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Dear EarthTalk: What’s new with the de-extinction movement that’s trying to bring back extinct wildlife species? — P.L., Danbury, ConnecticutDe-extinction, the concept of resurrecting extinct species, has long been a topic of debate among scientists...

By DOMENIC POLI

WARWICK — State Sen. Jo Comerford, attending Monday’s Selectboard meeting remotely, shared members’ concerns about the detection of forever chemicals in a test well on a property the town seized due to failure to pay property taxes.The Northampton...

By ANNIE GRAY

Dear EarthTalk: What is former president Jimmy Carter’s environmental legacy? – A.J., via emailStanding at the presidential lectern, in front of what looked like a series of oversized plastic deckchairs, Jimmy Carter prophesied that “[a] generation...

By BILL DANIELSON

So far, this winter has been remarkably average. Some areas might be a little low on snowfall levels, but the temperature has been about average for most days. I’d say it has been a cloudy, gray winter, but nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to...

By BELLA LEVAVI

The Ashfield Agricultural Commission plans on planting a pollinator garden this spring in honor of beloved late resident Nancy Garvin.“She was a real advocate for bees. She was a beekeeper and always looking out for pollinators,” said Barbara Miller,...

Dear EarthTalk: Is it really bad for the planet to upgrade my phone every two years? – A.J., Darien, ConnecticutSmartphones have certainly become ubiquitous, with some 85% of Americans and 67% of adults worldwide possessing one. Manufacturers sell...

By BILL DANIELSON

We’ve reached that point in the school year when my biology students have learned about Gregor Mendel, his experiments with pea plants and the general concepts of genes and heredity. We’ve also taken a look at the structures and basic functions of DNA...

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — What’s the first step in dealing with an overflowing bathtub? That’s the question MASSPIRG Legislative Director Deirdre Cummings asks to make her pitch for a sweeping new bill aimed at wrangling the presence of PFAS chemicals in food...

By JACOB NELSON

‘We call it liquid gold,” Erik Lively says of maple syrup. This is his favorite time of year at Sunrise Farms in the hills of Colrain, when they reap the sweet amber rewards of a year’s hard work.Lively and his brother Jordan, who both work full time...

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern and Sen. Ed Markey reintroduced a bill Wednesday that would begin the process of designating the Deerfield River as a National Wild and Scenic River.First introduced by McGovern, D-Worcester, in a July 2022...

Dear EarthTalk: What is the “30×30 Initiative” for conservation all about? — Mary S., Albany, New York Put simply, the goal of the 30×30 Initiative is the conservation of 30% of terrestrial and marine habitat across the globe by 2030. The High...

By BILL DANIELSON

One of the things I really like about the beginning of any calendar year is the delightful process of beginning new lists. I keep track of all sorts of things, from bird sightings, to temperature readings, to the blooming dates of flowers, but the one...

By LEE HALASZ and KARI BLOOD

This winter has been one of the warmest on record in Massachusetts, and around the nation, extreme weather events are in the headlines on a regular basis. Scientists agree that our rapidly warming planet is now feeling the effects of the climate...

GREENFIELD — Would you like to find out what you can do to increase the beauty of your yard while making it a welcoming space for native birds and pollinators? If so, Greening Greenfield invites you to attend a free presentation, hosted by the...

Dear EarthTalk: How can we harness the power of AI to fight climate change? – P.K., Old Forge, PA No doubt, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to play a significant role in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. One way that...

By GREG VINE

PHILLIPSTON — The Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust celebrated the end of its Land Forever Campaign last week, a years-long effort that raised more than $3.5 million for the creation of an endowment to support land conservation in central and...

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — With a focus on greening urban areas and environmental justice, the Four Rivers Charter Public School senior class is presenting its annual documentary Thursday evening.To be held as a webinar, the students will present “Plants Through...

By LIESEL NYGARD

LEYDEN — The Conservation Commission and Highway Department have crafted a proposal, expected to cost $2,621.52, to curb the growth of Japanese knotweed in town.The plant has colonized large stretches of roadside areas in Leyden and surrounding...

By MICHAEL P. NORTON

Coyotes are present in every Massachusetts city and town, according to state wildlife officials, who are out Tuesday with new tips to prevent rare “negative coyote encounters” during their ongoing mating season.“Whenever you see a coyote in your yard,...

By CHRIS LARABEE

While campaigning, one of Gov. Maura Healey’s climate priorities was to place a moratorium on commercial logging on state-owned forest land, a move that foresters and environmental advocates say would be detrimental to forest health, the state’s...