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National Wildlife Magazine
The front cover of National Wildlife's Spring issue containing text and an image of a Leatherback sea turtle hatchling on the shore.

Summer 2023 Issue

  • NWF Staff
  • National Wildlife
  • Jul 04, 2023

In this issue: how light pollution overpowers wildlife, the Gullah/Geechee people stand strong, burrowing owls in booming Florida, the science of same-sex behavior in animals, the poppy “superbloom” returns. On the cover: A leatherback sea turtle hatchling heads toward the surf at sunset in Trinidad. Baby sea turtles can be dangerously misdirected by lights at night. Photo by Sean Crane.

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Featured Stories

A magazine article spread containing text and a photo of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins touching beak to beak.

Same-Sex Behavior Among Animals Isn’t New. Science Is Finally Catching Up.

Once shunned as a subject unfit for science, same-sex behavior among animals is generating an explosion of new research.
An image of people gathering on Menan Butte to watch an eclipse.

Where and How to Watch 2 Upcoming Eclipses

Two big eclipses—a near-total solar eclipse in October 2023 and a total eclipse in April 2024—are coming. Plan ahead on how and where to watch them.
An image of Bobbi Wilson labeling lanternflies at Yale’s Lanternfly Event.

Fourth Grader Stands Up to Spotted Lanternfly—and Racism

While tackling the invasive spotted lanternfly, Bobbi Wilson encountered an unexpected opponent in her New Jersey community: racism.
A magazine article spread containing text and a photo of Parthenia Myers standing in the water at Nannygoat Beach .

The Gullah/Geechee People Hold Their Ground

Facing development and climate change, the Gullah/Geechee people stand strong.
An image of a Leatherback sea turtle hatchling on the shore.

A Note from the New Editor

National Wildlife magazine's new editor, Jennifer Wehunt, joins the masthead with her frog goggles handy.
A magazine article spread containing text and a photo of tourists standing in Walker Canyon among the poppy superblooms.

Superbloom! Return of the Poppy

A California town curbs visits to Walker Canyon, where a poppy "superbloom" draws hordes of tourists who may be loving the land to death.
An image of a tiger swallowtail on dogwood.

When Backyard Weeds Escape: Invasive Plants on Public Lands

Fighting the spread of invasive plants in the wild begins with the weeds in your own backyard
An image of Karen Tapia and her daughter in her home.

Heat Mapping, Houston Youth & Accessible Trails

The latest news from National Wildlife Federation & affiliates: heat mapping; Earth Tomorrow expands in Houston; accessible trails from New Hampshire Audubon.

An image of Sophia Kianni speaking at her Ted Talk.

Sophia Kianni Has Advice for Budding Climate Activists

To the next generation following her, Climate Cardinals founder Sophia Kianni, 21, shares words of encouragement: “We need more imperfect climate activists.”
An image of mixed bird species feeding in shallow water.

A Natural Approach to Restoring Coastal Resilience

NWF President and CEO Collin O’Mara shares updates on NWF’s coastal resilience efforts employing nature-based solutions.

An image of Lorie, Jan, and Tammy crouched together while monitoring a stream.

So, You Want to be a Stream Monitor. I Do, Too!

Three retired friends who share a love of local water conservation bond over volunteer stream monitoring.
An image of a Bonnethead Shark swimming through a seagrass meadow.

Meet the Bonnethead, the First Known Omnivorous Shark

A seagrass grazer, the bonnethead is the first known omnivorous shark
An image of a troop of Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys.

Science News on Mammal Life Spans, Carbon Capture

Mammals may live longer together than solo, New York carbon capture surprises & more science news
A magazine article containing text and an image of a longicorn beetle.

Pulse of the Planet

National Wildlife’s 2022 Photo Contest Winners
An image of the Pallas' cat walking in the snow.

Honorable Mentions

National Wildlife’s 2022 Photo Contest

An elk in snow foraging from a tree

People's Choice Award

National Wildlife’s 2022 Photo Contest

An image of a western screech owl.

How Light Pollution Impacts Wildlife & How You Can Help

  • Jessica Snyder Sachs
  • Conservation
  • July 4, 2023

From cougars and bats to butterflies and sea turtles, wildlife are increasingly threatened by light ...

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An image of a burrowing owl balancing on a rod in a construction area.

A Booming Florida City Fights to Save Its Burrowing Owls

  • Text and Photos by Devon Matthews
  • Conservation
  • July 4, 2023

Amid rapid growth, a Florida city unites to save its burrowing owls from habitat encroachment

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An image of Parthenia Myers standing in the water at Nannygoat Beach.

The Gullah/Geechee People Hold Their Ground

  • Glenda Simmons Jenkins
  • Conservation
  • July 4, 2023

Facing twin threats of real estate development and climate change, the Gullah/Geechee people stand s...

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An image of a troop of Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys.

Science News on Mammal Life Spans, Song Recognition Among Baby Birds

  • Mark Wexler
  • Scope
  • July 4, 2023

The latest science news: Mammals may live longer together than solo; some baby birds recognize their...

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An image of a pair of Willie wagtails at their nest, one incubating, in Papua New Guinea.

Scope

  • Mark Wexler
  • Animals
  • March 31, 2023

Simple nests breed success, benefits of bull’s-eyes and more

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An image of horseshoe crabs on a beach.

Decline of an Ancient Mariner

  • Laura Tangley
  • Animals
  • December 30, 2022

Plagued by modern threats, prehistoric horseshoe crabs are linchpins in marine and terrestrial food ...

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An image of a tiger swallowtail on dogwood.

When Backyard Weeds Escape: Invasive Plants on Public Lands

  • Doreen Cubie
  • Garden for Wildlife
  • July 4, 2023

Fighting the spread of invasive plants in the wild begins with the weeds in your own backyard

Read More
An image of Irving Cano and Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón posing in front of Irving Cano’s mural.

Pollinator gardens bring monarchs—and joy—to a Texas Town

  • Emily Cook
  • Community Connection
  • July 4, 2023

Nacogdoches is one of dozens of Texas cities that have planted pollinator gardens, providing way sta...

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An image of Dee Hall in a garden.

It's My Nature: Beauty and the Buzz

  • Lynne Warren
  • Gardening
  • March 31, 2023

Flower farmer Dee Hall is growing a neighborhood haven for wildlife— and inspiring other Black flora...

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An image of a Bonnethead Shark swimming through a seagrass meadow.

Meet the Bonnethead, the First Known Omnivorous Shark

  • Lisa Moore, Photo By Shane Gross
  • PhotoZone
  • July 4, 2023

Photographed by Shane Gross at an underwater salad bar of seagrass, the bonnethead is the first know...

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A painting of a Florida manatee by Angela Manno.

Underwater Icon: An Artistic Tribute to the Manatee

  • Lynne Warren, Art By Angela Manno
  • Footprint
  • July 4, 2023

Artist Angela Manno paints in the tradition of religious iconography. Her subjects? The manatee and ...

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An image of a Black Skimmer skimming the water for food.

Photo Contest Archive: A Stunning Skimmer

  • Photograph by Rick Higgins
  • PhotoZone
  • July 4, 2023

Another hidden gem from our photo contest archive: a Florida skimmer, as seen by photographer Rick H...

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