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Travis Knowles

@conbioknowles.bsky.social
1.1K followers 780 following 147 posts

Conservation, birds, mammals, natural history, ecology. I taught undergraduates; now retired. Founding Director of WildSumaco Biological Station, Ecuador. www.facebook.com/wildsumaco.bio.sta…

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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
A brief look at global bird diversity. dactylomys.medium.com/which-countr...
dactylomys.medium.com
Which country has the most birds? A brief biogeography lesson
Social media posts often consider this question. They all correctly point out the answer: Colombia. However, further analysis reveals some…
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
I had a few reflections about squirrels. The story is here: dactylomys.medium.com/squirrels-ma...
dactylomys.medium.com
Squirrels made me what I am today
A MORNING SCENE
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David Rothschild @davmicrot.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
10 years of obsession about what Trump supporters think & care about has warped our understanding of their size & popularity: Trump is historically unpopular, pro-democracy supporters far outnumber the object of Corporate Media’s love. Time to hear more from majority of US.
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Daniel Aldana Cohen @aldasky.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
Two things are happening. The extreme right is doubling down on terrifying violence. And a democratic coalition for life and decency is mobilizing at a massive scale. Whatever else happens in the US this weekend, the No Kings rallies show where the most powerful political energy is surging.
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Lauren McKenzie @themckenziest.gay · 14/06/2025
Look at downtown LA right now
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
For a small southern city in the heart of Trump country, today's No Kings protest (Florence, SC) was astounding. The last attendance estimates I heard were 300+ people. By my estimate, the response of honking passersby was overwhelmingly positive. Signs of hope.
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
In an act of integrity and resistance, a supervisor in the Nashville federal prosecutor’s office resigned over how the Abrego Garcia case was being handled. The charges are bogus, pure political theater meant to justify a wrongful abduction.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Southern Plains Bumblebee (Bombus fraternus) on Longleaf Milkweed (Asclepias longifolia). #endangered
Bumble bee foraging on milkweed flower.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
I'm attending National Wildlife Federation's event, “Virtual Rally to Save the Cornerstone of Conservation Science” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nwf/event/79...
mobilize.us
Virtual Rally to Save the Cornerstone of Conservation Science · National Wildlife Federation
We need YOU as we rally in support of critical federal government services at risk of being lost forever. The U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Mission Area is responsible for many of the programs tha...
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Hands Off! Today in Florence SC.
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Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org · 05/04/2025
“NIH, the crown jewel of modern science, where despite…all the firings, they’re working every day to cure cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, and that most deadly disease of our time: Malignant narcissistic personality disorder.” - Rep. @raskin.house.gov at the DC #handsoff event
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Last year I bought a single clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) at a plant sale downtown. Photos from last October and today. True to form, it has spread via roots—look at all those fresh green shoots. It’s gonna be a pollinator magnet! 🐝 🧲  I hope it takes up half the back yard!
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Distill Social @distillsocial.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
People aren’t just showing up—they’re fired up. The energy is with progressive leaders, not the moderates or corporate puppets.
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Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Today’s shameful spectacle of Trump’s meeting with President Zelenskyy will prove to be a huge miscalculation on Trump’s part. I’ve spoken to over two dozen people so far—Republicans, Democrats and independents. Without exception, they’re angry and embarrassed by what they saw on TV. Truly shocking.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
COMPROMISED. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021...
theguardian.com
‘The perfect target’: Russia cultivated Trump as asset for 40 years – ex-KGB spy
The KGB ‘played the game as if they were immensely impressed by his personality’, Yuri Shvets, a key source for a new book, tells the Guardian
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lights out for migrating birds @lightsoutforbirds.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Lyle Lewis race2extinct.com will be live on The Bird Emergency tomorrow, Saturday early at 6am pacific USA time www.youtube.com/live/C72aeCb... 🦤🌱✊🐤 thebirdemergency.com/youtube thebirdemergency.com/twitch www.facebook.com/birdemergency
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Of course they are. This was never about "efficiency" or "waste."
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Give if you can. u24.gov.ua
u24.gov.ua
UNITED24 - The initiative of the President of Ukraine
UNITED24 was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of...
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
If you don't know the work of Douglas Tallamy, watch these introductory videos for a dose of environmental empowerment. Try it - you'll see! mailchi.mp/homegrownnat...
mailchi.mp
Watch New Talks by Doug Tallamy 🌳
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Alex Wild @alexwild.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
At some point, things will get bad enough that individual states will try to retain federal tax payments so they can keep their lights on and roads paved. Once that happens, we break apart Soviet Union style.
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tovangar2 @tovangar2.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Excellent, informative read this. Well worth the time. Thank you!
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Jenny Splitter @jennysplitter.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Trump has decimated the farm animal welfare research team at USDA, @greymoran.bsky.social reports exclusively for @sentientmedia.org. There is only team team member remaining, and the future of the lab is uncertain. sentientmedia.org/usda-farm-an...
sentientmedia.org
Exclusive: The USDA’s Farm Animal Welfare Research Lab — With Just One Scientist Remaining — Dismantled by Trump
Sentient has learned that the primary federal laboratory for farm animal welfare research has lost its probationary scientists to the mass firings.
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Erika Crable, PhD @erikacrable.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Another loss for #science & the next generation of researchers. The 28-year running NIDA summer internship program is cancelled for this year. @altnih4science.bsky.social #SavetheNIH
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Friendly Neighborhood Mouse @missmouse.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Are you a federal worker who has been illegally fired by Trump & Musk? Meet every day at the US Senate to do your job search. 10am, Hart Building Atrium 120 Constitution Ave., NE Show up as often as you can and let’s go ALL OUT for Tuesday, February 25th.
Graphic that reads, “Every day at the US Senate!” 

10am, Hart Building Atrium 
120 Constitution Ave, NE  

Illegally fired and in limbo federal employees, contractors, and other workers will meet to do their job search, build community, and share their stories with Senate offices and the media. Snacks provided. 

Show up as often as you can and let’s go ALL OUT for Tuesday, February 25th. 

Fork Off Coalition 
Media inquiries: fedworkers2025@gmail.com.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Ceding our scientific leadership may be the biggest own goal in the history of the United States. www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/21/1...
technologyreview.com
The foundations of America’s prosperity are being dismantled
Federal scientists warn that Americans could feel the effects of the new administration's devastating cuts for decades to come.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
What's not to love about Maypops?
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
The science purge is just beginning.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
...The darkness drops again; but now I know That twenty centuries of stony sleep Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? –The Second Coming, by William Butler Yeats
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
Who doesn't love Andean Spectacled Bears? We have camera trap photos of them on the isolated Sumaco Volcano in Ecuador!
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
Oaks are the bomb! I look forward to watching this.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
People have started asking me about native plants. I'm certainly no expert, but here's a summary of a few things I've learned, specific for the inner Coastal Plain of South Carolina. I'm still learning! dactylomys.medium.com/gardening-an...
dactylomys.medium.com
Gardening and landscaping for nature: The South Carolina inner Coastal Plain
Recently, the newly-inaugurated Pee Dee Chapter of the South Carolina Native Plant Society asked me to give a talk about landscaping with…
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Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 06/02/2025
"In interviews, scientists — who are forbidden by the terms of the stop-work order to speak with the news media — described agonizing choices: violate the stop-work orders and continue to care for trial volunteers, or leave them alone to face potential side effects and harm"Gift link nyti.ms/3EtjEBq
nyti.ms
Dozens of Clinical Trials Have Been Frozen in Response to Trump’s USAID Order (Gift Article)
The stop-work order on U.S.A.I.D.-funded research has left thousands of people with experimental drugs and devices in their bodies, with no access to monitoring or care.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
You can kiss anything related to climate or environmental science goodbye. That science does nothing to further enrich a tiny minority of already obscenely wealthy oligarchs.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Over sixteen years ago, we began a long-term camera trapping survey at WildSumaco Wildlife Sanctuary in Ecuador. This photo was among our first captures of a Margay (Leopardus wiedii).
Black and white photo of a small spotted wild cat, a margay, on a trail at night in the rainforest of Ecuador.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Coup: An unelected, private, foreign-born citizen with zero legal authority, Elon Musk, has taken control of the US Treasury’s payment system. Six young hackers, college age or younger, have broken into the system at Musk’s behest.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Orange bracket or shelf fungi - possibly chicken of the woods? (Laetiporus sulphureus) or related - growing on the dead trunk of a strangler fig tree, WildSumaco Wildlife Sanctuary, Ecuador. Photo from July, 2010.
Orange bracket or shelf fungi ascending a dead tree trunk in the Ecuador rainforest. The trunk also has vines, mosses and ferns growing on it.
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 31/01/2025
It would be fantastic if major federal institutions would acknowledge that the executive branch cannot legally unilaterally cancel or redistribute congressionally appropriated funding on ideological grounds and thus they have no legal obligation to comply with such directives
abcnews.go.com
Trump funding freeze a blatant violation of Constitution, federal law: Legal experts
The Constitution, federal law and court decisions make it clear: President Donald Trump's order to pause federal funding is against the law, legal experts tell ABC News.
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Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Elon Musk thinks he can gut the U.S. government like he gutted Twitter without facing any real consequences. He is dangerously wrong. His ransacking of the federal workforce is going to get people killed. slate.com/news-and-pol...
Let me give you a perfect example of why I think Musk’s approach is so dangerous. As everybody knows, there was a plane crash in D.C. on Wednesday. A helicopter collided with a passenger plane and almost 70 people died. When this collision occurred, the Federal Aviation Administration was leaderless. Why? Musk had Trump fire the former FAA leader as soon as he got into office, because the former leader had investigated and fined one of Musk’s companies, Starlink. This was a sheer vengeance firing. This was not about competence or even truly about political affiliation. Elon Musk was just mad at this guy for investigating his company and wanted him gone on Day 1.

Because of that, the FAA was leaderless during the biggest aviation disaster in this country since 2001. The agency had to scramble to figure out how it was going to respond to this without anyone at the top. And by the way, the day after the crash, FAA employees—including air traffic controllers, who are already badly short-staffed—got an email encouraging them to resign and find work in the private sector.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus) on Inis Mór, Aran Islands, Ireland. May 2013. The fortress itself; stone wall with vertical defensive stones (cheval de frise) just beyond; view from the cliffs.
Grassy hill and stone wall approach to ancient stone fort called Dun Aengus in Ireland.Gray stone wall with vertical gray stones arranged just outside as a defensive structure against enemy horses and warriors.View of gray rocky cliffs towering above the Atlantic Ocean on the Aran Islands, Ireland.
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Jen Cross @jencross.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Like most people, I have been paying attention to the news and it's making me anxious and upset. I plan on continuing to post beautiful birds, interesting insects, and fun science facts. It's a nice mental health break for me and I figure it might be for you too. Red-banded Hairstreak #inverts
A small gray butterfly with reddish orange bands on its wings and fronds on the back wings. It is feeding on yellow goldenrod flowers.
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The Coalition for Conservation Genetics @coalitioncongen.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
🌍Global study on 600+ species reveals an alarming decline in genetic diversity🧬 But there's hope: we have the tools and conservation strategies to prevent further decline - if we act now. Read the paper by following the links below⬇️ #Biodiversity #GeneticDiversity #Conservation
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Reduction makes a great Beurre Blanc sauce, but not a theory of everything.
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Travis Knowles @conbioknowles.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
An American Mink (Neogale vison) near the jetty at Huntington Beach State Park. February 2024.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
This is a public health nightmare in the works. Nobody voted for this. "The Trump administration has instructed organizations in other countries to stop disbursing H.I.V. medications purchased with U.S. aid, even if the drugs have already been obtained and are sitting in local clinics."
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Halts H.I.V. Drug Distribution in Poor Countries
PEPFAR’s computer systems also are being taken offline, a sign that the program may not return, as Republican critics had hoped.
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 28/01/2025
I spoke to a talented junior scientist who just got a good faculty job offer in the US and they told me “well I wouldn’t move to 1930s Germany either” so that’s how that’s going
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Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
NSF's Undergraduate Research Coordination Networks in Undergraduate Biology program has been abruptly archived. The deadline was tomorrow. People were submitting proposals. This program is designed to support the American scientific workforce. I cannot see the point of this level of self-sabotage.
new.nsf.gov
Research Coordination Networks in Undergraduate Biology Education (RCN-UBE)
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Arjun Amar @arjundevamar.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Movement of avian predators points to biodiversity hotspots in agricultural landscape | Royal Society Open Science royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/... #RaptorResearch 🪶 #Ornithology
royalsocietypublishing.org
Movement of avian predators points to biodiversity hotspots in agricultural landscape | Royal Society Open Science
Global agricultural landscapes are witnessing a concerning decline in biodiversity, and this trend is predicted to persist. To safeguard these biodiversity-rich areas, it is crucial to pinpoint hotspo...
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GBIF @gbif.org · 28/01/2025
Need a reason to check out GBIF-US? How about 1 billion! 🤯 GBIF-US is the American node of GBIF with the www.gbif.us #HostedPortal displaying more 1 billion records comprising data from within the United States and data published by US scientists. 🔎 🔗www.gbif.us 🔗https://www.gbif.org/hosted-portals
two bison in the snow
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