A new federal program aimed at reducing wildfire risk has been plagued by delays—in a few cases, by over a year.
Timely news, art, ideas and science from the natural world of Northern California.
There’s a New Blue Flitting on Xerces’ Old Turf
The Xerces blue, long gone from San Francisco, became a symbol of the fight against extinctions. Now scientists are sending in a replacement to the dunes of the Presidio. Will it take?
Snake Fungal Disease Is Spreading in California. What Can We Do?
As statewide funding for disease surveillance runs out this year, here’s what to look out for—and how to be a friend to your local snakes.
A Rare Closeup on the Delta Green Ground Beetle, a Predator of the Pools
The quarter-inch-long, brilliantly colored Delta green ground beetle is “still a bit of a mystery,” even to experts.
Berkeley to Buy Ohlone Shellmound Site,Then Return it to Indigenous Land Trust
The city of Berkeley plans to purchase a Fourth Street parking lot and transfer the property to the nonprofit Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, as part of a recent settlement agreement over the long-contested shellmound site in West Berkeley.
Scientists Look to a Rare Butterfly’s Next of Kin
Maybe we can save the Lange’s metalmark. Or maybe there’s a stand-in, waiting in the wings?
Encounters with a Rare Ginger Badger at Point Reyes
“When I took a closer look through my lens, I saw the mound had fur and a pinkish nose,” writes wildlife photographer Vishal Subramanyan.
Mud-Starved Wetlands Get a Meal, At Last
With Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, the Bay’s wetlands are finally getting some precious muck. Why have we been dumping it offshore?
The Hills Have Ears
New radio towers are bringing a sea-change in wildlife tracking.
California’s New State Mushroom Is One Heck of a Fungus
After votes from California mushroom enthusiasts, the bling under the live oaks emerged as the winner.