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Slug Return from Capistrano Day is an annual holiday observed on May 28 in the United States, in celebration of our favorite garden buddies- Slugs! The holiday was established by Ruth and Thomas Roy, in a parody of “Swallows Return to Capistrano Day”, the return of cliff swallows at San Juan Capistrano in Spring. While there have been no official documented cases of slug migration, it is a fun way to celebrate the seasonal return of slugs and their role in our ecosystem.

Slugs are often seen as pests, but they are an integral species involved with breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients in the soil. They are also a food source for many animals, including birds, frogs, and small mammals.

Slug Return from Capistrano Day highlights the importance of small, often overlooked creatures in our ecosystems. Look at them!

Even a slug can be cute! | Well, I think so anyway. I'd neve… | Flickr A picture containing mollusk, invertebrate, slug, snail

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Learn about slugs: Take some time to learn about the important role slugs play in ecosystems and how you can help conserve them. You may be surprised at just how fascinating these creatures can be!

Sea slugs are another creature demanding awareness. There are over 2000 species with wildly different appearances. Here is a recently spotted rainbow sea slug:

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And here are some other varieties:

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Lettuce Sea Slug

Leaf Slug or Leaf Sheep

Venomous 'blue dragon' sea slug washed ashore in Texas | CNN

Blue Dragon Sea Slug

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National Aviation Month 2024

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Native American Heritage Month 2024

November is National Native American Heritage Month. For this week’s blog we welcome guest writer, Dr. Susan Stone, Professor of English. Indigenous people have lived in what we now call North America for over 20,000 years. Currently, there are 574 federally recognized tribes, each with their own unique language and customs, and Native Americans made up 3% of the US population in the 2022 census. Although this number is significant, it could have been much larger if Europeans hadn’t arrived in the 15th century. It is estimated that almost 95% of the millions of Indigenous people living in North America perished from diseases like smallpox and the measles as well as forced displacement and warfare, within the first few decades of contact. Despite the immense challenges they faced, Indigenous people preserved their histories and cultures through storytelling, passing down their heritage for generations. This was complicated, however, by the lack of written indigenous languages, which made recording history and sharing stories among tribes and with colonists difficult. Still in 1809, a Cherokee man named Sequoyah (George Guess) became the first Native American to begin working on a writing system for his nation’s language. He called this project the “Talking Leaves.” A monumental undertaking, especially considering that he couldn’t read or write, it took Sequoyah and his daughter Ayoka over a decade to complete the Cherokee Syllabary, an innovative syllable-based writing system still used today. Today, Cherokee and Navajo, which was used by the Code Talkers in WWII to help win the war, are the two most popular spoken and written native languages. With written languages, the legacy of indigenous storytelling has taken on new dimensions.Over the last two centuries, hundreds of Native American authors have shared stories orally and written prolifically and provocatively in English and in multiple classical genres—poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, etc. In the last 50 years or so as part of the Native American Renaissance first and second waves, they have woven decidedly Indigenous and tribal topics, themes, and forms into their story telling, creating hybrid works like Cherokee/Kiowa Pulitzer Prize winner N. Scott Momaday’s multi-voiced (tribal, academic, personal, and mythical) and hand-illustrated The Way to Rainy Mountain (1969) and Chippewa writer Louise Erdrich’s critically acclaimed, multigenerational Love Medicine (1984), a text that can be read either as a whole novel or a collection of, stand-alone short stories. Ceremony (1977), by Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo), places the oral traditions and ceremonial practices of the Navajo and Pueblo people at the center of her story, and Tommy Orange’s Pulitzer-nominated debut novel There There (2018) is a polyphonic, puzzle-like text that focuses on the lives of a dozen people—some Indigenous, some not—who are brought together at an urban pow-wow in Oakland, California. In this extremely popular work, Orange blends elements of his Cheyenne and Arapaho heritage with social, historical, and cultural issues that confront both urban Natives and those living on reservations. In addition to the above texts, there is a wonderful emergence of creative Native American authored and illustrated texts for children and young adults. Since 2006 the biennial American Indian Youth Literature Award celebrates the best in children's and young adult literature by and about Native Americans, showcasing authentic and engaging stories that reflect Indigenous experiences. Many of these award winners and honors can currently be found as part of the book display on the first floor of the Library including: Berry Song, written and Illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation); We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell (Cherokee); Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians); and Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee). Native American Heritage Month was created not only to commemorate a rich, multitribal ancestry and heritage but also to recognize the current achievements and goals of modern tribes and their diverse stories, traditions, identities, governments, and lives on and off reservations. Native Americans are a present tense, forward-looking people. Native American Heritage Month reminds us to honor the resilience, creativity, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities, whose voices continue to enrich and deepen our collective understanding. This November, let us celebrate by engaging with these stories that bridge past, present, and future....

Democracy 2024

American democracy is rooted in the principles of liberty, equality, and justice. Election Day is a cornerstone of this democracy, a day when citizens across the country exercise their right to vote and help shape the future of the nation. This day captures one of the most important principles of democracy – the belief that government should be responsive to the will of its people. Despite its foundational principles, they have not always been the reality for all Americans. Many groups have been excluded from the democratic process and denied the right to vote. It has taken decades for our democracy to expand, extending voting rights to people of color, women, and younger citizens. The ability of the nation to adapt, address inequalities, and include more voices speaks to the enduring strength of this democracy.Voting is only one part of the democratic process, however. Civic engagement also includes engaging in activities that hold elected officials accountable and push for change on issues that matter to communities. This can mean attending public meetings, joining protests to advocate for justice or policy reform, and writing to elected representatives. Citizens can engage as well by organizing grassroots campaigns, raising awareness on social media, or volunteering for causes important to them. Running for office – whether local, state, or national – is another option for those who want to take on a more direct role.A healthy democracy also requires informed and active citizens. Check out our Elections & Voting guide for links to numerous resources to help you stay informed. Take advantage of our databases like US Newsstream and the New York Times Digital Edition for access to news. Finally, check out our Democracy book display on the main floor of the Library. ...

Raptor Awareness Month 2024

October, Raptor Awareness Month, is a time to celebrate, learn about, and promote the protection of birds of prey. Raptors—such as hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, and vultures—are known for their keen eyesight, sharp talons, powerful beaks, and soaring flight. Raptors are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems. As birds of prey they help with controlling populations of smaller animals like rodents, birds, and even insects, preventing overpopulation and resource depletion. They also can serve as indicators of ecosystem health, with declines in their numbers signaling environmental issues like pollution or habitat loss. Scavenging raptors, such as vultures, help clean up the environment by feeding on carrion, preventing the spread of disease and promoting faster decomposition. Other raptors can help farmers by naturally controlling rodent pest populations, reducing the need for harmful pesticides. Additionally, they hold cultural and spiritual significance for many.Despite their importance, many raptor species are in danger due to various human-induced threats. Habitat loss from deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion reduces their hunting and nesting areas. Pesticides, particularly those that accumulate in the food chain, can poison raptors, leading to health and reproductive issues and even death. Collisions with human-made structures like power lines, wind turbines, and vehicles also pose risks. Illegal hunting and the capture of raptors for the pet trade further endanger these birds. Climate change is another growing threat, altering habitats and affecting prey availability.Raptor Awareness Month is an opportunity to take action and protect these vital birds. Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, banning harmful pesticides, and supporting raptor rehabilitation centers, are essential to their survival. Educating the public about raptors’ ecological importance can foster greater appreciation and encourage responsible actions to safeguard their future. For more information on raptors, please visit the book display on the fourth floor of the Library. ...

Slug Return from Capistrano Day

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