| Christine Pickens, September 2025
River Mouths: Part Three on River Ecology & Conservation
This is the final part of our series on river ecology and conservation. This article follows part one about mid-reach river ecology and conservation and part two about headwaters ecology and conservation. If you haven’t read those yet, chec...
| Christine Pickens, May 2025
Conserving a Transitional Wetland in a Rapidly Developing Estuary
In partnership with New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District, and funding provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 14 acres of floating marsh located on Eagles Island were permanently protected. This critical site expa...
| Christine Pickens, March 2025
A Season of Change: Our 2024 Annual Report
We are proud to present our 2024 Annual Report which highlights our work to restore and conserve land and water across the country. This year, we expanded our work to new states with exciting projects that protect vulnerable species, preser...
| Christine Pickens, December 2024
The Mid-Reaches: Part Two on River Ecology & Conservation
Welcome back to our series on river ecology and conservation. This is a follow-up article to one published recently about headwater river ecology & conservation. If you haven’t read that yet, hop over there first! Otherwise, keep swimming d...
| Christine Pickens, November 2024
At The Headwaters: Part One on River Ecology & Conservation
This blog post is the first of a three part series on River Ecology & Conservation by Christine Pickens, PhD. At Unique Places to Save, we put a special emphasis on protecting aquatic resources. One of the most prominent aquatic resource fe...
| Christine Pickens, August 2024
Why Do Wetlands Smell Bad?
The wetland superpower behind the stink and why you’ll be saying, “Oh no, my feet smell cheesy!” Experiencing nature can become enlightening when we use our five senses. In the case of wetlands, using your sense of smell can also help you u...
| Christine Pickens, March 2024
The State of Wetlands in the US
Historically, wetlands were misunderstood and undervalued, often dismissed as mere wastelands. This misconception led to widespread practices of filling them in or using them as dumping sites. However, our contemporary understanding has evo...
| Christine Pickens, March 2024
Exploring the Diverse Ecosystem & Wildlife of the Deep River
Rivers are not just conduits of life-sustaining water; they are also bustling ecosystems teeming with diverse wildlife. From the majestic bald eagle to the sleek river otter, free-flowing rivers provide habitats for an abundance of species....
| Christine Pickens, February 2024
Rivers Through the Seasons: A Majestic Journey of Flowing Water
Rivers are part of the fundamental support system for our environment and an essential part of the framework for economies and societies worldwide. Their importance cannot be overstated, yet their significance is often overlooked. In this b...
| Christine Pickens, February 2024
How Healthy Rivers Impact Us & Our Local Communities
Rivers are the lifeblood of our communities, providing invaluable benefits that extend far beyond their flowing waters. In the United States, a network of rivers crisscrosses the landscape, offering many advantages to both people, the econo...