Incredible journeys: Whooping cranes

 A population of whooping cranes migrates between Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, and the Texas coast. These highly endangered birds have slowly but surely been increasing in numbers, but they need protection along their route and at both ends. Read more in this piece for The Revelator. 

Incredible Sea Turtle Journeys

 Research is filling in the blanks on the incredible migrations of sea turtles around the world, making conservation efforts more effective. Read more in my piece for The Revelator. 

Tagging sharks for science

 Shark tagging helps scientists track the movements of these animals, supporting efforts to protect and conserve them. Read what it's like to tag sharks in this piece for Scuba Diving magazine. 

Saving Endangered Marine Species

Iconic ocean animals are disappearing as Earth faces a sixth major extinction event. Read about how people are working to protect them, and ways you can help in this piece from Scuba Diving. 

The Evolution of Spring Lake

The former Aquarena Springs in San Marcos became The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and now helps educate future stewards. Read about it here. 

Texas species vulnerable to losing ESA protections

Despite research that shows Americans overwhelmingly support the Endangered Species Act, Congress and the current administration continue to try and weaken it. These Texas species, already affected by climate change, could be especially hard hit by any loss of protection.

Hurricane Harvey and the chickens

Record-breaking Hurricane Harvey caused widespread destruction along the Texas coast. In addition to the human toll, the storm also affected wildlife, including endangered species. This piece for Texas Climate News explains.

Poachers are using scientific papers to find their targets

When scientists publish about the discovery of a new species, or the rediscovery of one thought extinct, their most excited readers are sometimes poachers. An essay in Science argues that sometimes locations should be kept secret to protect plants and animals from collection and, possibly, even extinction. My take on this problem for Mental Floss.

Cats and Nature

Cats are great in memes and videos on the Internet, but out in the real world, they pose a serious threat to man and nature. Read more here.

Sea Turtle Nerd Nite

Video from my talk on sea turtles at Nerd Nite Austin is now available. If you don't know what to do with yourself until the next Game of Thrones or Stranger Things episodes, check it out here! Nerd Nite happens every month; learn more here.

Tough times for wolves in Oregon

A man who shot an endangered wolf in Oregon was ordered to pay $2,000 in fines and surrender the rifle used in the killing. Not a huge consequence, but more justice than is typically meted out for these beleagured animals. Read more about the plight of Oregon's wolves here.

Saving the vaquita

The population of the Gulf of California harbor porpoise, or vaquita, has plummeted in recent years and an illegal trade in the bladders of totoaba fish, also endangered, bears much of the blame. Conservationists and scientists hope efforts to save both aren't too little, too late. Read more in my piece for Newsweek.

Investigating a muder -- of an endangered wolf

US Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officials are investigating the shooting of an endangered wolf, an alpha female, in Washington state. Conservation groups have offered $15,000 in reward money for tips leading to catching the perp. Read more in Men's Journal online.

Oil & Gas and Wildlife

We can have both, but striking that balance won't be easy. Read my article in UTLaw Magazine about the challenges to air quality and endangered species from increased production. Beautiful illustrations by Pam Wishbow, too.

Walled-off Wildlife

Barriers built along the US-Mexico border have profound effects on wildlife. I've wanted to cover this issue for a long time; I wrote a post for the New York Times Green Blog focusing on the Texas Rio Grande Valley area. Read it here.