Iowa once had twice as much forest as it does today. Back in 1906, lawmakers created the Forest Reserve Program to stop landowners from clearing poor soil land. The idea was simple: leave trees standing to prevent erosion, protect clean water, and support wildlife. Instead of paying taxes on low-val
Crayfish go by many names across the U. S. , and the labels say a lot about how humans interact with them. Scientists tend to use “crayfish” when studying these crustaceans. Fishermen switch to “crawdad” when using them as bait. But if they’re on a dinner plate, most people call them “crawfish, ” es
Kelly Burke grew up in Colorado, always drawn to wide open spaces. In 1986 she moved north to study geology at a university near the Grand Canyon. Her love for the canyon deepened when she helped drive river trips to keep money flowing while finishing her thesis. A chance ride on the Colora
In a quiet corner of Longmeadow, a simple wooden post now doubles as a window into the past and future of a wildlife refuge. A sign invites hikers to snap a picture with their phones, send it by email, and instantly add a new frame to a growing archive that tracks the area’s changes since 2020. T
Experts say the Great Lakes piping plover—those tiny, sand-colored shorebirds—are making a slow but steady recovery after nearly disappearing decades ago. But their comeback story depends on people following simple but strict rules. When walking Michigan beaches this season, hikers need to watch fo
Three years after commercial salmon fishing vanished from California’s coast, the pause has finally lifted. Federal officials recently gave the green light for limited fishing to restart in 2024. The decision follows a boost in salmon numbers, thanks partly to wetter winters that ended a severe drou
A new study shows that the way local governments borrow money could help keep bats alive and improve county finances. When a fungal disease called white‑nose syndrome killed many North American bats, farmers lost an inexpensive natural pest controller. Without the insects that bats eat, farms
A man from Massachusetts worked a shadowy international trade, ordering skulls, skins, and bones of endangered animals through overseas partners. Between 2018 and 2021, he handled more than one hundred pieces including orangutan heads, tiger skulls, jaguar pelts, and pangolin remains. His buyers pai
A group of 34 saker falcons fluttered into the sky over Altyn‑Emel National Park, marking a hopeful step for a species that has faced severe decline. These birds are part of an ambitious plan to rebuild Kazakhstan’s falcon numbers, a symbol of freedom for its nomadic culture. The project is led by S
Zoos have long been a point of debate. Some people see them as cruel, others view them as important for saving species. The picture is more complex than it first appears. Recent changes in many zoos have shifted their focus from simply displaying animals to actively protecting endangered species.
