One Health Art Series
Illustration, 2017 - present
The One Health Art Series is an ongoing illustration series connecting art and science. For each one of these illustrations, I meet with local scientists and experts to learn more about Nebraska-native animals and the connections between habitat, shared environment, habitat change/land use change, and threats that the animal may face.
There are currently three illustrations in this series: a Bison, Blanding's Turtle, and a Pallid Sturgeon. Scroll down to learn more about each illustration in this series.
BISON
There was once a time when bison roamed freely across the plains. Habitat change and land use change has made seeing even a small bison herd extremely rare in Nebraska. What once was prairie and open land, has become cities, fenced off pastures for cattle, or fields. This change in land use also affects other animals that call the prairie their home, such as pollinators and foxes.
PALLID STURGEON
The Pallid Sturgeon is an endangered fish that can be found in the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Habitat change related to water flow, such as the creation of dams, has caused a dramatic decline in populations. Dams present an obstacle in the migration, spawning, and food availability for this fish. Also, water pollution as been shown to affect the gender outcomes, such as mostly one gender, making reproduction more difficult.
BLANDING'S TURTLE
The Blanding's turtle is an endangered turtled that can be found in northern areas of Nebraska and parts of central and eastern United States. These turtles can be easily identified by their bright yellow chin/throat and their smiling expressions. Blanding's turtles face a number of threats from predators and habitat loss. For example, roads make it hazardous for turtles to travel safely. This turtle does not reach sexual maturity until their late teens and can live into their seventies.