Monday

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

• Rediscovery of a rare bird brings new hope

• Sunset of the day in New Zealand

• Cats love this eco-friendly cat litter

• This coffee scrub is good for the Planet

• How solar is changing the game

True or False?

Polar bears’ fur is not actually white.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Rediscovery of A Rare Bird Brings New Hope

For the first time in more than 30 years, conservationists in Australia have confirmed the presence of the plains-wanderer—one of the rarest birds in the country—thanks to a little help from AI.

Zoos Victoria installed audio recorders across western Melbourne to track bird calls in the wild. After scanning thousands of hours of audio, a tool powered by artificial intelligence picked up the plains-wanderer’s distinct, low call at two separate sites.

The plains-wanderer is considered endangered, with fewer than 1% of its native habitat remaining. Known for its highly specific grassland preferences, this bird is incredibly hard to spot—some guides even charge hundreds for the chance to see one.

Finding signs of the bird again is encouraging, not just for the species itself but for the entire grassland ecosystem it supports. Conservation teams now hope to expand efforts by placing more sound recorders in nearby areas and inviting the public to report sightings.

Sunset of the Day in New Zealand

Today’s view comes all the way from New Zealand, thanks to The Canopy reader Duncan. Captured along the Whakatāne River, this golden moment reflects perfectly off the still water—anchored boats and soft skies soaking in the last light of day.

It’s a peaceful reminder to pause and take in what’s right in front of us. Thanks, Duncan, for sharing this serene sunset with us!

Have a sunset that took your breath away? Send it our way—we love seeing the world through your lens.

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.

This Coffee Scrub Is Good for the Planet

If you're a coffee drinker, your morning brew just got a second job. With a few pantry ingredients, you can turn used coffee grounds into a gentle, all-natural body scrub that leaves your skin soft and smooth.

All you need is about ¼ cup of grounds, a spoonful of coconut oil, some sugar, and a little honey. Mix it into a paste, and that’s it—you’ve got an exfoliator. It even smells amazing.

The caffeine in coffee may help boost circulation, while the sugar and oil team up to gently scrub and hydrate. Bonus: it costs under 50 cents to make—way less than the $10+ price tag on store-bought scrubs.

It’s also a simple way to cut back on waste. No plastic packaging, no mystery ingredients, and no microbeads heading down the drain. Just a small swap that feels good and does good, too.

A Better Way to Shop for Solar

Tired of being bombarded with pushy solar ads and sales calls? EnergySage offers a smarter, stress-free way to go solar. Compare multiple quotes from top-rated, pre-screened installers—all in one place, and all without the pressure.

Here’s how it works:

Easy comparison: Find and compare quotes from trusted installers in a transparent, user-friendly platform at your own pace.

No pressure, just savings: Homeowners using EnergySage save an average of 20% on solar installation.

Unbiased guidance: Our Energy Advisors are here to offer free, expert advice whenever you need it. Ready to get started? Start by entering your zip code, then answer a few questions about your electricity usage, roof condition, and timeline, and confirm the property to get your quote.

Get your free, custom solar quotes on EnergySage today!

Thank you to EnergySage for sponsoring The Canopy.

Quick Picks:

From symbolic plants to stunning spring blooms, check out this week’s top eco-friendly finds:

🏡 Tour a secondhand tiny home with its own ecosystem—This unique home includes a self-sustaining food forest in the backyard.

🌸 Discover the meaning behind 71 plants—Explore the rich symbolism behind flowers and herbs, from joy to protection.

🐈️ What do cats really want in their litter?— Learn more about why this eco-friendly litter is every cat’s favorite.

🔌 Learn how solar power can help the planet and your energy bills- This is how you can get a free easy quote

🌷 See the world’s most beautiful spring blooms—These breathtaking flower displays are nature’s most colorful showstoppers.

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: True! Their fur is translucent and appears white because it reflects visible light.

🌅 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!