River otters in Western Pennsylvania: An environmental success story
Otters once inhabited every river system in Pennsylvania, but by the early 1900s, most of them were gone. Now, they’re making a comeback.
Conservation
Will Australia revisit the deal that led a Pittsburgh firm to depend on the ore beneath its trees?
Alcoa’s Western Australia division is one of the world's largest alumina producing operations. Some say its decades-old agreement puts drinking water at risk.
Grandma Gatewood’s epic Appalachian Trail hike
1955, 67-year old Emma "Grandma" Gatewood became the first woman solo thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail. She would go on to do it two more times.
Cicadas are back. Brood XIV expected to emerge in parts of Pennsylvania
After 17 years underground, the large, clumsy insects have started emerging to breed in parts of the United States, including Pennsylvania.
How Pittsburgh’s Alcoa is undermining a rare forest to fuel its global aluminum empire
A one-of-a-kind ecosystem lies above the bauxite Alcoa says it needs for its future. The company’s request to expand mining in Australia is drawing objections from scientists and the land’s original inhabitants.
A former gravel mine in Erie County gets a second chance as forestland
The 100-acre site in Erie County is being reforested through a partnership between the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the nonprofit Bosland Growth.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy opens accessible trail and discovery space in Frick Park
With its new trail and discovery space in Frick Park, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy aims to create an inclusive outdoor experience.
Raystown Wildlife Watch invites visitors to help conservation efforts with mobile app
The data will help guide the conservation efforts at Raystown Lake, including managing invasive species.
‘Depaving’ the way to greener neighborhoods
People are digging up pavement to prevent flooding by giving stormwater a place to soak into the ground and to lower temperatures.
Ohio opens more state land for fracking, then police officer physically prevents a reporter from asking questions
A state commission approved new acreage for fracking in one wildlife area, and delayed action on thousands of additional acres. Then police physically prevented a reporter from talking with the commission chair.
