Natural Areas Association (NAA) is an association of scientists and practitioners focused on the management of ecologically significant natural landscapes with the intent to protect biodiversity for current and future generations. Natural Areas News is your trusted resource for current events, reliable science, conservation success, emerging challenges, best practices, and achievements of those who work daily to preserve natural areas.

Delegates at global biodiversity talks agreed on a framework for monitoring environmental commitments and other measures. The geopolitical changes of recent weeks loomed over the talks as countries worked toward consensus. Delegates negotiated the language of diplomatic texts even as Britain and the United States continued reducing their international aid programs.

Photo courtesy of Esri/NatureServe

NatureServe Explorer Pro is the groundbreaking tool from North America’s leading biodiversity information provider. Technological wizardry, agile management, and the occasional nature walk helped the nonprofit surmount numerous obstacles in a multiyear journey that culminated in a powerful new tool. The heart of NatureServe Explorer Pro is a web-based interactive map, powered by geographic information system (GIS) technology.

Photo courtesy of D. Manley/National Park Service

An entirely new plant species, known as the wooly devil (Ovicula biradiata), has been discovered in Big Bend National Park in Texas. This is the first new plant genus and species to have been discovered in a U.S. national park since 1976. The plant was first observed in March of 2024, by a park volunteer, who uploaded the unknown species to iNaturalist. It comes as parts of the U.S. could see "devastating" plant changes due to climate change.

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