There are pros and cons to COVID-19’s impact on whales — less boat traffic, but also less research.
Scientific research
Posted inArticles
One Oregon county has widespread COVID-19 testing. Others aren’t so lucky.
‘They don’t have a rainy-day fund or bucket of money that’s just waiting for a big crisis.’
Posted inMay 1, 2020: Lives on Lockdown
The threat below Mount St. Helens
Forty years after the mountain’s eruption, officials struggle to balance research and risk.
Posted inArticles
How climate research continues during stay-at-home orders
NOAA networks get creative to gather data.
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How the pandemic will set back environmental science
Across the Western U.S., researchers are worried about unmonitored threatened species.
Posted inArticles
Monique the space elk and the wild history of tracking wildlife
The legacy of scientific researchers, and a couple intrepid ungulates, endures half a century later.
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Are wildland firefighters at a greater risk from COVID-19?
New research suggests that the smoke firefighters breathe makes the disease more threatening.
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Extreme wildfires are changing Western forests
New studies show how high-intensity fires alter flower pollen, soil health and tree growth.
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As COVID-19 spreads, so does misinformation
Sociologist Emma Spiro tracks the sources of coronavirus rumors, from information voids to information overload.
Posted inArticles
Tell us how COVID-19 is affecting you
How have your local governments and communities been impacted by the coronavirus?
Posted inMarch 16, 2020: Wiring the Wild
For skiers, there’s a contaminant underfoot
Premium wax is affecting alpine food webs.
Posted inMarch 16, 2020: Wiring the Wild
What’s threatening the elusive wolverine?
As snowmobilers fight to preserve their pastime, scientists worry about the future of the species.
Posted inMarch 16, 2020: Wiring the Wild
Will we ever know rec’s true impact on wildlife?
Scientists race to quantify winter recreation’s impact on Canada lynx, but technology outpaces them.
Posted inApril 1, 2020: Land-Grab Universities
Inside a Seattle lab working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine
‘We’ve put a lot of projects on hold so that we can focus on this.’
Posted inApril 1, 2020: Land-Grab Universities
Why scientists rallied to save a museum of mud
Researchers at Oregon State University hope the collection helps scientists understand more about earth’s past and future.
Posted inMarch 1, 2020: Predator (Mis)perceptions
The mystery of mountain lions
Despite decades of research, myth and fear still surround the animals.
Posted inMarch 1, 2020: Predator (Mis)perceptions
Colorado throws wolves to the vote
Should democracy take over where science ends?
Posted inMarch 1, 2020: Predator (Mis)perceptions
The Elon Musk dilemma
When big thinkers think badly.
Posted inApril 1, 2020: Land-Grab Universities
A viral coyote-badger video demonstrates the incredible complexity of nature
A behavioral ecologist breaks down the importance of an adorable wildlife clip.
Posted inArticles
Do wilderness therapy programs really work?
The expensive treatments for troubled teens have been around for years — but researchers still aren’t sure whether wilderness makes a difference.