Dandelion News - March 1-7
This marks the second anniversary of Dandelion News! If you like these weekly compilations, consider tipping me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles!
1. Strengthening wildlife connectivity in Saskatchewan on World Wildlife Day
“The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and a local landowner have formalized a new conservation agreement, securing 426 hectares of grassland habitat[… which] strengthens a vital wildlife corridor, crucial for genetic diversity and seasonal migration. […] Notably, the discovery of soapweed yucca (threatened) along a roadway near the property [makes it] the only known location of this rare plant in Saskatchewan.”
2. Trump-enabling Democrats lost their elections to progressives in North Carolina [on March 3]
“At least four Democrats who supported measures to ban trans student-athletes from play, support ICE, and declare a gender binary in line with the president’s demonization of the LGBTQ+ community went down to defeat, some by extraordinary margins for incumbent lawmakers. Those margins and a big turnout were leading indicators of Democrats’ enthusiasm this election cycle[….]”
3. The crested toad’s revival
“Since the organization joined the effort in 2012, Para la Naturaleza has welcomed more than 300,000 crested toad tadpoles to the island. […] They’re releasing genetic hybrids of the now extirpated northern population and the relic southern population to bring more genetic diversity to the species[….] The crested toad has now become an umbrella species—a species whose conservation has ecosystem-wide benefits.”
4. The US’s largest clean energy project just installed 242 giant wind turbines
“When complete, it will have the capacity to transport 3,000 MW of clean energy to power around 320,000 US households, or nearly 800,000 people. SunZia Transmission will enable SunZia Wind to supply customers in Arizona and the US Southwest during the early evening hours, when demand is high but renewable energy supply is low.”
5. Scientists spot multiple endangered blue whales in southern New England waters
“Researchers say they spotted three endangered blue whales off the coast of Southern New England [for the first time] in a 24-hour period last month. [… L]ittle is known about the Western North Atlantic population, which is believed to be between 400-600 individuals. [… They also saw] three endangered fin whales, three endangered sperm whales, about 50 pilot whales, and hundreds of dolphins.”
February 22-28 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)
