Meridian Hydra Fire: Map, evacuation updates as wildfire surpasses 1,000 acres in Bosque County, Texas

Wildfire in Meridian, Texas. (UnSplash)

The entire city of Meridian, Texas, is under a mandatory evacuation order as the Hydra Fire surpasses 1,000 acres in Bosque County. Wildfire in Meridian, Texas. (UnSplash) In a Facebook post, the city said, “Mandatory evacuation for the city of Meridian. Go to Meridian High School if you have no place to go. If you … Read more

In 1998, Pittsburgh’s last operating steel mill closed, leaving 178 riverfront acres vacant; 28 years later, 700,000 sq ft has been built or is underway for robotics, biotech, housing and parks

In 1998, Pittsburgh's last operating steel mill closed, leaving 178 riverfront acres vacant; 28 years later, 700,000 sq ft has been built or is underway for robotics, biotech, housing and parks

The new CMU Robotics Innovation Center sits in the foreground, with new housing development under construction behind it and the U.S. Steel Community football field visible in the background. For decades, 178 acres along the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh remained largely vacant after the collapse of the steel industry. The site was once home to … Read more

In 2011, New York covered five acres of Lake George with more than 700 mats to suffocate invasive Asian clams; 97% died, but the invader later spread to 27 locations

In 2011, New York covered five acres of Lake George with more than 700 mats to suffocate invasive Asian clams; 97% died, but the invader later spread to 27 locations

Representative Image (AI-generated) When invasive Asian clams were discovered in Lake George, New York, in 2010, researchers moved quickly to test whether covering the lakebed could stop the species from spreading. According to a final report by the Darrin Fresh Water Institute at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, published through the Lake Champlain Basin Program, a large-scale … Read more

In 2018, Massachusetts removed the first of two old dams from former cranberry bogs; by 2020, 56 acres of wetlands had been rebuilt and 200+ native plant species had

In 2018, Massachusetts removed the first of two old dams from former cranberry bogs; by 2020, 56 acres of wetlands had been rebuilt and 200+ native plant species had

The removal of three old dams along Massachusetts’ Coonamessett River has turned former industrial farmland into a thriving coastal ecosystem, restoring fish passage and creating 56 acres of natural wetlands. According to feature reports from NOAA Fisheries, the town of Falmouth on Cape Cod worked with state and federal agencies to remove the historic barriers, … Read more

In 2013, California began removing millions of purple urchins from barren reefs; seven years later, more than 55 acres of kelp forest had returned

In 2013, California began removing millions of purple urchins from barren reefs; seven years later, more than 55 acres of kelp forest had returned

Kelp forests are among the most productive ecosystems in the ocean. They provide habitat for fish and invertebrates while supporting marine mammals and other wildlife. [Photo credit: Enric Sala, National Geographic] Beneath the waves off Southern California, a once-lush underwater forest had been reduced to something resembling a desert. Kelp that had provided shelter and … Read more

A UK farmer started with 20 sheep on 18 acres; free grazing beneath solar panels helped her expand to more than 200 sheep and 250 acres

A UK farmer started with 20 sheep on 18 acres; free grazing beneath solar panels helped her expand to more than 200 sheep and 250 acres

For first-generation sheep farmer Hannah Thorogood, gaining access to land beneath solar panels has opened a new chapter in her farming journey. She began with just 20 sheep on 18 acres in Lincolnshire, a scale she says was all she could afford at the time. Today, her flock has grown to more than 200 sheep, … Read more

An Ohio community is negotiating to buy 850 acres from a coal company; if successful, the public forest could link about 74,000 acres between Wayne National Forest and Strouds Run State Park

An Ohio community is negotiating to buy 850 acres from a coal company; if successful, the public forest could link about 74,000 acres between Wayne National Forest and Strouds Run State Park

Representative Image (AI-generated) An effort in southeast Ohio could turn roughly 850 acres of former coal-company land into a publicly accessible community forest, creating a major connection between existing protected and recreational lands. Local stakeholders are negotiating with the Sugar Creek Coal and Mining Company to acquire the property in Dover Township and establish the … Read more

In 1835, Free Frank McWorter, a formerly enslaved man, paid $100 for 80 Illinois acres; a year later he founded New Philadelphia, and 191 years later nearly 20 acres entered NPS ownership

In 1835, Free Frank McWorter, a formerly enslaved man, paid $100 for 80 Illinois acres; a year later he founded New Philadelphia, and 191 years later nearly 20 acres entered NPS ownership

Nearly two centuries after a formerly enslaved pioneer bought 80 acres of Illinois prairie and founded the first legally registered town in the United States platted by an African American, nearly 20 acres of the historic townsite have officially been transferred to the National Park Service.According to the National Park Service, the land was donated … Read more

A Tennessee family wants to turn about 850 acres near the Hiwassee River into an energy campus that could host a data center; residents are raising concerns ahead of the first votes

A Tennessee family wants to turn about 850 acres near the Hiwassee River into an energy campus that could host a data center; residents are raising concerns ahead of the first votes

A proposed industrial campus in Bradley County, Tennessee, is putting economic development, energy demand and environmental protection on a collision course. The Wright family, owners of Wright Brothers Construction, wants to rezone and annex about 850 acres west of Interstate 75 and north of Old Lower River Road, close to the Hiwassee River. Called Project … Read more

Priscilla Chan helped protect a Hawaiian beach preserve and wetland habitat; 17 acres are now protected for the public

Priscilla Chan helped protect a Hawaiian beach preserve and wetland habitat; 17 acres are now protected for the public

A 17-acre stretch of coastline on Kauaʻi’s North Shore is now protected for public access and long-term conservation, with philanthropic support from Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg helping fund its ongoing stewardship. Kāhili Beach Preserve, also known locally as Rock Quarry, includes a windswept beach, the mouth of Kīlauea Stream and important riparian areas. The … Read more