NatureBridge’s Post

A video to make you smile! I love the way Bellingen Riverwatch brings together such a wide variety of social groups and institutions. When I apply a social science lens, Bellingen Riverwatch ticks so many boxes: 1. We learn from Gumbaynggirr people. 2. We empower community to take a lead role in monitoring and caring for their waterways. 3. We support women and girls to participate in STEM. 4. We provide STEM opportunities for regional youth 5. We facilitate inter-generational learning. 6. We bring together diverse stakeholders under a shared mission. 7. We collaborate with multiple partners including state government, local councils, educational institutions, philanthropists, corporate organisations and other not-for-profits groups. 8. We create training resources to build community capacity. 9. We collect data and we share it with others. 10. We constantly review and evaluate the impact of our activities. So many people enable this to happen. Amy Denshire, Sam Daykin, Anton Juodvalkis, Sue Lennox (AM), Dr Nakia Belmer, Adrian Dickson, Rachael Hetherington, Russell Ingram, Mary-Claire King, Marc Jarvis, Jo Taylor, Teddy Loveny, Bellingen Shire Council, Arborgreen, Vendart Diagnostics, Department of Regional NSW and so many others. #citizenscience #riverhealth #macroinvertebratemonitoring #waterquality #environmentalstewardship #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #sdg #sdg17 #sdg14 #sdg6 .

Mt. Elbert in Sept 2023. Some ask why we summit Mt. Elbert when it takes 3 days and 50+ volunteers to serve 1 individual. It often comes into question if it is worth it when we could serve so many more in that timeframe with that team. Mt. Elbert is more than a single experience. It is symbolic of everything we are building together. It is emblematic of the glass ceiling we will continue to shatter as a community. We are the change, and if we can do this on Mt. Elbert year and year, and it becomes normal instead of "impossible", then every trail in every community can become adaptable through community strength. We can create something more inclusive and equitable in the mountains. For the record, we did create 110 other "impossible" trail experiences in 2023 :)

What does a more representative and inclusive history of U.S. public lands look like? That's what The Wilderness Society Public Lands Curriculum sets out to tell: https://lnkd.in/eBPbzX-A

#independenceday with a Purpose: #byjus and Olcott Memorial H.S. demonstrated the fusion of patriotism and eco-consciousness through an engaging 'Green Camp' that's fostering a commitment to a brighter, sustainable future. #independenceday #greencamp https://lnkd.in/dVmXAMt3

There are many short coming in the cannabis industry compared to traditional food manufacturing. While it’s been great to see cannabis companies adopt GMP policies, I wonder how effective these measures actually are. Is anyone monitoring GMP compliance in cannabis production? Does being GMP certified in the cannabis space actually mean anything? Trulieve says they are “cGMP certified”. However Kim Rivers can be seen improperly wearing a hairnet throughout this video. It’s hard to trust that Trulieve is producing a clean product when the company chooses to showcase a video of their CEO wearing a hairnet ineffectivly while in a production area. Any thoughts on GMP compliance in the cannabis space?

#MusselMonday Today our passion for bivalves takes us to the Big Apple 🍎, where the Billion Oyster Project is restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor hand in hand with NYC communities. 🌊 Shellfish reef restoration, a powerful climate adaptation measure, is making waves worldwide. Once the oyster capital of the world, NCY saw its oyster reefs vanish after a century of over-harvesting and pollution. The Billion Oyster Project aims to reintroduce 100 million oysters per year in the harbor, achieving one billion by 2035 🚀. 🔑 A pivotal aspect? Community involvement 🤝 Engaging students from 100 schools, dedicated volunteers, and collaborative partners, the project not only restores reefs but also nurtures environmental connections, shaping the next generation of marine ecosystem stewards. Why oysters❓ - Oyster reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species.  - As filter feeders, these “ecosystem engineers” clarify water and eliminate excess nutrients. - Oysters play a role in carbon sequestration.  - Acting as a natural storm barrier, oyster reefs help safeguard the city from storm damage, softening the impact of large waves, minimising flooding, and preventing erosion alongside shorelines. 📊 Impressive numbers Since 2014, with the support of students, volunteers, and partners, the project has restored 122 million live oysters and 2 million shells collected engaging with more than 11.000 NYC students. ➡ Explore their amazing efforts on their website: https://lnkd.in/gb_FAmih 💬 Know of more bivalve initiatives? Share them with our community by commenting on this post. 🌍💙 

#BeAFountain not a filter. often times, I share opportunities into the communities I work in. I share with teachers, administrators and community leaders. Unfortunately, I hear later that a student who needed the opportunity did not get it because the person I shared it with filtered it to the students they felt most deserving. Students can filter themselves and often there will be lots of filtering by the opportunity provider, the funder, and the socio-economics of their environments. Don't create an unnecessary barrier. In this vein, encourage your #BahamianStudents to become part of communities like Bahamas Conservation Connection or YME Bahamas & Cat Island Conservation Institute. They can also join Global Conservation Connection. They can connect directly to other leaders in conservation.

#ResilienceWork takes centre stage, transcending sectors, cities, and continents. Fascinating to delve into the diverse approaches this all-encompassing concept receives across the globe. #resiliencebuilding #networking #FromTheorytoPractice

The Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation (RSSF) continually invests in ocean, shark, and marine life research to determine the greatest challenges/threats and subsequent solutions for their conservation. Research plays a critical role in advising the most effective conservation strategies and policies. Here are three examples; Collaborate: Foster partnerships with renowned marine biology and conservation research institutions. Collaborative efforts can enhance the impact of research projects and contribute to a broader understanding of marine ecosystems. Community Engagement: Organize community outreach programs, workshops, and educational events to engage the public, which in turn fosters a sense of shared responsibility for marine conservation Communicate Research Findings: Translate scientific findings into accessible and engaging content for the general public. Share success stories, discoveries, and the importance of ongoing research through various media channels to raise awareness and inspire action. #GivingTuesday #RobStewart #Sharkwater #SharkwaterFoundation #DonorLove #GivingBack #Philanthropy

#ThrowbackThursday to July 2021: This river restoration project along the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex is one of the projects we worked on to prevent erosion by installing engineered rock and log structures, which mimic the natural environment (known as Natural Stream Channel Design). The more projects that are implemented throughout the New River Watershed, the more connected these native habitats can become, leading to a more resilient and biodiverse environment in which we all - human and animal - can thrive. https://lnkd.in/ebdeH4te