Positive News

Dubbed the South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA), a new ecoregion with hundreds of unknown species has been identified, stretching from northern Mozambique to Mount Mulanje in Malawi. After decades of surveys and exploration, scientists are advocating for the protection of this unique "island archipelago," home to 127 plants endemic to the region, as well as previously undiscovered animals like the Mabu bush viper. 🐍 | Source: Forbes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just unveiled $20B for environmental intiatives in low-income areas. The funding aims to bolster green energy and affordable housing projects, particularly in communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. 🏡 | Source: Mongabay

Skywalker gibbons have been confirmed in Myanmar for the first time! Using acoustic monitoring and DNA analysis, scientists have identified 44 groups of this charismatic, white-eyebrowed primate — making it the largest known population of the endangered species on the planet. 🐒 | Source: Mongabay

World-class training is enhancing the protection of cetaceans along the Kenyan coast, as the International Fund for Animal Welfare partners with Kenya Marine Mammal Research and Conservation and the Kenya Wildlife Service and to lead a three-day training course for Kenyan rangers and fishermen on whale disentanglement and dolphin stranding response. 🐳🐬⛑️ | Source: IFAW

3 million shipwrecks have become helpful habitats for underwater life worldwide. When a vessel sinks, tiny microbes settle on the wreck, forming a carpet of cells called a biofilm that help make the surface more hospitable for the floating larvae of organisms like sponges and corals to settle and mature. These secondary settlers sometimes appear within minutes of a ship sinking, using it for shelter, resting places during migrations, and more. 🦠🪸| Source: Good Good Good

Huge new no-fishing zones give Antarctic marine predators and their prey a break! Following last month's expansion of the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) marine protected area, the SGSSI government further established new no-fishing zones covering 166,000 sq. km and prohibited krill fishing in an additional 17,000 sq. km! This decision continues to safeguards millions of seals, tens of millions of breeding birds, and the largest penguin colony on Earth. 🐧 🦭🧊 | Source: Mongabay

Gray whales generally vanished from the Atlantic Ocean by the 18th century — but just this month, one was spotted off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts! Researchers believe this whale crossed over from the waters of Alaska, finding its way to the Atlantic through a long Arctic journey. 🐋🐳 | Source: ABC News

The Biden-Harris Admidnistration announced a $500 million investment to confront wildfires, with the funds used to expand work on the United States Department of Agriculture's Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Money will be directed toward reducing risks to communities, critical infrastructure, and natural resources posed by the nation's ongoing wildfire crisis, which is exacerbated by climate change. 🚫🔥 | Source: USDA

Canada's only known live coral reef has been discovered off of the coast of British Columbia! Following a tip from the Kitasoo Xai'xais and Heiltsuk First Nations, deep-sea ecologists pinpointed the northernmost reef in the entire Pacific Ocean. To protect the thriving ecosystem, the area has been closed off to all commercial and 🪸 | Source: National Post

An innovative Inuit app blends traditional knowledge with tech for environmental tracking. SIKU, which means "Sea ice" in Inuktitut, is a new social network that enables users to document and share observations about wildlife, ice conditions, and local foods to support community-driven decisions and research. 🌊🧊 | Source: The Daily Climate