Articles written by: Brad Nehring

The Best Countries for Ecotourism

The Best Countries for Ecotourism

In the 1990′s, ecotourism — the environmentally responsible management of tourist areas located in pristine areas — emerged as a hot new trend. Today, it’s a full-fledged industry — and some countries in particular have excelled

The Bios Urn and Spirit Tree: Dead People Can Be Green Too

The Bios Urn and Spirit Tree: Dead People Can Be Green Too

Let’s face it: preparing for one’s death can be a real hassle. Between planning the estate, delegating power of attorney, and the old ‘whole vs. term’ life insurance debate, it’s nearly impossible to find time for the things that really matter. Like making sure your cremated remains will be able [...]

Scientists Explore Redwood Cloning Techniques

Scientists Explore Redwood Cloning Techniques

“The giant redwoods were no match for man,” noted NBC Nightly News reporter Kristen Dahlgren earlier this month. Though some living specimens date back more than 2,000 years, fewer than 5 percent of the original redwoods are still standing after centuries of unsustainable logging practices. Today, some dedicated environmental scientists believe that cloning redwoods and [...]

Shy Tigers and Kung Fu Elephants: An Inside Look at Conservation Biology in Kaziranga National Park

Shy Tigers and Kung Fu Elephants: An Inside Look at Conservation Biology in Kaziranga National Park

Recently, OurAmazingPlanet published a fascinating interview with Firod Ahmez, a full-time tiger-tracker and conservation biologist for Aaranyak, a non-profit organization based in Assam, India. One of his typical work days involves a trip to Kaziranga National Park. This protected area is home to the world’s highest concentration of wild tigers, and other park [...]

Fauja Singh, the World’s Oldest Marathon Runner, Retires at 101

Fauja Singh, the World’s Oldest Marathon Runner, Retires at 101

Within the competitive running community, Fauja Singh is a global celebrity. For the last 13 years, he has participated in nine marathons, as well as several shorter races and numerous charity events. As a practicing Sikh, he has used running to advocate for world peace and promote wholesome dietary habits. [...]

7 Brutal Animal Attacks People Somehow Survived

7 Brutal Animal Attacks People Somehow Survived

Thanks to National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, most people understand how brutal the animal kingdom can be. Then there are these folks, who know firsthand the ferocious capabilities of an aggressive creature in the wild (or, in one case, a friend’s backyard). Please note: some readers might find these true stories disturbing. Todd [...]

Meet the Lykovs: A Russian Family Who Lived in Siberian Isolation for More Than 40 Years

Meet the Lykovs: A Russian Family Who Lived in Siberian Isolation for More Than 40 Years

Stretching for more than five million square miles between the Ural Mountains and Pacific Ocean, Siberia is, for all intents and purposes, a wasteland–rich in minerals and natural resources, but tough on human settlements. The Soviets knew this when they installed harsh POW camps in the heart of the Siberian [...]

Annual CITES Conference to Address Wildlife Protection Proposals

Annual CITES Conference to Address Wildlife Protection Proposals

Next month, the Geneva-based Convention on Illegal Trading in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will convene in Bangkok for the organization’s annual international powwow. The CITES Conference of the Parties will be held March 3-14; during the event, member states will vote to

How to Land a Job with the National Park Service

How to Land a Job with the National Park Service

Outside Magazine recently listed a career in the National Park Service as one of the country’s ‘Best Outdoor Jobs’, and for good reason. Most NPS employees primarily work outdoors in some of the country’s most beautiful places, and their days are typically spent

Want to Get Paid to Fight Wildland Fires?

Want to Get Paid to Fight Wildland Fires?

Every summer, thousands of people leave the city behind to take part in a time-honored American tradition: wildland firefighting. This seasonal profession is ideal for men and women who enjoy spending (a lot of) time outdoors,