if you want to observe change and see how humans affect the world, go to the edges. whether it’s a natural landscape, a community, or a feeling inside you, spending time on life’s boundaries can transform your perspective. in ecological terms, edges are zones of transition from one ecosystem to another, where you can see dynamics and changes in species and activity that can explain, for instance, how some generalist plants thrive and others don’t. planet forward’s contingent traveled to the edge of southeast alaska, visiting its remote glacier-filled landscape, fjords, and islands with lindblad expeditions.

as a journalist covering environmental change and looming climate crisis over the past 23 years, i’ve hiked 100 miles along the continental divide in wyoming, accompanied a seedbank expedition in the andes of colombia, lived for two weeks at a remote biological research station in the peruvian amazon near bolivian and brazilian borders, sailed from the north atlantic to the caribbean, and walked through rice paddies of northern punjab, in india, reporting on the water adaptations near the pakistan border. in each instance, the location mattered. my stories covered the consequences of human actions on the people, food, and nature because these were places on some edge.

“whenever possible, go into the field,” i tell my science journalism students, “to a place where you can report what you see. what does it tell you?” place-based reporting has been harder in this time of covid-restricted travel, soaring fuel costs, and canceled flights. this trip with planet forward’s digital editor victoria middleton and our storyfest winners was a welcome return to the field, a chance to work with environmental storytellers to find their inspiration, and to experience a landscape where lindblad naturalists shed light on the world around us.

wild places are capable of making us feel small, yet they are places where humanity’s footprint is disproportionately large and visible.  
 
more of the world’s boundaries are at risk from human development and have proven to be at further risk from climate change, and so it’s important for those reporting on the natural world to spend time in it. alaska is being transformed by climate change at a rapid pace. temperatures have warmed more than 3 degrees fahrenheit, more than twice the warming seen in the rest of the united states. annual precipitation is increasing by 10%. late summer arctic sea ice has decreased significantly — it’s predicted that arctic waters in summer will be free of ice by 2050. still, alaska remains a source of resilience with its adaptation planning centered regionally.

we often turn away from news and images of climate destruction and environmental change, like the melting glaciers and dying animals that attest to the challenges of our sustainable future. but going to wild places focuses our attention on the forgotten beauty worth protecting, the precious intact environment teeming with life. that week in alaska, i saw a brown bear foraging for barnacles on the beach at dawn; humpback whales cooperatively feeding by forming “nets” by blowing bubbles; sea lions feasting on schools of fish; the marbled murrelet seabird, which takes its first flight to shore from its nest high in the old growth forest several miles away; and a mother sea otter diving for fish, surfacing with her pup on her chest to share in the catch.
 
this natural richness asks us — in all its beauty — to look at its strength of resilience and reflect on our own. wild places are capable of bouncing back. so are we. in 2015, the world came together and agreed to limit emissions that lead to an extreme and unpredictable climate future. it’s now time for us to deliver the goals we set to build a peaceful, more resilient planet — starting at the edges.

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editor’s note: lindblad expeditions, our planet forward storyfest competition partner, made this series possible by providing winners with an experiential learning opportunity aboard one of their ships. all editorial content is created independently. we thank lindblad expeditions for their continued support of our project. read all the stories from the expedition in our astonishing alaska series.

during my time in alaska, i was in awe in many moments. but nothing felt as breathtaking — and unexpectedly alarming — as being in a sea of ice.

i always hear about the glaciers melting and that coastal areas will be underwater in a couple of decades. while that statement alone is terrifying, being in alaska raised some questions. what other visible changes can we see now due to climate change? how can we tell the story of climate change without words?

i learned more about the science and history of glaciers in alaska. for example, while they melt, they also tend to advance and retreat throughout the valley. so, when we went out into a fjord, i began connecting the dots — the glaciers leave imprints on the mountains, and that’s one of the ways scientists and environmental enthusiasts can study glaciers.

as i photographed ice and the mountains, i noticed some rusted terrain. these are called trimlines. as glaciers advance and retreat, they leave the rock bare, causing a line to form an iron-colored surface. what is alarming about this is how fast it’s occurring. tim martin, a lindblad expeditions naturalist aboard the national geographic sea lion, said some glaciers had advanced and retreated in the last five to 10 years.

before traveling to alaska, i would always note ongoing studies and research regarding climate change and the environment. yet, the clear visualization of trimlines brought me to realize that climate change doesn’t just exist in data but before our eyes.

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editor’s note: lindblad expeditions, our planet forward storyfest competition partner, made this series possible by providing winners with an experiential learning opportunity aboard one of their ships. all editorial content is created independently. we thank lindblad expeditions for their continued support of our project. read all the stories from the expedition in our astonishing alaska series.

it felt nice to feel so small. everyday i’m the center of my world, and it’s easy to get caught up in everything i have going on. but to feel tiny and insignificant gave me the freedom to slow down and take a breath. to walk through a forest that predates glaciers really puts my little life in perspective. and it feels so good to get lost in the wilderness (metaphorically, hopefully never literally). alaska is a place to go to lose yourself, and i think eventually find yourself.

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editor’s note: lindblad expeditions, our planet forward storyfest competition partner, made this series possible by providing winners with an experiential learning opportunity aboard one of their ships. all editorial content is created independently. we thank lindblad expeditions for their continued support of our project. read all the stories from the expedition in our astonishing alaska series.

i was grateful to feel that on the boat as well. everyone on board had gratitude for the spaces we were able to explore and learn from. alaska has a long history of extraction where people have come to take advantage of the resources, animals, and people there, and before my trip, i was nervous about contributing to that. but now after talking to the naturalists and other guests, i’ve come to accept that humans, just like other animals do need and use parts of the environment. our responsibility is to not cause damage and be as subsistent as we can. along with the attention to not take away too much, i also realized i need to give back to spaces i’m in. i took away food, water, memories, and knowledge from alaska, and in return i made sure to pick up trash, spread seeds, and not bother animals when i could. going back to dc, i’m eager to grow the connections i have to the natural elements of my urban space so that eventually with volunteering i help can grow forests where we once had a yard; a river where we once had a stream; a family where we once had a group of strangers. i’m so grateful for this experience and am eager provide you with alaska’s story around lipids, from candlefish to whales to oil reserves.

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editor’s note: lindblad expeditions, our planet forward storyfest competition partner, made this series possible by providing winners with an experiential learning opportunity aboard one of their ships. all editorial content is created independently. we thank lindblad expeditions for their continued support of our project. read all the stories from the expedition in our astonishing alaska series.

my intellectual curiosities were stoked by the seemingly endless knowledge of the many naturalists on board. the naturalists had incredible presentations about geology, glaciology, marine ecology, and even squid physiology (complete with a on-deck dissection of a squid we found on a beach)! i found myself falling deeper in love with the natural world and finding new exciting disciplines — like geology. i’ll be writing my story about the language of rocks — so stay tuned!

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editor’s note: lindblad expeditions, our planet forward storyfest competition partner, made this series possible by providing winners with an experiential learning opportunity aboard one of their ships. all editorial content is created independently. we thank lindblad expeditions for their continued support of our project. read all the stories from the expedition in our astonishing alaska series.

another highlight of the trip was the experiences lindblad scheduled for the passengers. we were able to pack crusading by the glaciers, kayaking, and hiking into one day — and that was only on day two! my favorite excursion was biking in lutak. i would never have imagined saying i biked 9 miles watching the snowy mountains and the vast oceans in alaska, but now i can!

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editor’s note: lindblad expeditions, our planet forward storyfest competition partner, made this series possible by providing winners with an experiential learning opportunity aboard one of their ships. all editorial content is created independently. we thank lindblad expeditions for their continued support of our project. read all the stories from the expedition in our astonishing alaska series.

we have seen amazing things — creatures of all types, glaciers, natural wonders, and the absolute vastness of planet earth. the whales, porpoises, sea lions, sea otters, and seals have dazzled us and the clear skies and calm seas have centered us. we have all discovered inspiring stories along the way.

we look forward to sharing the students’ reporting in the coming weeks, right here on planet forward.

(note: our 2022 storyfest winner from ithaca college, and a 2020 storyfest winner from carleton college, will travel later this summer — so we’ll have more reporting later, too!)

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editor’s note: lindblad expeditions, our planet forward storyfest competition partner, made this series possible by providing winners with an experiential learning opportunity aboard one of their ships. all editorial content is created independently. we thank lindblad expeditions for their continued support of our project. read all the stories from the expedition in our astonishing alaska series.

this year’s student storytelling was – in a word – exceptional, and the competition for the title of storyfest 2022 winner was incredibly tough. our finalists covered everything from musicians and scientists to farmers and community activists, and highlighted solutions on everything from new irrigation technology to mammoth resurrection. you can see all our amazing finalists’ pieces right here on planetforward.org.

after a great deal of deliberation from our committee of judges, we are excited to share our our 2022 winners:

most compelling character

plantita power: microgreens in the district

jennifer cuyuch, george washington university

the judges say:

through her warm interviews and vibrant use of music and graphics, the judges say jennifer not only conveys the character of plantita power’s founder, steph, but also their community and spirit of care and life – plants! – that they cultivate.

most creative story

‘coastal degradation through fresh eyes’: a picture book come to life

delaney graham, suny-esf

the judges say:

a thoroughly absorbing story built around storybook characters. amka’s friend, is a puffin who is homeless because of coastal erosion. they embark on a journey of discovery and hope. the story works and the characters pop. the judges were taken by the character – and the content.

best scalable innovation

farzona comnas, george washington university

the judges say:

beautifully written and photographed, this story is personal to farzona, focusing on deserts in her native country of jordan. they’re becoming hotter and drier as a result of climate change. farzona proposes planting forests in desert. sound impossible? she cites an initiative in lebanon that has done just that. the practice is called afforestation. project drawdown rates it 15th of the most significant steps we could take to reverse global warming. the judges say, this story delivers!

best science narrative

a tale of two mountains: battling climate change and wildfires at home and abroad

ryan bieber, ithaca college

the judges say:

ryan weaves a compelling narrative built on the science. it is a tale of two sierras. in california, the sierra nevada has experienced “nine out of ten of the state’s largest wildfires … in the last decade.” in spain, monoculture replanting in the sierra nevada became a fire trap. this story is a compelling narrative of learning and loss showing distinct ways that human activity has led to devastating wildfires. 

best use of science & data

hope flows through the heart of tucson: the santa cruz river heritage project

halley hughes, the university of arizona

the judges say:

halley brings the science and data to real-world life in her story about the santa cruz river heritage project. a “trickle of water” that represents “enormous change.” the story captures the heart and soul of the living desert. as halley writes, “making tucson more drought resilient, conserving water resources, supporting critical biodiversity, connecting a city to its heritage, and educating a new generation.”

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congratulations to our winners — and a huge thank you to all the students who entered this year. we are so proud of the stories you are telling to 2022年卡塔尔世界杯官网 !

most compelling character:

navigating climate change through song: a q&a with pinegrove’s evan stephens hall

ryan bieber, ithaca college

plantita power: microgreens in the district

jennifer cuyuch, george washington university

should you be taking pictures of roadkill?: citizen science aids research efforts

clarice knelly, suny-plattsburgh

‘i built my dream’: southeast asian woman grows local food, cultural acceptance in missouri ozarks

lauren ulrich, indiana university bloomington

most creative story:

‘coastal child’: a video essay on ocean conservation and education

kaitlyn copland, eckerd college

‘coastal degradation through fresh eyes’: a picture book come to life

delaney graham, suny-esf

welcoming our feathered neighbors

paula milenkova and maya thompson, university of california, berkeley

ice plant = climate change

kamryn j you mak, middlebury college

best scalable innovation:

water is life (tó éí iiná): groundwork to solving water inequity on the navajo nation

mckenzie allen-charmley, arizona state university

essay | how trees can save a drowning desert

farzona comnas, george washington university

what does $3 million of seaweed look like?

michaela compo, george washington university

college food insecurity: eating away at student success

connor kuerbis, university of wisconsin-madison

as arizona agriculture runs dry, new irrigation tech could help

diana quintero, arizona state university

best science narrative:

eternity is upstream: a call for salmon habitat protection

claire babbott-bryan, middlebury college

a tale of two mountains: battling climate change and wildfires at home and abroad

ryan bieber, ithaca college

bats are facing an epidemic of their own: white-nose syndrome

helen bradshaw, northwestern university

iso: roommate that pays rent in nutrients & water

michaela compo, george washington university

planting seeds of mental health wellness in the face of covid-19 stressors

poonam narotam, northwestern university

best use of science & data:

breakthrough research takes a step toward converting carbon dioxide pollution into fuel

hannah krantz, george washington university

mammoth resurrection may be a climate solution. should it be?

skylar epstein, george washington university

hope flows through the heart of tucson: the santa cruz river heritage project

halley hughes, the university of arizona

fishing harbors community; development and climate change threaten it

carter weinhofer, eckerd college

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congratulations to all our finalists — and a huge thank you to all the students who entered this year. who will be our winners? watch the summit to find out.

each night as the sun sinks, thousands of crows descend on sunnyvale, california. the birds overwhelm the downtown, raising a ruckus as they alight in tree tops to roost for the night. though welcomed by some, the daily spectacle has become a source of frustration for many of the city’s business owners and locals. 

“the crows are very noisy, and their droppings and feathers have created quite a mess,” says jennifer garnett, sunnyvale’s communications officer. “our council members have received many complaints from residents and businesses. we also have had to increase our frequency of pressure washing both areas.” 

most of the birds gather at sunnyvale’s plaza de sol, an open area bordered by trees and mixed-use buildings at the heart of the city. the 1.6-acre urban oasis boasts an amphitheater for summer outdoor concerts and sits adjacent to historic murphy avenue—a tree-lined street that hosts many restaurants and businesses. the plaza has always attracted crows, but the pandemic-fueled increase in outdoor dining—and the food scraps that comes with it—led to record numbers, garnett says. 

in an unsuccessful attempt to deter the birds, the town first tried hazing them with trained hawks and falcons. reflectors meant to confuse the flocks have also seen limited success. so, last month, sunnyvale turned to a $20 tool found at any office: a laser pointer. every weeknight for three weeks, beginning in later january, a trained city employee wielded a handheld green laser purchased on amazon. for 30 minutes at dusk, the staff person would shine the laser pointer into the plaza treeline where crows are beginning to settle in for the evening. the goal was to startle them each night until they eventually scatter for good. 

so far, sunnyvale is seeing success. “the laser pointer does seem to be working, “ garnett says. “however, we know that the crows are very smart and are likely to return when the deterrent goes away.” sunnyvale ceased the pilot program the week of february 14 and has not said whether it will resume the initiative if the birds return. 

sunnyvale is not alone in its corvid conundrum. urban populations of crows have been increasing in recent decades, and as a result, more cities and towns have tried to discourage them and other prolific species like canada geese using a variety of methods, including lasers. green has been found to be most effective laser color for evening hours—the light scatters in the atmosphere and produces a stronger beam that is more visible in the sky. the beams are also considered to be a safe deterrent. a 2002 study conducted by the u.s. department of agriculture’s national wildlife research center found that low-to-moderate power, long wavelength lasers can disperse birds in low-light conditions while presenting “no threat to the animal or the environment.” 

green lasers create “flashing movements” that are foreign to crows’ natural environment, says kevin mcgowan, instructor and crow expert at the cornell lab of ornithology. “there’s nothing magic about lasers, just that the small tool has an effect across a great distance.” lasers also aren’t a one-and-done solution, mcgowan says, noting that the approach isn’t foolproof and works best in combination with other hazing methods.

timing can be important for success, experts say. 

as an example, he points to several cities in new york that have had varying success with lasers. in 2005, auburn spent $14,000 on a hazing program spearheaded by the united states department of agriculture’s wildlife services. at the time, auburn’s crow population of roughly 64,000 birds outnumbered humans more than two-to-one. a mixed-use approach of lasers, pyrotechnics, and speakers blasting recordings of calls from distressed crows drove almost half of the population out of the city in just one week. yet, many simply relocated to nearby cortland or geneva. and 17 years later, auburn’s crow problem persists to enough of a degree that local artists recently embraced the city’s divisive mascot with fluorescent mosaics.

timing can be important for success, experts say. lasers are most effective at the beginning of the winter season, within a few days of the crows’ establishment, says john griffin, senior director, urban wildlife programs at the humane society of the united states. crows are intelligent creatures, and griffin notes that it gets “harder [to drive them away] the longer they’re there.” by the time spring rolls around, the birds will migrate elsewhere—but many return to the same city blocks winter after winter, only growing in numbers.

even if cities like sunnyvale manage to temporarily drive out downtown roosts, the crows will likely return unless they can find another suitable habitat. for this reason, matthew dodder, executive director of the santa clara valley audubon society, thinks that the best solution in sunnyvale is to learn to live with the birds. “from my point of view, it seems like not much can be done to change the situation,” he says. “so we should adapt to accept it, and appreciate it, and work around it.” dodder offers up ideas like covering dining areas and being better about trash management to help mitigate the impacts of the birds around the plaza. 

bigger picture, dodder hopes to see more changes in the development of urban and suburban spaces that would contribute to a more harmonious coexistence between bird and man. “if we can create new green spaces, that might just work,” he says. mcgowan agrees, recalling that he and his colleagues considered creating a designated “crow oasis” for the auburn flocks decades ago. but the city stuck to its ongoing hazing strategy instead.

another solution is cultural—teaching people to appreciate crows and other urban birds. instead of finding large flocks creepy or annoying, mcgowan says, we should see them as fascinating examples of species adaptation in an age where even the most common species are disappearing. “they’ve been doing this for thousands of years,” he says. “it’s actually a spectacle.”