National Wildlife Magazine
The front cover of National Wildlife's Spring issue containing text and an image of a queen conch.

National Wildlife Magazine

Summer 2025 Issue

  • NWF Staff
  • National Wildlife
  • Jun 25, 2025

In this issue: unflagging efforts to move wildlife conservation forward, including in Vermont and North Carolina, where rebuilt infrastructure aims to withstand floods and connect habitat; California, where brown pelican relief is taking off; Puerto Rico, where the queen conch initiative has gone mobile; and here at NWF, where we’re working to keep public lands public and to shelter your garden from wildfire. Photo by Shane Gross.

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Featured Stories

A magazine article spread containing text and images of a white-tailed deer, a western diamondback rattlesnake and a landscape.

The Spectacular Madrean Sky Islands

On a nine-month trek covering nearly 1,000 miles, an Arizona photographer witnesses the wild biodiversity of the Madrean Sky Islands
An image of West Indian manatees.

When Morgan Heim Came Face-to-Face With Manatees

Photographer Morgan Heim happened onto a pair of manatees while snorkeling in suburban Florida. See the resulting photo.
A magazine article spread containing text and an illustration of elephants with sound waves.

Humans Are Not the Only Animals That Use Names

Elephants, bottlenose dolphins, marmosets and green-rumped parrotlets join humans in calling each other by name, researchers say
A collage of four contributors highlighted in the Summer 2025 issue of National Wildlife magazine.

Meet the Pack: Summer 2025 Contributors

Get to know some of the talented contributors behind the Summer 2025 issue of National Wildlife magazine
A magazine article spread containing text and an image of State Street flooded in Montpelier, Vermont.

The Myth of Climate Havens

Select cities dubbed ‘climate havens’—from Burlington, Vermont, to Asheville, North Carolina—seemed safe from the wrath of climate change. Then came the floods.
An image of a waterfall.

NWF News: Help for Horseshoe Crabs & Mayors Love Monarchs

NWF affiliates come together for horseshoe crabs; Mayors’ Monarch Pledge turns 10; a new horizon in Oklahoma
A magazine article spread containing text and an image of a queen conch.

Long Live the Queen Conch

Queen conch is charismatic, delicious and in trouble. A Florida scientist has a plan to grow the wild Caribbean population while supporting the fishery, but some say it’s not enough.
An image of Sue Schubel painting a decoy.

The Art of Social Attraction

From coastal Maine to the South Pacific, the hand-painted bird decoys used in ‘social attraction’ conservation projects draw flocks
A magazine article spread containing text and an image of emaciated brown pelicans.

The Brown Pelican Brief

Recent brown pelican die-offs in California reveal regional risks for a delisted species. See photos.
An image of people hiking Angel's Landing.

NWF View: Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands

Despite their economic, ecological and recreational importance, our public lands face persistent threats, says NWF President & CEO Collin O’Mara
An image of artwork by Courtney Mattison titled Aqueduct.

Courtney Mattison Sees Soft Power in Small Marine Life

A San Francisco sculptor, Mattison takes inspiration from coral and other marine life responding to sea-level rise
An image of Charmayne Planter.

Charmayne Planter: Sowing Seeds of Empowerment

Human geographer Charmayne Planter helps lay the groundwork for the next generation of conservationists
An image of northern cardinals feeding by a pond.

New in Wildlife Science: Cardinal Gut Health, Killer Squirrels

The fittest cardinals have the most gut microbial diversity; why squirrels are killing voles; global insect activity increases nearly a third at night
A magazine article spread containing text and images of animals that make up a map of the United States.

40-Plus States Submit Wildlife Action Plans This Fall. Here's What That Means.

  • By Delaney McPherson
  • Conservation
  • September 24, 2025

State wildlife action plans provide blueprints for conserving thousands of wildlife species. As a ma...

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An image of a horseback rider in a sagebrush landscape.

Saving the Sagebrush Biome

  • By Brianna Randall
  • Conservation
  • September 24, 2025

Scientists say it's time to flip the script to conserve what's left of the shrinking sagebrush biome

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An image of Steven Saiz throwing flames from his driptorch during a cultural burn.

Good Fire: The Case for Cultural and Prescribed Burns

  • By Kate Gonzales
  • Conservation
  • September 24, 2025

With the support of science and state law, good fire can help mitigate megafires—an increasing threa...

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An image of a monarch butterfly perching on a blooming goldenrod.

New in Wildlife Science: Monarch Migration, Rafting Iguanas, Echolocation

  • By Laura Tangley
  • Wildlife Science
  • September 24, 2025

What it might mean that monarchs are delaying fall migration, how iguanas made it from the Americas ...

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An image of a banana slug.

Crossword: Back to School

  • By Graham Meyer
  • Crossword
  • September 24, 2025

Do these unlikely mascots boost your campus pride? Test your skill with our fall crossword.

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An illustration of elephants and sound waves.

Humans Are Not the Only Animals That Use Names

  • By Barry Yeoman
  • Wildlife Science
  • June 25, 2025

Elephants, bottlenose dolphins, marmosets and green-rumped parrotlets join humans in calling each ot...

Read More
An image of a great golden digger wasp resting on a mountain mint flower.

Pests No More: Rehabilitating Garden Critters’ Reputations

  • By Kathy Jesse
  • Habitat Gardening
  • September 24, 2025

Pests, schmests. From snakes to bats to wasps, some of our most feared backyard wildlife help suppor...

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An illustration of a fire proof garden.

How to Make Your Garden Fire Smart & Wildlife Friendly

  • By Doreen Cubie
  • Habitat Gardening
  • June 25, 2025

Firescaping and wildlife gardening easily go hand in hand when you follow these straightforward tips...

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An image of fire escapes with potted plants on the side of an old red brick apartment building.

In Container Gardening, Small Yields Big Wins

  • By Callie Rhoades
  • Habitat Gardening
  • March 26, 2025

No yard? No problem. When it comes to container gardening, well-chosen native plants provide signifi...

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An image of baby plainfin midshipman fish still attached to their yolk sacs.

Plainfin Midshipman: A Face Only a Father Could Love

  • Text and photos by Shane Gross
  • Wildlife Photos
  • September 24, 2025

See photos of the plainfin midshipman—a fish with lots to teach us about paternity and contaminants ...

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An image of an elk calf staring down a camera trap as the rest of the herd forages behind it.

Where Wildlife Collisions Happen

  • By Delaney McPherson // Photo by Rob G. Green
  • Wildlife Photos
  • September 24, 2025

Wildlife and conservation photographer Rob Green set up a camera trap along a collision-prone highwa...

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An image of a life-size bison skeleton sculpture.

Cannupa Hanska Luger’s Ode to What Remains

  • By Jennifer Wehunt // Art by Cannupa Hanska Luger
  • Conservation
  • September 24, 2025

Art is just the byproduct. Luger highlights how Indigenous ways of life could save the world.

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