Welcome to the April issue of The Highlight

There’s so much to be said about — and to be gained from — the magic of nature, especially with spring upon us. So what happens when we lose the natural world’s most special places? This month’s cover story takes a look at the vanishing tidepools of California for answers. You’ll find a piece about the wonders of gardening after a long winter, and an illustrated feature on the life of a dairy cow. It’s also a time for some more interior reflection, as we look at how to think about personal risk in a risky world, what it means to quit your government job now, and even the appeal of astrology. Plus, we answer all sorts of questions like: Why do we want to smell like food? And what religious divide helps explain politics in America today? At the edge of the ocean, a dazzling ecosystem is changing fast By Byrd Pinkerton The Democrats’ Michelle Obama problem By Christian Paz Ask a Book Critic: I want a book that won’t stress me out before bed By Constance Grady I’m doing good work in my government job. Should I quit anyway? By Sigal Samuel The hidden religious divide erupting into politics By Katherine Kelaidis Everyone wants to smell like a doughnut By Kyndall Cunningham The life of a dairy cow By Marina Bolotnikova How to live with life’s inevitable risks By Allie Volpe Why are so many people into astrology? By Alex Abad-Santos When your garden fails, the magic happens By Natalie Patillo