Abby Benson
@1abbybenson.bsky.social
Biologist who dabbles in data science. Open science supporter. Fluent in Darwin Core. Data lackey for USFWS. (she / her)
Reposted by Abby Benson
It’s time for one of the easiest things you can do for wildlife: just #LeaveTheLeaves! Leaves are vital homes & winter shelter! 🐝
🍂 Follow our easy tips & meet the animals you’ll be saving ➡️ xerces.org/blog/leave-t...
🪧 Get your own yard sign, now available in English & Spanish ➡️ xerces.org/gifts
🍂 Follow our easy tips & meet the animals you’ll be saving ➡️ xerces.org/blog/leave-t...
🪧 Get your own yard sign, now available in English & Spanish ➡️ xerces.org/gifts
Leave the Leaves!
One of the most valuable ways to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the shelter they need to survive the winter. Thankfully, all you need to do is do less yard work.
xerces.org
October 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
It’s time for one of the easiest things you can do for wildlife: just #LeaveTheLeaves! Leaves are vital homes & winter shelter! 🐝
🍂 Follow our easy tips & meet the animals you’ll be saving ➡️ xerces.org/blog/leave-t...
🪧 Get your own yard sign, now available in English & Spanish ➡️ xerces.org/gifts
🍂 Follow our easy tips & meet the animals you’ll be saving ➡️ xerces.org/blog/leave-t...
🪧 Get your own yard sign, now available in English & Spanish ➡️ xerces.org/gifts
Reposted by Abby Benson
NEW
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
The Story of DOGE, as Told by Federal Workers
WIRED spoke with more than 200 federal workers in dozens of agencies to learn what happened as the Department of Government Efficiency tore through their offices.
www.wired.com
September 25, 2025 at 11:22 AM
NEW
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
Reposted by Abby Benson
If finalized, the proposal would mean data on the greenhouse gas emissions of facilities such as major oil refineries would no longer be publicly available. eos.org/research-and...
EPA Proposes That Major Polluters No Longer Report Their Emissions - Eos
The EPA proposed today that approximately 8,000 polluting facilities, including oil refineries, power plants, and steel mills, should no longer be required to report their greenhouse gas emissions.
eos.org
September 12, 2025 at 10:09 PM
If finalized, the proposal would mean data on the greenhouse gas emissions of facilities such as major oil refineries would no longer be publicly available. eos.org/research-and...
Reposted by Abby Benson
Day 3 of the public hearing on the EPA’s reconsideration of the endangerment finding will begin shortly.🧪
As before, we’ll be following along: 👇🧵
As before, we’ll be following along: 👇🧵
August 21, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Day 3 of the public hearing on the EPA’s reconsideration of the endangerment finding will begin shortly.🧪
As before, we’ll be following along: 👇🧵
As before, we’ll be following along: 👇🧵
Great to see our article on including data management in college curricula included in that list ❤️
Happy Love Data Week #LoveData25, hosted by @lovedataweek.bsky.social! Here at Eos, we ❤️ all things data—and have the stories to prove it:
eos.org/tag/data-management
eos.org/tag/data-management
August 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Great to see our article on including data management in college curricula included in that list ❤️
Reposted by Abby Benson
![Comic. The Most-Observed Animal and Plant in Each State on iNaturalist. (Not the most common species in the state, just the one people have reported the most times.) [labeled map of the US] WA: Mallard/Western Sword Fern. OR: Mule Deer/Western Ponderosa Pine. CA: Western Fence Lizard/California Poppy. HI: Green Sea Turtle/‘Ōhi’a Lehua. ID: Mallard/Big Sagebrush. NV: Common Side-Blotched Lizard/Creosote Bush. MT: White-Tailed Deer/Common Yarrow. WY: American Bison/Sticky Geranium. UT: Mule Deer/Utah Juniper. AZ: Ornate Tree Lizard/Saguaro. CO: Mule Deer/Great Mullein. NM: Mule Deer/Creosote Bush. AK: Moose/Fireweed. ND: American Bison/Prairie Rose. SD: American Bison/Hoary Vervain. NE: American Robin/Common Milkweed. KS: Ornate Box Turtle/Amur Honeysuckle. OK: Pond Slider/Eastern Redcedar. TX: Northern Cardinal/Pinladies. MN, WI, IL: Common Eastern Bumble Bee/Common Milkweed. IA, MI: White-Tailed Deer/Common Milkweed. MO: Brown-Belted Bumble Bee/Amur Honeysuckle. AR: Three-toed Box Turtle/Chinese Privet. LA: Green Anole/Baldcypress. IN: American Robin/Amur Honeysuckle. OH: Eastern Pondhawk/Virginia Springbeauty. KY: Common Box Turtle/Amur Honeysuckle. TN: American Robin/Christmas Fern. MS: Northern Cardinal/Pale Pitcher Plant. AL: Gulf Fritillary/American Sweetgum. GA: Green Anole/American Sweetgum. FL: Brown Anole/White Beggarticks. NY: Eastern Gray Squirrel/White Snakeroot. PA: White-Tailed Deer/Garlic Mustard. WV: White-Tailed Deer/Great Rhododendron. VA: White-Tailed Deer/Eastern Poison Ivy. MD: White-Tailed Deer/Wineberry. DE: Fowler’s Toad/American Pokeweed. NC: Eastern Gray Squirrel/Christmas Fern. SC: Northern Cardinal/American Sweetgum. NJ: Spotted Lanternfly/Common Mugwort. VT: Common Eastern Bumble Bee/Eastern White Pine. NH: White-Tailed Deer/Eastern White Pine. MA: Common Eastern Bumble Bee/Eastern White Pine. CT: Common Eastern Bumble Bee/Striped Wintergreen. RI: American Herring Gull. ME: American Herring Gull/Canadian Bunchberry.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreic4f56ywseq7bqc7zza3y76pxyzn5c5htebrior6jdbrfszhuiquy@jpeg)
July 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Abby Benson
In an unconscionable decision, the Smithsonian Institute has decided to no longer support the Biodiversity Heritage Library from 1 Jan 2026. Please someone step up and take it over.
Foundations: please step up and take over the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL). This is an absolutely essential scanned archive of all of the old journals and books from the 1500s to about 1920. Has been indispensable for my research.
about.biodiversitylibrary.org/call-for-sup...
about.biodiversitylibrary.org/call-for-sup...
Call for Support: – About BHL
about.biodiversitylibrary.org
July 2, 2025 at 3:56 PM
In an unconscionable decision, the Smithsonian Institute has decided to no longer support the Biodiversity Heritage Library from 1 Jan 2026. Please someone step up and take it over.
Reposted by Abby Benson
NEW PAPER, JUST OUT! 👀
Insects from the '70s and '80s were already collecting microplastic, decades before the term microplastic even existed. 🤯
A thread on the surprising history of this pollutant and the incredible insect larvae that helped us uncover it. 🐛
Let's dive in! 🧵👇 1/x
Insects from the '70s and '80s were already collecting microplastic, decades before the term microplastic even existed. 🤯
A thread on the surprising history of this pollutant and the incredible insect larvae that helped us uncover it. 🐛
Let's dive in! 🧵👇 1/x
April 9, 2025 at 10:07 AM
NEW PAPER, JUST OUT! 👀
Insects from the '70s and '80s were already collecting microplastic, decades before the term microplastic even existed. 🤯
A thread on the surprising history of this pollutant and the incredible insect larvae that helped us uncover it. 🐛
Let's dive in! 🧵👇 1/x
Insects from the '70s and '80s were already collecting microplastic, decades before the term microplastic even existed. 🤯
A thread on the surprising history of this pollutant and the incredible insect larvae that helped us uncover it. 🐛
Let's dive in! 🧵👇 1/x
QuotePost with a picture you took in a National Park.
#NationalParkService America’s Best Idea
Canyonlands NP April 2021
(pls use AltText)
#NationalParkService America’s Best Idea
Canyonlands NP April 2021
(pls use AltText)
February 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
QuotePost with a picture you took in a National Park.
#NationalParkService America’s Best Idea
Canyonlands NP April 2021
(pls use AltText)
#NationalParkService America’s Best Idea
Canyonlands NP April 2021
(pls use AltText)
Reposted by Abby Benson
Missed out on attending our #DataUseClub Practical Session last week? 🐙
Have no fear, the resources are here! 🙌
Access the session recording, Q&A, presentations and community forum all in one place!
🔗www.gbif.org/composi...
Have no fear, the resources are here! 🙌
Access the session recording, Q&A, presentations and community forum all in one place!
🔗www.gbif.org/composi...
February 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Missed out on attending our #DataUseClub Practical Session last week? 🐙
Have no fear, the resources are here! 🙌
Access the session recording, Q&A, presentations and community forum all in one place!
🔗www.gbif.org/composi...
Have no fear, the resources are here! 🙌
Access the session recording, Q&A, presentations and community forum all in one place!
🔗www.gbif.org/composi...
Reposted by Abby Benson
This guide is under strict monitoring...😉🔎
We've just released the new Survey and Monitoring Data Quick-Start Guide!
The latest GBIF digital publication supports users in updating a Darwin Core dataset using the #HumboldtExtension. 🐊
Check it out 🔗gbif.link/sm_guide
@tdwg.org
We've just released the new Survey and Monitoring Data Quick-Start Guide!
The latest GBIF digital publication supports users in updating a Darwin Core dataset using the #HumboldtExtension. 🐊
Check it out 🔗gbif.link/sm_guide
@tdwg.org
February 12, 2025 at 1:20 PM
This guide is under strict monitoring...😉🔎
We've just released the new Survey and Monitoring Data Quick-Start Guide!
The latest GBIF digital publication supports users in updating a Darwin Core dataset using the #HumboldtExtension. 🐊
Check it out 🔗gbif.link/sm_guide
@tdwg.org
We've just released the new Survey and Monitoring Data Quick-Start Guide!
The latest GBIF digital publication supports users in updating a Darwin Core dataset using the #HumboldtExtension. 🐊
Check it out 🔗gbif.link/sm_guide
@tdwg.org
Reposted by Abby Benson
The University of North Texas #insect collection is now on GBIF! Data entry and #georeferencing is being done mainly by a team of amazing @untscience.bsky.social undergrads. www.gbif.org/dataset/7ab6...
February 19, 2025 at 1:54 AM
The University of North Texas #insect collection is now on GBIF! Data entry and #georeferencing is being done mainly by a team of amazing @untscience.bsky.social undergrads. www.gbif.org/dataset/7ab6...
Reposted by Abby Benson
If you live in the Mojave or have Spring Break plans in Death Valley or Vegas, you can help study Joshua trees! Yoder Lab grad student Pryce Millikin has a new @inaturalist.bsky.social project for Joshua tree flowering and fruiting, to study the trees' specialized pollinators 🌿
buff.ly/3PLUL6e
buff.ly/3PLUL6e
Help us map and study the activity of Joshua trees’ specialized pollinators, yucca moths!
Yucca moths interacting with Joshua tree flowers. Left, a female Tegeticula antithetica lays eggs in the pistil of an eastern Joshua tree flower before pollinating the flower with the yellow ball o…
buff.ly
January 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM
If you live in the Mojave or have Spring Break plans in Death Valley or Vegas, you can help study Joshua trees! Yoder Lab grad student Pryce Millikin has a new @inaturalist.bsky.social project for Joshua tree flowering and fruiting, to study the trees' specialized pollinators 🌿
buff.ly/3PLUL6e
buff.ly/3PLUL6e
Reposted by Abby Benson
If you're interested, you can find a summary of the latest research on wildfire and climate change in the US here:
nca2023.globalchange.gov/chapter/2/
nca2023.globalchange.gov/chapter/2/
Fifth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 2: Climate Trends
Chapter 2 of the Fifth National Climate Assessment
nca2023.globalchange.gov
January 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
If you're interested, you can find a summary of the latest research on wildfire and climate change in the US here:
nca2023.globalchange.gov/chapter/2/
nca2023.globalchange.gov/chapter/2/
Reposted by Abby Benson
Is there a link between #ClimateChange & increasing risk/severity of #wildfire in California--including the still-unfolding disaster? Yes. Is climate change the only factor at play? No, of course not. So what's really going on? [Thread] #CAfire #CAwx #LAfires iopscience.iop.org/a...
January 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Is there a link between #ClimateChange & increasing risk/severity of #wildfire in California--including the still-unfolding disaster? Yes. Is climate change the only factor at play? No, of course not. So what's really going on? [Thread] #CAfire #CAwx #LAfires iopscience.iop.org/a...
Reposted by Abby Benson
Would appreciate a RT from the scientists for this one! We have 665 scientists in the spring database and I want to get us to about 1000 before we set the teachers loose on the database for January matches.
Scientists!
We are trying to get 1000 of us into the volunteer database by Jan 1.
You'll be volunteering to speak with classrooms over video chat about your work, and answer their questions! You can volunteer for up to 5 sessions per semester.
Sign up here! www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
We are trying to get 1000 of us into the volunteer database by Jan 1.
You'll be volunteering to speak with classrooms over video chat about your work, and answer their questions! You can volunteer for up to 5 sessions per semester.
Sign up here! www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
December 30, 2024 at 5:10 PM
Would appreciate a RT from the scientists for this one! We have 665 scientists in the spring database and I want to get us to about 1000 before we set the teachers loose on the database for January matches.
We've had birds flying into our windows so I put up some bird blocks (vertical lines). I've also started keeping the blinds part way down to help too (horizontal lines). Stay safe birdies! 🐦
December 23, 2024 at 8:19 PM
We've had birds flying into our windows so I put up some bird blocks (vertical lines). I've also started keeping the blinds part way down to help too (horizontal lines). Stay safe birdies! 🐦
Reposted by Abby Benson
Today is my last day with @hakaimagazine.com. They gave me one of my first breaks as a freelancer nearly a decade ago, and I've had a relationship with them ever since. It's bittersweet to say goodbye, but I'm excited for the next chapter.
Here's a 🧵 of some stories I've worked on over the years
Here's a 🧵 of some stories I've worked on over the years
December 20, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Today is my last day with @hakaimagazine.com. They gave me one of my first breaks as a freelancer nearly a decade ago, and I've had a relationship with them ever since. It's bittersweet to say goodbye, but I'm excited for the next chapter.
Here's a 🧵 of some stories I've worked on over the years
Here's a 🧵 of some stories I've worked on over the years
Had a nice day at the tide pools 💖
December 16, 2024 at 2:09 AM
Had a nice day at the tide pools 💖
Save the dates 21–24 Oct 2025 for Datos Vivos/Living Data in Bogotá, Colombia, where TDWG will join GBIF, OBIS, and GEO BON in a joint conference www.livingdata2025.com. Call for sessions will go out the week of 15 December. Sign up on website to stay informed. 🧪
Living Data 2025 - Information that together, transforms
www.livingdata2025.com
December 16, 2024 at 1:55 AM
Save the dates 21–24 Oct 2025 for Datos Vivos/Living Data in Bogotá, Colombia, where TDWG will join GBIF, OBIS, and GEO BON in a joint conference www.livingdata2025.com. Call for sessions will go out the week of 15 December. Sign up on website to stay informed. 🧪
Reposted by Abby Benson
December 12, 2024 at 5:13 PM
Reposted by Abby Benson
We sent out our final matches for 2024!
In 2024, we served 4,646 classes. We reached every US state & an additional 78 countries (map)!
We need monthly support to keep this program going in 2025.
Donating $5-10/month is incredibly helpful for keeping us stable.
Can you help?
givebutter.com/uA8ubg
In 2024, we served 4,646 classes. We reached every US state & an additional 78 countries (map)!
We need monthly support to keep this program going in 2025.
Donating $5-10/month is incredibly helpful for keeping us stable.
Can you help?
givebutter.com/uA8ubg
December 11, 2024 at 7:58 PM
We sent out our final matches for 2024!
In 2024, we served 4,646 classes. We reached every US state & an additional 78 countries (map)!
We need monthly support to keep this program going in 2025.
Donating $5-10/month is incredibly helpful for keeping us stable.
Can you help?
givebutter.com/uA8ubg
In 2024, we served 4,646 classes. We reached every US state & an additional 78 countries (map)!
We need monthly support to keep this program going in 2025.
Donating $5-10/month is incredibly helpful for keeping us stable.
Can you help?
givebutter.com/uA8ubg