Debra Mihalic Staples
@dmihalicstaples.bsky.social
Writer, reader, hiker, kayaker, nature journaler, all at a leisurely pace. Words in Still: The Journal, High Country News, Wild Roof Journal, Gastropoda, South Carolina Wildlife, and elsewhere.
As of right now, Cloudflare's outage is affecting the Georgia Secretary of State's website: sos.ga.gov
During some state elections, today, by the way.
During some state elections, today, by the way.
November 18, 2025 at 2:37 PM
As of right now, Cloudflare's outage is affecting the Georgia Secretary of State's website: sos.ga.gov
During some state elections, today, by the way.
During some state elections, today, by the way.
Y’all—northern lights down south, a few minutes ago.
November 12, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Y’all—northern lights down south, a few minutes ago.
Excellent thread, superb use of alt text.
THREAD. A collection of photos I have taken of scarecrows I have stumbled across during walks in the British countryside over the last fifteen years.
November 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Excellent thread, superb use of alt text.
Attention, voters in Georgia House District 23: georgiarecorder.com/2025/11/10/t...
The ballot is set for next month’s special Georgia House election in Cherokee County • Georgia Recorder
Six candidates have stepped forward to fill a Cherokee County legislative seat that was left empty after the death of the district's state representative last month.
georgiarecorder.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Attention, voters in Georgia House District 23: georgiarecorder.com/2025/11/10/t...
I leaned in to smell a way-too-early jessamine bloom and nearly inhaled this small mantis.
November 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I leaned in to smell a way-too-early jessamine bloom and nearly inhaled this small mantis.
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
GEORGIANS!
During COVID, Georgia Power received $35 million in Federal funds to help people with utility bills. They spent less than 1% of those funds to help customers avoid disconnection; much of that funding went to executive bonuses. The GA PSC didn’t question that.
VOTE FOR ALICIA AND PETER!
During COVID, Georgia Power received $35 million in Federal funds to help people with utility bills. They spent less than 1% of those funds to help customers avoid disconnection; much of that funding went to executive bonuses. The GA PSC didn’t question that.
VOTE FOR ALICIA AND PETER!
November 3, 2025 at 9:38 PM
GEORGIANS!
During COVID, Georgia Power received $35 million in Federal funds to help people with utility bills. They spent less than 1% of those funds to help customers avoid disconnection; much of that funding went to executive bonuses. The GA PSC didn’t question that.
VOTE FOR ALICIA AND PETER!
During COVID, Georgia Power received $35 million in Federal funds to help people with utility bills. They spent less than 1% of those funds to help customers avoid disconnection; much of that funding went to executive bonuses. The GA PSC didn’t question that.
VOTE FOR ALICIA AND PETER!
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
“This is already on track to be one of the most expensive gas-fired power plants in history, and the health and environmental impacts will reach millions.” - Eddy Moore, @CleanEnergyOrg https://selc.link/4oaufDj
South Carolina gas plant plans finally surface
This month, a private pipeline company began informing landowners in Georgia and South Carolina that it's eyeing their property for construction of a pipeline that would serve a proposed methane gas plant in Canadys, South Carolina. With the power of “e...
selc.link
October 30, 2025 at 3:46 PM
“This is already on track to be one of the most expensive gas-fired power plants in history, and the health and environmental impacts will reach millions.” - Eddy Moore, @CleanEnergyOrg https://selc.link/4oaufDj
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
Ghada Amer,
'We are the granddaughters of the witches that you could not burn' ♀ #womensart
'We are the granddaughters of the witches that you could not burn' ♀ #womensart
October 31, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Ghada Amer,
'We are the granddaughters of the witches that you could not burn' ♀ #womensart
'We are the granddaughters of the witches that you could not burn' ♀ #womensart
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
Nearly a month into the federal government shutdown, logging is ongoing in the country’s national forests.
Some advocates worry that the unusual circumstances could mean less oversight over logging in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.
www.bpr.org/politics-gov...
Some advocates worry that the unusual circumstances could mean less oversight over logging in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.
www.bpr.org/politics-gov...
'Keeping the lights on.' On Blue Ridge public lands, a complicated and unusual federal shutdown
Local governments are paying out of pocket for park reopenings - and logging continues in National Forests
www.bpr.org
October 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Nearly a month into the federal government shutdown, logging is ongoing in the country’s national forests.
Some advocates worry that the unusual circumstances could mean less oversight over logging in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.
www.bpr.org/politics-gov...
Some advocates worry that the unusual circumstances could mean less oversight over logging in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.
www.bpr.org/politics-gov...
Although Georgia has had some ridiculous tax surpluses the past few years, the state may double the fees it charges to use our own public lands. Anyway, here's a tip, Georgians: some public libraries have free park passes you can check out.
Excellent article, by the way. Follow @georgiarecorder.com
Excellent article, by the way. Follow @georgiarecorder.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Although Georgia has had some ridiculous tax surpluses the past few years, the state may double the fees it charges to use our own public lands. Anyway, here's a tip, Georgians: some public libraries have free park passes you can check out.
Excellent article, by the way. Follow @georgiarecorder.com
Excellent article, by the way. Follow @georgiarecorder.com
Despite the federal govt. shutdown, logging in National Forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains apparently constitutes an "emergency" and is ongoing.
October 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Despite the federal govt. shutdown, logging in National Forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains apparently constitutes an "emergency" and is ongoing.
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
"The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is—it’s to imagine what is possible." ~ bell hooks
October 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
"The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is—it’s to imagine what is possible." ~ bell hooks
Ghost pipes in a Southern Appalachian forest—usually these are a glassy-white, but this magenta color was eye-catching. #FlowerReport #Bloomscrolling
October 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Ghost pipes in a Southern Appalachian forest—usually these are a glassy-white, but this magenta color was eye-catching. #FlowerReport #Bloomscrolling
Yes, I’ve seen a few HUNDRED of these just on our property. We’ve stumbled through their webs so often I think they’re now learning to place them above human height along our pathways.
Have you seen a Joro spider in Georgia? Researchers want to know. New from @journalistross.bsky.social.
Have you seen a Joro spider in Georgia? Researchers want to know • Georgia Recorder
If you live in north Georgia, there’s a good chance you’ve come face to cephalothorax with the Joro spider in the last few years. The behemoth black and yellow arachnids hitched a ride to Georgia from...
georgiarecorder.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Yes, I’ve seen a few HUNDRED of these just on our property. We’ve stumbled through their webs so often I think they’re now learning to place them above human height along our pathways.
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
Thinking this morning about the importance of writing, reading, creative practice. Not only do the stories we tell have political power, writing allows us to reconnect with parts of ourselves and subverts the noise we've all gotten so used to.
Wishing everyone a quiet moment this weekend.
Wishing everyone a quiet moment this weekend.
October 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Thinking this morning about the importance of writing, reading, creative practice. Not only do the stories we tell have political power, writing allows us to reconnect with parts of ourselves and subverts the noise we've all gotten so used to.
Wishing everyone a quiet moment this weekend.
Wishing everyone a quiet moment this weekend.
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
“Our heedless and destructive acts enter the vast cycles of the earth and in time return to bring hazard to ourselves."
#OnThisDay, 27 Sept 1962, Rachel Carson's influential book 'Silent Spring' is published, documenting the environmental impact of pesticides.
#WomenInHistory #WomenInSTEM 🗃️
1/2
#OnThisDay, 27 Sept 1962, Rachel Carson's influential book 'Silent Spring' is published, documenting the environmental impact of pesticides.
#WomenInHistory #WomenInSTEM 🗃️
1/2
September 27, 2025 at 8:00 AM
“Our heedless and destructive acts enter the vast cycles of the earth and in time return to bring hazard to ourselves."
#OnThisDay, 27 Sept 1962, Rachel Carson's influential book 'Silent Spring' is published, documenting the environmental impact of pesticides.
#WomenInHistory #WomenInSTEM 🗃️
1/2
#OnThisDay, 27 Sept 1962, Rachel Carson's influential book 'Silent Spring' is published, documenting the environmental impact of pesticides.
#WomenInHistory #WomenInSTEM 🗃️
1/2
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
Despite ongoing debates about hybridization, science is clear: Red Wolves are a distinct species.
"Phenotype, genotype, evolutionary history – all of that already distinguishes Red Wolves from coyotes,” says WCC Research Associate, Sunny Murphy.
Read more: bit.ly/3VAHhgL
"Phenotype, genotype, evolutionary history – all of that already distinguishes Red Wolves from coyotes,” says WCC Research Associate, Sunny Murphy.
Read more: bit.ly/3VAHhgL
Are Red Wolves Hybrids? No, And That’s A Critical Distinction For The World’s Rarest Wolf
“This whole debate really roots in the attempt to delegitimize conservation and recovery efforts.”
www.iflscience.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Despite ongoing debates about hybridization, science is clear: Red Wolves are a distinct species.
"Phenotype, genotype, evolutionary history – all of that already distinguishes Red Wolves from coyotes,” says WCC Research Associate, Sunny Murphy.
Read more: bit.ly/3VAHhgL
"Phenotype, genotype, evolutionary history – all of that already distinguishes Red Wolves from coyotes,” says WCC Research Associate, Sunny Murphy.
Read more: bit.ly/3VAHhgL
I celebrated the equinox early with a Sunday hike among the clouds on Black Balsam Knob in NC, one of the highest Appalachian balds.
September 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I celebrated the equinox early with a Sunday hike among the clouds on Black Balsam Knob in NC, one of the highest Appalachian balds.
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
Report reveals Georgia Medicaid program has spent more on admin than care
Report reveals Georgia Medicaid program has spent more on admin than care
A government watchdog has raised concerns about high administrative costs in Georgia's Medicaid program.
www.atlantanewsfirst.com
September 18, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Report reveals Georgia Medicaid program has spent more on admin than care
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
We are thrilled to welcome our newborn zine: Your Quick Start Guide to Nature Journaling a Garden!
In this FREE new zine, learn how and why to nature journal a garden—it helps you slow down, notice more, and sparks JOY and curiosity. wildwonder.org/garden
In this FREE new zine, learn how and why to nature journal a garden—it helps you slow down, notice more, and sparks JOY and curiosity. wildwonder.org/garden
September 14, 2025 at 5:14 AM
We are thrilled to welcome our newborn zine: Your Quick Start Guide to Nature Journaling a Garden!
In this FREE new zine, learn how and why to nature journal a garden—it helps you slow down, notice more, and sparks JOY and curiosity. wildwonder.org/garden
In this FREE new zine, learn how and why to nature journal a garden—it helps you slow down, notice more, and sparks JOY and curiosity. wildwonder.org/garden
Beautyberry, soon to be bird buffet 🐦⬛
September 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Beautyberry, soon to be bird buffet 🐦⬛
Reposted by Debra Mihalic Staples
I keep getting asked for my salty thoughts about the Salt Path as my position on nature cure narratives is v clear! A mere fraction of those thoughts published here @literaryhub.bsky.social, with thanks to @bookwormvaught.bsky.social and @nicwilson.bsky.social for their earlier pieces linked below.
Nature is Not Going to Cure You: On Raynor Winn’s Fabricated Memoir
Like many writers, I have been following the unfolding revelations about Raynor Winn and The Salt Path with great interest, and a degree of self-interest. I am a memoirist and nature writer, and I …
lithub.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I keep getting asked for my salty thoughts about the Salt Path as my position on nature cure narratives is v clear! A mere fraction of those thoughts published here @literaryhub.bsky.social, with thanks to @bookwormvaught.bsky.social and @nicwilson.bsky.social for their earlier pieces linked below.