Environment & Science

Gemma, a fisher, has died, zoo officials announced Monday. She was an animal ambassador at the zoo for more than a decade.

State parks across the commonwealth are gearing up for what could be a very busy summer season as some federal campgrounds shutter due to staffing shortages.

The tornado that touched down Tuesday evening in Bangor has been categorized by the National Weather Service, according to a statement issued Wednesday. The agency estimated peak winds reached 80 to 90 mph with a path length of about 1.50 miles and a maximum path width of 100 yards.

Easton's Environmental Advisory Council voted unanimously to draft and send a letter opposing the Easton Commerce Park to the city’s planning commission. The project is slated to go before the commission Wednesday.

Even with several days of rain, the Lehigh Valley remains well below average in long term levels of precipitation. Here's how the rest of the month could shape up.

Videos posted to the Facebook group Slate Belt Chatter show a funnel cloud rotating and descending toward the ground. The weather service said a storm damage assessment will be conducted and more details provided later in the week.

Projects ranged from initiatives aimed at lowering food waste to renewable energy. When complete, the city will be the third of the Lehigh Valley’s major cities to publish a climate action plan.

The annual Envirothon is essentially a scholastic scrimmage for environmental science. Two Lehigh Valley teams have advanced to the state competition.

The so-called "morning star" is brightly visible for the remainder of spring, and easy to spot in the eastern sky just before sunrise.

The tool and seed library at Bethlehem Area Public Library's South Side branch, 400 Webster St., includes free seeds for all. Patrons can check out tools for a week with a library card.

Northampton County Council on Thursday approved nearly $650,000 in Livable Landscapes grants, most focused on expanding or improving the public trails.

With more than two dozen species of fireflies that call Pennsylvania home, it’s no wonder one was adopted as the state’s insect. But, these flashy insects are threatened due habitat loss and light pollution.

The American Red Cross is warning people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses as a heat wave sweeps the Lehigh Valley. They say a few simple tips can help save lives.

The Delaware River Sojourn, an eight-day guided paddling and camping trip, is underway. About 100 paddlers are participating.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's General Duty Clause essentially says employees are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace. In some cases, that applies to workers that can endure excessive heat, like during a heat advisory.

Looking for relief from the heat in Easton? The city is opening up City Hall and turning on the fire hydrants over the next few days to alleviate the sky-high temperatures.

Over the last three decades, more than 400 farms have been preserved in Lehigh County. The program aims to ward off development and protect open spaces.

Grant applications for the Municipal Opportunities for Retrofits and Energy Efficiency, or MORE, Program are open. Loans are also available through a Lehigh Valley lender.

With temperatures expected to stay in the 90s this week, electric companies are sharing ways for customers to keep their bills low while keeping cool.

This week, the basics of watching what Juliet, that star-crossed lover, called the 'inconstant moon.'

Pushed by the pandemic, backyard gardens are hotter than ever. One Bethlehem man starts months before the weather is right.

No matter what we call it, hazardous heat is expected across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, according to the Weather Prediction Center.