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How a 'Communiversity' Works

James Fallows

May 30, 2019 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Columbus, Mississippi

Bucking the stereotypes of strained town-gown relations and the removed university, the Mississippi Communiversity is bringing together a community college, research university, local high schools, state and local government, federal government, private businesses, and local individuals to build a truly collaborative academic center. The academically structured, industrially aligned program enjoys funding from all of the above parties mentioned.

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Hungry Goats Are on the Front Lines of Wildfire Prevention in Southern California

Aliya Jasmine

May 30, 2019 |

KNBC-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

When a Southern California rainy season fuels a boom in non-native grasses, the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Forestry Division deploys herds of goats to munch on what could turn into a wildfire hazard. The goats provide a green alternative to the use of machinery to clear brush. The four-legged crews are more agile on steep slopes and cost less than their human and mechanical substitutes. The fire department limits the use of goats to qualified vendors who must ensure that the grass eaters don't go overboard, eating even native grasses and causing new environmental problems.

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Millennials ‘Make Farming Sexy' in Africa, Where Tilling the Soil Once Meant Shame

Sarah Maslin

May 27, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ghana

New “agripreneurs” are trying to bring high-tech, business-driven farming practices to Ghana, while also attempting to shift the prevailing norm that a career in farming is not equivalent to “success.” This comes in the form of creative farming practices, like raising snails, to government support, in the form of education and financial support, all hoping to bolster the agricultural ecosystem.

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20 years later, a small Maine town finally found a way to solve its 27,000-ton carpet dump problem

Lauren Abbate

May 24, 2019 |

Bangor Daily News |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Warren, Maine

After sitting abandoned for 20 years, 27-thousand tons of plastic carpet are in the beginning processes of being removed. The pile, located in an old rifle range in Warren, Maine, is being transported to a local cement plant who uses such materials to burn for fuel. The disposal is being funded by the Department of Environmental Protection, but with such a massive amount, risks only being partially disposed.

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The Cities Funding Legal Defense for Immigrants

Zoe Sullivan

May 21, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

As the struggles of refugees and immigrants drudges on, a number of cities across the US are gathering funding for their legal defense. One strategy, a legal counsel program called New York Family Immigrant Unity Project, has proven so successful that it now has 19 other counties in states like Colorado and Georgia participating in their network. Beyond that, these public defense projects often comprise of both public and private dollars and are all working for the right (not guaranteed by the US Constitution) to have access to legal counsel during immigration proceedings.

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Finland is winning the war on fake news. Other nations want the blueprint

Eliza Mackintosh

May 18, 2019 |

CNN |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Finland, Helsinki

Teaching students to fact check encourages resilience and builds resistance to the post-truth phenomenon. In Finland, a school curriculum implemented at the national level equips elementary and high school students with a digital literacy toolkit geared toward recognizing disinformation online. In addition to specific exercises spotting fake news on social media platforms, a critical thinking curriculum is built into all subjects. Finland's success in fostering a social resilience against disinformation also draws on lessons from the country's oftentimes fraught history with its eastern neighbor.

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Dairy Alternatives: Converting Cattle Methane Into Renewable Energy

Raisa Scriabine

May 16, 2019 |

KCET-TV |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Pixley, California

After California passed new regulations mandating that the dairy industry needs to mitigate the amount of methane emissions produced from cows, some farms like Airoso Dairy are adopting new technologies to do the job. The farm works with energy companies to use a digester that converts the cow’s manure into biofuel. While the initial investment in the technology can be expensive, this conversion of fuel has also added a new revenue stream for the farm.

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To Control Forest Fires, Western States Light More of Their Own

Sophie Quinton

May 16, 2019 |

Stateline |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Rustic, Colorado

Prescribed burns help prevent the devastating impact of uncontrolled forest fires in Western states. In states like Colorado, the US Forest Service, local governments, and nonprofits, are working to improve forest habitat and protect communities from wildfires by increasing the acreage of forest exposed to controlled fires. After years of policy that aimed to reduce fires, agencies are now working to restore ecological balance and prevent future natural disasters.

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Virginia solar installer partners with city to train and diversify workforce

Elizabeth McGowan

May 16, 2019 |

Energy News Network |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlottesville, Virginia

Sun Tribe Solar, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, collaborated with the city on a curriculum that is helping previously underemployed individuals join an insular industry, especially those who are underrepresented in the field. The cohorts are small and recieve the necessary certifications and learn from classes designed in partnership with Sun Tribe Solar; the program is another way for the city to create a pipeline to good jobs for all residents.

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An urban ‘butterfly experience' in Sri Lanka

Dilrukshi Handunnetti

May 15, 2019 |

Mongabay |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Sri Lanka, Moratuwa, Colombo

What was once the garbage dump of a clothing company in Sri Lanka is now the site of an urban butterfly garden. Dilmah Conservation and naturalist Rajika Gamage created the open air garden in 2011 to conserve endangered butterflies without actually keeping any species in captivity. Over 90 native plants were planted, and the garden now receives visits from over 50 different butterfly species. The sanctuary also serves as an educational resource to help stress the importance of the diversity of these insects as an indicator of the health of the habitat.

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