Conservation

A huge cactus towers above other cacti and plants in a landscape.
A Bold Bet to Ensure the Future of Desert Birds: Plant Thousands of Cacti
October 02, 2023 — Can saguaro cacti that take root today survive the next century of extreme wildfire and drought? Tucson APP aims to find out.
Field Notes
Image composite of an overpass stretching over a 10-lane highway in a mountainous landscape.
Projects That Help Wildlife Navigate Highways Gain Speed
September 29, 2023 — Simple solutions reduce road hazards to animals, and now more money is flowing to implement them.
Field Notes
Green leaves with irregular dark bands on a tree branch.
A Fast-Spreading Disease Threatens a Foundational Tree of Eastern Forests
September 27, 2023 — Beech leaf disease is bad news for birds, which also may be spreading it.
News
A group of birds stand on the furry back of a bison laying in tall grass.
Five Ways Bison Benefit Birds
September 15, 2023 — A new initiative to bring back the gargantuan grazers could have major benefits for grassland species.
News
A photo of a Least Tern parent holding a worm towards its chick, which has its mouth open, on the beach.
Dog Lover to Dog Lover: It’s Time to Share the Shore
August 31, 2023 — As shorebirds face innumerable obstacles to survive, small actions like leashing our pets or sticking to dog-friendly beaches can go a long way.
Coasts and Oceans
A rust and gray-colored bird stands on a mossy surface and looks at the camera.
How Training Secretive Birds Became a Boon for Tropical Forest Conservation
August 10, 2023 — When a farming family in Ecuador “befriended” an elusive antpitta, they pioneered a new path for ecotourism.
News
An owl flies over a field of tall yellow grasses at dusk, with buildings in the background.
Western Sprawl Is Gobbling Up Grassland Habitat, Raising Risks for Short-eared Owls
July 17, 2023 — Efforts are underway to curb deaths from human hazards in this critically important part of the country for the widespread but declining raptors.
News
Black vulture bird with a large beak and a wrinkly face looking to the side against a light grey backdrop
Black Vultures’ Northward Expansion Creates New Conflicts with Farmers
June 30, 2023 — The newcomers occasionally prey on calves, leading livestock producers to take up arms. But are reports of the problem exaggerated?
News
A gray and yellow warbler lies dead on a sidewalk, feet up in the air, while people and cars pass by, the busy city in the background.
Unseen Danger: One Day of Deadly Window Strikes for New York’s Birds
June 26, 2023 — Go behind the scenes with the dedicated New Yorkers working to stop the flood of avoidable deaths that occur in the city each migration season.
News
A cormorant bird swims underwater, rays of sunlight shining through dense kelp plants.
A Photographer Documents Kelp Forests’ Decline and Efforts to Bring Them Back
June 24, 2023 — In our attempts to restore kelp forests, hungry sea urchins should not be villainized, says Kate Vylet. “Everything’s just trying to survive.”
From the Magazine