High-elevation alpine meadows are among the most fragile ecosystems in the world. Found on mountaintops, ridgelines, and glacial basins, these meadows endure extreme winds, shallow soils, intense UV radiation, and short growing seasons. Despite these harsh conditions, they host a dazzling diversity of tiny wildflowers, cushion plants, grasses, and shrubs—many of which grow nowhere else …

Wetlands are among the most biologically rich ecosystems on Earth, providing habitat for countless species of plants, birds, amphibians, insects, and fish. Yet they are also some of the most threatened environments due to drainage, pollution, urban expansion, and altered hydrology. Today, more than half of wetlands in the United States have been lost, pushing …

Butterflies are some of the most enchanting insects in the natural world—symbols of transformation, beauty, and ecological health. Yet across North America, many butterfly species that were once common are now rare, threatened, or rapidly declining. Habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and the disappearance of native host plants have pushed several butterflies toward endangered …

Riparian zones—the narrow bands of vegetation that border rivers, streams, and creeks—are some of the most ecologically important landscapes in North America. These green corridors filter pollutants, stabilize soil, slow floodwaters, provide wildlife habitat, and maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems. But riparian areas are also among the most endangered habitats due to agriculture, livestock pressure, suburban …

Across North America, native prairies once stretched across millions of acres, supporting an extraordinary diversity of grasses, wildflowers, insects, birds, and mammals. Today, less than 1% of original tallgrass prairie remains, and mixed-grass and shortgrass prairies have also declined dramatically. Habitat fragmentation, agriculture, development, and invasive species have pushed many native prairie plants into rarity …

Coastal dunes form the first line of defense between the ocean and inland ecosystems. These shifting landscapes—built by wind, waves, and resilient vegetation—protect communities from storm surge, stabilize beaches, and provide critical habitat for birds, insects, reptiles, and rare plants. But today, dunes along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts face accelerating degradation. Coastal development, …

Carolina Bays are among the most mysterious and ecologically unique natural formations in the southeastern United States. These elliptical depressions—found throughout the Carolinas and parts of Georgia—are home to rare wetland ecosystems filled with specialized plants, amphibians, migratory birds, and invertebrates. Unfortunately, many Carolina Bays have been drained, farmed, filled, or altered, leading to the …

The Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra of Alaska is one of the most extreme ecosystems on Earth. With permafrost beneath the soil, fierce winds, long winters, and short growing seasons, this landscape challenges every form of life. Yet, despite these harsh conditions, the Alaskan tundra hosts a breathtaking array of hardy plant species that have evolved …

The southeastern United States is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots for carnivorous plants. From the Carolinas to Florida and across parts of Georgia and Alabama, wetlands once dominated the landscape, creating nutrient-poor, acidic habitats where carnivorous species evolved extraordinary survival strategies. These plants thrive where others cannot—capturing insects to make up for the …