📢This week, we introduce you to Nikolay Mehandzhiyski from Pensoft Publishers! ✍️🥼Nikolay is a Science Communication Expert, who is currently working on several Horizon projects, mainly focused on biodiversity and soil health preservation 🌎🌱 🔎Learn more about Nikolay below 👇

The "Up Close" series in our online magazine, & the West, explores the issues, personalities, and trends that people are talking about around the West. In Felicity Barringer's latest "Up Close," she looks at the federal push to return American Bison herds to tribal control. The effort raises hopes that the once-abundant species can regenerate landscapes and restore native traditions. https://lnkd.in/gMrwWwef

Learn all about identifying the two native oak trees and spotting signs of acute oak decline with Forest Research #HostOfTheMonth series

🌍🐘 The Elephant in the Room🌍 On August 12, we honor these magnificent creatures and their importance to our planet. Elephants are not just the largest land animals; they are also essential to our ecosystem, playing a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of the habitats in which they live. Did you know? • Elephants are known as “ecosystem engineers.” Their foraging habits help shape their environment, creating pathways and spaces for other species. • They have extraordinary memories, crucial for their survival. An elephant’s brain is three times larger than a human’s! • Despite their size, elephants are incredibly gentle and empathetic creatures, often mourning the loss of their loved ones. To mark this special day, we invite you to join us in celebrating and raising awareness about the protection of elephants. Our Elephant Vanilla Chai is a tribute to these majestic animals, blending rich flavors with a cause. The David Rio Foundation is a proud partner of the ifaw supporting the “Room to Roam” program. This initiative aims to ensure elephants have the vast, protected landscapes they need to thrive. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can work together to make a difference. 🌿 Sip, Savor, and Support Elephants 🌿 #TheElephantInTheRoom #WorldElephantDay #ElephantVanillaChai #Conservation #Partnership #SaveTheElephants #SustainableChoices #RoomToRoam #DavidRioFoundation #IFAW

How do we get the best trees to grow in our forests? With the best seeds! This spring, our crews are planting over 12 million seedlings across Sierra Pacific forestlands. Learn more about the science behind what it takes to nurture and collect conifer seeds, the first step in the process of growing the seedlings that are used for the reforestation and restoration of forests across California, in this video of “Cone Camp” at SPI’s Northern California seed orchard.

How do we get the best trees to grow in our forests? With the best seeds! This spring, our crews are planting over 12 million seedlings across Sierra Pacific forestlands. Learn more about the science behind what it takes to nurture and collect conifer seeds, the first step in the process of growing the seedlings that are used for the reforestation and restoration of forests across California, in this video of “Cone Camp” at SPI’s Northern California seed orchard.

Take a peak at Cone Camp and gain insights into the early stages of conifer seedling production - a crucial component for sustainable forest management at SPI and across the forest sector.

#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth Today marks the start of Native American Heritage Month - also known as #indigenouspeoplesheritagemonth. Though Native Americans make up about 2.5% of the total U.S. population, their history and contributions are of critical importance to the nation’s history. Unfortunately, much of it has been forgotten or overlooked. As of 2021, there are 574 federally recognized Tribes in the U.S. and while many Native Americans reside on reservations, about 71 percent do not. One of the best ways to celebrate Native American heritage is by listening to and learning from Native American people who generously share their perspective and wisdom. Ken Burns' new epic documentary - The American Buffalo - dives deep on this issue of our national mammal as the cornerstone of native culture and the importance of its comeback. Reintroduction efforts not only honor native legacy and wisdom but help regenerate our soils and create a sustainable future. As bison herds are reintroduced to prairie lands, many plant species are making a comeback. Prairie researchers have followed signs of grazing and trampling to search for sprouts of “lost crops” like little barley and may grass. They found seeds thriving in a way they had never been able to simulate in a garden. Some researchers refer to bison as “co-creators.” Their turning, rooting, and grazing of the land, coupled with migration, helps promote greater plant diversity and more agricultural opportunities. This, coupled with indigenous practices like controlled burns, helps keep plant populations thriving and regenerating. I am grateful to the combined efforts of conservationists, scientists, ranchers, and the general public who supports the bison marketplace. I believe Native Americans and bison can teach us how to be better stewards of the land. Learn more with these resources: https://lnkd.in/dA4QWcMC https://lnkd.in/gyAPb8Wq #bison #regenerativeagriculture #prairie #biodiversity #sevengenerations Photo by: Holly Pippel

Ferns are a diverse group of plants belonging to the species PteridophytaThere are numerous species of ferns, each with its unique characteristicsIdentifying ferns can be challenging, but several key features can help distinguish different ferns