Phil Levin

I've spent my life studying nature, but some of what matters most can't be captured in data. In a new piece in Science with David Hassler, we explore why conservation needs poetry, wonder, and imagination alongside science. The microscope and the metaphor. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Science is essential—it helps us understand change and guide decisions. But how we do science is expanding: more collaborative, more connected, more inclusive. When it starts with communities, it leads to solutions that last. My Earth Day op-ed is out www.seattletimes.com/opinion/eart...

Science is essential—it helps us understand change and guide decisions. But how we do science is expanding: more collaborative, more connected, more inclusive. When it starts with communities, it leads to solutions that last. My Earth Day op-ed is out www.seattletimes.com/opinion/eart...

Public Comment Now Open for The Nature Record Draft Assessment – esa.org/esablog/2026... The draft assessment of The Nature Record— the first comprehensive, independent, evidence-based assessment of the state of nature in the United States — is now available for public review.

There’s a tradition this time of year of returning to a story—not to repeat it, but to question it, add to it, & see what it asks of us. Be That’s this moment for NatureRecord.org: still unfolding shaped by many voices. Check out my substack & share your voice open.substack.com/pub/naturere...

A paper in Scientific Reports presents detailed observations of a wild sperm whale birth off the coast of Dominica in July 2023. The findings represent the most in-depth published observations of a wild cetacean birth to date, according to the authors. go.nature.com/4sD82QE 🌍 🧪

The Nature Record Download the draft assessment. The Nature Record is a national initiative bringing together knowledge, storytelling, and public participation to elevate the role of nature in the U.S. It includes a holistic assessment of U.S. lands, waters, and wildlife and the benefits they…

Help shape the first of its kind assessment of U.S. lands, waters, wildlife and the benefits they provide. The full draft of the Nature Record is now open for comment. The authors are looking for your ideas, insights, and experiences to strengthen the report. naturerecord.org

Nature shapes our health, economy, and daily lives—and it’s changing fast. TheNatureRecord.org national assessment is open for public comment, and your perspective matters. Learn how to review and contribute: naturerecord.substack.com/p/how-to-rev... Add your voice. Please share widely! 🙏

Working on TheNatureRecord.org means living inside data about US nature. But numbers carry only part of the story. In partnership with BowSeat.org, we’re excited to announce youth art winners whose work captures what data leave out—wonder, grief & belonging open.substack.com/pub/naturere...

Working on TheNatureRecord.org means living inside data about US nature. But numbers carry only part of the story. In partnership with BowSeat.org, we’re excited to announce youth art winners whose work captures what data leave out—wonder, grief & belonging open.substack.com/pub/naturere...

A new Substack from The Nature Record: welcoming our incredible Board of Advisors and inviting everyone to help shape the first holistic assessment of nature in the United States. Read the note and join the effort. 🌎 substack.com/@naturerecor...

Trump regime couldn't cancel this report on the status of nature in the United States. After the government terminated the project forged ahead with private funding. @phillevin.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/c...

Here is a direct link to the first full draft of the National Nature Assessment on the state of America’s land, water and wildlife that was started under the Biden administration but canceled by Trump before it could be published. 🌎 naturerecord.org/chapters

The draft Nature Record National Assessment is now open for comment! Take a look and tell us what we got right, what we missed, and what changes you’re seeing where you live. Your perspective will help shape the final record of nature in the U.S. naturerecord.substack.com/p/the-draft-...

The draft Nature Record National Assessment is now open for comment! Take a look and tell us what we got right, what we missed, and what changes you’re seeing where you live. Your perspective will help shape the final record of nature in the U.S. naturerecord.substack.com/p/the-draft-...

When the US govt terminated the National Nature Asst, @phillevin.bsky.social + the author team were determined not to let that stop them. They re-organized, set up an advisory committee, found funding…and now the brand new Nature Record is open for public comment. 👏🌳👏🌲 Check it out (link below)!

What tarantulas and toads taught me about collaboration — and how that lesson is shaping The Nature Record national assessment. A reflection on reciprocity, credibility, and the quiet leadership of our chapter leads as we head toward public review. open.substack.com/pub/naturere...

What tarantulas and toads taught me about collaboration — and how that lesson is shaping The Nature Record national assessment. A reflection on reciprocity, credibility, and the quiet leadership of our chapter leads as we head toward public review. open.substack.com/pub/naturere...

🔊 Announcing SCBNA's Public Engagement Series with The Nature Record! 🌎 Join our conversations on a national initiative preparing the first holistic assessment of U.S. lands, waters, and wildlife, and their benefits! Learn about all 7 sessions & register here: scbnorthamerica.org/index.php/th...

Kicking off the new year with The Nature Record Overview Session #1! 🎉 Date: Monday, January 12, 2026 Time: 12 - 1:00 PM PST Learn about why this assessment is needed now and how you can engage! Register here! us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

We’re launching a new public engagement series. The Nature Record is a national assessment of the state of nature in the U.S.—our lands, waters, wildlife, and the benefits they provide. Join the conversation and register: open.substack.com/pub/naturere...

Please nominate your self and/or others to review the the United by Nature Assessment (formerly the US National Nature Assessment). Spread the word.

@nationalacademies.org seeking experts by Dec 15 in Ecology Biodiversity, ecosys services, env change Ag Conservation biophysical sci Climate adaptation & mitigation Env social sci + human-nature interaction SciComm for a technical review of United by Nature survey.alchemer.com/s3/8589587/R...

The National Academies is inviting nominations for experts to review the draft United by Nature assessment. Ecology, climate, conservation, social science, sci-comm + more. If someone comes to mind—maybe you—please nominate & please the word! www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DEL...

Why does poetry matter in a time of ecological change? Because science tells us what’s happening — but poetry reminds us why it matters. 🌿 It helps us feel our belonging to place, and that feeling fuels action. Read my United by Nature Substack piece: 🔗 unitedbynature.substack.com/p/why-poetry...

Right now, nearly 200 authors across the country are crafting the second drafts of their chapters for a first-of-its-kind assessment of how nature supports life in the United States. This is the story of how it all comes together (there’s even a song!) open.substack.com/pub/unitedby...

🌿 What if a single leaf could remind us of our place in the universe? My latest post on Substack. Check it out and follow us there ! 🙏 open.substack.com/pub/unitedby...

Rainn Wilson from The Office: "About six years ago, during my daily practice of sitting in my underwear and sending out angry tweets to climate science deniers, I looked at myself in the mirror and decided it was time to be more than a keyboard warrior." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/o...

Inspired by Nature: 10 Powerful New Memoirs and Biographies • The Revelator 🧪🌎

When democracy falters, science is among the first casualties—truth silenced, data erased, expertise sidelined. But history shows us: scientists can build independent institutions that preserve truth, counter misinformation, and defend both knowledge and democracy. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

A century‑and‑a‑half of urbanization (from ~7% in 1810 to ~83% in 2020) has amplified a generational loss of nature connection. Richardson links parental disconnection to child connectedness—suggesting family-based interventions could help restore our bond with nature. 🌳 www.mdpi.com/2673-4834/6/...

A century‑and‑a‑half of urbanization (from ~7% in 1810 to ~83% in 2020) has amplified a generational loss of nature connection. Richardson links parental disconnection to child connectedness—suggesting family-based interventions could help restore our bond with nature. 🌳 www.mdpi.com/2673-4834/6/...

Studying the Earth is literally in the authorizing charter of NASA and always been part of their mission… arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...

When democracy falters, science is among the first casualties—truth silenced, data erased, expertise sidelined. But history shows us: scientists can build independent institutions that preserve truth, counter misinformation, and defend both knowledge and democracy. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

We are so excited to share this cover reveal of THE NATURE OF OUR TIMES: Poems on America’s Lands, Waters, Wildlife, and other Natural Wonders Edited by Luisa A. Igloria, Aileen Cassinetto, and David Hassler; Foreword by Phil Levin. Forthcoming from Paloma Press on 18 September, 2025...

The @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social needs your input on a collective research agenda for actionable ecological science. Are you attending #ESA2025 in Baltimore? Join us on Monday August 11 for a community discussion about how we can help solve urgent socioenvironmental problems with sound science.

I’m joining UW EarthLab as Interim Executive Director. Same mission as always—helping people & nature thrive—just with more meetings. @EarthLab to United by Nature (weareunitedbynature.org), I’m still chasing the big questions. Why I said yes earthlab in link below ➡️

We're thrilled to welcome @phillevin.bsky.social, PhD to the EarthLab team! Phil has been a long-time leader in the field of nature and health and served as Director of the first-ever National Nature Assessment. Welcome, Dr. Levin! earthlab.uw.edu/2025/08/why-...

Each Friday I summarize what happened in science 🧪& higher ed. This was Week 28: - $300M frozen at UCLA + updates on university “deals” - jobs report, Bureau of Labor Statistics firing & data quality fears - Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutting down + more at buttondown.com/liminalcreat...

Nature doesn’t live in a PDF—and neither should our vision for it. Deep thanks to the Esri team for helping turn the United by Nature assessment into something interactive, beautiful, and alive. This partnership gives me hope.

We are six months into the second Trump administration and the scale and severity of its assault on our nation's science and democracy has been unrelenting. Today, @ucs.org releases a detailed assessment of the damage so far and where we go from here: www.ucs.org/resources/sc... #ProtectScience

Nature doesn’t live in a PDF—and neither should our vision for it. Deep thanks to the Esri team for helping turn the United by Nature assessment into something interactive, beautiful, and alive. This partnership gives me hope.

Wonderful piece by Emmett Duffy. Science is a sacred obligation—and a team sport. It thrives on curiosity, humility, and the wisdom of crowds. Let’s keep exploring, questioning, and building a better world together. Let’s do this, people! doi.org/10.1093/ices...

Newspaper coverage of climate change around the globe dropped 6% from May to June 2025 -- and by 28% compared to June 2024, despite increasing frequency and severity of climate-fueled extreme weather events. Read more from the @media-climate.bsky.social here: mecco.colorado.edu/summaries/is...

Honored to give the Opening Plenary at this year’s ESA meeting. Drawing on work with the United by Nature initiative, I’ll explore how radical amazement—deep awe evoked by nature—can guide and spark transformative action. Hope to see you there! Weareunitedbynature.org

For those looking for the National Climate Assessments: NCA5 (2023): repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/61... NCA4 vol. 1 (2017): repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/19... NCA4 vol. 2 (2018): repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/19... NCA3 (2014): repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/19...

Our Federal agencies are facing dire threats. The cuts to staffing and programs across the government has already been devastating. And now Congress is working towards further destruction. Today I spoke at a rally outside NOAA. Keep up the pressure. #SaveNOAA. Save Science. Save Lives.

There are 2 previous historical cases of countries destroying their science and universities, crippling them for decades: Lysenkoism in the USSR and Nazi Germany. The Trump administration will be the 3rd. It's not just budgets but research, institutions, expertise, and training the next generation.