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Great Egret gathering Galloway Township, NJ

Photo: Jim Mitchell

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" The sun is but a morning star" - Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts. Among his lasting contributions are his writings on natural history and philosophy, in which he anticipated the methods and findings of ecology and environmental history, two sources of modern-day environmentalism.

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Rudbeckia hirta, commonly called black-eyed Susan, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Eastern and Central United States. It is the state flower of Maryland.

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The flame tree, also known as royal poinciana (Delonix regia), is a fast-growing evergreen tree that features an abundance of crimson blossoms. 

Artist ; Luis German Cajiga (1934-2025)

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Trio of Great Egret Chick's, Ocean City, NJ

Photo: Jim Mitchell/Birds of South Jersey

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World Giraffe Day is June 21, and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation released its 2025 State of Giraffe report ahead of the celebration. The report points to better data collection and conservation efforts for an increase in the population in some giraffe species.

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International Horseshoe Crab Day is celebrated every year on June 20th to raise awareness about one of Earth’s most ancient and fascinating creatures—horseshoe crabs. These marine arthropods have been around for over 400 million years, earning them the nickname “living fossils”.

Source: Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

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WORLD OCEAN DAY | 08 JUNE

A common sight on the Jersey Shore, the American oystercatcher is also found on the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, and south to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. They also breed on the Pacific coast of California, Mexico, Central America, Peru, and Chile.

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June 5 Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet—even in our bodies in the form of microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution.

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Whales at Svalbard, Norway. Now enjoying protection after centuries of relentless hunting, whales are returning to the waters of Svalbard. Whales found feeding in the beautiful fjords and rich polar seas around Spitsbergen provide some of the best whale-watching to be had anywhere.

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Three Birds on a Boardwalk, Wildwood Boardwalk, Wildwood, New Jersey. From L to R: Scarlet Macaw, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, and Military Macaw #endangeredspecies Photo: Lancer Evolution; from New Jersey, (USA)

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International Day for Biological Diversity | 22 May

E.O. Wilson, was a preeminent scientist, naturalist, author, and teacher, and is referred to as “the father of biodiversity” for his significant contributions to the field.

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World Bee Day | 20 May

The date for this observance was chosen as it was the day Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture, was born. Janša came from a family of beekeepers in Slovenia, where beekeeping is an important agricultural activity with a long-standing tradition.

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Endangered Species Day | 16 May

The day was established in 2006 by the U.S. Congress to raise awareness about species at risk of extinction.

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Ideally, a habitat space should consist of 100% native plants.