The Artful Prairie

The Encyclopedia of Life or EOL is a major effort to fully catalog and document the plants, animals, fungi and other forms of life on this planet.  It is a huge, audacious undertaking that can only be accomplished with the help of thousands of participants around the globe.  In my long associations with taxonomy, evolution, networking and the web, I had often thought of starting such a project in a field guide format, but was always overwhelmed by the project's enormity.  The effort that E. O. Wilson dreamed about, and put into motion in 2007, I believe, is one of those pivotal, cooperative undertakings that will have lasting effects and utility for generations to come. 

I had been waiting impatiently for the opportunity to be a participant.  Now, EOL has their submission point for pictures at www.flickr.com. I encourage others to participate and support the EOL in any way you can for this most worthwhile cause.

The following images have been submitted for inclusion to the EOL.  These are just a few of what I hope will be many more in the future.