Where the buffalo roam: Somerset County conservation center adds bison
Three female bison and a male 'bull' – described as some of the purest stock in North America – have been transferred to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium's International Conservation Center from a prairie-based nature reserve in central Montana, zoo officials said in a release to media.
'This is the beginning of an exciting breeding and reintroduction program that will repatriate bison to indigenous territories across the United States,' said ICC Director Ayeshah Al- Humaidhi. 'The herd will also provide training opportunities for animal care managers across zoological institutions and our Native American partners.'
Tens of millions of American bison, often called buffalo, were once abundant across the plains and as far east as New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, according to the National Park Service.
Over the span of generations, European settlers wiped out herds in Pennsylvania and nearly drove the species to U.S. extinction.
The species is listed as 'near threatened,' which is closed to endangered status, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Pittsburgh Zoo and American Prairie, which provided the bison, are part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' Bison Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program, which is working to share its resources with North American partners, including Indigenous groups, as part of a broader effort to enable bison populations to thrive again, zoo officials said.
'Based on AZA SAFE recommendations, we will actively look for partners to receive any bison that are bred at the ICC,' said Al-Humaidhi.
Genetic integrity plays an important role in bison conservation, he said.
Given that many bison bred with cattle over centuries, the Saving Animals from Extinction program incorporates the most genetically pure bison and pays close attention to genetic diversity to manage the health of its herds. At the International Conservation Center in Fairhope, the goal will be to encourage breeding among a male and three females who are purer stock, officials said.
'We are thrilled to partner with the ICC and contribute to this important new program to help grow bison populations across North America,' said Scott Heidebrink, Director of Landscape Stewardship for American Prairie. 'We have spent the past 20 years restoring bison to their native prairie home and look forward to seeing even more of these iconic mammals on this historic landscape.'
Zoo officials first told The Tribune-Democrat about plans to add bison to the historically elephant-focused conservation center in June 2023.
The four bison arrived in December and are now 8 months old, officials said.
As new residents of the center, the bison will also serve as Pennsylvania ambassadors for their species, the Pittsburgh zoo wrote, 'helping visitors understand the vital role they play in the ecosystem as a keystone species and the importance of preserving their natural habitats.'
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Yahoo
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Why the overwhelmed American family need its own software
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Just last year, the New York Times spoke to a number of parents, many of whom worked in the venture capital or crypto industries, that use project management tools like Trello and Notion to run their families like startups. 'Tasks and chores, to-do lists, grocery lists: There are apps that do those individual things better than we do,' Michael Segal, co-founder and CEO of Skylight, said in an interview. 'It's just more convenient to do it all in the place where you go to manage the family and home.' Michael Perry, Maple's co-founder and CEO, similarly told me that his company's job is 'building a calendar that's all encompassing for seven days a week of our life as a working parent.' Maple also invites its users to join a Slack community, where they can weigh in on features they love or hate or check out upcoming releases, like Maple's new web app, which is set to launch this fall. Skylight and Maple are the two family assistants I've used the most, but they're hardly the only ones. Hearth sells its own giant touchscreen calendar for your kitchen, and Jam looks like a Maple clone with some Gen Z design flair. Apps like Milo and Ohai lean into the AI of it all, promising to use chatbots to keep your family organized. There are also tech companies trying to connect parents. Honeycomb says it helps parents 'share the mental and logistical load' via group chats and smart calendars, and the Sandwich Club is an AI-powered advice platform that lets other parents weigh in on your questions. The rise of famtech Together, these companies comprise a burgeoning new industry, referred to as famtech. There's even an industry association dedicated to promoting its interests, drumming up investment, and pushing for policy changes for caregivers, like paid family leave. 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I'm also acutely aware that having a new tool to manage my family means I've got yet another thing to manage. 'When you're trying to integrate across so many different apps and systems and interfaces, the real cost benefit ratio can get thrown off,' said Daminger, the UW-Madison professor. 'Sometimes we're trying to make things easier, but in the end, we actually end up just creating new forms of labor.' A version of this story was also published in the User Friendly newsletter. Sign up here so you don't miss the next one! Solve the daily Crossword
Time Business News
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Mannacote: What It Is, Where It Comes From, and How to Make It
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Ingredients: What Makes Mannacote Magical Classic mannacote uses simple yet flavorful ingredients: Pasta tubes , either dried manicotti shells or fresh crepes , either dried manicotti shells or fresh crepes Cheese filling : ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, with eggs and herbs like basil or parsley : ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, with eggs and herbs like basil or parsley Sauce : hearty marinara or béchamel : hearty marinara or béchamel Optional additions: spinach, mushrooms, ground meat, sausage (meatlovers version), or vegetables for meatless versions Variations also include gluten-free or vegan adaptations by substituting pasta tubes or using dairy-free cheeses. 5. How to Make Mannacote: Step-by-Step Guide Here's a simple, reliable method to make mannacote at home: Boil pasta tubes in salted water until tender. Drain and cool briefly. Prepare the filling: mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, one egg, herbs (e.g., garlic, basil), salt, and pepper. Add optional additions like spinach or meat. Fill the tubes using a spoon or piping bag—easy and neat. Assemble: spread sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, place filled tubes side by side, and cover with more sauce and cheese. Bake: cover with foil and bake at 350 °F (190 °C) for ~30 minutes; then uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly. Rest and serve: let it rest ~10 minutes before slicing to let flavors settle. 6. Variations & Serving Suggestions Vegetarian : fill with mushrooms, spinach, or seasonal vegetables. : fill with mushrooms, spinach, or seasonal vegetables. Meatlovers : blend ground beef or sausage into the cheese mix for a heartier dish. : blend ground beef or sausage into the cheese mix for a heartier dish. Gluten-free / Vegan: use appropriate substitute ingredients to accommodate dietary needs. Serve with garlic bread , Caesar or green salad , or roasted vegetables . , , or . Pair with red wines like Chianti, Merlot, or Sangiovese for a classic Italian-American flavor match. 7. Why You'll Love Mannacote Comfort Food at Its Best : rich, cheesy, and satisfying. : rich, cheesy, and satisfying. Family-Friendly and Nostalgic : reminds many of home and holidays. : reminds many of home and holidays. Cost-Effective & Flexible : easy to adapt based on ingredients and taste. : easy to adapt based on ingredients and taste. Make-Ahead Ready: assemble in advance or freeze for busy nights. 8. Tips for Perfect Mannacote Don't overcook pasta before baking—it may fall apart. before baking—it may fall apart. Use generous sauce —too little causes dryness. —too little causes dryness. Rest before serving to help the dish settle. to help the dish settle. Involve the family—kids and elders can share in the joy of cooking together. 9. Summary Table Aspect Notes What it is Italian-American baked stuffed pasta (aka manicotti) Name origin Dialectal or mispronounced version of 'manicotti' Key ingredients Pasta tubes, ricotta, cheeses, sauce, herbs When to serve Holidays, Sunday dinners, family gatherings Variations Vegetarian, meat-filled, gluten-free, vegan Best practices Don't overcook; use enough sauce; let rest before serving Pairings Garlic bread, salad, roasted vegetables, red wine Conclusion In short, mannacote isn't something completely new—it's the same delicious dish often known as manicotti, enriched with Italian-American family traditions and cultural history. Whether it was passed down from your grandmother or rediscovered in a cooking blog, this pasta is about flavor, connection, and comfort. Next time someone asks about manicotti, you can smile and say, 'We call it mannacote,' and proudly share a recipe that brings generations together. FAQs 1. Is Mannacote just a typo of Manicotti? No—it's simply a regional or familial variation in pronunciation for the same stuffed pasta dish. 2. Where does the name Mannacote come from? It likely arose from how families heard or said 'manicotti' over generations—especially in Italian-American homes. 3. Can I freeze Mannacote? Yes—assemble it, then freeze before baking. Bake directly from frozen, with extra time added, for an easy meal later. 4. Is there a vegetarian or gluten-free version? Absolutely. Swap meats for vegetables or plant-based cheese, and use gluten-free pasta tubes to suit your needs. 5. What dishes pair well with Mannacote? Garlic bread, Caesar or leafy salads, roasted veggies, and medium-bodied red wines like Chianti make excellent companions. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Axios
5 hours ago
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Archaeology report removes hurdle for Des Moines' tiny village
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