just to cut down one tree. Although poison oak can offer benefits for certain animals, it can still be quite dangerous. For these reasons, always be aware when you hike, for the rhyme doesn’t lie “Leaves of 3 let it be”. By: Aiza Qureshi, Age 10
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Western fence lizards are quite awesome
They wait for bugs next to a blossom If a tick bites them, it stops lyme disease That must really put you at ease One thing they really like to do is to sun If you scare them they might run The male has a bright blue belly and chin Territories they strive to win Their lifespan is up to five years long The do push-ups to make them strong During winter they go through hibernation Hopefully they won’t get starvation Western fence lizards are insectivores Thankfully they eat lots of bugs galore Their eggs hatch in August with 3 to 17 babies Don’t worry, they don’t have rabies The lizards are diurnal Females lay one to three clutches, that’s just normal It’s all I have for you today Later on, come back for what else we have to say By: Asiya Rizvi, Age: 11 We have all heard about Wolf Spiders, but have you ever actually stopped to look at their face up close? To most, the Wolf Spider’s appearance may seem a little disenchanting. But to the trained eye that searches for beauty even within the seemingly disenchanting appearance of the wolf spider, a closer look at the face reveals a puppy-like appearance.
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AuthorThe Art & Wilderness Institute Journalism Team are individuals who appreciate the world we live in and love to explore the myriad connections of all things in the world around us. We love to highlight the beautiful things we see in nature and to help others find ways to live with more connections to the outdoor world and the way it benefits us all. Archives
April 2021
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