get outside/the vote...

• As a primer for today’s top story, you should read about the crews that restored a damaged landscape in Yosemite back to conditions it hadn't seem for 150 years.
• Commemorating National Early Voting Day, Patagonia announced it will be closing its offices and stores and giving employees a paid day off on October 29, 2024 to vote early and volunteer.

Today’s Top Good News Story

U.S. national parks just received a record-breaking $100 million grant — the largest in the parks’ 108-year history

The National Park Foundation — the nonprofit arm of the official National Parks Service — just announced it’s received a historic $100 million grant. It’s the largest ever received by the NPF, and largest grant benefiting the national parks in its 108-year history.

The NPF says the endowment will help in four key priority areas, including addressing biodiversity concerns, improving visitor experience, and more.

Two of its priority projects include restoring coral reefs at Biscayne National Park in Florida and restoring trout species in western national parks.

Why is this good news? Private philanthropy has long helped “bridge the gap” between what the parks need and the available funds. And right now, as they confront mounting foot traffic, responding to a changing climate, and navigating the social and cultural landscape of the country’s public lands — those needs are great.

→ Read more​

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More Good News

​Efforts to protect an endangered, flightless bird endemic to an island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean are paying off. An important cultural symbol in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, the cagou’s numbers are estimated to have tripled thanks to conservation efforts.

​The largest “ultra-green” development in the U.S., an affordable housing complex in East Harlem is saving energy and utility costs. The apartments were built with careful attention to ventilation, windows, sealing, and other details that “stand up better to extreme weather.”

​Researchers estimate that nearly 25% of ​Europe’s​ landscape can be rewilded. The continent’s abandoned farmlands could find new life through rewilding, a movement that restores devastated landscapes to the wilderness they were before human intervention.

Good Quote of the Week

→ More inspiring Mother Teresa quotes to read on her birthday​

More Good bits

🗞️ If you haven’t had a chance to take our annual census yet, there’s still time! We’d love to hear from you.​

☀️ 100 days of 100% renewable electricity? Officially possible.​

💨 It’s looking good for renewables on the East Coast, too.​

🏞️ Visit the third-most disappointing U.S. attraction! You’ll love it!​

🎤 There goes Macklemore using his platform for good (again).

*Some of these recommendations may include affiliate links, which means if you buy anything from this email, we may get something in return at no extra cost to you. (Thanks for your support!)

What’s good?

I love that Mother Theresa quote, it’s the perfect reminder that our seemingly small contributions really do make a difference — even for the world’s biggest problems.

What’s a “small” way you like to make a difference?

Reply to this email and tell me!

— Megan