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Can rice husk briquettes stem the tide of mangrove deforestation in Myanmar?

Wudan Yan

April 23, 2019 |

Mongabay |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Myanmar, Kyaiklat

Recycled waste from rice mills offers an alternative to mangrove forests as a fuel source. In the Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar, rice mills are beginning to use their byproducts to create rice-husk briquettes. The logs, made from byproducts previously discarded by rice mills, provide a fuel source for individuals and other businesses that traditionally rely on charcoal. Using recycled rice husks reduces waste and offers a way to alleviate the exploitation of mangrove forests, which act as a vital natural barrier against cyclones.

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California Has Farmers Growing Weeds. Why? To Capture Carbon

Lauren Sommer

April 22, 2019 |

KQED |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, California

Richer soil not only retains more water and minerals, it also trap carbon from the atmosphere absorbed by plants. As California works to meet its carbon neutral goal, the state is enlisting farmers in its climate change strategy. Grants from the state encourage California’s farmers to grow plants traditionally considered as weeds as a way to boost the amount of organic matter in the soil.

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Decades of wise use pay off for a Kabale wetland

Fredrick Mugira

April 15, 2019 |

InfoNILE |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Uganda, Rubaya, Kabale

In 1980, the Ugandan government signed an agreement with local communities in the Mugandu–Buramba wetland that gave them the right to own, manage, and conserve their own property. Today, the wetlands are thriving —reducing degradation and improving biodiversity— and creating a livelihood for the 276 people that live there. The government says that since they are using the land responsibly, their agreement will continue.

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One Way to Combat Climate Change: A Smartphone App That Lets Farmers Control Where Their Cows Graze

Kevin J. Ryan

April 15, 2019 |

Inc. Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

A San Diego startup called Vence has created a device that can help farmers control their livestock’s movements and behavior. The new technology – a collar with accompanying software – buzzes when an animal is somewhere it shouldn’t be and shocks them if they keep going. While the practice of shocking animals isn’t universally approved, doing so can prevent overgrazing and thus improve overall land health.

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Dying sustainably

Alex Figares

March 28, 2019 |

Changing Florida |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Gainesville, Florida

In Florida, a funeral home is specializing in green burial practices – such as hand-digging graves and using biodegradable urns – as a way of lessening the environmental impact that is often associated with both burials and cremation services. Although their methodologies are not entirely earth-friendly, they are still just one of a few burial cemeteries that is "abiding by strict laws that focus on reducing carbon emissions and land restoration."

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A women's squad in Odisha defends its forest for 20 years

Sahana Ghosh

March 21, 2019 |

Mongabay |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Gundalba, Odisha

Biodiversity and forest cover in Gundalba rebounded after a women-led group started using whistles and rotational patrols to scare away timber smugglers and woodcutters. The group also helped neighboring villages coordinate fuelwood gathering and avoid conflicts.

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Farmers in Uttarakhand Look to the Past to Benefit the Future

Amrita Gupta

March 02, 2019 |

Earth Journalism Network |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: India, Uttarakhand

Mountains are particularly vulnerable to climate change, and a mountain city in India is finding sustainable solutions in traditional agriculture. Women overwhelmingly make up the farming workforce in Uttarakhand and are using a number of ways to combat the effects of the temperature increase. These solutions include bringing back an ancient grain, finger millet, to appeal to new tastes and dishes, storing seed banks of traditional varieties, and opening a cafe serving local food using the ancient grains to attract outside visitors.

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The Last Wolves

Jaymi Heimbuch Will Burrard-Lucas

February 27, 2019 |

bioGraphic |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Ethiopia

Vaccination against diseases such as rabies and canine distemper virus in dogs can have positive effects on public health and biodiversity. In Ethiopia, diseases spread from semi-feral dogs threaten communities of the endangered Ethiopian wolf. The non-profit Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (EWCP) partners with the government as well as numerous international partners to inoculate dogs and educate villages in public health awareness. EWCP has also undertaken vaccination programs for populations of wolves, as well.

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Healing and hope: how Indigenous guardians are transforming conservation

Judith Lavoie

February 13, 2019 |

The Narwhal |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia

Enrolling indigenous knowledge in environmental conservation programs empowers communities and promotes responsible land management. Conservation programs in Australia and Canada rely on indigenous communities to monitor and maintain remote and protected areas. Investment in these programs not only furthers the goal of environmental conservation, but also pays dividends by bringing jobs to indigenous communities.

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How Danone, Kashi and Land O'Lakes are backing sustainable farming

Maki Tazawa

February 11, 2019 |

GreenBiz |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Because the upfront costs of transitioning a farm to be certified organic can be burdensome to farmers amidst a growing demand for organic food, large companies like Kashi and Land O'Lakes are creating a number of initiatives to help ease the process. Techniques include no-interest advances for expensive initial supplies, fair trade premiums that go to local community work, and soil health initiatives for suppliers. The companies even implement a complex data tracking system to gather information on yield and profitability, which can then be used to inform future sustainable practice transitions.

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