ENVIRONMENT

A diver is about a meter behind the coelacanth discovered at a depth of 144 meters in North Maluku, Indonesia.

Scientists Capture First Footage of Ancient Coelacanth in Its Natural Habitat

Researchers in Indonesia have filmed a rare coelacanth nearly 500 feet underwater—marking the first time the fish has been recorded in its native environment.

Why Are the Blue Ridge Mountains Blue?

It’s more than a poetic name: the Blue Ridge Mountains really do appear blue, thanks to the human eye and Earth’s atmosphere.

Bees are being exposed to microplastics, and that's not good for anyone.

Bad Buzz: Microplastics Are Affecting Bee Cognition

Inhaling and ingesting tiny bits of plastic are giving bees memory issues—and can even kill them.

The Dark History Behind the Phrase ‘Canary in the Coal Mine’

Any early warning sign can be a canary in a coal mine. But the original meaning was more specific.

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.

Interactive Cicada Map Shows Where You Can See (and Hear) Brood XIV This Spring

Use this map from the University of Connecticut to check if 17-year periodical cicadas will appear in your neighborhood soon.

Plastic pollution can have devastating consequences for national parks.

This App Lets National Park Visitors Report Trash and Plastic Pollution

Plastic waste sullies national parks. This app can help clean it up.

The 15 Top-Trending National Parks for Campers

Planning your next adventure? These national parks are campers’ top picks for stunning views and unforgettable hikes.

‘Why, yes, I am from Long Island! How did you know?’

Do Animals Have Regional Accents?

Can a Boston dog bahk?

HeroRAT Ronin Breaks Guinness World Records® title

Rat Sets Record for Most Land Mines Sniffed Out By His Species

Ronin the rat proves rodents can be heroes too.

Bottles are easy to recycle, but things get a little more confusing beyond that.

You Probably Aren’t Recycling These 3 Things Correctly—Here’s What To Do Instead

Recycling gets confusing sometimes, especially when it comes to certain items. Discover which recycling rules you may (or may not) be breaking here, plus the best practices to follow instead.

Sea Pigs, Sea Spiders, and More Bizarre Creatures Collected Off Antarctica

Researchers witness strange sea animals, including poisonous sea pigs and hand-sized sea spiders, while sailing to the Denman Glacier.

They might seem icky, but we can‘t live without them.

Fly Migration Is Essential to Our Ecosystem, Study Finds

Flies aren’t just decomposers—they’re also pollinators and pest predators. Researchers shows it’s time to appreciate these misunderstood insects.

Meet the Darwin’s Bark Spider, Weaver of the World’s Largest Webs

The web of a Darwin’s bark spider can span 82 feet.

India‘s Thar Desert is looking a little greener than this nowadays.

Indian’s Thar Desert Is Getting Greener, Thanks to Human Activity

Thanks to increased accessibility to water and energy, the Thar Desert is now the most populated desert on Earth.

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.

Thousands of Blue Blobs Wash Up in California, Signaling Spring

Learn what these creatures are, why they appear, and if they’re safe to touch.

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.

History in the Making! Critically Endangered Galapagos Tortoises Hatch at Philadelphia Zoo!

97-Year-Old Galápagos Tortoise Breaks Record as First-Time Mom

A nearly century-old Galápagos tortoise welcomed four babies recently, boosting a critically endangered population.

Behold! The World’s Largest Beaver Dam

It's twice the length of the Hoover Dam, but it was only discovered with the help of satellite imagery.

The tiny town of Rolla, Kansas, is about to be enveloped in the Black Sunday dust storm on April 14, 1935.

Black Sunday: When a Dust Storm Swallowed the Great Plains

Ninety years ago, the Black Sunday dust storm blasted the Great Plains with millions of tons of topsoil scoured from the once-rich prairies. The Dust Bowl had arrived.

Yellowstone‘s Castle Geyser is doing its thing.

Yellowstone’s New Thermal Vent May Be Easy to Spot This Summer

A newly discovered vent at Yellowstone National Park has caught the attention of researchers and tourists.

Maine Fisherman Pampers the Protected Lobsters He Catches With Claw Manicures

One Maine lobster fisherman goes the extra mile by taking care of the protected crustaceans he catches before returning them to the water.

A backpacker enjoys the view in Chugach State Park near Anchorage, Alaska.

The 10 U.S. Cities With the Most Green Space

From Chesapeake, Virginia, to Anchorage, Alaska, these cities offer plenty of parkland.