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A new leaf: the hardy trees reforesting the Amazon

Dan Collyns

October 18, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Peru

Years of illegal gold mining have left much of Peru's forests desolate and the lands poisoned. However, scientists have recently come across one species of tree that is thriving despite the harsh realities of the land. In a piloted attempt to restore the forest, these scientists are experimenting with a variety of tree species to see which will continue to grow.

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How to win the war against armyworm without pesticides

Duncan Mboya

September 18, 2018 |

Nation Africa |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Nairobi

For years, farmers in Nairobi were at the mercy of weeds and then armyworms that both destroyed large amounts of cropland that was dedicated to growing maize. Researchers from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, however, became adamant about finding a solution and eventually found very specific types of grasses that when planted intercropped, not only kept the worm away, but also helped improve the viability of the soil.

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Why Farmers Are Ditching Industrial Methods For This Practice

Carrie Budge

September 05, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Video |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: Kenya

During the Industrial Revolution, farmers began harvesting monoculture crops which produced promising profits but proved harmful to the soil and weakened the immune capabilities of native plants. Lately, however, permaculture practices have been on the rise amongst farmers to better diversify their yields and reduce reliance on chemicals.

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Hawaii Enlists Urchins to Help Corals Resist Algae Invasion

Alejandra Borunda

August 15, 2018 |

National Geographic |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawaii

In Hawaii's Kāne'ohe Bay, an invasive algae introduced by a scientist in the 1970s was still wreaking havoc for coral reefs. After attempting human-driven solutions to rid the area of the species, scientists have instead found success by unleashing urchins that can eat double their body weight in algae per day.

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Standing Rock Medic Bus Is Now a Traveling Decolonized Pharmacy

Mary Annette Pember

July 27, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Frank's Landing, Washington

Indigenous-led herbalists accompanied a two-week-long canoe gathering along the coast of Washington and Canada. They aimed to decolonize herbalism and support sustainable plant medicine and helped canoe gathering participants find “a deeper healing.” The group rode in a bus that previously served as a kitchen and treatment center during the Standing Rock movement.

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Bugs and Birds: New Residents of a Greener Madrid

Jaime Velazquez

July 13, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Madrid

With a little strategic planning, cities can nurture biodiversity in the urban environment. “Sometimes, small actions can bring incredible results,” says Antonio Morcillo, deputy director for conservation of green areas and urban trees in Madrid. The city is allowing the Manzanares River to flow, spontaneous vegetation to grow, and opening hundreds of birdhouses and insect hotels to counteract habitat loss.

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Chance for Discovery and Preparation

David Venn

July 07, 2018 |

The St. Lucia Star |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Saint Lucia

Algas Organics, a biotech company in St. Lucia, is collecting sargassum seaweed and is turning it into fertilizer that is used in other parts of the Caribbean and North America. While sargassum can be beneficial to an ocean’s ecosystem, an overabundance of the seaweed has affected tourism and fishing in the region. While the company is making a dent in the seaweed cleanup, pairing their efforts with the government could make more of an impact.

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Climate change is making it harder to revive damaged land

Maya L. Kapoor

June 29, 2018 |

High Country News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

Ecological restoration has primarily been defined as redirecting the land back to what it used to be in terms of wildlife and plant life. However, with climate change altering the earth's landscape, many scientists and land managers are shifting their attention to restoring the land in a way that precedes the future in order to give plants a chance at sustaining the imminent land change.

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Microbial Magic Could Help Slash Your Dinner's Carbon Footprint

Hannah Thomasy

June 29, 2018 |

NPR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

"What if we could help plants make their own nitrogen so they wouldn't need manmade chemical fertilizers?" That was the question that drove a plant microbiologist at the University of Washington to begin testing ways to infuse microbes that live inside trees into other plants to promote sustainable agriculture. The early results show not only healthier plants, but a more plentiful production.

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Could California Become a Zero-Extinction State?

Jimmy Tobias

May 31, 2018 |

Pacific Standard |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Presumed extinct, some plants may just be very rare. With careful handling and habitat restoration, once lost species may be able to bounce back. In California, a biodiversity hotspot hit with heavy development, volunteers are searching the state for missing plants and rolling back extinction numbers.

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