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Amid Devastating California Fire Season, One Small Community Saved Itself. Here's How

Danielle Venton

May 12, 2021 |

KQED |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Rock Haven, California

After years of debate and education, the residents of the tiny community of Rock Haven, in the Sierra National Forest, found the will and the money to "treat" the forest around their homes: removing dead trees and brush that made the land extremely vulnerable to wildfire. When the massive Creek Fire in 2020 arrived, it wiped out the trees in the part of the property that had gone untreated, but left unscathed the treated land and the cabins on it. The costly preparation made firefighting safer and more effective while slowing the wildfire's spread.

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The long shot that saved Belize's coral

Veronika Perkova

May 05, 2021 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Belize, Placencia

After a hurricane hit the coast of Belize in 2001, it essentially destroyed the coral reefs in Laughing Bird Caye National Park. Lisa Carne wanted to start transplanting coral to regrow the reefs, but it took five years to secure funding to start her project. Restoring coral reefs is a lot of effort, so she founded a nonprofit called Fragments of Hope that hired local residents to help. Because of her efforts, over 85,000 corals have been planted and 89 percent of them survived after 14 years, The techniques used are being applied in other countries like Colombia, Jamaica, and St. Barts.

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As Paradise Rebuilds, It's Also Preparing for the Next Fire

Colleen Hagerty

May 04, 2021 |

Sierra Club |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Paradise, California

After the 2018 Camp Fire that tore through the town of Paradise, California, local residents are starting to rebuild. As of April, the town issued nearly 1,500 building permits. They’re also implementing a plan to remove trees that pose a safety concern for residents, which has been an extensive coordination effort between federal, state, and local government officials. Housing prices in the area have increased significantly making it difficult for some people to rebuild, but some organizations are working to help those that want to return to the area.

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Vanuatu looks to local food production for a resilient future

Nithin Coca Naomi Mihara

April 14, 2021 |

Devex |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Vanuatu

As the small island nation of Vanuatu emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of a tropical cyclone, entrepreneur Votausi Lucyann Mackenzie-Reur argues that they need to focus on local ingredients to be able to respond to future crises. Oxfam is also doing work in this region by using blockchain technology to improve food purchasing power for people affected by disasters. “Food security, climate change, and biodiversity can all be tackled by promoting and advocating the use of local traditional foods,” says Mackenzie-Reur.

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Corn Farmers Upend Tradition to Reduce Air Pollution

Lilette A. Contreras

April 10, 2021 |

Global Press Journal |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua

After a drought left cattle farmers in Mexico without grass to feed its animals, a unique partnership with corn farmers allowed them to use their leftover stalks and leaves. Usually, the farmers burn these materials, known as stover, which contributes to air pollution. This partnership was facilitated by the government and allowed the corn farmers to sell their leftovers to the cattle farmers. As a result, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions dropped significantly, and a new market for these materials is emerging.

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Community restores grasslands in Lamkani, making the village drought-resilient

Vinaya Kurtkoti

April 08, 2021 |

Mongabay |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Dhule, Maharashtra

The village of Lamkani, in India, was lush but became barren after years of droughts. In 2000, Dhananjay Newadkar, initiated a multi-pronged approach that was supported by the community. It included watershed development, a ban on grazing and felling trees. However, the bans were not enforced. Instead, artists incorporated messages about conservation in their performances and educated the community. Finally, the grasslands were restored through rotational grazing. Now, the town is water-sufficient, even in droughts.

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Mississippi Failed its Residents During a Crisis, So They Helped Themselves

Aallyah Wright

April 06, 2021 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

Grassroots organizers filled the gap left by local and state governments in the wake of back-to-back winter storms in Mississippi. Community organizers like the People’s Advocacy Institute stepped in to provide basic necessities, wellness checks, food boxes, and water. The organizers are also pressuring elected officials to “prioritize the well-being of the community” by updating infrastructure in order to prevent another disaster.

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The Clever Architectural Feature That Makes Life on Bermuda Possible

Luke Fater

March 31, 2021 |

Atlas Obscura |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Bermuda

There is no natural freshwater source on Bermuda, so residents turn to rainfall as a way to fulfill their water needs. The white limestone Bermuda roofs are used to catch and redirect rain into underground tanks that serve as their primary source of freshwater. Droughts happen, which has led to other solutions, but the limestone roofs are still primarily their largest source of freshwater.

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Simple hand-built structures can help streams survive wildfires and drought

Brianna Randall

March 26, 2021 |

Science News |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Idaho

Conservationists, government agencies, scientists, and landowners are working together to restore streams using low-cost solutions from sticks, stones, and even beavers. Restoring these floodplains is important to help communities combat drought and wildfires. In Idaho, scientists relocated nine beavers to Birch Creek so they could help repair the dried-up stream. In three years, the beavers built dams, which helped the creek flow for longer in the summer. This method might not work everywhere, so scientists have also tested stone structures, which also proved effective at improving the ecosystem.

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A village to nourish a child: FHI360 community structures provide nutrition for children in Borno

Thelma Chioma Abeku

March 23, 2021 |

Nigeria Health Watch |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Borno State

FHI360 is an initiative, supported by grassroots and international partnerships, providing healthcare to Internally Displaced Peoples in four locations. The nourishment of pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as their children, is a main focus. The group disseminates information and provides nutrition counseling in both one-on-one and community support group settings. They also offer vitamins and micronutrient supplements to women and children and create safe breastfeeding spaces and safe spaces for women who have been victims of gender-based violence.

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