Democracy relies on informed citizens, and supporting native bees involves more than vast stretches of land or advanced expertise. In Soldotna, on a sunny morning in June, a homeowner observes a bumblebee among blooming chives while sipping coffee. Such simple moments reveal a significant reality: Alaskan choices in gardening and land use deeply affect native […]
Brazil is employing forensic science to address illegal gold mining in the Amazon. This practice poses a major threat to the rainforest, Indigenous groups, and surrounding communities. It leads to increased deforestation and severe mercury contamination. The National Institute of Criminalistics in Brasilia, Brazil’s capital, coordinates the efforts. Federal police have established a specialized ‘gold […]
In California, wildfires pose an ever-present danger. However, the common assumption that homes are primarily lost to direct flames is misleading. In reality, the primary threat comes from windswept embers. These embers, carried by strong winds, can travel several miles beyond the main body of the fire. They infiltrate homes by finding weak spots. Embers […]
Motorists passing by Somme Prairie Nature Preserve in Northbrook on a recent Saturday likely felt a sense of nostalgia. Volunteers wielded handheld scythes, reminiscent of a bygone era. Nearly 30 individuals gathered at the preserve on Dundee Road in the late afternoon of July 18. Their goal: a Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves event focused […]
Recent changes to regulations are set to alter the Endangered Species Act by requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to factor in the economic impact of habitat protection. This shift reflects a rethinking of the Act’s implementation. As of July 17, 2026, authorities are considering listing species such as pygmy rabbits and Florida manatees […]
The U.S. federal government has agreed to pay up to $65 million to a major Southern California water cooperative to conserve water in Lake Mead. This effort aims to slow down the reservoir’s decline and sustain hydropower generation at Hoover Dam. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s board approved this deal with the U.S. […]
The federal government is revising rules for ranching on public lands, potentially increasing livestock grazing on 155 million acres in the West. This area is larger than the state of New Mexico. The existing system overseeing these lands is nearly hundred years old. It offers significant subsidies to wealthy Americans while overlooking environmental damages. Research […]
The Tinley Park-Park District expects to complete site cleanup of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center by the end of the year. The site is located at Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street. However, development will wait for the completion of the Illinois Site Remediation Program, which began in September 2025. Soil sampling is set […]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has updated the regulatory definition of “shellfish,” removing the long-standing requirement that species must have an external shell. The rule, published on June 23 in the Federal Register, updates the Code of Federal Regulations to better align with current scientific understanding and industry standards. As a result, cephalopods […]
Coho salmon are known for their unique life cycle. These fish begin their journey in freshwater, venture into the open seas, and eventually return to their birthplace to spawn. However, over recent years, researchers observed alarming patterns in urban streams of the Pacific Northwest. Many Coho salmon died before they could complete their spawn. For […]