There is something mesmerizing about fireflies.
When my children were young, we would sit in our tiny backyard in Washington, D.C., at dusk and wait for the twinkling lights to appear. The slow-flying insects were once so plentiful that they would land on us, flashing from our heads and hands before lifting off in search of a mate more their size.
This year, I watched and waited. But what had once been a dazzling show had become just a few brave blips in the darkness.
Perhaps you have noticed it too.
For generations, fireflies have turned ordinary summer evenings into something magical. Their tiny flashes drift through backyards, fields, forests, and wetlands, creating a natural wonder cherished around the world. For many of us, they are woven into childhood memories, symbols of warm nights, healthy landscapes, and the simple joy of being outside after sunset.
But today, that familiar glow is under threat.
