Alaska Outdoors

The “tweenie” or juvenile bald eagle in downtown Juneau on Feb. 8. (Photo by Linda Shaw)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted images of Mother Nature in Southeast Submit your wild shots: The Empire Outdoors page is looking for superb images of Alaska’s wildlife, scenery or… Continue reading

The “tweenie” or juvenile bald eagle in downtown Juneau on Feb. 8. (Photo by Linda Shaw)

Alaska Science Forum: More tropical nights in Alaska’s future?

By the end of this century, Alaskans may be enjoying tropical evening breezes for about a week each year. That’s an increase from the almost… Continue reading

Cook Inlet panorama. (Photo by Linda Shaw)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted images of Mother Nature in Southeast Submit your wild shots: The Empire Outdoors page is looking for superb images of Alaska’s wildlife, scenery or… Continue reading

Cook Inlet panorama. (Photo by Linda Shaw)
President Donald Trump sits at his desk after a meeting with Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, left, and members of his staff in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Wednesday. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais | The Associated Press)

Carbon tax push from former GOP officials faces uphill slog

WASHINGTON — A push by a group of senior Republican statesmen for a tax on carbon to help lessen the effects of climate change is… Continue reading

President Donald Trump sits at his desk after a meeting with Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, left, and members of his staff in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Wednesday. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais | The Associated Press)
In this Nov. 12, 2015 photo, a guide holds up a damaged and dying butterfly at the monarch butterfly reserve in Piedra Herrada, Mexico. The number of monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico dropped by 27 percent this year, reversing last year’s recovery from historically low numbers, according to a study by government and independent experts released Thursday. (Rebecca Blackwell | The Associated Press)

Monarch butterfly numbers drop by 27 percent in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — The number of monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico dropped by 27 percent this year, reversing last year’s recovery from historically low numbers,… Continue reading

In this Nov. 12, 2015 photo, a guide holds up a damaged and dying butterfly at the monarch butterfly reserve in Piedra Herrada, Mexico. The number of monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico dropped by 27 percent this year, reversing last year’s recovery from historically low numbers, according to a study by government and independent experts released Thursday. (Rebecca Blackwell | The Associated Press)

On the Trails: Streamsides in winter

I take a walk on one of Juneau’s many trails almost every day, alone or with friends. Sometimes it’s a bit hard to get myself… Continue reading

Ned Rozell FOR THE JUNEAU EMPIRE Sea ice off Cape Lisburne in northwest Alaska in April 2011.

Alaska Science Forum: Lack of sea ice and Lower 48 weather

Last month, villagers in Savoonga landed a bowhead whale. Before 2017, in every January people can remember, sea ice surrounded St. Lawrence Island, locking it… Continue reading

Ned Rozell FOR THE JUNEAU EMPIRE Sea ice off Cape Lisburne in northwest Alaska in April 2011.
A young Sitka black-tailed deer finds fresh greens to eat along Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sitka black-tailed deer hunting season closes in Southeast

The Sitka black-tailed deer hunting season is now closed in Southeast Alaska. According to a Thursday release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game,… Continue reading

A young Sitka black-tailed deer finds fresh greens to eat along Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

On the Trails: Some animals and organisms live double lives

The life cycle of mammals (including humans), birds and some other organisms is relatively simple. An individual is born or hatched, feeds and grows up,… Continue reading

Harbor seals at rest, Auke Bay. (Photo by Kerry Howard)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted images of Mother Nature in Southeast Submit your wild shots: The Empire Outdoors page is looking for superb images of Alaska’s wildlife, scenery or… Continue reading

Harbor seals at rest, Auke Bay. (Photo by Kerry Howard)
Juneau Icefield research is put under the spotlight this week

Juneau Icefield research is put under the spotlight this week

The Juneau Icefield Research Program will discuss recent developments in the scientific exploration of the icefield during this Friday’s Fireside Lecture at the Mendenhall Glacier… Continue reading

Juneau Icefield research is put under the spotlight this week
Bjorn Dihle | FOR THE JUNEAU EMPIRE Luke and Kiah Dihle look out on the tundra during a caribou hunt.

Off the Beaten Path: Caribou spoons and the struggle every animal shares

Once in the Brooks Range, I carved spoons from a caribou antler to give to my three nieces. Any spoon bought at a store would… Continue reading

Bjorn Dihle | FOR THE JUNEAU EMPIRE Luke and Kiah Dihle look out on the tundra during a caribou hunt.
Ned Rozell | For the Juneau Empire Ned Rozell after skiing during a cold snap in Fairbanks.

Alaska Science Forum: An open letter to deep Interior cold

Hello old friend. I thought you were dead. Sorry, but remember last year, when you didn’t show up? It was the first recorded winter in… Continue reading

Ned Rozell | For the Juneau Empire Ned Rozell after skiing during a cold snap in Fairbanks.
Fruits of highbush cranberry dangle from the twig, their seeds extracted by pine grosbeaks. (Photo by Kathy Hocker)

On the Trails: Pine grosbeaks

In early January, Parks and Rec hikers meandered through Cowee Meadows over crusty, crunchy snow. Plant stalks and tree branches glittered in their hoarfrost coatings.… Continue reading

Fruits of highbush cranberry dangle from the twig, their seeds extracted by pine grosbeaks. (Photo by Kathy Hocker)
Pounding surf with the serene Chilkats in the background on Jan. 20. (Denise Carroll)

Wild Shots

Reader-submitted images of Mother Nature in Southeast Submit your wild shots: The Empire Outdoors page is looking for superb images of Alaska’s wildlife, scenery or… Continue reading

Pounding surf with the serene Chilkats in the background on Jan. 20. (Denise Carroll)

Steve Brockman to present at Wildlife Wednesday

Wildlife scientist Steve Brockmann will present at Wildlife Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the Valley Library. The title of his talk and… Continue reading

Fireside lecture to give Heen Latinee Experimental Forest update

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center will host a Fireside Lecture today with ecologist Rick Edwards, lead scientist for the US Forest Service’s Héen Latinee Experimental… Continue reading

Raptor Center seeks board members

The Juneau Raptor Center is seeking individuals to serve on its Board of Directors. The purpose of the JRC is to rehabilitate raptors and other… Continue reading

This frame grab form video shows Myron Ebell during an interview with The Associated Press in Washington on Thursday. Ebell, the former head of President Donald Trump’s transition team at the Environmental Protection Agency says he expects the new administration to seek significant budget and staff cuts. (The Associated Press)

Official: Trump wants to slash EPA workforce, budget

WASHINGTON — The former head of President Donald Trump’s transition team at the Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday he expects the new administration to seek… Continue reading

This frame grab form video shows Myron Ebell during an interview with The Associated Press in Washington on Thursday. Ebell, the former head of President Donald Trump’s transition team at the Environmental Protection Agency says he expects the new administration to seek significant budget and staff cuts. (The Associated Press)
An underwater view of a beaver near the Mendenhall Glacier. (Pete Schneider | US Forest Service)

Fireside Lecture reveals a hidden underwater world at the glacier

Today’s Fireside Lecture will feature U.S. Forest Service natural resource specialist Pete Schneider explaining how he created two live video camera feeds that reveal the… Continue reading

An underwater view of a beaver near the Mendenhall Glacier. (Pete Schneider | US Forest Service)