CONSERVATION

Apr 28 2026ENVIRONMENT

Back to the Water Fest: Hobart's park fun with a green twist

Hobart’s Water Fest made a comeback after skipping a few years, landing at Robinson Lake Park on a crisp morning. The festival used to be a big deal before 2020, but it took a break thanks to the pandemic. This year, the city hoped to bring families together to enjoy nature while learning about prot

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Apr 25 2026POLITICS

Pandas return to Atlanta Zoo after years apart

After a gap of more than ten years, giant pandas are heading back to Atlanta. The zoo there will welcome two new arrivals, continuing a tradition where China loans pandas to other nations as part of wider diplomatic efforts. The move comes as global tensions rise, especially between China and the Un

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Apr 25 2026ENVIRONMENT

A Small Whale vs Big Energy: The Fight Over the Gulf

Scientists say there are only about 50 Rice’s Whales left in the world, making them one of the most endangered marine mammals. Yet some politicians are pushing back against their protected status, claiming the whale isn’t actually endangered. A recent study suggested the Rice’s Whale might just be a

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Apr 24 2026ENVIRONMENT

Saving a lake: why Utah’s new water rules could make a difference

For years, people living near the Great Salt Lake barely noticed it shrinking. The smell and dust storms felt like normal parts of life in northern Utah. But as the water vanished, so did the lake’s hidden value—supporting wildlife, local jobs, and even the air people breathe. Instead of waiting for

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Apr 24 2026ENVIRONMENT

Green Living Gets a Boost in Oak Park

Oak Park isn't just talking about going green—it's throwing a party to show it. The village teamed up with local park leaders to turn Earth Day into a hands-on showcase at the Oak Park Conservatory. Instead of the usual classroom-style learning, residents got to explore real stations run by half a d

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Apr 20 2026ENVIRONMENT

Iowa’s woodlands need better protection, not extra costs

Iowa once had twice as much forest as it does today. Back in 1906, lawmakers created the Forest Reserve Program to stop landowners from clearing poor soil land. The idea was simple: leave trees standing to prevent erosion, protect clean water, and support wildlife. Instead of paying taxes on low-val

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Apr 20 2026SCIENCE

What’s in a name? Crayfish, crawfish, or mudbug—and why it matters

Crayfish go by many names across the U. S. , and the labels say a lot about how humans interact with them. Scientists tend to use “crayfish” when studying these crustaceans. Fishermen switch to “crawdad” when using them as bait. But if they’re on a dinner plate, most people call them “crawfish, ” es

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Apr 19 2026ENVIRONMENT

Grand Canyon Guardian: A Scientist’s Lifelong Mission

Kelly Burke grew up in Colorado, always drawn to wide open spaces. In 1986 she moved north to study geology at a university near the Grand Canyon. Her love for the canyon deepened when she helped drive river trips to keep money flowing while finishing her thesis. A chance ride on the Colora

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Apr 17 2026ENVIRONMENT

Citizen‑Science Photos Turn a Field into a Living Timeline

In a quiet corner of Longmeadow, a simple wooden post now doubles as a window into the past and future of a wildlife refuge. A sign invites hikers to snap a picture with their phones, send it by email, and instantly add a new frame to a growing archive that tracks the area’s changes since 2020. T

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Piping plovers in Michigan: How to enjoy them without disturbing their comeback

Experts say the Great Lakes piping plover—those tiny, sand-colored shorebirds—are making a slow but steady recovery after nearly disappearing decades ago. But their comeback story depends on people following simple but strict rules. When walking Michigan beaches this season, hikers need to watch fo

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