“[Spotted turtles’]superpower, which is to be super cute, may also sometimes be their greatest detriment.” That’s because, being among the smallest and most charismatic of Michigan’s turtles also makes them targets for the illegal pet trade. ruththornton.substack.com/p/how-scient...

Do you think climate change is impacting biodiversity more in the tropics than in temperate regions? You’re not alone - so did biologists. But nearly half of species in temperate zones are already facing local extinctions because of warming temperatures. ruththornton.substack.com/p/climate-ch...

Six regions remain in the eastern U.S. that could accommodate wolves, but they’re only found in one of them, the Great Lakes. Hear from experts about wolves’ precarious situation under the Endangered Species Act and why it’s not a purely biological question. ruththornton.substack.com/p/wolves-cou...

Prefer to listen to your biodiversity news? Check out my latest State of Nature Update and hear about the essential role of elephant poop in African ecosystems, how incorporating biodiversity into farming practices helps make crops resilient, and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

A recent study found dozens of previously unknown PFAS chemicals in the waters, mussels and fish of one of the Great Lakes. It’s not clear what that means for the health of the animals or humans that rely on them for food, but scientists are worried. ruththornton.substack.com/p/hidden-for...

I'm hearing reports that the NY State Assembly just passed the plug-in solar vote by a wide margin, joining the State Senate. Assuming the governor signs it, that will be the 8th state making it legal (and the biggest). A groundswell across the country, and so many thanks to great organizers!

“No Mow May” has been touted as a way to help native bees, but how much impact does it really have? I talked to experts about it and what people can do to support our bees. ruththornton.substack.com/p/its-no-mow...

Wolves are thriving again on Isle Royale, keeping the moose in check that had been decimating the island’s balsam fir forests. Read about that, the botched rescue of Timmy the humpback whale, and more in the latest State of Nature Update! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

If you haven’t had the time to read my latest post about the global trade in butterflies yet, fear not - you can now listen to it! Look for the podcast “Nature Signals” in your apple podcast app or on Spotify. Or head to Substack for the audio version there. substack.com/@ruththornto...

Millions of butterflies are shipped across the world every year to fill conservatories and entertain visitors in butterfly houses. But what does it mean for the health of the insects or the environment where they’re from? ruththornton.substack.com/p/butterfly-...

In Ukraine, releasing rescued bats provides a much-needed respite from the war, and a reminder that life can go on. Read about that, chimpanzees waging a sort of civil war, sea lions playing ball with poisonous pufferfish and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

You may have heard the claim that we are now in a “sixth mass extinction." A recent study tested that theory, and the researchers were surprised to find that the rate of extinction has, in fact slowed down in the past few decades. ruththornton.substack.com/p/extinction...

You may have heard of ’30 x 30’ - the global goal to set aside 30% of lands and waters by 2030 to save biodiversity. But exactly which lands need to be set aside? Large, uninterrupted tracts only? Or should we instead protect many smaller habitat patches? ruththornton.substack.com/p/size-matte...

An organization is working with the local community in Zambia to swap leopard skins with faux fur in cultural ceremonies, removing one of the main reasons for illegal poaching there. Read about that and more in today’s State of Nature Update. ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

This image of home just came down from the Artemis II crew. Taken after their translunar injection burn, there are aurorae at top right and lower left, and zodiacal light at lower right. Credit: NASA/Reid Wiseman

The Great Lakes have an immense potential for wind power - so why are there no wind turbines operating there? Read about the technical and legal challenges, plus how to mitigate negative impacts on birds and bats! ruththornton.substack.com/p/offshore-w...

Birds have been found to use cigarette butts for pest control in their nests, but could it hurt young birds’ health? Read about that, ravens remembering where wolf kill sites are, insects migrating remarkable distances, and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

Tropical butterfly houses are popular in the U.S. and Europe. But are they good for the butterflies? Read about what it takes to import thousands of butterflies, what it means for conservation and what people can do at home to help butterflies wherever we are. open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

I’ve been writing a newsletter on Substack about the natural world and biodiversity for a few months now. If you’re curious if this newsletter might be for you, read my newest post where I introduce myself and what people can expect by signing up. ruththornton.substack.com/p/what-natur...

Ever wondered what it takes for zoos to save a species from extinction? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the Poweshiek skipperling, a rare prairie butterfly that was once so common that collectors ignored them - until its population suddenly crashed. open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

Two species thought to have gone extinct thousands of years ago were rediscovered in the remote rainforests of New Guinea! Read about that, inconic salamanders waiting to be protected, a nature report released despite being cancelled by Trump last year and more! open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

There's much we don’t know about life on Earth - for example, estimates of the number of species alive today range from 5 million to 1 trillion! Now a new study found many animals that look alike to us may instead be two or more species. open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

A federal judge sided with salmon and against the Trump administration, protecting salmon that are harmed by hydropower dam operations. Read about that, chimpanzees getting drunk on fermenting fruit, birds declining faster than previously thought, and more! open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

Many people are drawn to nature - millions watch wildlife webcams. Families love going to zoos to admire animals. But there’s a disconnect. We hardly hear about the loss of biodiversity in the news. People don’t hear about conservation successes. What’s going on? open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

Here's my submission for this week's #52Frames challenge. #52frames_shallowdepthoffield #cat

While rainforests in many areas are logged at alarming rates, they’re thriving in Costa Rica. What are they doing differently? Read about that, climate safe havens providing refugia for wildlife, how the zoo in Kyiv keeps its animals warm, and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

Should burning wood and trash be considered “carbon-free” energy, even though burning them does, in fact, emit carbon? Minnesota says yes, after wrangling with the question for nearly three years after their landmark climate law was passed in 2023. open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

Did you know that elephants have special whiskers that let them sense their world? Read about that, parasitic beetles that fool bees by smelling like flowers, tortoises on a remote North Macedonian island subjected to sexual aggression by too many males, and more! open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

A new study brings hope to restore American chestnut trees, lost long ago after an invasive fungus decimated them. Researchers have been trying to breed a resistant variety for decades. But new technology could restore this magnificent tree within our lifetimes. open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

Ready for a cuteness break? If you want to see incredibly adorable baby flying foxes getting bubble baths in an Australian bat hospital, check out the first story of my newest ‘State of Nature’ weekly update! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

We are bombarded by PFAS - aka “forever chemicals” - from many sources. But a common farming practice can introduce these toxic chemicals to soils - the use of biosolids to fertilize crops is coming under scrutiny as PFAS are detected in sewage sludge. ruththornton.substack.com/p/from-waste...

Polar bears are declining in many areas, so a recent study that found they’re doing ok in Norway was a surprise. Read about that, European wildcats making a comeback, a coyote photobombing a live TV show about a cougar capture and more! open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

Monarchs need plenty of food to fuel their long migration to Mexico, so they try and build up good fat reserves before heading south. But climate change is making nectar less nutritious, so the butterflies are starting their journey leaner. ruththornton.substack.com/p/climate-ch...

A study found that dolphins with close friends age slower. Read about that, spider monkeys in Mexico sharing ‘insider knowledge’ among small groups, living walls enhancing urban nature and more in this week’s edition of my State of Nature update! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

Did you think humans are the only ones who use tools? Think again - a cow figured out how to use a broom to scratch her own back. Read about that, penguins breeding earlier in the year because of climate change, scientists debate microplastics and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

In a text to the Norwegian prime minister, President Donald Trump said there were “no written documents” showing Denmark’s right of ownership over Greenland. There are several documents that affirm Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland. buff.ly/uW16gvd

I’m very psyched that WKTVjournal just published my story about the Poweshiek skipperling, a rare prairie butterfly that was once common in the prairies of the Midwest but is now clinging on for dear life in just a couple of places. www.wktvjournal.org/a-quest-to-s...

A new study found that a common pesticide caused faster aging and shorter lifespans in fish, at levels low enough to be deemed safe for freshwater in the U.S. Could it also make humans age faster or accelerate age-related diseases? open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

A court in Ecuador blocked construction of a highway to protect a critically endangered toad, recognizing nature's right to exist. Read about that, facial recognition for grizzly bears, coral reef fisheries and more in this week’s State of Nature update! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...

Did you know that wolves once had the largest range of any land mammal? After after intense hunting they all but disappeared from most areas. Hear from experts why it’s so hard for wolves to disperse and why it’s not just a biological issue, but an ethical one. open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...

An Ecuadorian court has blocked construction of a highway to protect a critically endangered toad, citing the rights of nature.

Poaching has long been a problem for African forest elephants, but recent population surveys show that poaching levels are down from a decade ago. Read about that, North Atlantic right wales having more young and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-... #nature #biodiversity #wildlife

Over the past decades, deer numbers have increased in many parts of the US, often to the detriment of wildflowers and young trees in our forests. A new study shows how plants can bounce back when hunting pressure increases, benefitting forest biodiversity. ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-deer-p...

Conservation philanthropy often rewards urgency. Dick Bradshaw backed permanence instead: research, fellowships, land protection, and institutions built to last. His support helped steady conservation science in Canada. He died in December 2025.

Here's the newest edition of my weekly “state of nature” news roundup - stories that show both how amazing the diversity of animals and plants is, without sugar-coating the threats to it, from pollution, climate change, habitat loss, etc. ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...

Have you ever wondered how biologists study venomous snakes without being bitten? Now drones with heat-sensing cameras could make finding the elusive snakes easier. Follow along as I head out to the field with student researchers testing out the drones! ruththornton.substack.com/p/researcher...

Italian brown bears are adapting to live in harmony with people, becoming smaller and less aggressive. Read about that, baby cougars discovered in Michigan, ants sacrificing a thick, protective shell for the good of their colony, and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...

Boiling lobsters alive to be banned in UK animal cruelty crackdown

Did you know that wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests worldwide? A new study found that wetlands aren’t only beautiful and vital for nature, they’re also good for communities’ bottom lines, especially in areas with a lot of ag. ruththornton.substack.com/p/restoring-...

Farm industry leaders in Michigan say a new federal aid package announced last week, including $12 billion in one-time “bridge payments” to farmers, will not come close to offsetting mounting losses tied to trade disruptions and rising input costs. From @publicnewsservice.bsky.social