Natural Areas Association (NAA) is an association of scientists and practitioners focused on the management of ecologically significant natural landscapes with the intent to protect biodiversity for current and future generations. Natural Areas News is your trusted resource for current events, reliable science, conservation success, emerging challenges, best practices, and achievements of those who work daily to preserve natural areas.

 

 

United Nations says world must jointly tackle issues of climate change, pollution, biodiversity and land loss

The most comprehensive global environment assessment ever undertaken calls for a new approach to jointly tackle the most pressing environmental issues including climate change and biodiversity loss that threaten over 1 million plant and animal species with extinction. The U.N. Environment Assembly, which the U.S. representatives did not attend, produced the new report by almost 300 scientists.

 

Protecting the places we love: Michigan land conservancies at work

Northern Michigan is renowned for its expansive natural splendor and broad public access to outdoors spaces. But many of those trails, waterways, and undisturbed natural areas could not exist and persevere without the dedicated effort of several local nonprofit land conservancies. As 2025 comes to a close, several of these organizations shared recent exciting wins, foreseeable obstacles, and future objectives for conservation in northern Michigan.

 

NatureServe highlights growing biodiversity risks amid shifting conservation landscape

NatureServe released a comprehensive retrospective on the state of biodiversity conservation in 2025, highlighting major federal program shifts, increased private-sector engagement, and new scientific initiatives that will shape conservation efforts in 2026. The organization emphasized the continued importance of collaboration and evidence-based strategies to meet the scale of biodiversity challenges.

 

The Nature Conservancy adds 279 acres to Gallitzin State Forest in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Front

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Pennsylvania announced that it has closed on the purchase of 279 acres in Adams Township, Cambria County, and transferred the parcel to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry for addition to Gallitzin State Forest. The land will be managed for rare grassland bird habitat and public recreation. 

 

In Other News

  • Items with an asterisk may require registration or a paid subscription to view*
  • Items that are italicized represent academic titles
 

Stateline Forest Secures Rare Longleaf Forest and Public Access Across Alabama-Georgia Border

 

Coastal Habitat Restoration Projects Using Beneficial Use of Dredged Material

 

Michigan State University transforms property to support pollinators

 

After lawsuit, U.S. Forest Service stops logging project in Nolichucky River Gorge

 

New Ultralight Radio Tags Are Tracking Monarch Butterflies in Santa Cruz

 

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) Approves $87.1 Million for Habitat, Salmon Recovery and Tribal Land Return Projects

 

The Small Shrub That Holds Big Ecological Value in Indiana

 

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Sky Island Plant (Graptopetalum bartramii) Threatened by Mining

 

‘Silent epidemic of chemical pollution’ demands radical regulatory redo, say scientists

 

Coalition sues over drilling proposal in Alaska petroleum reserve

 

Beavers are Dam Good for Biodiversity, Bringing Bats, Butterflies and Other Critters to Their Neighborhoods

 

Texas Conservationists Work with Developers and Landowners to Rescue Threatened Plants One Seed at a Time

 

DNA barcoding of more than one million insect specimens indicates that at least one third of California's insect biodiversity remains undiscovered

 

Local adaptation to climate has facilitated the global invasion of cheatgrass

 

Want more content? Check out our Resource List to discover the latest on natural areas.

 

Recent YouTube Releases

 

Managing Fire Regimes in a Changing World

December 12, 2025

 

Long Term Impacts of Seagrass and Oyster Restoration on Ecosystem Services Along Coastal Virginia

December 5, 2025

 

Will Marshes Keep Up with Sea Level Rise?

November 28, 2025

 

Job Opportunities

 
  • Have a Job Opening? Please remember to post with NAA. 
  • Need a Job? Be sure to stay in touch with the Job Board positions that are being updated regularly. 

Funding Opportunities

 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | National Fish Passage Program

Deadline: December 31, 2025

 

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) | Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program (RCAGP)

Deadline: February 26, 2026

 

Natural Areas News curates diverse, timely resources from multiple sources to promote objective and balanced information sharing. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Natural Areas Association.

 


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