National Wildlife Magazine
The front cover of National Wildlife's Winter issue containing text and an image of a bison sleeping in the snow.

National Wildlife Magazine

Winter 2025 Issue

  • NWF Staff
  • National Wildlife
  • Dec 18, 2024

Need a reminder of all the beauty that surrounds us? Browse the inspiring winners of our 53rd annual photo contest. Also in the winter issue: the wonders and limits of rapid evolution; how climate change is shifting ancient migrations in Arctic Alaska; and the latest advances in canine conservation, courtesy of some very good dogs. (Photo by Kat Peterson.)

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Featured Stories

A magazine article spread containing text and an image of a great blue heron.

2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest: Bright Spots

They seized the moment, with memorable results. See winners of the 2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest.
2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest

2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest: Honorable Mentions & People’s Choice

See 63 honorable mentions and People’s Choice picks from our 2024 photo contest
An image of residential landscape renovation one month post planting.

Wildlife-Friendly Landscape Design From Scratch

How to craft a landscape design that benefits wildlife, from blank slate to thriving habitat
A magazine article spread containing text and an image of Charlie Bend Ahmaogak sitting in a traditional bearded seal skin umiak boat.

As Wildlife Migrations Shift in Arctic Alaska, So Do the Iñupiat

With climate change altering age-old migrations in Arctic Alaska, wildlife and subsistence whalers also must adjust. See stunning photos.

An image of Nina Ferrari climbing an old-growth Douglas fir tree.

Undaunted, Grad Students Return to the Field After Wildfires

Young researchers see the wildfires that paused their field work in Oregon’s H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest as lessons for the future
A magazine article spread containing text and an image of K9 Solo and dog handler Kyoko Johnson conducting a survey for seabird burrows.

Conservation Dogs, Nature’s Best Friends

Beyond simply sniffing out scat, today's conservation dogs are trained to find underground bird burrows, oil spills and invasive mussels—very good boys and girls, indeed
An image of southern sea otters.

New in Wildlife Science: Hungry Otters Stabilize an Ecosystem

Otters in California feast on crabs that cause salt marsh erosion; indoor gardening enhances health; lungs help birds soar
A magazine article spread containing text and an illustration of a reptilian character running across a fence.

Humans Force Rapid Evolution of Wildlife

Human activities are causing wildlife species to evolve faster than scientists once thought possible in a phenomenon known as rapid evolution
An image of a bison.

NWF News: Invasive Carp, Herbicide Drift, Environmental Justice

NWF and affiliates make progress on halting invasive carp and herbicide drift; plus, a new environmental justice mapping tool
An image of Devon Parfait.

Devon Parfait, Chief Conservationist

The young chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band, Parfait champions his people and efforts to slow erosion along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast
A collage of images of a sculpture made of trash that looks like an an ivory-billed woodpecker.

Thomas Deininger Turns Waste & Doom Into Wildlife Art

Thomas Deininger Turns Waste & Doom Into Wildlife Art
A collage of four contributors highlighted in the Winter 2025 issue of National Wildlife magazine.

Meet the Pack: Winter 2025 Contributors

Get to know some of the talented contributors behind the Winter 2025 issue of National Wildlife magazine
An image of Rakus, a Sumatran orangutan, two days before applying the plant mesh to his facial wound.

When It Comes to Wildlife That Self-Medicate, This Orangutan Isn’t Alone

In addition to Rakus, the Sumatran orangutan who healed his own wound, scientists have discovered scores of wildlife species that self-medicate with plants
An illustration of a reptilian character running across a fence.

Humans Are Forcing the Rapid Evolution of Wildlife. Can Animals Change Fast Enough?

  • By Katarina Zimmer
  • Conservation
  • December 18, 2024

Human activities are causing wildlife species to evolve faster than scientists once thought possible...

Read More
An image of K9 Solo and dog handler Kyoko Johnson conducting a survey for seabird burrows.

Conservation Dogs, Nature’s Best Friends

  • By Timothy Mihocik
  • Conservation
  • December 18, 2024

Beyond simply sniffing out scat, today's conservation dogs are trained to find underground bird burr...

Read More
An image of Devon Parfait.

Devon Parfait, Chief Conservationist

  • By Delaney McPherson
  • Next Generation
  • December 18, 2024

The young chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band, Parfait champions his people and efforts to slow er...

Read More
An image of southern sea otters.

New in Wildlife Science: Hungry Otters Stabilize an Ecosystem

  • By Mark Wexler
  • Wildlife Science
  • December 18, 2024

Otters in California feast on crabs that cause salt marsh erosion; indoor gardening enhances health;...

Read More
An image of Rakus, a Sumatran orangutan, two days before applying the plant mesh to his facial wound.

When It Comes to Wildlife That Self-Medicate, This Orangutan Isn’t Alone

  • By Heidi Ridgley
  • Wildlife Science
  • December 18, 2024

In addition to Rakus, the Sumatran orangutan who healed his own wound, scientists have discovered sc...

Read More
An image of a black-tailed jackrabbit.

Crossword: Royal Society

  • By Graham Meyer
  • Crossword
  • December 18, 2024

Will it be a royal pain or a regal coup? Try your hand at our latest crossword.

Read More
An image of residential landscape renovation one month post planting.

Wildlife-Friendly Landscape Design From Scratch

  • By Amy McCullough
  • Habitat Gardening
  • December 18, 2024

How to craft a landscape design that benefits wildlife, from blank slate to thriving habitat

Read More
An image of a great blue heron.

2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest: Bright Spots

  • By Jennifer Wehunt
  • Wildlife Photos
  • December 11, 2024

They seized the moment, with memorable results. See winners of the 2024 National Wildlife Photo Cont...

Read More
2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest

2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest: Honorable Mentions & People’s Choice

  • NWF Staff
  • Wildlife Photos
  • December 18, 2024

See 63 honorable mentions and People’s Choice picks from our 2024 photo contest

Read More
An image of Charlie Bend Ahmaogak sitting in a traditional bearded seal skin umiak boat.

As Wildlife Migrations Shift in Arctic Alaska, So Do the Iñupiat

  • Text and photos by Steven Kazlowski
  • Wildlife Photos
  • December 18, 2024

With climate change altering age-old migrations in Arctic Alaska, wildlife and subsistence whalers a...

Read More

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