Bethpage State Park Ecology

As many know, February 2nd is Groundhog Day! To most, perhaps it is a nonsensical holiday. To others, it connects Americans to folklore and tradition (of the Pennsylvania Dutch, to be exact) while asking a question worth pondering this time of year: are we are in for more winter or more spring!? If you believe in groundhog predictions, this year Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, thus declaring 6 more weeks of cold weather.  Groundhogs are a quirky, cultural American icon  Despite the attention of having a national holiday (more than most animals receive), I would argue that groundhogs are still wildly overlooked. These creatures provide value way beyond culture, and their ecological significance is worthy of praise year round! Let me tell you why.  For starters, groundhogs are the largest members of the squirrel family. Classified as marmots, these ground-dwelling rodents burrow massive networks! This digging behavior aerates the soil faster and brings nutrients to pl...