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….bison (American buffalo), scissortail swallow, copperhead.
Cara Cannon Byington
Science Writer

Featured Stories from Cara
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Quick and Dirty (Really Dirty) Guide to Bison: Keystone Species Edition
The ways bison graze, poop and wallow touch on everything about the ecology of a prairie. But well, it can be a little messy.
Cara Cannon Byington
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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
Cara Cannon Byington
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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.
Cara Cannon Byington
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Day of the (Turtle) Dogs
Meet the turtle dogs -- they track and retrieve turtles. For science!
Cara Cannon Byington
All Stories from Cara
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Nature and Equity: The Future of Lasting Conservation?
Solutions to the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change may require entwined solutions framed by “Nature and Equity.”
Cara Cannon Byington
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Market-based Climate Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation Solutions Must Consider Gender
To be equitable, market-based climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation solutions must also consider gender at their core.
Cara Cannon Byington
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Forest Management Can Keep Carbon in Forests and Protect Communities from Wildfire in the American West
The U.S. is investing billions of dollars to reduce forest fire risks. New research maps the hot spots where investments in strategic forest management could offer the biggest payoff for people and climate.
Cara Cannon Byington
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Solar Energy Development Doesn’t Have to Destroy Vital Habitat (but It Could)
With careful planning, the U.S. could produce needed solar energy and still protect lands important for animal movement and migration.
Cara Cannon Byington
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Small Land Holders Can Lead the Way in Tropical Tree Cover Restoration
Science shows that when it comes to tropical forest restoration at scale, small landholders matter. A lot.
Cara Cannon Byington
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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.
Cara Cannon Byington
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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.
Cara Cannon Byington
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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.
Cara Cannon Byington