Rachel Carson Council

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Rachel Carson Council

We are a national organization carrying on Rachel Carson’s work of environmental justice, conservation, and fascination with all forms of life.

https://linktr.ee/rachelcarsoncouncildc

08/26/2026

Our is a hoot! Found in the spruce and fir forests of northern North America and Europe, the boreal owl is a small, nocturnal raptor that can be heard hooting at night.

Fun facts:
🦉 Female boreal owls are much larger than the males, which is common among raptor species.
🌲 They spend the whole year in boreal forests, but sometimes move southward in years of prey scarcity.

Learn more: https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/bird-of-the-week/

08/25/2026

Civic engagement doesn’t stop at the ballot box.

Another powerful way to make your voice heard? Write a letter to the editor. Whether you’re responding to a local issue, supporting a community initiative, or bringing attention to an environmental concern, letters to the editor can help shape public conversations and put important issues in front of your community.

Our Advocacy Guides provide practical tools and frameworks to help you turn your concerns into action.

Read our full Letter to the Editor Advocacy Guide and learn how to get started:https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Advocacy-Guide_LTE_2026.pdf

08/24/2026

Did you know birding is good for your physical and mental wellbeing? Spending time outdoors and paying attention to the birds around you can help reduce stress, support mindfulness, and get you moving, all while connecting you more deeply with the natural world.

Want to get to know a new bird each week? Sign up for our Bird of the Week newsletter and get birds delivered straight to your inbox: https://rachelcarsoncouncil.salsalabs.org/RCCeNewssignup/index.html

08/20/2026

Assateague Island’s wild ponies are one of the island’s most beloved inhabitants. But their familiarity with people can make it easy to forget that they are, in fact, wild animals.

Visitors are required to stay at least 40 feet away from wildlife. Approaching, feeding, or touching the ponies can alter their natural behavior and put both animals and people at risk.

In her recent essay, RCC Fellow Jordan Cox reflects on a recent visit to Assateague, where she witnessed both the natural behavior of the wild ponies and visitors getting dangerously close to them.

Read more: https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/playing-with-ponies-human-wildlife-interactions-on-assateague-island/

08/19/2026

Meet our : The Canvasback. This duck is North America’s largest diving duck!

The Canvasback can be identified by its bright red eyes, chestnut-colored head, and canvas-colored back. Unlike dabbling ducks, which typically feed at the water’s surface, Canvasbacks dive underwater in search of food, sometimes reaching depths of more than 7 feet.

Canvasbacks are known for feeding on the roots and tubers of aquatic plants such as wild celery, but their diet also includes seeds, buds, leaves, snails, and insect larvae. They breed across northern North America and migrate south for the winter, where they can gather in large flocks on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.

Learn more: https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/bird-of-the-week/

08/18/2026

Did you know the ocean stores about 20 times more carbon than land and absorbs roughly a quarter of human-caused CO₂ emissions?

Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies aim to enhance the ocean’s natural ability to store carbon.

Watch our video for answers to common questions, and explore our mCDR fact sheet to learn more:https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-Fact-Sheet-mCDR-Maya-Hunter2026-Fact-Sheet-mCDR-Maya-Hunter-FactSheet_mCDR_2026.pdf

08/17/2026

Offshore wind development can expand domestic renewable energy generation while creating jobs, strengthening U.S. manufacturing, and investing in the protection of coastal communities.

Continued development will contribute to energy security, economic growth, and long-term climate goals.

Learn more:https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/FactSheet_OffshoreWindUS_2026.pdf

08/13/2026

In moments when the future feels uncertain, it's easy to believe that change is impossible. Rachel Carson reminds us that nature tells a different story.

Hope isn't about ignoring the challenges we face. It's about believing that our actions today can help shape what comes next. And history shows that when people come together to protect what they love, meaningful change is possible.

Take a moment today to step outside, breathe deeply, and remember: even after the longest night, dawn still comes.

08/12/2026

Our doesn't mess around when it comes to protecting its nest. The Brown Thrasher is a fearless defender, known to swoop and peck at people who get too close.

Despite its bold personality, spotting one isn't always easy. Brown Thrashers spend much of their time tucked away in dense shrubs and thickets, making every sighting feel like a special find.

Learn more about this songbird: https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/bird-of-the-week/

08/11/2026

Each summer, our partnership with the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke brings passionate students to our Washington, D.C. office as RCC Stanback Fellows.

Here’s a look back at some of their favorite moments!

Video produced by Jordan Cox, ‘26 RCC Stanback Fellow

Address

8600 Irvington Avenue
Bethesda, MD
20817

Telephone

(301) 214-2400

Website

https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/

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