Reports: Fish Habitat Seriously Degraded

April 27, 2011–A National Fish Habitat Board report, which includes maps and mitigation efforts, identifies the primary human sources of US fresh- and saltwater habitat degradation as urban development, livestock grazing, agriculture, point source pollution, and areas with high numbers of active mines and dams.

Local Hunting, Fishing, and Recreation Projects Get Funded

March 2, 2011–States and territories have just been allocated about three-quarters of a billion dollars for their use in building facilities, providing services, and conducting planning and research related to fishing, hunting, wildlife conservation, and recreational opportunities. This is a gold mine for local environmental stories.

Oyster Populations Have Plummeted in US and Globally

February 16, 2011–Down about 85% from their levels around 130 years ago, according to researchers from the US, China, Italy, Uruguay, and Australia, the decimation of native oysters — a contributor to healthy ecosystems and an indicator of ecosystem health — has largely been caused by overharvesting, disease, and introduction of exotic species.

The Death & Life of Monterey Bay: A Story of Revival

January 15, 2011–

Small, Sometimes Invisible Invaders Draw Increasing Attention

December 22, 2010–Two recent studies — one examining problems in urban and natural forests, and the other on microbial pests in various settings — reveal the latest knowledge on insect and microscopic invasive species.

The New Invader, Lionfish, Raises Major Concerns for Ocean Reef Systems

October 15, 2010–Veteran journalist and SEJ co-founder Rae Tyson writes in the latest SEJournal about the prolific and voracious Indo-Pacific lionfish, which has spread as far north as Rhode Island and as far south as the Caribbean Sea. A Washington, DC chef offers one tasty solution to the problem.

Report: Nitrogen and Phosphorous Pollution Remains Serious Threat

September 29, 2010–The USGS study used data from thousands of locations to analyze trends from 1992 to 2004. You can probably find many local and regional stories as these pollutants contribute to various environmental and human health problems.

Gulf Spill Mapping, Infographic Roundup

June 9, 2010–As the Gulf oil spill continues to spread and become a growing concern to more parts of the US, these key tools will help you tell and illustrate the story.

BP Hires Cheney Spokeswoman, Defender of Secrecy, as PR Boss

June 2, 2010–Anne Womack Kolton, who as former VP Dick Cheney's press aide defended the secrecy of his energy task force, has been brought in to fix BP's PR problems in the Gulf oil spill.

Media Access to Oil-Impacted Areas Disputed

June 2, 2010–The WatchDog's special Gulf oil spill issue includes stories on media access problems, withholding of information by US EPA and misleading statements by BP, mystery dispersant ingredients, BP's new ex-Cheney spokesperson, prohibiting cleanup workers talking to media, and detaining rig survivors till they sign two statements.