We’re starting the week at Squirrel News with stories about Vancouver Island’s decision to pay voluntary rent to First Nations communities, the Central African Republic receiving its first shipment of a groundbreaking malaria vaccine, and how a district in Butte, Montana, found a creative solution to tackle school meal debt.
Vancouver Island opts to pay voluntary rent to First Nations communities
The initiative, facilitated by a network of reciprocity trusts, aims to foster mutual respect and support between settlers and Indigenous peoples. Recently, a small nonprofit in British Columbia distributed $5,500 cheques to ten First Nations on southern Vancouver Island, with the first annual instalment collected in late 2023.
CAR receives first shipment of new malaria vaccine
UNICEF has delivered 43,000 doses via air transport, marking the start of the WHO’s highly anticipated vaccination campaign. An additional 120,000 doses are slated to arrive in the next few days, marking a significant step in the fight against malaria in the region.
How one district in Butte, Montana, found a solution to school meal debt
In one region in Montana, unpaid school meal debt amounted to a staggering $70,000. However, the district of Butte is wiping out these concerns by offering free breakfast and lunch to students, regardless of income.
California’s first Black land trust fights climate change, promotes inclusivity
The NGO recently acquired $3 million in funding from the state Wildlife Conservation Board and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. This funding will enable the purchase of 650 acres of a former logging forest north of Lake Tahoe, creating a sanctuary for both seasoned Black outdoor enthusiasts as well as beginners.
Visa programmes draw foreign teachers to Alaska’s rural schools
Facing a significant hiring and retention crisis, many rural school districts in Alaska are turning to visa initiatives to fill their empty teaching positions.
States prioritise kinship foster care through new initiatives
Michigan will soon become the first US state to implement a new federal rule designed to simplify the process for relatives to become licensed foster parents. This new system will introduce a separate, expedited path for kinship caregivers, reducing paperwork and easing housing requirements.
New home blood test device simplifies cancer treatment
Blood tests are an integral part of cancer treatment, but they often require time-consuming hospital visits. A new device, the Liberty, is transforming this process. This compact machine lets patients conduct blood tests and upload results from home, unsupervised.
Electric harps offer hope in protecting honey bees from Asian hornets
Amidst the havoc wreaked by Asian hornets in European apiaries, beekeepers are leveraging innovative wire contraptions known as electric harps. These devices are strategically designed to safeguard honey bees and maintain hive stability.
Rediscovered “mountain jewel” plant secretly reintroduced to the wild
The last time the rosy saxifrage was seen in the wild in the UK was in 1962. Through a partnership with the National Trust and Natural Resource Wales, horticulturist Robbie Blackhall-Miles has returned it to its native region.
