What comes to mind when you think of enjoying nature? A hike in the mountains? Paddling a lake or a river? Camping in the woods? All of those certainly qualify, but they likely require planning and travel and may not be appealing when the weather is cold or wet.  

What if exploring the wild could be more convenient, and even climate-controlled?

The good news is you don’t need to go far, or even outside, to discover nature and its mental health benefits. The nearest window can reveal plants and animals going about their business undisturbed and free for the viewing.

Spring is the time when mourning doves will rejoin their partners and choose a nesting site. Like many humans, mourning doves are monogamous and often mate for life. It is not uncommon to see them display their affection for each other, whether it be preening, cuddling or a sweet gentle coo when greeting one another.

When it’s time to build their nest, the male will find a site that the female approves of, for the pair to begin constructing their nest out of twigs and grass. Typically, it takes a pair three to four days to complete their nests, however some mourning doves will quickly throw a nest together in a few hours.

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ranger samples at Milford Lake, Kansas, during a harmful algal bloom event in the summer of 2021. (USACE photo by Kansas City District)

WASHINGTON - The rapid bloom of tiny freshwater microorganisms, called cyanobacteria, sometimes releases toxins that are harmful to aquatic life and can contaminate drinking water. These harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a significant threat to public health and safety, ecosystems, freshwater resources and recreation. They also cause about $82 million in economic losses to the seafood, restaurant and tourism industries each year.