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...
Recently, poor air quality has impacted various U.S. states as smoke from Canadian and regional wildfires, along with summer ozone pollution, has created unhealthy conditions for millions. The situation arises from a mix of sources. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has moved into the Midwest and Northeast. Meanwhile, wildfires in the western U.S. are also contributing...
El Niño’s recent arrival heralds a potentially intense winter in California. Recent shifts in oceanic conditions signal the possibility of a strong or very strong El Niño later in the year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center reports a 97% probability of a significant El Niño before the year ends. Understanding El...
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...
Each spring, tens of millions of monarch butterflies embark on an astonishing migration from Mexico to the United States. These butterflies, having spent winter in the forests of a remote mountain in Mexico, begin their northward journey. Once born in Canada and the northern U.S., they have been undertaking this journey for thousands of years....
Since the start of the month, massive wildfires have ravaged France and Spain. Some have described these fires as apocalyptic. The blazes have destroyed buildings and forests, intensified by Europe’s record-breaking heat wave. This extreme heat has already resulted in thousands of deaths. Last week, the Fontainebleau Forest near Paris caught fire, consuming 2,000 hectares...
In 2025, global energy consumption reached unprecedented levels, with fossil fuels maintaining their dominance despite significant growth in renewable energy sources like wind and solar. A recent report highlights the ongoing reliance on oil, natural gas, and coal, which together accounted for 86% of global energy use last year. This trend supports President Donald Trump’s...
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...
Mike Russell checks the weather before work. As co-owner of J&M Dog Walking, weather influences how much time his clients spend outdoors. When he saw the poor air quality advisory on Thursday morning, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He advised walkers to keep dog outings brief and spend more time indoors. Russell, 43, soon...