Nature Beat #61
Updates, stories, resources and opportunities
Welcome to the latest edition of Global Nature Beat. If you are new here, read my About page to find out what this newsletter is, who I am and why I am doing this. Or just dive in. You’ll find news, reporting resources, job postings, links to some great stories and a look ahead to what’s coming up in the world of biodiversity and nature policy.
In this edition you will find: Sea turtles. High seas biodiversity. Trump. Indian forests. Koalas. Sharks. Butterfly migration. Ivory trade. Wildlife trafficking. Journalism tips. Jobs and opportunities. New research papers, and much more.
Taking The Pulse
Turtles: Sea turtle conservation measures appear to be working, according to a new global study. It says that over 40 percent of sea turtle populations are now ‘low-risk, low-threat’ — up from just 23 percent in 2011. While threats have declined for most populations of these animals, there are still ‘high-risk, high-threat’ populations, especially in the Pacific Ocean. And leatherback turtles are particularly at risk. See the press release from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Ocean biodiversity: Government representatives are meeting in New York to discuss preparations for implementation of the recently agreed international agreement on the use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdictions. Unofficially called the High Seas Treaty, the agreement was adopted in 2023 and will enter into force once 60 governments have adopted it. So far 21 have. The meeting in New York was the first in a series. It runs from 14-25 April — see the Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s daily coverage.
Trump 2.0: The Trump administration’s assault on nature continues. On 17 April, President Trump opened a huge marine protected area in the Pacific to commercial fishing. The administration also plans to redefine the meaning of ‘harm’ in the context of the Endangered Species Act so that habitat destruction no longer counts. “How do we facilitate healing when we can’t even agree on the definition of harm?” asks Atmos editor-in-chief Willow Defebaugh.
In The Spotlight
Benji Jones reported on controversial culling of endangered koalas — shot at from helicopters in an Australian national park.
Shalinee Kumari wrote about ecological and social problems linked to the way that India defines, identifies and registers forests.
Photojournalist Garry Lotulung reported from one of Southeast Asia’s largest shark markets, on Indonesia’s Lombok Island.
Lucas Foglia documented the migration of painted lady butterflies from Africa to Europe and back — see his stunning images, with words by Natalie Escobar.
Britain’s hedges — hotspots for biodiversity — are bouncing back thanks to people-powered restoration, reports Phoebe Weston.
Tips And Resources
Four science, health, environment and tech journalists share tips on the art of freelancing.
On 24 April, ocean experts from six countries are holding an online press briefing on marine protected areas and the soon-to-launch Revive Our Ocean initiative — email Florence Wood (fwood@burness.com) to attend.
On 24 April, Chatham House is hosting an online event on transnational forest governance and climate justice in the Amazon and Congo Basin — register here.
On 29 April, Journalismfund Europe has a webinar on how environment and climate journalists can influence policy, contribute to legal cases and hold powerful actors to account — without compromising their journalistic independence.
On 1 May, Mongabay has a webinar on how journalists can cover coral reefs — register here.
Rowan Philp explains how the Violation Tracker tool allows journalists to track corporate misconduct.
See past editions for more tips and resources.
What Caught My Eye
The word “de-extinction” is not just itself untrue, but it seeks to diminish the inconvenient truth of the biodiversity crisis: we know what causes extinction, and it’s us — says Rich Grenyer.
Brazilian scientists call for a greater focus on biodiversity at this year’s UN climate change conference (COP30).
China unveiled plans for a nationwide system of automated environmental and biodiversity monitoring with a ‘smart brain’.
Survival International published a report warning that a development project on India’s Great Nicobar Island (see last edition) will wipe out the Shompen people living in the rainforest there.
Lindsey Smith of the Environmental Investigation Agency explains how two regional groups of African nations have widely divergent views on trade in elephant ivory.
Environment ministers from the 11-nation BRICS bloc issued a joint statement and a Memorandum of Understanding on environmental cooperation — see the BRICS news story.
Kenya arrested suspected ant traffickers.
Illegal trafficking of siamang gibbons is a concerning and underreported crisis, writes Sinan Serhadli.
Varsha Singh investigated bird markets in three India cities and found them to be hubs for illegal wildlife trade.
John Platt interviewed Silas Fischer about his new study showing that researchers prefer to study colourful birds leaving drab ones less understood and potentially at risk.
From The Journals
Endangered nocturnal primates called aye-ayes provide a pest control service to Madagascan clove farmers — read the full paper.
Scientists call for a ban on imports of water frogs after showing how invasive marsh frogs established populations in 19 European countries — read the full paper.
Large urban trees are crucial habitats for insect-eating bats in Australia — read the full paper.
East Africa needs a regional policy to protect megaherbivores from mega-infrastructure — read the full paper.
Toxic metals contaminate an estimated 14-17 percent of global cropland — read the press release, the full paper or a commentary by Jagannath Biswakarma.
Designing and using robots for environmental sustainability — read the full paper.
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Jobs And Opportunities
Mongabay India and ALT EFF seek environmental video story pitches from journalists and filmmakers. Three applicants will receive up to US$1,000 and mentorship — deadline 21 April.
Mongabay India and ALT EFF are offering a free masterclass for video storytellers to produce evidence-based news documentaries — deadline 28 April.
The 12th annual Yale Environment 360 Film Contest is accepting entries — deadline 18 May.
The Climate Arena journalism conference is calling for session proposals — deadline 5 May.
Early-career science journalists from Brazil and 11 European countries can apply for EurekAlert! Travel Awards — deadline 5 May.
Bonus content: There are 27 jobs, grants, fellowships and other opportunities listed here for Global Nature Beat’s paying supporters. Paid subscriptions are less than £1 per week.
On The Horizon
23-26 April 2025: The annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Journalists takes place at Arizona State University.
24–25 April: GLF Forests 2025: Defining the Next Decade of Action takes place online and in-person in Bonn, Germany.
28 April – 9 May: The 2025 Meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions take place in Geneva, Switzerland.
5–7 May: The IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL) will host the 4th IUCN WCEL World Environmental Law Congress in Rabat, Morocco.
Bonus content: The full calendar for Global Nature Beat’s supporters includes nature-related intergovernmental negotiations, scientific conferences, report launches, and other events up until 2026.
Whose Eye Was It?
The eye belongs to a regent bowerbird. Photo credit: Nik Borrow / Flickr — Creative Commons
Thanks for reading. For past editions, see the Archive. If you found it interesting or useful, please share and subscribe. If you want to get in contact, you can reach me at: thenaturebeat@substack.com.