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."
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.
Environmental testing and monitoring has dropped off and burnt-out conservation officers — who investigate wildfires and handle problem wildlife — are leaving the province.
The big question is whether empowering wildlife officials to relocate endangered species like the Mexican gray wolf would help or hurt the environment.
Nike and Puma, under pressure from animal rights activists, will stop using "k-leather." Ecologists say kangaroos are suffering worse deaths through climate change.
Scientists have shown for the first time that protecting highly valuable but imperiled tuna in huge marine preserves pays off in the recovery of so many of the migratory fish
