Joe Spring
@joespring.bsky.social
Science journalist, Field and Lab Newsletter https://joespring.substack.com/ / Formerly Smithsonian Magazine, Outside Magazine, NOAA, USFWS, National Park Service / https://joespring.com/
In case you’re looking for something to watch… open.substack.com/pub/joesprin...
The 25 Best Science and Nature Documentaries of the 21st Century
My favorite movies and limited series on creatures, climate change, geology, and more
open.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:26 PM
In case you’re looking for something to watch… open.substack.com/pub/joesprin...
Polynesian navigator Nainoa Thompson is one of the most revered Hawaiians. This moment captures his early passion for learning how to navigate using the stars. joespring.substack.com/p/one-sure-s...
One Sure Sign You’re Dedicated to Celestial Navigation
In Hawaiki Rising, Sam Low tells the story of Polynesian navigator Nainoa Thompson and the oceangoing canoe Hōkūleʻa
joespring.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Polynesian navigator Nainoa Thompson is one of the most revered Hawaiians. This moment captures his early passion for learning how to navigate using the stars. joespring.substack.com/p/one-sure-s...
This feature on the impacts of recent cuts at NASA is alarming www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202... @thesundaylongread.bsky.social By @theatlantic.com @rossandersen.bsky.social
An Act of Cosmic Sabotage
How Donald Trump tried to ground NASA’s science missions
www.theatlantic.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:39 AM
This feature on the impacts of recent cuts at NASA is alarming www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202... @thesundaylongread.bsky.social By @theatlantic.com @rossandersen.bsky.social
New research shows other sharks stay away when tiger sharks are on the prowl. www.sierraclub.org/sierra/when-... @sierramagazine.bsky.social
When Tiger Sharks Show Up to Hunt Seabirds, Other Sharks Steer Clear
Smaller Galápagos and gray reef sharks change their behavior, likely to reduce competition or out of fear
www.sierraclub.org
January 6, 2026 at 7:47 PM
New research shows other sharks stay away when tiger sharks are on the prowl. www.sierraclub.org/sierra/when-... @sierramagazine.bsky.social
Exceptional story about a lead surgeon’s first infant heart transplant. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/w... @thesundaylongread.bsky.social @nytimes.com By Simar Bajaj
90 Minutes to Give Baby Luna a New Heart
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Exceptional story about a lead surgeon’s first infant heart transplant. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/w... @thesundaylongread.bsky.social @nytimes.com By Simar Bajaj
How do you simulate a tree well burial to study the body’s response to hanging upside down in snow? Here’s how these scientists did it. open.substack.com/pub/joesprin...
Would You Let Someone Bury You Upside Down in Snow for an Hour?
What about for science?
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:51 PM
How do you simulate a tree well burial to study the body’s response to hanging upside down in snow? Here’s how these scientists did it. open.substack.com/pub/joesprin...
I’m coming to this one late, but what a stellar longform feature on an overlooked sports journalist. @emilysohn.bsky.social’s @longlead.com story on SI’s Virginia Kraft is great. thecatch.longlead.com
Sports Illustrated's Forgotten Pioneer
In the Mad Men era of magazine journalism, Virginia Kraft was a globe-trotting writer and a deadly shot with a rifle. Why hasn't anyone heard of her?
thecatch.longlead.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I’m coming to this one late, but what a stellar longform feature on an overlooked sports journalist. @emilysohn.bsky.social’s @longlead.com story on SI’s Virginia Kraft is great. thecatch.longlead.com
During several years working as a sea turtle field biologist, I heard a few main calls from Hawaiian monk seals. I had no idea they had such a varied vocabulary underwater. My latest for @sierramagazine.bsky.social... www.sierraclub.org/sierra/growl... @noaa.gov
From Growl-Rumble-Whoops to Moan-Whines: Hawaiian Monk Seals Have a Vocal Repertoire Full of Surprises
The endangered species is the only pinniped known to string together vocalizations with no break
www.sierraclub.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:05 PM
During several years working as a sea turtle field biologist, I heard a few main calls from Hawaiian monk seals. I had no idea they had such a varied vocabulary underwater. My latest for @sierramagazine.bsky.social... www.sierraclub.org/sierra/growl... @noaa.gov
If you're looking for a great read this winter... joespring.substack.com/p/the-25-bes...
The 25 Best Sports and Adventure Books of the 21st Century
My favorite nonfictions books about surfing, exploration, running, and more
joespring.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:58 PM
If you're looking for a great read this winter... joespring.substack.com/p/the-25-bes...
Midway Atoll has a new cam that allows you to see intimate moments in the lives of Laysan albatrosses. I wrote an article for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social about what to watch for... @friendsofmidway.bsky.social, @explorerwieteke.bsky.social www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Stream the Beautiful Highs and Violent Lows of Albatross Life With This New 24-Hour Camera on Midway Atoll
You can see the large white seabirds dancing, preening, feeding and raising young—though the live feed might show a dark side of island living, too, with potential predation from invasive mice
www.smithsonianmag.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Midway Atoll has a new cam that allows you to see intimate moments in the lives of Laysan albatrosses. I wrote an article for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social about what to watch for... @friendsofmidway.bsky.social, @explorerwieteke.bsky.social www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Grateful @smithsonianmag.bsky.social's Carlyn Kranking let me share a few of my favorite reads for the year end list of the top science books—titles by @carlzimmer.com, Ben Weissenbach, and Alex Hutchinson. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
The Ten Best Science Books of 2025
From “experimental archaeology” to the mysterious appeal of exploration, the wide-ranging subjects detailed in these titles captivated Smithsonian magazine’s science contributors this year
www.smithsonianmag.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Grateful @smithsonianmag.bsky.social's Carlyn Kranking let me share a few of my favorite reads for the year end list of the top science books—titles by @carlzimmer.com, Ben Weissenbach, and Alex Hutchinson. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Loved this chat with the talented KT Bryden. open.substack.com/pub/joesprin...
Environmental Filmmaker KT Bryden Shares the Story Behind “The Little Brown Bird”
The 31-year-old director, cinematographer, and producer talks about her moving documentary on the Florida grasshopper sparrow
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Loved this chat with the talented KT Bryden. open.substack.com/pub/joesprin...
Some recent classification changes gave me the chance to write about some of my favorite seabirds, the beautiful and quirky white-terns. joespring.substack.com/p/this-ether...
This Ethereal Seabird Recently Became Three Species
Scientists have changed the classifications of white terns, elegant seabirds that inspire awe and amusement
joespring.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Some recent classification changes gave me the chance to write about some of my favorite seabirds, the beautiful and quirky white-terns. joespring.substack.com/p/this-ether...
Reposted by Joe Spring
❗Reminder: The application deadline for the @theopennotebook.bsky.social early-career fellowship is this Friday, October 31. This fellowship is:
✅ Paid ($6,600)
✅ Part-time
✅ Remote
✅ Mentored
✅ Open to applicants anywhere in the world
Learn more here: www.theopennotebook.com/early-career...
✅ Paid ($6,600)
✅ Part-time
✅ Remote
✅ Mentored
✅ Open to applicants anywhere in the world
Learn more here: www.theopennotebook.com/early-career...
Early-Career Fellowship Program - The Open Notebook
Every year, The Open Notebook offers a paid, part-time fellowship program for early-career science journalists. This ten-month program offers fellows the opportunity to explore their career interests ...
www.theopennotebook.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
❗Reminder: The application deadline for the @theopennotebook.bsky.social early-career fellowship is this Friday, October 31. This fellowship is:
✅ Paid ($6,600)
✅ Part-time
✅ Remote
✅ Mentored
✅ Open to applicants anywhere in the world
Learn more here: www.theopennotebook.com/early-career...
✅ Paid ($6,600)
✅ Part-time
✅ Remote
✅ Mentored
✅ Open to applicants anywhere in the world
Learn more here: www.theopennotebook.com/early-career...
A brief review of the best environmental documentary I've seen this year—which you can watch for free. joespring.substack.com/p/so-much-de...
So Much Depends on a Little Brown Bird
By working to save America’s most endangered songbird, a dedicated team is helping to protect Florida’s dry prairie
joespring.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM
A brief review of the best environmental documentary I've seen this year—which you can watch for free. joespring.substack.com/p/so-much-de...
Reposted by Joe Spring
It's pub day for The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2025, and the whole Best American series. I'm so proud of this book and all the brilliant, beautiful writing @susanorlean.bsky.social selected for it. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2025
Check out The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2025 - <p>“The best science and nature writing—which these stories represent—reminds us of the wide world and our connection to...
bookshop.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It's pub day for The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2025, and the whole Best American series. I'm so proud of this book and all the brilliant, beautiful writing @susanorlean.bsky.social selected for it. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Another great dispatch here from @aaasmassmedia.bsky.social fellow @amberonradio.bsky.social, on how native species can help Altadena recover after the fires. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
After the L.A. Fires, Locals Turn to Native Plants to Help Shield Homes From Flames and Clean Contaminated Soil
Scientists and community members in Altadena are testing ways that California species can assist efforts to rebuild
www.smithsonianmag.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Another great dispatch here from @aaasmassmedia.bsky.social fellow @amberonradio.bsky.social, on how native species can help Altadena recover after the fires. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
So cool to see @rudymolinek.bsky.social's @smithsonianmag.bsky.social piece on the long, strange history of Teflon on the notable list for The Best American Science and Nature Writing. Thanks @jaimealyse.bsky.social jaimealyse.beehiiv.com/p/basnw25
Coming soon! The Best American Science & Nature Writing 2025
Discover the 2025 Best American Science & Nature Writing anthology, curated by Susan Orlean and featuring exceptional science writing that explores the wonders of our natural world.
jaimealyse.beehiiv.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:34 PM
So cool to see @rudymolinek.bsky.social's @smithsonianmag.bsky.social piece on the long, strange history of Teflon on the notable list for The Best American Science and Nature Writing. Thanks @jaimealyse.bsky.social jaimealyse.beehiiv.com/p/basnw25
Reposted by Joe Spring
Sometime around the turn of the 20th century, the sea mink disappeared from Maine's coastal waters. Its loss came during a rush of North American extinctions, but many today have never even heard of it.
My latest for Smithsonian:
#wildlife #maine #extinction
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
My latest for Smithsonian:
#wildlife #maine #extinction
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
The Life, Loss and Lore of the Sea Mink
It might be among the first mammals to go extinct in North America after colonization. But can scientists prove it was even a distinct species?
www.smithsonianmag.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Sometime around the turn of the 20th century, the sea mink disappeared from Maine's coastal waters. Its loss came during a rush of North American extinctions, but many today have never even heard of it.
My latest for Smithsonian:
#wildlife #maine #extinction
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
My latest for Smithsonian:
#wildlife #maine #extinction
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Great dispatch here by @jessicaleighhester.bsky.social on how researchers are studying seagull upchuck to learn about human pollution. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Gulls’ Spit-Up Gunk Can Help Ecologists Understand Human Pollution
Researchers and student volunteers pick up what seabirds throw up, then examine it for clues about our impact on the environment
www.smithsonianmag.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Great dispatch here by @jessicaleighhester.bsky.social on how researchers are studying seagull upchuck to learn about human pollution. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
After a fun 5+ years, I'm ending my run as digital science features editor at Smithsonian. I’m so thankful to the talented editors and writers I worked with. I’ll be freelancing, writing a newsletter (below), and more. Please reach out if you have any writing or editing needs. joespring.substack.com
Field and Lab | Joe Spring | Substack
Dispatches on science, sports, adventure, and exploration. Click to read Field and Lab, by Joe Spring, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
joespring.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
After a fun 5+ years, I'm ending my run as digital science features editor at Smithsonian. I’m so thankful to the talented editors and writers I worked with. I’ll be freelancing, writing a newsletter (below), and more. Please reach out if you have any writing or editing needs. joespring.substack.com
What are the environmental impacts of data centers? @amberonradio.bsky.social answers that question as A.I. increases the demand for more and more of them. @aaasmassmedia.bsky.social www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
A.I. Is on the Rise, and So Is the Environmental Impact of the Data Centers That Drive It
The demand for data centers is growing faster than our ability to mitigate their skyrocketing economic and environmental costs
www.smithsonianmag.com
September 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
What are the environmental impacts of data centers? @amberonradio.bsky.social answers that question as A.I. increases the demand for more and more of them. @aaasmassmedia.bsky.social www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
A lone orca has been sighted several times swimming in the North Atlantic. @bybencassidy.bsky.social reports on what scientists know about the strange occurrence. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
The Curious Case of 'Old Thom,' an Orca Traveling Alone in the North Atlantic
Sightings of the marine mammal captivate the public and baffle scientists
www.smithsonianmag.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
A lone orca has been sighted several times swimming in the North Atlantic. @bybencassidy.bsky.social reports on what scientists know about the strange occurrence. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
In a prison program in Ohio, inmates are rehabilitating injured animals. Olivia Young reports on their efforts. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
In Prisons Across Ohio, These Inmates Are Finding Meaning by Saving Orphaned and Injured Animals
The Ohio Wildlife Center’s hospital sends critters to five facilities for care before eventual release
www.smithsonianmag.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
In a prison program in Ohio, inmates are rehabilitating injured animals. Olivia Young reports on their efforts. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
It's been 166 years since a powerful geomagnetic storm created dazzling auroras and knocked out communications around the world. @danfalk.bsky.social reports on what could happen if the sun triggers another such event. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
How Prepared Are We for a Rare and Powerful Solar Event?
A coronal mass ejection could knock out power and disrupt communication on Earth
www.smithsonianmag.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
It's been 166 years since a powerful geomagnetic storm created dazzling auroras and knocked out communications around the world. @danfalk.bsky.social reports on what could happen if the sun triggers another such event. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...