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Looks at some of the changes taking place in the image of Las Vegas. Role of people like Stephen Wynn, CEO of Mirage Resorts; The need to attract people who didn't want to gamble 24 hours a day; Services for children; Luxor, Wynn's Treasure Island and the MGM Grand; More.

The article focuses on significance of backyard habitats in wildlife conservation. Topics include findings of a study by University of Delaware entomologist Doug Tallamy indicating significance of insects and their larvae in feeding native birds; measures taken by the U.S. National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for using suburban properties in wildlife conservation; a software for selecting best native plants for wildlife by zip code to be launched by NWF.

Several photographs of wildlife in the U.S. are presented including one of a female grizzly bear and her cub at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Anchorage, Alaska taken by Sara Lopez, one of a female Florida panther and her 3-month-old kitten at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Florida taken by Ralph Arwood, and one of American bison in Yellowstone National Park's Hayden Valley in Wyoming taken by Sandy Sisti.

Discusses the role of Religious Right organizations in U.S. politics. Performance rating earned by Republicans in the U.S. Congress from the Christian Coalition, as of July 2004; Registration of religious conservatives for the presidential elections in 1980; Goal of the Values Action Team, a coalition of religious conservatives in the U.S.; Implications of the stance of U.S. President George W. Bush on the Federal Marriage Amendment for the support of Religious Right organizations to the 2004 election.

Focuses on the golf courses in the United States that are considered ecology friendly. Approaches used by Michael Hurdzan, an acclaimed golf-course architect, in designing the Widow's Walk golf course in Scituate, Massachusetts; How can one determine if a golf course is eco-friendly; Description on the Desert Willow in Palm Desert, California.

Focuses on how endangered peregrine falcons are adapting to city life all around the United States. Gradual comeback that the species is making from near extinction in many wilderness areas of North America; Physical characteristics of the falcon; Susceptibility of the peregrine falcon to pesticides; Perils that peregrine falcons face in the urban environment.

Discusses the hobby of egg collecting in the United States. Naturalist Ed Harrison's creation of a nonprofit museum in Los Angeles, California called the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology; Designation of Charles Bendire as the first curator of oology at the Smithsonian Institution; Federal and state governments' issuance of permits only to collectors who were serious students of natural history; National Audubon Foundation's plan to build an ornithological research center in Los Angeles.

Focuses on the activities of the Los Angeles, California strike force, a governmental unit tasked to apprehend corporate polluters. History of the formation of the unit; Investigative strategies used by the unit; Contributions of the agency to the conservation of the natural resources in the city.

Comments on wildlife art. Impact of wildlife art on a viewer; What is involved in painting wildlife; How the value of art is measured.

Presents information on the forested slopes of a West Maui, Hawaii mountain called Pu'u Kukui. Randy Bartlett's role as field general for the Maui Land and Pineapple Company; Comments from Bartlett; Problems Bartlett faces with exotic plants and feral pigs that have infested parts of the region; Number of plants in Pu'u Kukui; Information on the pure water which is available in the mountains.

Discusses the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory in Hawaii's study on bottlenosed dolphins' intelligence. Impact on views that animal behavior is unconscious; Echolocation image development in dolphins' brains; Social systems of dolphins; Testing of dolphin comprehension; Financing sources of the Laboratory.

Looks into the threat of coastal development to the basketmakers of South Carolina. Origin of basketmaking; Loss of sweetgrass material for baskets; Importance of coastal wetlands; Effect of the National Flood Insurance Program; Actions to save sweetgrass.

Features Stephen V. Lee Jr., a fourth-generation cranberry farmer living in the heart of New Jersey's Pine Barrens region. Number of families that grow the berries in the Pine Barrens, a 2,000-square-mile oasis of forests, wetlands and wildlife th at in 1979 was designated a federal preserve; History of cranberry farming; Background on Lee's family farm.

Examines the pros and cons of long-term health care insurance in the United States. Reasons why a growing number of American consumers are buying long-term care insurance policies; Percentage of Americans that require medical care in their homes and in nursing homes or similar facilities.

The article offers gardening tips for older people in the U.S. including a range-of-motion stretching of arms, back and torso, a rectangular raised planting bed with an adjacent chair or board for those who prefer to sit while exercising, and working while standing which could reduce the pressure on lower back and knees. It suggests reassessing the types of plants to be cultivated and maintain a sense of proportion. The tips were suggested by horticultural therapist Patty Cassidy.

The article focuses on the contribution of J. A. Brownridge to the conservation education and advocacy organization National Wildlife Federation with his ideas for fundraising for its work in wildlife conservation in the U.S. and its influence on the community of the same interest. The success of Brownridge with his advocacy through the wildlife programs of the organization is highlighted.

The article discusses homeowners who are installing photovoltaic panels in their homes to make use of solar energy. Several states provide rebate programs for people installing solar panels, and homeowners generating solar energy can sell excess energy back through brokers, and turn a profit. A solar equipped home can also raise the home's value. The U.S. federal government is criticized for not offering any programs which promote the use of solar power. Proponents say the use of solar power greatly reduces carbon emissions, and helps prevent against global warming. INSETS: A BRIGHT FIELD IN BROCKTON;SAVING ENERGY AT HOME.

Focuses on the threat pose by forest fire. Description of a major forest fire in Los Alamos, New Mexico in 2001; Ecological role of fire in wooded areas; Benefits from defensive landscaping.

Profiles American oceanographer Sylvia Earle. Earle's involvement in the Sustainable Seas Expeditions project; Earle's major awards and accomplishments; Early works in oceanography; Educational attainment.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses articles within the issue on topics including the environmental aspects of the coal industry in the U.S., winners of the 43rd National Wildlife Photo Contest, and the U.S. coal exports.

The article presents an editorial on efforts being made to preserve the wood stork in the U.S. The author discusses how the bird was declared an endangered species in 1984 and afforded protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The wood stork population is recovering successfully. The author discusses other species that have not received the same amount of funding as the wood stork.

The article presents a letter from the editor of "National Wildlife" concerning the October 2006 issue. An article entitled "What Are Bugs Worth" examines the ecological services insects provide, such as pollinating crops, converting wastes into fertilizer that plants can use and supplying food for wildlife. An article about the largest wildlife disease surveillance program ever undertaken in the United States is also presented, which involves the tracking of North American migratory birds to find out if bird flu can make it into the lower 48 states.

The article reflects on the articles and topics discussed in the issue related to creating habitat gardens for native species in the U.S. The director of publishing at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and New York writer Janet Marinelli in her article "Homegrown Biodiversity" has discovered the benefits of gardening with native plants. Marinelli preaches that creating gorgeous habitat gardens can improve the lot of a large number of native species. Writer T. Edward Nickens in his article "The Case of the Disappearing Warbler" explains that Quality winter habitat is critical to migrants and reports that a number of species are declining and habitat loss in Latin America is a big part of the problem.

Interviews U.S. Senator John McCain on the problem of global warming. Reason for his move to introduce the Climate Stewardship Act in Congress; Experience of McCain that convince him of the reality of the problem of global warming and the risks it posed to public health and the environment; Risks facing the people of the U.S. if they will not take action to address the problem.

Discusses issues affecting the national wildlife in the U.S.

Accounts the operations of the J.N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida. Convergence of several habitats; Popularity of the refuge; Historical background; Involvement of local citizens.

Reports on the use of bison meat to augment the dietary needs of the Oglala Sioux tribe in South Dakota. Understanding of the heritage of the Indian tribe; Propagation of bison herds on reservations; Combination of tribal philosophies with modern practices in the raising of bison to address health and poverty issues.

Reports on the Florida ordinance that prohibits lights from shining on the beaches at night from late spring to early fall. How the lights affect nesting turtles and their hatchlings; Species of turtles that nest on the beaches; Debate over the ordinance.

Presents a list of golf courses that were designed or retrofitted with environmentally beneficial features. Presidio Golf Course in California; Collier's Reserve in Florida; Hapuna Golf Course in Hawaii.

Profiles Michael Stewartt, a pilot from Sante Fe, New Mexico who provides low-cost air service out of the area. Stewartt's control of the program called Project Lighthawk, a nonprofit air shuttle service established solely for use by environmental organizations; Organization of a 'fly over' of the area that would be affected by the Kaiparowirs power plant, slated to be the largest coal-fired plant in the U.S.

Opinion. Comments on decreasing expenditure for tree programs in the United States (US), as a consequence to increasing urban budget deficits. Indication that street trees are disappearing from American cities at an alarming rate; Citing a reports conducted by the US Forest Service which concludes that trees save governments and homeowners considerable amounts of money in the long-term; Comments from Gregory McPherson, a Forest Service researcher.

Looks at Saint Louis Cardinals baseball manager Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), a nonprofit organization based in Concord, California, that is devoted to bringing people and homeless dogs and cats together. ARF's animals as temporarily housed in any of 100 foster homes throughout the United States; La Russa's affinity for animals.

Focuses on free parking meters in Beaumont, Texas. City manager Ray Riley's comments on the effectiveness of the concept of free parking for a limited time; Problems encountered.

Reports on the scientific information collection of self-proclaimed doctor Cyrus Teed and astronomy buff Seabury Doane Brewer entitled `Archive of Useless Research' housed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge. Ownership of MIT of several boxes of theoretical papers of the authors; Sending of crank mail to MIT scientists.

Focuses on the Institute of Totally Useless Skills in Temple, New Hampshire. Entertainer Rick Davis as director; Yodeling as Davis' favorite useless skill; Contact information.