War, politics and religion shape wildlife evolution in cities

Humans change the urban landscape with religious, cultural and political activities, which in turn can influence the evolution of urban animals and plants.

Elizabeth Carlen, Living Earth Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellow, Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
July 3, 2025 ~10 min

How dandelions conquered concrete to bring nature back to cities

Here’s why those little yellow flowers are everywhere you look.

Yannick Woudstra, Postdoctoral Researcher in Asexual Plant Evolution, Stockholm University • conversation
April 30, 2025 ~7 min


Wildfire smoke’s health risks can linger in homes that escape burning − as Colorado’s Marshall Fire survivors discovered

A series of surveys in the months and years after the devastating blaze near Boulder revealed continuing health concerns in surviving buildings, and tips for how to clean up smoke-damaged homes.

Colleen E. Reid, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Dec. 23, 2024 ~8 min

3 years after the Marshall Fire: Wildfire smoke’s health risks can linger long-term in homes that escape burning

The fire burned more than 1,000 homes outside Boulder, Colorado, in 2021. A series of surveys shows residents’ continuing health concerns, and tips for how to deal with smoke-damaged homes.

Colleen E. Reid, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Dec. 23, 2024 ~8 min

Even as urban foxes get bolder, people appreciate rather than persecute them, say psychologists

A recent study tested whether messages about bolder urban foxes are biasing how people feel about them.

Charlotte Hopkins, Senior Lecturer, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Hull • conversation
Sept. 25, 2024 ~6 min

One garden, one year and one woman’s mission to make space for urban wildlife

One Garden Against the World is a call to action for anyone interested in gardening, conservation or climate change.

Elizabeth Nicholls, Research Fellow in Ecology, University of Sussex • conversation
July 29, 2024 ~6 min

Bugs thrive in urban Los Angeles – volunteers’ traps reveal biodiversity hot spots for city insects and spiders

City life can mean lots of pavement and habitat loss. But many bug species are hanging on, especially in neighborhoods with steady temperatures near the mountains.

Teagan Baiotto, Ph.D. Student in Marine & Environmental Biology, University of Southern California • conversation
July 22, 2024 ~6 min

Cities contain pockets of nature – our study shows which species are most tolerant of urbanization

Even in a concrete jungle like Los Angeles, wild species show up in surprising places. New research identifies the types of wildlife that best tolerate urban development.

Morgan Tingley, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
June 6, 2024 ~9 min


Hedges beat garden fences as wildlife havens and flood barriers – that’s why I’m taking them to the Chelsea Flower Show

Public engagement through school projects and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show play a vital role in educating the public about the myriad of environmental benefits provided by the humble garden hedge.

Tijana Blanusa, Principal Horticultural Scientist (RHS)/RHS Fellow, University of Reading • conversation
May 20, 2024 ~6 min

It’s OK to mow in May − the best way to help pollinators is by adding native plants

NoMowMay is a catchy concept, but it doesn’t provide the food that native North American pollinators need or lasting support for them.

Harland Patch, Assistant Research Professor of Entomology, Penn State • conversation
May 15, 2024 ~8 min

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