BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Welcome to our Best of 2025 spotlight on the environment, which we all know is one of the most dynamic and urgent spaces for innovation and impact. This year brought some truly awe-inspiring breakthroughs in sustainability, conservation, and climate resilience. These stories remind us that when creativity and science meet care for the planet, real transformation is possible. If you’re an elk trekking through Park County, Colorado, winter just got a little bit smoother. Thanks to a first-of-its-kind agreement between rancher Dave Gottenborg and two conservation groups, thousands of elk now have safe passage through his 3,000-acre Eagle Rock Ranch. In return, Gottenborg gets a hefty portion of his cattle grazing lease costs covered without signing away his land in perpetuity. “Ranchers are conservationists in and of themselves,” said Brendan Boepple, conservation director at the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, which helped broker the deal. But traditional conservation easements—permanent legal agreements—aren’t always the best fit. “We’re trying to create new tools for conservation.” And this one has ranchers across the state asking how they can get in on it. Elk-friendly fencing, with less rancher frustration Gottenborg isn’t new to helping wildlife. Every winter, he takes down parts of his barbed wire fence to allow migrating elk to pass through without getting tangled, knowing full well they’ll still trample his grazing grounds and damage fences. “They show up and eat 20 pounds of forage per day, per elk,” he said. Not exactly ideal for a cattleman. But this year, there’s a silver lining. The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), a conservation-minded think tank, is stepping in to ease the burden. They’re covering more than two-thirds of Gottenborg’s lease costs for five years as long as the land remains open to elk. When asked why they weren’t paying the full cost of the lease, Gothenburg explained, “We agreed to keep the payment less than 100 percent so it would still be more profitable for third-party landowners to keep agricultural grazing usage”. If PERC footed the full bill, landowners might ditch cattle entirely and lease to elk instead, a situation Gottenborg says would “devastate” ranchers. Conservation economics with a twist PERC isn’t your average conservation organization. Founded by economists during the Cold War, the group began with a question: if markets can deliver food and cars, why not environmental quality? The answer lies in the incentives. From resolving water disputes by matching buyers and sellers of water rights to advocating for smarter national park fee models, PERC pushes for market-based solutions to environmental challenges. They’ve even explored using AI to count elk and calculate “rent” based on their presence. PERC’s conservation director, Travis Brammer, emphasized that the group’s goal is not to commodify wildlife but to “incentivize conservation.” That means new tools; not the “same old playbook” of the last 50 years. Keeping the elk moving, not camping There’s no elk baiting going on here. Gottenborg gives them no salt licks or mineral supplements to linger. “The idea is to keep them moving, but of course, they can stop if they want,” he said. The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust will monitor compliance using trail cameras, drones, and site visits, ensuring Gottenborg sticks to the agreed pasture rotations. Boepple noted the public benefits, too: as elk migrate through Eagle Rock Ranch, they’ll be visible in public wildlife areas like the nearby Collard Ranch, offering opportunities for wildlife viewing and hunting. Addressing hunter concerns Gottenborg anticipates some raised eyebrows, especially from hunters worried he’s setting up a private outfitting business or turning the place into an elk refuge. To that, he offers a firm rebuttal: “No, no and NO. I’m not a hunter, although I’m not opposed to hunting.” He added, “Hunters will likely say, ‘the elk belong to the people of Colorado, and we should have the right to shoot them.’ Yes, they are right. But the rancher’s retort is, ‘then why don’t you come around and feed them once in a while in the winter?’” The beginning of a new migration model This isn’t a one-off. Other Colorado ranchers are already asking the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust how they can replicate the model. With elk and other migratory species often relying on a patchwork of public and private lands, this kind of incentive-based deal could change the game. “It’s business as usual for the elk,” Boepple said, “but a new way forward for how we think about conservation partnerships.”

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Welcome to our Best of 2025 spotlight on the environment, which we all know is one of the most dynamic and urgent spaces for innovation and impact. This year brought some truly awe-inspiring breakthroughs in sustainability, conservation, and climate resilience. These stories remind us that when creativity and science meet care for the planet, real transformation is possible. In a country where the car is king, a bold car-free community in Arizona is challenging the status quo. Culdesac Tempe, a $200 million, 17-acre development, is designed to prioritize walkability, public transit, and community connection. Since its debut in 2021, the high-profile project has drawn both praise and skepticism, but two years in, the verdict from its residents is largely positive. Home to about 300 tenants in 288 units, Culdesac offers a lifestyle built around human interaction rather than parking spaces. Residents have been lured by free e-bikes, public transit passes, and easy access to amenities, eliminating the need for private cars. “Culdesac said, ‘Here’s a free e-bike; here are free transit passes—use them.’ I was impressed,” said Sheryl Murdock, a postdoctoral ocean researcher at Arizona State University who moved from Canada to be closer to work. But does this model actually work? And could it be a blueprint for more cities across the U.S.? The design: where the streets belong to people Without the need for roads and parking garages, Culdesac’s layout is optimized for pedestrian life. Instead of wide asphalt streets, paseos (walkable pathways) weave through clusters of buildings, creating shaded walkways and fostering social interaction. Architect Daniel Parolek of Opticos Design led the heat-conscious desert-modern design, writing that eliminating car infrastructure “opened up the opportunity to focus on creating people-oriented spaces.” Public spaces include courtyards, communal seating, murals, and a neighborhood-wide high-speed Wi-Fi network. The result? A neighborhood that feels less like a typical American suburb and more like a Mediterranean town. “It reminds me of Mykonos,” Murdock noted. “The walkways wind between bright-white buildings, limiting sun exposure while making the whole space feel welcoming.” Overcoming early hurdles While residents now praise the development, early phases weren’t without complaints. Some amenities were delayed, including retail spaces, the fitness center, and the pool. “It didn’t hit the ground running, but now there is a lot,” said Murdock. Today, the neighborhood boasts a gym, dog park, co-working spaces, and local retailers, including a bike shop, Korean market, coffee shop, and a James Beard–nominated Mexican restaurant. For those who need a car occasionally, an on-site car rental service offers vehicles for five dollars an hour. Despite initial skepticism, many residents say the lack of cars has strengthened community bonds. Ignacio Delgadillo, a former suburban homeowner, moved into a two-bedroom unit with his wife and four-year-old son. He was drawn to the safety of the car-free design, explaining that his son can now ride his bike freely without the dangers of vehicle traffic. “We’ve probably made more connections here in six months than we did in 15 years in the suburbs.” Can walkable neighborhoods work in America? The idea of walkable, transit-oriented developments isn’t new; many European cities already embrace them. But scaling this model in the U.S. poses challenges. American suburban sprawl is built around cars, and a recent Pew Research survey found that most Americans still prefer larger homes further from amenities rather than compact, walkable communities. Even so, cities are relaxing zoning laws to allow for denser housing, reducing parking mandates, and investing in public transit, all steps that could pave the way for more Culdesacs. “We need more housing and land-use experimentation,” said Kevin DeGood, director of infrastructure policy at the Center for American Progress. “Bold experiments like Culdesac show there is real demand for alternatives.” The future of Culdesac and beyond Culdesac’s ultimate goal is to house 1,000 residents across 700 units. With the project slated for completion within three years, its impact could influence future developments across the U.S. While critics argue that a single-car-free neighborhood won’t solve America’s urbanization issues, Culdesac’s success suggests a growing appetite for walkable, community-driven living. Murdock, for one, is all in. “Once our kids finish high school, I’m hoping the family and the dog will join me. If units here ever become available for sale, I would definitely buy.”

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Welcome to our Best of 2025 spotlight on the environment, which we all know is one of the most dynamic and urgent spaces for innovation and impact. This year brought some truly awe-inspiring breakthroughs in sustainability, conservation, and climate resilience. These stories remind us that when creativity and science meet care for the planet, real transformation is possible. If you’re a regular tea drinker, you might be tossing out your used tea bags without a second thought. But before you discard them, consider this: steeped tea bags have a variety of clever uses beyond just brewing a great cup of tea. From the garden to your houseplants, here are five practical ways to put them to good use. Keep pests away from your garden No one likes uninvited guests munching on their garden plants. Instead of turning to chemical-based pest repellents, repurpose your steeped tea bags to naturally ward off unwanted critters. “Peppermint and citrus-infused tea bags work best,” says Siobhan Shaw, founder of Growing to Give. “Scattering these around your plants or vegetables can help keep pests at bay with their strong scents.” Enrich your compost pile Looking to boost the nutrient content of your compost? Steeped tea bags are packed with nitrogen and carbon, making them a great addition to your compost heap. “They help create the ideal environment for breaking down kitchen scraps into healthy soil,” Shaw explains. Plus, tea bags retain moisture, which aids in the decomposition process. Just be sure to remove any plastic from the bags before tossing them in, as some brands use non-compostable materials that won’t break down properly. Create a nutrient-rich seed starter mix For gardeners who prefer a seed starter mix over regular potting soil, steeped tea bags can be a valuable ingredient. Shaw recommends mixing used tea bag contents with coconut fiber husk, vermiculite, and perlite, along with a handful of worm castings. “This blend is packed with nutrients and ultra-light, allowing those seedling roots to power the plant,” she says. Boost your houseplants’ health Tea bags aren’t just good for the outdoor garden; they can work wonders for your indoor plants, too. “Bury a used tea bag slightly in the soil, and it will slowly release nitrogen and minerals as it breaks down,” says Rachel Miller, founder of herbal tea company Zhi Herbals. If your tea bag isn’t compostable, simply open it and sprinkle the tea leaves into the soil instead. Either way, your houseplants will get a gentle nutrient boost over time. Re-steep for another cup of tea Why stop at just one brew? Many high-quality teas can be steeped multiple times before losing their flavor. Miller notes that the number of times you can reuse a tea bag depends on personal taste. “Once your tea starts tasting weak, it’s time to retire that bag,” she advises. With these creative uses, your tea bags can serve a purpose long after your first cup. Whether you’re enhancing your garden, feeding your plants, or getting more mileage out of your tea, reusing tea bags is a simple and sustainable way to cut down on waste.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Welcome to our Best of 2025 spotlight on the environment, which we all know is one of the most dynamic and urgent spaces for innovation and impact. This year brought some truly awe-inspiring breakthroughs in sustainability, conservation, and climate resilience. These stories remind us that when creativity and science meet care for the planet, real transformation is possible. In the heart of the Amazon Basin, along the Guaporé River where Brazil meets Bolivia, a remarkable discovery has been made. Scientists identified the largest known nesting site of the endangered giant South American river turtle, with more than 41,000 individuals recorded thanks to a cutting-edge drone study. Conducted by researchers from the University of Florida and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the study combined drone imagery with advanced statistical modeling to achieve a milestone in wildlife monitoring. Published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, the research not only sets a record for turtle nesting but also introduces a more efficient, non-invasive method of counting animals in the wild. “We describe a novel way to more efficiently monitor animal populations,” says lead author Ismael Brack. “And although the method is used to count turtles, it could also be applied to other species.” Meet the Arrau: social, sizable, and at risk The stars of this story are giant South American river turtles, also known as Arrau turtles (Podocnemis expansa). These gentle giants are among the world’s largest freshwater turtles, growing up to 90 centimeters long and weighing as much as 80 kilograms. They range in color from olive green to dark gray and are famous for their collective nesting behavior. Each year during the dry season, which typically spans July and August, female turtles gather by the thousands on sandy riverbanks to lay their eggs. It’s a spectacular sight, but one under threat. Despite legal protections, Arrau turtles face ongoing dangers from poaching and habitat degradation. Understanding whether their populations are stable, declining, or recovering is crucial. But accurately counting turtles has always been a tricky task. A smarter way to count wildlife Traditional ground surveys can be invasive and inconsistent, and even drone imagery has its challenges. Animals move. Observers miss things. Double counts happen. These discrepancies can skew data and complicate conservation efforts. To improve accuracy, Brack and his team designed an innovative survey system. Over 12 days, drones flew four times daily over a nesting site along the Guaporé River. The team marked 1,187 turtles with white paint and tracked their activity through 1,500 high-resolution images captured per flight. These images were stitched into detailed orthomosaics, allowing researchers to note which turtles were nesting, moving, or resting. Using probability models, the team reconciled the differences between traditional counts and raw drone images. While ground surveys counted around 16,000 turtles and unadjusted drone footage suggested nearly 79,000, the new method produced what scientists believe is the most accurate estimate: just over 41,000 turtles. “These numbers vary greatly, and that’s a problem for conservationists,” Brack explains. “If scientists are unable to establish an accurate count… how will they know if the population is in decline or whether efforts to protect it are successful?” Why it matters for the Amazon The Arrau turtle is not just a biological curiosity. It plays a vital role in the Amazonian ecosystem. These turtles act as seed dispersers and are a key food source for predators. Their nesting grounds support biodiversity and help maintain ecological balance along river systems. Accurate population data enables more targeted conservation, from protecting crucial nesting beaches to allocating resources where they are needed most. And this drone-driven method could benefit more than turtles. The researchers believe it could be adapted for use with other species like seals, mountain goats, or elk; basically anytime movement or visibility makes population counts difficult. Looking ahead, the team hopes to apply their refined methodology across other parts of the Amazon, including Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. “By combining information from multiple surveys, we can detect population trends,” Brack notes. “And the Wildlife Conservation Society will know where to invest in conservation actions.” Awe in the data This study captures more than numbers; it captures the awe of nature’s scale and resilience. To witness tens of thousands of endangered turtles congregating in a single place is to be reminded of what’s still thriving, even as threats loom. Thanks to drones, algorithms, and the passion of conservation scientists, we now have a clearer picture of one of the Amazon’s most extraordinary phenomena. And perhaps, a clearer path forward in protecting it. Source study: Journal of Applied Ecology— Estimating abundance of aggregated populations with drones while accounting for multiple sources of errors: A case study on the mass nesting of Giant South American River Turtles

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A rare ceramic trumpet found in Dorfen, Upper Bavaria, has been reassembled from eight fragments. The trumpet is now virtually complete, missing only the mouthpiece and a small chunk of the bell. Due to its construction, the instrument, which is just under 44 centimeters long, resembles the shape of metal trumpets. However, the Dorfen trumpet is a so-called natural trumpet, meaning an instrument without valves or keys, in which the different notes are produced solely by the tension of the lips. The trumpet was discovered in a 2022 excavation of the town’s moat near one of the city’s gates. That section of the moat was used by the tanning trade in the processing of animal skins into leather. The trade was notorious for the stenches, caustic tanning agents and noxious byproducts it generated, so tanneries were in a rough part of town. It’s possible the trumpet was used not to play music, but as a kind of emergency alert system to blast warnings about fires and other dangers. Artifacts found in the same archaeological layer date it to the late 18th or early 19th century, which is an unexpectedly later date than the few other ceramic trumpets discovered in excavations. They typically date to the late Middle Ages or early Modern period. The glaze and construction of the Dorfen trumpet are also different compared to the earlier finds, making it a unique example. “The discovery of the ceramic trumpet from Dorfen is a stroke of luck for the preservation of archaeological monuments,” says Mathias Pfeil, Director General of the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments (BLfD). The delicate instrument, made of fragile material, is almost completely preserved, Pfeil explains: “It can contribute significantly to learning more about the manufacturing techniques and uses of such instruments – because clay trumpets are rare archaeological finds in Bavaria and in Germany.”

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