Images

Researchers identified plants along a transect at a site invaded by cheatgrass at Kuna Butte near Caldwell, Idaho. 

Hoary bat with a Motus tag. Learn more about our project to track bats and birds through the Motus network here: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/birds-bats-and-beyond-network…

Gabe Reyes holds a hoary bat during the process of tagging bats with Motus tags.

USGS scientist examines a snow core collected on South Cascade Glacier, Washington.

The words "5 Ways Climate Change Affects Bears" with an image of a bear.

Text reads:

"Drought can reduce the availability of important foods like berries & seeds”

"When less food is available, bears will sometimes turn to garbage bins, bird feeders, & other sources of food found near humans, leading to human-bear conflicts"

The surface of South Cascade Glacier, Washington is mostly exposed ice at the end of summer melt season. 

Pie chart showing distribution of USGS 2020CARES Act funding in millions of dollars. Exact amounts include \$5,181,638 for Tracking Bats and Coronaviruses (wildlife Biosurveillance); \$3,192,316 for COVID-19 Pathways and Wildlife Dynamics; \$1,373,704 for Environmental Biosurveillance and Persistence. 

Both natural and human-related metal mobilization may affect streams. In this photo drainage from a mine enters Cement Creek, near Silverton, Colorado, adjacent to a mound of iron minerals that have likely been forming naturally for thousands of years. Detailed isotopic studies may help to differentiate natural and human-related contamination. 

Looking east on Bullgate Pond at sunrise with lone tule white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons elgasi) in upper right, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, near Summer Lake, Oregon.

Draining mines provide consistent discharge and have elevated rare earth element (REE) concentrations, potentially providing opportunities for direct metal production. 

Draining mines provide consistent discharge and have elevated rare earth element concentrations, potentially providing opportunities for direct metal production.

The rusty patched bumblebee is the first bee to be listed as endangered in the continental US, and the western bumblebee has been the subject of extensive USGS work that has found effects of climate, land cover change, and pesticides on the decline of the species.

USGS Environmental Health Program Energy Integrated Science Team scientists on field visit within the Grand Teton National Park, September 2022

Location of Core Sagebrush Areas, Growth Opportunity Areas, and Other Rangeland Areas identified within the sagebrush biome of the United States of America, By: Doherty et al., 2022 from publication “A Sagebrush Conservation Design to Proactively Restore America’s Sagebrush Biome.”  .

Eric White and Patrick Scordato of the USGS float an electromagnetic imaging tool along a coastal area in Massachusetts to identify terrestrial groundwater discharge that may be impacted by PFAS contamination. 

Image shows different types of sample containers filled with a variety of sample matrices tested by the OGRL. 

Oily produced water collected from an oil well for U.S. Geological Survey laboratory analysis. Photo credit: Bonnie McDevitt.

USGS crew measuring forest conditions following the Dixie Fire in 2021. Lassen Volcanic National Park. California. 

Five ways climate change affects reptiles.

Graphic created by VSFS intern, Louise Johansson.

A honey bee (Apis mellifera) is spotted on a sunflower. National Honey Bee Day is observed on the third Saturday in August. 

Image that shows the research framework for the Environmental Health Program's Source to Receptor Research for Environmental Contaminants