Category

Research

Long-form reads and investigations. Deeper essays on conservation, wilderness policy, and the people working in the wild.

16 stories in Research · Page 1 of 2

Worn leather-strap binoculars and a closed leather field journal on a sun-warmed granite outcrop with lichen
A large python with a patterned body glides through shallow swamp water beside a charred cypress trunk
Research

Invader Alert! Which US States Have the Most Invasive Species?

Invasive species cost the global economy 1.288 trillion dollars over 50 years, with Florida and California having the most.

 A tern with a black cap stands beside a nest scrape on a rocky coastal islet, a field notebook on the ground
Research

Endangered Hotspots: US States with the Most Endangered Species

Discover which 10 US states host the most endangered species and learn about critical habitats protecting over 1,200 imperiled species.

 Muddy floodwater spreads across a low field under heavy gray clouds, with grass and debris caught in the current
Research

Nature’s Dangers: How Deadly Are The World’s Most Common Natural Disasters?

Droughts have killed 11.7 million people historically; earthquakes and storms pose the deadliest threats today.

 Five bright white lights hovering in a blue sky above a desert dirt road, with a backpack beside the track
Research

Extraterrestrial Encounters: The Biggest UFO Hotspots in the USA

Explore the top US UFO hotspots using National UFO Reporting Center data; mysterious lights dominate sightings across California and Washington.

 Search and rescue hotspots cover
Research

The USA’s Search and Rescue Hotspots

Grand Canyon leads with 785 search and rescue incidents; Yosemite follows with 732; California parks dominate incident numbers from 2018 to 2020.

 A blank yellow diamond sign on a wooden fence at a cliff edge above a rocky shoreline and breaking waves
Research

Dangerous Coasts: The United States’ Most Dangerous Beaches

Venice Beach, Daytona Beach, and Waikiki top the list of America's most dangerous beaches, ranked by crime, pollution, and shark attack data.

 two parrots sitting on a branch
Research

Wildlife Trades: Live Animal Trades Analyzed

200 million live animals have been traded since 1975, driven by demand for clothing and food, with El Salvador, China, and the U.S. leading exports.

 Wooden cabin on a sagebrush flat with a dirt trail leading toward jagged snow-streaked peaks under cloudy skies
Research

National Park Premiums: The Cost of Living Near the Country’s Most Sought After Natural Landscapes

Property near Grand Teton costs 390% above state average; Voyageurs offers the best value at 74% below state average.

 A grizzly bear walking through a forest clearing with bear paw prints visible in the dirt in front of it
Research

Animal Attacks: The Most Deadly Animals In North America

North America's most dangerous animals kill 70+ bears, 57 sharks, 57 snakes yearly; know defense tactics for bears, sharks, snakes, alligators, cougars, wolves.

 A secluded sandy cove with calm turquoise water below white rocky cliffs, reached by a path through dry scrub
Research

Skinny Dipping Spots: The Best From Around The World

Spain, France, and the US lead the world in nudist beaches and naturist campsites; Spain has 422 designated nude swimming spots.

 A climber in a yellow down suit walks along a snowy ridge with fixed ropes and jagged high peaks stretching behind
Research

Climbing Costs: The price of completing the world’s most iconic mountain climbs

Mount Everest costs $84,123 to climb; discover the top 10 most expensive mountain expeditions worldwide and their price breakdowns.

 A calm forest lake with a water sampling case on the rocky shore and wind turbines above the pines
Research

Which are the Greenest Countries in the World? We’ve Looked at the Data to Find Out

Sweden (8.84/10), Norway (8.73/10), and Finland (8.65/10) rank as the world's greenest nations using World Bank data on emissions, forest, renewable energy, and endangered species.