The Beloved, Bedeviled Banana
The Cavendish banana is currently threatened by a fungal disease. A similar disease all but wiped out its predecessor, the Gros Michel banana.
When Cemeteries Became Natural Sanctuaries
In the 19th century, bucolic, park-like cemeteries started cropping up on the outskirts of American cities.
The First New Deal Was Green, Too
An integral part of FDR's New Deal was the Civilian Conservation Corps, which focused on environmental conservation work.
Rachel Carson’s Critics Called Her a Witch
When Silent Spring was published, the response was overtly gendered. Rachel Carson's critics depicted her as hysterical, mystical, and witchy.
When Chestnuts Were an Everyday Food
Even if you haven't actually roasted chestnuts on an open fire, you probably associate them with winter. But once they were a common year-round food.
Porklife: Building a Better Pig
Can we reconcile our growing appetite for meat with our desire to treat factory animals better?
A History of Noise
What's noisier, nature or civilization? Whether we consider the sounds of nature to be pleasant or menacing depends largely on our ideologies.
Why Don’t We Consider Fish Worth Saving?
Until recently, Americans did not generally consider fish to be wildlife. As a result, conservation measures for them got a late start.
The Early Audubon Society Helped Bridge the Gap Between Men and Women Conservationists
The man who formed the first Audubon Society was educated by Audubon's widow and found a way to unite men and women in the conservation movement.
Was America’s Wildlife Ever As Abundant As We Imagine?
Once the bison covered the plains. But how many were there really? Turns out historical animal abundance figures are tricky.