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Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club Celebrates 10 Years of Discovery
BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO – From planting trees and creating wildlife habitats to exploring local ecosystems, Benjamin Logan students are discovering that ...
Pokémon Pokopia Pumpkaboo's Sweet Surprises Halloween event
How to get Pumpkin Candy and Pumpkaboo's habitat during Pokémon Pokopia's Halloween event, Pumpkaboo's Sweet Surprises.
6 green sea turtles swim to freedom after months of rehab in Ponce Inlet
Frogish, Mangrove Snapper, Highland Cow, Nurse Shark, Armadillo and Silkie Chicken returned to their natural habitats at the Beach Street Ramp.
Volunteers build Habitat Collier’s newest community
Physicians Regional Healthcare System and FC Naples joined Habitat for Humanity of Collier County for a volunteer build day at Las Palmas, Habitat Collier’s newest affordable homeownership community in North
Positive Quail Surveys Signal Another Successful Season Ahead
uail season kicks off Nov. 1, and the annual Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) roadside survey signaled good population numbers going into opening day. Good habitat conditions, along with timely rainfall, helped bobwhite and scaled quail production.
New Board Members and Leadership Team at OH Foundation
The Oswego Health Foundation has announced the appointment of two new members to its board of directors, along with new officers who will lead the foundation as it continues its mission of strengthening healthcare in the communities served by Oswego Health. Joining the board are: [caption id=attachment_11136 align=alignleft width=180] Susan Brannan Cole[/caption] • Susan Brannan Cole. She is a public affairs, marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience. She serves as regional manager of external affairs for National Grid in Central New York. Cole also brings significant healthcare communications experience, having spent several years at Upstate Medical University in media relations, digital strategy and public engagement. She previously held leadership roles in communications and government affairs at Novelis and Constellation in Oswego. A graduate of SUNY Oswego, she is passionate about strengthening Central New York communities and supporting initiatives that improve quality of life across the region. [caption id=attachment_11129 align=alignright width=150] Rich Baldwin[/caption] • Rich Baldwin. He serves as director of marketing and business development at King + King Architects, where he leads the firm’s marketing, communications and business development initiatives. Baldwin has remained actively involved in community and nonprofit organizations, including previously serving on the board of regents at Le Moyne College. He has also supported community initiatives through organizations including the Onondaga Historical Association and Father Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society. New leadership at the foundation are: • William W. “Bill” Crist will chair the Oswego Health Foundation. He brings more than 40 years of experience in education, from classroom teacher to superintendent of schools. He retired in 2023 from the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Syracuse and remains deeply engaged in the community through numerous nonprofit and volunteer boards. He also serves as chairman of the Sanctuary Advisory Board for the proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary. • Heather Sunser will serve as vice chair. Sunser is a financial services practice group leader at Barclay Damon LLP, where she focuses primarily on real estate law, institutional lending, land use and municipal compliance. A graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, she is also active in community service, volunteering with Vera House Legal Clinic, Habitat for Humanity and the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Onondaga County Bar Foundation. • Darcy Antonucci will be the foundation’s treasurer. Antonucci serves as comptroller for Broadwell Hospitality Group, overseeing the financial functions of nine growing corporations as well as the company’s administrative departments. She brings extensive experience in finance, human resources and business operations, along with a strong record of community leadership. Antonucci has served on the Compass Credit Union board of directors and is an active member of the Trinity Catholic School Board. She has also been involved with the Oswego Health Foundation Gala Committee since 2018. • Attorney Rachael A. Dator will serve as secretary. Dator serves as administrator of the Oswego County Assigned Counsel Program, where she oversees grant funding, budgeting and program operations. With more than a decade of legal experience, she has served as an assistant district attorney, court attorney and legal counsel to municipalities and social services organizations. Dator brings extensive knowledge of law, governance and nonprofit operations to her role with the foundation.
Ten kamaʻāina explorers join deep-sea expedition around the Hawaiian Islands
Ten local scientists, students, and educators are currently sailing aboard Ocean Exploration Trust’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus for a 20-day expedition to explore previously unsurveyed deep-sea habitats around the Hawaiian Islands and within Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.
What Killed Europe’s Ancient Wild Cattle? Scientists Find a Disturbing Answer
The fate of Scandinavia’s aurochs warns conservationists worldwide that curbing hunting alone may not save species facing depleted genetic diversity and fragmented habitats. The cattle on today’s farms descend from aurochs, wild animals that once roamed much of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. They disappeared from Scandinavia thousands of years before the species became extinct
Maryland Business Helps Landowners Restore Wildlife Habitats
Wildlife specialist Luke Macaulay runs Land & Wildlife, helping landowners improve wildlife habitat and balance farming with conservation.
EPA Grant Supports Nature-Based Solutions & Sediment Science for North Bay Marsh
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month announced that it selected the San Francisco Estuary Partnership and the Association of Bay Area Governments as awardees of a $13.9 million grant to restore and enhance some 1,500 acres of tidal wetland habitat known as Strip Marsh East along the State Route 37 corridor in Solano County.... Read More
NASA is searching for hidden caves to build its first Moon base
NASA is preparing for humanity’s first Moon base with three investigations that will hunt for underground shelters, uncover hidden ice, and track dangerous conditions on the lunar surface. The findings could reveal how astronauts can survive and thrive on the Moon while laying the groundwork for future journeys to Mars.
EPA grant supports nature-based solutions and sediment science for North Bay marsh
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month announced that it selected the San Francisco Estuary Partnership and the Association of Bay Area Governments as awardees of a $13.9 million grant to restore and enhance some 1,500 acres of tidal wetland habitat known as Strip Marsh East along the State Route 37 corridor in Solano County.
San Diego Foundation Grants Nearly $1M in Binational Water Health Grants
The San Diego Foundation Wednesday granted nearly $1 million in the Binational Resilience Initiative for 10 projects ranging from addressing Tijuana River pollution to restoring coastal habitats in the California-Baja region.
A forgotten 30-year forest experiment just delivered a huge surprise
A 30-year forestry experiment in Australia found that heavily thinned mountain ash forests grew unusually large trees while recovering enough carbon to match or exceed untouched areas. The results suggest carefully managed thinning could support timber production, wildlife habitat, and carbon storage at the same time.
Benefit concert at AMB raises nearly $16K for local groups
The DB’s Mountain Summer Jam at Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Boone raised nearly $16,000 for Watauga County Habitat for Humanity and Blue Ridge Conservancy through a three-hour concert featuring local musicians in celebration of two business owners’ 50th birthdays.
A win for Cheyenne Audubon, city rejects Business Park zoning for parcel near bird habitat
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — An ordinance to rezone a 74-acre parcel in far east Cheyenne to Business Park, controversial to a dedicated group of bird enthusiasts who
100,000 Square Foot Expansion Breaks Ground at Liberty Science Center
One of the Garden State’s most prominent museums will be getting an otter habitat, goat playground, physics-themed mini golf, and more as part of a $40 million revamp.
Business Notes: New utility director in Chesapeake; new Habitat for Humanity manager in Williamsburg
View business milestones in Hampton Roads.
Bentonville nonprofit advances to final round of NASA challenge
Bentonville-based nonprofit research organization Autonomic Resilience Collective recently advanced to the final stage of a NASA challenge to design a food system to sustain people living on Mars. The challenge...
Scientists find two tiny new snails with shells that close like doors
Scientists discovered two tiny new snail species in Montenegro, showing that even Europe still holds animals unknown to science. One lives in the threatened Komarnica Canyon, where a proposed hydropower reservoir could destroy habitat before its full biodiversity is understood.
Peterson Health donates $100K to Habitat
Peterson Health announced a $100,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity Kerr County to support flood recovery efforts in the Doyle Community, helping residents rebuild homes, restore stability and move forward
NOAA Fisheries Takes a ‘Sharp Turn Away From Science’
The agency’s focus on commercial interests threatens fisheries science and over one million miles of protected marine habitats.
Westside High School football team cleans up community
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – Westside High School football players volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for a cleanup event. Student-athletes were picking up trash as a way to give back. Coaches said attendance is not required for the team. They said it is a way to show the players there is more to life than football. […]
In March 2025, a baby colossal squid was filmed alive in its natural habitat for the first time, a translucent animal about a foot long drifting 1,968 feet down near the South Sandwich Islands. The species was named a century earlier from two arm crowns recovered from a sperm whale's stomach.
A century after scientists named this deep-sea giant from whale stomach contents, a camera finally captured one alive—and it looked nothing like expected.
Scientists discover a mysterious new frog hiding in the Amazon
Scientists discovered a new frog species in the flooded forests of the western Amazon, distinguishing it from nearly identical relatives through DNA and its unique call. Adenomera varcena highlights how much Amazonian biodiversity remains hidden even as habitat loss and climate change threaten these poorly understood species.
Whales Have Rebounded in the Southern Ocean. Scientists Worry Commercial Fishing Could Threaten Their Comeback.
Researchers are calling for stricter regulations on krill fishing in Antarctica as climate change shrinks the habitat of whales’ primary prey.
World Business Chicago announces design contest winners with shared vision for greener city
Competing but complementary proposals to restore Chicago’s tree canopy and natural habitat shared the top prize in World Business Chicago’s inaugural “Horizon Lines” design contest to find the city’s next big idea.
Scientists find nine new sponge species in glimpse of Alaska’s deep-sea diversity
But their habitat is threatened by bottom trawling in the region and Trump’s plan to expand seafloor mining
500 snails mailed to Tahiti to reclaim their natural habitat
The literal snail mail is all to help save extinct-in-the-wild ‘Partula’ snails.
Liberty Science Center Breaks Ground On $40M Expansion With New Exhibits
Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is getting a $40 million expansion with new exhibits, a goat playground, river otter habitat, and more.
NOAA Fisheries Takes A ‘Sharp Turn Away From Science’
The agency’s focus on commercial interests threatens fisheries science and over one million miles of protected marine habitats.
$40M expansion at N.J. science center includes a goat playground, an upside-down balloon and a 9/11 memorial garden
The project will add 100,000 square feet of outdoor space, a river otter habitat, and a physics-based mini-golf course.
Could Yeast Help Build 3D-Printed Habitats on Mars? Scientists Are Testing the Recipe
A yeast-based material turns Mars’s hostile environment into part of the construction process.
Rowan's Native Plant Meadow takes root as living laboratory
Rowan's Native Plant Meadow serves as a living laboratory for ecology and sustainability while creating habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
Habitat for Humanity of Evansville celebrates fourth home built through a Building Homes and Health initiative
On Wednesday, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville celebrated the launch of the fourth home built through a Building Homes and Health initiative.
INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS: NOAA Fisheries takes a ‘sharp turn away from science’
The agency’s focus on commercial interests threatens fisheries science and over one million miles of protected marine habitats. By Johnny Sturgeon, Inside Climate News This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. In July, the Trump administration relegated endangered leatherback turtles, sea lions and whales to mere collateral damage in its race to profit from the oceans. Now, fisheries science is in […]
NOAA Fisheries Takes A ‘Sharp Turn Away From Science’
The agency’s focus on commercial interests threatens fisheries science and over one million miles of protected marine habitats.
A university professor spent 100 days living in a 100-square-foot habitat 22 feet beneath a Key Largo lagoon — and when he finally surfaced, he measured half an inch shorter after spending the entire mission under elevated pressure
Joseph Dituri went into the water at 73 inches tall. He came out, 100 days later, at just over 72. The final measurement came on a Key Largo dock in June
Already Threatened, Rare Wildlife Dealt Blow by Trump Administration Rule Change
Rule changes to the Endangered Species Act by the White House could make survival more difficult for rare wildlife. The Dept. of the Interior and Dept. of Commerce changed the definition of "harm" in the law, allowing industry to encroach on habitats of endangered species
Already Threatened, Rare Wildlife Dealt Blow by Trump Administration Rule Change
Rule changes to the Endangered Species Act by the White House could make survival more difficult for rare wildlife. The Dept. of the Interior and Dept. of Commerce changed the definition of "harm" in the law, allowing industry to encroach on habitats of endangered species
Canal Science Symposium Addresses Water Quality Worries
The Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Initiative (C-HAWQ) held its long awaited symposium on canal science at the Collier County Public Library Marco Island Branch on Thursday afternoon, August 28.
The Adriatic Sea's Hidden Shark And Ray Hotspot Is Changing What Scientists Know
The Adriatic Sea is one of the Mediterranean's most important regions for sharks and rays, yet many of its species are critically endangered. New research based on decades of monitoring and close partnerships with local fishers is revealing previously unknown habitats, rediscovering rare species, and reshaping what scientists thought they knew about these animals.
Seven new frog species were hiding beneath Madagascar’s forest floor
Scientists have discovered seven new species of Madagascar’s elusive diamond frogs, using DNA from modern and century-old museum specimens to solve a long-running biological puzzle. The findings reveal surprising hidden diversity and could help protect these little-known amphibians as their forest habitats disappear.
24th Annual BioBlitz at Seacoast Science Center
Join Seacoast Science Center on Sunday, September 20, 2026 for the 24th BioBlitz, the non-profits annual community science event in Odiorne Point State Park. Families and nature enthusiasts team up with SSC naturalists and guest experts to explore the Park’s habitats to find and identify as many different species as possible in just one day! BioBlitz is a great way to get kids (and adults!) excited about science, learn about the park’s biodiversity, and discover how you can help protect our natural world.Like an extreme nature scavenger hunt, BioBlitz offers many opportunities for all ages to gain knowledge and hone skills in their favorite areas of nature! Habitat, plant, and animal explorations are scheduled throughout the day, allowing participants to choose among activities that interest them the most. With seven distinct natural habitats to survey, there’s something for everyone! Explorations include tide pools, mammals, seine netting, salt marsh, mushrooms, and more (see full schedule online, subject to change). Find all the details on the BioBlitz web page, and get your tickets to explore with SSC: https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/events-overview/bioblitz
A sea cucumber venture in Zanzibar seeks to balance business and conservation
PEMBA, Tanzania — Like many coastal communities across East Africa, the residents of Shamiani have grown accustomed to watching the sea yield less and less. Warming waters, degraded marine habitats and decades of fishing pressure have all taken a toll on the resources that once sustained local livelihoods, according to community members. On Tanzania’s Pemba […]
The Literacy Crisis Reaches Dog-Bear Science
“New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume,” reads a subhead in Mountain Journal. The thing is, that study reaches no such conclusion. But you have to read beyond the abstract to understand that. Mountain Journal is not alone. Let’s look at a brief list of takeaways published elsewhere just to establish that none of them seem to know how to read science. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Here’s CBC: “A new peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country?, dug into conflicts similar to what the video depicts, by analyzing 326 reported human-bear conflicts from 1901 to 2023 involving dogs.” “The study found 54 per cent of conflicts were started by dogs. In the encounters researchers included in the study, five people and 56 dogs were killed, and 170 people were injured.” “Lana Ciarniello, an independent researcher who co-authored the study, said researchers found when a person goes hiking with at least one other person, the odds of a negative bear encounter decrease by 50 per cent.” “However, when a dog is involved, the chances of a negative bear encounter increase because ‘a dog really adds a chaotic factor into the mix of recreation,’ said Ciarniello.” Again, the study finds no data supporting that conclusion. “Hiking with your pet dog may make you feel safer in bear country—but a hiker’s recent encounter and a new study prove that the numbers don’t add up,” writes Backpacker, which is now part of Outside. The numbers don’t add up to support this take. There’s plenty more examples, but all are equally dumb, so I’ll stop there. How did so many people get this so wrong? Three reasons: 1) the study is published behind a paywall, with only the abstract freely available. 2) the methodology sets out to create work relevant to a hyper-specific audience, not the public. And 3) the dataset studied is almost absurdly limited and doesn’t bear (get it?!) comparison to wider information. Let’s work through all three. The Problem is Money I understand the irony, since I’m writing about this on a subscription-model newsletter, but information wants to be free. The study is published by The Wildlife Society and costs $16 to access. Reprinting it is specifically prohibited by the terms of use, so I can only share snippets and my conclusions with you here. Having worked as a journalist for 24 years, I can report with some authority that journalists are both lazy and cheap. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that much of the material you’re seeing written about this study is drawn from the freely-available abstract (above) only, and not a deep dive into its methodology or data. And that’s a problem, because abstracts are where researchers are able to break from their numbers and editorialize their opinions about conclusions. So what’s getting reported isn’t based on numbers, it’s based on an opinion designed for a specific audience, not the general public. Hell yeah ladies, kick that bear’s ass. The Methodology is Designed to Support a Predetermined Conclusion One of the biggest issues with the science that everyone likes to cite about bear spray’s efficacy is that no one understands that study was designed for a specific audience, looking for a specific answer. And since that audience is not the public, and our safety was not the question being asked, its conclusion is rendered irrelevant to our needs. Yes, I’m talking about Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, which was created by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero, two of the same scientists who put together this dog-bear conflict analysis. In the spray study, the purpose was to present relevant agencies with the information they needed to issue their field workers with bear spray. As such, incidents where people were unable to access the spray or similarly failed to get it deployed in time were excluded from the results, and only incidents they deemed successful were included. Could a ranger roll down their vehicle’s window and scare a bear away from a dumpster by spraying it? Turns out the answer was yes, and that was good enough for the purposes of that study. The sample size of actual bear attacks—the thing you and I would want bear spray to provide a solution to, was too small to draw conclusions from, and didn’t indicate success in that role. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? has similar limitations. “Insights provided here are intended to help wildlife managers create effective guidelines regarding the presence of domestic dogs in bear habitat,” is explained clearly by the study’s text. To conduct the study, Smith and Herrero went looking for publicly available reports of dog-bear conflicts: “All incidents included in our analysis involved at least one bear, one dog, and one person who was at immediate risk of injury (e.g., not in a protective structure such as a cabin or vehicle), injured, or killed,” explains the report’s methodology. Why is that a problem? “We recognize that data used in this study are biased in that people generally only report adverse interactions with bears, not benign ones. Consequently, we assume that for the most part, people and their dogs pass through bear country without incident.” As was the problem with the bear spray study, people are drawing conclusions here from a study that was never intended to be relevant to the general public. The Smith-Herrero database famously excludes Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property records, which are elsewhere considered the largest and most authoritative source on human-bear conflict. The Dataset is Absurdly Limited A 2009 study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates that each year there are at least 43,000 documented complaints of human-bear conflict across North America. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? Examined those reports for years ranging from 1901 to 2023, and only managed to find 326 such incidents that met the criteria explained above. Let’s do some quick math, poorly. 43,000 incidents x 122 years = 5,246,000 total incidents of documented human-bear conflict. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their criteria for dog+human+bear+risk or occurrence of injury. That means there’s a 0.006 percent chance that the study’s conclusion—that dogs make bear encounters more dangerous—even gets a chance of occurring. And remember, that’s only in documented conflicts. There’s no way to know how many people across North America run into a bear in any given year without any conflict, but it’s probably safe to assume that the total number is well in excess of 43,000. And, dig deeper into the study and you can find further restrictions that skew its conclusions even more. “While the people involved in these incidents did not report the level of training their dogs had received, it is our assumption that most were untrained companion dogs as opposed to well-trained bear dogs, such as Karelians and livestock guardian breeds that have proven to be significant aids in bear country,” the study’s methodology explains. And that’s a problem, because an ongoing study here in Montana is finding that the simple presence of a Kangal like our youngest dog Teddy can reduce visits to private property from grizzly bears by 87.8 percent. In addition to being a badass, Teddy is also a companion animal. And in my admittedly limited sample size of the three dogs currently present in our living room, she’s no more effective than her mutt brothers. Plenty of people own a dog capable of deterring bears, even if they didn’t set out to own a bear dog. The real purpose of this study appears to be a recommendation that leashes are mandated and recreationists pursue training in their deterrent of choice. But that doesn’t make for sensational headlines. Are There Any Real Takeaways Here? Let’s throw some numbers around, just to try and get our hands around what the larger picture might look like for bears and dogs here. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 42.6 percent of American households own a dog. The Canadian Animal Health Institute says roughly 35 percent of households in Canuckistan own a dog. In an attempt to create the worst possible result for dogs, let’s run with that 35 percent number. And given that outdoorsy and rural people are more likely to both own a dog, and have bear encounters, let’s just make a giant assumption and apply that number to those 43,000 conflicts documented annually. If 35 percent of 43,000 human-bear encounters involve a dog, then we can assume that at least 15,050 dog-bear conflicts are occurring annually in North America. 15,050 x 122 = 1,836,100. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their human, dog, chance or occurrence of injury criteria across 122 years. And only 170 documented human injuries. So, with all the obvious caveats about these numbers in no way describing reality beyond narrow study parameters, what they actually found is that your risk of injury if your dog tangles with a bear is only 0.009 percent. I’ll take those odds next time I’m hiking my dogs in bear country. Top photo: “Superintendent Horace Albright, eating pancakes with bears, at Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park.” NPS. A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, plan outdoor adventures, and prepare for real life, and who promises he’s less salty in real life than he sometimes comes across as on the Internet. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Scientists discover a real-life “dragon” and name it after Syrax
Scientists discovered a small, yellowish mountain horned dragon in Thailand and named it Acanthosaura syrax after a dragon from House of the Dragon. Found only in a narrow band of high-elevation forest, the distinctive new species could become a flagship for protecting its rare mountain habitat.
Biz Beat Roundup: Stafford considering business tax
Also inside: Local Habitat chapter building six homes in Fredericksburg, downtown restaurant celebrates milestone anniversary, European-style restaurant opens in Spotsylvania
Smithsonian Brings Sandy Beach Scientists to Texas A&M Galveston
Scientists from the U.S. and South America are workshopping at Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) this week to expand sandy beach research and broaden collegiate learning opportunities.The Tides of Opportunity Project, co-led by the Smithsonian’s Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO) Program, TAMUG, the Smithsonian Marine Station, the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and the University of Miami, is a collaborative monitoring project with marine science professors and their students.Tuesday, Aug. 18, through Friday, Aug. 21, 15 professors and marine science professionals from the United States, Brazil, Peru, and Urugay will co-design a sandy beaches monitoring protocol and associated course modules and test the protocol in the field.The goal is to incorporate sandy beach monitoring protocols into marine science courses, which college faculty and students can use to achieve learning goals while providing essential data can help researchers diagnose the health of an understudied critical coastal habitat.Dr. Guilherme Corte, an assistant professor of marine biology in the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies at TAMUG, is a principal investigator for MarineGEO. Texas A&M University at Galveston students and faculty package samples collected on the beach to take to campus for study in the Benthic Ecology Lab. Credit: TAMUG Division of Marketing and Communications“One third of the world’s ice-free coastlines are made of sandy beaches, and they go from pole to pole,” Corte said.However, despite their abundance and place as one of the most accessible coastal ecosystems for college-level education and research, they remain critically understudied.The Tides of Opportunity Project recognized that accessibility makes sandy beaches uniquely suited for engaging professors and students, including those with limited resources.“Any students can do sandy beach research,” Corte said, encouraging instructors to help students take a break from typing questions into artificial intelligence tools and embrace opportunities to do real science. “Providing this hands-on experience is something unique.”Tides of Opportunity Project goals include:Training a cohort of professors from across the Americas in standardized sandy beach monitoring methods; Equipping participating faculty with classroom modules, field tools, and multilingual teaching materials; Expanding MarineGEO with new monitoring sites focused on the implementation of long-term sandy beach monitoring; Strengthening hands-on, college-level learning experiences; And cultivating interest, learning, and efficacy in science among college-level students.By the end of this week, workshop participants plan to have a final version of the protocol and associated course modules that we can share with professors shortly after the workshop ends to then test with their students in courses that take place between September 2026 and February 2027.The scheduleDay 1: Tuesday, Aug. 18Location: Aggie Special Events Center (ASEC), Rooms 102 B and C, Texas A&M University at Galveston 8:30 – 9 a.m. Breakfast9 – 9:30 am Welcome and brief group introductions9:30 – 10 a.m. Introduction to Tides of Opportunity Project, Design Workshop, MarineGEO, and the Connecting Coastlines to Campuses Program (presentation)10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Introduction to workshop participants and project coordination team (presentations by each participant)• Brief lunch break from 12-12:30 p.m.1 – 3 p.m. Discussion about why collaborative science matters (presentation and interactive group discussion)3 – 4:15 p.m. Introduction to sandy beaches (presentation and group discussion)Day 2: Wednesday, Aug.19Location:• Morning sessions: ASEC Rooms 102 B and C, Texas A&M University at Galveston • Afternoon sessions: Corte’s field site (location available upon request)8:30 – 9 a.m. Breakfast9 a.m. – noon Prep for fieldwork (presentation and interactive group discussion)• Finish conversation about importance of studying sandy beaches• Go through sandy beaches monitoring protocol and field sheetsNoon – 12:45 p.m. Lunch12:45 – 1:30 p.m Prep for field (including driving to the field site)1:30 – 5:30 p.m. Fieldwork & bring samples back to TAMUGDay 3: Thursday, Aug. 20Location:• Breakfast: ASEC Rooms 102 B and C, Texas A&M University at Galveston • Fieldwork: Guilherme’s field site (location available upon request)• Lab/afternoon sessions: TAMUG lab (location available upon request) and ASEC Rooms 102 B and C8:30 – 9 a.m . Breakfast9 – 11 a.m. Return to field• Shorter field trip – recovering samples left out overnight11 a.m. – noon Lab work12 – 12:45 p.m. Lunch12:45 – 2:45 p.m. Continue lab work3 – 5 p.m. Discuss with professors the feasibility of implementing protocol in their courses and where might need to make changes (discussion)Day 4: Friday, Aug. 21Location: ASEC Rooms 102 B and C, Texas A&M University at Galveston 8:30 – 9 a.m. Breakfast9 a.m. – noon Group Discussion• How to evaluate student learning and engagement• Course modules• Next steps
Dritwood Outdoors: Wildlife science demands effective communication
Wildlife management has come a long way from the days of Aldo Leopold traversing the New Mexico mountains on horseback and the Wisconsin River Valley by canoe. Back then, most decisions were based primarily on observation and experience. Today, highly trained wildlife biologists use sophisticated research, technology and mountains of data to understand everything from population dynamics and habitat needs to disease transmission and predator-prey relationships.
Wildlife science demands effective communication
Wildlife management has come a long way from the days of Aldo Leopold traversing the New Mexico mountains on horseback and the Wisconsin River Valley by canoe. Back then, most decisions were based primarily on observation and experience. Today, highly trained wildlife biologists use sophisticated research, technology and mountains of data to understand everything from population dynamics and habitat needs to disease transmission and predator-prey relationships.
Wildlife science demands effective communication
Wildlife management has come a long way from the days of Aldo Leopold traversing the New Mexico mountains on horseback and the Wisconsin River Valley by canoe. Back then, most decisions were based primarily on observation and experience. Today, highly trained wildlife biologists use sophisticated research, technology and mountains of data to understand everything from population dynamics and habitat needs to disease transmission and predator-prey relationships.
Brandon Butler column: Wildlife science demands effective communication
Wildlife management has come a long way from the days of Aldo Leopold traversing the New Mexico mountains on horseback and the Wisconsin River Valley by canoe. Back then, most decisions were based primarily on observation and experience. Today, highly trained wildlife biologists use sophisticated research, technology and mountains of data to understand everything from population dynamics and habitat needs to disease transmission and predator-prey relationships.
How to design a space habitat that supports its residents’ mental health
The Human-Environment Connection and Interaction Atlas (HECIA) is a tool for designing habitats in space and other extreme environments, where crews can not just survive but thrive. Users can explore the relationships between aspects of a habitat’s design and an inhabitant’s mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Wherever Jared Kushner’s Disastrous Business Plans Wander, Indictments and Protests Seem to Follow
Maybe the president’s son-in-law shouldn’t try to annex a protected wildlife habitat in Albania, just saying.
In 2018, scientists found just 39 surviving clams in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon; they bred them and have since outplanted 65 million
After decades of environmental decline, Florida's Indian River Lagoon is beginning to show signs of recovery. With funding from NOAA Fisheries' Office of Habitat Conservation, the Indian River Lagoon Council is leading a system-wide effort to restore the habitats that once sustained the lagoon's fish and wildlife.
New Science Maps Asia’s Shark And Ray Hotspots And Exposes Major Conservation Gaps
Scientists mapped 122 Important Shark and Ray Areas across Asia covering ~1 million km², revealing that while these habitats support 121 species (many threatened), over 94% of them still fall outside marine protected areas.
War, Erasure, and the Politics of Culture in Sudan - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
Two millennia of inhabitation by indigenous groups, immigrant and diaspora communities, and many others who made the land their home have shaped Sudan’s cultural legacy along the two Niles. Today, over 120 languages connect Sudan’s territories and diasporas, exemplifying the country’s immense diversity as the result of its complex history. However, contemporary legislation, such as […]
80-million-year-old snake brain reveals a surprising evolutionary secret
An exceptionally preserved snake fossil from Brazil reveals that early snakes were far more diverse than scientists once thought. Detailed brain reconstructions show that Tametara mirim was adapted for burrowing, while another ancient snake was suited to life above ground. Other fossils point to marine lifestyles as well. By 80 million years ago, snakes were already experimenting with very different habitats and sensory systems.
Scientists Discover More Than 1,000 Fish Nests Hiding Beneath Antarctica's Ice
"Critical evidence of unique, structured breeding habitats."
New report highlights health of the UK's plankton communities
Researchers from the University of Plymouth have led the production of a new report highlighting the impact of climate change on marine plankton and pelagic habitats in U.K. waters. Published by the Marine ...
Weiser’s leadership crucial for rural win-win
Attorney General Phil Weiser is going to win the gubernatorial election. That said, Colorado agriculture and rural communities have a 30-year track record of finding the win-win be it for species or industries or habitat. Former Governor Roy Romer possessed what Gov. Jared Polis has demonstrated repeatedly he doesn’t have: the willingness to find compromise […]
Hitting the ocean floor: Scientists could soon live undersea
A new habitat could expand research opportunities
A New Habitat at the Bottom of the Ocean Is Waiting for Its First Aquanauts
Four scientists could soon live and work beneath the Florida Keys for days.
Need to ID a plant? The University of Michigan launched a free app to help.
The app does not require an internet connection and users can learn about a plant's nativity to a region, growing conditions and habitat.
Pokémon Go habitat hour schedule and raid schedule for Go Fest 2026
The Habitat Hour and raid schedule for the Go Fest 2026: Global event in Pokémon Go, along with the event's Incense encounters.
Science Notes: Assisted Migration and Climate Change
As climate change reshapes habitats, assisted migration is gaining attention as a tool to help vulnerable species adapt, with New York considering legislation to support these efforts.
Designing The Future 3: Inside The Ocean Expedition That Used Lasers To Discover 31 New Species
The Designing the Future 3 expedition used 3D laser scanning to study gelatinous deep-sea animals in their natural habitat, building a new blueprint for how we document ocean life.
Michigan mastodon to find new ‘habitat’ at Cranbrook Institute of Science
Elmer the mastodon will migrate from the upper floors of Levinson Hall at OCC’s Highland Lakes campus to Bloomfield Hills.
Science Is Turning the Tide for the Global Ocean
Did you know that a bluefin tuna can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and dive deeper than 3,000 feet? Or that 130 million metric tons of plastic enter the environment annually – equal to roughly 40 pounds per person worldwide? Or that seagrass provides nursery habitat and breeding or feeding grounds for 20% of the world’s largest fisheries, including cod, pollock and herring?
Opinion: Fisheries need science, not opinions
The pollock fishery is continuing to work to minimize habitat and bycatch impacts.
These underwater 'living pink rocks' help store carbon: Scientists just found four new species
Rhodoliths may look like small rocks on the seafloor, but they are actually living algae that create habitats for marine life and contribute to long-term carbon storage. A new study found that the deeper, ...
Scientists confirm more than two dozen new marine species off Brazilian coast within days
"The largest habitat on Earth, the midwater, is filled with incredible animals we are only just starting to understand."
Giant fire tornadoes could clean up oil spills faster with less pollution
Researchers have shown that controlled fire whirls can clean up oil spills faster and more cleanly than traditional burning methods. The spinning flames consumed up to 95% of the oil, cut soot emissions by 40%, and could help prevent spills from reaching sensitive marine habitats.
Integrating citizen science with experimental data uncovers how switchgrass adapts flowering by region
In its native habitat, switchgrass flowered earlier when growing farther north. In experiments with diverse genetic samples, it flowered earlier in the south.
American Black Bear Cub Arrives at Museum of Life and Science
The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, N.C., announced the arrival of a one-year-old male American black bear cub to its Explore the Wild: Black Bears habitat on 5 May.
Scientists use DNA from poop to save the world’s rarest marsupial
Scientists in Australia are using cutting-edge DNA techniques to help save one of the world’s rarest marsupials — the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo, with fewer than 150 left in the wild. By analyzing tiny traces of DNA in the animals’ scat, researchers uncovered clues about the elusive fungi the potoroos depend on for survival. The findings could help conservationists identify safer new habitats and establish backup populations before disasters like bushfires wipe them out.
How 'Seabird Sue' Blends Art and Science to Attract Birds Back to Lost Habitat
For the past decade, Sue Schubel has been making detailed decoys of terns, puffins and other seabirds to entice real ones to restored or new homes
2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Award
First year Materials and Nanoscience graduate student Stéphane Miaule (Tolbert group) has been awarded the 2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, one of the country’s most prestigious honors for graduate students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The program, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, supports doctoral students across a broad range of scientific and technological fields of strategic importance. This highly competitive fellowship provides full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for three years. In 2026, only 102 fellowships were awarded nationwide, and Stéphane is the sole recipient from UCLA. Before transferring from Santa Monica College to UCLA, Stéphane interned at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center, where he researched the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of lunar regolith, as well as radiation shielding materials for lunar habitation development. At UCLA, he joined the Soft Materials Research Laboratory under Professor Qibing Pei, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of hafnium oxide nanocomposite scintillators. After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry, he remained in the Soft Materials Research Laboratory as a post-baccalaureate researcher for one year before joining Professor Sarah Tolbert’s group as a Ph.D. student. Stéphane’s Ph.D. research is focused on improving the properties of conjugated polymers, which are a family of plastic materials that can conduct electricity. Stéphane is specifically looking at self-assembling polymers that can be processed in water to create light-weight, flexible, high-conductivity polymer devices without the need for toxic or volatile organic solvents. After completing his Ph.D., Stéphane hopes to work in a national laboratory, researching semiconducting polymers for applications in new electronic devices. “The Graduate (1967) featured a memorable scene in which the protagonist was told that ‘there’s a great future in plastics.’ We know this still holds true today, as polymer research has expanded rapidly due to the wide variety of applications these materials enable. Through my work on semiconducting polymers, I hope to contribute to the continued development of plastic electronics,” Stéphane said. Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
Scientists split gentoo penguins into four species, one totally new to science. Three of them are already threatened.
Biologists argue that gentoo penguins should be divided into four separate species, including a newly recognized “cryptic” species. The habitats of three of them are imperiled by climate change.
April Arts and Entertainment Calendar
Poetry with Garrett Ashley & Zoë Fay‑Stindt – 3 p.m. April 4 City Lights Bookstore hosts a poetry reading featuring Garrett Ashley (debut collection “Habitats”) and Zoë Fay‑Stindt. More information at: https://citylightsnc.com/event/2026-04-04/poetry-garrett-ashley-zoe-fay-stindt Piano Duo Recital: Dr. Leonidas Lagrimas and Dr. Michael Langer – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 7 Pianists Leonidas […]
Nature Conservancy award supports URI research on salt marsh health
KINGSTON, R.I. – April 6, 2026 – Rhode Island’s salt marshes protect coastlines and provide critical habitat, but many are increasingly threatened by sea level rise and other environmental pressures. Madison Geraci, a Ph.D. student in evolution and marine biology at the University of Rhode Island, is studying organisms hidden within marsh sediments to better […]
Recognizing the value of generational work
The Lesser Prairie Chicken habitat in southeastern Colorado is a swath of prairie that begins in Cheyenne and far-southeastern Lincoln counties and moves south and east into Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties. This is cattle country where the short grass is nutrient dense, and a little bit of rain makes the prairie explode. A little […]
How squid survived Earth’s biggest extinction and took over the oceans
Scientists have finally cracked a long-standing mystery about squid and cuttlefish evolution by analyzing newly sequenced genomes alongside global datasets. The research reveals that these bizarre, intelligent creatures likely originated deep in the ocean over 100 million years ago, surviving mass extinction events by retreating into oxygen-rich deep-sea refuges. For millions of years, their evolution barely changed—until a dramatic post-extinction boom sparked rapid diversification as they moved into new shallow-water habitats.
Decapodiform evolutionary tree
The researchers employed multiple decapodiformes genomes along with a robust model of evolution and fossil evidence. Their evolutionary tree branches into 4 sections in the Cretaceous period, then sees no further branching until after the K-Pg extinction event, when rapid diversification occurred. Each final line end marks a different species. Of the major orders of decapodiformes, just oegopsida and spirulida remain in the deep ocean habitats of their ancestors.
Scientists Stunned: Colossal Eggs Discovered 3,500 Meters Beneath an Active Volcano
Beneath an active seafloor volcano off Vancouver Island, researchers have documented a congregation of giant eggs at roughly 3,500 meters, a discovery that reframes how life can flourish under extreme conditions. The eggs belong to the Pacific white skate, an elusive deep‑sea species adapted to cold, crushing pressure and perpetual darkness. What seemed an unlikely nursery is actually a geothermally warmed refuge, where subtle heat helps embryos survive a marathon incubation. The finding links volcanic energy to a quiet engine of biodiversity, turning a hostile landscape into an incubator. A living volcano, a hidden nursery The seamount long assumed dormant now exhales mineral‑rich, shimmering plumes, proof of hydrothermal life at depth. Expedition cameras swept across black basalt and pale bacterial mats, revealing vents that pulse with warmth. That warmth, though modest by human standards, alters the physics of development for cold‑adapted embryos. In a realm where metabolism creeps, even a few degrees can mean faster growth and higher survival. The volcano is not only active; it is ecologically formative, drafting a blueprint for a thriving oasis. Giant eggs and a skate built for the abyss The Pacific white skate, Bathyraja spinosissima, is built for the abyss: broad wings, armored spines, and a life history that trades speed for endurance. Females lay outsized, rectangular “mermaid’s purses,” often 46–50 centimeters long, packed with rich yolk to fuel years of growth. In the frigid deep, embryos can require around four years to hatch, a timeline that magnifies every energetic advantage. The scale is striking—large eggs, large adults, and a textbook case of deep‑sea gigantism. The volcano’s gentle heat may literally shave months or years from the wait. Why heat matters at the bottom of the sea Hydrothermal circulation delivers low‑level warmth without the turbulence that would scatter fragile egg‑cases. Slightly elevated temperatures accelerate enzyme kinetics, nudging development along while keeping embryos within a safe range. Mineral‑laden fluids likely shape local microbiomes, which, in turn, can influence biofilms on egg surfaces. The environment acts like a slow, steady incubator, countering the deep sea’s tyrannies of cold and scarcity. For a species with long maturation and few offspring, every incremental boost compounds across generations. An ecosystem sculpted by fire and water Seafloor volcanoes create steep environmental gradients, stitching together hot vents, cool eddies, and mineral gardens into mosaic habitats. Microbes harvest chemical energy, seeding food webs that support crustaceans, fishes, and skates. Cameras documented egg‑cases nestled among rocky ledges, near communities nourished by vent‑driven chemistry. These islands of productivity behave like deep‑sea oases, sustaining life far beyond the vent orifice’s flickering light. The nursery’s success underscores how geological forces engineer biological opportunity. “Finding a cradle of life tucked beneath a breathing volcano reminds us that the planet’s harshest places can be profoundly generous.” What the discovery could change The nursery reframes conservation priorities in regions where volcanism quietly underwrites reproduction. Protecting hydrothermal corridors could safeguard entire lifecycles, not just charismatic adults spotted during occasional surveys. It also sharpens questions about how climate‑driven shifts in ocean circulation might influence vent activity, temperature fields, and embryo survival. With methodical mapping, time‑series cameras, and environmental DNA, scientists can track whether nurseries remain stable or drift with geologic rhythms. Key implications include: Enhanced understanding of deep‑sea reproduction at hydrothermal sites. New conservation targets centered on geothermal nurseries. Comparative studies with other volcanic regions, from the Galápagos to rift zones. Biotechnological insights from organisms adapted to long, cold development. Better models of how seafloor heat shapes regional biodiversity. Methods behind the revelation Remotely operated vehicles threaded through chimney fields, gathering video, temperatures, and mineral signatures. High‑definition imagery captured the distinctive, horned egg cases, their edges dusted with fine volcanic silt. Geochemical profiles mapped how heat and chemicals disperse, outlining the “thermal lanes” where eggs most cluster. Combined, these datasets reveal a nursery organized by geothermal topography, with egg‑cases concentrated in pockets of gentle, sustained warmth. A fragile boon in a changing ocean Deep‑sea environments feel remote, yet they intersect with global pressures: mining proposals, cable routes, and shifting oxygen levels. The nursery’s resilience hinges on stable heat flow, intact substrates, and minimal disturbance from noise or sediment. Safeguarding such places is not just about protecting novelty; it preserves a slow, ancient strategy that lets large, long‑lived animals endure in the coldest reaches of the Pacific. Where geology and biology meet, the planet’s deep time still writes living stories. This volcano‑warmed nursery adds a vital chapter to that story, revealing how subtle thermal gifts can tip the scales toward life in the abyss. With each dive, researchers trace the contours of an unseen world, where fire feeds water, and water—against all odds—feeds the future.
Polar bears are struggling in every aspect of their lives, but scientists are hoping to prevent extinction through genetic management
Polar bears are struggling to survive as Arctic ice disappears, limiting food, reducing habitat, and pushing their ability to adapt.
How Pixar Got the Science Right in Hoppers
Meet the researcher who informed the writers about beaver behavior and threats to their habitat
YVCF habitat fund awards 3 grants targeting invasive weeds, river health and post-fire recovery
The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Local District Endowment Fund has awarded three grants to support habitat projects across Routt County, backing work on invasive weeds, river health and post-fire forest recovery, according to a statement released...
Scientists discover hidden water beneath Mars that could have supported life
New research suggests Mars may have remained habitable much longer than scientists once thought. Ancient sand dunes in Gale Crater appear to have been soaked by underground water billions of years ago, leaving behind minerals that can preserve signs of life. Even after surface water disappeared, subsurface flows may have created protected environments for microbes. These hidden habitats could be key targets in the ongoing search for past life on Mars.
What happened when this scientist lived 100 days underwater will surprise you - Futura-Sciences
Dituri, a 55 year old biomedical engineer and associate professor at the University of South Florida, had spent those 100 days living and working in Jules’ Undersea Lodge, a 100 square foot steel and glass habitat sitting 22 feet below the surface of the Emerald Lagoon. He entered on March...
Habitat’s largest fundraiser set for March 28
Habitat for Humanity of Laredo’s largest fundraiser, Golfing for Roofs, tees off in March to support local home construction projects.
Creve Coeur Science Center conducts controlled fire to prairie
A controlled fire on Saturday afternoon shows how it can restore the native habitat of a prairie.
PRESS RELEASE: State Water Contractors release annual science Report
Report shares updates on six studies funded by SWC’s Science Program designed to guide California water management techniques to protect fish and wildlife Press release from the State Water Contractors Today, the State Water Contractors (SWC) released its Annual Science Report for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The report provides updates on six studies, initially funded by more than $4 million from SWC’s Science Program in 2023, designed to generate actionable science that supports fish and habitat protection while maintaining a sustainable water […]
Colonists dredged away Sydney's natural oyster reefs. Now, scientists know how best to restore them
New research has identified optimal design for artificial habitats to support restoration of oyster reefs, based on a detailed understanding of natural oyster reef geometry. Published in the global journal ...
Seagrass Saviours – Citizen Science, Divers and the Fight to Restore Plymouth Sound
Citizen science divers are helping restore vital seagrass habitats in Plymouth Sound. Inside a hands-on marine conservation success story.
Pool Corp. hires new exec; Jefferson Chamber, Habitat for Humanity of GBR name new boards
Take a look at some of the recent promotions and new hires announced at south Louisiana businesses.
Citizen science and the challenge of measuring urban sustainability
Cities are expected to track sustainability progress with data that are often incomplete, outdated, or available only at national level. New research led by IIASA in collaboration with UN-Habitat finds ...
Book Review: ‘Two Women Living Together,’ by Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo
In “Two Women Living Together,” the authors reflect on the joys of platonic cohabitation.