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Pueblos in New Mexico turn to goats for fire management

Wufei Yu

October 29, 2021 |

High Country News |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sandia Pueblo, New Mexico

Tribes in New Mexico have enlisted over 70 goats to help clear dry brush, branches, and invasive plants, which can otherwise become fuel for potential fires. The program, which has been running for almost a whole year has proven successful and it serves a dual purpose--the goats eat, and the chances of potential fires are greatly reduced. "Sandia Pueblo’s goat experiment has garnered interest from other tribes that see goats as a more natural way to tend the land than heavy machinery and chemicals."

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Technology gives critical assist to firefighting efforts

Victoria Franco

October 28, 2021 |

Local News Matters |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

In California, first responders have implemented technology to assist with wildfires and evacuations. The two tools are ALERTWildfire and Zonehaven. ALERTWildfire is a system of cameras that help firefighters locate, confirm, and detect the size of the wildfire before they even leave the station. There are 900 cameras installed throughout the state. Zonehaven is a tool that allows first responders to communicate evacuation plans to residents. The program has been used in multiple counties and jurisdictions.

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A River's Right to Flow

Sara Van Note

October 22, 2021 |

bioGraphic |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Mexico

In order to preserve and protect rivers a new movement that grants rivers personhood rights is growing. In places like New Zealand and Oregon, where some of these measures have passed rivers have the right to flow without having to be used as a resource for consumption. In New Mexico, the state engineer approved a water lease submitted by the National Audobon Society. The lease allows about 13 million gallons of water to flow annually solely for its own sake, similiar to personhood rights. The creative approach is one way conservationists are fighting for water preservation.

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Despite a Punishing Drought, San Diego Has Water. It Wasn't Easy.

Jill Cowan

October 17, 2021 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

While much of the state is still facing a severe drought, San Diego has access to plenty of water. Restrictions - like not allowing restaurants to serve water unless it’s asked for and barring residents from watering their yards during the day – have helped. Diversifying where the city gets their water from and investing in water-saving infrastructure, like lining Imperial Valley canals with concrete to prevent water from seeping into the earth, growing desalination capabilities, and adding more capacity to the reservoir, have also helped diversity and save water.

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From Felon to Fighter: The Redemption of Jose Santana

Tyler Hayden

October 14, 2021 |

Santa Barbara Independent |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Barbara, California

When California adopted a new law in 2020 allowing formerly incarcerated firefighters to petition to have their criminal records expunged and parole waived, the law excluded people with the most serious, violent offenses. But it left others with violent offenses in a gray area, subject to objections that could deny them a chance to become professional firefighters, using the skills they learned at one of the state's 43 prison fire camps. This story profiles the first man from Santa Barbara County to win this right, and the obstacles he faced in the process.

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Women on storm-hit Philippine island lead Indigenous effort to restore mangroves

Keith Anthony S. Fabro

October 07, 2021 |

Mongabay |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Philippines

When Typhoon Haiyan hit the island of Busuanga in the western Phillipines it brought imminent destruction. It prompted residents, especially the women of the island, to rehabilitate the mangrove forests. Apart from storing high amounts of carbon, mangroves acts as buffers against storms and protect the coast. The indigenous women of the island monitor the growth of the mangroves.

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Drones from scraps: How a Malawian startup is transforming medical supply delivery

Charles Pensulo

September 29, 2021 |

Hardware Things |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Malawi

Micromek builds low-cost drones using mostly 3D printers and recycled materials and delivers supplies to rural health clinics and relief organizations during natural disasters. The company’s drones can access a drone-friendly air corridor set up by the Malawian government to make the journeys more successful.

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How one town put politics aside to save itself from fire

Nathanael Johnson

September 01, 2021 |

Grist |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ashland, Oregon

The Ashland Watershed Protection Project is a collaboration between the community, the Forest Service, and environmental activists. The community leads the process, with input from local Native American leaders, to clear brush and cut down trees for fire maintenance while minimizing forest destruction and preventing logging companies from profiting. Instead, a is in charge of determining which areas, trees, and brush should be cleared for fire safety.

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Haiti's citizen seismologists helped track its devastating quake in real time

Carolyn Gramling

August 18, 2021 |

Science News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Haiti

Volunteer citizen seismologists in Haiti are collecting data on earthquakes and aftershocks with equipment provided by researchers to better understand seismic hazards and fault locations in the country.

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Education first

Mike De Socio

August 15, 2021 |

Adirondack Explorer |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Arizona

The Grand Canyon National Park launched a “hike smart” campaign as a way to educate hikers about the risks of traversing in the canyon and to decrease the number of search and rescue incidents. While measuring the success of such preventative measures can be difficult, the number of incidents has remained flat since the campaign was introduced in the 1990s, despite an increase in visitors.

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