The cover of Jim Sterba's new book, Nature Wars. Crown Publishers, 368 pages, $26.

Whether it’s deer in the backyard or raccoons in the chimney, nature is making a comeback—in suburbia. In his new book, Nature Wars, reporter Jim Sterba explores how, ironically, many Americans are living closer to nature than ever before—and how ill-equipped we are to deal with it. 

Maricela Flores stands in the tallgrass prairie with two others. Photo: Adrian Olivera

Tall, swaying grasses and bright sunflowers define the prairie, home to hundreds of kinds of birds and insects. For Maricela Flores (above), the draw of the tallgrass prairie is not one species or another but the ecosystem as a whole. 

One of two captive bald eagles at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort, KY. Photo: Pen Waggener / CC BY 2.0

This year’s presidential campaigns are noticeably bereft of serious environmental discussion (see "The Big Crackup"). Instead of pushing green issues, the candidates have chosen to focus on other topics, such as the economy. If it were a typical campaign season, however, Americans might have expected the Democratic candidate to be championing eco-causes. However, both parties have had a hand in the environmental movement.

Pumpkins at Boyd's Orchard. Photo: Richard Bowen / CC BY 2.0

Autumn is my favorite time of year—the crisp air, changing leaves, and apple cider. But what I most associate with autumn isn’t the cool weather or the apples; for me, it’s the pumpkins.

A wildfire burns in Eastern Washington. Photo: Washington State DNR, Courtesy of Firewise / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

It’s official. We’re going to be seeing a lot more wildfires in the coming years, and they’re going to be a lot hotter. A study released last Wednesday concluded that the over-the-top fire season that we’ve seen this year may soon be the new normal. 

A macaw perches at the Brevard Zoo. Photo: mwalters2004 / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Shiver me timbers and blow me down! It be talk like a pirate day! In honor of this wonderfully wacky holiday, we’re featuring the rogues’ favorite companions. That’s right; we’re talking about parrots.

A cardinal perches at a bird feeder. Photo: Zane Hollingsworth / CC BY-NC 2.0

Birds are singing a happy tune after a doleful disaster. Last Friday, Scotts Miracle-Gro, the company best known for greening lawns across America, was fined $12.5 million for violating the EPA’s pesticide laws: The company illegally applied insecticides to its wild bird food products—insecticides, it turns out, that are toxic to birds. It also falsified pesticide registration documents and distributed pesticides with misleading and unapproved labels.

A gull nabs a french fry to eat. Photo: Mr. T / CC BY-NC-ND

Gulls have been known to eat everything from french fries to garbage. And now they’re chowing down on whales—while they’re still alive. This past week the Argentinean government unveiled its plan to shoot the birds as they feast on the whales that flock to South American waters. 

Cobras use their hood as a warning when they feel threatened. Photo: Vikas Sharma / CC BY-NC 2.0

Syntax makes all the difference. “Snake bites man” doesn’t usually make the news. “Man bites snake” is another matter entirely.

The bluefin tuna can still be found in sushi restaurants throughout the United States. Photo: Catherine Griffin

Bluefin tuna can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean and Southern Oceans—and in a sushi restaurant near you. One of the tastiest fish in the sea, bluefin tuna has been overexploited for years. This species, though, has a new champion.