It's often said that environmentalists only know bad news. So let us take a moment to savor another bit of good news: bald eagles are found in Sangamon County. This is long-time example of the good work that national conservation efforts can do.
Habitat preservation is a tricky business, even in the best of times. It combines concerns with sprawl and agriculture, energy and water use, and general smoke-belching pollution in all its forms. Put in the context of the warming world--which the IPCC's latest report says could drive 30% of the world's species to extinction--and suddenly a tricky task doubles in on itself.
So, it's important to remember: not only can we do this, we have done it.