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Waiting for a New Deal job program? These US parks are already hiring

Jodi Helmer

August 14, 2020 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Asheville, North Carolina

With many people out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some cities and nonprofits are creating outdoorsy job programs to relieve unemployment. Inspired by the conservation corps programs created during the Great Depression, North Carolina, Alaska, and Texas have these initiatives. The reliance on fundraising to pay workers can be a challenge, but these programs are providing jobs for nearly 250 people and are making some conservation progress. For example, the Carolina Climbers Coalition crew has already completed projects at state parks in the Southeast.

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Metro Detroit's environmental organizations are largely white. Some are working to change that.

Anna Clark

August 13, 2020 |

Planet Detroit |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Several environmental groups in the Detroit area are coming to terms with the lack of racial diversity in their organizations. Huron-Clinton Metroparks released a plan to make their parks more welcoming and accessible to everyone, regardless of race and ethnicity. The Friends of the Rouge watershed organization has partnered with other nonprofits to explore race and organizational culture within their own groups. While many of these initiatives have just launched, many groups are taking crucial steps to address environmental injustice within their ranks and how it trickles down to the people they serve.

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Zion National Park's shuttles are falling apart, but there is no funding to replace them. Why?

K. Sophie Will

August 13, 2020 |

St. George Spectrum & Daily News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Springdale, Utah

As part of a collaboration between Zion National Park and the nearby town of Springdale, shuttle buses were introduced to limit the amount of noise in the canyon and deal with issues of over parking. However, those shuttles have now reached the end of their lifespan and threaten to disrupt the flow of tourists into the park. Efforts to replace the buses with an electric fleet, that could also reduce carbon emissions, have hit roadblocks as they’ve been denied federal funding.

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A West Philly grandmother decided to save summer with a PlayStreet. Then, tragedy struck.

Samantha Melamed

August 08, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia's PlayStreets program is a nearly 60-year-old program that began as a meal service during the summer "hungry season," when school lunches are not served, but has evolved into a summer camp on 300 city blocks. Fifty blocks are designated "super streets," where high levels of poverty and violence are met with extra resources. On top of the usual meals and games, the city provides play equipment, DJ dance parties, and mural making. In a summer of extreme violence, neighbors say it also provides a sense of security and normalcy, which police credit as a violence-preventive measure.

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Listening to Silence: Why We Must Protect the World's Quiet Places

Jenny Morber

June 30, 2020 |

Yale Environment 360 |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Ecuador

The nonprofit Quiet Parks International certifies “quiet parks” after performing a detailed sound analysis. Their work is an effort to raise awareness of and increase public support for preserving these locations.

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Outside the boxes

Alex Sakariassen

June 11, 2020 |

Montana Free Press |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Throughout the United States, health care professionals are beginning to prescribe "time outdoors" as a remedy for physical and mental illnesses in place of pharmaceuticals. Due to the stressors caused by Covid-19, this prescription – which is already being used in 32 states – could begin to play an even larger role in "the health care industry’s approach to treatment."

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StrongPeople classes strengthen bodies and friendships in rural Montana

Melody Martinsen

June 06, 2020 |

Choteau Acantha |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Bozeman, Montana

A group exercise class known as StrongPeople is helping senior citizens in Montana find community and improve their health through progressive strength training. Participants have reported positive results, while studies have also shown that those able to meet the expectations of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines doubled after people completed the program.

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A nonprofit motorcycle club raises money for elderly members

Ata Younan

May 28, 2020 |

Borderless Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Senior citizens from the Assyrian community living in Chicago have relied on a motorcycle club for care packages as well as friendly visits from someone who speaks their language. With health guidelines and coronavirus information constantly changing, the language barrier faced by many Assyrian elders makes them even more isolated during the pandemic. Organizations that would typically step in to provide assistance, meal preparation, and translation services have had to cut back their services leaving the motorcycle club, known as the Assyrian Knights, filling an urgent need.

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How a Former Dry Cleaners Became a Cleveland Community Hub

Cinnamon Janzer

May 07, 2020 |

Next City |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

PNC Fairfax Connection is a community center run by PNC Bank but separate from its corporate services. The center is free and accessible to all, was built with community-focused design, and seeks to build strong community ties. Programming is based on member input and ranges from social events to professional development resources. For example, over 400 residents attended a concert hosted by the center and another program helped six formerly incarcerated community members to secure employment with resume creation and interview preparation support. The center is currently closed due to Covid-19.

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Gainesville Keeps Some Nature Parks Open, Citing Mental Health Reasons

Christine Guerrero Kayla Price Hannah Rarick

April 11, 2020 |

WUFT-PBS |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Gainesville, Florida

As a response to COVID-19, Florida closed its state parks, but in Gainesville, they’ve kept a number of city-owned ones open. Among those open is Sweetwater’s Nature Center, which cites the natural spaces as crucial for exercise and mental health. They’re taking precautions, though – adhering to added protections for workers who don’t feel comfortable working, frequent cleanings, and posting signs along the trail as social distance reminders.

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