Good morning! 🌞 

Happy New Year's Eve! As 2024 comes to a close, it's a good time to reflect on the year that was and prepare for what's ahead. Whether you're celebrating with family or taking a moment to yourself, let's take advantage of the final day of the year and start planning for a strong 2025. 🎉 

Innovation

Sea Robot

Seagrass meadows, vital yet often overlooked ecosystems, are now receiving assistance from an innovative robotic solution aimed at aiding their restoration. The ReefGen Grasshopper, a robotic device capable of planting dozens of seagrass seeds per minute, offers a faster and safer alternative to human divers. The robot works by injecting a mixture of sediment and seagrass seeds into the seafloor, planting a group of four seeds at a time before moving 30 centimeters to begin the next set. Despite its small coverage, seagrass meadows are estimated to store 35 times more carbon than terrestrial forests, making them crucial to global carbon sequestration.

The idea for the ReefGen Grasshopper originated from Tom Chi, inspired by the degradation of coral reefs on his home island of Hawaii. While the first iteration of the robot was designed to restore coral reefs by placing coral plugs, the technology was initially too expensive for large-scale use. With recent advances in affordable off-the-shelf components, ReefGen has made the technology more accessible and is now using it to restore seagrass meadows globally. In July, the Grasshopper successfully planted 25,000 seeds in Wales, and in October, ReefGen partnered with the University of North Carolina to test seed replanting methods on North Carolina’s declining seagrass meadows.

While the robotic solution is a promising development, ReefGen CEO Chris Oakes emphasizes that long-term monitoring is essential for its success. Tracking the growth, survival, and maturation of the replanted seagrass will be critical to evaluating the effectiveness of robotic planting compared to manual methods. As the technology progresses, ReefGen plans to integrate semi-autonomous features, such as navigation, to further streamline the restoration process, ultimately contributing to the health and sustainability of seagrass meadows worldwide.

Good News

Holiday Homes for Hope

This holiday season, many families in Western North Carolina faced ongoing housing challenges after Hurricane Helene devastated their communities. Thanks to Lowe’s relief efforts and the dedication of hundreds of volunteer builders, dozens of tiny homes were completed and installed by Christmas Eve. These homes, equipped with heating, kitchens, bathrooms, and two full-size beds, provide temporary shelter as families work to rebuild. To add a festive touch, Lowe’s also donated seasonal greenery, furnishings, and decor for the homes.

Kathy Graham, a long-time resident near Asheville, was among those profoundly impacted by the storm. Trapped in her flood-damaged home due to mold, lack of heat, and her commitment to caring for her animals, Graham’s situation took a hopeful turn when she received her new tiny home. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she shared, “Thank God I got my new home—it’s gorgeous. I can’t even say how much I appreciate it.” Graham’s new home was part of a collaborative effort led by Lowe’s employees and volunteer builders, initiated by Lowe’s Senior Director of Community Relations, Julie Yenichek, and Danny Kelly, co-owner of Kelly McArdle Construction. The project began with a prototype built in Kelly’s backyard and expanded to a Charlotte warehouse, where over 400 volunteers helped assemble 16 more homes.

To meet the ongoing need, Lowe’s is purchasing 50 additional homes from Incredible Tiny Homes in Newport, Tennessee, with 33 scheduled for delivery by early January. Amanda Hayes and Randy Jones, co-owners of Incredible Tiny Homes, were deeply moved to contribute, especially after witnessing the flooding’s impact on their own East Tennessee community. These mobile homes, accommodating 3-4 people and equipped with wheels and electricity hookups, represent a lifeline for families who’ve lost everything. As part of a $12 million recovery commitment, Lowe’s aims to deliver 100 tiny homes to flood victims, partnering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, NASCAR, BeLoved Asheville, the Appalachia Service Project, and SunCap Property Group. While FEMA has allocated $279 million for disaster relief, many residents prefer staying in their communities rather than relocating, making projects like this essential for rebuilding lives and restoring hope.

World News

An Unusual Visitor

Despite freezing winter temperatures, a national park in Newfoundland became a hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of a rare visitor: the Steller’s sea eagle. Native to Japan, Korea, and Russia, this majestic bird of prey made an extraordinary journey spanning thousands of miles to Newfoundland, showcasing its impressive 7.8-foot wingspan and captivating all who spotted it.

Photographer Sandra Moss, drawn by news of the eagle’s sighting, ventured out on a boat trip in Newman Sound with her husband and camera in hand. Though the bird eluded them during the outing, their luck turned later when they saw it perched majestically on a pine tree from their car. Reflecting on the experience, Moss called it “thrilling” and expressed awe at the bird’s unexpected presence, adding, “It’s an incredible feeling to know that bird has chosen us.”

While the Steller’s sea eagle is a rare sight in North America, sightings along the eastern seaboard of Canada and the US have occurred in recent years. One was previously spotted nesting in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, while another traveled from Boothbay Harbor, Maine, to Denali, Alaska. Known for their distinctive feather markings and size—25% larger than bald eagles—these birds are relatively easy to track. Comments on Terra Nova National Park’s social media suggest the Newfoundland visitor might even be the same eagle seen in previous years, adding to the intrigue of its remarkable journey.

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

I light up the sky with colors bright,
A burst of wonder in the night.
I rise and fall in fleeting flight,
Then fade away, out of sight.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

When things go wrong, what can you always count on? — your fingers! LOL, definitely a trick questions but Debbie Ettinger got this first and early! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.