Green Communities
One man's trash; another man's treasure. The movement to reclaim urban space in New York City inspired communities to start recycling, sourcing their food locally, reusing and re-purposing their waste and the "garbage" of others. (Shandra Furtado/Planet Forward)
The George Washington University
Today we see a lot of differences between rural and urban communities, which distract us from environmental issues, but why not examine the common sustainable ingenuity arising out of the simple will to survive anywhere?
The view from the peak of Tanalian Mountain, which looks down on Port Alsworth. (Olivia Urbanski/Loyola University Chicago)
Loyola University Chicago
Planet Forward Correspondent Olivia Urbanski spent a summer interning at Lake Clark National Park as a Junior Ranger Intern to teach – and ultimately learn from – local children about environmental stewardship.
The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. (Wikimedia Commons)
George Washington University
Of all the places on the planet you’d expect to find the greenest building, you probably don't think of Steel City.
The Smoky Hills Wind Farm as seen from Interstate 70 in Lincoln, Kansas. (Drenaline/Creative Commons)
State University College at Buffalo
Cities across the United States are beginning the switch to 100% renewable energy, but just four towns have reached the goal so far.
Northwestern University
Niraj Ray built a network of 25 urban gardens made in schools, sports parks and other vacant lots around the city. All 25 sites are joined together by one central rooftop garden, the H St. Farms, and contribute to sustainability efforts in D.C.
_1.jpg%3Fitok=mkonQV3f "Kalu Yala sits within the Tres Brazos Valley of Panama. (Emma Sarappo/Medill)")
Northwestern University
What are the financial and cultural challenges Kalu Yala is facing in recruiting Panamanian residents as interns and staff?
Clay Springer, the director of the outdoor recreation program, teaches his interns about allergic reactions during their Wilderness First Aid class. (Lila Reynolds/Medill)
Northwestern University
Cultural differences underlie much of the relationship between Kalu Yala and its neighbors as people get to know each other and learn from the contrasts.
Northwestern University
Young people are exploring food systems through farming. We compared the group we met while in Panama with an urban farm on the South Side of Chicago.
Kalu Yala, an eco-city in Panama’s Tres Brazos valley, is one example of a sustainable vacation centered around a traditional-style home base. Visitors sleep in tents on raised platforms, eat locally sourced meals, and explore the surrounding valley. (Emma Sarappo/Medill)
Northwestern University
Many people don’t consider the impact of their vacation on the environment, but a budding new industry is trying to change that with eco-adventures into the wild.
Northwestern University
The podcast and accompanying videos describe a distiller's exploration into sustainable methods of distilling alcohol in the jungles of Panama.