Latest news with #ecologicalresearch
New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Trump's Proposed Budget Would Cut a Major Ecology Program
The Trump administration's proposed budget for 2026 slashes about 90 percent of the funding for one of the country's cornerstone biological and ecological research programs. Known as the Ecosystems Mission Area, the program is part of the U.S. Geological Survey and studies nearly every aspect of the ecology and biology of natural and human-altered landscapes and waters around the country. The 2026 proposed budget allocates $29 million for the project, a cut from its current funding level of $293 million. The budget proposal also reduces funds for other programs in the U.S. Geological Survey, as well as other federal science agencies. The budget still needs to be approved by Congress and scientists are seizing the opportunity to save the E.M.A. In early May, more than 70 scientific societies and universities signed a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging him not to eliminate the program. Abolishing the E.M.A. was an explicit goal of Project 2025, the blueprint for shrinking the federal government produced by the conservative Heritage Foundation. That work cited decades-long struggles over the Interior Department's land management in the West, where protections for endangered species have at times prevented development, drilling and mining. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
UT Tyler graduate earns Fulbright fellowship to study pitcher plants in Switzerland
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Recent UT Tyler graduate Colm Conneen of Tyler has been awarded a one-year Fulbright fellowship to do postgraduate research at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland this fall. UT Tyler celebrating evolutionary biology with Darwin Day events Conneen, who graduated this month from UT Tyler with a bachelor's degree in biology, will go to Switzerland study the microbial microcosms in pitcher plants, a type of carnivorous plant. 'We congratulate Colm, who is a prime example of the excellent students we have in biology who go on to do amazing things,' said UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences dean Dr. Neil Gray. 'I also want to thank Dr. Joshua Banta for being a tremendous mentor and supporter.' Banta is a professor of biology at UT Tyler who taught Conneen and worked as his undergraduate faculty research advisor during their research on modeling the ecological niche of the Texas crayfish. 'From the moment he sought me out to work on a computational biology project, he showed a deep curiosity and determination to grow as a scientist,' Banta said. 'Our job at UT Tyler is to nurture and encourage students, and nothing makes us happier than seeing a student take full advantage of that support and then soar.' Conneen is planning to get his doctorate degree and wants to work in ecological research and network sciences in the academic or industrial sectors. To learn more about the fellowship he received to study abroad, visit the Fulbright U.S. Student Program online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Trail camera captures striking glimpse of elusive jungle predator with rare coloring: 'So breathtaking'
A trail camera captured an incredible picture of a black jaguar, giving the world a glimpse of a beautiful beast with rare coloring. As Outdoors reported, the photo shows a melanistic jaguar, meaning it has an increased amount of dark pigmentation. The animal is sitting and staring directly at the camera, seemingly posing for a portrait in Mamiraua, a portion of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. The World Wildlife Fund shared the photo on its United Kingdom Instagram page, and it quickly became a fan favorite. The post received thousands of likes, and commenters called the image "gorgeous" and "so breathtaking." In the same post, the organization shared a photo of a jaguar with more common coloring, vividly highlighting the differences between the two animals' appearances. According to the WWF, researchers have used trail cameras for 15 years to study jaguar populations throughout the Amazon. The 22 areas studied, which cover 2.5% of the Amazon basin, are home to more than 6,000 jaguars. Jaguars are listed as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. "Today, nearly 45% of all jaguars live in protected areas, but deforestation continues to fragment their habitat, leaving many populations isolated," the WWF wrote. "With data from camera trap research like this, WWF aims to stabilize and increase jaguar populations by 2030." Trail cameras have become vital tools for ecological research, as they allow scientists to survey difficult-to-reach spots for extended periods with minimal resources. They provide valuable insight into what happens in specific habitats when humans aren't around. In recent months, they have spotted a rare jaguarundi in Honduras and a clouded leopard in the Himalayas. They have also provided evidence of a potential freshwater turtle comeback in Australia and caught incredible footage of a chimpanzee using a tool in Gabon. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
