Editor’s Note: Fall 2024
National Wildlife magazine’s editor contemplates living with uncertainty in an election cycle
- By Jennifer Wehunt
- NWF News
- Sep 26, 2024
National Wildlife’s Fall 2024 issue includes a breathtakingly beautiful look at the ties between monarch butterflies’ arrival in Mexico and the country’s observance of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
AS I WRITE THIS, we don’t know yet who the next president of the United States will be. But by the end of this issue’s date range, we will. It’s a strange feeling, being in the dark about something that will impact our lives so greatly, so soon. I’d make a comparison here to the agency of wildlife, but we humans are solely responsible for our choices.
Two things are certain: life and death, and both are on display in this issue’s breathtakingly beautiful story on the ties between monarch butterflies’ arrival in Mexico and the country’s observance of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Climate change and human development have impacted both that journey and sandhill cranes’ fall and winter habitat in New Mexico, where conservationists play an increasingly crucial role in managing bird-friendly conditions.
For those who seek distraction in spine-tingling horror, check out our creepy-crawly tale of Burmese pythons and their shiver-inducing parasites. For those who find solace in science, prepare to have your mind blown by eDNA.
Or, for a shot of hope, take a behind-the-scenes look at the documentary “A Buffalo Story,” featuring NWF’s own Jason Baldes. Here at the National Wildlife Federation, one other thing is for sure: We’ll keep working for wildlife—and for you.
Jennifer Wehunt is the editorial director of National Wildlife magazine. Share your thoughts on the magazine by emailing nwfeditor@nwf.org.
