Environment & Science

A NASA robotic mission that is exploring the inner reaches of our solar system will literally ‘touch the Sun’ on Christmas Eve.

The Lehigh Valley is in a 9-inch rain shortfall. The prolonged dry spell has raised concerns about the longevity of fresh-cut Christmas trees this year. And, it's thinning out the trees planted this year to grow for future holiday seasons.

The township's Shade Tree Commission was awarded 15 trees from a statewide nonprofit dedicated to improving the tree canopy in urban areas.

Listings will include risks for flood, wildfire, wind, heat and air quality, as well as interactive maps and insurance requirements.

With no quick cure for the fast-moving, but slow-to-kill disease, experts said American beech trees could be functionally extinct throughout the state within 10 to 15 years.

Said Edward Boscola, Bethlehem water and sewer resources director: “It’s important for everybody to know that the lead levels in the city’s drinking water system are very low."

May, an immature female broad-winged hawk, migrated through Hurricane Milton in Florida last month. The hurricane made landfall Oct. 9 near Siesta Key, Fla., as a devastating Category 3 storm.

Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. At about 5:35 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, grab your binoculars and watch it disappear.

The drought is far from over, but enough precipitation has fallen to boost the confidence of state officials when it comes to outdoor fires.

The precautionary measure across Pennsylvania comes at no cost to farmers. While the virus hasn't been reported in commonwealth cattle, other states have seen a marked uptick in cases.

Two shad ladders in the Lehigh Valley, at the Easton and Chain dams, haven't been working as intended. Efforts to restore this migrating fish system have stalled.

The first Lehigh Valley Space Fest started Saturday. Hosted at Paxinosa Elementary School, organizers aim to inspire children and young adults to be interested in science and space topics.

A team of Emmaus High School students placed first in the Lehigh County Conservation District’s Envirothon the last week of April.

No, those weren’t UFOs spotted over the Lehigh Valley on Thursday night. Starlink internet satellites orbiting Earth were visible to skywatchers in the area.

WLVR’s Brad Klein speaks with Environment & Science Reporter, Molly Bilinski about her work reporting on the Lehigh Gap Nature Center in Slatington.

Easton's branch of the American Association of University Women is holding its annual Girls Recognition Night Thursday at the Nurture Nature Center. Seventh graders from Easton, Wilson, Nazareth and Bangor area middle schools will be honored.

Neither snow, nor sleet, nor hail. There's frozen precipitation in the Lehigh Valley forecast on Wednesday — it's called graupel.

The Easton Environmental Advisory Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to send a letter to city council and Lafayette College outlining their concerns after more than 40 trees were cleared.

Borough council on Monday night heard a presentation on options to mitigate PFAS in its residential drinking supply. None of the proposals are cheap.

On Sunday, a counterclockwise-spinning low pressure system was moving up the coast. The Lehigh Valley was on the western side of the low, which meant heavy rainfall.

The Slatington-based nonprofit promotes conservation through education, research and outdoor recreation for all. Through that work, the landscape has radically changed for the better, making the Lehigh Valley a greener place.

Hundreds of power outages were reported across the Lehigh Valley early Monday following heavy rains. At least 2.35 inches fell at the airport.