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Nature & Wildlife
Dogs have been working as “therapists” for us for a long time now. Since the 1970s, they have been going into nursing homes, assisted living centers, children’s hospitals and prisons to help lift spirits and provide nonjudgmental companionship.
Videos
The top nature hoax—according to Animal Planet, the popular TV channel created by the BBC and Discovery Communications—is the suicidal nature of lemmings.
Travel Tips
We humans seem to have a great need to anthropomorphize; that is, we tend to want to ascribe human characteristics to inanimate objects, nonhuman animals and natural phenomena, such as the wind, rain or sun.
Conservation
Earth Day is past, but cultivating eco-awareness should be a part of our daily routine. When it’s time to leave home, consider the planet as you make your plans. These simple practices take little effort but can make a big impact on the environment — not just for Earth Day, but every day.
Nature & Wildlife
In modern society the raven is surely the world’s most underappreciated bird. Physically, ravens are neither ornate nor powerful. They lack the color of most other songbirds, the hunting prowess of mighty raptors, and are often associated with garbage dumps. However, in many cultures ravens have held the highest level of respect and admiration.
Conservation
It’s Earth Day, and you’re likely to hear the word “green” a gazillion times before April 22 is over. It’s easy to get calloused to the notion of “going green.” Is there such a thing as “green fatigue”? I suppose the cynically inclined might say so.
News & More
It’s National Park Week in the USA. At a moment when the federal budget is as strained as it’s ever been, our parks are nonetheless open free of charge to all comers from April 16-24. It’s a perfect opportunity to discover a new destination or get reacquainted with an old favorite.
Nature & Wildlife
Seems there’s a rising singing sensation who’s getting a lot of press lately. He hails from Australia. Well, actually, from off the coast of Australia—way off. From beneath the ocean. He’s a humpback whale.
Videos
Stunningly white in a blue sea, beluga whales are ethereally beautiful creatures when spotted in their natural habitats. Not only are they a treat for the eyes, but hearing them is something you’ll never forget.
Nature & Wildlife
It’s always heartwarming to see creatures of different species discovering a connection. Whether it’s humans and whales, or famous Koko the Gorilla and her kitten friend All Ball, our spirits find delight in interactions across what might seem insurmountable gulfs between very dissimilar beings.
News & More
I’ll admit it: I’m a vampire-story junkie. Ever since I read Anne Rice’s 1976 novel Interview with a Vampire, I’ve been thirsting—shall we say—for more. So, you can see why I was “sucked in” to watching The Vampire Diaries series on TV, ever since it premiered in 2009.
Travel Tips
What travel accessories are essential when you’re in the back of beyond? Are you in the corps of Kindle-readers and aficionados of portable GPS devices? Or do you prefer your vacations unplugged? How about recharging camera batteries? Join our conversation on what’s useful, what’s superfluous.
