Police Officer Gives a Ride to College Student and Changes His Life

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Feb 28, 2015

An Arkansas police officer, who saw a young man walking down the road at two o’clock in the morning on a frigid cold night, stopped to ask if he wanted a ride. The chance encounter ended up changing the college student’s life.

Jonesboro Police Officer John Shipman learned that James Taylor, an Arkansas State University student didn’t have a car, and walked four miles to get to his job at McDonald’s, no matter the weather.

Afterward, Shipman posted on Facebook about the encounter: “His family is the usual. One parent and can’t afford to help…. He gets off at the same time tomorrow night. I told him I would be be by to see if he needs a ride.”

John’s friends were eager to help out the pre-pharmacy sophomore who exhibited such a solid work ethic, so Shipman set up a GoFundMe campaign to “buy James a car.”

“And when I woke up the next morning, it had took off,” Shipman told the local news station, KAIT.

In just 3 days, the initial $1,400 goal was surpassed.

“The community’s response to this has just humbled me,” Shipman said. “With so much negative in the news it feels good to hear about something positive.”

More than one hundred people and businesses have donated online and in person. As of today, over $5,700 had been raised — enough for a car, and insurance for a couple years.

(WATCH the video below or READ more from KAIT-TV) – Story tip from John Baumgarten

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Girl Scouts Give Cookie Revenues to 75-Year-old Woman Who Lost Everything

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Feb 27, 2015

Eight Girl Scouts, who had planned to spend $300 on a “Spa Day” for their troop, decided to donate the money to a woman who had lost everything in a house fire.

The fourth grade girls from West Carrollton, Ohio were going to use their reward money from cookie revenues on manicures and other pampering at a local spa, but on Monday night during their bi-monthly troop meeting they heard about the misfortunes of Barbara Dolan, the great-grandmother of one of the girls.

Last weekend, Barbara’s home burned to the ground and there was no insurance. When the girls heard the news, they decided, unanimously, to forgo their Spa Day and, instead, give away the money.

Dana Dickson, the leader of the troop said, “When I told my daughter Molly (who is 10-years-old) how proud I was of her and her troop, her response was ‘It’s okay Mom, we can do mani-pedis at somebody’s house. The lady needs the money way more than we do.”

The moms, who have been together since kindergarten, collected an additional $200 in donations.

“We all went to the home of Mrs. Dolan’s granddaughter and the girls presented her with a handmade card and $500 inside,” Dickson told the Good News Network.

”That night we moms were all extremely proud, and so of course we all posted to Facebook about what the girls had done.”

A Facebook friend of one of the moms contacted the local news station and on Tuesday the station arranged to have the troop come in for an interview. When they were at the station the girls got a big surprise to thank them for their kindness.

Bonnie Wright, Mrs. Dolan’s granddaughter, was so touched by the girls’ generosity that she called 8 or 9 local spas until she found one — Fab Kid Spa Party Boutique in Vandalia, Ohio — that was willing to donate services.

In the video below, the girls are left speechless when they are told that they will get their “Spa Day” after all.

“For a group of young girls that age, to give up something that meant so much to them for a complete stranger, it’s just mind-blowing,” Wright told WDTN-TV.

The girls have taken on a new mission: To raise more money for Mrs. Dolan, who has been left without furniture, clothing or any personal care items, they set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of $5,000. So far they have raised $295 in six days. Please support their kindness and give if you can.

(WATCH the video below)

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Israel, Jordan Sign Historic Water Deal to Save the Dead Sea

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Feb 27, 2015

“Bringing an historic deal to fruition, Israeli and Jordanian government officials on Thursday signed a bilateral agreement to exchange water and jointly funnel Red Sea brine to the shrinking Dead Sea.”

“The agreement, worth some $800 million, is the result of a memorandum of understanding signed among Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian officials on December 9, 2013, in Washington.”

(READ the story in the Jerusalem Post)

Photo credit: Chalky Lives (CC license)

World’s Rarest Wild Cat Doubles in Number

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Feb 27, 2015

At least 57 Amur leopards now exist in Russia’s Land of the Leopard National Park, up from just 30 cats counted in 2007, according to new census data announced last week. An additional 8-12 leopards were counted in adjacent areas of China, meaning the number of Amur leopards, a rare subspecies considered the world’s rarest wild cat, has more than doubled over the past seven years.

The census, taken with camera traps spread out over more than 900,000 acres of primary leopard habitat, collected around ten thousand photographs that scientists used to identify nearly 60 individual animals. Individuals are determined by distinctive patterns of spots found on leopard fur.

“Despite still being on the brink of extinction, the Amur leopard is showing encouraging signs of gradual recovery, demonstrating that dedicated conservation efforts do pay off,” said Carlos Drews, director of WWF’s global species program.

Conservationists are working toward creating a collaboration between Russia and China to monitor leopard populations across the border in neighboring Chinese nature reserves. One of the highly anticipated next steps would be the establishment of a Sino-Russian trans-boundary nature reserve.

Land of the Leopard National Park, which includes all of the Amur leopard’s known breeding areas, was hailed as a lifeline to the critically endangered Amur leopard when established in 2012. The park is also home to the endangered Amur tiger.

The census was carried out jointly by the park and the Russian Academy of Sciences with the support of The Amur Leopard Center and WWF-Russia.

(Source: WWF – Photo credit: WWF-Russia/ISUNR)

FCC Protects Open Internet, Adopts Net Neutrality

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Good News Network

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Feb 27, 2015

Ending lingering uncertainty about the future of the Internet, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission today passed historic rules to reclassify broadband Internet service as a public utility.

Supported by the high tech industry and consumer groups demanding “net neutrality,” the Open Internet Order prohibits ISPs from blocking, throttling or giving priority to one media company over another, even if that entity uses more bandwidth. It prevents a tiered Internet where content providers can pay for speedier access to customers and protects the consumer’s access to legal content no matter how they access the Internet, whether on a desktop computer or a mobile device.

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The rules were passed by a 3-2 vote along party lines. The commission chairman Tom Wheeler, a Democrat, said that Internet access was “too important to let broadband providers be the ones making the rules.”

“These rules are guided by three principles: America’s broadband networks must be fast, fair and open—principles shared by the overwhelming majority of the nearly 4 million commenters who participated in the FCC’s Open Internet proceeding.”

Wheeler and his two colleagues believe the new rules are grounded in multiple sources of legal authority that will withstand the inevitable court challenges from companies such as Verizon.

(READ the news from the FCC here) – Photo credit: Jeremy Brooks (CC license)

Benedict Cumberbatch Pens Heartfelt Note for Funeral of Young Sherlock Fan

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Feb 27, 2015

A young Sherlock fan in Cheshire, England defied the odds all her young life, living 14 years, most of it with a tracheotomy tube needed for breathing, after doctors said she would probably die as an infant.

Eve Shepherd loved the BBC’s Sherlock television series and in a fitting tribute to the media-loving teen, mourners at her funeral donned detective hats and listened to a heartfelt note sent by star Benedict Cumberbatch to her parents.

The letter read: “I send my deepest sympathies to Eve’s family. To lose someone so young who fought for her health all her life must be beyond endurance.

“I hope they can take solace from the fact that she was clearly much loved and her support of our show is hugely appreciated and shall be remembered.

“I wish I could be there but sadly am filming the show she loved. God rest her soul. With all my love and sympathies, Benedict xxx”.

WATCH: ‘Doctor Who’ Sends Heartwarming Message to Grieving Fan With Autism

Eve’s father said she would be “giggling her head off” at the thought of getting a note from Cumberbatch, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for his performance in The Imitation Game.

The mourners left the church while the Sherlock Holmes theme played in the background.

(READ the story, w/ photos, from the Daily Mail)

‘World’s Largest Warhol’ to Decorate Dome Roof

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Feb 27, 2015

The city of Tacoma, Washington wants to give the old gray dome that is a fixture of its skyline a facelift – by turning the arena’s 5-acre roof into an Andy Warhol painting.

Warhol submitted the giant, colorful flower design in a 1981 competition, but it was too modern for city officials then.

The idea didn’t fit with those times, but now the 30-year-old building might become the world’s largest Warhol canvas.

(WATCH the video below, or READ the story from King-5 *Note auto-playing so adjust your speakers.)

Thanks to Michael McGinley for submitting the link on our Facebook Page

Actor Jared Leto Becomes Global Wildlife Ambassador for WWF

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Good News Network

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Feb 26, 2015

Academy Award-winning actor, musician and director Jared Leto was this month named WWF Global Ambassador to bring attention to wildlife poaching across Africa and Asia.

Mr. Leto recently traveled to South Africa with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to learn first-hand about the conservation group’s efforts to save rhino populations.

Mr. Leto will work with WWF to raise awareness of the current poaching situation facing rhinos and other endangered species like elephants and tigers, reduce growing demand for rhino horn and recover species populations across Africa and Asia.

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“My latest adventure in South Africa was as mind-blowing as always. Being that close to majestic creatures like rhinos and elephants reminds me of the deep connection and important responsibility we have to protect and shepherd these fragile species and their habitats. I’m committed and passionate about doing all I can to help ensure that these endangered animals survive, and will continue to encourage others to get into action as well,” said Leto.

“We must double our efforts to restore their populations across Africa and Asia. It can and – with a focused global effort – will be done. I’m honored to join with WWF and the global conservation community and do my part.”

The translocation of rhinos to create new populations is an important facet of WWF’s rhino recovery effort. Later this year, roughly 100 animals will be moved from high poaching areas to undisclosed locations to help with breeding efforts.

Photo credit: WWF © Jennafer Bonello

Alaska Farmer Turns Icy Patch Of Tundra Into A Breadbasket

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Good News Network

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Feb 26, 2015

An Alaskan farmer believes he’s expanded America’s breadbasket to the frigid North.

“For the last 10 years, Tim Meyers has been coaxing an enviable quantity of fruits and veggies from just four acres of land,” reports NPR. “Last year, he produced 50,000 pounds of potatoes, beets, carrots and other vegetables.”

Warmer temperatures are giving him a longer growing season. But, he says, the secret behind his yield, which he sells year-round at a market, is actually the soil.

(READ the story from NPR News)

Homeless Man Spends Hours Pushing Cars in the Snow, Now His Luck is Turning Around

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Good News Network

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Feb 26, 2015

A homeless man in Colorado Springs spent three hours pushing cars out of the snow Saturday. Today, because his good deeds did not go unnoticed, his luck — and his life — is turning around.

Shelby Hudgens and his dog have been living in his blue Ford Mustang since November when his house burned down. He came to Colorado Springs to look for a new job and start fresh.

A TV news crew from KOAA-5 saw him helping motorists who were getting stuck on Fillmore Hill and featured his random acts of kindness in their nightly newscast. He told them he has enough to get by, and “it could be worse.”

But on Monday morning News-5 viewer Sarah Webster started a “GoFundMe” page to collect donations for Shelby.

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The news crew found Shelby later that day at a local hotel after another viewer offered to put him up for a few nights.

“He was overwhelmed with gratitude when we told him about the GoFundMe site a complete stranger had set up for him,” reported KOAA.

Shelby posted a comment later on the GoFundMe page, which has collected almost $6,000, telling donors, “There really is nothing I can say that can adequately express the gratitude I have for everything everyone has suddenly done for me. This is beyond amazing. Thank you, everyone for the kind words and donations. I’ll be looking for a pet friendly apartment this very week. “

It even gets better. A job offer from another viewer came in.

His favorite job was working in an assisted living facility and his dream is to become a certified medical assistant, so he can help more people who need it. The money raised so far, Shelby says, is “enough to prepay a couple of months rent and be able to pay for the CNA class and state testing.”

(READ more from KOAA) – Story tip from Joel Arellano

Australian Radio Hosts Surprise Grieving Mom With Amazing Gift of Time

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Good News Network

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Feb 26, 2015

Two radio hosts planned a “Surprise Giveback” that bestowed an amazing gift on a grieving Australian mother who just lost her 19 year-old son in a freak farming accident.

In December, Blaine Rozs’ death turned Michelle’s world upside down. The mom of three was able to take some time from work to grieve, but bills piling up were now forcing her to go back even though she was still struggling.

Her daughter took the initiative to apply for the Giveback program at radio station KIIS 106.5. Thanks to the generosity of Clarendon Homes, the two hosts Kyle and Jackie O were able to surprise Michelle while on the air, through her car radio. (Watch the video below)

“For six months we would like to pay your mortgage so that you don’t have to rush back to work, and you can take your time to grieve properly.”

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“Thank you so much,” Michelle whispered through tears.

Later, the radio station received a lot of callers asking how to donate to the family so KIIS set up a fundraising page that has raised an additional $8,000 through the kindness people who wanted to help.

Perhaps it wasn’t Blaine’s freak accident on a tractor that moved people to sympathy. His kind-hearted nature was described by Jackie O on the radio:

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“He was a family man, and was not afraid of showing his affection… He appreciated everything he got in life. He loved his mum Michele very much even doing the housework like folding clothes and helping with some renovations to the front yard – things that we all know not every 19-year-old would do. This is what made him so special.”

In addition to paying the mortgage for six months, Clarendon Homes is donating $5000 in outdoor renovations to finish the front yard that Blaine started before he passed away.

The Dramatic Rescue of 19 Manatees From Storm Drain, City Improves Grate

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Good News Network

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Feb 26, 2015

A team of 40 rescue workers labored for eight hours overnight Monday to free 19 manatees trapped in a Florida city storm drain after they sought warmer water there.

City workers in Satellite Beach re-installed a grate Tuesday to keep more manatees from seeking the warmth. The grate had been clogged and removed, which allowed the sea cows to swim into the opening one by one.

A hole was cut into the drainage pipe so rescuers from SeaWorld, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and police and firefighters could lift them out with slings, earth-movers and a fire department ladder truck.

WATCH: Tinkerbell The Dachshund Rescued Days After Mudslide Engulfs Home

All 19 animals were safely released back into the Indian River Lagoon.

(WATCH the WRBL video above and READ the update from Florida Today)

Solar Energy Advocates Find Unexpected Ally In Tea Party

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Feb 25, 2015

“Florida is one of several states where the Tea Party has embraced a new cause: solar energy. Tea Party groups are teaming up with progressive organizations to open up the solar energy industry,” reports NPR.

The New Yorker reports that a coalition of libertarians, Christian Coalition conservatives, liberal environmentalists, and Tea Party groups already helped defeat an effort by Georgia Power to impose heavy fees on customers with rooftop solar systems.

It’s an unusual coalition and puts them at odds in some states with another conservative grassroots organization, the Koch brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity.

(READ the story from NPR and another in the New Yorker)

Photo credit: DECCgovuk (CC license)

Google’s Eric Schmidt and Wife Give $10M to Seafood Watch Program

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Feb 25, 2015

Google Founder Eric Schmidt and his wife, who have already invested both time and money in ocean health issues, presented a $10 million gift to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to support their program that pushes for globally sustainable seafood.

With the grant, the aquarium will be able to expand collaborations with food industry leaders and other key players to transform the way seafood is caught and farmed worldwide.

Since its inception as a consumer-based program in 1999, the aquarium’s Seafood Watch program has become the most respected source of science-based information about sustainable seafood for major North American buyers and – increasingly – for global fisheries and aquaculture producers far beyond U.S. shores.

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As part of the effort, the grant will allow the Seafood Watch program to work more effectively on urgent global seafood challenges, like advancing seafood traceability to enable buyers to purchase more seafood from sustainable sources.

“We have made remarkable progress in the last few years, changing perceptions and practices among business and the public,” said aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard. “While we’ve seen tremendous progress in recovery of U.S. fisheries, so much more needs to be done globally to ensure food security and healthy oceans for the future.”

”It’s gratifying to have our successes recognized by the Schmidts. With their support, we will now be able to accelerate progress in changing the way people and businesses view their seafood and use what we know about global fisheries and aquaculture to transform the marketplace.””

“Eric and I are delighted to provide the resources that will allow the Seafood Watch program to expand internationally, and help ensure that fisheries across the world have access to the kind of information that will allow them to employ practices that protect the health of our oceans,” said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder with her husband of The Schmidt Family Foundation and The Schmidt Ocean Institute.

In 2009, the Schmidts created the Schmidt Ocean Institute, and in 2012 launched the research vessel, Falkor, as a mobile platform to advance ocean exploration, discovery, and knowledge, and catalyze sharing of information about the oceans.

In keeping with the couple’s commitment to ocean health issues, Mrs. Schmidt has partnered with XPRIZE to sponsor the $1.4 million Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup XCHALLENGE, awarded in 2011, and the Ocean Health XPRIZE, a prize that will respond to the global need for better information about the process of ocean acidification. It will be awarded this year.

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Minnesota Man Gives Away Everything in Final Days

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Good News Network

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Feb 25, 2015

Maple Grove resident Bob Karlstrand is dying but he is also finding inspiration in acts of generosity, giving away everything during his final months.

He is giving his home to a fellow veteran through Habitat for Humanity. He is giving his retirement fund to nursing students through a million dollar scholarship program.

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Though he is giving everything away, he is grateful that the pulmonary fibrosis is allowing him to live his final months or years with little pain, compared to people suffering with other diseases.

(WATCH the video below or READ the story from KMSP-TV)

Photo from KMPS / Story tip from John Baumgarten

Romantic Firefighters Save Couple’s Wedding After Snow Caves in Roof

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Good News Network

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Feb 25, 2015

An Arlington, Virginia fire captain and his team of romantic firefighters saved the day for a bride and groom Saturday after a snow storm wrecked their wedding plans.

23-year-old Camille Bethea was told at the last minute that their wedding venue had a caved-in roof. After another venue cancelled due to unplowed snow in their parking lot, the pastor called to say he would have to cancel.

With 25 guests from out of town ready to see a wedding, she needed a rescue, and who better to turn to than firefighters.

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Bethea rang up Arlington County’s Fire Station 105 and told her frantic tale to Captain Chuck Kramaric.

“The crew that I work with are romantics,” Kramaric told WJLA. So, by the time the couple arrived Saturday evening, firefighters at the station had mopped floors, set up chairs, and “rigged up a table as a makeshift altar.”

They even played romantic music on the fire truck’s radio for the couple’s first dance while the truck’s red lights swirled around like a disco ball.

The relief was doubly satisfying because Camille’s new husband Marc, a Marine Corps reservist, is shipping out for deployment in the next couple of months.

(WATCH the video below or READ the story from WJLA)

Photo from Arlington Fire Twitter feed @ACFDPIO / Story tip from Autumn Taylor Yates

Watch Elsa the Dog Shovel the Backyard Hockey Rink

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Feb 24, 2015

Greg Cox shared a video of his dog, Elsa, shoveling a backyard hockey rink in Guelph, Ontario.

It’s only a ten second clip but, with her ease of movement on ice, you can imagine this yellow Labrador retriever having no trouble clearing the rest of the field.

Guest Blog: Free Distant Healing to Balance Your Left and Right Brain

Your Blogs

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Jeanine Sande

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Feb 24, 2015

Because everything is energy, we are all connected. Because we are all connected, I can energetically and intuitively connect with you. Medical Intuitive Healing works whether I am physically with you, or on the phone, or working with you at a distance and emailing you information.

I am very excited to share two free distant healing videos with you – the first is to help balance your left and right brain hemispheres, and the second one helps to calm your stress and open your heart.

Please find an explanation of distant healing on my website, www.lightenyourway.com.

I hope you use the videos often and enjoy the calm balanced energy.

Abused Dog Rescued When Spotted From a Hot Air Balloon

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Good News Network

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Feb 24, 2015

Hot-air balloon pilot Jason Elkins was taking two couples on a romantic balloon ride over the desert when something caught his eye.

A little white dog appeared to be following the balloon.

At their landing location he limped up to the strangers and Elkins scooped up the dog intending to take him to the animal shelter. Instead he took him to an animal hospital and found the dog had been shot.

“I looked in the mirror I saw this little white head sticking up over the back seat and he looked so happy – happy to be where he was – and it broke my heart,” Elkins told CBS’s KPHO.

(READ the story, w/ photos, from KPHO-5)

Photo by Let Ideas Compete (CC license) / Story tip from Nicole Adams

Every 4th Grader to Get Free 1-Year Pass to National Parks

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Good News Network

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Feb 24, 2015

With young people spending more time in front of screens and not getting outdoors enough, the Obama Administration announced last week that every fourth grader in the United Sates will be given a free one-year family pass to America’s National Parks.

Next September every fourth-grader in the nation will receive an “Every Kid in a Park” pass that’s good for free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters — for them and their families — for a full year. The free annual pass is valued at $80, and includes admission to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including Yosemite, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks.

“Because we know that a big reason many kids don’t visit these places is that they can’t get there easily, we will also help schools and families arrange field trips and visits by providing key trip-planning tools and helping to cover transportation costs for schools with the greatest financial need,” said a White House release.

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For example, the non-profit National Park Foundation is expanding its program of granting transportation money for kids to visit parks, lands, and waters. Over the last three years, the Foundation grants have made it possible for more than 200,000 students to visit their national parks.

These grants have transported classrooms of kids to the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and the Santa Fe National Historical Trail for live, on-site history lessons.

Many Americans are unaware that besides the beautiful lakes, mountains and ancient forests, the country’s national parks include many historic buildings, battlefields, and cultural artifacts. To take advantage of these as teaching tools, the National Park Service is revising its education portal to feature more than 1,000 materials developed for K-12 teachers, including science labs, lesson plans, and field trip guides.

“With this kind of support, we can help our children become lifelong learners — both inside and outside the classroom.”

NPS has not replied to our email asking whether the passes will be available to homeschooling families.

Photo from National Park Foundation