In the book “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott, she tells the childhood story of her little brother, who had to write a school report on North American birds. He procrastinated. Then, the night before the report was due, her brother finally sat down with his encyclopedias. That’s when he realized how many birds…
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and you’re most likely planning on giving and/or receiving a gift of some form. Most likely the gift will even be heart-shaped or have a heart placed somewhere within the mix. Sticking with both customs, I’m giving you a gift. It’s a collection of some of the most unique nature scenes…
The Connecticut Audubon Society is banning the use of drones at all 19 of its sanctuaries because of concerns that they are likely to disturb wildlife and cause an annoyance to visitors. In establishing this policy, the organization believes it is the first in the state and one of the first in the nation to…
There’s nothing quite so eerie and otherworldly as the sound of freezing ice, or the bubbling of mud pots. Some of the more relaxing sounds are of water droplets or waves crashing. Then there are those who are fascinated by a variety of amphibian and reptile sounds. (As a bonafide, self-proclaimed “herp nerd,” that last…
A foot of snow blankets the Sierra just west of Mono Lake (January 8) “Over the summer, when I gave tours at South Tufa, visitors often asked me, ‘What does it look like here in the winter?’” This was a comment by Andrew Youssef, a Project Specialist for Mono Lake Committee. South Tufa is arguably…
Ranchers often get a bad rap. Every week there’s another story about how ranchers are climate villains. The recent headline-making standoff in Oregon hasn’t done anything to improve their image, either. I’m putting aside my vegetarian compassion for animals right now and focusing purely on the environment here, because if more ranches were like the…
With winter weather comes cold, blustery wind and dry skin. Here are some tips to stay moisturized without trashing the planet. Lip balm: Some people can’t go anywhere without their chap stick. Those little plastic tubes keep your lips from getting chapped, but create unnecessary waste. Choose lip balm that comes in a metal or…
With the increased media awareness on pollinators and the potential dangers of neonicotinoids (neonics) to them, many concerned gardeners and wildlife-lovers are seeking more information on what exactly these chemicals do and how to avoid them. Here are answers to four of the most commonly asked questions (according to the National Wildlife Federation – NWF):…
It’s hard to believe that just two weeks ago South Carolina was suffering from a drought, and that farmers were worried about produce withering in the fields. Now, after three days of historically unprecedented rain (practically biblical), the fields are lakes, and much of the fall crop will probably be lost. This article – by…
Southwestern Utah is home to some of the best outdoor recreation, scenic vistas and most ecologically sensitive landscapes in the United States. Without adequate protections, these important resources could be lost forever. Right now there are planning proposals that include a highway that would bisect Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, and utility lines that would…
After the heat of summer dwindles and before freezing winter temperatures, autumn offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy natural beauty. Whether you participate in relaxing walks or more intense hikes, fall is the time to fully appreciate trees. Watching little bursts of color turn into full, glowing trees is an experience within itself; however, if…
With the concentration of oil trains, communities all over the country are at great risk. The prevalence of crude oil train traffic moving through small communities like Buffalo, the North Country, and Hudson Valley – among others – is why Alana Fiero created this video that highlights the impact of oil trains on places like Alana’s hometown…
As summer is coming to a close, you may be left with empty sunscreen bottles, broken pool noodles, and other discarded plastics. Now what do you do with these summer items? I’m going to give you some suggestions. Sunscreen Look on the bottom of the sunscreen bottle. If the number is either 1 or 2…
On March 9, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race began in Fairbanks, Alaska — 250 miles north of its traditional route. This is the second time in the history of the race it has had to change routes. The above map shows snow depth across Alaska on March 9, with white regions showing three or…
Did you catch the new series of EARTH, A New Wild? This 5 part inspiring documentary from our friends at Conservation International (CI) will show you that we need nature more than nature needs us. The series began on Wednesday evening (9/8pm) on PBS on February 4th. In case you missed any of the episodes,…
Late last spring, Adrien Kouadio, a cocoa farmer from Cote d’Ivoire (The Ivory Coast), embarked on a transatlantic fact-finding mission, following his cocoa beans from his farm to the port of Abidjan, then across the sea to a chocolate factory in England, and finally to a London grocery shop, where he plucked some Rainforest Alliance…
It might be frigid and snowy where you live right now, but globally, we could be living through the hottest year since record-keeping began. May, June, August, September, and October all notched new heat records. In fact, it’s been 98 years since the earth experienced record cold. Sense a trend? Read more.
In the past 15 years, tens of millions of trees have died in the Rocky Mountains. Hotter and dryer conditions driven by climate change have made wildfires, tree-killing insects and the stress of heat and drought more intense. If these climate change impacts remain unchecked, the Rocky Mountain’s iconic tree species and their crucial role…
Are you planning on voting today? I ask because I’m worried. These guys: Made a fortune doing this to our land: And this to our air: And this to our water: And now they’re doing this to our climate: And they’re hoping you’ll be doing this on Election Day: Don’t let them win. Do this…
Twelve large blocks of ice, cast off from the Greenland ice sheet, were collected from a fjord outside Nuuk and shipped to Copenhagen, where they were presented in a clock formation in City Hall Square, from October 26-29,2014, to mark the publication of the UN IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report on Climate Change. “Ice Watch” was…