Urban Trees Are Vital in an Era of Extreme Heat
Courtesy of Planetizen
By Clement Lau
As climate change intensifies, record-breaking heat has become a leading public health threat, not only by causing direct heat-related deaths but also by discouraging outdoor physical activity. The rising temperatures make parks, streets, and recreational spaces dangerously hot, posing risks to those who rely on these areas for exercise and leisure. Maintaining physical activity is crucial for both physical and mental health, yet the increasing heat threatens to reduce the number of people engaging in outdoor activities, particularly in urban areas where shade is scarce.
Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2024/08/131388-urban-trees-are-vital-era-extreme-heat
Bike Rolling-Stop Laws Don’t Lead to Unsafe Behavior
Courtesy of Planetizen
By Mary Hammon
According to a study out of Oregon State University, “Laws that let bicyclists treat stop signs as yield signs lead neither riders nor motorists to act unsafely,” according to a new story out of the university’s newsroom. According to the study’s leader, David Hurwitz, the findings are important as more and more states consider bicycling rolling-stop legislation. Rolling stop advocates say rolling stops allow riders to keep their momentum through intersections — where nearly half of all bicycle-car crashes happen — “theoretically reducing intersection congestion and crash risk because the cyclists are getting through the intersection faster,” the article explains.
Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2024/08/131414-research-bike-rolling-stop-laws-dont-lead-unsafe-behavior
Building cool parks to beat the urban, heat-island effect
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business +
By Rupsa Roy, Julie Eaton Ernst, and Indrani Ghosh
Moakley Park’s schematic design was enhanced through iterative UHI modeling, including effectively incorporating lighter-colored materials and adjusting tree siting to provide optimal shade conditions that did not interfere with recreational needs. Additional shade structures were proposed to provide increased comfort to park visitors. Combined with collaboration between landscape architects, engineers, park staff, and the public, the UHI model informed the design of a more sustainable, equitable, and healthy urban environment. Given the global warming trend in temperatures, more urban parks will benefit from the knowledge gained by integrating UHI modeling into the planning and design processes.
Read more:
https://www.prbplus.com/moakley-models-the-way/?ref=digital-edition-newsletter
Congress Introduces Bill to Limit Size of SUVs and Trucks
Courtesy of Planetizen
By Mary Hammon
The size of cars and trucks in the United States has ballooned over the past decade, and so have roadway fatalities, particularly pedestrian and cyclist deaths. Studies show there is a direct correlation. Lawmakers in Congress say enough is enough, reports NPR correspondent Joel Rose. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlong (D-Pa.) and co-sponsors introduced a bill last Friday called the Pedestrian Safety Act that “would require federal standards for hood heights and visibility to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users,” according to the NPR article.
Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2024/08/131324-congress-introduces-bill-limit-size-suvs-and-trucks
National Parks Contributed Record High $55.6 Billion to U.S. economy, Supported 415,000 Jobs in 2023
Courtesy of the US Department of the Interior
The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income, and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.
Read more:
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/national-parks-contributed-record-high-556-billion-us-economy-supported-415000-jobs#
Utah lawsuit seeks state control over vast areas of federal land
Courtesy of the AP
By Hannah Schoenbaum and Matthew Brown
Utah’s Republican leaders made good Tuesday on a decade-old vow to launch a legal challenge aimed at wresting control from the U.S. government over much of the federal lands that dominate the state.
“Utah cannot manage, police or care for more than two thirds of its own territory because it’s controlled by people who don’t live in Utah, who aren’t elected by Utah citizens and not responsive to our local needs,” Attorney General Sean Reyes said.
Read more:
https://apnews.com/article/utah-public-lands-state-control-lawsuit-6459622b4534dcdd150731c84ed2a7b9
Voyage Mark II Scale Model Solar System Exhibition Now Available for Permanent Installation in Spring 2025
Courtesy of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education and Exhibitology LLC are inviting communities across the U.S. to explore permanent installation of a Voyage Mark II Scale Model Solar System as part of the Voyage National Program. The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education is extending this invitation to communities across Canada.
The exhibition is a 1 to 10-billion scale model of the Solar System that balances sculpture with a deep conceptual understanding of Earth’s place in space. The planets and large moons are laser sculpted in 3D inside crystal block, and high-resolution full color storyboards carry compelling text and imagery.
Local organizations with an interest in STEM education, and experiential learning more generally, are invited to consider installing a Voyage on a college campus, in a local park, along a walking path, or along a downtown street. The exhibition is designed to serve as a community focal point for STEM education – for students, families and the general public.
Read more:
http://voyagesolarsystem.org/2024/05/new-stem-opportunity-permanently-install-a-voyage-scale-model-of-the-solar-system-in-your-community-as-a-focal-point-for-stem-education-installation-starting-spring-2025/
Grant Opportunities from the Institute of Museums and Library Services
Courtesy of the National Special District Coalition
FY 2025 Inspire! Grants for Small Museums
FY 2025 Museums Empowered
FY 2025 Museums for America
FY 2025 Museum Grants for African American History and Culture
FY 2025 Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture
FY 2025 National Leadership Grants for Museums
For more information:
https://www.imls.gov/grants/grant-programs
