Written by AV's Intern Team
AV's Intern Team
Every year, Appalachian Voices is fortunate to assemble a phenomenal team of rockstar interns from numerous Appalachian and East Coast universities. Enjoy these posts from our interns.
Meet Appalachia’s Misunderstood Marsupial, the Opossum
With their appetites for snakes and ticks, and their propensity to clean up stray roadkill and rotting plants, opossums can be helpful neighbors to humans.
Repair Movement Reinvigorates Fix-It Culture
Instead of throwing away broken electronics, furniture, appliances and more, community groups across Appalachia oppose disposal by fixing these items and teaching their neighbors how to do the same.
Fire Ants Adjust to Higher Elevations
A recent study indicates that fire ants, an invasive species in Appalachia, are becoming acclimated to cooler conditions.
West Virginia Wants Your Help to Track Turtles and Fireflies
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is asking citizen scientists to report sightings of firefly and woodland box turtles to aid research efforts.
Insects Carry Traces of Mountaintop Removal Mining
Years after mining ends, selenium pollution from mountaintop removal coal mining operations still accumulates in insects downstream.
Seen a Hellbender? Tell the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking people to report sightings of the large aquatic salamanders to aid in conservation efforts.
State Governments Pass Bills to Increase Penalties for Pipeline Protests
Since March, three states have passed bills that increase punishments against people who protest oil and gas development and designate oil and gas facilities as critical infrastructure.
Virginia Commits to Environmental Justice Council
Gov. Ralph Northam permanently established the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice in March.
Kentucky Awards $4.7 Million in Environmental Grants
In June, Kentucky announced about $4.7 million in grants to fund 78 recycling, composting and household hazardous waste projects.
Trump Administration Loosens Clean Air Regulations
In recent months, federal regulators have weakened two national air pollution standards and opted not to upgrade a third.
