News & Commentary

Bird's Eye View

February 20, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesJason Bittel

The story of one region’s seagulls reveals the enormous and surprising influence humans have on the environment.

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.

California, Here Dry Come!

February 13, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaBrian Palmer

A new study shows that the current California drought is nothing compared to what’s coming.

Fall Guys

February 12, 2015 Latest NewsCanadaJason Bittel

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

The Glow Man and the Sea

February 11, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesAlisa Opar

This summer John Sparks will don a 530-pound suit and plunge 1,000 feet into the Atlantic—all to find some Day-Glo fish.

Sea to Table

February 5, 2015 DispatchWestAlisa Opar

Consumers are increasingly getting to know their local fish—and fishermen—through companies that cut out the middleman.

Don't Stop Planting Milkweed

January 29, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesJason Bittel

New research shows a certain type of milkweed can harm monarchs—but we still need to give these butterflies something to snack on.

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.

More Than a Drop in the Bucket

January 28, 2015 ExplainerUnited StatesJason Bittel

Making sure the Clean Water Act covers small streams and headwaters would protect the drinking water of millions of Americans.

Drill, Maybe, Drill

January 27, 2015 Latest NewsEastBrian Palmer

President Obama just proposed opening the East Coast to offshore drilling. This is a terrible idea.

Acid Attack

January 23, 2015 Latest NewsHawaiiJason Bittel

Invasive ants are harrying Hawaii’s native seabirds and causing horrifying deformities in their young.

Like Sands Through the Fracking Facility

January 21, 2015 DispatchWisconsinSusan Cosier

The frac sand business is booming in Wisconsin. Too bad the state can’t get a handle on the industry’s water pollution.

Countless Times Bitten, Never Shy

January 21, 2015 Latest NewsInternationalAlisa Opar

Cyclones, attempted kidnappings, bleeding out of every orifice—nothing stops Bryan Fry from his quest for venom.

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.

Let the Wily Go Wild?

January 14, 2015 Latest NewsNew York CitySusan Cosier

Cities across the country have learned to live with coyotes. Why not New York?

If You Build It, Will They Come?

January 14, 2015 DispatchNorth CarolinaClara Chaisson

A huge chimney in Raleigh is a hotel, for birds.

Out of the Woods

January 13, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaAlisa Opar

To ensure its survival, California’s only native freshwater turtle will be wintering in captivity this year.

The Fungus Amongus

January 10, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesClara Chaisson

New research sheds light on exactly how white-nose syndrome kills bats.

Demolishing the Ivory Tower

January 9, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Buying ivory legally requires two PhDs and a JD. Don’t even try it.

Oil in the Mangroves

January 8, 2015 Latest NewsInternationalJason Bittel

An oil spill in the Sundarbans mangrove forests of Bangladesh threatens two already imperiled dolphin species.