Print cover,
Fall 2003:
Readers picked the wild turkey, photographed by Richard G. Fisher, for our fall cover. One voter said the turkey — our largest land bird, and once gone from the Midwest — "represents 'wilderness' for me. The efforts everyone makes to preserve the nature around us become real by a wild animal returning to its habitat." See our wild turkey profile. Thanks to all who voted and sent in their comments!

See the results of our reader poll on our Fall cover!

Deer on a Leash
Editor's Note.
By Debra Shore.

True Colors of Fall
The lushness of fall wilderness. Photo Essay.

Cultivating Native Minds in School Gardens
Teachers are connecting kids to nature with native plants in the schoolyard. By Cindy Mehallow.

Deer Dilemma. Too Much of a Good Thing?
By LeAnn Spencer.

An Indiana Dunes Blowout: Amphitheater for an Ecological Drama. By Kenan Heise.

Endangered Nesters
on the Rebound
By Don Parker

Best Local Places for Birding
... and other hot tips for birders

Barbara Plampin:
Plant Detective

Wild Turkeys: Gobbling Gizzards of Steel

Sulphur Shelf:
Fungus on Fire

Researchers discover a dramatic shift in the genes of the white-footed mouse.


Tiger swallowtail butterflies; fall migrations; dragonflies and falcons; timber wolf; beaver; red sumac; mudpuppy love; little brown bats.

Flint Creek Savanna; Florsheim & North Park Nature Preserves; Robinson Reserve. Plus all the profiles and maps we've published since our premiere issue.

Ambler Flatwoods
Nature Preserve
LaPorte County, Indiana

Light and Destiny: Big bluestem and Indian grass reach hopefully toward the sun. By Stephen Packard.