Environment

Park rangers meet in front of Yosemite Falls in 2016 in Yosemite National Park in California. Increased fees are expected to boost funding for park maintenance across the country.

National Park Service To 'Modestly' Raise Entrance Fees In Plan To Cut Repair Backlog

12:15pm April 13, 2018

by Nathan Rott

The National Park Service will increase entrance fees at 117 national parks by at least $5. The increases are far smaller than had previously been proposed by the Trump administration.

Environment

Study: Sea Turtle Genes Show Navigation By Magnetic Fields

10:21am April 13, 2018

by Associated Press

Research from University of North Carolina biologists shows adult loggerhead sea turtles use Earth's magnetic fields to navigate back to beaches where they were hatched, and turtles that nest on be

University of Puget Sound chemist Dan Burgard keeps a freezer full of archived samples from two wastewater treatment plants in western Washington in case he needs to rerun the samples or analyze a specific drug he didn't test for the first time.

Canada To Measure Marijuana Use By Testing Sewage

10:14am April 13, 2018

by Menaka Wilhelm

People responding to surveys sometimes misstate their drug use. Canada will check wastewater for traces of drugs to more accurately assess consumption.

Hilda Herrera of New York state is one of 40,000 people who rely on the SNAP program for help buying groceries.

Republican Farm Bill Calls On Many SNAP Recipients To Work Or Go To School

7:38pm April 12, 2018

Republicans in Congress have released their version of a new Farm Bill. It imposes new requirements on low-income recipients of food assistance, but continues traditional subsidies for farmers.

Barbara J. King points to some of her favorite science commentaries she has written for NPR.

A Thank You To NPR's Science Commentary Readers

1:29pm April 12, 2018

by Barbara J. King

For 6 1/2 years, Barbara J. King has written commentaries for NPR on everything from animals and anthropology to gender and higher education. Here, she offers up some of her favorite pieces.

A new satellite, called MethaneSAT,will track methane emissions from oil and gas fields, as well as agriculture and natural sources. It's due for launch in three years.

Environmental Group Plans Methane-Tracking Satellite

7:30pm April 11, 2018

by Christopher Joyce

Scientists hope MethaneSAT will show where the potent greenhouse gas is coming from. Tracking methane in the air is difficult because it rises and spreads from the source.

North Carolina Agency Says Chemours Company Lied

3:43pm April 10, 2018

by Emery P. Dalesio, Associated Press

North Carolina should tackle an emerging problem of water and air pollution from little-studied industrial chemicals by beefing up the state's health and environmental agencies, Gov.

The Office of Government Ethics on Monday said that as an agency head, Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt bears "a heightened responsibility" when it comes avoiding conflicts of interest.

Government Ethics Officials Raise Red Flags On EPA Chief Scott Pruitt

1:26pm April 10, 2018

by Domenico Montanaro

With a president keeping a Cabinet-level official on the job despite a raft of scandals, ethics officials are spelling out why that might be a problem.

Deb Gangwish inspects soil on her farm near Shelton, Neb.

A Grass-Roots Movement For Healthy Soil Spreads Among Farmers

5:20pm April 09, 2018

by Dan Charles

America's farmers are digging soil like never before. A movement for "regenerative agriculture" is dedicated to building healthier soil and could even lead to a new eco-label on food.

A coal-fired power plant on outside Huntington, Utah.

Trump Touts Pruitt's 'Great Job,' But EPA Rollbacks Have A Long Road Ahead

11:40am April 09, 2018

by Jennifer Ludden

Embattled EPA chief Scott Pruitt has moved to reverse or weaken dozens of environmental measures. But many face a slow regulatory process, and may yet be undone.