Conservation
Nature relies on a rich diversity of organisms to keep it in balance. Conservation plays a key role in ensuring that environmental equilibrium is preserved. Learn about the solutions spearheading our efforts to promote biodiversity, safeguard vital ecosystems, and protect endangered species.
Sister Cities along Mexico-US border to construct a binational eco-park
The border towns of Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, also known as the “Sister Cities,” are working together on a bold project: a binational river park to be developed where there was going to be a concrete and steel border wall. The plan to construct the wall (which Read More...
For the first time, scientists have recorded squids' camouflage abilities
Octopus and cuttlefish are known for their impressive ability to camouflage into their surroundings, changing the color of their skin to escape their predators and catch unsuspecting prey. Squids are cephalopods like octopus and cuttlefish, so one could assume they can camouflage too. However, Read More...
This MIT team designed a desert shelter for humans and animals
We have often written about animal agencies at The Optimist Daily and sharing our space on the planet with our furry or winged neighbors. It’s important to recognize the rights of nature and cohabitate with animals as peacefully as possible, but a design team from MIT just took it to the next Read More...
Love and Action: Happy Earth Day!
“There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” — Marshall McLuhan, philosopher As far as we know, Earth is the best place in the Universe. The search for life beyond our planet and even our solar system is ongoing, and one day we could very well make the Read More...
Wait! Don’t throw out old mascara wands, send them here instead
For all mascara users out there, there may be a better destination for your old, dried-out mascara wands than a stinking landfill—the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center! That’s right, when teeny tiny animals (like cute baby birds or squirrels) are rescued, their fur or skin can sometimes Read More...
Scottish forests are the biggest they’ve been in 900 years
Scotland is a proud and iconic country, with a unique culture and landscape. Travelers from all over the world come to visit Scotland’s highlands, lowlands, and lochs. Another invaluable part of the Scottish wilderness, largely and unfortunately overlooked by visitors, is its Read More...
Florida volunteers feed manatees with lettuce
In Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, a bold initiative began where volunteers gather to pour pallets of leafy greens into the water to feed the manatees gathered there. Initially, after some hesitation, a bold and curious pair of cows approached and started eating lettuce. More would soon join, Read More...
Elders Climate Action: climate activism for seniors
This last week’s Optimist’s View on aging got us thinking about our seniors and how lucky we are to have a substantial older population. Longer life expectancies and a growing senior population mean holding onto our loved ones and benefiting from their perspective and experience. With an active Read More...
Rare Sumatran rhino birth brings new hope for the endangered species
Currently, there are only about 80 Sumatran rhinos left in the wild. That population, however, has just gotten a little bit larger thanks to the birth of a Sumatran rhino calf at a sanctuary in Indonesia. The mother rhino, named Rosa, gave birth to the female calf at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary Read More...
Ecuador grants wild animals legal rights in a world first
In a landmark ruling, Ecuador has become the first country in the world to grant legal rights to individual wild animals. Back in 2008, the country became the first in the world to recognize nature, or Pachamama, as a deserving right-bearing entity. However, while that law was enshrined in the Read More...