Nature & Wildlife
The continental United States and many global regions experienced their hottest summer on record in 2026, driven by human-caused climate change and an intensifying El Nino, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climate Report published on September 9, 2026. Average temperatures were roughly 3 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century baseline.
Conservation
Arachnids—such as scorpions, harvestmen (daddy longlegs) and spiders—often trigger feelings of fear or disgust. Despite such reactions, these animals play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. They act as vital food sources, master pest controllers and drivers of human and soil health.
Nature & Wildlife
While I have never considered insects my favorite category of fauna, I have to admit that some “fun facts” about them intrigue me. For example, ants can lift and carry more than 50 times their own weight. While gathering food, a bee may fly up to 60 miles in one day.
Nature & Wildlife
In the United States, we celebrate the annual Friendship Day on the first Sunday in August, which this year is August 2. (The globally recognized date established by the United Nations is July 30.) This designated day is meant to honor the bonds that enrich our lives and to promote peace, solidarity and cross-cultural understanding.
Nature & Wildlife
July is truly the quintessential summer month. Positioned perfectly at the center of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it features peak sunshine and warm weather, making it the prime time for carefree vacations and outdoor activities. But July is also at the height of mosquito season across most of North America.
News & More
The year 2025 finished as the third hottest globally (behind 2024 and 2023), according to reports from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and WMO (World Meteorological Organization).
Latin America
Some animals are known for being loud; for example, howler monkeys are said to be aptly named. When a number of them let loose their lungs in concert, the din can be heard up to three miles away. These New World monkeys—found in tropical Central and South America—often cry at dawn or dusk.
Nature & Wildlife
This year, International Haiku Poetry Day is on April 17. Traditionally, haiku is a Japanese poetic form that takes the natural world and the seasons as its primary subject matter. It acts as a concise form of environmental literature, emphasizing direct observation, sensory details and an appreciation for the transient beauty of the natural world.
Conservation
Do you crave a cup of coffee in the morning like I do? We’re not alone. Globally, people drink more than 2.2 billion cups daily. And someone has to grow all that joe: more than 100 million farmers worldwide produce coffee.
Nature & Wildlife
Every February 14th, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, a time that has become synonymous with emotional connections and loving relationships. It’s often marked by romantic gestures, such as giving chocolates or flowers, writing a love letter, preparing a candlelight dinner, holding hands—or kissing.
Nature & Wildlife
Eyes are our primary sensory organs, allowing us to perceive about 80% of incoming information, to navigate safely and to perform daily tasks like reading and work, while also acting as vital indicators for our overall physical health. They’re also central to our nonverbal communication.
News & More
The theme for Earth Day 2025 is a “powerful” one, so to speak. It’s “Our Power, Our Planet,” and it invites everyone worldwide to unite behind renewable energy. The stated goal for Earth Day 2025 is to triple the global generation of clean energy by 2030.
