Conte, Christine. “How Ecosystems Recover after Wildfires | Earth.org.” Earth.org, 24
Feb. 2025, earth.org/how-ecosystems-recover-after-a-fire/

Wildfires can be destructive to buildings and trees and more and more are occurring due to climate change. The good news is they trigger a recovery process afterwards and actually can help improve biodiversity. The recovery process is called ecological succession, and the burned areas become more nutrient land and reduce species competition which helps biodiversity. The article mentions Yellowstone National Park’s 1988 fires (burning 30% of the park) as proof because the park has fully recovered and its species are flourishing.

When I read this I thought of all the fires in California. While they may seem destructive, it is encouraging to know that wildfires can actually help improve the land over time by refreshing the land and making it more usable. While too many accidental fires can be a problem, natural wildfires have an important role in helping improve biodiversity. This makes me hopeful for the forests in California.

Stratigaki, Vicky, and Noa Ligot. “How Marine Restoration Can Help Manage 

Biodiversity Loss.” World Economic Forum, 18 Nov. 2025, www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/what-a-unique-approach-to-marine-restoration-can-teach-about-tackling-biodiversity-loss/

This article discusses a new solution for reusing dredged sediments for ecological restoration and climate resilience. Usually dredged sediments are disposed of in the ocean or stored in containment sites with no economic value. By repurposing the dredged sediments, they were able to create AquaForest. Taking inspiration from mangrove forests, which are effective coastal stabilizers, AquaForest was designed to be a new island ecosystem. After studying the mangrove forests in western Ecuador, they determined that mangrove are able to thrive in the repurposed sediments. The mangroves on the island contribute to erosion control, biodiversity enhancement and carbon reduction.

I loved this article. It is so exciting to learn about creating something new and useful for the environment out of something like dredged sediments that were thought to have no value. I hope the idea of creating an island like AquaForest inspires others to come up with new ideas to save the environment and fight climate change.

NOAA Fisheries. “Restoring Habitat, Bolstering the Economy, and Supporting Jobs in 

Florida.” NOAA, 19 Aug. 2025, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/restoring-habitat-bolstering-economy-and-supporting-jobs-florida.

This article explains an analysis of 12 habitat restoration projects in Florida. These different projects are to restore coral reefs, mangroves, oyster reefs, seagrass, bird habitats, and shorelines. These projects support fisheries, protect the coastline from flooding and help to keep parks and beaches open for visitors. The analysis estimates that these projects created $168 million in value, including more than $100 million in GDP (gross domestic product). They support over 1,000 jobs and $70 million for many people including divers and construction workers, as well as marine biologists. One specific project is the Oyster corps, which trains teenagers to restore habitats. The article argues that the restoration projects are a good investment because they provide both an improved environment, but also training and jobs for people.

This article did a good job of explaining how restoring a habitat is not just something which helps the environment. Restoration can help people as well by providing jobs, and preserving businesses which depend on the health of the beaches and the land. Overall I found this inspirational because it shows how helping the environment is also a way to help people at the same time. I hope that Florida is able to continue these projects and preserves more of its coastline.

Haas, Michaela. “Former Navy SEALs Are Diving to Save the Ocean.” WFTV, 11 July 

2025, www.wftv.com/news/former-navy-seals-are-diving-save-ocean/WHIG7CF23JKNBAW4WMUCR2DQVE/

This news story features volunteers who are doing marine habitat restoration by using their diving skills learned in the Navy. The volunteers are mostly former Navy SEALs or special forces who are retired. The inspiration for the volunteer work came after one of the men in special forces was on a trip to the Cayman Islands. He thought the marine life was so amazing and wanted to make sure that it was preserved in the future.The group has helped to restore coral reefs, track sea turtles, remove invasive species, rebuild a shoreline and other environmental projects. They work on 8 to 10 projects a year and have 40 volunteers. The volunteers say that the work is rewarding and they are making a difference.

I thought this was an inspirational story because former people in the military are using their skills for a good cause. The work also helps the volunteers feel better about themselves and gets their mind focused on something positive.  The volunteer work also isn’t for show, they are having an impact. This makes me wonder what might be possible if more people volunteered their time to help out with restoration projects and improving the environment.

Hance, J. (2026, January 21). Growing native plants to heal land at Indigenous owned 

nursery in British Columbia. Conservation News. https://news.mongabay.com/2026/01/growing-native-plants-to-heal-land-at-indigenous-owned-nursery-in-british-columbia/

A native plant nursery in British Columbia is leading an effort for ecological restoration by growing native plant species to heal the land and bring back plants that used to thrive in the area. The nursery produces 700,000 sprouted plants annually and supplies many to form industrial locations. They have built up knowledge over time and use their expertise to restore biodiversity across Canada and create an example of conservation. They are also restoring riverbeds that have been impacted by development. Planting seedlings along the river helps to stabilize the riverbank and provides shade for fish during the summer.

This article shows a great example of people who are working hard to make a difference through conservation and believe in restoration to help heal the land and improve the environment. It also shows that it takes a lot of specialized knowledge to be able to produce a large number of plants and that the nursery itself is a complex operation. I love the comments made by the employees who feel that they are making a difference.

On May 22, 2025, California began filling the East Pond Expansion of the Salton Sea. This project is currently part of the Species Conservation Habitat project and is part of the state’s 10 year plan to restore the Salton sea ecosystem. The Salton Sea is California’s largest inland body of water. The sea has been shrinking due to lower water inflows, which has exposed lakebeds and caused dust to go into the air reducing air quality. There has also been a negative impact on wildlife habitats because of the low water levels and the high salt content. Federal funding will help expand this project to eventually improve wetland habitats and support public health and the environment. 

I agree that it is important to have federal funding in order to make projects like these happen. This type of project needs to be a priority because it helps to protect California’s biodiversity, improve air quality, and helps to improve habitats. This article relates to environmental science because it shows the negative impact humans have had on the Salton Sea and how they are learning to restore it.

California reaches major restoration milestone at the Salton Sea | Governor of California. Governor of California. (2025, May 22) https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/05/22/california-reaches-major-restoration-milestone-at-the-salton-sea/. 

In order to restore California’s forested watersheds, large projects are needed to improve water quality and conserve biodiversity. These projects are expensive, but important for reducing things like wildfire risk and protecting water supplies. In addition to limitations due to cost, there are also regulatory challenges that prevent these projects from getting approved in a timely manner. An online survey was done in 2024 regarding the restoration of forested watersheds in California to determine what could be done to influence investment decisions. The survey concluded that not only was it important to highlight the environmental impact of restoration, but also the social and economic impact it can have by creating jobs and improving the local economies.

I think restoration of forested watersheds in California is such a critical issue. Wildfire risk seems to be getting worse and anything the state can do to prevent fires should be done. It should not be so difficult to get funding for restoration projects. This relates to environmental science because restoring forested watersheds will not only lead to improved ecosystems, but also improved benefits to society by decreasing forest fires.

Ayompe, L. M., Padilla, L., Eriksson, M., Egoh, B. N., & Bales, R. C. (2025, May 8). Overcoming barriers and uncertainties to investing in forested watershed restoration in California. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 8 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1587763/full

The Cutting Green Tape program in California has made it easier to get environmental restoration projects started. The improved process for getting permits to start restoration projects has reduced overall project costs and allowed for projects to be completed faster. More than 500 restoration projects have begun in order to improve streams, land and habitats. As much as 200,000 acres of habitat, 5.5 million acres of land and 700 miles of streams have been rehabilitated due to this program. These environmental improvements have had a positive impact on the habitats of fish and wildlife and led to cleaner water.

It is important to encourage restoration projects, but also make them more accessible and efficient. By cutting on the green tape, it helps launch restoration projects more quickly and lower administrative costs. This is important because it not only helps restore habitats, but also benefits the economy. These are both important topics in environmental science. 

Villasenor, D. (2025, April 15). California cuts ‘green tape’: 500+ fast-tracked projects have restored nearly 200,000 acres and improved 700 miles of streams | Governor of California. Governor of California. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/04/10/california-cuts-green-tape-500-fast-tracked-projects-have-restored-nearly-200000-acres-and-improved-700-miles-of-streams/

The endangered Central California Coast Coho salmon are returning to Mendocino Coast rivers and streams due to habitat restoration funded by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). The habitat restoration has provided local jobs which has boosted the Mendocino economy. The timber industry caused a lot of destruction to Mendocino rivers in the late 1800s due to roads cutting across streams, which blocked the salmon from going upstream. Part of the rehabilitation project was working with the timber companies to improve passage for the salmon by building roads with culverts. The land owners and timber companies working together has been good not only for the salmon, but also for the economy.

I love that this article is not only about habitat restoration for the Coho salmon, but about how the timber companies worked together with the land owners to make this happen. Even though the timber industry caused a lot of the issues with the salmon habitat many years ago, they realized the importance of helping to reverse the damage today. This article is related to environmental science because it talks about key topics, such as ecosystem services, ecological restoration, and the economy. 

Fisheries, N. (2025, May 10). Endangered species habitat restoration creates jobs, boosts local economy. NOAA. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/endangered-species-habitat-restoration-creates-jobs-boosts-local-economy

Old growth forests are not common, but they are very important to many ecosystems and wildlife habitats. They are disappearing in the Sierra Nevada in California due to severe fires and drought. In order to study these forests, a simulation system was used to project time-to-extinction of the forest habitat. If nothing is done to reduce the loss of the forests, then there will continue to be a negative impact on fisher habitats. If forest restoration is done by using beneficial fire and mechanical thinning, then the forest loss can be decreased and there will be an increase in future habitats.

This article is a great example of the importance of how different parts of the environment are needed in order to work together, like trees and animal habitats. They need each other to survive. I agree that slowing the destruction of old growth forests needs to be a priority. If nothing is done, then fisher habitats and many ecosystems could be completely destroyed to the point of no return.

Jones, Gavin M., Collins, Brandon M., Hankin, Lacey E., Ronan Hart, Meyer, Marc D., Regelbrugge, Jon, Steel, Zachary L., Thompson, Craig (2025). Collapse and restoration of mature forest habitat in California. Biological Conservation. Volume 308, August 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs_journals/2025/rmrs_2025_jones_g003.pdf