Julia’s Journal
Imagining what it’s like to be in the Amazon!
Living in the city, I find it necessary to venture off into the woods every once in a while. I pick a state park or forest that I can wander around in for a while, and I drive up for a day. I open every one of my senses to the trees and the land surrounding me, and...
Medicinal Secrets of the Amazon Rainforest
Here in Detroit, spring is on the horizon. Green leaves are starting to poke out of the ground-- early sprouting crocuses and bulbs, clover, and crab grasses. As the harsh cold of winter thaws, it’s time to start thinking about this spring’s gardens and what we’ll...
The 3 Types of Rivers in the Rainforest
In the rainforest, the color of the water in a river holds the story of the river’s origin. A river that passes through hard, rocky areas looks very different than one that passes through soft soil. The kinds of plants that grow along its course, the minerals that are...
El Niño: How does it affect the Amazon Rainforest?
If you’ve been keeping up with environmental news, or even if you’ve just been confused by the weird weather over the past few months and ran some google searches, you’ve probably heard of El Niño. This global phenomenon is bringing warm weather to the typically cold...
Winter in the Rainforest
As winter settles in on the Midwest, dramatic changes are everywhere. Leaves have fallen off the trees; a brisk, frigid wind sweeps through the streets. In the morning, plants, trees, and buildings are pale and sparkly with the frost that descends at night. The pace...
Amazon Night Sky
A streetlight flickers on and off by my window at varying intervals, dimming out slowly with an orange glow. Having moved to Detroit from central Virginia, I’m discovering the differences between living in a semi-rural environment and city dwelling. One change is how...
Caring for the Land of the Amazon
Having recently moved to the city of Detroit from central Virginia, I’ve been thinking a lot about land: who owns it, how it’s valued, and what it’s used for. Vacant lots in the city are golden opportunities to rebuild ecosystems that can serve people in a healthy...
Cloud Forests
Cloud forests: how magical they sound! I picture tall trees swirling with clouds, or perhaps trees floating on clouds…My curiosity has percolated long enough that I simply must find out about these forests. As I learn about the many rainforest ecosystems and their...
Frogs and Toads of the Amazon
Drawing by Julia Loman Clockwise from upper left: Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius), Glass Frog (family Centrolenidae), Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas), Cane Toad (Rhinella marina), Smooth-sided Toad (Buffa guttatus) In recent weeks, the soundtrack...