Shi En Kim
@goesbykim.bsky.social
Climate and Science fellow @ HCN
✍️ Health, environment, space in NatGeo, SciAm, etc.
Formerly C&EN, The Open Notebook, SmithsonianMag
Cofounder @sequencermag.bsky.social
Signal: @shienkim.1721
I go by my last name, Kim • She/her
shienkim.wordpress.com
✍️ Health, environment, space in NatGeo, SciAm, etc.
Formerly C&EN, The Open Notebook, SmithsonianMag
Cofounder @sequencermag.bsky.social
Signal: @shienkim.1721
I go by my last name, Kim • She/her
shienkim.wordpress.com
Pinned
Shi En Kim
@goesbykim.bsky.social
· Jan 23
A personal update: This week, I start as @highcountrynews.bsky.social's climate and science fellow!
Comms officers, researchers, think tanks, and nonprofits, if you have any tips or story ideas on #climate & #environment issues concerning the Western US, I want to hear from you! 📧 [email protected]
Comms officers, researchers, think tanks, and nonprofits, if you have any tips or story ideas on #climate & #environment issues concerning the Western US, I want to hear from you! 📧 [email protected]
Two things I didn't really know about #porcupines until I did a story for @highcountrynews.org about them: 1. They're disappearing across the West. Scientists don't really know why.
Thanks to @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social for your SHARP edits, as usual!
www.hcn.org/articles/the...
Thanks to @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social for your SHARP edits, as usual!
www.hcn.org/articles/the...
The West’s vanishing porcupines - High Country News
Scientists are racing to figure out why porcupines are disappearing from their former stomping grounds.
www.hcn.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Two things I didn't really know about #porcupines until I did a story for @highcountrynews.org about them: 1. They're disappearing across the West. Scientists don't really know why.
Thanks to @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social for your SHARP edits, as usual!
www.hcn.org/articles/the...
Thanks to @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social for your SHARP edits, as usual!
www.hcn.org/articles/the...
So proud of my @highcountrynews.org colleague @btoastie.bsky.social for this amazing cover story!
I read this article based on a comment about it having brought tears (about death metal). What I found was an amazing story of music, community, snd survival.
www.hcn.org/issues/57-11...
www.hcn.org/issues/57-11...
Heavy metal is healing teens on the Blackfeet Nation - High Country News
In response to youth suicides, teachers show students the power of headbanging at Fire in the Mountains festival.
www.hcn.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM
So proud of my @highcountrynews.org colleague @btoastie.bsky.social for this amazing cover story!
Reposted by Shi En Kim
About The Open Notebook, @goesbykim.bsky.social says: “Never would you find a kinder, more caring, and more talented family of peers and veterans who are eager to help early-career journalists like me in navigating the craft and industry.” 🧪
November 3, 2025 at 10:23 PM
About The Open Notebook, @goesbykim.bsky.social says: “Never would you find a kinder, more caring, and more talented family of peers and veterans who are eager to help early-career journalists like me in navigating the craft and industry.” 🧪
Today is the last day to share your thoughts on the federal government's plan to revoke the roadless rule on Forest Service lands. When the clock strikes midnight (ET), the comment portal will close.
Looking for your Cinderella moment? Go comment now!!!
Looking for your Cinderella moment? Go comment now!!!
How to comment on the planned roadless rule rollback - High Country News
The deadline to weigh in on the change is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 19.
www.hcn.org
September 19, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Today is the last day to share your thoughts on the federal government's plan to revoke the roadless rule on Forest Service lands. When the clock strikes midnight (ET), the comment portal will close.
Looking for your Cinderella moment? Go comment now!!!
Looking for your Cinderella moment? Go comment now!!!
I went on @kjzz.org to chat about my @highcountrynews.org story on saguaro flowers!
What the folds of a saguaro flower can reveal about future of the desert
Shi En Kim wrote about the iconic saguaro flower for High Country News and joined The Show to discuss more.
www.kjzz.org
September 18, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I went on @kjzz.org to chat about my @highcountrynews.org story on saguaro flowers!
Reposted by Shi En Kim
The landmark roadless rule is on the chopping block, endangering 59 million acres of Forest Service lands that still retain some of their wild character. Experts say it's as bad of an idea as it sounds for wildlife.
Now that you know, go forth and comment! You have until Sept. 19. to do so.
Now that you know, go forth and comment! You have until Sept. 19. to do so.
How to comment on the planned roadless rule rollback - High Country News
The deadline to weigh in on the change is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 19.
www.hcn.org
September 9, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The landmark roadless rule is on the chopping block, endangering 59 million acres of Forest Service lands that still retain some of their wild character. Experts say it's as bad of an idea as it sounds for wildlife.
Now that you know, go forth and comment! You have until Sept. 19. to do so.
Now that you know, go forth and comment! You have until Sept. 19. to do so.
The landmark roadless rule is on the chopping block, endangering 59 million acres of Forest Service lands that still retain some of their wild character. Experts say it's as bad of an idea as it sounds for wildlife.
Now that you know, go forth and comment! You have until Sept. 19. to do so.
Now that you know, go forth and comment! You have until Sept. 19. to do so.
How to comment on the planned roadless rule rollback - High Country News
The deadline to weigh in on the change is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 19.
www.hcn.org
September 9, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The landmark roadless rule is on the chopping block, endangering 59 million acres of Forest Service lands that still retain some of their wild character. Experts say it's as bad of an idea as it sounds for wildlife.
Now that you know, go forth and comment! You have until Sept. 19. to do so.
Now that you know, go forth and comment! You have until Sept. 19. to do so.
Reposted by Shi En Kim
The public has until September 19 to weigh in on the proposed rescission of the 2001 roadless rule on Forest Service land, a move that experts have said will harm the health and biodiversity of ecosystems.
buff.ly/oMa9f05
buff.ly/oMa9f05
How to comment on the planned roadless rule rollback - High Country News
The deadline to weigh in on the change is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 19.
www.hcn.org
September 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
The public has until September 19 to weigh in on the proposed rescission of the 2001 roadless rule on Forest Service land, a move that experts have said will harm the health and biodiversity of ecosystems.
buff.ly/oMa9f05
buff.ly/oMa9f05
Reposted by Shi En Kim
A new 5-year mission begins!
I'm so grateful to everyone at NASA Astrobiology for this opportunity to advance our search for life in the universe with @calebscharf.bsky.social and our team of amazing colleagues at @carnegiescience.bsky.social, NASA Ames, and beyond!
I'm so grateful to everyone at NASA Astrobiology for this opportunity to advance our search for life in the universe with @calebscharf.bsky.social and our team of amazing colleagues at @carnegiescience.bsky.social, NASA Ames, and beyond!
"We're at the edge of a new era in astrobiology. We've never had more data or more computing power. Now is the moment to bring it all together and finally ask—and maybe answer—the biggest question of all: Are we alone?"
-Michael Wong (@miquai.bsky.social)
More👇
carnegiescience.edu/news/can-we-...
-Michael Wong (@miquai.bsky.social)
More👇
carnegiescience.edu/news/can-we-...
Can We Teach A.I. to Detect Life? Carnegie Scientist Co-Leads NASA-Funded Effort
Are we alone in the universe? A new $5 million NASA-funded project co-led by Carnegie’s Michael Wong and NASA’s Caleb Scharf will train A.I. on a vast planetary dataset to recognize signs of life and…
carnegiescience.edu
August 26, 2025 at 11:11 PM
A new 5-year mission begins!
I'm so grateful to everyone at NASA Astrobiology for this opportunity to advance our search for life in the universe with @calebscharf.bsky.social and our team of amazing colleagues at @carnegiescience.bsky.social, NASA Ames, and beyond!
I'm so grateful to everyone at NASA Astrobiology for this opportunity to advance our search for life in the universe with @calebscharf.bsky.social and our team of amazing colleagues at @carnegiescience.bsky.social, NASA Ames, and beyond!
Reposted by Shi En Kim
When I visited 🌵 NP in April, I found the saguaro flowers so surreal. Against the saguaro's austerity, they looked decadent, dressing cactuses in flapper chic. Flowers on the cactus arms looked like bouquets offerings to passers-by.
I'm so glad @highcountrynews.org let me indulge my curiosity.
I'm so glad @highcountrynews.org let me indulge my curiosity.
Counting flowers to read the saguaro’s future - High Country News
Saguaros are struggling to cope with extreme weather, monitoring studies reveal.
www.hcn.org
August 14, 2025 at 8:03 PM
When I visited 🌵 NP in April, I found the saguaro flowers so surreal. Against the saguaro's austerity, they looked decadent, dressing cactuses in flapper chic. Flowers on the cactus arms looked like bouquets offerings to passers-by.
I'm so glad @highcountrynews.org let me indulge my curiosity.
I'm so glad @highcountrynews.org let me indulge my curiosity.
Kylie @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social is an awesome editor with an impeccable eye! It was great to work with her on this piece.
The first story I edited in my capacity as a contributing editor for @highcountrynews.org is up! Consider this lovely piece by @goesbykim.bsky.social as a bit of a palate cleanser, with reeeeaaallly cool photos: www.hcn.org/articles/cou...
Counting flowers to read the saguaro’s future - High Country News
Saguaros are struggling to cope with extreme weather, monitoring studies reveal.
www.hcn.org
August 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Kylie @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social is an awesome editor with an impeccable eye! It was great to work with her on this piece.
Reposted by Shi En Kim
Researchers are monitoring saguaro flowers in the Sonoran Desert to understand the environmental cues influencing when and how they sprout, patterns that are fluctuating in the face of climate change.
buff.ly/d4Bl13S
buff.ly/d4Bl13S
Counting flowers to read the saguaro’s future - High Country News
Saguaros are struggling to cope with extreme weather, monitoring studies reveal.
www.hcn.org
August 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Researchers are monitoring saguaro flowers in the Sonoran Desert to understand the environmental cues influencing when and how they sprout, patterns that are fluctuating in the face of climate change.
buff.ly/d4Bl13S
buff.ly/d4Bl13S
When I visited 🌵 NP in April, I found the saguaro flowers so surreal. Against the saguaro's austerity, they looked decadent, dressing cactuses in flapper chic. Flowers on the cactus arms looked like bouquets offerings to passers-by.
I'm so glad @highcountrynews.org let me indulge my curiosity.
I'm so glad @highcountrynews.org let me indulge my curiosity.
Counting flowers to read the saguaro’s future - High Country News
Saguaros are struggling to cope with extreme weather, monitoring studies reveal.
www.hcn.org
August 14, 2025 at 8:03 PM
When I visited 🌵 NP in April, I found the saguaro flowers so surreal. Against the saguaro's austerity, they looked decadent, dressing cactuses in flapper chic. Flowers on the cactus arms looked like bouquets offerings to passers-by.
I'm so glad @highcountrynews.org let me indulge my curiosity.
I'm so glad @highcountrynews.org let me indulge my curiosity.
In June, a lynx rewilding project in eastern WA confirmed the first wild kitten litters to be born here.
But fate had ironic timing. The same month, the Forest Service announced the repeal of the roadless rule. The lynx birthing grounds would be among those subject to the repeal.
Read more here:
But fate had ironic timing. The same month, the Forest Service announced the repeal of the roadless rule. The lynx birthing grounds would be among those subject to the repeal.
Read more here:
The Trump administration’s repeal of the roadless rule could threaten wildlife - High Country News
A 2001 policy restricts road construction on Forest Service land. What happens to at-risk species if it’s removed?
www.hcn.org
July 31, 2025 at 7:48 PM
In June, a lynx rewilding project in eastern WA confirmed the first wild kitten litters to be born here.
But fate had ironic timing. The same month, the Forest Service announced the repeal of the roadless rule. The lynx birthing grounds would be among those subject to the repeal.
Read more here:
But fate had ironic timing. The same month, the Forest Service announced the repeal of the roadless rule. The lynx birthing grounds would be among those subject to the repeal.
Read more here:
Reposted by Shi En Kim
After a deadly algal bloom, someone has to pick up the pieces, so scientists can put them together.
Meet LA’s detective for dead marine mammals - High Country News
A day in the life of a scientist studying the aftermath of the city’s deadly algal blooms.
buff.ly
July 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
After a deadly algal bloom, someone has to pick up the pieces, so scientists can put them together.
Reposted by Shi En Kim
Federal policies are making it challenging for trail crews from the Forest Service, stewardship organizations and volunteer groups to clean up trails this summer.
buff.ly/zSM3CkF
buff.ly/zSM3CkF
Trump administration budget cuts wreak havoc on trail maintenance - High Country News
As tourism season begins, trail crews are facing disruptions in key trail maintenance projects.
www.hcn.org
July 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Federal policies are making it challenging for trail crews from the Forest Service, stewardship organizations and volunteer groups to clean up trails this summer.
buff.ly/zSM3CkF
buff.ly/zSM3CkF
Reposted by Shi En Kim
When sun hits you, what does it *hit*? It rockets into your RNA, and the sound of colliding ribosomes and potholed RNA signals to your body to do something: produce a sunburn. My latest for @quantamagazine.bsky.social.
www.quantamagazine.org/rna-is-the-c...
www.quantamagazine.org/rna-is-the-c...
RNA Is the Cell’s Emergency Alert System | Quanta Magazine
How does a cell know when it’s been damaged? A molecular alarm, set off by mutated RNA and colliding ribosomes, signals danger.
www.quantamagazine.org
July 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
When sun hits you, what does it *hit*? It rockets into your RNA, and the sound of colliding ribosomes and potholed RNA signals to your body to do something: produce a sunburn. My latest for @quantamagazine.bsky.social.
www.quantamagazine.org/rna-is-the-c...
www.quantamagazine.org/rna-is-the-c...
While media coverage has often lauded agrivoltaics, i.e. the marriage of solar and farming, reality has proven that it's quite a challenge to get it off the ground. Take Arizona, for example, a place of abundant sunshine and scarce water. From all appearances, agrivoltaics should be a shoe-in here.
Why isn’t agrivoltaics taking off in Arizona? - High Country News
Logistical hurdles and a lack of solar incentives keep panels and plants apart.
www.hcn.org
July 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
While media coverage has often lauded agrivoltaics, i.e. the marriage of solar and farming, reality has proven that it's quite a challenge to get it off the ground. Take Arizona, for example, a place of abundant sunshine and scarce water. From all appearances, agrivoltaics should be a shoe-in here.
Reposted by Shi En Kim
Federal layoffs are likely to move ahead quickly, with major impacts on conservation and science.
buff.ly/XieVRNB
buff.ly/XieVRNB
Mass layoffs can move forward, with devastating impacts for conservation and science - High Country News
‘Shortsighted’ cuts could eliminate bird banding program, federal bee research and much more.
www.hcn.org
July 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Federal layoffs are likely to move ahead quickly, with major impacts on conservation and science.
buff.ly/XieVRNB
buff.ly/XieVRNB
Reposted by Shi En Kim
I once met a man named Jacob. He was in his seventies, a small man, stooped and bent, who looked much older than he was. He was kind and gracious, and was used to people being put off by his posture and size. His story of how he ended up like that is informative. 1/
“The Department of Homeland Security has formally instituted a new requirement that members of Congress and their staff provide a week of notice before they visit immigration detention facilities, a policy that is at odds with a federal law that allows lawmakers to make unannounced oversight trips.“
ICE to require lawmakers to give a week’s notice before detention visits.
www.nytimes.com
June 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I once met a man named Jacob. He was in his seventies, a small man, stooped and bent, who looked much older than he was. He was kind and gracious, and was used to people being put off by his posture and size. His story of how he ended up like that is informative. 1/
"Produced water" isn't "water" in any life-giving sense of the word, environmentalists say, but it's definitely produced—an existential problem of oil+gas's own making.
New Mexico is weighing the reuse this toxic waste, and environmental groups are sounding the alarm.
Me for @highcountrynews.org
New Mexico is weighing the reuse this toxic waste, and environmental groups are sounding the alarm.
Me for @highcountrynews.org
Can fracking wastewater be reused? - High Country News
New Mexico’s legislators are eager to repurpose “produced water,” but environmental organizations say that there is no safe way to do that.
www.hcn.org
June 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
"Produced water" isn't "water" in any life-giving sense of the word, environmentalists say, but it's definitely produced—an existential problem of oil+gas's own making.
New Mexico is weighing the reuse this toxic waste, and environmental groups are sounding the alarm.
Me for @highcountrynews.org
New Mexico is weighing the reuse this toxic waste, and environmental groups are sounding the alarm.
Me for @highcountrynews.org
Just. Wow.
Confidential records obtained by WIRED & @propertyofthepeople.org show the ag industry deploying moles to infiltrate activist meetings, while functionally serving as FBI informants, in a shadow campaign to brand the animal rights movement America's biggest bioterrorism threat.
My latest @wired.com:
My latest @wired.com:
How the Farm Industry Spied on Animal Rights Activists and Pushed the FBI to Treat Them as Terrorists
For years, a powerful ‘Big Ag’ trade group served up information on activists to the FBI. Records reveal a decade-long effort to see the animal rights movement labeled a legitimate terrorism threat.
www.wired.com
June 3, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Just. Wow.
Got woken up by a phone call, took an impromptu interview — braces still in my mouth, voice still scratchy, eyes still not fully open, brain screaming for caffeine — and proceeded to have one of the best chats of my life.
My job is cool.
My job is cool.
June 3, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Got woken up by a phone call, took an impromptu interview — braces still in my mouth, voice still scratchy, eyes still not fully open, brain screaming for caffeine — and proceeded to have one of the best chats of my life.
My job is cool.
My job is cool.
Republished at @grist.org, my piece illuminates how field scientists at the #ForestService soldier through uncertain times despite the federal assault on research.
As Trump comes after research, Forest Service scientists keep working
Scientists describe how they’re preparing for the upcoming field season despite the challenges.
grist.org
June 2, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Republished at @grist.org, my piece illuminates how field scientists at the #ForestService soldier through uncertain times despite the federal assault on research.
Reposted by Shi En Kim
The President's budget request would be devastating to NASA science and our quest for life beyond Earth.
But there's still time to act, and your voice matters.
But there's still time to act, and your voice matters.
It’s Not Too Late to Save NASA’s Imperiled Search for Alien Life, but the Clock Is Ticking
NASA’s astrobiology ambitions are at risk of collapsing under the White House’s proposed budget. But your voice can make a difference
www.scientificamerican.com
May 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The President's budget request would be devastating to NASA science and our quest for life beyond Earth.
But there's still time to act, and your voice matters.
But there's still time to act, and your voice matters.