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Wildlife Crossings Planned Near Joshua Tree National Park to Reduce Animal Fatalities

Wildlife Crossings Planned Near Joshua Tree National Park to Reduce Animal Fatalities

Wildlife researchers have initiated surveys along State Route 62 to gather data on bighorn sheep, which will inform the design and planning of two new wildlife crossings near Joshua Tree National Park. This effort is part of a broader study examining the movement and genetic exchange of bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and bobcats across the highway at the Morongo and Yucca grades, situated between Morongo Valley and Yucca Valley. Researchers will collect animal droppings for DNA analysis, with specially trained detection dogs and their handlers joining the survey to scout for scat. The DNA analysis aims to identify individual animals, understand genetic exchange, and establish a baseline for wildlife activity before the crossings are constructed. The first phase of this planning and design work is funded by the Mojave Desert Land Trust through Caltrans mitigation funds and is expected to continue through April 2027. The ultimate goal is to minimize wildlife deaths and collisions on the highway, where hundre...
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Study Links 122 Fossil Fuel Companies to Worsening Western U.S. Water Shortages

Study Links 122 Fossil Fuel Companies to Worsening Western U.S. Water Shortages

A new study published in the Nature magazine affiliate Communications Earth & Environment has identified 122 major oil, gas, coal, and cement companies as partially responsible for the worsening water shortages in the Western United States. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of California at Merced and the Union of Concerned Scientists, found that climate change from all greenhouse gas emissions over the past 70 years has led to a 36% decline in annual average mountain snowpacks, a primary source of surface water in Western states. Approximately 40% of this decline is directly linked to the climate pollution generated by these 122 companies. The study also indicates a 13% reduction in average annual streamflows from mountains and a 4.3% increase in the need for agricultural irrigation due to global warming from greenhouse gas emissions. About half of these streamflow declines and increased irrigation needs are attributed to the warming caused by the identified companies, resulting in...
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Trine University Student Gains Ecological Field Experience at Idaho National Laboratory

Trine University Student Gains Ecological Field Experience at Idaho National Laboratory

Claire Schmaltz, a Trine University student, spent her summer as an ecological crew member with Battelle Energy Alliance at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Schmaltz, who is studying environmental science and biology, applied her academic knowledge to practical field experience. Her primary project involved monitoring sage-grouse habitat across the INL site, where she collected vegetation data from 75 plots, measuring plant cover, height, density, and species composition. She also identified over 100 plant species across approximately 890 square miles of sagebrush steppe. The internship provided her with a clearer understanding of environmental careers and strengthened the connection between her studies and future goals.
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European Rivers Show Improvement but Fall Short of 2030 Environmental Goals

European Rivers Show Improvement but Fall Short of 2030 Environmental Goals

A recent study led by researchers María Pachés Giner and Remedios Martínez from the Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) indicates that the quality of European rivers has improved, but not at a sufficient pace to meet the environmental targets set for 2030. The analysis, covering data from 2015 to 2021, reveals a decrease in organic pollution in 14 out of 18 studied countries and a reduction in phosphate concentrations in 11 out of 16 countries with available information. Despite these positive trends, only Slovenia is currently on a trajectory fully compatible with the 2030 goals. Finland, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, and Denmark also received positive assessments but need to maintain or strengthen their management policies. Conversely, Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden, and Spain face significant challenges, with Spain and Bulgaria exhibiting the most critical situations due to high pollution levels and unfavorable trends in some indica...
AP NewsAP News
Residents near Maui wildfires show elevated metals linked to impacted lung health, study says

Residents near Maui wildfires show elevated metals linked to impacted lung health, study says

A new study finds that metal mixtures found in smoke, ash and debris after the 2023 Maui wildfires affected human lung health
SB NationSB Nation
Should MLB build a ballpark in Grand Teton National Park?

Should MLB build a ballpark in Grand Teton National Park?

No. It’s a terrible idea. Here’s why.
AP NewsAP News
MLB considers Grand Teton National Park for baseball game site, prompting concern

MLB considers Grand Teton National Park for baseball game site, prompting concern

Major League Baseball has been considering holding a game in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
Ventura County Star, CamarilloVentura County Star, Camarillo
High school highlights and top performers from Sept. 22-26

High school highlights and top performers from Sept. 22-26

Check out the highlights from girls volleyball, girls flag football girls golf, girls tennis, and boys water polo from Sept. 22-26.
Ventura County Star, CamarilloVentura County Star, Camarillo
Ventura County water leader, fourth-generation farmer dies

Ventura County water leader, fourth-generation farmer dies

When Ventura County water leader and fourth-generation farmer Lynn Maulhardt died earlier this month, here's how local officials reacted.
AP NewsAP News
Sea level rise is reshaping a California beach town and threatening a key rail line

Sea level rise is reshaping a California beach town and threatening a key rail line

The beach in this small Southern California community has been shrinking due to rising ocean waters
VarietyVariety
Nat Geo Kicks Off New Multi-Year Doc Franchise With ‘Africa Earth’s Wild Home’

Nat Geo Kicks Off New Multi-Year Doc Franchise With ‘Africa Earth’s Wild Home’

Unlike most conglomerate-owned media companies, National Geographic is still pouring money into documentaries. Their latest docuseries “Africa Earth’s Wild Home” is a seven-parter that took four years to make and employed over 50 people. It’s the first series in a multi-year franchise that will document the planet, one continent at a time. Nat Geo partnered […]
Ventura County Star, CamarilloVentura County Star, Camarillo
Firefighter taken to trauma center after being struck by car in Simi

Firefighter taken to trauma center after being struck by car in Simi

A firefighter responding to a traffic collision in Simi Valley was hit by a vehicle.