The Edupunks' Guide

I'd not heard of this book before but "The Edupunks' Guide was written to be a first-of-its kind resource for the future of education: a comprehensive guide to learning online and charting a personalized path to an affordable credential using the latest innovative tools and organizations. This guide is full of people, programs, and ideas that are part of the future of learning."

They have also released a lovely looking interactive map, a sortable database of educational resources from the book and around the web.

I'm checking out this website for inspiration......

Via Swissmiss.

Block by Block, Brooklyn’s Past and Present

Beautiful interactive map of Brooklyn by Thomas Rhiel over at BKLYNR. Each block has been plotted and shaded according to its year of construction.

I am thinking about how that could apply to mapping nature and the urban forest in a similar way. Just something I've been mulling over, thinking about finding a way to either compare cities and their urban forests or look at how a city has lost it's nature over time......

Nature Explore

This is a nice project, Nature Explore is a collaboration between Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, with a goal to support your efforts to connect children with nature.

So, head on over if you have need of help or inspiration.

Gardens, not buildings

Seth Godin's insight is astounding.

"Great projects start out feeling like buildings. There are architects, materials, staff, rigid timelines, permits, engineers, a structure.

It works or it doesn't.

Build something that doesn't fall down. On time.

But in fact, great projects, like great careers and relationships that last, are gardens. They are tended, they shift, they grow. They endure over time, gaining a personality and reflecting their environment. When something dies or fades away, we prune, replant and grow again.

Perfection and polish aren't nearly as important as good light, good drainage and a passionate gardener.

By all means, build. But don't finish. Don't walk away.

Here we grow."

Costa Rica announces plans to close its zoos and release animals from captivity

Over at Treehugger is an article announcing that the Costa Rican government has announced plans to close its zoos, freeing creatures from their long captivity.

“We are getting rid of the cages and reinforcing the idea of interacting with biodiversity in botanical parks in a natural way,” said Environment Minister René Castro. “We don't want animals in captivity or enclosed in any way unless it is to rescue or save them.”

While I understand that zoos help with conservation, education and  future generations involvement in nature, I always come away from a visit to one feeling sad. So, this I like very much.

Beavers

 It's almost the weekend and as I've been reading "What has nature ever done for us?" about carbon capture I thought a post about how wonderful beavers are would be appropriate.

According to Ellen Wohl of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, "Beavers offer a mechanism of carbon storage," by building dams and creating wetlands where carbon is in the sediment and organic matter. (From an article over at the New Scientist).

I know that there is also a great project in Scotland, where they have reintroduced beavers back into the wild and it seems to have been a huge success.

So, bring them back, what's not to love?

Fair Wear Foundation

A little off topic but if you are someone who worries about where the clothes you buy for your family come from and if they are made in a sweatshop by underage workers, then this foundation is for you.

"Fair Wear Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation that works with companies and factories to improve labour conditions for garment workers."

Check out their page of brands that are members of the foundation.