The ‘insect apocalypse’ has made headlines, with many studies documenting alarming declines in insects over the past couple decades. But now researchers in Switzerland found that dramatic declines in species diversity go back nearly 100 years. ruththornton.com/biodiversity...
Insect declines began decades earlier than scientists thought, study finds – Ruth Thornton
ruththornton.com
Chickadees are known for being monogamous, but it turns out female chickadees will cheat on their mates with more intelligent males. Read about that, an increasing tiger population in India, elusive ‘ghosts of the forests’ caught on camera, and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of Nature Update #28
7/30/2026: India's tigers are booming but concerns remain, elusive Sunda clouded leopards caught on camera, female chickadees prefer smart males, half of migratory bird species are declining, and more
ruththornton.substack.com
Sea otters are not only cute and cuddly but also key ‘ecosystem engineers’ that keep kelp forests healthy. But they’re increasingly threatened by a new danger - pollution from PFAS - that could put their amazing recovery from near-extinction at risk. ruththornton.substack.com/p/sea-otters...
Sea Otters Once Escaped Extinction. Can They Survive Forever Chemicals?
Sea otters survived centuries of hunting, but scientists now warn that persistent PFAS pollution could threaten one of the Pacific coast's most important marine mammals.
ruththornton.substack.com
I really can’t stress enough how bad this is for rare species! “In a rule published earlier this month, the administration determined that, in many cases, destroying the habitat of federally threatened and endangered species is no longer explicitly illegal.” www.vox.com/climate/4960...
It’s no longer illegal to destroy the one thing endangered species need most to survive
The Trump administration’s twisted definition of one word is putting hundreds of rare animals at risk.
vox.com
Non-native plants can have subtle but alarming effects on butterflies. Just because you see native insects foraging on that pretty flower you just brought home from the nursery doesn’t mean it's not ending up harming them down the road. ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-hidden...
The hidden costs of beautiful gardens: How invasive plants rewrite butterfly romance
Ornamental flowers that brighten our gardens could be quietly harming butterflies in ways scientists are only beginning to understand, according to a new study
ruththornton.substack.com
We love our gardens. But many popular flowers are not native, with unknown consequences for insects that depend on them. A new study found that invasive plants can change the wing colors of rare butterfly, with surprising effects on their mating behavior. ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-hidden...
The hidden costs of beautiful gardens: How invasive plants rewrite butterfly romance
Ornamental flowers that brighten our gardens could be quietly harming butterflies in ways scientists are only beginning to understand, according to a new study
ruththornton.substack.com
A useful breakdown of the legal argument the Trump administration used to water down the Endangered Species Act. Conservation groups have already sued, so the impacts of the ruling may not be felt for a while until it makes its way through the court system. news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-...
Trump Sets Endangered Species Rules on Path to Supreme Court
The Trump administration’s decision to use the US Supreme Court’s unraveling of Chevron deference to delete the word “harm” from the Endangered Species Act is likely to expose the government to swift ...
news.bloomberglaw.com
Did you know that ground squirrels are so famished when they wake up from hibernation that they’ll scavenge dead animals? Well, Ice Age ground squirrels did that too. Fossilized poo revealed a diet that included woolly mammoths, bison, and even large cats! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of Nature Update #27
7/9/2026: Ukraine's embattled bison, Ice Age squirrel poop shows they ate dead mammoths, California's wild horse roundup creates controversy, bats are confused by radiation, and more.
ruththornton.substack.com
The years-long war in Ukraine hasn’t just taken a toll on the country’s people, but also its wildlife. Now conservationists are working to save European bison, highlighting the determination and resilience of wildlife professionals amid the war. ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of Nature Update #27
7/9/2026: Ukraine's embattled bison, Ice Age squirrel poop shows they ate dead mammoths, California's wild horse roundup creates controversy, bats are confused by radiation, and more.
ruththornton.substack.com
“[Spotted turtles’]superpower, which is to be super cute, may also sometimes be their greatest detriment.” That’s because, being among the smallest and most charismatic of Michigan’s turtles also makes them targets for the illegal pet trade. ruththornton.substack.com/p/how-scient...
How Scientists Are Giving Rare Turtle Babies a Head Start on Life
By raising hatchlings in captivity through their first winter, researchers hope more threatened turtles survive to adulthood.
ruththornton.substack.com
Do you think climate change is impacting biodiversity more in the tropics than in temperate regions? You’re not alone - so did biologists. But nearly half of species in temperate zones are already facing local extinctions because of warming temperatures. ruththornton.substack.com/p/climate-ch...
Climate change is already causing local extinctions. The biggest surprise is where.
Scientists expected tropical species to be hardest hit. Instead, nearly half of animals and plants in North America and Europe are disappearing from parts of their range.
ruththornton.substack.com
Six regions remain in the eastern U.S. that could accommodate wolves, but they’re only found in one of them, the Great Lakes. Hear from experts about wolves’ precarious situation under the Endangered Species Act and why it’s not a purely biological question. ruththornton.substack.com/p/wolves-cou...
Wolves could expand across the eastern U.S. - but they might need help
New research finds large areas of suitable habitat remain, but highways, cities and human conflict may prevent wolves from returning on their own.
ruththornton.substack.com
Prefer to listen to your biodiversity news? Check out my latest State of Nature Update and hear about the essential role of elephant poop in African ecosystems, how incorporating biodiversity into farming practices helps make crops resilient, and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of Nature Update #26 Podcast
6/6/2026: Elephant poop's outsized effects on habitat, death of a butterfly's last caterpillar, daddy longlegs hunt frogs, tracking a nesting sea turtle, conservation as a solution for climate change.
ruththornton.substack.com
A recent study found dozens of previously unknown PFAS chemicals in the waters, mussels and fish of one of the Great Lakes. It’s not clear what that means for the health of the animals or humans that rely on them for food, but scientists are worried. ruththornton.substack.com/p/hidden-for...
Hidden 'forever chemicals' found in Great Lakes fish raise new health concerns
Researchers uncovered dozens of previously unknown PFAS chemicals in the Lake Huron food web.
ruththornton.substack.com
I'm hearing reports that the NY State Assembly just passed the plug-in solar vote by a wide margin, joining the State Senate. Assuming the governor signs it, that will be the 8th state making it legal (and the biggest). A groundswell across the country, and so many thanks to great organizers!
“No Mow May” has been touted as a way to help native bees, but how much impact does it really have? I talked to experts about it and what people can do to support our bees. ruththornton.substack.com/p/its-no-mow...
It's "No Mow May." But does not mowing your lawn in May really help bees?
How native flowers, less pesticides and habitats offer real hope for struggling bees.
ruththornton.substack.com
Wolves are thriving again on Isle Royale, keeping the moose in check that had been decimating the island’s balsam fir forests. Read about that, the botched rescue of Timmy the humpback whale, and more in the latest State of Nature Update! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of Nature Update #25
5/16/2026: Birds steal from other birds' nests, wolves are thriving once again on Isle Royale, Timmy the whale's botched rescue, toxic chemicals and climate change together harm fertility, and more...
ruththornton.substack.com
If you haven’t had the time to read my latest post about the global trade in butterflies yet, fear not - you can now listen to it! Look for the podcast “Nature Signals” in your apple podcast app or on Spotify. Or head to Substack for the audio version there. substack.com/@ruththornto...
Podcast: Butterfly Houses - Boon for Conservation or Cause for Concern?
A little-studied global industry links entertainment, conservation, and millions of farmed insects
substack.com
Millions of butterflies are shipped across the world every year to fill conservatories and entertain visitors in butterfly houses. But what does it mean for the health of the insects or the environment where they’re from? ruththornton.substack.com/p/butterfly-...
Butterfly Houses: Boon for Conservation or Cause for Concern?
A little-studied global industry links entertainment, conservation, and millions of farmed insects
ruththornton.substack.com
In Ukraine, releasing rescued bats provides a much-needed respite from the war, and a reminder that life can go on. Read about that, chimpanzees waging a sort of civil war, sea lions playing ball with poisonous pufferfish and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of Nature Update #24
4/25/2026: Bat releases in Ukraine give respite from war, chimpanzee civil war, Britain's butterflies are declining, warmer winters help and hurt wildlife, 10% of oceans are protected, and more...
ruththornton.substack.com
You may have heard the claim that we are now in a “sixth mass extinction." A recent study tested that theory, and the researchers were surprised to find that the rate of extinction has, in fact slowed down in the past few decades. ruththornton.substack.com/p/extinction...
Extinction Slowdown? Study Offers a Rare Hope for Biodiversity
Species loss may have peaked decades ago, suggesting we are not in a 'sixth mass extinction.' But it's too early to celebrate.
ruththornton.substack.com
You may have heard of ’30 x 30’ - the global goal to set aside 30% of lands and waters by 2030 to save biodiversity. But exactly which lands need to be set aside? Large, uninterrupted tracts only? Or should we instead protect many smaller habitat patches? ruththornton.substack.com/p/size-matte...
Size matters, so does connection: Protect large natural areas but don't forget the fragments to save species, study finds.
Study shows large reserves host more plants and animals, but linking small remnants is essential for many species.
ruththornton.substack.com
An organization is working with the local community in Zambia to swap leopard skins with faux fur in cultural ceremonies, removing one of the main reasons for illegal poaching there. Read about that and more in today’s State of Nature Update. ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of Nature Update #23
4/4/2026: God Squad may have doomed Rice's whales, salmon restored to Maine stream, faux fur could save leopards, new species found at record rates, native seed farm helps restore ecosystems, and more
ruththornton.substack.com
This image of home just came down from the Artemis II crew. Taken after their translunar injection burn, there are aurorae at top right and lower left, and zodiacal light at lower right. Credit: NASA/Reid Wiseman
The Great Lakes have an immense potential for wind power - so why are there no wind turbines operating there? Read about the technical and legal challenges, plus how to mitigate negative impacts on birds and bats! ruththornton.substack.com/p/offshore-w...
Offshore wind could transform the Great Lakes Region. Here's what's holding it back.
A University of Michigan study lays out the challenges, and potential fixes, for a largely untapped resource.
ruththornton.substack.com
Birds have been found to use cigarette butts for pest control in their nests, but could it hurt young birds’ health? Read about that, ravens remembering where wolf kill sites are, insects migrating remarkable distances, and more! ruththornton.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of Nature: Weekly Update #22
3/25/2026: Birds use cigarette butts, ravens remember wolf kill sites, insects migrate remarkable distances, daylight saving time helps wildlife, carbon footprint of farmed vs. wild fish, and more...
ruththornton.substack.com
Tropical butterfly houses are popular in the U.S. and Europe. But are they good for the butterflies? Read about what it takes to import thousands of butterflies, what it means for conservation and what people can do at home to help butterflies wherever we are. open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...
We love butterfly houses. Here’s what it takes to fill one with thousands of tropical butterflies
The fragile insects travel thousands of miles to bring a bit of summer to northern countries. But what does it mean for conservation in their home countries?
open.substack.com
I’ve been writing a newsletter on Substack about the natural world and biodiversity for a few months now. If you’re curious if this newsletter might be for you, read my newest post where I introduce myself and what people can expect by signing up. ruththornton.substack.com/p/what-natur...
What Nature Signals is about
A newsletter about nature, the animals and plants that share the world with us and the human actions affecting them.
ruththornton.substack.com
Ever wondered what it takes for zoos to save a species from extinction? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the Poweshiek skipperling, a rare prairie butterfly that was once so common that collectors ignored them - until its population suddenly crashed. open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...
All but gone, now full of promise: How scientists and zoos are saving Michigan's rarest butterfly
A story of hope for the Poweshiek skipperling after a coalition of zoos, biologists and a Michigan township worked together to breed it in captivity and restore its habitat.
open.substack.com
Two species thought to have gone extinct thousands of years ago were rediscovered in the remote rainforests of New Guinea! Read about that, inconic salamanders waiting to be protected, a nature report released despite being cancelled by Trump last year and more! open.substack.com/pub/ruththor...
The State of Nature: Weekly Update #21
3/11/2026: Supposedly extinct marsupials discovered in New Guinea, 3D scans of ants, cannibalizing orcas, iconic ‘hellbenders’ declining, nature report released despite Trump’s cancellation, and more…
open.substack.com