Dear Friend of the Journal,

As this year draws to a close, we’re reflecting on some of the Journal stories that we’re most proud of. Below you will find a list of in-depth features and important reporting that resonated with our readers and inspired us, too.

We’d love to hear about your favorite articles from the past year, as well. Please share!

As always, thanks for reading. May your holidays be restful and rejuvenating. We’ll see you in 2026!

Zoe Loftus-Farren
Managing Editor, Earth Island Journal

Uncaged

As wildlife advocates fight to free the last captives of Vietnam’s bile farms, rescued bears find dignity in the country’s sanctuaries.

No Entry

In America, whether we can swim — and whether we have access to swimmable water at all — is closely tied to race.

Greenwashing in the Evergreen State

How a quasi-academic group convinced Washington State to classify industrial logging as a climate change solution.

Room to Roam

What the world’s only wild horse species needs from us is the hardest thing to give — undisturbed space.

No Refills

In Nepal’s high Himalayas, people rely on traditional Tibetan medicine. But essential herbs are getting harder to find.

Why We Ask

Environmental journalism faces strong headwinds. In just the past year, at least three noted publications that covered environmental and public health issues — Hakai Magazine, Yes! magazine, and Environmental Health Perspectives — have closed up shop. Many others are struggling to stay afloat as revenue streams, including philanthropic support, dry up.

Amid this upheaval, it feels like a miracle that Earth Island Journal has managed to hold steady and cover the environment for four decades without pause. But then again, our readers have always had our back.

Your contribution supports the future of investigative reporting on climate change, land and wildlife conservation, and environmental justice issues worldwide.

Gifts of any size make a big impact! When you set up a monthly gift, your recurring donation keeps fact-based journalism accessible to people all year long.

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Donations by check can be made payable to Earth Island Institute and mailed to: 2150 Allston Way, Suite 460, Berkeley, CA 94704