Anna Funk🌻
@itsdrfunk.bsky.social
Science communicator | Strategic leadership for conservation orgs | Ph.D. prairie ecology | Kansas City, MO | Founder, Ampliflora | bio.link/itsdrfunk
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
Your windshields should be absolutely covered in a sticky mess of bug splats/insect carcasses every time you drive across open country forcing you to stop periodically at gas stations to use their wet squeegees to try and clean up your view of the road at night
Thinking a lot about how poorly our brains recognize long term subtle changes, like climate change or biodiversity loss. We've lost something like 1 out of every 4 individual birds in the US since 1970, more for some species.
There should be at least 25% more birds around you right now.
There should be at least 25% more birds around you right now.
November 11, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Your windshields should be absolutely covered in a sticky mess of bug splats/insect carcasses every time you drive across open country forcing you to stop periodically at gas stations to use their wet squeegees to try and clean up your view of the road at night
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
Lots of folks captioning aurora photos like "for a few minutes we didn't think about politics"
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
November 13, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Lots of folks captioning aurora photos like "for a few minutes we didn't think about politics"
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
Letttttt’s talkkkk abouttttt old growth forests. Depending on where you live, you may have never actually set foot in an old growth forest. (I mean, I’m pretty sure *I* never have, and I was a field ecologist for a number of years.)
November 13, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Letttttt’s talkkkk abouttttt old growth forests. Depending on where you live, you may have never actually set foot in an old growth forest. (I mean, I’m pretty sure *I* never have, and I was a field ecologist for a number of years.)
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
"I allow spiders the run of the house. I figure that any predator that hopes to make a living on whatever smaller creatures might blunder into a four-inch square bit of space in the corner of the bathroom where the tub meets the floor, needs every bit of my support." -- AD, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
November 12, 2025 at 7:59 PM
"I allow spiders the run of the house. I figure that any predator that hopes to make a living on whatever smaller creatures might blunder into a four-inch square bit of space in the corner of the bathroom where the tub meets the floor, needs every bit of my support." -- AD, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
Even before I was a writer, I was always certain that if you could say the exact same thing in way that is more accessible and more engaging to read, you should. Scientists are also humans, so why wouldn't scientists want to enjoy reading manuscripts instead of slogging through them? Be the change!
Scientific writing and writing for the public are very different. As I do both, is that difference eroding for me? And if it is, is that good or bad?
Are my academic and non-academic writing styles converging? And would that be good?
I spent the first 25 years of my academic career writing scientific papers (and the grant proposals to fund them, of course). I never found that easy – although it got easier through time (and it c…
scientistseessquirrel.wordpress.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Even before I was a writer, I was always certain that if you could say the exact same thing in way that is more accessible and more engaging to read, you should. Scientists are also humans, so why wouldn't scientists want to enjoy reading manuscripts instead of slogging through them? Be the change!
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
You thought the pictures from last night were incredible? Look at this!
We have upgraded our geomagnetic forecast today (12 November 2025) to the highest intensity level amid an ongoing solar storm.
Current predictions suggest that the activity will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades.
Current predictions suggest that the activity will result in potentially the largest solar storm to hit our planet in over two decades.
November 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
You thought the pictures from last night were incredible? Look at this!
If you want to impress a small child, I highly recommend a headstand.
November 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
If you want to impress a small child, I highly recommend a headstand.
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
I'd like to share a personal anecdote that underscores just how entrenched the myth of the "welfare queen" has become. Because all sorts of people have bought into it.
I'll be as concise as possible.... 🧵
I'll be as concise as possible.... 🧵
I have a question about food stamp recipients,yall have know in yall lives...how many of them were actual "welfare queens"? I ask this cause growing up as kid we got Stamos but my mother always worked,same with everyone I knew that got stamps they always had job like Walgreens or cleaning hotels etc
October 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I'd like to share a personal anecdote that underscores just how entrenched the myth of the "welfare queen" has become. Because all sorts of people have bought into it.
I'll be as concise as possible.... 🧵
I'll be as concise as possible.... 🧵
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
Not a hard question, except for the culture that pretends it's not the answer
1) right-wing media lies incessantly, so anyone truth-based doesn't trust it, and anyone who trusts it doesn't trust anything else
2) other media treats those lies as legitimate, for "fairness," getting trust from no one
1) right-wing media lies incessantly, so anyone truth-based doesn't trust it, and anyone who trusts it doesn't trust anything else
2) other media treats those lies as legitimate, for "fairness," getting trust from no one
October 27, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Not a hard question, except for the culture that pretends it's not the answer
1) right-wing media lies incessantly, so anyone truth-based doesn't trust it, and anyone who trusts it doesn't trust anything else
2) other media treats those lies as legitimate, for "fairness," getting trust from no one
1) right-wing media lies incessantly, so anyone truth-based doesn't trust it, and anyone who trusts it doesn't trust anything else
2) other media treats those lies as legitimate, for "fairness," getting trust from no one
1. No such thing as overdoing Halloween
2. 😂😂😂😭
2. 😂😂😂😭
Clearly fans of Halloween. Overdoing it? Is that even possible?
But look at the headstone in the closeup. 10/10 no notes.
But look at the headstone in the closeup. 10/10 no notes.
October 24, 2025 at 9:01 PM
1. No such thing as overdoing Halloween
2. 😂😂😂😭
2. 😂😂😂😭
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
Archaeologists 200 years from now are gonna be SO confused.
The White House's East Wing construction rubble was taken to East Potomac Golf Course. It was reported that the rubble will be used to create mounds on the golf course.
Read more: bit.ly/4oa2tXA
Read more: bit.ly/4oa2tXA
October 24, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Archaeologists 200 years from now are gonna be SO confused.
A couple years ago, my colleague Rebecah Troutman found an aphid munching on garlic mustard that turned out to be the first documented sighting of the insect *ever* in the U.S. (I admit I'm a little jealous, that's so cool!!)
October 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
A couple years ago, my colleague Rebecah Troutman found an aphid munching on garlic mustard that turned out to be the first documented sighting of the insect *ever* in the U.S. (I admit I'm a little jealous, that's so cool!!)
Did I ever tell you about how I almost killed my lawn trying to save the insects? Maybe you’ve heard of “Leave the Leaves” — don’t rake your leaves; create critical overwintering habitat for lots of insects. Sounds easy, no? (And way better than raking…)
October 22, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Did I ever tell you about how I almost killed my lawn trying to save the insects? Maybe you’ve heard of “Leave the Leaves” — don’t rake your leaves; create critical overwintering habitat for lots of insects. Sounds easy, no? (And way better than raking…)
Oh no, this makes me sad. The Yellowstone trophic cascade was my, uh, "spark" ecological theory 😅 I still tell people about it.
Researchers challenge claim of a strong Yellowstone trophic cascade after wolf reintroduction
🌎
phys.org/news/2025-10...
🌎
phys.org/news/2025-10...
Researchers challenge claim of a strong Yellowstone trophic cascade after wolf reintroduction
A new analysis challenges one of the most publicized claims about Yellowstone's wolves. In a detailed comment published in Global Ecology and Conservation, researchers from Utah State University and C...
phys.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Oh no, this makes me sad. The Yellowstone trophic cascade was my, uh, "spark" ecological theory 😅 I still tell people about it.
Incredibly fun thread to read even if you don't have a good question for Matt 👇
Humans of Bluesky! I want your questions, please.
Let me explain.
I like writing explainers about things like: What colors do bees see? Do bugs fart? How long can viruses survive in a dead body? What's the difference between hemp and marijuana?
But my brain is wrung dry. I need questions! 🧪🧵
Let me explain.
I like writing explainers about things like: What colors do bees see? Do bugs fart? How long can viruses survive in a dead body? What's the difference between hemp and marijuana?
But my brain is wrung dry. I need questions! 🧪🧵
October 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Incredibly fun thread to read even if you don't have a good question for Matt 👇
TIL crabs can climb walls
I seriously thought it was a huge spood friend and i could share some new content for #Arachtober, I didn't think it would be a wall crab...
Who would've thunk?
So here's (multiple photos of) a cute crab for our crab feed.
(Link to feed in reply)
#Photography #Invertebrate 🦀 #EastCoastKin
Who would've thunk?
So here's (multiple photos of) a cute crab for our crab feed.
(Link to feed in reply)
#Photography #Invertebrate 🦀 #EastCoastKin
October 22, 2025 at 6:52 PM
TIL crabs can climb walls
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
This is what you get when exceptionally wealthy Hobbits hire Dwarven architects (complimentary).
Posted other pics before, it’s true, but this is one of the great doors of our world. Central elementary school in Riverside, 1897
October 21, 2025 at 3:14 PM
This is what you get when exceptionally wealthy Hobbits hire Dwarven architects (complimentary).
Oooh! This is super interesting.
"If you want someone to remember the story you’re telling, details of any kind tend to help...It gives you more potential ‘hooks’ for you to find that memory later on”
"If you want someone to remember the story you’re telling, details of any kind tend to help...It gives you more potential ‘hooks’ for you to find that memory later on”
This is fascinating! The details someone includes in a story can affect the parts of your brain that will activate to memorize that information 🧪
Your Brain’s Memory of a Story Depends on How It Was Told
Telling the same story in different ways can change the brain networks that the listener uses to form memories
www.scientificamerican.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Oooh! This is super interesting.
"If you want someone to remember the story you’re telling, details of any kind tend to help...It gives you more potential ‘hooks’ for you to find that memory later on”
"If you want someone to remember the story you’re telling, details of any kind tend to help...It gives you more potential ‘hooks’ for you to find that memory later on”
Oh good I needed a new fun fact to share at parties
![Comic. Two-column table. Column A lists planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Column B has checkmark boxes for whether the planets have rings: the outer planets’ boxes are checked, and Earth has a red check. [Earth with a ring with an array pf points around it. An arrow labeled “Geostationary Satellite Bel”t points to the ring.] [caption] Astronomy fact: A century ago, Earth didn’t have rings, but we have one now! It’s where all the satellite dishes are pointed.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreifauh76r3os5nnzjvkcz5sl2pgx5iz4sgkxebqjw3aogjn6e677aa@jpeg)
October 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Oh good I needed a new fun fact to share at parties
If you've asked me lately what my job is, I probably said something vague like "marketing." I used to say, "writer," and people's eyes would light up, but I always assumed they were then disappointed to learn I was writing articles and not romantasy novels. Thus, "marketing." 🧵
October 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
If you've asked me lately what my job is, I probably said something vague like "marketing." I used to say, "writer," and people's eyes would light up, but I always assumed they were then disappointed to learn I was writing articles and not romantasy novels. Thus, "marketing." 🧵
Short 🧵:
The Working Woods Hub has it all. It's a place: a woodland where they demonstrate different forestry management practices and landowners can come see the results.
📷: Forest management plots with (R) and without (L) non-native shrub removal. (Cred: Jessica Miller Mecaskey)
The Working Woods Hub has it all. It's a place: a woodland where they demonstrate different forestry management practices and landowners can come see the results.
📷: Forest management plots with (R) and without (L) non-native shrub removal. (Cred: Jessica Miller Mecaskey)
October 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Short 🧵:
The Working Woods Hub has it all. It's a place: a woodland where they demonstrate different forestry management practices and landowners can come see the results.
📷: Forest management plots with (R) and without (L) non-native shrub removal. (Cred: Jessica Miller Mecaskey)
The Working Woods Hub has it all. It's a place: a woodland where they demonstrate different forestry management practices and landowners can come see the results.
📷: Forest management plots with (R) and without (L) non-native shrub removal. (Cred: Jessica Miller Mecaskey)
Sometimes I'm in the mood to (attempt to) write something deep and meaningful. But sometimes I want to be like "look I found this movie house I've been obsessed with since age 5 on Zillow LOOK AT IT"
thefunkyard.substack.com/p/its-big-wh...
thefunkyard.substack.com/p/its-big-wh...
🌻 It’s big white Victorian mansion season!
An ode to my favorite movie houses
thefunkyard.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Sometimes I'm in the mood to (attempt to) write something deep and meaningful. But sometimes I want to be like "look I found this movie house I've been obsessed with since age 5 on Zillow LOOK AT IT"
thefunkyard.substack.com/p/its-big-wh...
thefunkyard.substack.com/p/its-big-wh...
Reposted by Anna Funk🌻
To celebrate the end of In Defense of Fandom S3, @itsdrfunk.bsky.social & I answered some of your parasocial questions!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ap...
You can also find the audio here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ap...
You can also find the audio here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Sadie and Anna answer your parasocial questions (In Defense of Fandom S3 Bonus)
YouTube video by GeekscapeTV
m.youtube.com
August 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
To celebrate the end of In Defense of Fandom S3, @itsdrfunk.bsky.social & I answered some of your parasocial questions!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ap...
You can also find the audio here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ap...
You can also find the audio here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
If you live in the U.S. west (or south, for that matter) of Ohio, you may not have heard of beech leaf disease. You’re more likely to have heard of — or lost trees to — Dutch elm disease, or emerald ash borer, or if you’re collecting social security, chestnut blight. 🧵
July 16, 2025 at 7:04 PM
If you live in the U.S. west (or south, for that matter) of Ohio, you may not have heard of beech leaf disease. You’re more likely to have heard of — or lost trees to — Dutch elm disease, or emerald ash borer, or if you’re collecting social security, chestnut blight. 🧵
She’s quirky. She’s chaotic. She’s unfiltered. She’s taking you on an adventure. She’s changing your life. Is she a manic pixie dream girl? Yes. She is also Anne of Green Gables.
Discuss.
thefunkyard.substack.com/p/anne-of-gr...
Discuss.
thefunkyard.substack.com/p/anne-of-gr...
🌻Anne of Green Gables was the first, and best, Manic Pixie Dream Girl
I'm sorry in advance for this post
thefunkyard.substack.com
July 8, 2025 at 2:51 PM
She’s quirky. She’s chaotic. She’s unfiltered. She’s taking you on an adventure. She’s changing your life. Is she a manic pixie dream girl? Yes. She is also Anne of Green Gables.
Discuss.
thefunkyard.substack.com/p/anne-of-gr...
Discuss.
thefunkyard.substack.com/p/anne-of-gr...