Discover stories in Conservation Science
Science: Mangrove Forests as Incredible Carbon Stores
Based on these new findings, says Conservancy marine scientist Mark Spalding, the world should be investing a lot more in preventing mangrove loss and restoration.
How Green is Your Chainsaw?
Can a chainsaw be green? That may sound ridiculous, but in the forests of Borneo, loggers can be a critical ally in maintaining biodiversity and mitigating climate change.
Can Forest Carbon Markets Provide for a 40,000-Year-Old Culture?
That's a key question being answered by the Conservancy and partners as they work to protect the land of the Hadza, who have hunted and lived in this region for at least 40,000 years.
The Sage Grouse Initiative: Science to Solutions
For sage grouse, the the apocalypse comes in the form of fire, weeds, unplanned energy development and even encroaching trees. But now, these birds are the subject of “one of the largest conservation experiments ever undertaken in North America.” Is it enough to save them?
Research: Can Restoring Oyster Reefs Combat Nitrogen Pollution?
Oysters filter nitrogen from water — and nitrogen pollution is a huge and growing problem along many coastlines, not just for the United States, but worldwide. So could restoring oyster reefs combat nitrogen pollution? And if the answer is yes, could that service generate enough funding for broad-scale oyster restoration?
In a Remote Alaska Rainforest, a Tribe Protects Habitat and Restores Culture
On Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, the restoration of rivers goes hand-in-hand with the restoration of cultural traditions. Members of the Hydaburg Cooperative Association, a federally recognized indigenous tribe, are learning scientific techniques to monitor and assess salmon streams, streams that have been degraded over the decades. But that's only part of the story: the Haida area also returning to cultural traditions, traditions even more imperiled than the streams.
People of the Salmon: Haida Tribe Defends Salmon with Science in Alaska
The Haida community on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, have long considered themselves "people of the salmon." They rely on the fish for their food and culture. Now community members are being trained to become scientists. Their assessments could help get their streams protected under Alaska state law.
Sawmills and the Limits of Conservation Science
Science must be the foundation of conservation work, of course. But here's the thing: science can only get conservation so far. On Prince of Wales Island, forest restoration is an important part of conservation, but so too are relationships with loggers and sawmill owners.
New Study: Coastal Nature Reduces Risk from Storm Impacts for 1.3 Million U.S. Residents
Nature reduces risk from coastal storms for millions of U.S. residents and billions of dollars in property values, says a new study from scientists at the Natural Capital Project and The Nature Conservancy.
Quick Study: Do REDD+ Projects Benefit People as Well as Forests?
They often provide modest but tangible benefits to local communities--and don't encourage land grabs, says a new article co-authored by the Conservancy's senior advisor on forests and climate. But challenges remain to meaningful community participation in these projects.
Silence of the Rattlesnake Researchers: Snakes, Culture and Conservation
Snakes should fear us more than we fear them. In Vermont, timber rattlesnake research unexpectedly exposes humanity's tangled relationship with snakes. Can education shape a new future?
Matchmaking for Elms: Restoring America’s Iconic Tree Through Genetics
Christian Marks runs a dating service. For elm trees.
