Monday, August 29, 2016

Elephant feet, science detectives & wrong rocks

As hard as my regular readers may find this to believe, I try not to write about elephants too often. Oh, sure, the elephant poaching crisis is an unbelievable nightmare, but there are so many other species to write about that. Elephants can't get all the press.

That's why this week's first article was so important. I not only got to write about elephants, it's a story that also involves at least 61 other species:

The Amazing Biodiversity within an Elephant's Footprint


That article was for Scientific American, as was this one:

How Invasive Species (Slowly) Push Plants Toward Extinction


Next up, my latest for TakePart, which quite accidentally happened to run on the centennial of the National Park System:

The New Graffiti: National Parks Fight Stone Stackers


Finally this week, here's a story that combines science and 30 years of detective work, my latest for Hakai magazine:

It’s Happening Now: Climate Change Is Killing Off the Yellow Cedar


That's it this time around. I have lots more pending publication. Follow me on Twitter for headline as they go live, or come on back here next Monday for another list.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Eco-Tech + Snakes + Philately

Another week, another few bylines. Yes, it's Monday and that means it's time for another list of links to my previous week's articles. This time around we (being me, the royal we) have a pretty wild and varied list for you, so get comfortable.

I'll start with two new articles for TakePart, where I'm broadening my range of topics to cover some green technology-type stories:

5 New Technologies Could Make Jet Travel Green

Supercomputer Makes Predicting Floods a Whole Lot Easier


Next up, two new "Extinction Countdown" stories for Scientific American. The first did really well, while the second was just plain fun to write.

Rare Burrowing Snake Discovered in Mountains of Mexico

Can Stamp Collecting Help Conserve Rare Species?


Finally this week, here are two new technology careers articles for different IEEE publications. The first is for IEEE-USA InSight, while the second is for The Institute:

Engineers Find Meaningful Careers in Health Informatics

IEEE Collabratec Introduces a Mentoring Feature


I have lots of great stuff in the works, so come on back next Monday for another list, or hit me up on the Tweeter for links as they go live.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Snails, Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Weeds

Well now, the past few weeks have been busy in the extreme. I have a ton of new work in the queue, and last week saw the publication of six new articles.

Credit: Alan Liefting
Let's start this link list with two next "Extinction Countdown" articles for Scientific American, both of which look at some species that shouldn't be ignored:

Snails Are Going Extinct: Here's Why That Matters

Are Bats Facing a Hidden Extinction Crisis?


Sticking with endangered species for a bit, here's my second piece for PBS's Nature:

Can the Saltmarsh Sparrow Keep Its Head Above Water?


Finally this week, here are three new articles for TakePart:

Air Force Tries Killing Weeds With Light Beams, Not Pesticides

Oregon Finds Switching From Coal to Renewable Energy Is a Bargain

Pollution Threatens Little-Known but Unique Seal


I'm pretty proud of the fact that most of this week's stories are subjects that you won't read about anywhere else. That's always one of my goals -- to bring attention to things that no one else is talking about.

More next week, or follow along on Twitter for links to headlines as they happen!

Monday, August 8, 2016

Bees, Birds and Beef (plus a Big Question)

Hey folks, I've got some good reading for you this week, starting with the first of a series of articles I'm writing for PBS's Nature:

A Buzz-Worthy Way to Protect Elephants


Next up, two big new articles for TakePart:

Is It Ethical to Kill Poachers? [This had generated more than 1,000 comments on the article and on Facebook the last time I checked.]

The Endangered Species Act Is for the Birds


Also this week, my latest for Motherboard:

Brazilian Cows Are Killing Endangered Birds—But ‘Bird-Safe’ Beef Could Help


That's enough reading, right? Well now you can relax and listen in as I talk about Pokemon Go on the Carolina Outdoors radio show (based on my recent article for TakePart).


Lots more this week. Follow me on Twitter for links as they go live.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Sharks + Wetlands + Tinder

Credit: Kevin Burkett
Hey folks, here's my latest list of links for your Monday morning. Or Tuesday afternoon. Or whatever. You can read them whenever you like. I don't control you. Free will is a beautiful thing.

Ahem.

Anyway. Links... Here they are, two articles for Scientific American and one for TakePart:

The Daggernose Shark Is Near Extinction

Swipe Right if You Love Endangered Monkeys

New Wetlands Are Being Created in Weird Ways—and That’s Good for Birds


More next Monday -- or whenever!