Everything is on fire, and I'm up in the middle of the night thinking about it - but here's something cool.

I think Octavia Butler is recognized for this.

Alien was a huge change when it came out because we'd never seen a messy spaceship - with just regular people doing regular jobs. That got overshadowed with the franchise stuff, and TBH the movie didn't hold up that well, but it was significant at the time.

A block of text that says "Scientists at the University of Miami are carrying out a research study on trends in the field of science communication. For this survey we are defining science communication as work that is done: • by a technical subject area expert in some field related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, • outside of classroom settings • aimed at the public If you are 18 years of age or older and work or recently worked in this field (full-time, part-time, or as a side project), please click the link below to complete a short survey. If you are interested in learning more about this research study, please e-mail us at Julia.wester@miami.edu. In the body of your email please provide your full name, and if you would prefer to be contacted by phone, your phone number and the best time to reach you. Contacting us for more information does not commit you to participating, and should you decide to participate you may terminate your participation at any time."

Attention Science Communicators!

We are conducting a survey on the landscape of science communication & need your help gathering experiences.

Please send this to #SciComm ppl you know. We want to get as thorough a sense of the state of the field as we can.

umiami.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Announcing: Coming to PBS on April 1!

LIFE UNEARTHED with Ariel Waldman is a visually striking science-driven nature series that reveals Earth’s ecosystems through radical shifts in scale—from microscopic wildlife to the planet’s most iconic species, and even the potential for life beyond Earth. 🧪🦠

Thoughts & prayers to the EPA :(

Also local resources listed down in the thread. (If you've not been aware of what's been happening I recommend the archived stories and the map resources at erininthemorning.)

Western Voters Are Sending a Public Lands Warning to Republican Politicians 85% of Western voters say conservation issues influence who they vote for

open.substack.com/pub/ourpubli...

Such a cool story about one of my favorite fish.

I work at a university. I am literally dying rn. Also, was his Keurig broken?

There's No Such Thing As The "Last Straw" The BLM movement teaches us that there will never be an execution so unjust that it converts supporters of state violence into abolitionists. Change requires fighting, not waiting.

open.substack.com/pub/historyc...

It's that time of year again: we're looking for our next Antarctic team!

If you can imagine a job that’s needed to keep a small, remote community safe and running, we have it.

Escape the ordinary and apply for the job of a lifetime in Antarctica ⬇️

Wonder Woman defends herself from a Nazi as portrayed by Lynda Carter.

Some people were confused by my ICE post. This should clear it up.

I feel like 10% of my posts are just reposting Sarah Taber. (Probably should be more.) Anyway, this whole 🧵.

Ghana repeals legislation that opened forest reserves to mining After facing sustained pushback from environmental groups, Ghana revoked a 2022 law that had empowered the president to allow mining in the country’s forest reserves. In December, the Minister for…

Ghana has repealed LI 2462, a law that allowed mining in forest reserves, including globally important biodiversity areas.

Passed by Parliament in December, the move is a major win for forest protection — though experts warn deeper forestry reforms are still needed.

Minions (I don't know how much they go for but I'm guessing there's a quantity discount)

Native Americans are getting caught up in Trump’s racist goon squad invasion…

Fantastic farm #pond #fishes. 3-spine stickleback (Right) & 9-spine stickleback (Left). Both can go to sea! The 3-spine prefers open water & the 9-spine loves dense plant-filled water. The male 9-spine (Lower Left) goes entirely black when breeding. Crackers! @fishtwitcher.bsky.social

This thread.

📣 Job Opportunity | Reintroduction Planning Manager

This position will support a new 3-year grant focused on tribal-led sea otter reintroduction planning in Oregon.

🗓 Apply by: January 26, 2026
🔗 Full job description & application: www.elakhaalliance.org/employment/

#NowHiring #OceanJobs #Oregon

VLIZ recruits: Fish Behavioral Ecology Researcher

🐟 New vacancy in the fish tracking community 📢

Come join Dr. Jan Reubens and his team at the Flanders Marine Institute (@vliz.be) as a Fish Behavioral Ecology Researcher!

🔗Read more about the position and apply here: www.vliz.be/en/jobs/vliz...

❗Deadline 25 January, 2026

bebe grebe water taxi ❤️

Two 8 month old polar bear cubs stop and smell the air along the rocky shore of Hudson Bay in August.

A 10-month-old polar bear cub nurses as its month dozes sitting up in the dry tundra along Hudson Bay in October.

An 11-month old polar bear cub sits on a small boulder in the light snow on the tundra. A club of white spruce flag trees grow behind it.

Two 11-month-old polar bear cubs snuggle into their mom's behind on a frozen lake in the middle of a light snow squall.

Happy birthday(ish) to all of the new polar bear cubs being born around Hudson Bay right now. You have a long, difficult road ahead, but we're all rooting for you. #mammals 🌿

Little Drummer Boy - Joan Jett 2013 YouTube video by rocanroler5

youtu.be/a8d6X2Ik-6k?...

Environmental journalism is under pressure — exactly where it’s needed most.

The Y. Eva Tan Conservation Reporting Fellowship by Mongabay will support at least 16 early-career journalists from tropical countries. Paid, remote, editor-led.

Apply Dec 15–Feb 1. Learn more: buff.ly/UI8X5ur.

2 of my favorite animals showing up like a Christmas present. 💖