Periodical cicada (Cicadidae) Brood VI Magicicada septendecim (NC). Photo: Matt Bertone.

The Magical Appearance of Magicicada

May 5, 2021

Brood VI Magicicada septendecim. Photo: Matt Bertone. By Colin Brammer, PhD, Coordinator of the Natural World Investigate Lab In the coming weeks, parts of the eastern United States are going to experience a rare and special treat: the mass emergence of millions of Magicicada periodical cicadas. Why a treat, you ask? It is one of… Read More >


Flowering dogwood

Our state flower, the Cornus florida!

April 29, 2021

By Chris Goforth, Head of Citizen Science, and Jess Wackes, PR & Marketing Coordinator It’s that time in nature when the flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) are blooming!  These beauties will pop up more and more as summer approaches, though flowering dogwoods are lovely any time of the year. Petals, but not really… The flowering dogwood… Read More >


Copperhead

Animals: Copperheads

By Amanda Hapeman, Assistant Curator of Reptiles, Amphibians, and Ambassador Animals It’s finally springtime! The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing … and the snakes are slithering. The last one may not seem to fit the scene, but snakes and other reptiles are starting to emerge from their winter slumber… Read More >


Julie in the Genomics and Microbiology Research Laboratory.

Becoming a scientist: Following my passion

April 28, 2021

By Dr. Julie Horvath, Head of the Genomics & Microbiology Research Lab and jointly appointed at North Carolina Central University Lesson 1: Find your passion! Hold up your right hand with your palm facing toward you. Now touch the middle of your palm. This is where I grew up in Michigan – right in the… Read More >


A City Nature Challenge participant taking an observation photo

Join the City Nature Challenge, April 30-May 3, 2021!

April 22, 2021

If you walked out your door right now, how many species do you think you could observe? 5? 10? 20? It’s likely far more than you’d expect — and we have a great opportunity that can help you find out! The City Nature Challenge is an international, biodiversity-focused citizen science event that runs April 30… Read More >