NATURE

The American side of the Niagara Falls partially frozen over in February 2015.

Niagara Falls Freezes Over As Temperatures Plunge in North America

A spectacular video captured in February 2021 shows a rainbow over a partially frozen Niagara Falls.

Easily Identify the Birds in Your Backyard With the Cornell Ornithology Lab's Free Merlin App

The Merlin Bird ID app from Cornell's ornithology lab helps you identify the birds you see even if you don't have a picture.

Can You Spot the Differences Between These Autumn Forest Images?

Playing a spot-the-difference game no longer requires shelling out for a subscription to ‘Highlights’ magazine.

You can grab a private island in West Virginia.

Rent a Private Island in West Virginia's New River Gorge, America's Newest National Park

West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park is home to a seven-acre island featuring a cozy three-bedroom cabin, three rivers, and tons of outdoor activities—with nary another soul in sight.

Billions of Brood X Cicadas Are Ready to Emerge After 17 Years Underground

In the summer of 2021, the cicadas of Brood X will emerge by the billions for the first time in 17 years.

Game of Thrones’s Dire Wolves Existed—But a New Study Suggests They Weren’t Really Wolves

New research suggests that the real-life inspiration for Ghost from 'Game of Thrones' wasn’t a wolf species.

This Online Tool Transports You to Forests Around the World

Click a button and tree.fm will play you recordings from the rainforests of South America, the temperate forests of Europe, and beyond.

The New River Gorge National Park is perfect for outdoors enthusiasts.

West Virginia Is Home to the United States's Newest National Park

The New River Gorge National Park has over 70,000 acres of lush forest land and 53 miles of whitewater rafting.

When You Can Visit America’s National Parks for Free in 2021

Here’s when to plan your next free trip to Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, or anywhere else run by the National Park Service.

These birds will put your sewing skills to shame.

Watch as the Amazing Tailorbird ‘Sews’ Its Nest Together

In place of fingers and sewing equipment, watch as a tailorbird uses foraged fibers and a needle-like beak to stitch its nest.

All Military Veterans and Gold Star Families Can Now Visit National Parks for Free

Anybody can visit a national park for free on Veterans Day—now military veterans and their families can go for free whenever they want.

A gondola ride in Venice sounds as tranquil as it looks.

Take a Virtual Vacation With Relaxing Sounds From 50 Travel Destinations Around the World

Nature sounds, wave sounds, even city sounds—here’s background noise from whichever vacation you wish you were on.

15 Fun Gifts for an Amateur Naturalist

All you really need to study the natural world is a hearty amount of curiosity—but the right goods and gear can certainly help.

The 10 Most Visited National Parks in 2019

From Acadia in Maine to Zion National Park in Utah, these were the most-visited national parks in the U.S. in 2019.

Wildfires have reached historic proportions this year.

What Exactly Is a Gigafire?

The August Complex fire ravaging California is being called a "gigafire," and it's every bit as imposing and destructive as the name implies.

Johann Jaritz, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0

England's New Forest National Park Shares Digital Library of Centuries-Old 'Witch's Marks' Tree Etchings

Southern England's New Forest National Park is filled with trees covered in centuries-old carvings, including symbols meant to ward off evil spirits.

Lefty, last year's Fat Bear Week runner-up.

Drop Everything! Fat Bear Week Has Arrived in Alaska’s Katmai National Park

The brown bears are ballooning in preparation for the long winter—and it’s up to you to decide which is the fattest.

Thailand National Park Officials Mailed Trash Back to Litterbugs

A group of inconsiderate campers recently received a package from Khao Yai National Park filled with their own trash and a note that said, "Please let us return these to you."

Acorn woodpeckers like to watch a good fight, and scientists aren't sure why.

Bird Battle Royale: Acorn Woodpeckers Fight to the Death, and Other Birds Like to Watch

Groups of warring woodpeckers butt heads over territory and acorns. Other woodpeckers fly in from miles away to witness their avian prizefights.

Take a Virtual Fall Foliage Tour With These Nature Webcams

You can appreciate the foliage in states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Colorado from your computer this autumn.

Meet Your Home's Microbes in The Great Indoors

Author Emily Anthes explores the thriving communities of bacteria and fungi with which we share our abodes—and what they reveal about us.

A volunteer for World Central Kitchen prepares hurricane relief meals.

5 Ways You Can Help Victims of Hurricane Laura

Louisiana’s latest hurricane was one of the strongest in U.S. history. Here’s how to partake in the relief efforts.

How to Remove a Tick Safely and Effectively

If you find a tick on your body, don't panic—removing it the right way fast drastically reduces your chances of contracting any diseases it might be carrying.

A photo of Marsha P. Johnson from the 2017 documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson.

New York Just Renamed Brooklyn’s East River State Park After LGBTQ+ Icon Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson was present at the Stonewall Riots of 1969, but that’s just part of her very important legacy.

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