Cara Byington is a science writer for The Nature Conservancy covering the work of Conservancy scientists and partners. A misplaced Floridian living in Maryland, she is especially fond of any story assignment involving boats and islands, and when not working, can be found hiking, kayaking or traveling with her family and friends. Best mammals + herps + birds (so far) in 2023….well, nothing yet.
Cara Cannon Byington
Science Writer
Featured Stories from Cara
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The Sound of Merlin: Like Shazam, but for Birds
Just like Shazam helps identify songs, the Merlin App does the same for birds, but for cedar wax wings and ovenbirds instead of 80s Hair Bands
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From Palmyra to the Pacific: Realigning a Rainforest
Getting rid of the rats on Palmyra was only the beginning.
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Finding the Other Hand: How to Practice Science for Impact
Advice from scientists for scientists: a set of guidelines and principles to help increase the odds that your research will be used to identify, define and solve real-world problems.
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Nature Journal Confidential
You don’t have to be a good artist or writer to reap the many rewards of keeping a nature journal. You just have to be curious.
All Stories from Cara
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Make Lithium Extraction in the U.S. “Smart from the Start”
While the U.S. has potential to be a global lithium producer, careful planning will be required to avoid and limit damage near potential extraction sites.
Story type: TNC Science Brief
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Resilience and Stability on Palmyra’s Coral Reefs
In hopeful news, coral reefs at Palmyra Atoll show long-term stability, recovery and resilience, despite two bleaching events within the last decade.
Story type: TNC Science Brief
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Turning Tweets into Action?
The science of science communications: Twitter Edition. Study shows promise for accelerating public engagement and advocacy for environmental issues, including climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Story type: TNC Science Brief
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What’s That Weird Noise in the Night?
You’re laying in bed, sound asleep, or counting leaping sheep as you drift off into dreams. And then, a scream.
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To Protect Nature, Cities Matter in the Urban Century
New science shows where science-based urban planning could save species, turn cities into biodiversity hubs, and save land for nature.
Story type: TNC Science Brief
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Protected Areas are Vital, but they are not Enough for Lasting Biodiversity Conservation
Sustaining global biodiversity requires broadening the area-based conservation toolkit beyond protected areas.
Story type: TNC Science Brief
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Mammals, Wildlife Trade + the Next Global Pandemic
Scientists report a strong association between wildlife trade and zoonotic disease risk with 25% of mammal species in the trade hosting 75% of viruses known to be transmissible between animals and humans.
Story type: TNC Science Brief
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There’s a Cicada in My Ear
File this Under: Adventures in Cicadas and the Anatomy of a Human Ear, or Hearing Loss is a Small Price to Pay for Taxonomic Certainty
