CONSERVATION

Aspen trees have seen better days, but gray wolves are helping them out.

How the Return of Wolves to Yellowstone Helped Aspen Trees Thrive

A new study shows that reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone sparked a massive comeback for aspen saplings.

Hammer Time: Scientists Have Figured Out Why Hammerheads Love Eating Other Sharks

A hammerhead spends a lot of time and energy trying to binge-eat other big sharks. Here's why it pays off.

Tiny Gecko Rediscovered on Galápagos Island Where It Was Feared Extinct

A rare gecko once thought to be lost is making a comeback in the Galápagos.

Sorry to this little guy but feral swine are a huge problem.

Which Invasive Species Are Near You? Find Out With This Interactive Map

EDDMapS’s database has more than 9 million records of invasive species. See which ones hit close to home.

Fireflies Are Surging This Summer, in a Rare Win for the Insects

Firefly populations have been declining, but there may be light at the end of the tunnel for the glowing bugs.

Track Great White Sharks and More With This Interactive Map

OCEARCH's map shows you what sharks are near (or more likely far from) you.

Loggerhead sea turtles are endangered, and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is trying to help them out.

A Three-Flippered Sea Turtle Named Dilly Dally Returns to the Sea

Meet Dilly Dally: A loggerhead sea turtle who beat the odds and is now back home after healing from a flipper amputation.

Wildlife Tunnels in Vermont Cut Amphibian Deaths By 80 Percent, Study Finds

Wildlife tunnels save lives: One study found that amphibian roadkill dropped by 80 percent thanks to the structures.

This insect was found for the first time since 1980.

‘Extinct’ Monte Gordo Grasshopper Spotted on African Island for First Time in 45 Years

A rare grasshopper once believed to be extinct has been spotted for the first time since 1980—but habitat loss may threaten its future.

A male greater sage-grouse performing his mating display.

How Grand Teton National Park Is Using Papier-Mâché Birds to Protect the Greater Sage-Grouse

Greater sage-grouse are at risk near Jackson Hole Airport—but handmade decoys are guiding them to safer ground.

Axolotls are cute and important to the environment.

Captive-Bred Axolotls Can Survive in the Wild, Sparking Hope for the Endangered Species

Scientists in Mexico have found that axolotls bred in captivity can survive and thrive in their native habitat—which is great news for the species.

There’s a new reason to visit Chattanooga.

Chattanooga, Tennessee, Is Now the First National Park City in North America

Chattanooga has come a long way from being one of the most polluted cities in the country to the U.S.’s first National Park City.

Does De-Extinction Actually Work?

“It’s like if you took a chimpanzee and edited its genome to be a little taller and hairless, and then said you brought back Neanderthals,” one scientist said.

Two capybaras relaxing in a cafe in Bangkok.

Capybara Cafe in Florida Lets Guests Chill With the Internet’s Favorite Rodents

Capybaras, wallabies, and even a skunk await at Florida’s Capybara Cafe—a quirky new hotspot raising awareness for animal welfare.

Many gopher tortoises withstood the Category 4 hurricane and are now adapting to new land.

A Florida Park’s Gopher Tortoise Population Exploded Thanks to Hurricane Helene

After Hurricane Helene devastated Florida’s coast, gopher tortoise populations unexpectedly surged in one area.

If you‘d like more than a beach vacation, Fiji is the place for you.

Fiji Is Asking Tourists to ‘Give Back’ 1 Hour of Their Vacation

The island nation is inviting travelers to donate some of their vacation to support local communities and environmental efforts.

The gray wolf is an endangered species in most of the U.S.

The 10 Best States for Wildlife Protection

Where does your state rank when it comes to wildlife conservation?

A map of the 63 National Parks in the U.S.

1 Fact About All 63 U.S. National Parks

From Acadia to Zion, the U.S. has some pretty majestic national parks. Here’s one fun fact about every single one—plus a map so you can see where they all are.

Scotland Has “No Intention” of Banning Cats, First Minister Confirms

The Scottish government won’t be rounding up people’s pets any time soon.

10 of the World’s Most Endangered Monuments

From lighthouses to terracotta sculptures to out-of-this-world spots, these important heritage sites are at risk due to things like degradation and climate change.

If you’re planning a trip to Cape Town, South Africa, think about using Uber Safari.

You Can Now Order a $200 South African Safari Through Uber

Uber just made it easy to see lions, cheetahs, and rhinos in South Africa.

Built in 1843, the schooner ‘Home’ is one of the oldest shipwrecks discovered in Wisconsin.

It Just Got Easier to Dive to Shipwrecks in Lake Michigan

Thanks to a new buoy network, scuba divers and snorkelers can explore some of the historic wrecks—while protecting our maritime heritage—in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

What Are the National Animals of the United States?

The bison and bald eagle have been chosen to represent the U.S. Here's why.

Sunrise on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park.

Watch a Stunning Time-Lapse of Grand Teton National Park

There are sparkling glacial lakes, breathtaking sunsets, and mountains disappearing into clouds in this high-def tribute to Grand Teton National Park.