Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
14 results for "egrets"
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F92%2Fd8%2F92d892cd-0ef3-43b7-94b2-8ab246fa3677%2Fsmithmag-photocontest23-winners-finalists-article-1500x1000.jpg)
Three spiky-headed egret chicks fighting in their New Jersey nest just won the grand prize in Smithsonian Magazine's 23rd annual photo contest. The image beat out 17,000 submissions from 108 countries to claim top honors. #
A western reef heron spotted in Wales for the first time in UK history has turned a quiet seaside town into a celebration of nature. The rare visitor from Africa has brought together hundreds of birdwatchers in a moment of shared wonder.
Over 22,000 drones lit up the night sky in perfect coordination, creating stunning 3D animations and breaking the world record for the largest drone light show. The breathtaking display blended cutting-edge technology with cultural storytelling at China's biggest televised event.
Those ordinary ponds dotting India's villages and farms are quietly supporting entire ecosystems of fish, frogs, dragonflies, turtles and birds. From Bengal's pukurs to Assam's beels, these traditional water bodies create vital stepping stones for wildlife across the country.
A Pennsylvania lake has become a thriving sanctuary for endangered wading birds, thanks to decades of community dedication. Students, volunteers, and conservationists have transformed an urban waterway into a recognized Important Bird Area.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%3Afocal(791x364%3A793x366)%2Fwood-stork-1-081926-6231d96498734f5aa989ea792e319731.jpg)
A couple bought 45 acres of Florida swampland in 2007 to save it from bulldozers. Today, their gamble has become a thriving sanctuary that helped bring wood storks back from the brink of extinction.
Two self-taught brothers in Delhi have saved over 23,000 injured birds from their basement clinic over the past two decades. Nadeem Shehzad and Mohammad Saud treat victims of banned glass-coated kite strings that slice through wings and leave birds unable to fly.
A forgotten waterbody north of Lake Mayem in Goa has quietly become home to one of India's largest gatherings of purple swamphens, along with dozens of other bird species thriving in the peaceful wetland.
Sequoyah School's K-8 assembly transformed into a joyful celebration of student talent, from robotics demonstrations to debate victories. Young learners proved that achievement comes in many forms when passion meets opportunity.
Ten high school students from New Hampshire spent their Monday building furniture, battling bugs, and removing invasive plants at a Maine nature center. Their hands-on work transformed the visitor experience at Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center.
In Kerala's Kannur district, a conservation project is buying up privately owned mangrove forests to save them from development. Through land purchases, restoration work, and community education, the effort has already protected over 37 acres and restored 34 more.
Stunning images from the 2026 Mangrove Photography Awards showcase rare wildlife and the vital role these coastal forests play in protecting our planet. From Bengal tigers to innovative dolphin hunting strategies, the winning photos reveal why these ecosystems matter more than ever. #
Britain just released its first legally approved wild beavers in centuries, marking a turning point for nature restoration across the UK. These river engineers are already creating wetlands that fight floods, filter water, and bring back wildlife.
Holly Henderson left New York to save her family's 3,000-acre Texas timber land and turned it into a thriving wildlife sanctuary. With federal conservation help, she's restoring native longleaf pine forests and reintroducing wild turkeys her father dreamed of seeing again.