https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/smithsonian-environmental-research-center/RSS feed for Smithsonian Environmental Research CenterenThu, 30 Jul 2026 19:50:14 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-shark-look-alikes-have-long-confounded-fishers-and-scientists-on-the-east-coast-tracking-where-they-migrate-could-help-clear-the-confusion-180989210/Researchers are tagging and tracking spinner sharks to map out their geographic distribution, because they've seen that the range of the very similar blacktip shark has shiftedThu, 30 Jul 2026 19:50:14 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-shark-look-alikes-have-long-confounded-fishers-and-scientists-on-the-east-coast-tracking-where-they-migrate-could-help-clear-the-confusion-180989210/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-devoted-dads-across-the-animal-kingdom-will-warm-your-heart-this-fathers-day-180988987/From foxes that bring home dinner to fish that keep watch over their young, male animals across several species take an active role in building nests and caring for their babiesThu, 18 Jun 2026 20:53:12 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-devoted-dads-across-the-animal-kingdom-will-warm-your-heart-this-fathers-day-180988987/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/young-blue-crabs-have-been-mysteriously-dwindling-in-the-chesapeake-bay-for-years-this-winter-they-saw-a-boost-in-numbers-whats-driving-these-trends-180988839/A recent report detailed a 50 percent drop in juvenile Chesapeake blue crabs since 2010. Then, a survey found a surprising surge in the young crustaceans this yearThu, 28 May 2026 15:10:52 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/young-blue-crabs-have-been-mysteriously-dwindling-in-the-chesapeake-bay-for-years-this-winter-they-saw-a-boost-in-numbers-whats-driving-these-trends-180988839/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-planet-needs-prosperous-forests-these-scientists-are-planting-more-than-33000-trees-to-find-the-perfect-species-blends-180988618/Forests provide myriad benefits, including timber, wildlife attraction, local cooling and climate resilience. At the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, ecologists are testing which tree combinations might create flourishing woodlandsFri, 24 Apr 2026 18:43:50 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-planet-needs-prosperous-forests-these-scientists-are-planting-more-than-33000-trees-to-find-the-perfect-species-blends-180988618/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cannibalistic-blue-crabs-are-eating-their-younger-peers-in-part-of-the-chesapeake-bay-180988373/The findings by Smithsonian researchers could help experts better manage this crustacean's population. The creatures play important roles in the local ecosystem and food industryWed, 18 Mar 2026 19:56:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cannibalistic-blue-crabs-are-eating-their-younger-peers-in-part-of-the-chesapeake-bay-180988373/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/this-rare-endangered-orchid-only-exists-in-two-locations-can-dogs-cows-and-fungi-help-it-thrive-180987340/A Smithsonian ecologist is trying to restore the plant, Spiranthes delitescens, which grows on Arizona’s sky islandsTue, 16 Sep 2025 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/this-rare-endangered-orchid-only-exists-in-two-locations-can-dogs-cows-and-fungi-help-it-thrive-180987340/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/where-did-the-big-bang-happen-and-more-questions-from-our-readers-180987149/You’ve got questions. We’ve got expertsThu, 28 Aug 2025 19:00:10 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/where-did-the-big-bang-happen-and-more-questions-from-our-readers-180987149/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/from-playful-otters-to-pint-size-owls-these-eight-awesome-animals-call-the-chesapeake-bay-home-180987083/Blue crabs, bluebirds, beetles and many more creatures can be spotted in and around the bay—and scientists at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center are paying attentionThu, 31 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/from-playful-otters-to-pint-size-owls-these-eight-awesome-animals-call-the-chesapeake-bay-home-180987083/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-the-tiny-adorable-owls-that-have-mastered-the-art-of-hiding-180985763/One of the smallest owls in North America, the northern saw-whet lives among us and is rarely seen—but one volunteer science project aims to find them and uncover their secrets year after yearFri, 03 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-the-tiny-adorable-owls-that-have-mastered-the-art-of-hiding-180985763/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-do-we-know-what-colors-insects-can-see-and-more-questions-from-our-readers-180985453/You’ve got questions. We’ve got expertsThu, 21 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-do-we-know-what-colors-insects-can-see-and-more-questions-from-our-readers-180985453/