News & Commentary

To Nab Poachers, the Government Is Turning Dead Animals into Robots

April 6, 2016 DispatchCaliforniaAlisa Opar

Some of the taxidermied wildlife even poop M&Ms.

This Scientist Never Thought He’d Be Raiding Illegal Pot Farms for a Living

April 4, 2016 DispatchCaliforniaAlisa Opar

Crime, raids, destruction, and mounds of paperwork—it’s all part of the job.

California Is Finally Enjoying Some Rainfall—and So Are Its Invasive Species

March 31, 2016 DispatchCaliforniaAlisa Opar

The much-needed El Niño downpours might be helping exotic snakes, insects, and plants spread into new areas.

Undersea Mining Spree: Scientists Race to Study the Southeastern Pacific Before it's Too Late

March 12, 2016 DispatchInternational, WestBrooke Jarvis

As mining interests deepen in the southeastern Pacific, researchers are racing the clock—and pushing the frontiers of science—to understand this unknown stretch of sea.

Spring Break

February 4, 2016 DispatchMontanaAlisa Opar

Bison go from seasonal outlaws to year-round residents in a large swath of Montana.

The Woman Who Loves Orcas

January 20, 2016 DispatchAlaska, WestTed Genoways

Scientist, poet, and cancer survivor Eva Saulitis says that orcas saved her life. If only she could return the favor.

Frog vs. Fish

December 8, 2015 DispatchCaliforniaAlisa Opar

How cutting-edge technology may save endangered amphibians from hungry trout in Yosemite’s alpine lakes.

Starved by the Sea?

November 17, 2015 PerspectivesCaliforniaAlisa Opar

Mass die-offs in the Pacific are sending the emaciated bodies of seabirds, seals, and sea lions ashore from California to Alaska.

Shhh! Not in Front of the Children!

October 26, 2015 PerspectivesUtah, United StatesJeff Turrentine

School officials in Utah think sixth graders are too young to be taught about climate change—but the perfect age to be misled about it.

No Photos, Please

October 23, 2015 DispatchWyomingAlisa Opar

New Wyoming laws stifle freedom of speech and make citizen science illegal.

The Soil Savior

October 15, 2015 DispatchTexasJeff Turrentine

A Texas farmer is bucking tradition by putting soil health above all else. The result? Water-retaining, nutrient-rich pay dirt.

In a Flash

September 2, 2015 PerspectivesWest, United StatesAlisa Opar

A wildland firefighter documents one of the worst fire seasons on record.

The Great Oyster Crash

August 26, 2015 DispatchOregon, WestEric Scigliano

Ocean acidification hits the Pacific shellfish industry.

Hey, Congress, Quit Blaming the EPA

August 18, 2015 DispatchColoradoBrian Palmer

The Gold King mine accident is on you, too.

The Farmer Who Weeded Out Chemicals

August 12, 2015 DispatchCaliforniaLaura Fraser

Organic farmer Jim Cochran proves that growing nontoxic strawberries isn’t just possible, it’s profitable.

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.

Oklahoma Earthquake? Blame Oil and Gas

June 18, 2015 DispatchOklahomaBrian Palmer

A new study proves what we’ve suspected all along—oil and gas drilling triggers earthquakes.

A Year Without Snow

June 4, 2015 DispatchWestBrooke Jarvis

Want to know what difference a few degrees can make as the climate warms? Look no further than the West’s critical and vanishing snowpack.

Yes, in Your Backyard

May 21, 2015 PerspectivesTexasBrian Palmer

Texas tells local governments not to mess with oil and gas.

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.