Friday

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

• How AI is helping Yellowstone’s wolves rebound

• Sunset of the Day in Colorado

• A solution for wearing your favorite tops

• Low-waste baking: Banana bread

• This tool helps find the best car insurance rates

True or False?

It’s more energy-efficient to keep your thermostat at one temperature all day.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

How AI is Helping Yellowstone’s Wolves Rebound

Gray wolves were nearly wiped out in Yellowstone by the mid-1900s, and even though reintroduction efforts began in the 1990s, the species is still struggling to recover. Now scientists are using a surprisingly gentle tool to help them: listening. Through The Cry Wolf Project, researchers place small, camouflaged audio recorders around the park to capture wolf howls day and night.

Those recordings are turned into sound maps and analyzed with AI, helping experts understand where wolves are, how large each pack might be, and which vocalizations they’re using. It’s a low-cost, noninvasive way to track a vulnerable species at a time when accurate data is key for conservation and policy decisions.

The technology could even help reduce conflicts with livestock. Instead of blasting loud music or lights to deter wolves, researchers are testing whether playing recorded wolf calls (essentially “speaking wolf”) could work more naturally.

Beyond Yellowstone, these listening devices may help monitor illegal logging or wildlife trafficking in other protected areas. But at its heart, the project is about understanding a social, highly connected animal, and protecting the wild soundscape it depends on.

Sunset of the Day in Colorado

Kimberly captured this fiery sky above the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, where the clouds lit up like glowing embers above the pines. Hints of early snow peek through the peaks in the distance, but the golden grasses below keep the whole scene grounded in fall.

Thanks to Kimberly for sending in this dramatic mountain view. Have a sunset or snapshot you’d love to share? We’d love to see it. Send it our way for a chance to be featured in The Canopy.

Say Goodbye to Meal Prep Burnout

After a long day, the last thing most of us want is another hour in the kitchen. But takeout and frozen “healthy” meals? They usually come with seed oils and ingredients that don’t leave you feeling great. That’s where Forkful Meals comes in—chef-prepared meals cooked in avocado oil, made with grass-fed meats, wild-caught seafood, and organic produce. From protein-packed pasta to plant-based burrito bowls, they’ve got options for every eater. And the best part? Everything arrives fresh, heats up in minutes, and makes healthy eating feel effortless.

Make weeknights simpler—and healthier. Get 50% off your first order today.

Thank you to Forkful Meals for sponsoring The Canopy.

Low-Waste Baking: Banana Bread

If you’ve got bananas browning on the counter (we’ve all been there), this vegan banana bread is one of the simplest, most sustainable ways to use them up. It’s made entirely with pantry staples, no specialty “vegan swaps,” and it turns those spotty bananas (the ones most likely to get tossed) into something warm, cozy, and delicious.

The recipe relies on bananas for moisture and binding, so you don’t need eggs or complicated substitutes. Three very ripe bananas, a little oil, flour, baking staples, and you’re basically there. Add-ins like walnuts or dairy-free chocolate chips make it feel extra special, but the base loaf is already incredibly soft and nostalgic.

It’s also a great low-waste trick: frozen bananas work too. Just thaw and drain before mixing. And because banana bread freezes well, none of it has to go to waste. Slice it, freeze it, and you’ve got quick breakfasts or snacks for weeks.

For anyone trying to eat more plant-forward or simply use what they already have, this is one of the easiest, most yummy places to start.

Thank you to Everquote for sponsoring The Canopy.

Final Thoughts:

This week’s eco-friendly favorites:

• ☕️ Sustainable cafes and restaurants 

• 💌 2025 holiday gift guide

• 🥙 Reduce food waste by ordering these meal prep dishes

• 🍲 Thanksgiving side dishes

• 🤧 How to stay healthy through holiday travel

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: False. Lowering it when you’re asleep or away can save energy.

🌅 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!