States, feds weigh next steps amid ‘profound concerns’ over dam levels
WASHINGTON - Federal officials say they are in uncharted territory with their plan to sharply cut releases from Lake Powell, as they scramble to find ways to protect water supplies and power generation by propping up lake levels that have fallen to historic lows.
Colorado, San Pedro make annual list of ‘most endangered’ U.S. rivers
WASHINGTON – Two Arizona rivers landed on an annual list of the top 10 "most endangered" rivers in the U.S. this week, including the drought-ravaged Colorado in the No. 1 spot. The San Pedro River was in eighth place due to groundwater pumping that threatens the river.
State of the Air report ranks Phoenix among 25 worst U.S. cities for pollution
PHOENIX – The latest State of the Air report from the American Lung Association gives Maricopa County a failing grade for air pollution, and found that 84% of Arizonans live in areas with high-risk of unhealthy air.
Sustainable drip: How some Arizona businesses are making fashion less polluting
PHOENIX – Fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world, second only to oil production. The nonprofit FABRIC and the Arizona Sustainable Apparel Association are guiding small businesses to adopt sustainable, ethical values from the start.
Women’s group works to eliminate food insecurities in south Phoenix
PHOENIX – A group of women helped develop the Phoenix Food Action Plan, which works to eliminate food deserts in Phoenix and improve accessibility to healthful, affordable food.
Buffelgrass: The scourge of the Sonoran Desert is here to stay
PHOENIX — Buffelgrass is here to stay, but experts and volunteers alike said they are getting a better handle on managing it in the Sonoran Desert. This highly invasive weed fills in the natural gaps between native desert plants like saguaros, threatening their survival and increasing the risk of wildfire damage. As wildfire seasons continue to expand, getting buffelgrass under control becomes increasingly important.
Maya’s Farm first to be saved by Phoenix Farmland Preservation Program
PHOENIX – Three years ago, Maya Dailey risked losing the urban farmland she had spent seven years renting and cultivating. A conservation easement through Phoenix’s new Farmland Preservation Program, managed by the Central Arizona Land Trust, saved Maya’s Farm.
New study shows nearly half of bald eagles affected by chronic lead poisoning
PHOENIX – A new study shows that almost half of bald eagles in the U.S. suffer from chronic lead poisoning. The main culprit is lead bullets and shot used in hunting, which break apart in animal carcasses. The carcasses are scavenged by the birds, who then ingest the lead.
Time, tradition and trust: The Navajo Nation takes on climate change
PHOENIX – The United Nation’s recent assessment of climate science found that immediate action is needed to reduce greenhouse gasses. That’s something the Navajo Nation is working to address through science, trust and time.
Phoenix fellowship cultivating the next generation of urban farmers
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Urban Agriculture Fellowship Program pairs urban farmers who are struggling to find apprentices with the next generation of urban farmers. Project Roots in south Phoenix is training one of nine fellows.
Blankets of color harder to find during Arizona’s subpar wildflower season
APACHE JUNCTION – Arizona’s wildflower season has been affected by our dry winter. This year’s color show is a far cry from the “superbloom” of 2019.
Arizona to endure another hot, dry spring as droughts persist
Arizonans hoping for a break this spring from the drought gripping the state will be disappointed, with climatologists calling for minor to exceptional drought conditions, what one calls the state's "new normal."
