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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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Cañada Cove COPEs with disaster planning

Libby Leyden

May 15, 2019 |

Half Moon Bay Review |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Mateo, California

San Mateo County’s coastside residents have created their own, volunteer-based disaster response system. Considering that they make up just 5% of the county’s population, and are just as much at risk for natural disasters like wildfires, flooding, and landslides, they recognized that they had to be proactive in the event that help and resources would be limited in such an event. The Cañada Cove Community Association developed a localized plan for disaster preparedness, including manuals, communication systems, and a database of residents that provides information on the specialized needs of citizens.

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The Town That Extended ‘Smart Growth' to Its Water

Jason Plautz

April 30, 2019 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Westminster, Colorado

Haunted by a 1962 drought in the town of Westminster, Colorado, the city's planners now incorporate water data in their planning processes to ensure that they never face the same sourcing issues again. By breaking down the silos between its water management and planning departments, the town has figured out how to manage its finite water resources, even in the face of a ballooning population. Now, other towns are following suit.

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Here's what one volunteer fire department is doing to prevent another West explosion

Erin Cargile

April 29, 2019 |

KXAN-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, West, Texas

After a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, the state has developed a safety course that focuses on fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate – one of the causes of the deadly fire years ago. While the course is still voluntary and doesn’t result in official certification, fire departments across the state have voiced their support.

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Militaries go green, rethink operations in face of climate change

Linda Givetash

April 27, 2019 |

NBC News |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

As climate change intensifies, militaries around the world have start adopting new equipment, practices, and processes. The United States has developed the International Military Council on Climate and Security, intended to better understand how the effects of climate change can and do fuel conflict. Globally, NATO members are testing new equipment, like diesel-solar powered systems, to increase their efficiency and reduce their fuel consumption.

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Across the U.S., flood survivors are growing in number — and they aren't just seeking restitution, but answers

Laurie Mazur

April 23, 2019 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, De Soto, Missouri

Connecting residents affected by flooding to networks of expertise turns victims into activists. In De Soto, Missouri, the Citizen’s Committee for Flood Relief found support from Higher Ground, a nonprofit organization that connects flood survivors to scientists and other experts. The organizations that cooperate with Higher Ground work to find solutions to repeated flooding—whether political or ecological—and also call for equitable distribution of disaster recovery resources.

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Six years later: Learning from the deadly West fertilizer plant explosion

Erin Cargile

April 16, 2019 |

KXAN-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, West, Texas

Following a deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant, cities in Texas are taking preventative measures. Emergency Management Specialists have updated and are employing software that tracks hazardous material storage in facilities around the state and generates disaster scenarios. The software can be used in real-time by firefighters and other emergency responders on their way to the scene.

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Active shooter drills are scaring kids and may not protect them. Some schools are taking a new approach.

Elizabeth Chuck

April 14, 2019 |

NBC News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

With no standard measures on how to best equip schools in the face of a shooting, many districts are trying new methods. Alternatives like age-appropriate language, training just teachers, sensory support, or having guidance counselors present have been employed to lessen the fear and anxiety children feel while still being prepared.

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To save the monarch butterfly, Mexican scientists are moving a forest 1,000 feet up a mountain

Kate Linthicum

April 09, 2019 |

Los Angeles Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Ejido La Mesa

The monarch butterfly is a migratory species that winters in central Mexico. However, warming temperatures have threatened the forests that house the butterflies. Scientists have responded by creating a greenhouse to grow trees that would shift the monarch’s habitat to a higher altitude, where temperatures are more favorable to helping the butterflies survive.

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Llano barricade protocol investigated after woman swept away in flood

Erin Cargile

March 26, 2019 |

KXAN-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Llano, Texas

In Texas, smaller towns are looking to one another for ideas to prevent dangerous encounters with flash flooding. Travis County is one such place, using multi-layered approaches to prevent drivers from crossing flooded areas and requiring deputies to carry water rescue kits in their cars. After the death of one woman, the town of Llano is considering new approaches, like more visible barricades.

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