Duke Forest

Butterflies are more than colorful signs of spring. They are important indicators of ecosystem health! During a recent Duke Forest event, community members joined butterfly expert Jeff Pippen to learn how scientists and volunteers track butterfly populations across the Carolinas.

Guests explored the differences between butterflies and moths, butterfly species identification, and the role these insects play in healthy habitats. The morning concluded with a guided survey walk through the forest, where participants spotted several native species while experiencing community science in action.

Read more about the event: https://dukeforest.duke.edu/2026/05/19/brushing-up-on-butterflies-in-the-duke-forest/

Photos courtesy of Susan Reeves

The Duke Forest recently welcomed the 2026–2027 cohort of Duke University’s CAST Fellows Program for a hands-on exploration of climate and sustainability education in action. The Climate and Sustainability Teaching (CAST) Fellows Program supports faculty as they redesign courses to incorporate climate and sustainability concepts through interdisciplinary, place-based learning experiences. By equipping educators with new tools and perspectives, the program helps prepare students to address pressing environmental and societal challenges.

During the Duke Forest portion of the workshop, fellows explored long-running research sites, discussed forest management and climate resilience, and examined topics such as wildfire, biodiversity loss, and mesophication. Participants also engaged in creative exercises involving storytelling, writing, movement, and sensory observation to demonstrate how arts-based teaching can deepen engagement with complex environmental issues.

Together, these experiences highlighted the value of experiential learning and reinforced the important role Duke’s natural landscapes play in cultivating future climate and sustainability leaders.

Read more here: https://dukeforest.duke.edu/2026/05/19/duke-forest-hosts-climate-and-sustainability-teaching-fellows/

Green Devil Intern Eddie McDonald, MEM/MF ’26, presented at the Climate and Sustainability Research and Campus Impact Showcase about his internship experience with the Duke Forest. Eddie reflected on the wide range of projects he supported throughout the academic year, strengthening both his field operations and administrative skills as he prepares to enter the job market following his December graduation.

From invasive species removal and recreation monitoring to timber cruising, Eddie’s hard work, adaptability, and positive attitude made a meaningful impact on the stewardship and management of the Duke Forest!

Our friends from the Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing (MaRRS) Lab frequently use our two drone flight facilities. They hone their piloting skills by accruing flight hours, test equipment and research methodologies, and give us a bird’s-eye view of the Forest from above!

Please note: Recreational drone use is not permitted in the Duke Forest. Drone use is reserved for approved teaching and research activities only.

Recently, we hosted a test run for a collaborative research project between PhD student Caroline Rowley, who is studying coyote behavior, and mechanical engineering seniors designing a tracking collar.

To test it, the team worked with Beacon, a highly trained border collie, who was led by his trainer through fields and forests to gather data across habitats. This hands-on effort highlights how the Forest supports innovative, interdisciplinary research and real-world learning for students across Duke.