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Here is what we’ve been reading, watching and writing about over the past week…

Articles

Canada’s Ability to Prevent Forest Fires Lags Behind the Need

You can't spend decades letting fuel pile up and then act surprised when the whole forest lights off. Fire suppression has its place, but it isn't a substitute for stewardship. 

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Bison Haven't Moved Like This In A Century And The Effects On The Land Are Staggering Scientists

A new Yellowstone study reveals that migrating bison don't just consume grass—they help create healthier grasslands. By stimulating soil microbes, recycling nutrients, and encouraging fresh plant growth, America's largest native herbivore continues to demonstrate its vital role as an ecosystem engineer.

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Videos

Yellowstone Elk Migration Trail: Amazing Camera Trap Highlights

Like rivers, Yellowstone’s migration corridors have many tributaries. One of these passes through Pitchstone Waters Ranch. We see herds of as many as 100 elk exiting the national forest, passing through our meadows and across the Fall River, and then reentering national forest to the north. They are headed to their lower winter ranges to the west.

Next spring they will come the other way.

As a fundamental practice on our ranch, we work with national and state agencies to preserve and enhance these wild animal migration corridors by removing obstacles such as fences and choking undergrowth which obstruct passageways, and by improving our habitat to make it more hospitable to wildlife.

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How Donkeys Help Prevent Wildfires in Spain

In Catalonia, Spain, a herd of 62 rescue donkeys is being used as a natural, low-tech tool for wildfire prevention. By grazing on the dense brush and undergrowth that would otherwise fuel fires, the donkeys create natural firebreaks across the landscape — clearing the vegetation that helps wildfires spread. It's framed as a sustainable, ecological approach to forest management amid worsening drought and wildfire seasons in the region, with the added benefit that the animals themselves are rescues being given a purpose.

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What We've Been Reading

The Return of the Monarch — The Atlantic

After years of decline, butterfly populations are rising—for now.

Thirty Years Ago, Austin Set Aside Thousands of Acres to Save Endangered Birds. Did It Work?

Thirty years ago, Austin preserved a pristine patch of Hill Country land for the endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler. Has it helped?

Texas MonthlyPam LeBlanc

The Myth of Handmade Tortillas

Some think corn tortillas must be made using the ancient process of nixtamalization. They’re wrong.

Texas MonthlyJosé R. Ralat

I’ve Hiked 3,000+ Miles Across the U.S. and This Is the Prettiest Trail I’ve Seen—With Hot Springs and Waterfalls — Travel + Leisure

Fish Creek Trail is a nearly 12-mile hike near Mammoth Lakes that winds through the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wildernesses to Iva Bell Hot Springs.

Jaguar experts camera-trapped the Amazon – and discovered a dark secret — BBC Wildlife Magazine

Jaguar densities in Brazil’s Mamirauá Reserve rank among the highest ever recorded for the species – but that doesn’t mean the population is healthy, a new study suggests. August 3, 2026 In the Mamirauá Reserve in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, jaguars live at densities not seen almost anywhere else in their range. Their behaviour is also rather unusual. This area of the Amazon floods for four months of the year, and jaguars adapt to this by living and hunting in trees, predating on animals

And that’s it - as always thank you..

If you haven’t already - please check out our views on biodiversity at https://pitchstonewaters.com