Most lakes go somewhere… Into a river, another lake, the ocean, something. However, some lakes feed no river, pour into no sea. These are endorheic lakes, but what does that mean? How do they form? What lives near them? Why are they important? and where does the water go? Table of Contents What is an…
How the North American prairies went from one of the most productive to one of the most endangered ecosystems on the continent. This republished article is part of a collaboration. To view all associated articles and media, click here. Travis Jimmy John and Ronine Ryder in traditional Nakoda dress. Together the couple run the cultural…
It’s easy to find bat and other exotic animal specimens, especially with the rise of social media and online marketplaces. Is the trade of exotic wildlife sustainable or ethical? Bat specimens in a variety of forms are sold online to customers globally. Taxidermy, skeletons, diaphonized and encased specimens can be found for sale online. A…
The Red List Friends is a series showcasing some of the world’s at-risk species from the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. Today’s RedList friend is the Painted Woolly Bat. Kerivoula picta is the scientific name for the painted woolly bat, also known as the painted bat, “butterfly bat”, “coloured bat”, or “orange brown bat”….
Bats play important roles in our ecosystems and economies, but they also face a variety of threats — many of them human caused — which are causing global population declines. What are the major threats to bats and what can be done to protect our flying friends. Bats are the second most diverse order of…
White-nose syndrome is disease devastating hibernating bat colonies in North America. It’s arrival was mysterious, but it is now one of the biggest threats to bat species on the continent. Biologists with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are conducting their annual winter surveys of hibernating bats in caves and mines. What they…
March 22 is World Water Day, and one of the best things we can do for the planet, one another, and future generations is to reduce our water consumption. In the spirit of world water day, I’m going to share what I do to reduce my water consumption and pollution. Laundry One of the easiest…
The United Nations outlined their twelfth Sustainable Development Goal as “responsible consumption and production,” a lofty goal to achieve by 2030. To achieve this goal, the participation of all stakeholders — from farmers to retailers, to consumers — is required. In my last post: The Cost of Being Fashionable, I talk about the many ethical…
Clothes found at the average mall are trendy and cheap, but at what cost? Although we may think we are saving by buying inexpensive clothing, the price of making inexpensive clothing is high. Production The problem starts at production. Cotton is water and pesticide intensive: excessive water use can put drought prone regions at greater…
Skincare, hair care, makeup, gel or acrylic nails, nail polish, bleach, hair dye, spa days, threading, waxing, shaving… How many of these things do you purchase and/or use on a regular basis? Do you know where these products come from and what they’re made of? You should, because it matters, and we can’t afford to…