Who decides what survives? Pressures on the federal Endangered Species Act continue – but states aren’t prepared to pick up the pieces.
For over 50 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been the nation’s most effective defense against extinction, preventing the loss of 99 percent of listed species. Without these federal safeguards, iconic American wildlife, including the bald eagle, grizzly bear, humpback whale, and peregrine falcon might exist only in memory. Yet, the ESA has increasingly...
Conservation Glossary of Terms
When language is vague, conversations break down. When definitions are unclear, accountability disappears. In my time reporting on conservation issues, I have learned that language is not neutral. The words used in conservation shape policy, perception, and outcomes for wildlife. They influence how ecosystems are measured, how risks are assessed, and how decisions are justified....
Capturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation
The year my dad made us “Friends of the Zoo” at our local Kansas City Zoo was one of the most memorable of my childhood. I recall frequent visits to see nature programs on the giant IMAX screen. Eleven-year-old me was delighted to meet the Kratt brothers, of “Kratts’ Creatures” fame, against the backdrop of one of their children’s educational...