We talk to Corine Vriesendorp, Senior Conservation Ecologist and Director of the Field's Rapid Inventories and Conservation Tools program, about their objectives and current research in Peru's Kamppankis Mountains. more ›

Updated studies show that by 2015 some outlying suburbs could face a long-term water shortage according to Crain's. Water supplies are not going to dry up but projections by the University of Illinois Water Survey show that water supplies won't be able to keep up with population growth. As a result, pumping water from them will become cost-inefficient said Josh Ellis, a water policy expert at the Metropolitan Planning Council. He told Crain's:

Communities served by Lake Michigan face the same long-term problem. From drinking water to the reversal of the Chicago River, the Chicago region is now diverting 85% of the lake water that a Supreme Court decision allows; without conservation, that limit could be reached in 15 years.

A global initiative created by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour encourages individuals and businesses to turn off their lights for one hour to make a statement about conservation and climate change. This year's Earth Hour will take place this Saturday, March 28, starting at 8:30 p.m. The event started in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and it became a global event in 2008, with participants in 35 different countries and over 400 cities. This year it has grown even more with the WWF hoping to reach 1 billion participants worldwide. Already 2,500 cities in 82 countries have committed to participate. more ›

Lincoln Park Zoo was recognized last week for its critical support of the Tarangire Elephant Project, a conservation and research effort focused on the elephants in and around Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, Africa. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums awarded Lincoln Park Zoo the 2008 Significant Achievement Award for International Conservation, which will be shared jointly with eight other zoological institutions. For over a decade, the zoo has contributed to the project by providing significant research funding and scientific expertise, helping to preserve an elephant population once threatened by poachers. more ›

Earth Hour officials indicate last year there were 2.2 million who participated in a one-hour effort to bring awareness to energy conservation. Yesterday, they estimated that number was around 10 million. In Chicago, the Sears Tower, the John Hancock, the Wrigley Building, and the Tribune Tower dimmed decorative lights, while 500 McDonald’s throughout Chicagoland turned off their golden arches. In the theatre district, marquees went dark, and Elphaba, the witch from "Wicked" turned out the lights with a dramatic "spell". Navy Pier’s iconic ferris wheel went dark and nearly every store on the Magnificent Mile turned out their lights. more ›