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Public Shaming and Even Prison for Plastic Bag Use in Rwanda

Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura

October 28, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Gisenyi

Plastic bag litter is a serious problem across Africa and around the world, choking waterways, killing livestock and wildlife when ingested, and causing environmental damage. Rwanda is one of the few nations in the world to completely ban single-use plastic bags, but they take enforcement of the ban to a sometimes controversial extreme, with punishments that can even include jail time. The measures do appear to be working, however, where the clean streets and countrysides of Rwanda stand in stark contrast to the heavily-littered land of neighboring countries.

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Teens With Criminal Records Are Beautifying Baltimore By Planting Flowers

Emily Weitz

October 12, 2017 |

Vice |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

'Tha Flower Factory' is setting out to help provide employment, mentor kids, and restore hopefulness and beauty to the city of Baltimore. This project employs individuals to plant flowers and seeds, helping bring down criminal records and change the landscape at the same time.

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In Woodlawn, a Ground-Up Approach to a Healthier, Safer Community

Brandis Friedman

October 11, 2017 |

WTTW-PBS |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Urban areas that have more trees tend to have lower crime rates, attracting more investment and have higher income levels. They also make neighborhoods nicer places to live so that’s why Blacks in Green, a community group in Chicago, is focused on building more gardens, planting orchards and trees with the help of the Morton Arboretum, which works with community groups around the city. Blacks in Green has combined the initiative with efforts to provide more jobs for the community’s young people as well.

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Milwaukee is Showing How Urban Gardening Can Heal a City

Laurie Mazur

October 04, 2017 |

Civil Eats |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Urban gardening initiatives strengthen health and community in Milwaukee. The Victory Garden Initiative offers affordable options for residents to begin gardening—as well as information resources and community events.

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This Isn't Just Another Urban Farm—It's a Food Bank

Sammi-Jo Lee

September 26, 2017 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

In the United States, one in seven people are food insecure, and in Tucson, the number is even higher. Food banks increasingly find that their roles are not simply to distribute food, but to create sustainable change through "food literacy" - which is exactly how organizations like the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona are tackling the issue. They establish urban farms that not only provide the needy with fresh, local produce, but create a classroom for students, green areas for families to enjoy, and event space for the community to gather and learn.

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Wichita Art Project Brings Fresh Look at the River

Josh Cohen

September 25, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Wichita, Kansas

While the passage of the Arkansas River through downtown Wichita is a natural place for activity, it took attractions to get people to come. The ArkArt project developed art installations along the river beautifying the location and providing a hook to drive pedestrian traffic.

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In Flint, Block Clubs Make a Difference Worth Millions

Scott Atkinson

August 10, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Flint, Michigan

Instead of relying on Flint’s municipal government for basic services that it does not have the money for, residents are “picking up the slack” by joining block clubs. These community groups maintain parks, mow lawns, and clean up garbage, saving the city $4.3 million from 2015 to 2017. Though it’s not a permanent fix, block clubs are nonetheless making a significant positive impact on the city.

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This Kansas City neighborhood wrote the blueprint for transforming a community

Nikhil Swaminathan

July 25, 2017 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

The Kansas City neighborhood of Ivanhoe was once plagued by blight, illegal dumping, drug trade, gun violence, and neglect; neighbors lived in fear or moved away. Inspired by one compassionate and proactive family, the Youngs, the community stepped up, partnering with the local university and a charitable foundation to map out a tangible blueprint for sustainable change. They are working with police and the city council to tackle the blight and revive their neighborhood through affordable housing, park space, and a renewed sense of community.

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A second life for waste

Amina Nazarli

June 24, 2017 |

AzerNews |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Azerbaijan

Students are paving the path for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future in Azerbaijan. In a state that doesn't sort its garbage, this group of student-volunteers started "Papillon," a project aimed at up-cycling discarded waste into useful and aesthetic interior decorations and accessories.

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Community Gardens Flourish in Trenton

Sonia Schnee

June 13, 2017 |

CivicStory |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Trenton, New Jersey

Trenton, NJ residents are improving their city through urban agriculture. ISLES, the non-profit group supporting the community gardens, is encouraging community-building as well as a healthy lifestyle that benefits people and the environment. Over 60 community gardens are thriving throughout the Trenton area, showing the value of urban agriculture for a community.

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