Nature Signals Podcast

This week, we cover six fascinating stories from the world of wildlife and conservation.Discover how scientists are working to save Ukraine's European bison despite the ongoing war, and how environmental DNA (eDNA) is revolutionizing biodiversity research by revealing entire ecosystems from a single water sample.We also explore surprising evidence that ancient ground squirrels scavenged mammoths, bison, and other Ice Age giants, examine the controversial roundup of wild horses in California, and discuss new research suggesting wireless radio frequency radiation may disrupt bats' navigation.Finally, we look at growing bipartisan support for wildlife crossings across the United States, helping reconnect habitats while reducing deadly and costly collisions between animals and vehicles. Key Points:0:54 - The struggle to save Ukraine's bison amid the war.3:57 - Unlocking nature's secrets through 'environmental DNA.'6:01 -  Ancient ground squirrel poop uncovered an astonishing diet of mammoths, bison, and even large cats.7:34 - Controversial Roundup of 450 wild horses proceeds in California.9:08 – Wireless radiation disrupts bats' flight patterns in new study.10:19 - Wildlife crossings gain legislative support in four U.S. states. Links to articles and resources:BioGraphic, 6/2/2026, by Dustin Patar: Saving bison as bombs fallIUCN Red List: European bison (Bison bonasus)World Wide Fund for Nature in Ukraine: WWF-UkraineThe Conversation, 7/7/2026, by Jenny Whilde: Fishing for DNA - how a cup of river water can reveal secrets about human health, pollution and biodiversity.Nature, 6/9/2026, by Ewen Callaway: Ancient ground squirrels feasted on carcasses like 'zombies of the Pleistocene.'Murchie et al., 2026. Ground squirrel coprolites preserve complex archives of ancient environmental DNA over 700,000 years.Los Angeles Times, 6/30/2026, by Lila Seidman: 450 wild horses face a roundup in Eastern Sierra as feds proceed with contested plan.U.S. Forest Service press release, 6/22/2026: Inyo wild horse gather starts July 8.Environmental Health News, 6/5/2026: Study finds EMF radiation exposure disrupts bat behavior for hours.Lindecke et al., 2026. Disruptive effects of brief radiofrequency noise exposure on migratory bat navigation.Pew Research Center, 6/30/2026, by Carol Kaufman: States act to reduce wildlife collisions.Scioto Analysis, 3/10/2025: Scioto Analysis releases cost-benefit analysis of wildlife crossings. Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

How can scientists help endangered turtles survive? In this episode, we explore how wildlife conservation professionals in Michigan are using a technique called "headstarting" to raise rare baby turtles in captivity before releasing them into the wild. You'll learn why young turtles face such steep odds from predators, habitat loss, road mortality, and the illegal pet trade, and how researchers are measuring whether this approach can rebuild wild populations. We also discuss the importance of protecting wetlands and why captive rearing is only one piece of the conservation puzzle. It's a story about endangered species recovery, hands-on science, and what it takes to give wildlife a better chance at survival. The episode features Bill Flanagan of John Ball Zoo, Will Miller of Calvin University, and Dan Earl of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Key Points:1:01 – Testing if headstarting might help spotted turtles2:00 – Combining conservation and educating the next generation of biologists3:17 – Spotted turtles’ reclusive habits make them difficult to study4:44 – Dangers from the illegal pet trade5:25 – Aging ‘ghost populations’ concern researchers6:09 – What you can do to help turtles Resources & Links:IUCN Red List: Spotted TurtleIUCN Red List: Eastern Box TurtleInternational Convention on Wetlands: Global Wetland Outlook 2025United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ReportMichigan EGLE: Status and Trends of Michigan's Wetlands: Pre-European Settlement to 2005John Ball Zoo's Great Lakes Rare Turtles ProgramMichigan Herp AtlasTurtle Survival AllianceCornell Wildlife Health Lab: What the heck is herping? Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Scientists long assumed tropical species would be hit hardest by climate change. But a new global study found that animals and plants in temperate regions, including North America and Europe, are already disappearing from parts of their range at alarming rates. We explore how wildlife and plants are responding to warming temperatures, why local extinctions are rising around the world, why many species aren’t moving into cooler habitats, and what the findings mean for biodiversity and conservation. The episode also features Dr. John J. Wiens, a professor at the University of Arizona, and Dr. Gopal Murali, a former postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arizona.Key points: 1:07 - Digging through the data to track survival of animals and plants over time.2:34 - Nearly half of species in temperate zones have disappeared from parts of their range.3:40 - The world has gotten hotter.4:45 - Most temperate species are not moving north in response to climate change.5:47 - What it means for conservation.Useful resources:Murali, G., Karger, D.N. & Wiens, J.J. Temperate local extinctions from climate change are outpacing tropical extinctions. Nat. Clim. Chang. (2026).Kristen E. Saban, John J. Wiens; Unpacking the extinction crisis: rates, patterns and causes of recent extinctions in plants and animals. Proc Biol Sci. (2025)World Meteorological Organization: 2025 State of Climate Report.Berkeley Earth: Global Temperature Report for 2025.New York Times, 5/26/2026, by Brad Plumer and Eric Niiler: Why scientists retired the dire climate scenario used for over a decade.NOAA's Science on a Sphere program: Climate Model: Temperature Change (RCP 8.5) - 2006 - 2100.European Commission: Five things you should know about climate scenarios. Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Gray wolves have recovered in parts of the Great Lakes region after decades of federal protection, but research suggests they could thrive across much more of the eastern United States. Scientists identified several large areas with suitable wolf habitat, yet highways, cities, farmland and human-caused mortality make expansion difficult. The findings also fuel ongoing debate over whether wolves should remain protected under the Endangered Species Act, raising broader questions about conservation, coexistence and how much space society is willing to share with one of North America's most iconic predators. This episode features Jerrold Belant from Michigan State University, Merijn van den Bosch with Colorado State University and John Vucetich with Michigan Technological University. Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

This episode explores six biodiversity stories from around the world: how elephant dung supports diverse dung beetle communities that drive nutrient cycling and seed dispersal in African ecosystems; the death of the last known Sacramento Mountains checkerspot caterpillar, which could mean that the rare butterfly is now extinct; surprising new evidence that daddy longlegs in South America can hunt and kill frogs despite their seemingly harmless appearance;  the tagging of a nesting female sea turtle in Ecuador to better understand migration routes and reduce deadly fishing-net entanglements of eastern Pacific leatherback turtles; how an Italian farm is using forest-inspired, biodiversity-rich practices to build resilience against climate change while improving soil health; and it considers the argument that restoring and protecting nature may be one of the most effective climate solutions, simultaneously storing carbon, supporting biodiversity, and benefiting local communities.Key points:1:01 – Elephant poop’s essential role in African ecosystems, thanks to dunk beetles.4:04 - The last known caterpillar of a rare butterfly has died, all but eliminating all hope of reviving the species.5:43 - Daddy longlegs don’t just eat insects - they also hunt down frogs.7:15 - Scientists tagged a rare sea turtle while she was laying eggs, hoping to discover her migration and feeding patterns to help with conservation decisions.8:18 - Incorporating nature into farming practices to make crops resilient to climate change.10:47 - Biodiversity conservation as a solution for climate change.Articles & Resources:Anthropocene Magazine, 5/28/2026, by Warren Cornwall: What happens to the small things when the big things disappear?Gijsman, Nutter, and Pringle, 2026: Importance of elephants for dung beetle diversity and ecosystem functions. Science: 392(6801).The New York Times, 5/21/2026, by Catrin Einhorn: A very lonely caterpillar, possibly the last of its kind, has diedThe New York Times, 3/6/2025, by Catrin Einhorn and Harry Stevens: See how butterflies are surviving, or not, near you.Scientific American, 5/21/2026, by Jake Buehler: Daddy longlegs are actually bloodthirsty killers - of frogs.Calvache et al., 2026: Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) as overlooked predators of anurans in the neotropics. Ecology and Evolution: 16 (4).Mongabay, 5/26/2026, by Bobby Bascomb: Tracking Lucero: Scientists follow a rare Eastern Pacific leatherback sea turtle.IUCN: Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).Atmos, 5/25/2026, by Becca Warner: For more successful farming, follow the forest.Biomimicry Center, Arizona State University.The Guardian, 5/24/2026, editorial: Could nature itself hold the solution to climate change? Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

A recent study found dozens of previously unidentified PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in Lake Huron’s water, fish and mussels, suggesting contamination is more widespread than previously thought. Some PFAS are linked to serious health risks, but most of the thousands of PFAS compounds in use remain poorly studied. The episode features Clarkson University environmental chemist Bernard Crimmins, who explains the advanced testing method the researchers used to find new PFAS chemicals, a fishing charter captain describing his concerns around PFAS and other contaminants in fish in the Great Lakes, and a Michigan representative who talks about a bill she introduced to limit PFAS in consumer products but which failed. Together, their insights highlight the growing challenge of understanding the health and environmental impacts of PFAS pollution across the Great Lakes region and globally.Key points:1:29 – A 2025 study finds dozens of previously unknown PFAS chemicals in the fish, mussels, and waters of Lake Huron.3:55 – “Captain Steve” Hubert with Chum Bucket Charters explains his concerns about PFAS in fish and their potential impact on his business.4:42 – Gillian Miller with Ecology Center outlines the state and federal regulatory structure.6:06 – A 2024 Michigan bill attempts to limit PFAS in consumer products but is not passed. Resources:To read this article, check out my Substack newsletter Nature Signals.Resources:Study: Ren et al., 2025. Suspect screening and nontargeted analysis of polyfluoroalkyl substances in Lake Huron water and biota. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 51(2):102507.National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).European Food Safety Authority: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: PFAS explained. Study: Yu et al., 2025. A global overview of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance regulatory strategies and their environmental impact. Toxics, 13(4): 251.Michigan Eat Safe Fish Guides. Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Summary: This episode of Nature Signals examines recent biodiversity and environmental news, ranging from bird behavior to wolf-moose dynamics and plastic pollution. You’ll hear about how Hawaiian songbirds steal nesting materials from one another, why European city birds fear women more than men, how wolf reintroduction on Isle Royale has successfully reduced an overabundant moose population, and about the botched rescue attempt of “Timmy” the humpback whale. It concludes with research showing that toxic chemicals and climate change together harm fertility in humans and wildlife, but just one week of reduced plastic exposure can significantly lower hormone-disrupting chemicals in people.Key points:Biodiversity:0:54 - Some birds steal nesting materials from other nests, adding to their threats2:37 - City birds appear to be more afraid of women than of men, for unknown reasons3:42 - More wolves are thriving on Isle Royale than in nearly 50 years5:00 - The botched rescue attempt of Timmy, the humpback whale stranded in GermanyPollution & Plastics8:02 - Toxic chemicals and climate change work together to harm fertility across species8:54 - Seven days without plastic contact slashes chemicals in the body Resources:To read this article, check out my Substack newsletter Nature Signals.Articles & Resources:The New York Times, 5/12/2026, by Sara Novak: Building nests is hard. That’s why some birds steal.Wilson Ranking et al., 2026, Upcycling in the Hawaiian islands: Native forest birds commonly engage in nest material kleptoparasitism. American Naturalist.Scientific American, 4/28/2026, by Blaire Cameron: City birds appear to be more afraid of women than men, and scientists have no idea why.Morelli et al., 2025, Sex matters: European urban birds flee approaching women sooner than approaching men. People and Nature: 8(2): 316-326.MLive, 4/27/2026, by Tanda Gmiter: Isle Royale’s wolf population surges to highest numbers in nearly 50 years.Michigan Technological University, 4/27/2026, by Cyndi Perkins: Isle Royale wolf population nears historic high as moose numbers plummet.Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Project annual reports.Science, 5/4/2026, by Martin Enserink: Chaotic whale rescue shocks marine scientists.The Guardian, 5/5/2026, by Kate Connolly: Rescue of Timmy the whale ‘an all-round catastrophe’ after tracker failure.IFAW News, 5/11/2026: Timmy the whale and the limits of good intentions.The Guardian, 5/15/2026, by Patrick Greenfield: What the fate of Timmy the whale says about conservation.EHN, 5/1/2026, by Staff: Toxic chemicals and climate change work together to harm fertility across species.Brander et al., 2026, Impacts of environmental stressors on fertility and fecundity across taxa, with implications for planetary health.NPJ Emerging Contaminants: 2, 12.Medical Xpress, 4/22/2026, by Sadie Harley: Seven days without plastic contact slashes phthalates and bisphenols in body.Harray et al., 2026, Low-plastic diet and urinary levels of plastic-associated phthalates and bisphenols: the randomized controlled PERTH trial. Nature Medicine. Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Millions of butterflies are traded all over the world each year to entertain visitors in butterfly houses. But is it good for butterflies, as proponents claim? Listen to the episode to find out more about the industry, impacts on conservation and local communities, and why many experts are concerned about potential negative effects on the butterflies themselves.Key points:1:59 - The hidden world behind butterfly houses and the global butterfly trade4:20 - How butterfly farms in Africa, Asia, and South America supply millions of butterflies each year5:33 - Concerns about captive breeding, genetic mixing, disease transmission, and escaped butterflies6:10 - What monarch butterfly studies reveal about the risks of captive rearing7:40 – The conservation argument: Examples of butterfly farming projects supporting local communities in Kenya and Costa Rica10:00 - How butterfly houses could become stronger tools for conservation education10:26 - Practical ways listeners can help butterflies at home through native plants, reduced pesticide use, and habitat protectionResources:Resources:To read this article, check out my Substack newsletter Nature Signals.Selected news articles and websites:* Earth Island Journal, by Bob Koigi, 7/18/2016: How butterfly farmers are safeguarding the forest in Kenya.* Mongabay, by Janet Njung’e, 2/8/2019: Butterfly business: Insect farmers help conserve East African forests.* United Nations Environment Programme, 1/2/2020: Paying the school fees, one butterfly at a time.* Kipepeo Butterfly Project, Kenya.* Butterfly farm: El Bosque Nuevo, Costa Rica.Conservation organizations:* Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.* Report: State of butterflies in the United States: A Roadmap for Butterfly Conservation in the 21st Century. 2025.* North American Butterfly Association (NABA)* Butterfly Conservation Europe (BCE)* MonarchWatch - researches monarch butterflies, their habitat and fall migration.Trade organizations:* International Butterfly Breeders Association (IBBA)* Association for Butterflies (AFB)Selected scientific articles:* Parsons, 1992. The butterfly farming and trading industry in the Indo-Australian region and its role in tropical forest conservation. Tropical Lepidoptera, 3(Suppl. 1): 1-31.* Boppré and Vane-Wright, 2012. The butterfly house industry: Conservation risks and education opportunities. Conservation & Society, 10(3): 285-303.* Tenger-Trolander et al., 2019. Contemporary loss of migration in monarch butterflies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(29): 14671-14676.* Davis, Smith and Ballew. 2020. A poor substitute for the real thing: captive-reared monarch butterflies are weaker, paler and have less elongated wings than wild migrants. Biology Letters, the Royal Society Publishing. 16(4): 20190922.* Wilcox et al., 2021. Captive-reared migratory monarch butterflies show natural orientation when released in the wild. Conservation physiology, 9(1): coab32.* Saul-Gershenz, 2022. Insect zoos and butterfly houses for public education: issues related to shipping and international trade of non-native insects. Scientific and Technical Review, 41(1): 142-157.* Tenger-Trolander, 2023. Environmental and genetic effects of captivity - are there lessons for monarch butterfly conservation? Current Opinion in Insect Science, 59: 101088.Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to research and record each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here: Nature Signals website.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the recorded version of Saturday’s State of Nature Update, in case you prefer to listen to your biodiversity news or just don’t have the time to read everything you’d like to. This week I’m covering stories about:Biodiversity:* Ukrainians find joy in releasing bats rescued from war.* Chimpanzees are waging a civil war. No one knows why.* More than half of Britain’s butterflies are declining, study finds.* Hot, dry winters could be helping Wyoming’s big game - or hurting it.* Ants provide a ‘carwash service’ to other ants.* Marine mammals play to train for life - and perhaps to just have fun.Pollution & Pesticides:* PFAS levels in some seabird eggs are declining.Conservation:* World reaches milestone of protecting 10% of oceans.Have an extra two minutes? If you haven’t already, I’d greatly appreciate if you could answer a few questions to help me make Nature Signals better!Thank you so much!The written version is available here:Articles covered:* Associated Press, 4/6/2026, by Derek Gatopoulos and Vasilisa Stepanenko: After harsh winter, Ukrainians find joy in releasing bats rescued from war.* The New York Times, 4/9/2026, by Carl Zimmer: These chimps began the bloodiest ‘war’ on record. No one knows why.* The Guardian, 4/15/2026, by Patrick Barkham: More than half of Britain’s butterfly species in decline, monitoring scheme shows.* WyoFile, 4/14/2026, by Christine Peterson: Hot, dry winter could be blessing - or curse - for Wyoming’s big game.* The New York Times, 4/13/2026, by Alexa Robles-Gil: For ants, a ‘cleaning station’ in the desert.* bioGraphic, 4/15/2026, by Sarah Gilman: Pass the pufferball.* Environmental Health News, 4/16/2026: Declining PFAS levels in seabird eggs reflect impact of regulatory action.* UNEP WCMC (Environment Programme), April 2026 news: World reaches milestone for nature: 10% of ocean now officially protected.Know someone who might enjoy this post? I’d love for you to share it:Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here’s the recorded version of Saturday’s post about an encouraging study that found that the loss of animals, plants and fungi seems to be slowing down, at least compared to the past 500 years. Have an extra two minutes? If you haven’t already done so, I’d greatly appreciate if you could answer a few questions to help me make Nature Signals better!For links to the study and other resources, check out the written version here:Know someone who might enjoy this post? I’d love for you to share it:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here’s the recorded version of Saturday’s post about the importance of protecting both large natural areas and connecting smaller patches. Have an extra two minutes? If you haven’t already done so, I’d greatly appreciate if you could answer a few questions to help me make Nature Signals better!For links to the study and other resources, check out the written version here:Know someone who might enjoy this post? I’d love for you to share it:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

If you didn’t have time to read Saturday’s State of Nature Update, here’s your chance to listen to it instead! This week I’m covering the stories:Biodiversity:* ‘God Squad’ votes unanimously to exempt offshore drilling from Endangered Species Act restrictions.* Project to restore Atlantic salmon to Maine streams shows promise, but challenges remain.* Some snakes get their venom from poisonous toads, but how do they know if they have enough of it?* New species are discovered at record rates - but is it enough to save them before they’re gone?* Fake fur during cultural ceremonies benefits leopards in Africa.* Native seed farm grows native plants to restore California’s ecosystems.Pollution & Pesticides:* Rising cancer rates in Iowa are linked to environmental pollutants, study says.* Recycled plastics are repurposed into Hawaii’s roads - with no apparent increase in microplastics.I’d love to hear your thoughts on how I can make Nature Signals better! Please take about 2 minutes of your time to answer my new Reader Survey:Thanks so much! To learn more about the stories I covered and other resources I linked to, check out the written version of the newsletter here:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here’s the podcast version of today’s post about Minnesota’s decision to allow the burning of biomass and waste under its landmark 2023 climate law. Check out the written post here, including links to the resources I mention:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the audio edition of yesterday’s State of Nature Update. Listen to hear about:Biodiversity:* Elephants’ special whiskers help them sense the world.* Parasitic beetles trick bees by mimicking the smell of flowers.* Michigan’s moose population is lower than expected.* Female tortoises are driven to walk off cliffs by constant sexual aggression on this remote island.* An Ecuadorian family’s solitary fight to save the seeds of endangered plants.Climate Change:* EPA revokes scientific finding that underpins climate regulations.Pollution:* Proposed US House bill could gut toxic chemicals law.Science education:* What does the public think about science?If you’re interested in learning more about any of the stories I covered, click on the links in the written version:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the audio edition of today’s post, about the American chestnut, a majestic tree that once dominated many forests in the eastern U.S. - but then an invasive fungal disease wiped out most of them in the last century. Listen about how researchers are using DNA to drastically speed up efforts to breed a resistant strain, with the ultimate goal of restoring these trees to their former glory. If you’re interested in learning more about the topic, check out the links in the written version of this post:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the audio edition of yesterday’s State of Nature Update. Listen to hear about:* Australian bat hospital cares for rare ‘flying foxes’ - and don’t forget to check out the Vox article to see photos of baby flying foxes getting a bubble bath!* Gray wolf reaches Los Angeles County for the first time in 100 years* Decoding whale communication with AI* Bonobos can play make-believe like children* Wildlife with weaker social connections may face greater risk of extinction* No animal alive today is ‘primitive’ - why are so many still called that?If you’re interested in learning more about any of the stories I covered, click on the links in the written version of this post:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

I’m a little behind this week, but here, finally, is the recording of Saturday’s post. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, I included links to some resources and related articles in the written version of this post:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the audio edition of this week’s State of Nature Update. Listen to hear about:Biodiversity:* European wildcats are making a comeback in Central Europe* Coyote photobombs cougar capture on live TV* Norway’s polar bears seem to be adapting to climate change - for now* Fake AI images of wildlife complicate conservation effortsClimate change & energy transition:* Michigan sues oil giants for increasing the price of electricityPollution & pesticides:* EPA is not reviewing pesticide paraquat’s influence on Parkinson’s disease* Colorado bill would curb use of crop seeds pre-treated with toxic insecticide* Wisconsin water treatment facility cleans up PFAS in drinking waterIf you’re interested in learning more about any of the stories I covered, click on the links in the written version of the post:Know someone who might enjoy this post? I’d love for you to share it:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the audio edition of this week’s Saturday post.If you’re interested in learning more about the topic, I included links to the study and other resources in the written version of this post.Know someone who might enjoy this post? I’d love for you to share it:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the audio edition of this week’s State of Nature Update.If you’re interested in learning more about any of the stories I covered, I included links in the written version of the post:Know someone who might enjoy this post? I’d love for you to share it:Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe