Blog News - Ed will be out for a bit

News for our Blog community

CGEE admin

Our esteemed blog author Ed Hessler will be out for a short respite.  We don't have a date he will return yet but will keep you posted here. 

Dislike of Scientists

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Science & Society

Ed Hessler

In 7m 54s Sabine Hossenfelder talks about "Why People Hate Scientists?"

Bear Cam, Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Wildlife, Nature, Biodiversity, Sustainability, Science & Society

Ed Hessler 

Brown bears have opened the fishing and fattening season at Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park & Reserve, Alaska. It is an all you can eat season depending on fishing skills, the salmon and bear behavior.

As you know there are several cameras, one underwater to view the fish and an occasional paddling bear, a chance to observe catching and eating behavior, talks by biologists at the park (see right of screen) and weather conditions. All of this is in preparation for winter and for us, the now famous Fat Bear Week at season's end. You will note by reading the comments that there are some very dedicated watchers.

 

Otis, Bear 480, is legendary and this would be very early for an appearance. This page tells you about him and has a chart of his first appearances. Otis is old and there is always concern whether he made it through the winter. He has had to adapt to his age, giving up favorite fishing spots to others as well as changing his fishing techniques.

This page about the Brooks Falls Bear Cam is very useful and includes FAQS.

Access here.

Topeka Shiner Restoration

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Nature, Wildlife, Earth & Space Science, Earth Systems, Biological Diversity, Biological Evolution, Sustainability, Climate Change

Ed Hessler

It was terrific to see an article on one of the smaller fishes of Minnesota, the endangered Topeka Shiner, on the front page of the news, poking above the fold in the June 17, 2024 StarTribune. For more about the fish see the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Rare Species Guide. I draw attention to it at the top because the photograph shows just what a lovely fish it is. 

StarTribune environmental reporter Greg Stanley takes us on a field trip with biologists.

 

The essay is behind a subscription paywall. However, it may be read here. It includes one photograph. Here is a story from the Wildlife Management Institute on a similar project in Iowa.

I was struck by the immediacy of this effort. 

Thanks to Greg Stanley for his reporting of a story important to Minnesota citizens, to the Nature Conservancy for their part in the project, to the citizens of Minnesota for providing legislative support for the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund and to the Star Tribune for publishing it and placing it on page one!