On Saturday, motorists driving past Somme Prairie Nature Preserve in Northbrook could be forgiven for thinking they had traveled back in time. Around 30 volunteers gathered at the preserve with scythes in hand. They were participating in a ‘Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves’ event to cut down invasive plants. The volunteers gathered on July 18...
A bald eagle rescued near Big Bear over the weekend is likely Jackie, a member of the popular eagle pair featured in a long-running nest livestream, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the wildlife nonprofit managing the camera. Videos and pictures from rescuers and the public suggest the rescued eagle is probably Jackie. The...
Adapting to a New Threat Black vultures have recently migrated to rural southern Illinois. They glide over roads and farms, searching for food. Although roadkill is a usual target, newborn cows are also at risk, troubling local farmers. These birds, once uncommon in this area, have now settled farther north. Patty Zettle, 62, a farmer...
The U.S. Interior Department recently canceled a rule designed to protect plants and animals identified as threatened with extinction. This move by President Donald Trump’s administration is part of efforts to dismantle parts of the longstanding Endangered Species Act, responding to industry pressures. Without automatic protections, species added to the threatened list will require specific...
Recent regulatory changes mandate that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now includes the economic impact of habitat protection in its evaluations under the Endangered Species Act. This adjustment could influence decisions about which species receive protection. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may soon list species such as pygmy rabbits and Florida manatees as...
On July 16, 2026, CBS News reported on the relocation of twenty-eight beluga whales from a closed Canadian theme park to aquariums across the United States. Federal officials approved an emergency import earlier in the month as part of an international rescue effort. Marineland, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed to the public in 2024....
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, some architects are raising concerns about the loss of historic character due to a focus on demolition rather than preservation. These architects point out that replacing older buildings with new developments has already removed landmarks that once mirrored local identity and culture. They urge a stronger commitment...
An unusual scene unfolded in Tasmania, Australia, as Neil the Seal, a 2,200-pound elephant seal, made his presence known. Captured in a photo by Sam Volker Photography, Neil was seen interacting playfully with a traffic cone. This is just one of many notable moments from Neil’s visits to the area, where he attracts both excitement...
Marine ornithologist Tammy Russell recently made a grim discovery on a San Diego beach. During routine surveys, she found numerous dead seabirds, sometimes tangled in washed-up kelp or hidden under rocks. These findings are part of ongoing research conducted by scientists and volunteers to assess the impact of a prolonged marine heat wave affecting parts...
Coho salmon are known for their journey from spawning in freshwater, venturing out to the sea, and returning to their birthplace. However, researchers observed that over the years, some salmon died before they could spawn. This perplexing issue has become a significant concern in the Pacific Northwest, where these salmon were found dead in urban...