For the past year, scientists have been watching a brilliant green comet approaching Earth. While it’s already visible to the naked eye, the comet will reach its nearest (and brightest) point on February 2, making this the best weekend to see it. The comet, which is called “C/2022 E3 (Z.T.F.),” last passed earth about 50,000 [...]

Walk down the snowy streets of Longyearbyen, Svalbard in Norway, close to the Arctic Circle, and you may not be shocked to find sled dogs around every corner. Finding them under your chair while you sip your espresso, however, might still come as a bit of a surprise.  The patrons of Café Huskies don’t seem [...]

In Ohio’s Wayne National Forest, December 27 is known as “sinking day.” The makeshift holiday comes just two days after Christmas when forlorn holiday trees begin showing up on curbs across the U.S. Several years ago, the U.S. Forest Service decided to take advantage of all the cast-off greenery and use it to fulfill a [...]

On January 17, 2023, the Biden Administration announced a sweeping, multibillion-dollar wildfire plan that could bring much-needed relief to 11 wildfire-prone U.S. states. Over the past 10 years, record-breaking wildfires have swept across the American West, destroying homes and beloved recreation areas alike. The toxic air quality has been especially difficult for millions of locals, [...]

Derek Burgoyne was in New Brunswick, Canada, using a drone for his job as a forestry surveyor, when he spotted something surprising in the viewfinder: a trio of moose. He zoomed in to get a better look at the bull moose, which had moved a little way off from the others.  Then, just as the [...]

In the world of climbing, first is often worst. The first person to go up has very little info about what lies ahead/above, and a lot of stress can rest on their strong shoulders. In the premiere episode of reality competition show The Climb on HBO, the first of six challenges facing amateur climbers wasn’t [...]

On January 19, 2023, two skiers got caught in an avalanche just outside Heavenly Mountain Resort’s ski area boundaries. Both survived.  According to the Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC), the avalanche forecast that day was “considerable,” a designation that indicates significant avalanche danger in backcountry terrain. That’s mostly owing to the recent storm cycle, which deposited [...]

On December 30, 2022, Vincent Dashukewich was playing with his dog in his backyard when his 3-year-old pitbull suddenly became fixated on something beneath the back deck. Dashukewich peered under the porch—and discovered an enormous male black bear curled beneath, hibernating.  In a video that’s since gone viral, the bear (now named Marty) turns and [...]

According to recent research, walking through nature could boost the body’s numbers of cancer-fighting NK (“natural killer”) cells. But, contrary to what many outdoor recreationists might tell you, these health benefits kick in not when you push yourself, but when you slow down. Way down.  This is the essence of Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” a [...]

Bear Grylls became the youngest-ever Chief Scout when he was first appointed to the position at age 34. The adventurer, survivalist, and global ambassador has continued in the role since 2009 and has successfully expanded the reach of the program. Grylls has also been able to infuse some of his personal brand of beliefs into [...]