Could plankton unlock the secrets of human biology? Scientists use new technology to sequence the DNA of microscopic ocean creatures for the first time By Brianna Randall Off the west coast of Greenland, a 17-metre (56ft) aluminium sailing boat creeps through a narrow, rocky fjord in the Arctic twilight. The research […]
Sailing Montana’s Flathead Lake After we left our catamaran in the Bahamas, I had to find my sailing fix closer to home. By Brianna Randall Tiller between my legs, I hold the finicky jib sheet in one hand and my sparkling water in the other. Sueños picks up speed like a horse […]
How girl (and pedal) power helped us finish a 750-mile race to Alaska A trio of mothers in their mid-40s were among more than 100 intrepid sailors in a motley armada sailing the unpredictable and spectacular Inside Passage in the Pacific Northwest. By Brianna Randall in the Pacific Ocean As we […]
The insect world’s most successful hunters show how the toxic metal moves through our environment—and how we can reduce our exposure. Dragonflies, those colorful bugs zooming around like mini-helicopters, are more than just a spectacular sight. These iridescent predators may also be the best way to detect where and how […]
The Indigenous community-owned Chalalán Ecolodge offers family adventures and rare wildlife encounters in the Bolivian Amazon. We heard the snorts first, echoing like gunshots through the sauna-thick air. Then eight heads jack-in-the-boxed out of the lake near our dugout canoe. “Wow, giant otters!” whispered Gilder Macuapa, our guide at Chalalán Ecolodge in […]
By Brianna Randall, published June 2024 in Reasons To Be Cheerful We stood on the rocky shore of the Mizque River in central Bolivia, binoculars trained on the towering cliff before us. The summer sun beat down as we scanned for birds. “There,” whispered my nine-year-old son. “A pair is […]
Ximena Velez-Liendo, a self-described “bear-ologist”, has found ways to help rural communities and bears coexist In 1998, at the age of 22, conservation biologist Ximena Velez-Liendo came face-to-face with South America’s largest carnivore on her first day of field research in Bolivia. Her life changed forever when she turned around […]
How a Polynesian canoe inspired a renaissance in traditional seafaring A double-hulled Polynesian sailing canoe glides up to a busy dock in San Diego, California. Hōkūleʻa’s two short wooden masts are dwarfed by the historic schooner that escorted the boat into the harbour. Dozens of small outrigger canoes trail in its […]
The Endangered Species Act is turning 50. Has it succeeded? The law has kept many species from dying out — but few have made it off the ‘endangered’ list. BY BRIANNA RANDALL Science News Explores | December 2023 A little brown bat swoops out of the night sky. With sharp […]
Can Farmers Save the Great Salt Lake? There’s no silver bullet to solve Utah’s water crisis, but farmers are doing their part by choosing to do more with less. The Bear River flows out of Wyoming’s Uinta Mountains, winding 350 miles through sagebrush meadows and agricultural fields in Idaho and […]
The Endangered Species Act at 50 & What’s Next for Wildlife By Brianna Randall // Photos by Joel Sartore THE SIGHT OF A BALD EAGLE GLIDING OVERHEAD, white head framed against the blue sky, is sure to spark a sense of awe—and perhaps a breath of gratitude. An emblem of strength, […]
A humpback whale swam halfway around the world. His name is Frodo. A record-breaking ocean journey from the Mariana Islands to Mexico shows that whale migration patterns are more complex than we thought. Read more >
This marine biologist is on a mission to save endangered rays – Figuring out where the enigmatic creatures mate and migrate is key to their conservation. Read more >
Ocean Gardeners: Why Whale Poop Matters Now More Than Ever – Whales play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Learn about the fascinating concept of whale pumps, how whale poop sustains marine life and its impact on climate change. Read more >
Dust from a shrinking Great Salt Lake may be accelerating Utah’s snowmelt – Snow in the Wasatch Mountains melted 17 days early in 2022 thanks to a record amount of dust. Read more >
Protecting the Coolest Types of Bats in North America – Bat species have unique abilities. Take a closer look at the coolest types of bats in North America and find out how they help people and the ecosystem. Read more >
The Great Salt Lake is shrinking. What can we do to stop it? A recent report suggests the lake could disappear within five years. Read all about it >
‘Jet packs’ and ultrasounds could reveal secrets of pregnant whale sharks – Until now, our knowledge of pregnancy in the world’s largest living fish came from one female. Read more >
Sailing in Yellowstone National Park – Fewer than 100 people visit these remote parts of Yellowstone Lake each year. All of them come by foot, paddle or sail. Read more >
America’s Billion-Dollar Tree Problem Is Spreading – Grasslands are being overrun by drought-resistant invaders that wreck animal habitats, suck up water supplies, and can cost landowners a fortune. Read more >
A Piece of the Pie: Forming a shared-boat partnership, or fractional ownership, can greatly expand your cruising horizons.
Fertile Legacy – When it comes to vanishing prairies, even the smallest remnants are worth saving. Read this cover story >
Tree-climbing carnivores called fishers are back in Washington’s forests – Learn how biologists worked together for 20 years to bring back these animals after trapping and habitat loss had wiped out the population. Read this cover story >
Burning Up – Heat, drought and wildfires are ravaging western wildlife while conservationists try to help ecosystems adapt. Read more >
“5 Reasons You Need to Adventure With Your Baby.” It’s true: you SHOULD take your baby with you for outdoor adventure! Read on for first-time family trip ideas and tips, including floats, hikes, and camping adventures.