Nature & Wildlife
The word birdbrain became a common slang term for a stupid person in the early 20th century. And while it’s still sometimes used as an insult, it’s a misnomer. In fact, the brains of birds are so large (relative to their body size) that scientists say they are practically braincases with beaks.
Conservation
Around the world, the variety of living things—defined as biodiversity—is declining, as increasing numbers of species face the risk of extinction.
Nature & Wildlife
Sea otters can be a powerful ally in confronting climate change, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. In places where they’re thriving, they can maintain and restore kelp forests and coastal wetlands, strengthening our natural defenses against the worst impacts of a warming world.
Conservation
Conservation is a complex and multifaceted undertaking, requiring the concerted efforts of communities, governments, individuals and organizations to safeguard and manage ecosystems, natural resources and wildlife.
Nature & Wildlife
I believe that we are drawn to certain terrains. We know instinctively what landscape feels most like home when we want to wander, whether it’s mountains, seascapes or wide, open ranges. Our inclination for peregrination is old.
Nature & Wildlife
Animals and plants are remarkably resilient in the face of environmental changes. Their creative adaptations and strategies for surviving in ever-altering conditions include going dormant, developing drought tolerance, adjusting migrations, switching to nocturnal activity, forming a salinity tolerance and making social partnerships.
Nature & Wildlife
Our impacts on the natural world can be very large—and often detrimental. This manifests in various ways, including in biodiversity loss, climate change, habitat destruction and pollution. These changes can have cascading effects on ecosystems and human societies, leading to a range of challenges.
Antarctica & Arctic
Part of the reason that I’m so enthralled with Antarctica is because it’s one of the rare places on Earth that has never had an Indigenous population; in other words, there are no native human Antarcticans. Of course, animals other than us have lived there for eons. Perhaps, the best known and most abundant are penguins.
Nature & Wildlife
What if all the biodiversity on Earth followed a surprisingly simple pattern? There is a universal rule that applies to everything from dragonflies to forests.
Conservation
Virtual reality (VR)—a technology that simulates a three-dimensional (3D) environment, allowing users to interact with a computer-generated world as if they were physically present—can create dynamic, immersive and personalized experiences.
Conservation
Exciting news: Your next trip to see the Great Gray Whales of Baja will help directly fund whale research and conservation efforts in San Ignacio Lagoon! This unique marine ecosystem is located in the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Conservation
Conservation is growing up. The field is no longer just about how to protect an animal group’s numbers and making efforts to keep it from going extinct by identifying key habitats and focusing on natural resource management. Ethnobiology has entered the conservation space in a big way.
