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...
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...