Friday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Paddleboarding dogs are saving platypuses

• Sunset of the day

• Maintaining muscle strength with age

• Study finds going green is attractive

Did You Know

Washing clothes in cold water can reduce energy use by up to __%.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Paddleboarding Dogs Are Saving Platypuses

What do you get when you mix paddleboards, eager pups, and a little science? A heartwarming effort to protect one of Australia’s most mysterious animals: the platypus.

At Healesville Sanctuary, dogs like Moss (a yellow Lab) and Kip (a Kelpie mix) are trained to sniff out platypus burrows. Since platypuses are shy and mostly active at night, they’re hard to study without stressing them out. But dogs can detect them gently, with just their noses and some tail wags.

Wearing bright safety vests, these pups balance on paddleboards while pointing their snouts toward hidden burrows. Researchers follow their lead.

It’s a win for wildlife and a joyful job for the dogs. Turns out, helping the planet can look a lot like play.

Sunset of the Day

The Canopy reader Kelly shared this photo from a summer visit to the Great Smoky Mountains, taken just an hour after sunrise at Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome). The light cuts clean across the sky, casting soft shadows over the layers of ridgelines. It’s not quite sunset, but the stillness and beauty speak the same language.

Thanks to Kelly for sending this in. If you’ve captured a moment that made you stop and breathe a little deeper, we’d love to see it too!

Science Links Mitochondria & Muscle Strength

As our muscles age, they naturally lose mass, strength, and function – a result of certain muscle fibers shrinking – contributing to fatigue and weakness beginning as early as our 30s. Recent research highlights that the key player in this aging process is our mitochondria, tiny-but-mighty organelles that produce more than 90% of our body’s energy. Importantly, scientists have found a strong link between decreased mitochondrial health and muscle health decline with aging, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these cellular engines.

A new way to support and improve muscle health as we age, Mitopure® by Timeline is clinically shown to meaningfully boost our mitochondrial health to improve muscle strength, without any change in exercise required.

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*500mg Mitopure® have been shown to (1) induce gene expression related to mitochondria function and metabolism and (2) increase the strength of the hamstring leg muscle in measures of knee extension and flexion after 4 months in overweight 40-65 year olds.

Thank you to Timeline for sponsoring The Canopy.

Study Finds Going Green Is Attractive

Looking for love? You might want to check your recycling habits first.

A recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that 69% of singles said climate consciousness makes someone more attractive. In fact, over half said they’d consider ending things if their partner didn’t believe in climate change. Even small habits, like not composting or overusing plastic, have become dealbreakers for some daters.

But here’s the good news: changing your habits actually helps. About one-third of those who were “eco-shamed” by a partner said it inspired them to become more sustainable. That might mean switching to plant-based meals, rethinking fast fashion, or just taking reusable bags to the store.

Caring about the planet signals compassion, responsibility, and openness to growth. And in today’s dating world, that might be even more attractive than your favorite playlist.

Quick Picks:

From pantry upgrades to cozy DIYs—and smarter shopping—check out this week’s top eco-friendly finds:

• 🌱 Learn how to make your own dairy-free vegan Parmesan

• 🔥 Turn an old sweater sleeve into an upcycled water bottle cover

• 🛍 Master second-hand shopping with these simple tips

Reflections:

🌎 Did You Know: Washing clothes in cold water can reduce energy use by up to 90%! Most energy used in washing machines goes to heating the water.

🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured!