Posts By: Robb Q. Telfer

De-Extinction Counter

At the Field Museum where I work, we have a big counter at the end of our Evolving Planet exhibit. It looks like this: While true, sobering, and essential to recognize, I also find this display to be incredibly DEPRESSING. Which – I worry – can actually lead to stymying action to preserve and protect the… Read more »

#BirdthePreserves

This year (2016) the Forest Preserves of Cook Country are launching a sweet program to get new people exposed to birding. The 2016 Big Year will give awards for the team who birbs the most birbs – register on this page and pick a team for a preserve near you or one you want to… Read more »

Saving Rare Illinois Plants

Here’s H2030er Robb talking about some work going on Langham Island to restore two of the rarest plants in Illinois. To join the Langham Island restoration effort, please become one of its friends. Much thanks to Trevor Edmonson, Rachel Goad, Stephen Packard and the rest of Friends of Langham Island who have done way more… Read more »

What is the Millennium Reserve?

As we focus some of our restoration efforts on the entire bi-state Calumet area, the Illinois portion of that (which has admittedly gotten the most love from us, but not because we hate Indiana!) is also the geography represented by a group called the Millennium Reserve. Started by former, yet-to-be-incarcerated IL governor Pat Quinn, the… Read more »

Quercus Quiz

post originally appeared on The Jackass Gardener.  So in an effort to be better at my job, I’m forcing myself to memorize the scientific names of local plants and then figure out how to match those names with their owners by using a Key. I’ve decided to start with native oak trees as they seem… Read more »

Kankakee Mallow on WGN Radio

Here’s the audio of the 20-minute interview I did about the Kankakee mallow on “After Hours with Rick Kogan.” I had a great time talking about this and Rick is definitely one of the best interviewers out there – definitely a Chicago legend. Enjoy and don’t be shallow!

Big Ass Spider Visits My Eyeballs

I work at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and we have a pretty big physical footprint on the lakeshore here. However, only a fraction of that is planted with native Illinois plants – a little circular area just north of the large totem pole we have. My colleague and I were walking around yesterday… Read more »