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Urban wetlands are an invaluable piece of climate resilience. Their restoration is scuttled by impossibly difficult regulatory hurdles

Imagine walking on an abandoned pier in Philadelphia and entering a lush park surrounded by a mosaic of wetlands. An elegant heron jabs downward with its long, sharp beak, and you peer into the clear water to see what it’s after. Schools of fish swim over mussels amid waving green plants. This is the concept

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7 mins read
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In Mount Airy, fox lovers are (illegally) treating local animals for mange. An expert says it’s inherently dangerous and could backfire

It was a warm summer morning and shirtless, sweaty runners were just coming off the Wissahickon Trail. As they ascended out of the picturesque valley in Northwest Philadelphia to start the workday, a woman named Mary and two companions were heading the other direction, already getting down to business. Their mission looked a little like

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6 mins read
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Native plants and organically-based repellents can keep deer from making a feast of your garden

Even the most dedicated naturalists have their boundaries when it comes to cohabitating with wildlife. And for many home gardeners, deer are enemy number one. It’s possible to acknowledge that we’ve largely taken over deer habitats and, simultaneously, feel a potent ire while watching your landscaping efforts blithely munched by these creatures. According to Penn

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2 mins read
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Data suggest monarch butterflies are not at great risk — and conservation efforts might be doing harm

Nature enthusiasts often speak of a “spark species” that inspired their love of nature; it’s hard to think of one more popular than the monarch butterfly, which captivates thousands across North America with its flashy colors and extraordinary annual migration. These iconic butterflies hold a name brand recognition not given to most insects. We see

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7 mins read
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Ladybugs are very beneficial to gardens and farms, but the most prevalent species is invasive and has crowded out its cousins

Who doesn’t love lady beetles (aka ladybugs)? They are bright and cheery with that cute, round shape, plus they help gardeners by gobbling up plant-sucking aphids. There appear to be plenty of them; they’re not hard to find outside from spring through fall, and at the end of the growing season, they often make themselves

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2 mins read
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Naturalist and author Scott Weidensaul discusses the miracle of migration and how to protect our feathered friends

Nevermind the wildebeest of the Serengeti or the caribou of western Alaska; the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth takes place over our heads twice a year. Early May marks the high point of the spring bird migration season, when billions of birds around the world ranging from hummingbirds to eagles work their way north. Hundreds

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5 mins read