🐦 Puffin Birds Brought Back by Science

Good morning. To start, we’d like to pay our respects to Jane Goodall, who passed away this week at the age of 91.

With that being said, we wanted to highlight some animal-related stories in today’s newsletter: decades of dedication have brought puffins back to Maine’s coast, where scientists continue to protect the only US colony with creativity and care.

And in Australia, a former sewage plant now flourishes as a sanctuary for hundreds of bird species, proving that even industrial sites can become havens for wildlife.

🎧 P.S. Don’t miss today’s new episode of Good News To Go, your 5-minute boost of joy on the move.

—Stephanie S

Fifty years ago, scientists in Maine set out to restore the Atlantic puffin population, which had become extinct in the US due to overhunting. Led by Stephen Kress, the team imported chicks from Canada and raised them on Eastern Egg Rock Island, hoping they would return to nest as adults.

Their efforts paid off when puffins began returning, but new challenges emerged, including food-stealing gulls. The team responded with creative solutions like decoys and recorded calls to attract both puffins and protective terns.

Today, the colony thrives, thanks to ongoing dedication and innovative conservation methods. The project has inspired similar efforts worldwide, demonstrating the power of persistence and ingenuity in wildlife conservation and restoration.

UNESCO has added 26 new sites to its Biosphere Reserve network, bringing the total to 785 sites in 142 countries and now protecting 5% of the world’s land. This year’s additions cover an area the size of Bolivia.

Six countries received their first reserves, and São Tomé and Príncipe became the first nation with its entire territory protected. These reserves balance conservation with sustainable livelihoods.

Biosphere Reserves safeguard biodiversity and support local communities, helping advance global conservation goals.

Melbourne’s Western Treatment Plant, once just a sewage facility, has become a thriving haven for over 300 bird species, including endangered ones like the orange-bellied parrot.

By carefully managing nutrient levels in its lagoons, the plant supports a rich food web of insects and plants that attract flocks of birds year-round.

Birdwatchers flock to the site, where man-made mudflats and marshes now offer vital habitat and hope for biodiversity.

Austria and Italy have completed digging the world’s longest rail tunnel under the Alps, connecting the Brenner Pass. This engineering feat will cut travel times and shift freight from roads to rails, easing congestion in northern Italy.

The tunnel is part of a broader EU effort to modernize rail links across Europe, with new high-speed lines planned between major cities.

Leaders hope these projects will reshape travel and boost economic flow across the continent.

☀️ California: The state has completed its first solar panel-covered canal, generating clean energy while conserving water and reducing land use for solar farms.

⛳ Maine: After 40 years of golfing without a hole-in-one, Anton Lawrence hit two in a single day, won $500 from a scratch-off, and his team won the tournament.

🧬 Illinois: Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a new DNA-wrapped nanoparticle that makes CRISPR gene editing more effective at entering cells.

⚽️ Italy: The soccer team from Lake Como donated all their tournament winnings to help local flood relief after devastating storms hit the region.

🐾 Ohio: Inmates across prisons are finding purpose and rehabilitation by caring for orphaned and injured animals through an animal rescue program.

— Margaret Fuller

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:

🏝️ Eco Tourism: Ocean-friendly tourism initiatives are protecting coral reefs while educating travelers about conservation.

🏙️ Smarter Cities: Smart cities are optimizing traffic, energy use, and waste management, improving life for millions of residents.

📜 Cultural Archives: Digital storytelling projects are preserving indigenous histories and amplifying native voices.

🌡️ Energy Savers: Smart thermostats are helping households save energy and reduce their carbon footprint effortlessly.

👗 Adaptive Fashion: Inclusive fashion lines are designing adaptive clothing for people with disabilities.

Spread a little good news, and good things come back your way.

When you share your unique link, you’re not just passing along uplifting stories; you’re earning a few surprises from us, too. Brighten someone’s day, grow the circle, and enjoy some goodies while you’re at it. You’re currently at {{rp_num_referrals}} referrals.

Click the button below, then copy and paste the link to share.

If that button doesn’t work, you can copy and share your referral link with your friends: {{rp_refer_url}}

Manage your referrals here