Land & Conservation

image of blooms of lilies

Travel

Vibrant spring gatherings put the South’s most special blooms in the spotlight

A swamp from above

Conservation

Through the tales of those shaped by its waters, shaded by its cypress trees, and calling for its protection, Georgia’s ancient swamp still speaks

illustration of woman in a hammock

This Land

What would it mean to resurrect twenty-four hours of calm in an ever-restless world?

An illustration of mussels

Conservation

Why the region’s secret—and imperiled—freshwater ecoweapons deserve your respect

A hand holds a fistful of rice

Land

In flooded fields amid a waterfowler’s paradise, the Isbells are reimagining how to use the land—and gaining the attention of sake brewers worldwide

A man holds an alligator gar

Conservation

The prehistoric fish with a toothy grin is fueling floodplain restoration efforts on the Mississippi River

A wildflower mural on top of a city building

Arts & Culture

In homage to a forgotten Texas landscape, artist James Prosek covered 5,000 square feet of panels with depictions of native grasses and blooms

A child looks through a telescope at night

Conservation

Three inspiring ways Groveland residents got on board with starry night skies

Clockwise, from top left: Foraging for rose hips, pine needles, lion’s mane, and shagbark hickory.

Conservation

An Alabama expert shares how to add wild garlic to soup, steep pine needles for tea, and make an easy maple syrup substitute from shagbark hickory

Oyster harvesters

Conservation

The cherished Florida harvesting grounds reopened after a five-year moratorium, but the future is still murky

An illustration of a woman sitting in a flower bed

This Land

A farmer’s daughter gets awakened to one scientist’s genius and passion

Longleaf pines

Seven Southern

Why ancient woods matter for our health and the world’s—and where to seek them out for a restorative stroll

A bald eagle flies over a river

Conservation

Captain Mike Ostrander leads river tours into one of the densest bald eagle populations in the Lower 48

A yellow spider in a web

CONSERVATION

The long-legged, brightly colored orb weavers are growing more common across the South. Here’s what to do—and what not to do—when you cross paths with one.

An illustration of a little girl sitting on the back of a truck with buckets of walnuts in an orchard

This Land

A Southern foraging staple cracks open a lifetime of memories

an illustration of quail

Sporting

Generations apart, a shared devotion rises

A male elk bugeling

Conservation

After a multi-decade restoration effort, the charismatic herbivores roam Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Virginias—and fall is the best time to spot them

a spoonbill

Seven Southern

Binoculars up! These destinations celebrate the best in birdwatching when temps (finally) dip

crocodile hatchlings

conservation

A banner year for hatchlings, thanks in large part to an unlikely ally

An illustration of a falcon

Conservation

An unlikely coalition helps the striking raptors soar again