Vivian La

3 weeks ago | wbur.org | Vivian La |Barbara Moran

Staff and budget cuts are fraying local offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, according to several scientists inside the agency. The cuts are already leading to degraded weather forecasts and adding chaos to commercial fisheries. And they said additional cuts proposed by the Trump administration could throw New England commercial fisheries, scientific research and weather forecasting into further disarray, threatening lives and livelihoods throughout the region.

Feb 27, 2025 | wbur.org | Barbara Moran |Vivian La

At the Wayland-based Native Plant Trust, staffers still can't access a grant for seed banking from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We're navigating a lawlessness,” said CEO Tim Johnson. He said his organization is currently owed about $50,000 for expenses already incurred. Unsure if the federal reimbursement will come, he and his staff are now deciding how to move forward with the work.

Jan 17, 2025 | wbur.org | Vivian La

Boston Public Schools this week received $35 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to expand its fleet of electric buses. With the grant, the district is closer to its goal of being fully electric by 2030. Speaking to reporters outside the BPS bus lot in Dorchester on Thursday, Boston Latin Academy senior Paulina Mendes Javier said the expansion will improve the city. "The adoption of electric buses is more than just a technological upgrade.

Dec 21, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Vivian La

One of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants is now in DuPage County, much to the concern of researchers and state officials. But they said the discovery underscores how public education can keep this invasive species and others out of Illinois waterways. Hydrilla, an aquatic plant native to Europe and Asia, was discovered in October in Oak Brook. It’s a prolific grower, experts said, requiring little light or nutrients.

Nov 29, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Vivian La

A 36-foot glass pine tree will grow this month in Wisconsin with the help of participants who will string melted recycled glass into a sparkling structure. “The goal is, create an environment where people can explore, people can see something they’ve never seen before, and just enjoy themselves in an incredibly inspirational atmosphere,” said Rob Elliott, producer of the project.