Let’s get everyone back up to speed. Here’s part 1, through December 15.

• Bush did, indeed, change some rules in the ESA, but it’s probably not as bad as it could’ve been.
• It’s time to re-read the Lorax.
• Otters are moving back into towns and cities in England.
• Snow geese eggs may become a larger part of polar bears’ diet. Do you smell a Red List upgrade (downgrade)?
• Remember the Laotian rock rat that was discovered in a market in Laos? WWF has released a report (PDF) on its findings in the Mekong, with more than 1,000 new species described.
• An Inspector General report of the Bush-era Interior Department was released. It’s not pretty.