No. 31, June 7, 2018

Hello Revelator readers,

Poisons are so passé. New research shows that we don't need to use toxic, expensive rodenticides to control pests, even if those pests are really destructive. It turns out that raptors such as hawks and owls will do the job for free — and in a much more environmentally responsible manner. We have the details on two projects that show the potential for letting raptors come to the rescue.

Want even more positive news? Look no further than Carter and Olivia Ries, the teenagers who founded the nonprofit One More Generation (OMG). Their focus for the past nine years has been saving the world's endangered species. Lately they've also turned to the problem of plastic pollution. In our latest "5 Questions" interview, we talk to them about their One Less Straw campaign and how they work to change hearts and minds.

Here's a tougher story. New research shows that a large portion of the world's so-called protected areas are actually anything but protected. As many as a third of these sites, which are intended to be "nature's strongholds," are under threat from logging, development, roads, agriculture and other human-caused problems. That's bad news for the wildlife that depend on these sites. Read all about this threat and what the world needs to do to help turn the problem around.

Finally this week, it's time to get your summer reading list started. We have the word on 16 great new environmental books being published this June, including titles on whales, beavers, national parks and Trump's attacks on science. Check 'em out.

In case you missed it:

We recently profiled Dr. Sam Wasser, the scientist who is using the DNA from elephant poop to help track down poachers. I discussed the article on this week's episode of the Green Divas podcast. Listen here.

Send us your tips:

What other stories should we be covering? We welcome your ideas and inside scoops. Drop us a line anytime.

Coming up:

We have a lot more coming your way, including more on Trump's attacks on science. Look for all of our newest links in next week's newsletter, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest headlines as they go live. And while you're on social media, we hope you'll share our stories with your friends.

Feel free to forward this newsletter, too — every new reader makes a difference.

That's it for this week. As always, thanks for reading.