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Chichicastenango Market in Guatemala Continues as a Hub of K'iche' Maya Culture and Commerce

Chichicastenango Market in Guatemala Continues as a Hub of K'iche' Maya Culture and Commerce

Chichicastenango Market in Guatemala Continues as a Hub of K'iche' Maya Culture and Commerce

From Giant Trees to Salmon, the Redwoods Shelter a Remarkable Ecosystem

From Giant Trees to Salmon, the Redwoods Shelter a Remarkable Ecosystem

These magnificent giants are not only the tallest trees globally but also among the largest, creating an unparalleled old-growth temperate rainfore...

Dior Partners with World Wildlife Fund to Support Puma Conservation Efforts

Dior Partners with World Wildlife Fund to Support Puma Conservation Efforts

Parfums Christian Dior has partnered with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to support puma conservation. This collaboration, which began in 2023 and has been recommitted for another three years, focuses on preserving the puma, an apex predator crucial to ecosystem health across the Americas. The initiative is part of Dior's broader sustainability efforts, particularly for its best-selling fragrance, Sauvage. Cécile Lochard, global sustainability director at Parfums Christian Dior, emphasized that this is a substantive collaboration, not a superficial one. The project initially supported lynx conservation in France and jaguar conservation in Mexico and the United States before shifting its focus to pumas in Chile. The partnership aims to make a tangible difference in protecting at-risk species and aligns with the 'call of the wild' messaging associated with the Sauvage brand. The puma was chosen due to its ecological role as an 'umbrella species,' meaning its preservation benefits hundreds of other species wit...

Americas diplomats back joint call for Nicaragua to restore civil liberties

Americas diplomats back joint call for Nicaragua to restore civil liberties

By Sarah Morland and Gabriela Selser Oct 2 (Reuters) - The Organization of American States on Friday approved a resolution that calls on Nicaraguan authorities to free political prisoners and restore civil liberties, carving a path for potential coordinated action.

Vaux's Swifts and Queer Birders Find Community at University of Oregon's Agate Hall Chimney

Vaux's Swifts and Queer Birders Find Community at University of Oregon's Agate Hall Chimney

Each fall, the University of Oregon's Agate Hall chimney in Eugene becomes a significant stop for Vaux's swifts during their migration from British Columbia to Mexico and Venezuela. On the busiest night this year, over 9,000 swifts were observed roosting in the chimney. These birds, which cannot perch and are in constant motion, funnel into tight spaces to huddle for warmth. The Agate Hall chimney has served as a roosting site for at least 30 years. The Vaux's swift population has declined by an estimated 50% since the late 1960s due to the loss of old-growth forests and the demolition of old brick chimneys, which provide crucial roosting habitats. The annual gathering of swifts also attracts crowds, including the Lane County Queer Birders, founded by Amy Sherman. Sherman created the group to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals to gather in nature, especially in light of concerns about their rights following the 2024 presidential election. The group finds joy and community in these shared experienc...

USGS Updates Water Temperature Models for Willamette Valley Dams to Aid Salmon Passage

USGS Updates Water Temperature Models for Willamette Valley Dams to Aid Salmon Passage

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has updated its water temperature models for several dams in Oregon's Willamette Valley, including Green Peter and Foster Dams. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort, spanning over 20 years, to monitor and model water temperature, streamflow, and other water-quality variables in reservoirs downstream of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dams. These updates are crucial for informing management decisions in the Willamette River Basin, where dams serve multiple purposes, including flood-risk management, hydropower, and supporting fish and wildlife. Specifically, the updates for Green Peter and Foster Lakes reflect 2023 conditions, which included a deep drawdown in Green Peter Lake to facilitate downstream passage for juvenile salmon. The USGS also evaluated an event in 2021 at Detroit Dam where an early drawdown, intended to release cooler water for salmon spawning, resulted in some of the warmest releases on record due to warm surface waters being drawn down to out...

Who will USMNT, Mexico play in Concacaf Nations League?

Who will USMNT, Mexico play in Concacaf Nations League?

The picture is clearing up for the United States and Mexico as official November matches approach for the North American teams.

Conservation Efforts Underway for Southern Ground Hornbill in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Conservation Efforts Underway for Southern Ground Hornbill in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Researchers in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger Conservation Area, have been working for the past 25 years to improve the conservation status of the southern ground hornbill. This species, one of Kruger’s 'Big Six Birds,' is distinctive with its glossy black plumage, large size, bright red throat pouch, and powerful bill. Despite their ability to fly and roost in trees, they primarily spend their time on the ground, moving in territories that can span several square kilometers. These groups are typically composed of predominantly male birds led by a dominant female. The population of these charismatic birds has significantly declined due to human encroachment, persecution (as some consider them bad omens), and a scarcity of suitable nesting sites. They are particular about nesting in tree cavities, and even artificial nests often prove difficult to maintain. Their biology also presents challenges, as they can live for 50 to 60 years but only reach breeding age at seven or eight, ...

Heifer International Seeks Landscape Management Coordinator in Honduras

Heifer International Seeks Landscape Management Coordinator in Honduras

Heifer International, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture, is actively seeking a Coordinator for Integrated Landscape Management in Honduras. This role requires significant field presence, with up to 70% travel to project intervention zones, including multi-day displacements. The ideal candidate will possess a university degree in fields such as Social Work, Sociology, Social Sciences, Local Development, Agronomic Engineering, Forestry Engineering, or Environmental Engineering. A postgraduate degree or specialization in Project Management, Rural Development, Agribusiness, or related areas is highly preferred and will be given priority. Additionally, applicants must hold a valid driver's license for cars and have experience driving in rural areas. Heifer International, which operates in 19 countries, emphasizes its commitment to sustainable development and the well-being of individuals and communities, having positively impacted over 52...

On This Day in 1968, Redwood National Park Was Created in California

On This Day in 1968, Redwood National Park Was Created in California

The Redwood National and State Parks, located on the coast of northern California, represent a significant achievement in conservation, protecting ...

New Orange-Red Killifish Species Discovered in Brazilian Amazon

New Orange-Red Killifish Species Discovered in Brazilian Amazon

Researchers in the Brazilian state of Amapá have identified and described a new species of killifish, named Laimosemion laranja. This fish is notable for the striking orange-red markings on the bodies and fins of its males. The name 'laranja' is significant as it means both 'orange' and 'fruit' in Portuguese, and also honors Laranjal do Jari, the municipality where the species was found. The description, published in 'Zoosystematics and Evolution,' is based on both physical characteristics and genetic evidence. DNA analysis revealed a 5.3% genetic divergence from its closest relatives, and distinct differences in scales, fins, and skeletal features further confirmed its status as a separate species. Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes has officially listed L. laranja as a valid species. The fish is small, measuring less than 3cm, and its vibrant colors make it distinctive despite its size.

Warwick Valley High School Senior Leila Thurber Leads Environmental and Humanitarian Initiatives

Warwick Valley High School Senior Leila Thurber Leads Environmental and Humanitarian Initiatives

Leila Thurber, a senior at Warwick Valley High School and president of the Interact Club, has demonstrated significant leadership in service-oriented projects, particularly through her initiative, Keepers of the Reef. This campaign focuses on reducing plastic waste and protecting marine ecosystems, specifically the Mesoamerican Reef, while also addressing humanitarian needs in affected coastal communities. Thurber's efforts include organizing the first international video call between Warwick's Interact Club and students in Roatán, Honduras, fostering global community and understanding. She was inspired to act after learning about the environmental devastation caused by plastic pollution and the challenges faced by children and families in Sandy Bay, Honduras, through her collaboration with Dr. Roseanne Esposito, founder of Hilltop Communities. The Keepers of the Reef campaign utilizes a mascot, Tommy the Turtle, and social media to promote its message and encourage student participation in pledge drives a...