News & Commentary

Roam, Roam on the Range

June 24, 2015 DispatchMontanaAlisa Opar

This Montana cattle ranch is trying to ensure its operations benefit wildlife—and yes, that means wolves, too.

Win-Win for the Historic Palisades Park: LG Redesigns Office Building to Preserve Iconic Views

June 23, 2015 Expert BlogMark Izeman

It’s Raining Lamprey!

June 18, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

A weekly roundup of the best in science journalism, doodled.

Progress on Smart from the Start Solar in California and Nevada

June 2, 2015 Expert BlogHelen O'Shea

Fighting Back Against 'the Nothing'

May 28, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesJason Bittel

Deforestation is an insidious, biodiversity-sucking void.

Fearing the Burn

May 26, 2015 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

Western states prepare for an “explosive” wildfire season.

Dirty Dancing in the Big Empty

May 19, 2015 PerspectivesWest, United StatesRocky Kistner

A new documentary spotlights the sad plight of the greater sage grouse: They’re running out of dance floor.

Swamped by Global Warming

April 22, 2015 Latest NewsFloridaBrian Palmer

On Earth Day, President Obama calls on us to save the Everglades from myriad problems—but climate should be the first one on the list.

A Delicate Dance

April 21, 2015 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

Conservation efforts kept the bistate sage grouse off the Endangered Species List. Will they work for the rest of the grouses?

Save the Very Hungry Caterpillars

April 16, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Common insecticides are killing monarch butterfly larvae, says a USDA study.

Park Passage

April 16, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesJason Bittel

The president’s new plan to get kids into national parks (for free!) is awesome. Here’s why.

America’s Best Idea, Executed Poorly

April 9, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

A study says that if we want to prevent extinction, we’re protecting the wrong areas of the country. Can't we do both?

Fish Out of Water

April 3, 2015 DispatchCaliforniaAlisa Opar

Scary-low snowpack may spell disaster for some California wildlife and ecosystems.

There Goes the Neighborhood

April 2, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

How humans use land is dramatically decreasing biodiversity worldwide.

A Carbon Sink, Sinking

March 18, 2015 Latest NewsBrazilBrian Palmer

A new study suggests excess carbon dioxide is shrinking the Amazon.

Lord of the Tree Rings

February 18, 2015 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

Benjamin Cook looks at ancient trees to forecast future droughts. His latest findings are not good news for the West.

Fall Guys

February 12, 2015 Latest NewsCanadaJason Bittel

Canada is killing wolves to save endangered caribou. The real problem? Tar sands development.

Uncle Sam Wants You…to Vacate the Premises

January 29, 2015 Latest NewsBrian Palmer

Legislators are addicted to taking property through eminent domain. Keystone XL is no exception.

Misssssssed Opportunities

January 15, 2015 PerspectivesInternationalJason Bittel

The man who was almost fed to an anaconda discusses how the Discovery Channel left all the conservation footage on the cutting-room floor.

Two Steps Forward…

December 22, 2014 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

A major bill passed by Congress last week included good news for conservation in the West—and some serious setbacks.