Ruth Thornton
@rthornton28.bsky.social
Reposted by Ruth Thornton
An Ecuadorian court has blocked construction of a highway to protect a critically endangered toad, citing the rights of nature.
In Ecuador’s Battle of Toad vs. Road, Toad Wins - Inside Climate News
The court invoked Ecuador’s rights of nature laws in halting a highway project to protect the Jambato harlequin toad, requiring the government to prove construction won’t drive the species to extincti...
insideclimatenews.org
January 8, 2026 at 12:54 AM
An Ecuadorian court has blocked construction of a highway to protect a critically endangered toad, citing the rights of nature.
Poaching has long been a problem for African forest elephants, but recent population surveys show that poaching levels are down from a decade ago. Read about that, North Atlantic right wales having more young and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
#nature #biodiversity #wildlife
ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
#nature #biodiversity #wildlife
The State of Nature: Weekly Update #12
1/7/2025: Poaching of African forest elephants has declined, right whales having more babies, drones sampling viruses from whales, people's attitudes towards wolves depend on their politics and more…
ruththornton.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Poaching has long been a problem for African forest elephants, but recent population surveys show that poaching levels are down from a decade ago. Read about that, North Atlantic right wales having more young and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
#nature #biodiversity #wildlife
ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
#nature #biodiversity #wildlife
Over the past decades, deer numbers have increased in many parts of the US, often to the detriment of wildflowers and young trees in our forests.
A new study shows how plants can bounce back when hunting pressure increases, benefitting forest biodiversity.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-deer-p...
A new study shows how plants can bounce back when hunting pressure increases, benefitting forest biodiversity.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-deer-p...
The deer problem isn't just in your backyard - it's changing entire forests
From wildflowers to young trees, too many deer are reshaping the woods around us.
ruththornton.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Over the past decades, deer numbers have increased in many parts of the US, often to the detriment of wildflowers and young trees in our forests.
A new study shows how plants can bounce back when hunting pressure increases, benefitting forest biodiversity.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-deer-p...
A new study shows how plants can bounce back when hunting pressure increases, benefitting forest biodiversity.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-deer-p...
Reposted by Ruth Thornton
Conservation philanthropy often rewards urgency. Dick Bradshaw backed permanence instead: research, fellowships, land protection, and institutions built to last.
His support helped steady conservation science in Canada. He died in December 2025.
His support helped steady conservation science in Canada. He died in December 2025.
Investor Dick Bradshaw took a long view of conservation
Conservation philanthropy often favors urgency: campaigns, deadlines, the language of crisis. A smaller group of donors has worked differently, treating environmental protection as a problem of…
news.mongabay.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Conservation philanthropy often rewards urgency. Dick Bradshaw backed permanence instead: research, fellowships, land protection, and institutions built to last.
His support helped steady conservation science in Canada. He died in December 2025.
His support helped steady conservation science in Canada. He died in December 2025.
Here's the newest edition of my weekly “state of nature” news roundup - stories that show both how amazing the diversity of animals and plants is, without sugar-coating the threats to it, from pollution, climate change, habitat loss, etc.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Weekly biodiversity and sustainability news #11
12/31/2025: Kestrels helping cherry farmers, salmon back in three UK rivers, loons are dying from lead, alpine glaciers are disappearing, infant mortality higher in mothers exposed to PFAS and more...
ruththornton.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Here's the newest edition of my weekly “state of nature” news roundup - stories that show both how amazing the diversity of animals and plants is, without sugar-coating the threats to it, from pollution, climate change, habitat loss, etc.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Have you ever wondered how biologists study venomous snakes without being bitten?
Now drones with heat-sensing cameras could make finding the elusive snakes easier.
Follow along as I head out to the field with student researchers testing out the drones!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/researcher...
Now drones with heat-sensing cameras could make finding the elusive snakes easier.
Follow along as I head out to the field with student researchers testing out the drones!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/researcher...
Researchers use drones to find elusive Michigan rattlesnake
Heat-sensing cameras could revolutionize the study of the only venomous snake in the state, protecting sensitive wetlands from trampling and saving precious research funds.
ruththornton.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Have you ever wondered how biologists study venomous snakes without being bitten?
Now drones with heat-sensing cameras could make finding the elusive snakes easier.
Follow along as I head out to the field with student researchers testing out the drones!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/researcher...
Now drones with heat-sensing cameras could make finding the elusive snakes easier.
Follow along as I head out to the field with student researchers testing out the drones!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/researcher...
Italian brown bears are adapting to live in harmony with people, becoming smaller and less aggressive.
Read about that, baby cougars discovered in Michigan, ants sacrificing a thick, protective shell for the good of their colony, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Read about that, baby cougars discovered in Michigan, ants sacrificing a thick, protective shell for the good of their colony, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Weekly biodiversity and sustainability news #10
12/24/2025: Cougar cubs found in Michigan, Italian brown bears are becoming less aggressive, thin shells of ants allow for more complex colonies and AI is helping map hidden wetlands.
ruththornton.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Italian brown bears are adapting to live in harmony with people, becoming smaller and less aggressive.
Read about that, baby cougars discovered in Michigan, ants sacrificing a thick, protective shell for the good of their colony, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Read about that, baby cougars discovered in Michigan, ants sacrificing a thick, protective shell for the good of their colony, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Reposted by Ruth Thornton
Boiling lobsters alive to be banned in UK animal cruelty crackdown
Boiling lobsters alive to be banned in UK animal cruelty crackdown
Move is part of a long-awaited Labour strategy including outlawing hen cages and ending puppy farming
Boiling lobsters alive will be banned under proposals to improve animal welfare in England.
Government ministers say that “live boiling is not an acceptable killing method” for crustaceans and alternative guidance will be published. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Boiling lobsters alive to be banned in UK animal cruelty crackdown
Did you know that wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests worldwide?
A new study found that wetlands aren’t only beautiful and vital for nature, they’re also good for communities’ bottom lines, especially in areas with a lot of ag.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/restoring-...
A new study found that wetlands aren’t only beautiful and vital for nature, they’re also good for communities’ bottom lines, especially in areas with a lot of ag.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/restoring-...
Restoring 'nature's kidneys' creates cleaner drinking water, saving towns money
A new study shows wetland restorations reduce pollution, lowering treatment costs for utilities.
ruththornton.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Did you know that wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests worldwide?
A new study found that wetlands aren’t only beautiful and vital for nature, they’re also good for communities’ bottom lines, especially in areas with a lot of ag.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/restoring-...
A new study found that wetlands aren’t only beautiful and vital for nature, they’re also good for communities’ bottom lines, especially in areas with a lot of ag.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/restoring-...
Reposted by Ruth Thornton
Farm industry leaders in Michigan say a new federal aid package announced last week, including $12 billion in one-time “bridge payments” to farmers, will not come close to offsetting mounting losses tied to trade disruptions and rising input costs.
From @publicnewsservice.bsky.social
From @publicnewsservice.bsky.social
Michigan farm leader warns federal aid won’t offset losses • Michigan Advance
Farm industry leaders in Michigan and across the country say a new federal aid package announced last week, including $12 billion in one-time “bridge payments” to farmers, will not come close to offse...
michiganadvance.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Farm industry leaders in Michigan say a new federal aid package announced last week, including $12 billion in one-time “bridge payments” to farmers, will not come close to offsetting mounting losses tied to trade disruptions and rising input costs.
From @publicnewsservice.bsky.social
From @publicnewsservice.bsky.social
Miniature “mouse-deer” are once again thriving in Singapore - though perhaps thriving a little too much?
Read about that, orcas and dolphins hunting salmon together, wolves eating sea otters in Alaska and getting sick, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Read about that, orcas and dolphins hunting salmon together, wolves eating sea otters in Alaska and getting sick, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Weekly biodiversity and sustainability news #9
12/17/2025: Mouse-deer are flourishing in Singapore, orcas and dolphins hunt together, high mercury levels in wolves on an Alaskan island, chemical executive appointed to the EPA and more...
ruththornton.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Miniature “mouse-deer” are once again thriving in Singapore - though perhaps thriving a little too much?
Read about that, orcas and dolphins hunting salmon together, wolves eating sea otters in Alaska and getting sick, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Read about that, orcas and dolphins hunting salmon together, wolves eating sea otters in Alaska and getting sick, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Stay tuned for my next roundup of weekly biodiversity news, out tomorrow!
There are always more interesting articles than I can include. One that didn’t make it in is about raccoons not crossing roads in an urban park, so I thought I’d share it here.
www.discovermagazine.com/raccoons-hav...
There are always more interesting articles than I can include. One that didn’t make it in is about raccoons not crossing roads in an urban park, so I thought I’d share it here.
www.discovermagazine.com/raccoons-hav...
Raccoons Have Hidden Rules to Navigate Cities, and Refuse to Cross Roads, Even for Easy Meals
Learn how motion sensors and GPS tracking uncovered how raccoons weigh risk against reward.
www.discovermagazine.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Stay tuned for my next roundup of weekly biodiversity news, out tomorrow!
There are always more interesting articles than I can include. One that didn’t make it in is about raccoons not crossing roads in an urban park, so I thought I’d share it here.
www.discovermagazine.com/raccoons-hav...
There are always more interesting articles than I can include. One that didn’t make it in is about raccoons not crossing roads in an urban park, so I thought I’d share it here.
www.discovermagazine.com/raccoons-hav...
Did you think that misinformation only affects humans? Turns out other animals - fish, birds and even bacteria - can spread wrong information, ultimately costing precious energy that could threaten the survival of their group.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/s...
For Real, a Natural History of Misinformation
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Did you think that misinformation only affects humans? Turns out other animals - fish, birds and even bacteria - can spread wrong information, ultimately costing precious energy that could threaten the survival of their group.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/s...
Reposted by Ruth Thornton
December 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Have you ever wondered how penguins survive an Antarctic winter? Or how researchers study them in those harsh, sub-zero temperatures?
Turns out the “penguin huddle” optimizes their body heat, as biologists figured out with high-resolution time-lapse imagery.
www.biographic.com/lens-of-time...
Turns out the “penguin huddle” optimizes their body heat, as biologists figured out with high-resolution time-lapse imagery.
www.biographic.com/lens-of-time...
Lens of Time: Huddle Masters - bioGraphic
Emperor penguins just may be the best huddlers on Earth—and scientists are finally revealing the secrets to their success.
www.biographic.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Have you ever wondered how penguins survive an Antarctic winter? Or how researchers study them in those harsh, sub-zero temperatures?
Turns out the “penguin huddle” optimizes their body heat, as biologists figured out with high-resolution time-lapse imagery.
www.biographic.com/lens-of-time...
Turns out the “penguin huddle” optimizes their body heat, as biologists figured out with high-resolution time-lapse imagery.
www.biographic.com/lens-of-time...
Forest certifications promise that their wood is harvested responsibly and is good for wildlife and local communities.
But is that true, or are we paying more for greenwashing?
Read my post to find out if the promises hold up for the popular FSC label.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/do-eco-lab...
But is that true, or are we paying more for greenwashing?
Read my post to find out if the promises hold up for the popular FSC label.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/do-eco-lab...
Do eco labels deliver? A look at FSC and its real benefit for forests.
Examining whether a pricier label genuinely supports healthier forests and stronger protections for species.
ruththornton.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Forest certifications promise that their wood is harvested responsibly and is good for wildlife and local communities.
But is that true, or are we paying more for greenwashing?
Read my post to find out if the promises hold up for the popular FSC label.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/do-eco-lab...
But is that true, or are we paying more for greenwashing?
Read my post to find out if the promises hold up for the popular FSC label.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/do-eco-lab...
It’s easy to get excited about large, charismatic animals - pandas, polar bears, etc. - but protecting them does not guarantee that their habitats are healthy.
Read about that, a brown pelian feeding frenzy, a retraction of a herbicide study, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Read about that, a brown pelian feeding frenzy, a retraction of a herbicide study, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Weekly biodiversity and sustainability news #8
12/10/2025: Saving habitats, not just charismatic species; brown pelican feeding frenzy delights biologists; Trump order blocking wind energy thrown out; herbicide study retracted and more...
ruththornton.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:13 PM
It’s easy to get excited about large, charismatic animals - pandas, polar bears, etc. - but protecting them does not guarantee that their habitats are healthy.
Read about that, a brown pelian feeding frenzy, a retraction of a herbicide study, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Read about that, a brown pelian feeding frenzy, a retraction of a herbicide study, and more!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Reposted by Ruth Thornton
A new study shows that over 90% of insect biomass declines are driven by shrinking species numbers, posing a risk to ecosystem function. www.idiv.de/majority-of-... #biodiversity
Majority of local insect biomass decline linked to species loss
A new study shows that over 90% of insect biomass declines are driven by shrinking species numbers, posing a risk to ecosystem function.
www.idiv.de
December 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
A new study shows that over 90% of insect biomass declines are driven by shrinking species numbers, posing a risk to ecosystem function. www.idiv.de/majority-of-... #biodiversity
There’s a common assumption that people have an innate love of nature and feel drawn to it.
It turns out, however, that more and more people feel fear and discomfort towards nature and animals, with serious impacts on conservation and human health.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/when-natur...
It turns out, however, that more and more people feel fear and discomfort towards nature and animals, with serious impacts on conservation and human health.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/when-natur...
When nature scares us: researchers warn of growing "biophobia"
A global review finds rising fear and discomfort toward nature, with major impacts on health and conservation.
ruththornton.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
There’s a common assumption that people have an innate love of nature and feel drawn to it.
It turns out, however, that more and more people feel fear and discomfort towards nature and animals, with serious impacts on conservation and human health.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/when-natur...
It turns out, however, that more and more people feel fear and discomfort towards nature and animals, with serious impacts on conservation and human health.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/when-natur...
Researchers tagged monarch butterflies with tiny solar-powered radio tags.
Read about that and other nature news, including ancient wolf remains on a remote Swedish island, some farmers abandon cover crops after only one season, and more.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Read about that and other nature news, including ancient wolf remains on a remote Swedish island, some farmers abandon cover crops after only one season, and more.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Weekly biodiversity and sustainability news #7
12/3/2025: Tracking monarch butterflies, tracing birds to Central American forests, ancient wolf remains on remote island, farmers' use of cover crops, forever chemicals in biosolids and more...
ruththornton.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Researchers tagged monarch butterflies with tiny solar-powered radio tags.
Read about that and other nature news, including ancient wolf remains on a remote Swedish island, some farmers abandon cover crops after only one season, and more.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Read about that and other nature news, including ancient wolf remains on a remote Swedish island, some farmers abandon cover crops after only one season, and more.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
It was a common assumption that pesticides and industrial chemicals act on their intended targets only - herbicides kill plants, insecticides kill insects, etc. But a new study found that many of these chemicals are toxic to human gut bacteria.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/pesticides...
ruththornton.substack.com/p/pesticides...
Pesticides weren’t supposed to touch our gut bugs. They do.
The first large-scale study of its kind challenges long-held assumptions about chemical safety.
ruththornton.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:16 PM
It was a common assumption that pesticides and industrial chemicals act on their intended targets only - herbicides kill plants, insecticides kill insects, etc. But a new study found that many of these chemicals are toxic to human gut bacteria.
ruththornton.substack.com/p/pesticides...
ruththornton.substack.com/p/pesticides...
Should nature have rights? Read about that and other nature news, including the "insect apocalypse," connecting the loss of frogs with malaria, climate summit (non-)results, copper mine waste in Norway and more in my newest compilation of readworthy stories!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Weekly biodiversity and sustainability news #6
11/26/2025: Should nature have rights? A looming "insect apocalypse," connecting the loss of frogs with malaria, climate summit (non-)results, copper mine waste in a Norwegian fjord, and more...
ruththornton.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Should nature have rights? Read about that and other nature news, including the "insect apocalypse," connecting the loss of frogs with malaria, climate summit (non-)results, copper mine waste in Norway and more in my newest compilation of readworthy stories!
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
ruththornton.substack.com/p/weekly-bio...
Reposted by Ruth Thornton
Invasive species cost the U.S. economy an estimated $10 billion annually in damage to crops, forests and ecosystems. Climate change is expanding their range and making them harder to control, yet the federal funding supporting research to combat them has been cut
From invasive species tracking to water security – what’s lost with federal funding cuts at US Climate Adaptation Science Centers
The people who manage America’s aquifers, wetlands, shorelines and recreation areas rely on federal science as they face new and rising risks in a changing climate.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Invasive species cost the U.S. economy an estimated $10 billion annually in damage to crops, forests and ecosystems. Climate change is expanding their range and making them harder to control, yet the federal funding supporting research to combat them has been cut
“It’s quite possible that thoughtful, original, human-generated writing will become even more valuable.”
I loved this analysis of what will happen to writing as AI proliferates and takes over the internet. The good news - it's not necessarily all bad news!
theconversation.com/more-than-ha...
I loved this analysis of what will happen to writing as AI proliferates and takes over the internet. The good news - it's not necessarily all bad news!
theconversation.com/more-than-ha...
More than half of new articles on the internet are being written by AI – is human writing headed for extinction?
As AI floods the internet with text, it could mean human voices will matter more – not less.
theconversation.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
“It’s quite possible that thoughtful, original, human-generated writing will become even more valuable.”
I loved this analysis of what will happen to writing as AI proliferates and takes over the internet. The good news - it's not necessarily all bad news!
theconversation.com/more-than-ha...
I loved this analysis of what will happen to writing as AI proliferates and takes over the internet. The good news - it's not necessarily all bad news!
theconversation.com/more-than-ha...
Biologists in Australia used AI to go through 36 years’ worth of audio recordings to help find animals in Australia. Check out my newest Substack post to learn about this neat new method that could make conservation funding more efficient!
substack.com/@ruththornto...
substack.com/@ruththornto...
AI listens in: New acoustic tool helps researchers monitor mammals
AI-powered survey finds vocal mammals, freeing up resources to find species that stay silent.
substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Biologists in Australia used AI to go through 36 years’ worth of audio recordings to help find animals in Australia. Check out my newest Substack post to learn about this neat new method that could make conservation funding more efficient!
substack.com/@ruththornto...
substack.com/@ruththornto...