Winter 2021-2022

A green salamander peeks its head outside its rocky winter retreat.

Surviving Winter as a Salamander in Appalachia

What do salamanders do when the air turns frigid? UVA-Wise professor Walter Smith has been observing a particular green salamander for 8 years, and shares some of the species’ survival strategies.

smoke and steam rise from a power plant

Biden Administration Proposes Restoration of Mercury Pollution Rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed reinstating a legal finding that supports restrictions on the amount of mercury that may be discharged by power plants.

woman with light blonde hair and glasses holds a quilt square with cutout images of miners, a canary, mining boots, coal and a Bible

Black Lung Advocate Judith Riffe is Making Change (and Quilts) in West Virginia

Judith Riffe of the Wyoming County Black Lung Association uses her quilt-making talents to fundraise for the chapter and is spearheading the installation of a statue to bring attention to the role of women miners.