Science Features

Adventures, Stories and Reports

Conservancy scientists are all over the globe—doing innovative projects and cutting-edge research to protect the diversity of life on Earth. See the latest videos and features on what they're doing—and read Q&As with our experts in the field.

Our Latest Features & Videos
MPA paper 215x143Visitor snorkeling over coral reef off Restoff Island in Kimbe Bay, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea. This area is one of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) which The Nature Conservancy helped design. © Mark Godfrey/TNC
New Study: MPAs on Target, but Need to Focus on People

A new report assessing the progress of MPAs to date shows protection efforts have increased, but now need to focus on ecosystem services. Read more

Conservancy scientist James Fitzsimons monitoring small rodentsConservancy scientist James Fitzsimons—here shown monitoring small rodents—was one of the report’s authors © Zoe Davies/The Nature Conservancy
Bringing Work Home

A Conservancy scientist manages his own private nature reserve in Australia. 

Thumb - Willet Migration Discovery 215x143An eastern willet in flight. © Brian Hart 2011
Secrets of Willet Migration Revealed

A Conservancy ecologist's discovery is helping advance the study of migration and protect the habitat willets depend on.

Thumb - To Catch a Willet 215x143Portrait of an eastern willet, held by Conservancy ecologist Joe Smith. © Erika Nortemann/TNC
To Catch a Willet

New technology is transforming the study of migratory birds. The challenge? Scientists need to tag birds, then re-catch them in order to collect the data.

Scientist Alabama shad 215x143Auburn University research assistant tags an Alabama shad, part of a research project to see how the fish navigate locks. © Matt Miller
A Lock Holds the Key to Restoring Fish Populations

How can shad get over dams? Conservancy scientists and partners have found an ingenious solution--and it starts with PVC pipe.

Steve Herrington 215x143This stream may not look like much, but biologist Steve Herrington knows it's full of life. © Matt Miller/TNC
Conservation You Can Jump Across

Conservationists like to think big, but small places are important for nature, too. Learn about small stream connectivity

Longnose gar 215x143When electrofishing for shad, other species are often caught, like this longnose gar. A predatory fish, the gar often attack shad. In fact, most shad bear bite marks from the gar's teeth. © Matt Miller
How Scientists Go Fishing

What lies beneath the water’s surface? Join Conservancy scientists as they go electrofishing.

Australia Fish River 215x143.jpgGeoffrey Lipsett-Moore (Geoff); The Nature Conservancy's Northern Australia Program Director; Shaun Ansell, manager for the Fish River Station project; John Daly, an aboriginal elder whose ancestors have lived on the Fish River lands for thousands of years and Terry Nimmit,a member of the local indigenous community at Fish River Station in Australia's Northern Territory. © Ted Wood
Video: Science, Fire and People in Australia

See how The Nature Conservancy and partners are helping indigenous groups revitalize their traditional practices. Watch

Gala DavaaGala Davaa © TNC
Video: Journey to Mongolia

Conservancy scientist Gala Davaa is passionate about protecting his country's native grasslands. Watch

Dow thumb 215x143Dow's Freeport, TX, plant is also a nesting site for black skimmers. © Jen Molnar/TNC
Conservancy Scientists and the Dow Collaboration

We're putting our science to work to help make a business case for conservation. Learn more

Terra-i Tab 215-x143An aerial view showing forest cleared for cattle ranching at São Félix do Xingu, a municipality in the Brazilian Amazon that has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the country. © Haroldo Palo Jr.
Terra-i: A Cool Tool for Detecting Deforestation

How did scientist Andy Jarvis come up with a cutting-edge way to measure how much humans are degrading nature? See

Asian Longhorned Beetle (215x143)Asian longhorned beetles bore their way out of trees, creating perfectly round, dime-sized exit holes © USDA
Forest Pests: Boring a Hole in Your Wallet

How much do invasive insects like the Asian longhorned beetle cost our economy, and who's footing the bill? Find out

Climate Wizard map 215x143Predicted global average temperatures for June-August by 2080. © Climate Wizard
Making Climate Change Visible

With our Climate Wizard tool, you can access current data and visualize impacts where you live. Learn more

New Nature Conservancy Science on State of Nature in the United StatesA Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) photographed on Common Mullen (Verbascum thapsus; an invasive plant, the common mullen is not native to the United States. It’s an introduced weed from Eurasia) at The Nature Conservancy's Weaver Dunes Scientific and Natural Area in Minnesota. Curtis Preuss
Is Nature in the United States in Trouble?

A new study from Conservancy scientists ups the ante for conservation action. Read more

ParamoParamo habitat above Bogota, Colombia. Image credit: Julia Kumari Drapkin/TNC
EcoRiddle: What the Heck is This Habitat?

It looks like a desert...but is full of water -- enough to slake the thirst of Bogota. What is it?

interactive oyster reef graphicClick here to check see why oysters are so much more important than a delicious appetizer. © TNC
How Do Oyster Reefs Work for You?

Find out in this cool animated video and interactive graphic. Explore

tap water 215x143Tap water © dibytes / Creative Commons
1 Billion City Dwellers in Perpetual Water Shortage?

It could happen by 2050, says a new study co-authored by Conservancy scientists. Learn more

Coastal Tailed Frog in Garcia River ForestCoastal tailed frog in California's Garcia River Forest. Larry Serpa/TNC
The Frog with Something Extra

Why is discovering a California frog with a penis good news for conservation? Find out

Oyster shellOyster in shell. Mark Godfrey/TNC
Is It Still OK to Eat Oysters?

85% of wild oyster reefs are gone -- but eating sustainably grown oysters can help save the species. Explore

Spotlight Features
Shrimp fishermanA shrimp fisherman casting his net in a area of wetlands and coastal mangroves. © Mark Godfrey/The Nature Conservancy
Ask the Conservationist

Conservancy scientists answer your questions about all things conservation and science. Read their answers.

WOPA070815_D001 (splash)Globe showing North and South America. Object photographed for web, print graphic and design use. Please observe Conservancy brand identity guidelines when incorporating this object in your design. © Mark Godfrey/TNC
Conservation Atlas

No one has ever tried to compile everything known about nature on Planet Earth — until now. Learn more.

Follow SanJayan in the Solomon IslandsBlythe’s hornbill and Sanjayan. © The Nature Conservancy
Wild Life

Join Sanjayan on his journeys around the world, and live a wild life.

Read More

Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

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