Piedmont Land Conservancy gains 127 acres for nature preserve near Pfafftown
The move keeps the land out of the hands of developers in a growing part of the county near a leg of the planned western loop of the Northern Beltway.
Environment
Climate change is deadly. Exactly how deadly?
Multiple federal and state government agencies count the number of deaths from extreme floods, wildfires, heat waves and hurricanes. They don't always agree on which deaths should be counted.
Illegal wildlife trade is booming. What does that mean for the confiscated animals?
Wildlife trafficking is one of the largest and most profitable crime sectors in the world. The illegal trade estimated to be a multi-billion dollar industry. On a high level, that illegal trade causes problems for everything from global biodiversity to local economies and the balance of entire ecosystems. And on the immediate level, authorities are tasked with caring for confiscated animals and placing them in long-term care facilities.
One network launched last year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association for Zoos and Aquariums hopes to help. And with wildlife trafficking surging globally, the organizations are now in talks to expand the program to other parts of the country.
Read more about illegal wildlife trafficking and check out more photos in climate correspondent Nate Rott's full story.
Have other wildlife stories you want us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
One network launched last year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association for Zoos and Aquariums hopes to help. And with wildlife trafficking surging globally, the organizations are now in talks to expand the program to other parts of the country.
Read more about illegal wildlife trafficking and check out more photos in climate correspondent Nate Rott's full story.
Have other wildlife stories you want us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
Creating a throw-away culture: How companies ingrained plastics in modern life
Plastic has become embedded in everyday life. That’s because for the last 70 years, the plastics industry convinced consumers to embrace the material for its low cost and disposability.
Box turtles. Coral. These illegally trafficked animals still need a good home
When authorities find wildlife that are being illegally trafficked, at ports or airports, the animals are often in terrible shape. Sick, starved, distressed. A pilot project in Southern California aims to get seized wildlife immediate care.
Joro spiders are back in the news. Here's what the experts really think about them
Joro spiders — invasive, brightly colored, orb-weaving arachnids that have been spreading in the U.S. for the past several years — have captured the public's interest and horror once again. But spider experts say the jury's still out on the impact the spider will have.
A heat dome can bring dangerously high temperatures. What is it?
Much of the Southwest U.S. is experiencing extreme heat this week — with temperatures blazing past 100 degrees. And a phenomenon known as a heat dome is to blame.
Study shows humans may be similarly impacted from 'forever chemicals' that researchers are finding in animals
WFDD’s Paul Garber spoke with NC State endocrine toxicologist Scott Belcher about his work studying PFAS chemicals in wildlife. He begins by explaining why alligators in the Cape Fear River basin are important indicators of the potential health impacts of PFAS on humans.
The arguments for swapping lawns for more natural landscaping
It’s lawnmower season but some homeowners and others say it’s time to shift from well-trimmed lawns to more environmentally friendly landscaping.
Why the science of tides was crucial for D-Day
June 6, 1944 the Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and took the Nazis by surprise in the largest sea-to-land invasion in history. This would be remembered as D-Day and would ultimately lead to the end of World War II in Europe. However, this planned attack wouldn't have been possible without deep knowledge of ocean tides! We get into the whole story, including why tides sit at the intersection of astronomy and marine ecology — and why understanding tides are key to a greener future.
Want to hear us cover more science history? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
Want to hear us cover more science history? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.