News Archives 2020

In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the More Mesa Preservation Coalition launched the “Living with the Lockdown” Treasure Hunt series, using the enforced pause in everyday life as an opportunity to deepen our awareness of the natural world. Across the year, a wide range of flora and fauna were highlighted—each installment offering insights into the complexity and beauty of More Mesa’s ecosystem. Early entries explored the mysterious and often misunderstood world of owls, focusing on their silent flight, unique anatomy, and exceptional hunting adaptations. Later, bobcats took the spotlight—rarely seen but clearly present, these elusive predators symbolized the wildness still thriving at the edge of urban life. A two-part dive into spiders coincided with Halloween, moving beyond fear and myth to reveal their ecological importance, evolutionary history, and incredible diversity on the Mesa. Other highlights included deep looks at ground squirrels and their intricate social lives, the vital roles of bats in pest control and pollination, and the presence of kites, hawks, and other raptors in More Mesa’s skies. The series also featured snakes and lizards, both vital reptilian players in the food web, and even the underappreciated turkey vulture—nature’s efficient cleanup crew. 

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #20

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #20

ByMMPCNov 22, 2020

IT’S ALL ABOUT CATS … Today’s Treasure Hunt is about…

Living With the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #19

Living With the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #19

ByMMPCNov 3, 2020

THE BEST LAID PLANS … The plan was to have…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #18

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #18

ByMMPCOct 23, 2020

IN KEEPING WITH HALLOWEEN … HOW ABOUT SPIDERS? A New…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #17

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #17

ByMMPCSep 27, 2020

WHOOOOO? IT’S OWLS – PART II We hope you enjoyed…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #16

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #16

ByMMPCSep 13, 2020

WHOOOOO? … IT’S OWLS Many members of this treasure’s family…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #15

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #15

ByMMPCAug 26, 2020

ELDERBERRY … A TINY BERRY THAT BRINGS THE GOOD THINGS…

Living With the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #14

Living With the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #14

ByMMPCAug 11, 2020

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HISTORY FALLS INTO THE SEA? It All…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #13

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #13

ByMMPCJul 26, 2020

Lizard … Bad Guy or Superhero? When I started this…

Living With the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #12

Living With the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #12

ByMMPCJul 13, 2020

In the beginning there were reeds and sedges This Treasure…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #11

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #11

ByMMPCJun 25, 2020

Prologue Today’s Treasure Hunt is about snakes. Unhappily, snakes have…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #10

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #10

ByMMPCJun 10, 2020

Prologue Our Treasure Hunts usually end with some suggestions on…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #9

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #9

ByMMPCMay 30, 2020

There are Trees…and Then There are “Trees” If trees had…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #8

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #8

ByMMPCMay 20, 2020

Then a Treasure, Now Trouble…BIG Trouble…The Invasives Some invasive plants…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #7

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #7

ByMMPCMay 6, 2020

First the Birds, then the Bees and now … the…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #6

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #6

ByMMPCApr 28, 2020

A Tiny, but Powerful Member of the Animal Kingdom Prologue:…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #5

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #5

ByMMPCApr 20, 2020

Today’s Treasure May Be Flying, Wading or Standing Still –…

Living With the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #4

Living With the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #4

ByMMPCApr 11, 2020

A Flower That Blooms for a Single Day … oops…

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #3

Living with the Lockdown – Treasure Hunt #3

ByMMPCApr 4, 2020

Willow and Water Go Together Meet the Family The Willow…

Living with the Lockdown Treasure Hunt #2

Living with the Lockdown Treasure Hunt #2

ByMMPCMar 29, 2020

Welcome to the second of our treasure hunts. The plant…

Living with the Lockdown – A More Mesa Treasure Hunt #1

Living with the Lockdown – A More Mesa Treasure Hunt #1

ByMMPCMar 22, 2020

No one would dispute we are in very troubled times.…