Brian Pohrte, a resident of St. Charles, Illinois, turned to kayaking during the COVID-19 pandemic after initially taking up biking with his family. His interest in the outdoors led him to join the St. Charles Canoe Club, where he became a regular on the Fox River. However, the future of the river, which Pohrte relies...
Three years after Florida experienced a catastrophic marine heat wave, scientists are implementing enhanced strategies to protect its coral reefs. In the summer of 2023, South Florida’s waters became alarmingly warm. This severe thermal increase resulted in a record-breaking mass coral bleaching event, marking a significant ecological disaster for the region. Ken Nedimyer, along with...
As warm temperatures lingered around 80 degrees, many individuals seized the chance to delight in a summer day at Montrose Beach. Kids fashioned holes in the sand, families engaged in soccer, and some dared to enter the water amid crashing waves. Meanwhile, others at a nearby stone pier indulged in bird-watching, seeking different sightings. Bird...
In the Maldives, young people recently took to kayaks to protest against land reclamation affecting protected mangrove wetlands within a UNESCO biosphere reserve. They spray-painted the word ‘ECOCIDE’ on reclaimed areas as a sign of defiance. The group, Project ThimaaVeshi, focuses on addressing coastal erosion, plastic pollution, and ecosystem damage. In Addu City, these activists...
On a dusty road in Kimana, Kenya, the remains of an elephant lie abandoned. Nearby, scavengers have stripped another elephant down to its skull. These elephants are among 15 suspected victims of cyanide poisoning in Amboseli National Park. The elephants ate tomatoes from nearby farms, and investigations are ongoing into how cyanide entered this ecosystem...
Introduction to the Chumash Campaign The Chumash tribe has been actively campaigning for over ten years to establish a new marine sanctuary along the central California coast. This proposed area would encompass waters surrounding Point Conception, a site deeply sacred to the Chumash people. The Sanctuary’s Impact Spanning more than 5,000 square miles, this stretch...
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have committed $200 million to an ambitious conservation effort through their foundations, Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund. This initiative aims to revive 100 of the most threatened species worldwide. The Phoenix Species Project, announced on Tuesday, represents the largest single fund focused on rescuing critically endangered species. DiCaprio has...
A homeowner in Soldotna, Alaska, with a cup of coffee in hand, observes a bumblebee moving through blooming chives on a pleasant June morning. This moment shows how individual actions in gardens and communities affect native bee populations in Alaska. Supporting native bees doesn’t require large areas or expert knowledge. Simple choices can contribute significantly...
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has removed endangered species protections for the dunes sagebrush lizard, a Texas species. These protections were initially introduced in 2024 after state Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the federal government over the designation. The dunes sagebrush lizard, a small reptile measuring roughly 2.5 inches, is native to the Permian...
The death of 15 elephants in a single month at Kenya’s Amboseli National Park has caused significant alarm. These incidents have no clear explanation, prompting fears of possible poisoning. Wildlife tourism is crucial to Kenya’s economy, and this development has generated widespread concern among citizens and conservationists. The recent events underscore the importance of protecting...