EarthTalk® — From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Why are Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, among others, so bullish on developing nuclear fusion as a power source?  — Mark P. Newton, MA While nuclear fission is commonly used in nuclear power plants across the globe, nuclear fusion is a lesser-known process. Whereas fission is the process of releasing energy by splitting atoms apart, fusion is the opposite. During nuclear fusion light nuclei collide with each other to form heavier nuclei, a process that releases large amounts of energy. To produce fusion, it re ..read more

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Is compostable plastic too good to be true?  — Peter C., Pittsburgh, PA In recent years there has been a global movement to pressure corporations into becoming more eco-friendly. One of the most frequent measures taken by these companies is limiting the use of single-use plastics and replacing them with so-called compostable plastics. Compostable plastics are frequently confused with biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics are defined by their ability to degrade completely into biomass within a given time ..read more

Devils Hole Pupfish Spring Population at 25-year High Agency biologists are excited to report increased numbers of one of the world’s rarest fishes. Scientists counted 191 Devils Hole pupfish, which is the most fish observed during annual spring season counts in 25 years. This is good news for the critically endangered fish living in Death Valley National Park. Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) live in the smallest habitat of any vertebrate species on the planet. Devils Hole is a deep, water-filled cavern located near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nye County, Nevada ..read more

CDFW Warns Dog Owners to Be Mindful of Salmon Poisoning Disease Dog owners in California are reminded to take precautions to protect their pets from Salmon Poisoning Disease Salmon Poisoning Disease is a potentially fatal condition seen only in dogs after they eat certain types of raw or cold smoked fish like trout and salmon that are infected with a bacteria-like organism, Neorickettsia helminthoeca, which is transmitted by the parasitic flatworm (or “fluke”) Nanophyetes salmincola. Nanophyetes salmincola occurs naturally in waters of northern California and most of the north s ..read more

Isla San Francisco: A Small Island, Full of BIG Adventure Isla San Francisco, located off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, is a part of the Espiritu Santo Archipelago and renowned for its untouched wilderness. As a protected area, the island remains largely undeveloped, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a pure natural environment. The island’s raw beauty and pristine beaches make it a haven for those seeking solitude and a true escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life; which is exactly what my husband, Chris, and I needed after spending th ..read more

Jerry Ashburn’s enduring legacy with EarthTrek Expeditions If you’ve ever passed through Coloma – especially in a boat – you may have noticed the canvas tents on platforms along the river just below the Highway 49 bridge. But when adventure travel pioneer Jerry Ashburn first arrived over forty years ago, things were different. Commercial rafting and lodging on the South Fork of the American River were still very much taking shape. Ashburn had been bringing groups from Southern California to the Sierra for a while. He grew up in Orange County, California, and by 1966 worked at Disneyland. But h ..read more

Trail Racing with Enviro-Sports On Saturday April 6th, 2024 over 300 runners joined together for the 39th Annual Golden Gate Headlands Trail Run. With a course featuring three distance levels, 10k, half marathon and a full marathon, breathtaking views of the Golden Gate and Pacific Ocean, the course truly had something for everyone. What started at 7:30am on a crisp morning near Rodeo Beach, with the sun barely peeking over the hills and warming the dewy grass and sand below, became a celebration for athletes who joined for a pre-race check in and eagerly awaited their start times. Nearing 9am ..read more

Skincare made for the outdoors Sierra Stick was crafted for the outdoor enthusiasts in mind. To beat dry skin, harsh weather and exposure to the elements. Founded in San Diego by Sacha Papouban, he wanted something that would accompany him on all his adventures, and that comes in an eco-friendly paper packaging to match. Sierra Reserve steps up to the challenges outdoor enthusiasts face with its carefully selected blend of natural ingredients. Infused with nourishing hemp oil and organic beeswax, it provides a protective barrier against the harshest conditions nature can throw at you. Whether ..read more

All State Parks in Big Sur Area Closed Due to Highway 1 Road Slip Out Due to the road slip out on Highway 1 at Rocky Creek in Monterey County, all State Parks in the Big Sur Area are now closed to day use and camping. That includes Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Limekiln State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Point Sur State Historic Park. State Parks will continue to work closely with Caltrans and CHP to assess impacts to the highway and will update closures as road conditions allow. All camping reservations will be cancelled, and refunds will be processed. An ..read more

Giveaway Alert Get ready for an adventure-filled spring with our fantastic outdoor gear giveaway! We’ve teamed up with some amazing brands to bring you the chance to win an epic set of outdoor essentials. Giveaway Alert CLICK HERE TO ENTER Here’s what’s up for grabs: Lectric eBikes XP 3.0: Cruise through trails effortlessly with this high-performance eBike. Oru Kayak “Lake”: Explore serene waters with this compact and portable kayak. Icy Breeze Platinum: Stay cool wherever you go with this innovative portable air conditioner and cooler. BioLite FirePit+: Enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a cam ..read more