News & Commentary

The People Who Opposed America’s Best Idea

October 30, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesBrian Palmer

As the National Park Service prepares for next summer’s centennial, a look at the people on the wrong side of national park history.

#CecilyTheDeer

September 10, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Don’t look for her mourners on Twitter. The only thing harder to find would be her native habitat.

Dirty Dancing in the Big Empty

May 19, 2015 PerspectivesWest, United StatesRocky Kistner

A new documentary spotlights the sad plight of the greater sage grouse: They’re running out of dance floor.

Out of Solitary Confinement

May 14, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesAlisa Opar

Shot, stuffed, and stuck with reptiles for decades, these hyenas are headed to their rightful home in the museum.

Park Passage

April 16, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesJason Bittel

The president’s new plan to get kids into national parks (for free!) is awesome. Here’s why.

Our Ocean If We Want It

April 10, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesDavid Helvarg

An author of a new book says the sea will surely outlive us (but our bad habits are scarring it forever).

Gone Fishing

April 10, 2015 PerspectivesLouisianaSarah Craig, Rocky Kistner

Come to the best sportfishing resort in the bayou (if only the trout would start biting again).

Empty Nests

April 9, 2015 PerspectivesLouisianaSarah Craig, Rocky Kistner

A Louisiana oysterman wants to pass on his trade to his grandkids—if only there were any oysters left to catch.

A Recurring Nightmare

April 7, 2015 PerspectivesLouisianaSarah Craig, Rocky Kistner

After a decade of catastrophes—Katrina, BP—this family is saying good-bye to a beloved bayou home.

Mutated Truths

April 7, 2015 PerspectivesLouisianaSarah Craig, Rocky Kistner

Five years after the BP disaster, the oil company says everything is back to normal. This shrimper begs to differ.

Put Carson on the $20

March 27, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesPerrin Ireland

There's a campaign to put a historic female figure on paper currency. The competition is tough, but environmentalists have a clear favorite.

Out of Control from the Moment of the Blowout

March 27, 2015 PerspectivesLouisianaBrian Palmer

Former offshore drilling regulator Liz Birnbaum talks about what went wrong in the Gulf (and why drilling the Atlantic is a bad idea).

What’s Wrong with This Picture?

March 2, 2015 PerspectivesUnited StatesDavid Gessner

Humanity’s arrogant attempts to control the sea—captured in one photograph.

Misssssssed Opportunities

January 15, 2015 PerspectivesInternationalJason Bittel

The man who was almost fed to an anaconda discusses how the Discovery Channel left all the conservation footage on the cutting-room floor.

Interstellar: A Survival Guide for the Planet?

November 7, 2014 PerspectivesUnited StatesMelissa Mahony

Christopher Nolan’s latest film is an eye opener—in more ways than one.

Can't Beat 'Em? Eat 'Em

October 8, 2014 PerspectivesConnecticutAlexis Sobel Fitts

I did my thing for the environment by feasting on strange creatures at a weirdly delicious New Haven sushi restaurant.