biodiversity

The Bezos Earth Fund has announced more than $25 million in grants for ocean conservation projects across the Pacific Islands. The funding is aimed at protecting marine ecosystems in a region home to some of the world's most biodiverse waters and communities heavily dependent on ocean resources. The announcement adds to growing philanthropic investment in Pacific marine protection.

UK-based Basecamp Research has raised $140 million to map global biodiversity for drug discovery. The company trains AI on genetic data from unexplored organisms to help design new therapies. Commenters note that scaling the work will depend on proving safety in human trials and ensuring fair benefit-sharing with the countries and communities where genetic material originates.

Bristol has announced plans to become the UK's first accredited Wetland City, with more than 200 wetland projects planned across the city. The initiative would see new wetlands created to boost biodiversity, manage flooding and improve water quality, positioning Bristol alongside an international network of cities recognised for wetland conservation.

Scientists have announced the discovery of a striking new fish species in the Amazon, adding to the basin's remarkable biodiversity. The find, reported by the science publication Nautilus, underscores how much of the rainforest's aquatic life remains undocumented even as the region faces mounting pressure from deforestation and development.

Researchers have identified two previously unknown species of sea spiders along the Canadian coastline. The discovery highlights how much marine life remains undocumented even in well-studied waters, and scientists are examining the specimens to understand their relationships to known species. The find is drawing attention as a reminder of the ocean's hidden biodiversity.

Scientists have identified two previously unknown species of sea spiders along Canada's coastline, according to NPR. The discovery adds to knowledge of marine biodiversity in the region, and researchers say the finding highlights how much of the ocean's life remains undocumented.

Plans are under way to restore former farmland to boost wildlife, according to a news report. The story highlights growing efforts to return intensively farmed land to nature, creating habitats for birds, insects and other species. Little detail has emerged so far about the location, scale or funding of the scheme.

Le Monde reports on an expedition into the Borneo jungle searching for undiscovered insect species. A researcher involved says 'I think I've found something incredible', suggesting potentially significant entomological discoveries in one of the world's most biodiverse rainforests. The story highlights ongoing efforts to document little-known tropical insect life before habitat loss erases it.

Bristol Water has begun trialling floating wetlands at its reservoirs as a natural way to improve water quality. The man-made wetlands are designed to support biodiversity while filtering nutrients and pollutants from the water. The trial is being followed by environmental and water-sector observers interested in nature-based solutions to pollution and ecosystem restoration.

The Wildlife Clubs of Kenya's long-running work using environmental education to engage young people in conservation is being showcased as a model for biodiversity action. The group, one of Africa's largest grassroots conservation movements, has connected school clubs with wildlife protection for decades, and conservation bodies are pointing to its experience as evidence that education can drive real environmental outcomes.

Warsaw's Młociny district has opened a public inventory of urban biodiversity, documenting plant and animal life in the area. The initiative makes records of local species accessible to residents, reflecting a broader push by European cities to map and protect green spaces within urban environments.

Tom Calver, a Somerset farmer, has reduced his cows' milk yields by feeding them a varied diet of plants, including wildflowers, believing it produces better cheddar and richer farmland. Profiled by the Guardian's Helena Horton, he says you can 'taste the land' in the cheese, framing the shift as a win for both flavour and biodiversity.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Connecticut highlights a growing demand for volunteer participation in plant research, calling on hobbyists and gardeners to contribute observations as citizen scientists. The findings point to how public involvement can expand botanical data collection and support research on plant biodiversity and ecosystems.

The UN High Seas Treaty, formally the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, has reached 100 parties, a milestone for ocean protection. The treaty allows for the creation of marine protected areas in international waters, which cover nearly half the planet and have long lacked unified conservation rules. Environmental groups have welcomed the figure, though ratification momentum still needs to translate into implementation at sea.

A new children's book celebrating the salamanders of the Great Smoky Mountains has been released, using rhyme and colorful illustrations to introduce young readers to the region's amphibian life. The Smokies are known as the salamander capital of the world, and the book aims to spark children's interest in the park's rich natural biodiversity.