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:

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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!

Here is the audio edition of this week’s Saturday post.

If you’re interested in learning more about the topic, I included links to the study and other resources in the written version of this 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!

Here is the audio edition of this week’s State of Nature Update.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of the stories I covered, I included 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!