habitat restoration
Credit: Diana Robinson/Flickr
Fire's ancient practice returns to help Nebraska’s wildlife thrive
Conservationists in Nebraska are reviving the ancient practice of controlled burns to restore vital habitats for sandhill cranes and other species.
In short:
- Controlled burns clear away overgrowth, benefiting birds like sandhill cranes by creating open areas for feeding and nesting.
- These fires mimic natural and Indigenous land management practices, which are key to maintaining grasslands and promoting biodiversity.
- Species such as bears, prairie chickens and even pollinators like bees benefit from the new growth that follows controlled burns.
Key quote:
"The best way we can make sure that the grasslands stay grasslands, is by making sure that we're using tools to keep it in that habitat — tools like prescribed fires."
— Amanda Hefner, education manager, Rowe Sanctuary
Why this matters:
In Nebraska, the practice of prescribed burning is breathing new life into local species, from the cranes that rely on open spaces to the bears that find renewed food sources in berry bushes. This ancient practice could be one of the best ways to combat the wildfire risks and biodiversity loss we face today. Read more: Hands on the land, heart in community: Returning cultural fires.
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Credit: Michael Mees/Flickr
Solar farms provide more than clean energy by supporting pollinators
As solar farms expand, some developers are using the land beneath panels to nurture pollinator habitats, but the success of these efforts varies widely.
In short:
- Solar farms can combat both climate change and biodiversity loss by providing habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Standards for pollinator-friendly solar farms are inconsistent, with accusations of greenwashing in cases where habitat efforts are minimal.
- Studies show that well-designed solar farms can significantly increase insect populations, but many projects fall short of their ecological potential.
Key quote:
“It’s not fair if some people are truly stepping up to do this right and another company is barely doing anything and saying they’re pollinator friendly."
— Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Why this matters:
Despite the promise, these nature-friendly setups are still the exception rather than the rule. If scaled up, we could start to see solar farms not just as green energy producers but as critical players in reversing habitat loss. Read more: We must adapt to climate change. Can we do it in ways that solve other problems too?
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Credit: WorldFish/Flickr
The race to build climate-resilient coral reefs
These innovations are speeding up the recovery of bleached corals.
Credit: Water Alternatives Photos/Flickr
‘The wildlife that has come is phenomenal’: the UK farmers holding off floods the natural way
Planting trees, creating floodplains and rewilding rivers are among the new techniques being used to adapt to a heating climate.
Credit: Sam Beebe/Flickr
Spying on beavers from space could help save California
A group of scientists taught an algorithm to spot beaver ponds in satellite imagery, which has the potential to help drought-ridden areas like California bounce back.
Credit: Richard Crook/Flickr
Spanish minister hails deal to save Andalucía wetlands as a model for green transition
€1.4bn deal to protect Doñana national park will diversify local economy and stop farmers using aquifers to irrigate fruit crops.
The mangrove grandparents of El Delgadito
For over a decade, Ana María and David have led their community to restore Mexico’s desert mangroves with dedication, experimentation, and plenty of heart.
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