plants

Join our newsletter

The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!

    Protecting 1.2% of Earth’s Land Would Stop ‘Sixth Great Extinction,’ Scientists Say

    Protecting 1.2% of Earth’s Land Would Stop ‘Sixth Great Extinction,’ Scientists Say

    According to a new analysis by a group of conservationists and researchers, expanding another 1.2% of Earth’s land-based protected areas would stop the extinction of most threatened animal and plant species. The coalition of experts identified 16,825 potential conservation sites that need to be prioritized in the next five years in order to save thousands […]

    Indoor Gardening Could Help Boost Immune Systems, Study Finds

    Indoor Gardening Could Help Boost Immune Systems, Study Finds

    While you may get noticeable joy from feeling the soil outside on your fingers or seeing your first tomatoes pop up on the vine, even indoor gardening can bring some helpful benefits for your well-being, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Helsinki, Natural Resources Institute Finland and Tampere University have uncovered […]

    Native Plants 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Native Plants 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Quick Key Facts Benefits of Native Plants A butterfly feeds on a native coneflower in a pollinator garden of the East Decatur Greenway in Decatur, Georgia. Thomas Cizauskas / Flickr Native plants are indigenous plant species that evolve naturally on land or in the water, and are an integral piece of thriving ecosystems, providing critical […]

    Endangered Species 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Endangered Species 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Quick Key Facts The Endangered Species Act To understand what “endangered species” means, it’s important to unpack the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which followed the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, the first piece of federal endangered species legislation. Enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1973, the ESA states that the federal government has a […]

    7 of the Oldest Living Plants on Earth

    7 of the Oldest Living Plants on Earth

    While standing in the midst of a grove of aspens in Utah, you’re actually in the presence of a single organism that’s 14,000 years old. Travel west to Oregon and hike on top of a 2,400-year-old fungus growing beneath the ground. Cross the Atlantic, and meet a rose bush that’s been blooming for over 1,000 […]