15,000 Square Miles of Forest are Saved by WWF

We hope you all had a great weekend. There were some truly remarkable stories to catch you up on: companies teamed up with WWF to protect forests the size of Switzerland, and a New Jersey woman saved a teen's life by recalling CPR training she had taken over 40 years ago. Let’s dive in.

—Stephanie S

CONSERVATION

Major Corporations Team Up With WWF to Safeguard 15,000 Square Miles of Forests

A new WWF report highlights the success of the Forests Forward program, which has helped 26 major corporations protect 15,000 square miles of forests, an area equivalent to the size of Switzerland.

Companies like Nike, Costco, HP, and PepsiCo are collaborating with WWF to reduce deforestation and enhance forest management, demonstrating that businesses can be a force for good.

Over half of the world’s forests are managed for production, making corporate action crucial. Seven million acres are now certified or are in the process of certification for responsible stewardship.

These efforts go beyond sourcing and supporting conservation in some of the world’s most vital and vulnerable landscapes.

WWF leaders say this partnership proves that protecting forests benefits both nature and business.

EVERYDAY HEROES

40 Years After Learning CPR, Woman Saves Teen Baseball Player’s Life in Miracle Moment

A woman in New York saved a teenage baseball player’s life using CPR skills she had learned 40 years prior. The boy collapsed during a game, and her quick action kept him alive until paramedics arrived.

She credits her long-ago training for giving her the confidence to help in a crisis. The community is calling her a hero.

If you’re like me and have been inspired to enhance your life-saving skills, here’s a link to find local CPR training opportunities near you. Who knows, it could help you save someone’s life 40 years from now.

ANIMALS

Lost Puffin Found 100 Miles Inland Gets Dramatic Rescue Far From Ocean Home

A puffin was found stranded over 100 miles from the coast in Hereford, England, after being blown off course. The exhausted bird, nicknamed Lovely Oona, was taken to a local vet, where she was nursed back to health with special care and a diet of sprats.

The team was delighted when Oona began eating solid food and regained her strength. Once fully recovered, she will be released back to her seaside home in West Wales.

Puffins rarely survive such journeys, making Oona’s rescue a heartwarming success.

ART & CREATIVITY

Minister’s Mind-Blowing Sand Sculptures of Everyday Objects Take the Internet by Storm

Part-time minister Mark Lewis has captured hearts online with his lifelike sand sculptures of everyday objects, from giant toothpaste tubes to a pair of Crocs. His playful creations, often inspired by his children and pop culture, are designed to spark joy and surprise for beachgoers.

Mark began sculpting with his sons in 2010, gradually developing his skills and ambition. A sand sculpture training session during the pandemic helped him refine his craft.

His recent Crocs sculpture went viral, inviting people to step in and share photos. Mark loves inspiring others to try sand art, believing everyone can create something special.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: June 30, 1955

Johnny Carson Made His Television Debut

70 years ago today, The Johnny Carson Show premiered on CBS. The short-lived prime-time variety show featured a mix of comedy, music, and monologues, offering an early glimpse of Carson’s signature style and characters like “The Mighty Carson Art Players.”

Though the show lasted only one season, it laid the foundation for his 30-year reign as host of The Tonight Show, which began in 1962. Carson would go on to become the undisputed king of late-night television and a beloved household name across America.

Other notable June 30 events:

1905: Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity, reshaping physics and our understanding of time and space.

1953: The first Corvette rolled off the Chevrolet assembly line in Flint, Michigan.

2005: Spain became the third country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.

2015: Misty Copeland became the first African-American woman promoted to Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre.

GOOD NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

What made us 😄 this week

⚓ USA: Captain Cook’s famous ship, Endeavour, has finally been identified off the coast of Rhode Island after 250 years underwater.

🏔️ Peru: Archaeologists have uncovered over 100 hidden structures at Gran Pajatén, revealing the vast scope and complexity of the little-known pre-Incan Chachapoya civilization.

🚣‍♂️ UK: Angus Collins is attempting to become the first person to solo row 2,000 miles around Great Britain in under 60 days to raise money for men's mental health.

🥋 Benin: A young man who became a Shaolin kung fu master in China now runs the largest Chinese martial arts club in his home country in West Africa.

🌋 Indonesia: Trees near volcanoes show stress signals before eruptions, and NASA satellites can detect these changes to provide early warnings.

WORDS TO INSPIRE

Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed.

— Mark Twain

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

Good news is such a vibe

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🌍 Language Barrier Breakers: Google Translate handles over 100 billion words a day, helping break language barriers and connect communities.

📈 Poverty at Historic Lows: Extreme poverty fell from 36% in 1990 to under 9% in 2018, lifting over 1.2 billion people out of destitution.

🆕 New Jobs of the 21st Century: Careers like cloud engineer and social media manager, which didn't exist in 2005, now employ millions.

🦾 Empowering Individuals with Disabilities: Advanced prosthetics now restore touch to bionic hands, while screen readers and stair-climbing wheelchairs enhance accessibility.

🌳 Planting Trees Globally: Websites and mobile apps have helped plant over 200 million trees across the world.

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