#environmental-stewardship — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #environmental-stewardship, aggregated by home.social.
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#Changemaker Spotlight: #MichaelShaughnessy
A dedicated Friend of the #PresumpscotRiver
By Amy Paradysz, Winter 2025-26
Excerpt: "Shaughnessy, who became president of the Friends group in 2010, is inspired by the historical record of #ChiefPolin saying he 'belonged to' the Presumpscot River. Shaughnessy says, 'That has been a bellwether for us, conceptually, that we all belong to the river and the river could be cared for much better.' "
Read more:
https://www.greenhealthymaine.com/blog/changemaker-michael-shaughnessy#SolarPunkSunday #MaineRivers #FriendsOfThePresumpscotRiver #Riverkeepers #WaterIsLife #Changemakers #Maine #EnvironmentalStewardship
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#OgunquitME - #Stewardship #Workday: #BeachPlumFarm
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
9:00 am
Beach Plum Farm
610 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907"Beach Plum Farm is the last remaining #SaltWaterFarm in Ogunquit, home to #CommunityGardens, and the office of Great Works Regional #LandTrust.
Join #GWRLT for a Stewardship Workday on Wednesday, May 6th, 9am to noon at Beach Plum Farm, Ogunquit. We will be removing invasive species and a spring cleanup. Let us know if you can help out by registering below."
FMI and to register:
https://gwrlt.org/event/stewardship-2/#SolarPunkSunday #MaineEvents #InvasivePlants #SpringCleanup #EnvironmentalStewardship #LandTrusts #GreatWorksRegionalLandTrust
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Healthy forest floor; ground ivy, common ivy, enchanter's nightshade, etc. The herbaceous layer of a forest is perhaps the most undervalued, but the recognition of its importance to a wooded habitat is increasing.
#environment #environmentalscience #environmentalStewardship #nature #naturephotography #forest #forestecology #ecology #flora #naturalforest #woodland
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Building #Resilience in Your #Garden for Challenges
April 17, 2024 by Hellen James
"Gardening can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges. From unpredictable weather patterns to pests and diseases, maintaining a thriving garden requires resilience. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies to build resilience in your garden, ensuring it can withstand whatever challenges come its way.
Takeaways
1. Choose resilient plant varieties suited to your climate and soil conditions.
2. Improve soil health with #compost, #WormCastings, and cover crops to support plant resilience.
3. Implement water-efficient strategies such as #DripIrrigation and #rainwater harvesting to conserve water.
4. Utilize #NaturalPestControl methods like introducing beneficial insects and #CompanionPlanting.
5. Adapt to changing climate conditions by incorporating climate-resilient gardening practices.
6. Plan and prepare for each season to optimize plant growth and resilience.
7. Foster #biodiversity through companion planting and native plant selections to enhance garden resilience.
8. Create microclimates to tailor growing conditions to the specific needs of your plants.
9. #Mulch to suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and retain moisture for improved resilience.
10. Embrace #SustainableGardening practices to build long-term #resilience and environmental #stewardship.Full article:
https://unifiedgarden.com/building-resilience-in-your-garden-for-challenges/#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningChallenges #ClimateChangeGardening #EnvironmentalStewardship #RainwaterHarvesting #BuildingResiliency #FoodSecurity
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#ClimateChange intensifies the urgency of these values. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, & ecological disruption are already affecting communities worldwide. #Naturists often see themselves as part of a broader movement seeking to address these challenges through conscious living & #EnvironmentalStewardship. (13/17)
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#Africa - #Coexistence That's Built to Last
"For two decades, African People & Wildlife has partnered with communities across #Tanzania to protect wildlife, restore landscapes, and support sustainable livelihoods. See how this work has grown and where it’s going next.
Landscape Restoration and Connectivity
We lead collective efforts to restore and connect a flourishing mosaic of lands that benefits people, parks, and wildlife while building local #ClimateChange #resilience.
#HabitatLoss and #fragmentation pose one of the greatest threats to the future of Africa’s people and #wildlife. Without urgent action and collaborative partnerships, our most critical landscapes and their natural resources could be lost forever.
Support Local Corridors
We engage communities in the conservation of critical corridors for wildlife and livestock that link protected areas with communal and private lands.
Revitalize #DegradedPastures
The #overgrazing of local pastures can lead to #SoilErosion and inadequate food for wildlife and livestock. Together with local communities, we monitor and manage the long-term health of vital habitats that benefit people and wildlife.
Layer Programming to Maximize Impact
We overlap our rangeland management programming with the observed range of lions, leopards, and cheetahs to ensure the health and connectivity of vital big cat habitat. We also enhance the health of these pastures with an increased beehive presence through our Women's #Beekeeping Initiative.
Leverage Partnerships to Enhance Connectivity
We work with multiple partners – including government authorities – across large landscapes like the #Ngorongoro Conservation Area to identify shared goals and implement joint programming with local community members."
#SolarPunkSunday #WildlifeCorridors #ClimateChangeAdaptation #Stewardship #EnvironmentalStewardship #SoilRestoration
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Maybe humans will get together to use drones everywhere for reforestation instead of for killing each other. https://youtube.com/shorts/YKNuUrdfNg0?si=SM3tX9CT0FCJRuCA. #environmentalStewardship
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Do I need to test my garden’s soil? https://www.allforgardening.com/1611952/do-i-need-to-test-my-gardens-soil/ #EnvironmentalStewardship #garden #HomeGardening #horticulture #KStateResearchAndExtension #KansasStateUniversity #LawnAndGardenManagement #MattMcKernan #NutrientManagement #Phosphorus #potassium #SoilFertility #SoilTesting
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Heart of #Cochamó in Chilean #Patagonia to Be Protected After Historic Purchase
After a period of local and international fundraising, #ConservaPuchegüín announces next steps in creating 328,000-plus-acre protected area in #Chile
"This radical collaboration of passionate individuals and organizations large and small has come together to do something extraordinary—a real gift to our Earth and our grandchildren."
- Jeffrey Parrish TNC’s Global Managing Director for Nature ProtectionDecember 19, 2025
"The largest land holding in Cochamó is no longer for sale. Conserva Puchegüín, a locally driven conservation initiative comprised of multiple organizations, raised more than $78 million to purchase and support the long-term protection and effective management of #FundoPuchegüín, a 328,351-acre property of undeveloped nature in the heart of the Cochamó district in Chile’s northern Patagonia.
"The purchase ends years of uncertainty over the future of Fundo Puchegüín after the previous owner put the property up for sale in 2022. Now begins a new phase of enduring protection and long-term management of the area.
"With the registration process of new ownership complete, Conserva Puchegüín will work toward implementing a governance and management model with an approach that prioritizes community participation and #conservation science.
" 'This is a historic milestone not only because of the size of the protected area, but also because of how it was achieved: with participation, transparency and deep respect for the communities that live in Cochamó,' said Andrés Diez, executive director of #PueloPatagonia. “That is the foundation on which the next phase will be built.'
Read more:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/heart-of-cochamo-in-chilean-patagonia-to-be-protected/#SolarPunkSunday #TheNatureConservancy #PreservingNature #LandConservation #EnvironmentalStewardship #Conservation #NaturePreserve
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How to Start a #SchoolGarden: Your Complete Guide
Excerpt: "Benefits of school gardens
1. School gardens help children learn.
Gardening is the study of life. The simple act of caring for living soil and plants gives children a foundation for understanding the principles of birth, growth, maturity, death, competition, cooperation and many other lessons that transfer to human lives. In a school garden, children experience these lessons ‘hands on’ through a learning method that is rich and inclusive to varied learning abilities. The results teachers see every day are now supported by science: school gardens can help our children learn better, both academically and emotionally. For more information, read School Gardens: Can They Make Our Children Smarter?
2. Gardening together strengthens ties between school and community.
School gardening programs offer opportunities for community members to get involved, reducing the social isolation of seniors with skills to share and connecting children to older generations. They also help connect schools to local businesses and groups when they request sponsorship or volunteer assistance.
3. Getting their hands dirty helps connect children with nature.
Children who garden get a close-up look at natural processes and the living organisms that thrive in these environments. By learning to care for a living, breathing #ecosystem, children develop an understanding of nature’s importance in their lives and the lives of other beings. This fosters a culture of #EnvironmentalStewardship.
4. Gardening strengthens children’s immune systems.
There’s more and more evidence that getting #dirty exposes us to a variety of #microbes that can fortify our health and balance our immune systems against our overly sterilized world. This is particularly true for children who benefit from reduced allergies and asthma when exposed early in life to #dirt and the outdoors. The #VitaminD they absorb when gardening doesn’t hurt, either!
5. Working in a school garden helps children stay active, reducing obesity.
Teachers across the country agree: when children garden, they move their bodies more than when passively listening in a classroom. Jumping, bending, lifting, and stretching all take place during a typical gardening session. This is one of the objectives of gardening in school that most can agree is necessary given our increasingly sedentary way of life.
6. Gardening moderates moods and eases anxiety.
There’s some evidence that exposure to the beneficial microbes in soil can help regulate the neurotransmitters affecting our brain’s emotional state. A whole practice involving exposing yourself to green spaces to lift the mood has even emerged globally, with convincing results. But gardens are more than just another green space: they’re hands-on, outdoor classrooms that teach children self-regulation and mindfulness—both of which have been shown to decrease anxiety and depression.
7. Children who garden at school develop empathy and practice risk.
Teachers who garden with their students notice increased empathy towards other students and the organisms living in their school patch. That’s because tending to a ‘bug hotel’ or watching birds and earthworms thrive in the garden helps children understand the interdependency of nature. A garden also provides the perfect place for children to learn about boundaries and responsibility by practicing new activities in a safe space. Using a paring knife, trying out a hammer, or balancing on the edge of a raised bed are all ways for children to test their edges and learn new skills in a supportive environment.
8. Teaching and food gardens improve children’s diets.
Academics and journalists agree: children who garden eat more fresh vegetables. This extends beyond what they nibble on during classroom gardening time. Apparently just having a garden at school increases their intake of vegetables at home. And that’s good news for parents, teachers, and kids."
Learn more:
https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/how-to-start-a-school-garden-your-complete-guide/#SolarPunkSunday #SchoolGardens #FoodSecurity #NatureBasedLearning #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood
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Reimagining Campus Life: Integrating #Solarpunk Principles for a #SustainableFuture
About the author: "#LilyPacko (she/her) is an #Indigenous undergraduate student in her third year of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus. She is passionate about exploring the connections between culture, #environment, art and #sustainability, with a focus on how these intersections support Indigenous #conservation efforts and #sovereignty. Her studies center on understanding how traditional knowledge and contemporary approaches can work together to promote #EnvironmentalStewardship and strengthen #Indigenous communities."
March 19, 2025:
by Lily PackoExcerpt: "By embracing Solarpunk principles, universities can serve as a starting point for a more sustainable environment. Through green spaces, robust transit systems, inclusive housing solutions and self-sustaining local economies, institutions of higher learning can become models of ecological and social innovation. Implementing these changes on campus can set the precedent for broader societal transformation, proving that an optimistic and sustainable future is not only possible but within our grasp."
Link to 'Zine PDF:
https://thefeeledlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/solar-punk-zine-printable-.pdf#SolarPunkSunday #Sustainability #Zines #SolarPunkEssays #IndigenousStudents #SustainableFuture
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Mom and daughter transformed a boring backyard into a beautiful native plant paradise
https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.upworthy.com/mom-daughter-backyard-transformation-ex1
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"I'm not going to retire until I hit a million corals planted back on the reef. With the right conditions, we can do it in the next 3-5 years." ~ David Vaughan - Marine Biologist
#OceanConservation #CoralReefRestoration #MarineBiology #ProtectOurOceans #SustainableFuture #ReefRecovery #EnvironmentalStewardship #ClimateAction #SaveOurSeas #Regeneration
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Creating a sustainable future for the African child: a #solarpunk concept
by Christabel Ebubechukwu Okoroafor, Bachelor of science student, Social work department, University of #Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.PEOPLE CENTRED –THE JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION | Volume 9, Issue 2, 2024
Abstract
"This article investigates the conceptualization and integration of the formerly known literary genre and art form; now a subgenre of climate activism, solarpunk as a way of building a sustainable future for the African child; a future that takes pride in preserving the planet and creating a safe space for the African child to thrive, survive and develop. Solarpunk is a speculative and optimistic concept that seeks to reimagine the future of sustainability and mitigate climate change; an #ecotopian future where technology especially renewable resources and nature exist in #ecological harmony (#symbiotism). It profers #sustainable solutions like that embodies the core concept of African philosophy- being a whole person and being one with your surroundings, particularly focusing on community and its strength, a core concept for the Africa scene. It encourages social action through sustainability education of the next generation that is the African child. It integrates evidence from reviews, personal correspondence and diaries. With the potential to address challenges faced by African children, the article is arranged in sections that: introduce solarpunk and its alignment with African philosophies, analyze the current challenges faced by African children, present the context of #ClimateAction through the lens of #BAIW (Because Africa Is Worth It), present practical applications of solarpunk principles, discuss the role of #ForestGuards and social action groups in #biodiversity preservation, and explore how solarpunk addresses the challenges of the African child, concluding with policy recommendations to support the adoption of solarpunk in #Africa."#SolarPunkSunday #SolarpunkInAfrica #PreservingNature #RenewableEnergy #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalStewardship #ResourceManagement #WaterManagement #ClimateChange #SustainableAgriculture #LocalSolutions
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Bees are amazing and spring is the best time to start an apiary. If you've every considered starting your own bee yard to support these wonderful creatures, here's an open source resource to help you.
https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/apiary/
#Beekeeping #Apiary #SaveTheBees #Pollinators #SustainableFarming #EnvironmentalStewardship #OpenSourceLiving #Biodiversity #EcoCommunities #OneCommunityGlobal
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#StarIsland a model of #EnvironmentalStewardship
#GreenGosport Initiative puts ideals into action at #IslesOfShoals
by Deborah McDermott, June 30, 2019Excerpt:
"The [wastewater] treatment plant is the last significant piece in the Green Gosport Initiative, named after the 17th century town that once existed on the island. For the better part of 10 years, Star Island Corporation has been working to become a #sustainable community."The initiative has included the installation of the solar array in 2015, which has reduced by more than 75% the amount of diesel fuel for the generators that once powered everything on the island. Electricity consumption has dropped by more than 35% by making a change to LED lights and purchasing energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen. All disposable packaging, utensils and straws are biodegradable, and there are bins everywhere that encourage guests to properly dispose of their waste.
"#Sludge from the treatment plant is dried and composted with waste #cardboard and #WoodChips, instead of being sent to a #landfill. The #composting program began in 2014, and last year for the first time, the first batch was ready for testing by the state. It was so clean 'we got approval this spring to use that product without restriction, anywhere. So this spring, we used it as mulch in the flower pots,' Simard said."
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Reimagining Campus Life: Integrating #Solarpunk Principles for a Sustainable Future
by Lily Packo, March 19, 2025
About the author: "Lily Packo (she/her) is an Indigenous undergraduate student in her third year of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus. She is passionate about exploring the connections between culture, environment, art and sustainability, with a focus on how these intersections support #Indigenous conservation efforts and #sovereignty. Her studies center on understanding how #TraditionalKnowledge and contemporary approaches can work together to promote #EnvironmentalStewardship and strengthen Indigenous communities."
Excerpt: "Universities and colleges often serve as microcosms of society, where innovative ideas, environmental consciousness, and social justice movements take root. By integrating Solarpunk principles into student living, we can create environments that are not only sustainable but also foster collaboration, well-being, and community-driven change. Assessing areas like UBCO and Academy Way, there seems to be a void of self-sustaining community development. Speculative fiction can provide places such as Academy Way with a community-based and collaborative plan focused on sustainability and innovation.
"In a world often dominated by dystopian narratives of environmental #collapse, #authoritarian regimes, and #TechnologicalOverreach, Solarpunk emerges as a counterbalance, offering a hopeful and actionable alternative. Rather than resigning to the idea that the future must inevitably be grim and disastrous, Solarpunk challenges this assumption by presenting a vision of a world where humanity has chosen #sustainability, #ethical technological advancement, and #resilient, #SelfSustainingCommunities. More than just an aesthetic or literary movement, Solarpunk represents a framework for real-world change that can carry forward through generations."
Printable zine (PDF):
https://thefeeledlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/solar-punk-zine-printable-.pdf#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #SustainableAgriculture #IndigenousSovereignty #FoodSecurity #Rewilding #ImaginingABetterFuture
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"I see not just beauty but a promise — that those who love it will rise to heal it. If fate ever brings you there, remember: it is not the planet that belongs to us, but we who belong to its keeping." Children Of The Rogue - L.Nault
#HealThePlanet #EnvironmentalStewardship #NatureLover #EarthKeepers #Conservation
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Eco-villages foster belonging and connection by creating spaces where people can authentically relate to each other and the natural world. One Community's designs prioritize community bonds that strengthen both human relationships and environmental stewardship.
https://onecommunityglobal.org/
#BelongingAndConnection #EcoVillages #AuthenticRelationships #CommunityBonds #EnvironmentalStewardship #HumanConnection #NaturalWorld #CommunityDesign
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Eco-villages foster belonging and connection by creating spaces where people can authentically relate to each other and the natural world. One Community's designs prioritize community bonds that strengthen both human relationships and environmental stewardship.
https://onecommunityglobal.org/
#BelongingAndConnection #EcoVillages #AuthenticRelationships #CommunityBonds #EnvironmentalStewardship #HumanConnection #NaturalWorld #CommunityDesign
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City explores bylaw to allow backyard chickens in Prince Rupert
#PrinceRupert #BritishColumbia #Canada #Food #Agriculture #BackyardChickens #UrbanFarming #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #LocalFood #WasteReduction #CityCouncil #EnvironmentalStewardship
https://the-14.com/city-explores-bylaw-to-allow-backyard-chickens-in-prince-rupert/ -
#ChattanoogaTN Just Became North America’s First National Park City. Here’s What That Means
The designation was awarded by a London-based charity that aims to make cities more like national parks: “greener, healthier and wilder”
by Sarah Kuta - Daily Correspondent
April 23, 2025"#Chattanooga has been named North America’s first #NationalParkCity, a designation that acknowledges the city’s abundant green spaces and commitment to environmental stewardship.
[...]
"In Chattanooga, city leaders have used the initiative to encourage residents to 'think about Chattanooga as a city in a park, rather than a city with some parks in it,' says Tim Kelly, the mayor of Chattanooga, in a video announcing the designation.
" 'The outdoors is our competitive advantage,' he adds. 'It’s at the heart of our story of revitalization, and it’s at the core of our identity as Chattanoogans. We’ve always known how special Chattanooga’s connection to the outdoors is, and now it’s going to be recognized around the world.' "
#GreenCities #SolarPunkSunday #GreenSpaces #MoreGreenSpace #MoreParks #EnvironmentalStewardship
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Icons of Change Awards 2025
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Champion in Sustainability Leadership & Transformative Change
Abby Bonita, known as Little Miss Sustainability
#SDG12 #ResponsibleProduction #SustainabilityLeadership #TransformativeChange #EnvironmentalStewardship #EmpoweringChange #SustainableFuture #CircularEconomy #GreenInnovation
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#LexingtonNC - Lexington community youth garden will kick off 2nd season of growing
By Jill Doss-Raines, Mar 20, 2025
"A Lexington church and a nonprofit group will come together to kick off the second year of a community youth garden project.
"To do this, the project needs youths who want to learn about gardening.
"At 10 a.m. April 5, 2025 Anything For Our Youth Group and First Reformed United Church of Christ will kick off the growing season. This collaborative effort aims to educate and engage young people about sustainable gardening while fostering a sense of community, responsibility and #EnvironmentalStewardship.
"The garden project will provide youth with hands-on experience planting, cultivating and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to learning essential agricultural skills, participants will explore nutrition, food security and #environmental #conservation. The initiative also promotes teamwork, leadership and a connection to nature, values that help build a stronger, healthier community.
"'We are excited to bring this opportunity to the youth of Lexington,' said Tina Royal, director of Anything For Our Youth Group. 'This garden is more than just a place to grow food, it’s a space for learning, collaboration and community building. By working alongside dedicated mentors and volunteers, our youth will gain skills that benefit them for a lifetime.'
"First Reformed United Church of Christ, known for its commitment to outreach and service, has provided space and support for the project.
"'This partnership reflects our mission to serve the community and uplift the next generation,' said Edgar Miller, who is the church community garden organizer and the executive director of the #YadkinRiverkeeper Inc. 'We look forward to seeing the positive impact this garden will have on both the youth and the broader community.'
"Youth participants, volunteers and community members interested in supporting the initiative can participate. Registration is open to youth and families at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DAkw2z_5rfhbD0KchylZL4nPCf0ZntUBUupBvX1yTaE/edit?usp=drivesdk.
"For more information on how to get involved, please contact [email protected] or visit www.anyforouryouthgroup.org.
"Anything For Our Youth Group is a nonprofit organization based in Lexington dedicated to empowering and supporting local youth through education, mentorship and community engagement.
"The organization’s mission is to provide young people with the resources, opportunities and life skills necessary to succeed and thrive."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/XK9H4
#BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #NatureBasedLearning #Gardening -
Thinking Green: Why Schools Should Have #NaturalSpaces
December 13, 2023.
"As urbanization and technology increasingly dominate our landscapes and lifestyles, many educational facilities are becoming more and more sterile. However, the presence of green or natural spaces in schools has become more important than ever. Not only do these spaces offer aesthetic value, but they also contribute significantly to the physical, psychological, and educational well-being of students. This article explores the benefits of integrating green spaces in school environments and provides practical strategies, such as sourcing wholesale plants, for schools to achieve this goal.
The Benefits of Green Spaces
"Learning and Cognitive Development: Exposure to natural environments has been shown to improve memory, attention, and concentration in students. This leads to better academic performance and a more effective learning environment. Additionally, green spaces provide sensory experiences and opportunities for hands-on learning experiences and exploration, fostering curiosity and creativity among students.
"Mental Health and Well-being: Green spaces provide a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety in students. The tranquil environment of natural settings can offer a peaceful retreat from the often hectic school routine, contributing to better mental health and emotional well-being. In fact, studies have shown that children who have regular access to green spaces exhibit fewer behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity.
"Physical and Social Development: Access to green spaces encourages physical activities like playing, walking, and other forms of exercise. This not only helps in tackling issues like obesity but also promotes overall health and fitness among students. Natural environments also foster more organic social interactions that lead to improved social skills, better peer relationships, and greater opportunities for collaborative learning and play.
"Environment Quality: Plants and trees in green spaces function as natural air filters, improving air quality around the school. This is particularly beneficial in urban areas, where air pollution is a significant concern. At the same time, plants can perform the job of being natural sound buffers, reducing noise pollution and creating a more peaceful and conducive learning environment for students.
"Connection with Nature: Regular exposure to green spaces helps students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the #NaturalWorld. Students can learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems firsthand, applying their classroom knowledge to real-life experiences. This connection is crucial for fostering #EnvironmentalStewardship and a sense of responsibility towards nature conservation.
Strategies for Creating Green Spaces
"Creating #SchoolGardens: School gardens can be used for teaching subjects like biology, environmental science, and nutrition. Gardens offer hands-on learning opportunities and can help students understand plant life cycles and food production. At the same time, planting trees around school premises can create shaded areas, reduce heat, and improve air quality. Sourcing native plants from wholesale nurseries can be a cost-effective and sustainable way to establish school gardens and contribute to overall greening efforts.
"Developing #GreenPlaygrounds: Unlike traditional playgrounds that predominantly feature manufactured equipment, green playgrounds integrate natural elements such as trees, grassy areas, bushes, and sand. These spaces are designed to stimulate imaginative and unstructured play, which is crucial for children’s cognitive, physical, and emotional development. By incorporating elements like logs for balancing, natural climbing structures, and areas for digging, children engage in more creative and physically active play.
"Establishing #WildlifeHabitats: By creating spaces like #ButterflyGardens, bird feeders, small ponds, or native plant areas, schools can attract and support various local wildlife species. These habitats provide students with unique, up-close opportunities to observe and learn about different ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Such initiatives not only enhance #biodiversity but also serve as living laboratories for hands-on learning in subjects like biology, ecology, and environmental science.
"Incorporating Living Walls and Green Roofs: For schools with limited space, living walls (vertical gardens) and green roofs are innovative ways to integrate greenery. Living walls are installations where plants are grown on vertical surfaces, transforming plain walls into lush, living tapestries. Similarly, green roofs involve cultivating vegetation on rooftops. Both these features beautify the school environment and offer tangible environmental benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced urban heat island effect.
"Integrating #Sustainability Action: Integrating sustainability action into the curriculum and #GreenSpace initiatives can help students understand the importance of environmental stewardship. For instance, schools can implement a composting system in the school garden or use upcycled materials in garden projects to promote waste reduction and resource conservation. This form of education encourages critical thinking about how our activities impact the environment."
Read more:
https://campuspress.yale.edu/ledger/thinking-green-why-schools-should-have-natural-spaces/#Curiosity #Creativity #RiskTaking #Resilience #NatureDeficitDisorder #LessScreenTime #MoreGreenTime #SolarPunkSunday #NatureBasedLearning #SchoolGardens #BiophilicDesign
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World Tourism Day 🌍 – Travel with a conscience. Let’s promote sustainable tourism practices that protect and preserve the natural and cultural wonders of our world.
#GlobalAction #EnvironmentalStewardship #Sustainability #ProtectOurPlanet #ClimateAction #SustainableTourism #ActForNature #FORA #UOJ -
World Environmental Health Day 🌿 – A healthy environment means healthy lives. Today, we emphasize the importance of environmental health in promoting human well-being.
#GlobalAction #EnvironmentalStewardship #Sustainability #ProtectOurPlanet #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalHealth #FORA #UOJ -
A Comment on the Aquila Back Forty Wetland Permit
An Aquila Resources map outlines the wetlands that will be impaired by its open pit sulfide mine on the Menominee River.Earlier this morning, I sent this comment on the Aquila Resources Back Forty Wetland Permit to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Public comments may be submitted here until February 2nd.
To the MDEQ:
You have probably already received a number of comments on the Back Forty Mine wetland permit application from people who live out of state, as I do. Some of those opposed to sulfide mining on the Menominee River live on the Wisconsin side, just across or downstream from the proposed mine site. Others, across the country and around the world, are deeply concerned about the cumulative effects the current leasing, exploration, and sulfide mining boom around Lake Superior will have, and are alarmed to see federal and state regulatory agencies abdicating their responsibilities to the American public in order to do the bidding of foreign mining companies.
Denying the wetland permit is the only prudent and responsible course for MDEQ to take.
As the organization American Rivers noted when it placed the Menominee River on its list of “most endangered” rivers in 2017, the Aquila Resources Back Forty project poses a “significant threat” of acid mine drainage to the river, and to the “cultural and natural resources of the Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, and the Great Lakes Region.” Allowing Aquila to destroy or compromise area wetlands to construct its mine will only heighten the risk of large scale environmental catastrophe.
The risk is compounded by both regulatory and scientific uncertainty. As you are well aware, the Menominee Tribe maintains that the MDEQ lacks authority to issue this permit, because under provisions of the Clean Water Act the Menominee River and its wetlands are federal waters. This question remains unsettled. In the meantime, a third party, independent review of Aquila’s wetland permit application found errors and inconsistencies regarding the company’s findings on groundwater drawdown and the mine’s feasibility analysis. The wetland permit application you are considering is either flawed, because the people who filed it are incompetent, or misleading, because they have something to hide.
Deceit might be Aquila’s best strategy at this point. The Back Forty project has no claim to social license — none. The Menominee and other Wisconsin tribes have been adamant in their opposition. Local residents are overwhelmingly opposed as well. Of the 90 people who had the opportunity to speak at the January 23rd public hearing in Stephenson, only 4 could muster an argument for the mine, mainly because they put stock in the vague promise of “jobs” made by mining proponents. The rest — 86 out of 90, or 95 percent — stood in opposition to the mine.
Even if Aquila is not deliberately misleading the MDEQ and the public, the Canadian company has demonstrated time and again that it is not a responsible steward of Michigan or Menominee lands. In archaeological surveys of the region, for instance, Aquila claims to have uncovered nothing of “historical significance.” That is telling. These surveys have found nothing because they fail, or refuse to see, the significant Menominee history and culture that is right in front of their eyes. As tribal members have made repeatedly clear, Menominee history, ancestry, and culture begin and end in the river, the land, and the forest. What is historically significant or meaningful is not merely a collection of artifacts; it is a way of life and a deep connection to place. The Back Forty Mine threatens to destroy that connection.
In sum, the wetland permit application is flawed, the company has no social license to operate, and allowing the Back Forty to go forward would violate the public trust.
Postscript: On Monday, 4 June, Michigan DEQ Director Heidi Grether granted this wetlands permit, despite the DEQ’s own findings that the Aquila Resources project will likely cause “an unacceptable disruption to the aquatic resources of the State…and that the activities associated with the project are not consistent with the permitting criteria for an acceptable impact to the resources regulated under Parts 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, and Part 303, Wetlands Protection.” The permit DEQ issued — over its own objections — includes 28 pages of special conditions. It’s unclear why the DEQ did not simply deny the permit, as its findings warranted and in keeping with EPA objections to the Aquila application. More here.
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