# Audio Edition: The State of Nature Update #23

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/nature-signals-podcast-7864786/audio-edition-the-state-of-nature-update-23
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/nature-signals-podcast-7864786/audio-edition-the-state-of-nature-update-23.md
Podcast: [Nature Signals Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/nature-signals-podcast-7864786)
Published: 2026-04-08T19:39:43+00:00
Episode link: https://ruththornton.substack.com/p/audio-edition-the-state-of-nature-8c5
Audio file: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/193612210/c79a5ca98326c7d9fe8f70034f77c2b4.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/nature-signals-podcast-7864786/episodes/audio-edition-the-state-of-nature-update-23
Duration seconds: 1016

## Resource

If you didn’t have time to read Saturday’s State of Nature Update, here’s your chance to listen to it instead! This week I’m covering the stories: Biodiversity: * ‘God Squad’ votes unanimously to exempt offshore drilling from Endangered Species Act restrictions. * Project to restore Atlantic salmon to Maine streams shows promise, but challenges remain. * Some snakes get their venom from poisonous toads , but how do they know if they have enough of it? * New species are discovered at record rates - but is it enough to save them before they’re gone? * Fake fur during cultural ceremonies benefits leopards in Africa. * Native seed farm grows native plants to restore California’s ecosystems. Pollution & Pesticides: * Rising cancer rates in Iowa are linked to environmental pollutants, study says. * Recycled plastics are repurposed into Hawaii’s roads - with no apparent increase in microplastics. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how I can make Nature Signals better! Please take about 2 minutes of your time to answer my new Reader Survey: Thanks so much! To learn more about the stories I covered and other resources I linked to, check out the written version of the newsletter here: Nature Signals is a reader-supported publication. It takes many hours to write and research each post. To receive new posts in your inbox and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Not ready to subscribe? Consider buying me a coffee (or a beer…). Any support is greatly appreciated! Get full access to Nature Signals at ruththornton.substack.com/subscribe

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## Transcript

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