Solar panels’ shade helps boost Colorado grassland productivity in dry years

Solar energy can help grasslands weather droughts in the semi-arid American West.

Matthew Sturchio, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University; Faculty Afffiliate in Ecology, Colorado State University • conversation
May 30, 2025 • ~6 min

Solar arrays help boost Colorado grassland productivity in dry years

Solar energy can help grasslands weather droughts in the semi-arid American West.

Matthew Sturchio, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University; Faculty Afffiliate in Ecology, Colorado State University • conversation
May 30, 2025 • ~6 min

Wild turkey numbers are falling in some parts of the US – the main reason may be habitat loss

Wild turkeys were overhunted across the US through the early 1900s, but made a strong comeback. Now, though, numbers are declining again. Two ecologists parse the evidence and offer an explanation.

William Gulsby, Associate Professor of Wildlife Management, Auburn University • conversation
April 19, 2024 • ~10 min

Texas fires: With over 1 million acres of grassland burned, cattle ranchers face struggles ahead to find and feed their herds

The state’s largest wildfire on record tore across the heart of Texas cattle country, and more days of strong winds were forecast. A rangeland ecologist explains why the flames spread so fast.

Karen Hickman, Professor and Director of Environmental Science, Oklahoma State University • conversation
March 1, 2024 • ~6 min

Texas fires: Cattle ranchers face struggles ahead to find and feed their herds while burned grasslands recover

Over 1 million acres have burned in Texas’ largest wildfire on record, and more days of strong winds are forecast across the Panhandle, the heart of Texas’ cattle country.

Karen Hickman, Professor and Director of Environmental Science, Oklahoma State University • conversation
March 1, 2024 • ~6 min

Texas fires: Burned rangeland can recover quickly, but cattle ranchers face struggles ahead to find and feed their herds

Over 1 million acres have burned in Texas’ largest wildfire on record, and more days of strong winds are forecast across the Panhandle, the heart of Texas’ cattle country.

Karen Hickman, Professor and Director of Environmental Science, Oklahoma State University • conversation
March 1, 2024 • ~6 min

In protecting land for wildlife, size matters – here's what it takes to conserve very large areas

Governments and wildlife advocates are working to protect 30% of Earth’s lands and waters for nature by 2030. An ecologist explains why creating large protected areas should be a top priority.

David Jachowski, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Clemson University • conversation
April 26, 2023 • ~9 min

Is the Western drought finally ending? That depends on where you look

Reservoirs and streams are in good shape in California and the Great Basin, but groundwater and ecosystems are another story. And then there’s the Colorado River Basin.

Dan McEvoy, Associate Research Professor in Climatology, Desert Research Institute • conversation
March 16, 2023 • ~9 min

How to make your lawn wildlife friendly all year round – tips from an ecologist

Plus, why you should always remove grass cuttings from your lawn.

Gareth Griffith, Professor of Fungal Ecology, Aberystwyth University • conversation
May 31, 2022 • ~7 min

Raising cattle on native grasses in the eastern U.S. benefits farmers, wildlife and the soil

Growing native grasses as cattle forage is an example of working lands conservation – balancing human use of the land with conservation goals.

Patrick Keyser, Professor of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries and Director, Center for Native Grasslands Management, University of Tennessee • conversation
April 12, 2022 • ~8 min

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