Category: Conservation and Climate
Reaching the summit after a long hike can feel like entering another world: amazing views, occasionally wild weather—and unique plants. Despite the harsh conditions associated with being above tree line in the so-called alpine zone of northern New England, many plants usually found only in the Arctic regions extend into these habitats. These include many […]
In a few short weeks the winter snow will be gone from the forest floor. After a few sunny days, the soil will warm beneath the leaf litter, especially on south facing slopes of deciduous forests. Quickly, before the trees leaf out, spring ephemeral wildflowers will push through to the sun and bloom. Once the […]
To reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, many individuals and organizations, including AMC, have advocated for alternative methods of transportation—including bicycling. Many cities across the country have implemented bike sharing programs, which allow residents to borrow bikes from public stations near them for short periods of time. But as cities implement these […]
The following was published in the 2016 Winter/Spring edition of Appalachia. Twelve years ago, in December 2003, the Appalachian Mountain Club bought Little Lyford Pond Camps (as it was called then) and the surrounding 37,000 acres of forestland. The property, known as the Katahdin Iron Works or KIW property, marked the club’s first steps on […]
Permanent ponds are scattered across the highest elevation ridges and ravines in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. All of these ponds are accessible by hiking trails, and many feature AMC overnight facilities nearby. The best known of these high-mountain ponds are Lakes of the Clouds and Hermit Lake on Mount Washington, Star Lake on the northern […]
Late in the summer of 1996, by the banks of the Colorado River where it crosses through Austin, Texas, a group of researchers demonstrated something remarkable. While examining how water moves underground through a karst region—an area built on porous, soluble rocks, such as limestone—they poured a fluorescein dye into a sinkhole. Their plan was […]
While it’s not uncommon for residents throughout the Northeast to report bear sightings in their neighborhood, spotting a bear during the winter season might raise a few questions. Black bears typically hibernate from mid-December to the end of March or beginning of April, sustained on the stored-up energy in their bodies until the warm spring […]
Solar panels are a win-win: they produce electricity without emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change with the added benefit of likely lowering your electric bill. According to the U.S. Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, solar installations have increased 35-fold since 2008, building enough capacity to power the equivalent of 12 million […]
What is the value of a striking vista, and what would we do to preserve it from development? That is the question being asked by Protect the View, an online, AMC-led campaign seeking to build awareness and support for the protection of trail views and experiences within greater Philadelphia’s Circuit Trails network. “From the […]
As electric vehicles are increasingly being seen as a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate change, one category of vehicle has seemed to lag behind: trucks. But now, many electric truck models—including Ford, General Motors, and Tesla—are set to become available in the next few years. And soon, some New Jersey businesses […]
Climate change does not affect all regions the same. And its impacts vary from season to season. These regional and seasonal discrepancies are attributed to the fact that weather patterns across the globe already differ in “normal” climate conditions. As these patterns shift, the climate in different regions shifts accordingly—and sometimes unexpectedly. “It’s not like […]
Michelle Bradley says she used to be one of those people who would toss her food in the trash and forget about it. After all, once the garbage truck hauls away the trash, she shouldn’t have to worry about what happens next, right? Growing up in New York City, Bradley associated food waste with trash […]
For New England and Mid-Atlantic states experiencing stronger and more frequent storms and hurricanes, warmer and less snowy winters, dangerously high sea levels and storm surges, and the loss of critical ecosystems, the stakes for inaction on climate change could not be higher. Most states across the region have enacted bold plans to reduce […]
A more sustainable future on the roadways is closer than ever. Many states are setting ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and, in a major announcement at the end of January, General Motors (GM) committed to phasing out gasoline-powered cars by 2035. That makes GM the first major American automaker to make a commit […]
If there’s one thing that almost everyone can agree on, it’s that sitting in rush hour traffic is not fun. Yet, three-quarters of Americans drive themselves to and from work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Beyond being a daily headache, commuting actually has a major impact on the Earth’s atmosphere and environment. Every time […]
The Mid-Atlantic Highlands comprise a ribbon of green space stretching through northwestern Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—the geographical heart of AMC’s region. Not surprisingly, protecting such a large and unspoiled swath of land in the nation’s most populous and industrial corridor takes a lot of day-to-day work, and an act of Congress every […]
What leads a person to become skeptical of human-caused climate change? Often times, it’s inaccurate information being passed from person to person, sometimes over social media, and frequently originating with industries that have a financial stake in lobbying against climate actions, such as renewable energy. But despite scientific consensus that Earth’s climate is changing and […]
Yesterday the DC Circuit Court of Appeals decided to reject the Trump Administration’s inadequate greenhouse gas power plant rule that sought to repeal the Clean Power Plan. In doing so the court rejected the Trump-era EPA’s false claim that the Clean Power Plan did not comply with the Clean Air Act. AMC, represented by the Clean Air […]
For those who have hiked along the Appalachian Trail—whether on just a section or the entirety of it between Georgia and Maine—the magic of this trail extends far beyond the place where you put your feet. “The trail itself is three feet wide, but the [AT] corridor is what provides the experience for the thru-hiking […]
Each fall, legions of winter tick larvae lie in wait on leaves and branches. At that stage, the bloodsucking arachnids are the size of a pencil tip. Once grown, they’re ¼ inch long and a combination of brown and creamy beige; the pattern varies by sex. Those familiar with dog ticks will see the resemblance. […]