Quilt Festival Set For September
The 2026 West Virginia Quilt Festival will bring quilters from across the state and beyond to the Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley Sept. 17 to Sept. 19.
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The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom Presents: Signal Species
What can wildlife tell us about our ecosystem — and will we listen?
A “signal” or “indicator” species is an organism that can tell us about changes occurring in an ecosystem.
We’re talking bears encountering humans more frequently, armadillos moving farther north, invasive vines like kudzu growing at accelerated rates and bat populations dwindling.
These are all examples of species sending us signals about our changing world and climate — but are we paying attention? And if we are, is there a way to contribute to scientific findings? (Spoiler alert: Yes! iNaturalist will be entering the chat.)
The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom and our partner stations in Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia are bringing you answers through a series of features all about wildlife. We’ll publish a new story each Monday in June, with full episodes of WPLN’s This Is Nashville dedicated to the series airing on June 2, 2026, and June 23, 2026.
Stories
Eric Douglas,Jun. 29, 2026
Bats Save Farmers Billions Of Dollars, But They’re In Danger
Diseases like white-nose syndrome and climate change have caused mass population loss among bat species, and the consequences could be costly.
Hope Heffley,Jun. 22, 2026
As Freshwater Mussel Populations In Kentucky Decline, Researchers Are Looking For Answers
Freshwater mussels are scattered throughout waterways in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. But populations are dwindling, and researchers want to better understand the causes.
Giselle Rhoden,Jun. 17, 2026
Cute But Not So Cuddly, Armadillos Are Making Their Way North
The nine-banded armadillo has become an indicator of rising temperatures in Kentucky and the surrounding region, as the species moves farther north.
Jacqui Sieber,Jun. 08, 2026
How Kudzu Became The ‘Vine That Ate The South’
Kudzu is an invasive vine that’s become a persistent problem in the American South. But there are efforts to tackle it.
Caroline Eggers,Jun. 01, 2026
Black Bears Are Threatened By Climate Change. How Can We Help?
Black bear encounters are on the rise in Tennessee, and climate change is often a hidden culprit, tampering with ecosystems in unexpected ways.
This is Nashville episodes
June 2, 2026: Taking cues from black bears and other signal species
June 23, 2026: How to be a backyard naturalist in Tennessee
Videos
Reporters: Catherine Eggers, Jacqui Sieber, Giselle Rhoden, Eric Douglas
Producers: Megan Jones, Andrew Henderson, Jared Kunish
Editor: John Boyle
Additional editing: Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones, Tasha A.F. Lemley.
This series was produced by the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, a collaboration between West Virginia Public Broadcasting; WPLN and WUOT in Tennessee; LPM, WEKU, WKMS and WKU Public Radio in Kentucky; and NPR. Sign up for the weekly Porch Light newsletter here for news from around the region.