EXPLOREPlanetEarthSplashDownMorethanonemillionswimmingpoolsgleamfromCalifornia's backyards.Withthestate in itsfourthyearofdrought,theseresidentialoaseshavebecomeatargetof localwaterrestrictions.Yetpoolscanwastelesswaterthantraditionallawns,researchhasshown."Thebigthingwithapool isthatyoufill itonce,saysJonathanVolzke,spokespersonfortheSanta MargaritaWaterDistrict inOrange Countywhichrolled back itspoolprohibitionsafteranalyzingwaterusage.Poolsarealsousuallysurroundedbydecks,whichmeansanareaupto threetimes the sizeof thepool nolonger requiresanywateratall.Adda covertopreventevaporation,andapoolcanuseevenlesswaterovertimethandroughttolerant landscaping.-Rachel Hartigan SheaPHOTO:D
PHOTO: DAMION BERGER Planet Earth EXPLORE More than one million swimming pools gleam from California’s backyards. With the state in its fourth year of drought, these residential oases have become a target of local water restrictions. Yet pools can waste less water than traditional lawns, research has shown. “The big thing with a pool is that you fill it once,” says Jonathan Volzke, spokesperson for the Santa Margarita Water District in Orange County, which rolled back its pool prohibitions after analyzing water usage. Pools are also usually surrounded by decks, which means an area up to three times the size of the pool no longer requires any water at all. Add a cover to prevent evaporation, and a pool can use even less water over time than droughttolerant landscaping. —Rachel Hartigan Shea Splash Down
This Is How To Walk the WalkThe must-have men's accessory once carried by kings, presidents,barons and billionaires is back-and can be yours for ONLY $49!hey call walking the“perfect exercise." It gets your heart pumping, clears yourIhead and fills your lungs with fresh air.Not bad, but we found awayto make it even better.Before you take your next 10,000steps, add a little strut to your stroll. Take the StauerGentleman's Walking Stick anywhere and Ipromise thatyou'llfeel like a conquering hero. Heads will turn. Doors willopen.Itspowers will astound you.What's the secret?Pure class. Our Stauer Gentleman's WalkingStickisatipofthetophattoturn-of-the-centurytradition.Todayserious collectorsgladlypaythousandsforrareandhandcrafted sticksfrom the 19th century. But only Stauer can deliver a modernversionofthisvintageclassic-thatlooksandfeelsasgoodastheoriginal-—forONLYS49!Sticks that makea statement.For centuries, no respectablemanwas seen in public without a walking stick byhis side.They were asindispensable as a fine tailored suit or fancy moustache. Well-heeled men"wore"them as symbols of power and prestige, using elaborately decoratedstaffs to help navigate trails, dispatch opponents or conceal gadgets andcontraband.Simplyput,they werethemust-have accessoryforany sharpdressed man on themove.Theultimatetravel companion.Hold it onceand you canfeel that it's notsomehollowimitation.OurGentleman'sWalkingStickiscraftedfroma solidshaftofimportedSheesham(IndianRosewood)andfinishedwithlayersofblacklacquer.Therounded, knob-style head has serious weight and the silver-finishedbrass features an elegant engraved design that adds flair while improving your grip.Andablackrubbertipsteadiesyourstanceonallsortsof surfacesfromdirtandImagenotactual size.asphaltwalkways tomarblefloors and Persian rugs.Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.Try the Stauer Gentleman'sHand-carvedWalking Stick risk-free for twomonths.If you're not convinced that itdetail foradds sophistication toyour stride, simplysend it back within 60days fora completerefund ofyourpurchaseprice.Butwe'rebettingthatafteryoureasy grip!first stepwiththis stick,you'll neverwalk aloneagain!Stauer Gentleman's Walking Stick $79*TAKE38%0FF$49+s&p Save $30Offer Code PriceINSTANTLY!You must use the insider offer code to get our special priceWhen you use your1-800-859-1736INSIDEROFFERCODEOfferCodeSWS180-01Pleasc use this code when you order to receive your discountStauere+Discount for customers who use the offercode versus the original Stauer.com pric14101 Southcross Drive W., Dept. SWS180-01,·36" longSolid silver-finished brass handleBurnsville,Minnesota55337www.stauer.comSupports upto250Ibs.ORE.Imported SheeshamwoodRatingofASmartLuxuries-SurprisingPrices
They call walking the “perfect exercise.” It gets your heart pumping, clears your head and fills your lungs with fresh air. Not bad, but we found a way to make it even better. Before you take your next 10,000 steps, add a little strut to your stroll. Take the Stauer Gentleman’s Walking Stick anywhere and I promise that you’ll feel like a conquering hero. Heads will turn. Doors will open. Its powers will astound you. What’s the secret? Pure class. Our Stauer Gentleman’s Walking Stick is a tip of the top hat to turn-of-the-century tradition. Today, serious collectors gladly pay thousands for rare and handcrafted sticks from the 19th century. But only Stauer can deliver a modern version of this vintage classic—that looks and feels as good as the original—for ONLY $49! Sticks that make a statement. For centuries, no respectable man was seen in public without a walking stick by his side. They were as indispensable as a fine tailored suit or fancy moustache. Well-heeled men “wore” them as symbols of power and prestige, using elaborately decorated staffs to help navigate trails, dispatch opponents or conceal gadgets and contraband. Simply put, they were the must-have accessory for any sharpdressed man on the move. The ultimate travel companion. Hold it once and you can feel that it’s not some hollow imitation. Our Gentleman’s Walking Stick is crafted from a solid shaft of imported Sheesham (Indian Rosewood) and finished with layers of black lacquer. The rounded, knob-style head has serious weight and the silver-finished brass features an elegant engraved design that adds flair while improving your grip. And a black rubber tip steadies your stance on all sorts of surfaces from dirt and asphalt walkways to marble floors and Persian rugs. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Try the Stauer Gentleman’s Walking Stick risk-free for two months. If you’re not convinced that it adds sophistication to your stride, simply send it back within 60 days for a complete refund of your purchase price. But we’re betting that after your first step with this stick, you’ll never walk alone again! Smart Luxuries—Surprising Prices™ 14101 Southcross Drive W., Dept. SWS180-01, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com Stauer® Stauer Gentleman’s Walking Stick $79* Offer Code Price— $49 + s&p Save $30 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price. 1-800-859-1736 Offer Code SWS180-01 Please use this code when you order to receive your discount. Rating of A+ * Discount for customers who use the offer code versus the original Stauer.com price. The must-have men’s accessory once carried by kings, presidents, barons and billionaires is back—and can be yours for ONLY $49! • 36" long • Solid silver-finished brass handle • Supports up to 250 lbs. • Imported Sheesham wood This Is How To Walk the Walk Hand-carved detail for easy grip! Image not actual size. TAKE 38% OFF INSTANTLY! When you use your INSIDER OFFER CODE
EXPLOREWildThingshuntealarthisgiraffeinEasternCapeouthAfriWiththeirstrikingcoatpatternsand toweringheight,giraffesare iconicAfricanGiraffescreatures-yettheyhaven'tbeenthesubjectofmuchscientificstudy.Nowre-searcherswhotracktheanimalsreportadisturbingtrend:Acrossthecontinentat Riskpopulationshavedwindledfrom140,000tofewerthan80,000overthepast15years,accordingtotheGiraffeConservationFoundation (GCF)Slow-movingandenomous,"giraffesofferaneasytargetand lotsofmeat"forpoachers,particularly in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo, saysGCFExecutiveDirectorJulianFennessy.Herdsalsoarediminishedbyhabitatlossandbyhunterswhocatertothesuperstitionamongsometribesthateatinggiraffe brains wards off HIV. Still, says Fennessy, there is hopefor the future."Wewouldn'tbedoingthisworkifwethoughtitwastoolate."-CatherineZuckermanCUBPROVIDESHOPEFORTHREATENEDSPECIESInsummer20l4,whiletrackingarareAndeanbearinEcuador'sCayambeCocaNationalPark,scientistsnoticedthatheractivitycentered ononeareaa possible sign of nesting. They later found her cub. The animals, knownalso as spectacled bears for their facial markings, belong to the only wild beatspecies in South America; by some estimates, fewerthan 3,o0 nowlive inEcuador,Ongoingobservationsofthiscubwillshapeeffortstosavethesolitary,vulnerablespecies andperhapsboostitsnumbers.-LindsayN.Smith2HO
PHOTOS: DAVID CHANCELLOR, INSTITUTE (TOP); ARMANDO CASTELLANOS With their striking coat patterns and towering height, giraffes are iconic African creatures—yet they haven’t been the subject of much scientific study. Now researchers who track the animals report a disturbing trend: Across the continent populations have dwindled from 140,000 to fewer than 80,000 over the past 15 years, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). Slow-moving and enormous, “giraffes offer an easy target and lots of meat” for poachers, particularly in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo, says GCF Executive Director Julian Fennessy. Herds also are diminished by habitat loss and by hunters who cater to the superstition among some tribes that eating giraffe brains wards off HIV. Still, says Fennessy, there is hope for the future. “We wouldn’t be doing this work if we thought it was too late.” —Catherine Zuckerman Giraffes at Risk A hunter felled this giraffe in Eastern Cape, South Africa, in 2012. CUB PROVIDES HOPE FOR THREATENED SPECIES In summer 2014, while tracking a rare Andean bear in Ecuador’s Cayambe Coca National Park, scientists noticed that her activity centered on one area— a possible sign of nesting. They later found her cub. The animals, known also as spectacled bears for their facial markings, belong to the only wild bear species in South America; by some estimates, fewer than 3,000 now live in Ecuador. Ongoing observations of this cub will shape efforts to save the solitary, vulnerable species and perhaps boost its numbers. —Lindsay N. Smith Wild Things EXPLORE
TAKEASMARTSTEPTOWARDYOURFINANCIALFUTUREEstablishing acharitable giftannuity with National Geographicisa great wayto help protect ourplanetfor generationsto come-while securingsafe,steadypayments,atan attractiverate,for you right now.NATIONALGEOGRAPHICCOPYRIGHT2014NATIONALGEOGRAPHICSOCIETYPATRICINATIONALGEOGRAPHYOURSHOTSee Your Benefits.NameAddressIam interested ina charitablegiftannuity.PleasesendmeacustomillustrationofmyestimatedannuityPhonerate.payment,andtax savings.EmailGiftAmountMailtoNational Geographic Society[Minimumqiftis$10.000.Officeof Planned GivingPlease indicatebirthdates forupto two114517thStreetN.W.beneficiaries.Washington,D.C.20036-4688(Minimumageis 50.)have somequestions.Please call me.CoNTACTUS:plannedgiftinfo@ngs.orgThe National Geographic Society is a 501(cl[3] organization.[800]226-443815PGFC04A
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0EXPLOREPlanetEarth:BytheNumbersClimateCONSERVING HABITATS IN CALIFORNIAand BirdsMillions ofbirds forage inwetlands while migratingClimate change is threateningalong theroute knownsome of North America's mostas the Pacific flywayWetlands,onceabundantbeloved birds.According to aIn Callfomia,haverecent AudubonSocietyreport,decreesed,cuitivatedby2080shiftingtemperaturesbyfarmersordrainedby the ongoing drought.couldgreatlyreducethehabitatsAREAof tenU.S.state birds.ENLARGEDBELOWSince bird populations areindicatorsofecosystemhealth1 bllionit'simportanttotracktheirnumberstodeterminewhereconservationeffortsareneededmost. Bird-watchers are helpingbirds migrate along theby uploadingas many as eightPacificflywayeach year.million bird sightings every monthMany breed in thehigh Arctic insummer,some tlyasfarastheto eBird,an online databasetip of South America to winterwith nearly 250 million recordsMark Reynolds of the NatureConservancysayscrowdsourc-ingisonetool forsavingfleetinghabitats.-KelseyNowakowskiCENTRALVALLEYWETLANDSMany rice farmsAcenturyagoare in the northern4millionacresCentral Valley, wheeDECLINING HABITATSbirds.needwetlandsPacificNUMBEROFBIRDSPECIESATRISKOFflyway withinLOSINGHALFTHEIRHABITATBY2080Califomia314Mostof theTodalost wetlands areCALIFORNIA250.000nowfarmed.2000.ml0km200Climate change could affect more than halfthe 588 species.in the Audubon report.BIRDPOPULATIONCHANGEBYHABITAT126 speciesPercentage change 1968-2012endangeredPercentage change 1968-2012188-50%50%0%threatenedOcean,coastAridlandGrassland274EasternforestunaffectedWesternforestCoast (winter)Wetland
0 mi 200 0 km 200 1 billion Arid land Grassland Eastern forest Western forest Ocean, coast Wetland Coast (winter) Percentage change 1968-2012 -50% 0% 50% 314 274 unaffected 126 species endangered 188 threatened DECLINING HABITATS CALIFORNIA NORTH AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA PACIFIC FLYWAY Central Valley CALIFORNIA AREA ENLARGED BELOW Most of the lost wetlands are now farmed. Today 250,000 CENTRAL VALLEY WETLANDS A century ago 4 million acres Climate CONSERVING HABITATS IN CALIFORNIA and Birds Climate change is threatening some of North America’s most beloved birds. According to a recent Audubon Society report, by 2080 shifting temperatures could greatly reduce the habitats of ten U.S. state birds. Since bird populations are indicators of ecosystem health, it’s important to track their numbers to determine where conservation efforts are needed most. Bird-watchers are helping by uploading as many as eight million bird sightings every month to eBird, an online database with nearly 250 million records. Mark Reynolds of the Nature Conservancy says crowdsourcing is one tool for saving fleeting habitats. —Kelsey Nowakowski Planet Earth: By the Numbers EXPLORE Millions of birds forage in wetlands while migrating along the route known as the Pacific flyway. Wetlands, once abundant in California, have decreased, cultivated by farmers or drained by the ongoing drought. Many rice farms are in the northern Central Valley, where birds need wetlands. Pacific flyway within California Many breed in the high Arctic in summer; some fly as far as the tip of South America to winter. Climate change could affect more than half the 588 species in the Audubon report. birds migrate along the Pacific flyway each year. NUMBER OF BIRD SPECIES AT RISK OF LOSING HALF THEIR HABITAT BY 2080 Percentage change 1968-2012 BIRD POPULATION CHANGE BY HABITAT