Tuesday

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

• The world’s rarest wild cat is back

• Is it sustainable to throw cat litter away?

• How to help cat litter's eco impact

• What one dog is doing for the Planet

Did You Know

Your ___ may be one of the biggest energy hogs in your home.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

The World’s Rarest Wild Cat Is Back

Not long ago, the Iberian lynx was the rarest wild cat in the world. In 2002, fewer than 100 were left in Spain. They’d vanished from Portugal. For years, it seemed like this big-eared, bob-tailed cat was slipping away for good.

But something incredible happened. Local farmers, scientists, and animal lovers came together to bring them back. They raised baby lynxes in care centers, protected forests and meadows, and even helped boost wild rabbit populations (the lynx’s favorite meal). Families who lived near their habitats got involved too, helping make sure these cats had safe places to roam.

Now, more than 2,000 Iberian lynxes live in the wild across Spain and Portugal. The species is officially no longer endangered, and it’s all because people cared enough to act. It’s a powerful reminder: when we work with nature, not against it, healing is possible.

Is it Sustainable to Throw Cat Litter Away?

Even if you don’t have a cat, you’ve probably seen those giant bags of litter stacked in the pet aisle and wondered: Where does it all go? The short answer: mostly to landfills.

Traditional clay litter, which many cat owners still use, comes from strip mining and doesn’t break down once it’s tossed. That means every scoop of used litter basically lives on forever underground.

Still, there’s progress. A growing wave of sustainable litters uses renewable materials like coconut and cassava that are lighter on the planet and easier to process. It’s a small shift that shows how even something as ordinary as cleaning up after a pet connects to the bigger picture of what we throw away, and what stays behind.

5 Billion Pounds of Cat Litter Ends Up in Landfills Each Year

Most traditional cat litters are made from strip-mined clay or silica. Both end up in landfills when thrown away and are not biodegradable.

A new natural cat litter called Tailfeather is changing this with their eco-friendly, plant-based, clumping cat litter made from coconut and cassava.

Why coconut? The husk of the coconut absorbs liquid up to 9 times its weight! This makes for a soft, luxurious litter that cats love and is 70% lighter than traditional litter, but also doesn't track and bounce out of the box.

It's fully biodegradable and 100% plastic-free, including the packaging. Tailfeather is delivered conveniently to your door, and each package lasts for 8 weeks, double the amount of other litters.

For the next 24 hours, Canopy readers get a $15 credit on your first order with code Canopy15.

Try Tailfeather for your cat and the environment today.

Thank you to Tailfeather for sponsoring The Canopy.

What One Dog Is Doing for the Planet

In Florida’s Everglades, conservation work looks a little different: It has paws and a tail! Rogue is a wirehaired retriever trained to help remove invasive green iguanas. Her job? Track down the iguanas after wildlife experts safely remove them.

Green iguanas might look harmless, but they’ve caused serious problems since arriving from South America decades ago. They eat plants that endangered butterflies depend on, destroy native snail populations, and dig deep burrows that can damage sidewalks and seawalls.

Rogue’s handler, Mike, runs a wildlife rescue group that works to protect Florida’s ecosystem. He trains dogs like Rogue to find iguanas quickly, so nothing’s left behind, and the job gets done humanely.

Dogs might not be the first thing you think of in conservation work, but they’re fast, smart, and make it easier to care for fragile environments. And Rogue? She’s proof that even one dog can help protect an entire landscape.

Quick Picks:

From wildflower patches to powerful photography, check out this week’s top eco-friendly finds:

• 🌼 Learn how to grow your own mini meadow

• 📸 See the breathtaking wildlife photos being donated

• 🥾 How to hike with your dog safely

Reflections:

🌎 Did You Know: Your dryer may be one of the biggest energy hogs in your home. Air-drying clothes can cut that energy use by over 30%.

🌅 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!