Environment

Tree intern, Leni Classen (left), responds to letters sent to a chestnut tree in Dusseldorf, Germany. A postal worker from Deutsche Post (right) delivers mail to the tree's mailbox. The tree, which is planted in a nature reserve, has its own address and p

German Chestnut Tree Accepts Letters, Answers Queries, Promotes Environmentalism

7:42pm August 12, 2016

by Yvonne Muther

The tree in Duesseldorf has gotten more than 5,000 letters and cards. People send it greetings, pour out their hearts, and ask for advice. The project encourages protection of old trees.

In The Pacific Northwest, Oil Train Derailment Highlights Potential Dangers

6:25pm August 12, 2016

by Conrad Wilson

The number of trains carrying oil along the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington could dramatically increase. There's a plan to ship more oil from the Bakken region of North Dakota to a proposed oil terminal in southwest Washington state. An oil train derailment earlier this year has shown the potential danger faced by the region.

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The healthy bees managed by Jonathan Garaas are checked every two weeks for signs of a possible mite infestation.

The Colony-Killing Mistake Backyard Beekeepers Are Making

4:38pm August 12, 2016

by Dan Gunderson

Bee experts warn that novices may be inadvertently putting their hives in danger by not keeping the mite population in check.

Mayor Karen Weaver takes a sip of water at the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee hearing titled, "The Flint Water Crisis: Lessons for Protecting America's Children."

Flint Mayor: 'Everybody Played A Role In This Disaster'

11:45am August 12, 2016

by NPR Staff

As a federal state of emergency ends for Flint, Mich., Mayor Karen Weaver says residents don't trust that government officials have fully addressed the lead contamination of their water.

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Where Lead Lurks And Why Even Small Amounts Matter

7:59am August 12, 2016

by Jessica Pupovac

Federal environmental regulations for lead in drinking water still leave room for concentrations high enough to pose a health hazard, critics say.

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A Santa Catalina Island fox pup dashes into the wilderness after being released on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. The Catalina Island fox was one of the world's most endangered species, but it has been upgraded to

Once Nearly Extinct California Island Foxes No Longer Endangered

9:16pm August 11, 2016

by Richard Gonzales

Thanks to an aggressive recovery effort, a species of tiny foxes endemic to California recovers in what researchers say is record time.

Trading Cards: The Who's Who Of #NPRWormWeek

5:55pm August 08, 2016

by Adam Cole

There are hundreds of thousands of species of worms wriggling around the world. We made trading cards about six of them.

Severe Drought Hits Majority Of Massachussetts

8:45am August 06, 2016

by Andrea Shea

Massachusetts farmers have been scrambling to get water to their crops this season, one of the driest summers in recent memory.

Bug enthusiast Anna Lindqvist uploads photos like this — of the Ailanthus Webworm Moth (Atteva aurea) to the iNaturalist app. Like a social network for wildlife, her location paired with the photo help both amateur and expert naturalists identify the sp

The App That Aims To Gamify Biology Has Amateurs Discovering New Species

8:40am August 06, 2016

by Lauren Silverman

Not everyone outside staring into their phones is searching for Pokémon — some people are looking for actual wildlife. The app iNaturalist is bringing together urban biologists and curious citizens.

A rhino wakes up after its horn was trimmed at John Hume's Rhino Ranch in Klerksdorp, South Africa, on Feb. 3. South Africa's highest court is preparing to decide whether to uphold the country's domestic ban on trading rhino horn. John Hume is a private r

If South Africa Lifts The Ban On Trading Rhino Horns, Will Rhinos Benefit?

6:38am August 06, 2016

by Peter Granitz

South Africa may lift a ban on the domestic trade of rhino horn. Rhino farmers say the moratorium hasn't stopped poaching, while critics say ending the ban amounts to an OK of illegal smuggling.