Happy independence day!!! We are so lucky to have areas like the southern Appalachia in our country. It is our duty to protect these ecosystems so our children's children can experience them. We must be proactive in our quest to keep the forest floor a diverse, chaotic place teaming with species interactions. Today, let us relax and fully embrace these beautiful places. Appreciate them as well as our ability to freely experience them- a luxury not every human has living outside of our independent country, the United States of America!