Ecology Amateurs Ecology Amateurs

Bird Feeders vs “Don’t Feed Wildlife”

Is feeding wildlife harmful, or is it conservation?

The answer is that bird feeding occupies a complicated middle ground. There is a difference between feeding birds and feeding other wildlife, but that difference depends on species biology, behavior, scale, and how feeders are managed.

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Ecology Amateurs Ecology Amateurs

The United States Has Left the Paris Climate Agreement. What Does That Mean for Wildlife and Ecosystems?

Climate change is not an abstract future concern. It is already shaping landscapes, altering ecosystems, and influencing how wildlife survives and moves through the world. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, brought nearly every nation together under a shared framework aimed at limiting global temperature rise. Countries set voluntary emissions reduction targets, tracked progress publicly, and worked collectively to keep warming well below two degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels. In January 2026, the United States officially withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement.

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Ecology Amateurs Ecology Amateurs

Battling the Invaders: Our NISAW 2025 Adventure

Join Kam and Jack as they tackle invasive species during National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2025! From bullfrogs to blackberry brambles, see how they fought back against ecological invaders in Washington and Indiana while sharing tips on how you can help protect native wildlife.

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Ecology Amateurs Ecology Amateurs

Banana Slugs: The Slimy Superstars of the Forest

Banana slugs are the slimy superheroes of the Pacific Northwest, breaking down organic matter, spreading fungal spores, and keeping forests thriving. Learn about their natural history, ecosystem role, and the environmental pressures these fascinating decomposers face.

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Ecology Amateurs Ecology Amateurs

Raptors, Cranes, and New Birding Brains: Our Great Backyard Bird Count 2025 Recap

The Great Backyard Bird Count 2025 was a wild ride, and Jack and I had a blast participating this year! It’s always fun to take part in this citizen science event, where people across the globe count and report the birds they see in their own backyards. For me, this year was all about stepping up my birding game. I’ve always been fascinated by wildlife, but birding has always felt a bit daunting especially with how quickly some of those little feathered guys zip around! But during the GBBC, I found myself identifying species like a pro Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees. It felt like my birding knowledge grew every day!

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