Nature Signals Podcast

Here is the recorded version of Saturday’s State of Nature Update, in case you prefer to listen to your biodiversity news or just don’t have the time to read everything you’d like to.

This week I’m covering stories about:

Biodiversity:

* Ukrainians find joy in releasing bats rescued from war.

* Chimpanzees are waging a civil war. No one knows why.

* More than half of Britain’s butterflies are declining, study finds.

* Hot, dry winters could be helping Wyoming’s big game - or hurting it.

* Ants provide a ‘carwash service’ to other ants.

* Marine mammals play to train for life - and perhaps to just have fun.

Pollution & Pesticides:

* PFAS levels in some seabird eggs are declining.

Conservation:

* World reaches milestone of protecting 10% of oceans.

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The written version is available here:

Articles covered:

* Associated Press, 4/6/2026, by Derek Gatopoulos and Vasilisa Stepanenko: After harsh winter, Ukrainians find joy in releasing bats rescued from war.

* The New York Times, 4/9/2026, by Carl Zimmer: These chimps began the bloodiest ‘war’ on record. No one knows why.

* The Guardian, 4/15/2026, by Patrick Barkham: More than half of Britain’s butterfly species in decline, monitoring scheme shows.

* WyoFile, 4/14/2026, by Christine Peterson: Hot, dry winter could be blessing - or curse - for Wyoming’s big game.

* The New York Times, 4/13/2026, by Alexa Robles-Gil: For ants, a ‘cleaning station’ in the desert.

* bioGraphic, 4/15/2026, by Sarah Gilman: Pass the pufferball.

* Environmental Health News, 4/16/2026: Declining PFAS levels in seabird eggs reflect impact of regulatory action.

* UNEP WCMC (Environment Programme), April 2026 news: World reaches milestone for nature: 10% of ocean now officially protected.

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Here’s the recorded version of Saturday’s post about an encouraging study that found that the loss of animals, plants and fungi seems to be slowing down, at least compared to the past 500 years.

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For links to the study and other resources, check out the written version here:

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Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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Here’s the recorded version of Saturday’s post about the importance of protecting both large natural areas and connecting smaller patches.

Have an extra two minutes? If you haven’t already done so, I’d greatly appreciate if you could answer a few questions to help me make Nature Signals better!

For links to the study and other resources, check out the written version here:

Know someone who might enjoy this post? I’d love for you to share it:

Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated!

If you didn’t have time to read Saturday’s State of Nature Update, here’s your chance to listen to it instead!

This week I’m covering the stories:

Biodiversity:

* ‘God Squad’ votes unanimously to exempt offshore drilling from Endangered Species Act restrictions.

* Project to restore Atlantic salmon to Maine streams shows promise, but challenges remain.

* Some snakes get their venom from poisonous toads, but how do they know if they have enough of it?

* New species are discovered at record rates - but is it enough to save them before they’re gone?

* Fake fur during cultural ceremonies benefits leopards in Africa.

* Native seed farm grows native plants to restore California’s ecosystems.

Pollution & Pesticides:

* Rising cancer rates in Iowa are linked to environmental pollutants, study says.

* Recycled plastics are repurposed into Hawaii’s roads - with no apparent increase in microplastics.

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To learn more about the stories I covered and other resources I linked to, check out the written version of the newsletter here:

Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated!

Here’s the podcast version of today’s post about Minnesota’s decision to allow the burning of biomass and waste under its landmark 2023 climate law.

Check out the written post here, including links to the resources I mention:

Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated!

Here is the audio edition of yesterday’s State of Nature Update. Listen to hear about:

Biodiversity:

* Elephants’ special whiskers help them sense the world.

* Parasitic beetles trick bees by mimicking the smell of flowers.

* Michigan’s moose population is lower than expected.

* Female tortoises are driven to walk off cliffs by constant sexual aggression on this remote island.

* An Ecuadorian family’s solitary fight to save the seeds of endangered plants.

Climate Change:

* EPA revokes scientific finding that underpins climate regulations.

Pollution:

* Proposed US House bill could gut toxic chemicals law.

Science education:

* What does the public think about science?

If you’re interested in learning more about any of the stories I covered, click on the links in the written version:

Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated!

Here is the audio edition of today’s post, about the American chestnut, a majestic tree that once dominated many forests in the eastern U.S. - but then an invasive fungal disease wiped out most of them in the last century.

Listen about how researchers are using DNA to drastically speed up efforts to breed a resistant strain, with the ultimate goal of restoring these trees to their former glory.

If you’re interested in learning more about the topic, check out the links in the written version of this post:

Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated!

Here is the audio edition of yesterday’s State of Nature Update. Listen to hear about:

* Australian bat hospital cares for rare ‘flying foxes’ - and don’t forget to check out the Vox article to see photos of baby flying foxes getting a bubble bath!

* Gray wolf reaches Los Angeles County for the first time in 100 years

* Decoding whale communication with AI

* Bonobos can play make-believe like children

* Wildlife with weaker social connections may face greater risk of extinction

* No animal alive today is ‘primitive’ - why are so many still called that?

If you’re interested in learning more about any of the stories I covered, click on the links in the written version of this post:

Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated!

I’m a little behind this week, but here, finally, is the recording of Saturday’s post.

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, I included links to some resources and related articles in the written version of this post:

Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated!

Here is the audio edition of this week’s State of Nature Update. Listen to hear about:

Biodiversity:

* European wildcats are making a comeback in Central Europe

* Coyote photobombs cougar capture on live TV

* Norway’s polar bears seem to be adapting to climate change - for now

* Fake AI images of wildlife complicate conservation efforts

Climate change & energy transition:

* Michigan sues oil giants for increasing the price of electricity

Pollution & pesticides:

* EPA is not reviewing pesticide paraquat’s influence on Parkinson’s disease

* Colorado bill would curb use of crop seeds pre-treated with toxic insecticide

* Wisconsin water treatment facility cleans up PFAS in drinking water

If you’re interested in learning more about any of the stories I covered, click on the links in the written version of the post:

Know someone who might enjoy this post? I’d love for you to share it:

Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated!