This small Texas town was known for cotton, cattle and oil production. Later, more than 1,300 wind turbines changed its landscapeSweetwater, Texas, saw its landscape transformed by wind turbines. More than 1,300 turbines appeared in Nolan County within two decades. Th...
In 1946, imported beetles were released against toxic St. Johnswort in northern California; by 1957, the weed had fallen to less than 1% of its former abundanceBy the 1940s, European Klamathweed had established itself as a major rangeland threat in California. To combat this invasive species, leaf ...
In a 2022 Brazil trial, 52 lambs spent 60 days under solar-panel shade; researchers reported lower body temperatures and about 4% better feed efficiency on hotter daysA comprehensive study conducted in Brazil revealed that lambs grazing beneath solar panels experienced reduced body temperatures, which led...
In 1923, a Kansas ranch family used small wind turbine to power its off-grid home. A century later, 50 giant turbines stand on the same ranchFor more than a century, a Kansas ranch family has harnessed the power of wind, beginning with a small generator. Their commitment to renew...
In 1926, John D. Rockefeller Jr. secretly bought 35,000 acres of Wyoming land for $1.4 million to protect it from development. He later donated it to Grand Teton National ParkJohn D. Rockefeller Jr., a philanthropic giant, took decisive action to safeguard Jackson Hole's stunning landscape. Discreetly acquiring a...
In a divided America, the left and right unite to oppose artificial intelligence data centersRural communities face growing concerns over rapid data center expansion. Farmers and environmentalists unite against potential farmland lo...
Businessman Mike Mazzei wins the GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor with Trump's endorsementMike Mazzei secured the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor. President Donald Trump's social media attacks boosted Mazzei's campaig...
Texas wildfire mushrooms within hours, ripping through ranchlandsA wildfire rapidly expanded across Texas ranchland, destroying structures. The blaze forced evacuations and school closures in affected are...
Texas turned 68,000 acres of solar farms into sheep pastures to control weeds; the state now accounts for more than half of U.S. solar grazingTexas solar farms are turning to sheep as a surprising solution to a growing maintenance problem. Across roughly 68,000 acres, sheep now gr...
Since 1971, Oregon has used a flea beetle against tansy ragwort; 7 years later, the state said the biocontrol had cut infestations by 90%In Oregon, a tiny flea beetle has emerged victorious in the battle against toxic tansy ragwort, a notorious invasive weed that has plagued ...
In 1850, a widowed mother moved to Colorado and claimed a homestead. 15 years later, she was helping build one of the state's first communities where women could voteAdeline Hornbek, a Massachusetts native, became a successful Colorado rancher. She faced significant loss, including her husband and a deva...
In a 2023 Brazilian study, sheep under photovoltaic panels experienced 30% less radiant heat and up to 8°C lower wool-surface temperaturesA recent study shows sheep benefit from solar panel shade during hot weather. These animals experience significantly less radiant heat expo...
In 1992, Congress backed a plan to dechannelize Florida's Kissimmee River and restore its watershed. 28 years later, the project had restored 19 of 44 river miles and 6,500 acres of floodplain wetlands, with wildlife returningFlorida's Kissimmee River underwent a significant restoration after decades of channelization. This project aimed to revive its natural flo...
Lala strengthens into a hurricane and bears down on Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain, windsHurricane Lala formed and is heading towards Hawaii's Big Island. Maximum sustained winds reached 75 mph, making it a Category 1 storm. For...
In 2017, California cattle ate an estimated 11.6 billion pounds of grass that could become wildfire fuel; researchers say grazing can reduce fire hazards in some rangelandsIn 2017, California's cattle devoured billions of pounds of vegetation, significantly aiding in wildfire intensity reduction. By efficientl...
In the early 1900s, Hawaiʻi imported a thorny European shrub to feed sheep and fence pastures; it now forms 6-foot walls that fuel fires and sprout againGorse, introduced to Hawai'i around 1900 for sheep fodder and fences, has become a persistent invasive problem. This spiny shrub thrives in...
North America saved its bison from extinction. Now scientists face a new threatBison numbers have recovered after near extinction, but genetic diversity is now a concern. Fragmented herds lack natural gene exchange, po...