Nichole Radcliff, Author at Earth Day

Nichole Radcliff

Intern

Posts by Nichole Radcliff

October 14, 2025

Secrets of the Forest Floor

An often overlooked component of a forest, understories play a surprisingly important role in supporting…

Nichole Radcliff

img:is([sizes="auto" i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px;}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important;}.wp-block-audio :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-audio :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-audio{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-code{border:1px solid #ccc;border-radius:4px;font-family:Menlo,Consolas,monaco,monospace;padding:.8em 1em;}.wp-block-embed :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-embed :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-embed{margin:0 0 1em;}.blocks-gallery-caption{color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .blocks-gallery-caption{color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}:root :where(.wp-block-image figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme :root :where(.wp-block-image figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-image{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-pullquote{border-bottom:4px solid;border-top:4px solid;color:currentColor;margin-bottom:1.75em;}.wp-block-pullquote cite,.wp-block-pullquote footer,.wp-block-pullquote__citation{color:currentColor;font-size:.8125em;font-style:normal;text-transform:uppercase;}.wp-block-quote{border-left:.25em solid;margin:0 0 1.75em;padding-left:1em;}.wp-block-quote cite,.wp-block-quote footer{color:currentColor;font-size:.8125em;font-style:normal;position:relative;}.wp-block-quote:where(.has-text-align-right){border-left:none;border-right:.25em solid;padding-left:0;padding-right:1em;}.wp-block-quote:where(.has-text-align-center){border:none;padding-left:0;}.wp-block-quote.is-large,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large,.wp-block-quote:where(.is-style-plain){border:none;}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__label{font-weight:700;}.wp-block-search__button{border:1px solid #ccc;padding:.375em .625em;}:where(.wp-block-group.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em;}.wp-block-separator.has-css-opacity{opacity:.4;}.wp-block-separator{border:none;border-bottom:2px solid;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.wp-block-separator.has-alpha-channel-opacity{opacity:1;}.wp-block-separator:not(.is-style-wide):not(.is-style-dots){width:100px;}.wp-block-separator.has-background:not(.is-style-dots){border-bottom:none;height:1px;}.wp-block-separator.has-background:not(.is-style-wide):not(.is-style-dots){height:2px;}.wp-block-table{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-table td,.wp-block-table th{word-break:normal;}.wp-block-table :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-table :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-video :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-video :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-video{margin:0 0 1em;}:root :where(.wp-block-template-part.has-background){margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding:1.25em 2.375em;}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2{position:relative;}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2[data-cb-pagination=true] .swiper-horizontal{margin-bottom:calc(var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-size,8px) * 4);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-button-next,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-button-prev{color:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-color,#000);height:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-size,22px);margin-top:calc(0px - var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-size,22px) / 2);width:calc(var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-size,22px) / 44 * 27);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-button-next:after,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-button-prev:after{font-size:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-size,22px);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-button-prev,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.cb-rtl .cb-button-next{left:calc(var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-size,22px) * -1 / 44 * 27 - var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-sides-offset,10px));right:auto;}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-button-next,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.cb-rtl .cb-button-prev{left:auto;right:calc(var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-size,22px) * -1 / 44 * 27 - var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-sides-offset,10px));}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.cb-rtl .cb-button-next,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.cb-rtl .cb-button-prev{transform:scaleX(-1);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-pagination.swiper-pagination-horizontal{bottom:calc(var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-size,8px) * -2.5);display:flex;justify-content:center;top:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-top,auto);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-pagination.swiper-pagination-horizontal.swiper-pagination-bullets .cb-pagination-bullet{margin:0 var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-horizontal-gap,4px);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-pagination .cb-pagination-bullet{background:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-color,#999);height:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-size,8px);opacity:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-opacity,.5);width:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-size,8px);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .cb-pagination .cb-pagination-bullet.swiper-pagination-bullet-active{background:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-active-color,#000);opacity:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-active-opacity,1);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.alignfull .cb-button-next,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.alignfull .cb-button-prev{color:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-alignfull-color,#000);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.alignfull .cb-button-prev,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.alignfull.cb-rtl .cb-button-next{left:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-sides-offset,10px);right:auto;}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.alignfull .cb-button-next,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2.alignfull.cb-rtl .cb-button-prev{left:auto;right:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-sides-offset,10px);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .wp-block-image{margin-bottom:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--image-margin-bottom,0);margin-top:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--image-margin-top,0);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .wp-block-cover{margin-bottom:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--cover-margin-bottom,0);margin-top:var(--wp--custom--carousel-block--cover-margin-top,0);}.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .wp-block-cover.aligncenter,.wp-block-cb-carousel-v2 .wp-block-image.aligncenter{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block{display:flex;line-height:0;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.has-border-color{border:none;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .has-icon-color svg,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.has-icon-color svg{color:currentColor;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .has-icon-color:not(.has-no-icon-fill-color) svg,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.has-icon-color:not(.has-no-icon-fill-color) svg{fill:currentColor;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .icon-container{box-sizing:border-box;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block a,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block svg{height:100%;transition:transform .1s ease-in-out;width:100%;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block a:hover{transform:scale(1.1);}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block svg{transform:rotate(var(--outermost--icon-block--transform-rotate,0deg)) scaleX(var(--outermost--icon-block--transform-scale-x,1)) scaleY(var(--outermost--icon-block--transform-scale-y,1));}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .rotate-90,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.rotate-90{--outermost--icon-block--transform-rotate:90deg;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .rotate-180,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.rotate-180{--outermost--icon-block--transform-rotate:180deg;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .rotate-270,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.rotate-270{--outermost--icon-block--transform-rotate:270deg;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .flip-horizontal,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.flip-horizontal{--outermost--icon-block--transform-scale-x:-1;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .flip-vertical,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.flip-vertical{--outermost--icon-block--transform-scale-y:-1;}.wp-block-outermost-icon-block .flip-vertical.flip-horizontal,.wp-block-outermost-icon-block.flip-vertical.flip-horizontal{--outermost--icon-block--transform-scale-x:-1;--outermost--icon-block--transform-scale-y:-1;}.wp-block-pdfemb-pdf-embedder-viewer{max-width:none;}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em;}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1);}:root :where(.is-layout-flow) > :first-child{margin-block-start:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-flow) > :last-child{margin-block-end:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-flow) > *{margin-block-start:24px;margin-block-end:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-constrained) > :first-child{margin-block-start:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-constrained) > :last-child{margin-block-end:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-constrained) > *{margin-block-start:24px;margin-block-end:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-flex){gap:24px;}:root :where(.is-layout-grid){gap:24px;}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*,div){margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*,div){margin:0;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}@media screen and (max-height: 1024px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}}@media screen and (max-height: 640px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}.latest-tweets-block{margin-bottom:0 !important;}.wq-popup .wq-results{display:block !important;}.wp-block-cover{height:auto;}.video-holder{display:inline-block;position:relative;padding-bottom:45%;width:100%;}.video-holder iframe{height:100% !important;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100% !important;}.page-id-60587 img{display:initial !important;}.builder-item--logo .site-logo img{height:auto;}.start-style.home ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item a.nav-link,.start-style.home ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item a.nav-link:visited{color:grey;}header{background-color:white;}@media (min-width: 992px){.utility-nav .container{-ms-flex-item-align:center;-ms-grid-row-align:center;align-self:center;}.utility-nav .container ul.social{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-item-align:center;-ms-grid-row-align:center;align-self:center;}}ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item:last-of-type a,ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item:last-of-type a:visited{background-color:transparent;color:#000;}ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item:last-of-type > a.nav-link{background-color:#fdb714;color:#fff !important;}ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item:last-of-type > a.nav-link:hover{background-color:#08194f;color:#fff !important;}ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item:last-of-type .dropdown-menu a{letter-spacing:1px !important;-webkit-box-pack:start !important;-ms-flex-pack:start !important;justify-content:flex-start !important;-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;border-radius:0% !important;}@media (min-width: 992px){ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item.show:last-of-type .dropdown-menu,ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item:last-of-type .dropdown-menu{left:-70%;-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;-webkit-transform:none;transform:none;}}@media screen and (min-width: 992px) and (max-width: 1099px){ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item{margin-left:1rem !important;}ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item a.nav-link,ul.navbar-nav li.nav-item a.nav-link:visited{font-size:15px;}}

Posts by Nichole Radcliff

Nichole Radcliff

Intern

Posts by Nichole Radcliff

Secrets of the Forest Floor

In the News