Urbanization
Chemical Retardant Used to Fight Wildfires Could Pose Harm, Group Says
By Amanda Slee | Friday, June 28, 2019
Fire retardant is one tactic used to battle wildfires across the west. But this mixture of water and chemicals has raised questions about possible environmental dangers.
One of California’s Most Beautiful Bodies of Water is Filled with Plastic
By Jacob Margolis | Monday, June 24, 2019
The tiny pieces of plastic in Monterey Bay are smaller than a grain of rice and have been discovered floating as deep as 3,800 feet.
U.S. Recycling Begins Infrastructure Development to Solve China Crisis
By Heather van Blokland | Monday, June 24, 2019
RECOVER stands for Realizing the Economic Opportunities and Value of Expanding Recycling, part of a long-term plan to end U.S. recycling’s dependence on China.
Poop on Public Lands Prompts Feds to Clamp Down on Dispersed Camping
By Nate Hegyi | Friday, June 14, 2019
Trampled vegetation, improperly buried human waste and growing crowds have all spurred the Bureau of Land Management to propose restricting some dispersed camping areas.
More Visitors Plus Less Funding Could Equal a Troubled Future for Arizona State Parks
By Nicholas Gerbis | Monday, June 10, 2019
State parks benefit conservation and community health. But those benefits come at a cost — one that could soon grow prohibitively expensive, according to new research.
How a Sea Turtle Led an Arizona Company to Make Paper Straws
By Christina Estes | Monday, June 3, 2019
Following a viral video showing marine biologists pulling a plastic straw from a sea turtle's nose, the push to ban single-use plastics is paying off for a Gilbert company.
Buffelgrass Blues: Phoenix Campaign Kicks Off to Combat an Invasive Species
By Gabrielle Olivera and Dylan Simard | Monday, June 3, 2019
Buffelgrass, an invasive species from South Africa, is the focus of the eradication campaign. Buffelgrass makes excellent kindling for summer fires; it’s prone to burning fast and as hot as lava.
Colorado Testing Self-Driving Vehicles to Aid in Fighting Fires
By Ali Budner | Thursday, May 23, 2019
The autonomous ATVS could be equipped with a basket to haul equipment, a tank and hose for extra water, and advanced medical supplies.