Category Archives: Finding Ourselves in Nature

How reintroducing wolves helped save a famous park

Wolves had been absent from Yellowstone National Park for more than 70 years when they were reintroduced in the 1990s – and their return had some surprising benefits.

Science and Poetry: Predation or Symbiosis?

Though poets often draw on imagery from nature, science and poetry often appear to be set in opposition to each other. Can the world of facts mesh with the world of emotions? In this essay, poet and scientist Pireeni Sundaralingam analyzes the complex relationship between the two.

Brazilian Explorers Search “Medicine Factory” to Save Lives and Rainforest

We often think of cures for cancer as chemicals developed in laboratories, but nature may be the source of new remedies. Tom Phillips explains how researchers aim to tap into the medical possibilities of the Amazon rainforest—and at the same time protect this threatened environment from human development.

New Study Analyzes Heavy Metal Dancing

What is the relationship between mosh pits and nature? The answers to that question might surprise you! Two graduate students (who just so happen to be heavy-metal fans) are studying mosh pits to learn about particulate patterns and animal flocking behavior.

The googly eyes of the mantis shrimp inspire new optical sensors

Many times, it is not the natural world mimicking the manmade world, but rather the other way around. Read about how mantis shrimp are inspiring new photography technology.

The Best Tool for Helping Damaged Young People—Nature

Researchers are evaluating the effect that a dose of the wilderness can have on troubled young people.

Is It Better to Plant Trees or Let Forests Regrow Naturally?

Forests may be better at restoring themselves than we previously thought. Read about nature’s resilience.

How radical gardeners took back New York City

Watch the video to learn more about the positive effects greenscapes have had in New York City.

What Forest Floor Playgrounds Teach Us About Kids and Germs

In a world of antibacterial soaps and sterile environments, scientists have found that children exposed to diverse bacterial environments have better immune responses.

How Dogs and Humans Evolved and Migrated in Tandem

Read about how dogs, human’s best friends, influenced human evolution and vice versa.

The Benefits of Digging in the Dirt

In this article, Laura Wright Treadway, environmentalist and mom, talks about the importance of playing—and learning—outdoors.

‘Forest gardens’ show how Native land stewardship can outdo nature

While modern human environmental intervention often has a negative impact, forest gardens grown by Indigenous communities prove that humans can live in harmony with nature and improve ecosystems.

A GDP for nature: How measuring the health of the natural world might prevent the next pandemic

The balance between humans and nature is a precarious one, and for some time nature has been telling us we are doing something wrong. Read about how both human and environmental health is intertwined.

Top 20 Citizen Science Projects of 2020

What is citizen science? How can you advance scientific research while exploring your backyard or city? Read on to learn the answer to these questions and more.

This is What Happened When an Australian City Gave Trees Email Addresses

What would you do if faced with the opportunity to email a tree? Would you write fan mail and love letters? For many Melburnian citizens, the answer is yes!

The emergence of nature phobias: Why more people are afraid of the outdoors

As more and more people live in urban areas and have limited exposure to the outdoors, more people are becoming afraid of nature. Read this article to find out about the dangers of nature phobias on people and the planet.

Study reveals positive connection between nature experiences and happiness globally

Have you ever gone for a walk and felt your worries melt away? It turns out, you aren’t alone, and there is science that supports a positive correlation between nature and happiness.