A Nasty Salmon-Killing Tire Chemical Is in Bay Waterways. Can It Be Cleaned Up?
6PPD-quinone comes from a long-used chemical that will be hard to replace in tires. But green infrastructure like "living levees" may help trap it.
Latest Stories
The Calypso Orchid—Shady Trickster of the Understory
This fancy flower is secretive yet brash, and it’s an expert in the art of deceiving bumblebees.
Something Fishy Is Happening Inside the Ears of Delta Smelt
Abnormalities in the ear bones of hatchery-reared delta smelt could challenge efforts to save the endangered fish.
In a Changing World, a Biologist Documents the Newt Normal
Droughts, wildfires, and heat waves are putting unprecedented strain on newts. With help, scientists hope, they may be able to persevere.
After ‘Heartbreaking’ Vandalism, Sausal Creek Plant Nursery Volunteers Pick Up the Pieces
Over 4,000 native plant seedlings were knocked over in broad daylight at the Friends of Sausal Creek's native plant nursery in Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland. At least 600 seedlings were...
Meet the Protists, Marvelous Misfits in the Tree of Life
There are “plant-like,” “animal-like,” and “fungus-like” protists. But it’s surprisingly hard to say exactly what a protist is—these organisms are defined more by what they’re not.
Meet the Latticed Stinkhorn, A Fragrant Fungus Beloved of Flies
Clathrus ruber looks more like an errant pickleball than a traditional toadstool, and it is born from an egg, which some people say tastes like radish. It’s a flashy European...
Remembering Phyllis Faber: 1928-2023
Veteran environmental activist, writer, editor, publisher, educator, and coastal wetlands scientist Phyllis Faber has made countless contributions to the Bay Area environmental movement.
King Tides Offer a Glimpse into the Future of Sea-Level Rise
King tides over 7 feet are coming to the Bay Area Jan. 21-22, 2023—and lucky for us, they’re happening at a reasonable time to go out and see them. Here’s...
The Bald Eagles Have Landed in Alameda, and They’re Building a Nest
Longtime birder and Alameda local Rick Lewis found the nest, and he's been discreetly visiting it almost daily since. No sign of eggs yet, but the birds seem good so...
