Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide 
Thousands of satellites are due to burn up in the atmosphere every year – damaging the ozone layer and changing the climate 
Lake beds are rich environmental records — studying them reveals much about a place’s history 
LA fires: Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke is poorly understood − and a growing risk 
Rise of the Zombie Bugs takes readers on a jaw-dropping tour of the parasite world 
Extreme heat, flooding, wildfires – Colorado’s formerly incarcerated people on the hazards they faced behind bars 
Goldman Sachs Delays Fed Rate Cut Forecast to 2026 Amid Rising Inflation Concerns 
Parasites are ecological dark matter – and they need protecting 
How is Antarctica melting, exactly? Crucial details are beginning to come into focus 
Sign up to the special Beating Around the Bush newsletter here.
Australia is classified as “megadiverse” meaning it’s a global hotspot for plant and animal diversity, and has vast numbers of unique species found nowhere else on Earth. With this newsletter we want you to be able to wander down the garden path, off the beaten track, and smell the gum leaves. Specifically, what kind of gum leaf? What is it from? Where does it grow?
We'll let you know every time a new edition in our Beating Around the Bush series comes out, putting the spotlight on a different native plant every time. We’re on a roughly fortnightly schedule, but like any garden there might be a few surprises along the way. I’ll also be rounding up some of the greatest hits from our archives, and talking about what’s new in the plant world.
This one is for all you floraphiles out there. Felicity Burke/The Conversation
If someone else in your life might enjoy this mix in their inbox, please let them know about it. And if you have any feedback, feel free to let us know in the comments.
