Better fishing through technology

"You cannot manage what you cannot measure." Electronic monitoring, essentially video cameras on boats, may provide more accurate, cost-effective and timely fish counts on commercial fishing boats. This makes it possible to hook catch limits more closely to actual populations and improve the effectiveness of conservation restrictions. Read more in this piece for Nature Conservancy Magazine. 

Watching wildlife from space

Scientists are using photographs taken from space and a tracking antenna installed on the International Space Station to learn more about the lives and travels of wild animals such as whales, sea turtles and birds. Read more in my Alert Diver article.

Photo courtesy Kate Mansfield, University of Central Florida

The Creosote bush cure

Creosote Bush Salve, made by hand in Alpine, Texas, provides relief from scrapes, scratches and bug bites. Bonus: it smells like rain in the desert. Read about it here.

Florida panthers versus roads

Florida panthers need space and in a state of busy roads and sprawling development, finding that space grows harder every day. In 2018, vehicles killed at least 25 Florida panthers and in 2017, at least 24. Read what Florida agencies and conservation groups are doing to help.

Migratory birds and climate change

Several recent studies show that migrating is about to get a lot tougher for birds. Read why in this piece for Texas Climate News.

Wolves and Willows

The absence of apex predators –those animals at the top of the food chain, including wolves – causes changes that cascade throughout an ecosystem. In the case of Yellowstone, right down to its plants and rivers. Read more on the PBS Nature blog.

Christmas Bird Count Adventures

Texas abounds with opportunities to participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, including several locations that routinely rank at the top nationwide. Some also involve a bit of adventure. Read the article in Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine.