On weekday evenings between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. PST, the small, softly lit Teen Line office in Culver City, CA, begins to buzz. A handful of high schoolers — many still in their school sweatshirts — settle into cubicles, put on headsets and begin answering calls, texts and emails from other teenagers who need someone to talk to. For more than four decades, Teen Line has been demonstrating the power of a simple but radical idea: That sometimes the best person to talk to about teenage problems is another teenager. Founded in 1980 as the Center for the Study of Young People in Groups, the grassroots nonprofit evolved into a vital resource for young people struggling with stress, loneliness, relationships and mental health challenges. Today, it operates as part of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, home to the nation’s first and largest Suicide Prevention Center, which served more than 232,000 individuals in 2024. Teen Line still runs on the same core model: Trained teens supporting peers through nonjudgmental listening. “I think the biggest thing I say to almost every caller is that it’s okay not to be okay,” says Sanaya, a soft-spoken volunteer who joined in fall 2024 and prefers to only give her first name. “There’s such a culture, especially among teenagers, to just say, ‘I’m fine.’ But by reassuring them that it’s really okay to talk about what’s going on, people start to open up. Then we can have a much deeper conversation.” Teen Line’s mission feels more critical than ever. Approximately 40 percent of U.S. high-school students report persistent sadness or hopelessness, and suicide remains the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24, according to the CDC. Teen Line fills a widening gap in the nation’s fraying youth mental health system — with no federal funding, only grants, donations and the dedication of 100 teen volunteers who log more than 10,000 contacts a year from youth around the world. “We even once got a call from a teen in Zimbabwe who found us online,” says Cheryl Karp Eskin, the organization’s senior director. Approximately 100 teen volunteers log more than 10,000 contacts a year from youth around the world. Photo courtesy of Teen Line Meanwhile, major funding streams for school-based mental health support have been cut. The U.S. Department of Education recently ended roughly $1 billion in grants originally designated to help schools hire additional counselors and psychologists under the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed after a wave of school shootings. Simultaneously, the federal government has removed the dedicated “Press 3” option for LGBTQ+ youth on the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  At a time when youth mental health needs are escalating, federal support for key programs is shrinking. That makes Teen Line’s peer-to-peer model all the more essential. Volunteers like Sanaya must be at least 14 years old and complete a rigorous selection and training process before taking their first call. “It starts with a written application and then interviews,” she explains. “If you get accepted, you get about three months of classroom training where you learn about the various topics you could be covering — anything from bullying to eating disorders to suicide — and how to manage those when you’re on a call. We also learn active listening and ways to make people feel heard.” That training includes practice calls, guest speakers from organizations like the Rape Treatment Center, and lessons in emotional regulation and crisis response. Only after completing this curriculum do volunteers begin answering emails, then texts and finally phone calls. Sanaya usually takes about one shift a week, more than the minimum commitment of two shifts a month. “It’s definitely one of my favorite things to do after school,” she says. “I love meeting all of the people that work there. We share a lot of the same interests, and I’ve made some really close friends at Teen Line.” Weighed down by negative news? Our smart, bright, weekly newsletter is the uplift you’ve been looking for. [contact-form-7] According to Eskin, about 60 to 70 percent of contacts come through online channels — text or email — and all are anonymous and confidential unless someone’s safety is at risk. When the Teen Line office closes at 10 p.m., trained adult counselors at Didi Hirsch pick up the phones as part of their shift on the national 988 Lifeline hotline.  “We’re not anti-adult,” Eskin says with a laugh. “But often the adults in teens’ lives are the ones grading them or disciplining them. That power dynamic changes everything. When you’re talking to another teen, it just feels simpler — and safer.” Eskin would know. She was once a Teen Line volunteer herself in high school and has been involved for more than 15 years. Over that time, she’s seen social media, smartphones and the pandemic reshape what it means to be a teenager and how vital empathy has become. “Being a teen today is a lot,” she says. “The pressures of school, social media and just being constantly connected, it’s no wonder anxiety and stress are among our top issues, along with relationships, depression and suicide. But what’s hopeful is that teens want to help each other. And when they do, it works.” Indeed, Teen Line’s impact data show that 98 percent of callers report finding their interaction helpful, and many reach out again or recommend the line to friends. Some even write back months later to say the call “saved their life. For Sanaya, the experience of listening has been transformative. “I joined at the beginning of my sophomore year because I wanted to make an impact in my community,” she says. “A friend had used Teen Line and found support, and I wanted to be that person for someone else.” Nearly a year later, she notices the skills carry over into her own life. “We practice active listening all the time, and those skills are so useful — helping a friend who’s stressed, or even just staying calm in a tough situation. It’s changed how I deal with stress or emotions. I feel more logical, more grounded.” The Department of Education recently ended roughly $1 billion in grants originally designated to help schools hire additional counselors and psychologists. Photo courtesy of Teen Line Calls vary in length — sometimes ten minutes, sometimes over an hour. “Sometimes it’s just them ranting and me listening; other times it’s more of a conversation,” Sanaya says. Lately, the most common topic she hears is school stress. Relationship issues — romantic, family, or friendship — are a close second. When conversations reveal deeper issues like abuse, eating disorders, or suicidal thoughts, Teen Line volunteers are trained to connect callers with professional resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) or local crisis centers. “There’s not always a lot you can do in one call,” Sanaya says, “but if you can make even a small impact, and give them resources to get help, that’s the best thing you can do.” Peer-to-peer listening isn’t new, but research increasingly underpins its effectiveness. A 2023 systematic review in The British Journal of Psychiatry found that structured peer support significantly reduced depressive symptoms and increased help-seeking among teens. For many young people, peers are the first — and sometimes only — people they trust to confide in. Eskin believes that’s where Teen Line’s true power lies. “We like to say no problem is too big or too small,” she says. “You don’t have to be in a life-or-death crisis to reach out. Sometimes starting the conversation is what gets someone to the help they need.” She’s also quick to dispel doubts about whether teenagers can handle the emotional weight of this work. “A lot of people question whether teens can do this,” Eskin says. “But I’ve seen it for decades — they can, and sometimes they do it better than adults. With proper screening and training, teens have this incredible capacity for empathy. They meet each other where they are.” That empathy has ripple effects. Over the years, Teen Line has trained more than 2,000 high school students, many of whom have gone on to careers in counseling, social work and advocacy. Eskin herself is one of them. “I don’t know if Teen Line made me a therapist or if I was always going to be one,” she says, smiling. “But it absolutely shaped how I see the world and how I talk about things like suicide. It’s not scary to me anymore. It’s something we can, and should, talk about.” For callers, Teen Line can be a lifeline. For volunteers, it can be life-changing. But its broader impact might be cultural: It normalizes talking about mental health in a culture that often discourages it.  “Social media can make it look like everyone else is living their best life,” says Sanaya. “It can feel really isolating to someone who’s struggling. I think it’s important to remind people that what they see online isn’t the full truth.” Wait, you're not a member yet? Join the Reasons to be Cheerful community by supporting our nonprofit publication and giving what you can. Join Cancel anytime Teen Line amplifies that message in school presentations, outreach campaigns and social media. “We’ve had teens tell us they found us because ChatGPT suggested it,” Eskin admits with a laugh. “AI can be scary, but if it’s helping people find human connection, that’s a good thing.” As evening falls in Culver City, the phones keep ringing. On the other end might be a teen crying quietly about a breakup, someone afraid to tell their parents about depression, or a student overwhelmed by exams. Sanaya doesn’t always have the perfect words, but she’s learned that sometimes that’s not what matters most. “The best thing I can do is just listen and let them know their feelings are valid,” she says. “Sometimes you don’t have the exact right thing to say, but by just being there, that’s enough.” In a culture that often tells young people to toughen up, Teen Line’s volunteers are proving the opposite: Gentleness, empathy and listening can save lives. “The power of someone believing you, validating you and really listening, that’s huge,” Eskins says. “That’s where healing begins.” If you or someone you know needs help, and you are in the U.S., call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org The post Inside the Teen-Run Hotline Meeting America’s Mental Health Crisis appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Sexual health is getting a long-overdue upgrade. Thanks to recent approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, at-home STD testing is more accessible than ever, and it’s arriving alongside the first new gonorrhea treatments in decades. For public health experts, the timing couldn’t be better. After years of climbing infection rates and pandemic-related disruptions to testing and treatment, these changes offer a hopeful shift. And while many challenges like high costs and public health funding cuts remain, the convenience and privacy of testing from home could help remove key barriers for people hesitant to get screened. “Sexual health can be stigmatized and people can be hesitant about testing,” said Dr. Ina Park, a sexual health specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. “Now we have a lot of options for patients who may be wary of going into a provider’s office.” Home testing is fast, private and accurate Last year, FDA approved Visby Medical’s all-in-one, at-home test that screens for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis in women. The test includes a vaginal swab and a small diagnostic device. After collecting a sample, users upload a photo of the results to an app and can receive a telehealth consultation and prescription within as little as six hours. Dr. Gary Schoolnik, Visby’s chief medical officer and a professor emeritus at Stanford, explained why that matters: “Many patients are very hard to track down and a lot of them, if they have a positive test result, are never treated and are lost to follow-up.” The streamlined model addresses this problem head-on. The device was shown to detect the three infections with accuracy rates around 98 percent. That’s comparable to traditional lab tests, but it only costs $150. While not currently covered by insurance, it includes follow-up medical support and prescription access. Other tests are designed to work with existing lab systems. Teal Health’s HPV self-collection kit, also approved by the FDA last year, allows users to collect a sample with the Teal Wand, ship it to a lab, and receive results from a provider. For the first time, federal guidelines now endorse self-collection for HPV screening—an important milestone in cervical cancer prevention. New gonorrhea drugs offer promising alternatives On the treatment side, another significant breakthrough has occurred; the FDA also approved two new oral medications for gonorrhea after years of limited options: Nuzolvenc and Bluejepa. Both drugs can be taken by mouth, a notable improvement over the current go-to: an injection of ceftriaxone. The rise of drug-resistant gonorrhea has been a major concern, especially after the CDC dropped oral azithromycin from its guidelines due to resistance concerns. “We were down to one class of antibiotics recommended to treat gonorrhea and we had no other good options,” Park said. “So to have two new options in the same year is very exciting.” These drugs bring new hope in managing a notoriously adaptive infection that has become harder to treat over time. The impact is already being felt According to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STD rates are starting to decline. Gonorrhea cases have dropped for three consecutive years, and the most infectious forms of syphilis and adult cases of chlamydia have also seen a dip. Experts point to multiple factors: less sexual activity among younger populations, a growing interest in “morning-after” antibiotics to prevent STDs, and wider access to at-home screening. While home testing is still relatively new, it’s beginning to reshape how people approach sexual health. Still, experts caution that the shift to home testing could make tracking national infection rates more complicated. Many public health databases rely on centralized lab reporting, something not always captured when tests are done at home. Another concern is cost and access. Tests like Visby’s $150 kit, while convenient, may be out of reach for lower-income individuals. And with recent funding cuts to the CDC and other public health agencies, there’s fear that the people who could benefit most from these innovations may be the last to access them. “I’m feeling very optimistic about the fact that people have more testing options and also that we now have access to new drugs,” Park said. “What I fear is these cuts to public health are going to decrease access to sexual health care for populations who can least afford to take advantage of these new options.”     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post At-home STD testing and new treatments are changing the game for sexual health care first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Turns out the secret to a sharper brain in your later years might not just be a crossword puzzle or green smoothie. It could be giving your neighbor a ride to the doctor or volunteering at your local food pantry. According to a new long-term study from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Massachusetts Boston, helping others just a few hours a week may slow cognitive aging by an impressive 15 to 20 percent. Whether it’s structured volunteering or simply being that friend or relative everyone calls in a pinch, it all counts. The best part is that the brain benefits aren’t just a one-time perk. They actually accumulate over time. “What stood out to me was that the cognitive benefits of helping others weren’t just short-term boosts but cumulative over time with sustained engagement,” said Sae Hwang Han, a social scientist at UT Austin and one of the study’s lead authors. “And in addition to that, moderate engagement of just two to four hours was consistently linked to robust benefits.” Helping others: the low-lift way to boost brain health The researchers analyzed two decades of data from over 31,000 adults aged fifty and older. Participants shared how often they helped others, which ranged from participating in formal volunteering with organizations to informal acts like assisting community members, caring for relatives, or pitching in wherever and whenever needed. They then compared those responses to changes in cognitive performance over time. The trend was clear: people who helped others regularly showed slower cognitive decline than those who didn’t. Even more intriguing is that informal helping (think everyday acts of kindness that rarely make it to Instagram) provided brain benefits similar to formal volunteering. “Informal helping is sometimes assumed to offer fewer health benefits due to its lack of social recognition,” Han noted. “It was a pleasant surprise to find that it provides cognitive benefits comparable to formal volunteering.” In other words, you don’t have to sign up for a board position or lead a fundraiser to see results. Even small, consistent efforts count. Two to four hours is the sweet spot If you’re wondering how much helping is enough, the researchers found that two to four hours per week seems to be the magic range. That’s enough time to make a meaningful contribution without burning out. Anything beyond that, especially in later years, could become mentally or physically taxing, so the goal is consistency, not overcommitment. And the benefits don’t just come from warm fuzzy feelings. Social interaction, staying active, and mentally engaging with others all play a role in keeping the brain sharper, longer. Other studies have already linked loneliness to faster cognitive decline and physical activity to better brain health. Helping others may combine the best of both worlds. When helping stops, the brain feels it Interestingly, the study also found that when helping behavior stopped, whether because of illness, life changes, or other factors, cognitive decline tended to speed up. That insight underscores how important it is to keep older adults connected and included. “Many older adults in suboptimal health often continue to make valuable contributions to those around them,” Han said, “and they also may be the ones to especially benefit from being provided with opportunities to help.” With dementia rates continuing to rise, researchers are eager to identify modifiable risk factors as well as things we can actually do something about. This study suggests that one of those may be offering our time and care to others, even in small doses. How to set this brain-boosting habit into motion If you want to keep your mind sharp as the years roll by, lending a hand might be just what the doctor ordered. Whether it’s checking in on a neighbor, volunteering at your library, or running errands for a friend, giving back helps build social ties, keeps your brain engaged, and may even slow down cognitive aging. You don’t need to be a super-volunteer or add another job to your plate. Just a couple of hours a week could make a measurable difference for others and for your own mind. So next time someone asks for a little help, don’t be too quick to say no. You might be doing both of you a favor. Source study: Social Science and Medicine— Helping behaviors and cognitive function in later life: The impact of dynamic role transitions and dose changes     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post Want to keep your brain young? Helping others just a few hours a week may do the trick first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

It was a normal winter's day in Charlotte, North Carolina, when the Buddhist monks came to town. Soft gray clouds blanketed the city without a trace of wind in sight. A few people complained about the 96% humidity, while others put their heads down and went on with their damp day.Then, like a scene from a movie, there they were: a single-file line of men, each wearing flowing saffron and ochre-colored robes, steadily marching along the shoulder of the highway. Some wore sandals while others cheerfully went ahead barefoot. Trotting alongside them—and at times, leading them—was a scruffy, tousle-haired rescue dog eagerly wagging his tail—Aloka, whose name translates to "Divine Light" in Sanskrit. @dhonrs.bonrwr A NATIONWIDE WALK FOR PEACE IS UNFOLDING ON FOOT. BUDDHIST MONKS ARE WALKING 2,300+ MILES ACROSS AMERICA, TRAVELING FROM TEXAS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AS THE JOURNEY PASSES THROUGH ATLANTA, THEIR ROUTE MOVES NORTH ALONG CANDLER ROAD, THROUGH THE SOUTH DEKALB AREA, AND ONWARD TOWARD DECATUR.##WALKFORPEACE##MONKSWALKFORPEACE##LEXINGTONSC##BUDDHISTMONK#USA ♬ Walk for peace - Snehashis Priya Barua In October 2025, approximately two dozen Buddhist monks hailing from various Theravada Buddhist monasteries across the globe, along with Aloka, embarked from Fort Worth, Texas, on a 2,300-mile pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. This "Walk of Peace," and the participating 18 monks, stand on the shoulders of giants: the countless of those who came before them in this time-old tradition of spiritual activism through walking meditation, from the Buddha himself to Gandhi's groundbreaking 240-mile "Salt March" in 1930, to Dr. Martin Luther King's immortalized March on Washington in 1963 and the marches from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.The journey, expected to conclude in mid-February 2026, has attracted millions of social media followers and drawn thousands of participants to major stopping points, transcending the religious and political divide during a period defined by deep division. A pilgrimage of resilience The journey began in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26, 2025, at Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, the Vietnamese Buddhist temple that organized the Walk for Peace. It's also the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara's home temple, who serves as the group's spiritual leader and primary spokesperson.While this is Pannakara's first pilgrimage in the States, the Vietnamese Theravada Buddhist monk has reportedly walked across several South Asian countries, including a 112-day walk across India in 2022, where he met Aloka, the stray dog that's become somewhat of a mascot for the walk. Aloka has been with Pannakara ever since. Monks offer blessings to people lined up to see them. Credit: Des Moines Register In a written statement to USA Today, Pannakara encourages others to reframe the purpose of their mission. "We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us," he writes.He continues: "The Walk for Peace is a simple, yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole."He means it. For Pannakara, this walk represents a national act of healing rather than a political statement. At every stop, he offers lessons about mindfulness, peace as an inner quality, forgiveness, healing, unity, and the importance of meeting people where they are. 2,300 miles is no walk in the park The journey hasn't been easy—though that was never the point for this group. As if walking 2,300 miles across ten states wasn't difficult enough, Pannakara and the other Theravada Buddhist monks live in accordance with the earliest teachings of the Buddha and dedicated themselves to extreme monastic living and to following strict Buddhist codes of living. @clamjourney (1/3/2026) Buddhist Monks Walk 2,300 Miles For Peace 2025 Day 70 #buddhist #monks #walkforpeace #alabama #edmundpettusbridge ♬ original sound - Clam Journey As a result, the monks sleep in tents and rely on the kindness of strangers for shelter or sustenance. They've faced the physical reality of walking on asphalt for months. Then, in November, tragedy struck near Dayton, Texas. An escort vehicle was hit, resulting in an accident where one monk was severely injured and lost a leg.Yet, the group continued.At their stop Thursday in Saluda, South Carolina, Audrie Pearce—who had driven four hours from her village of Little River to see them—teared up as Pannakara handed her a flower. @dhonrs.bonrwr A NATIONWIDE WALK FOR PEACE IS UNFOLDING ON FOOT. BUDDHIST MONKS ARE WALKING 2,300+ MILES ACROSS AMERICA, TRAVELING FROM TEXAS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AS THE JOURNEY PASSES THROUGH ATLANTA, THEIR ROUTE MOVES NORTH ALONG CANDLER ROAD, THROUGH THE SOUTH DEKALB AREA, AND ONWARD TOWARD DECATUR.##WALKFORPEACE##MONKSWALKFORPEACE##LEXINGTONSC##BUDDHISTMONK#USA ♬ Walk for peace - Snehashis Priya Barua "There's something traumatic and heart-wrenching happening every day in our country," Pearce told Newsday. She describes herself as spiritual, but not religious. "I looked into their eyes, and I saw peace. They're putting their bodies through such physical torture, and yet they radiate peace." Aloka, the four-legged peacekeeper While the monks inspire reverence, the true celebrity of the group might just be their canine companion.Aloka is an Indian Pariah dog, a breed known for its intelligence and loyalty. His story with Bhikkhu Pannakara began thousands of miles away in India during a previous peace walk. When Aloka fell critically ill as a puppy, Pannakara carried him and nursed him back to health. Thevada Buddhist monks greeting fans on their Walk for Peace. Credit: Des Moines Register Now, the roles have reversed. Aloka is the one keeping spirits high. He happily trots alongside the monks, offering a furry reminder of loyalty and joy. When the group reached North Carolina, locals didn't just bring water for the monks; they brought dog treats for Aloka. Strangers becoming neighbors Perhaps the most beautiful part of this journey is how it has brought people together. As the monks traverse states like Mississippi, Alabama, and the Carolinas, they have been met not with suspicion but with overwhelming hospitality.The Herald shared stories from people in the crowd as the monks traveled through Rock Hill and Fort Mill on their way to Charlotte."I like the idea of peace, and I'm concerned about the state our country is in," said Penny Sheppard of Rock Hill, as she waited for the monks to walk by. "The peace walk exemplifies where we could be…. I just want to support them… They just impress the heck out of me." The monks as they enter North Carolina. Credit: 7News Stevie Goudui of Fort Mill echoed this sentiment. "We could definitely use a little more peace in the United States right now," he said.Then, from Rock Hill resident Carolyn Hall: "No matter your religion, it makes sense that the purpose of the walk was for peace," Hall said."Women, children, people getting killed. It's a sad day in America right now," she added. "I think it's great what (the monks) are doing. I love it, and I just want to be a part of it."Streets lined with onlookers on a cold, wet Wednesday made for an emotional morning. "That really touched my heart," said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara. "These days, you all make me cry so much. A lot. But happy tears. Joy." A quiet request for a national holiday While the spiritual goal is paramount, the monks do have a tangible objective for their arrival in the nation's capital. Upon reaching Washington, D.C. in mid-February, they plan to ask Congress to recognize Vesak—the day celebrating Buddha's birth and enlightenment—as a federal holiday.The hope is that recognizing Vesak will officially acknowledge a day dedicated to reflection, compassion, and unity for all people, regardless of their faith. @jafleming Buddhist Monks Walk for Peace. Liberty NC ♬ Ordinary Feb 14 - alexwarrenupdates (fan page) Judging by the overwhelming response to the Walk of Peace, the monks will always have the public's support, regardless of the outcome in Congress.The viral trek gained more than one million followers on both Facebook and TikTok since the monks started walking in October. Even Aloka the dog has enjoyed Internet stardom, gaining 752,000 followers on Facebook."Together, we are proving that peace is not just a dream—it is alive, it is real, and it is growing stronger every single day," Walk for Peace organizers posted to Facebook. Finding your own “peaceful day” You don't have to walk 2,300 miles to feel the impact of this journey. The monks' message is that peace is accessible to everyone, right where they are.Becki Gable, a woman grieving the loss of her daughters and parents, drove nearly 400 miles to meet the monks in Saluda, South Carolina."I just felt in my heart that this would help me have peace," she told a local news station. "Maybe I could move a little bit forward in my life." @curiousworld004 Buddhist monks are walking 2,300 miles across the U.S. for peace. Truly inspiring.#walkforpeace#walkforpeace#monks#walkforpeace2025 #peace ♬ Ordinary (Wedding Version) - Alex Warren She spoke about how the encounter helped her move forward, adopting a simple practice suggested by Bhikkhu Pannakara. Every morning, she writes down five words: "Today is my peaceful day."You can follow the monks on their journey to Washington, D.C. through their live tracker here.

For decades, river restoration in the Northwestern United States followed a simple rule: if you saw logs in the water, take them out. Clean streams were seen as healthy streams, fast-moving water was seen as optimal, and wood was treated like a "barrier" to natural processes, particularly those of the local fish.Now, helicopters are flying thousands of tree trunks back into rivers to undo that thinking.In central Washington, one of the largest river restoration efforts ever attempted in the region is underway. More than 6,000 logs are being placed along roughly 38 kilometers, or 24 miles, of rivers and streams across the Yakama Reservation and surrounding ceded lands.Nearly 40 years ago, Scott Nicolai was doing the opposite kind of work, all in the name of restoration."(Back then) the fish heads — what I call the fisheries folks — we stood on the banks, and we looked at the stream," Nicolai, a Yakama Nation habitat biologist, told Oregon Public Broadcasting. "If we saw a big log jam, we thought, 'Oh, that's a barrier to fish. We want the stream to flow.'" Fish find shelter for spawning in the nooks and crannies of wood. Photo credit: CanvaAt the time, logs were removed in an effort to simplify the habitat. However, it soon became clear that wood provided vital "complexity," creating sheltered pockets for salmon and bull trout to spawn and supporting algae that feed aquatic insects. Logs also slow water, spread it across floodplains, and allow it to soak into the groundwater. That water is then slowly released back into streams, helping keep them flowing and cooler during hot, dry periods.The consequences of removing this "critical part of the system" (in addition to overgrazing, railroad construction, and splash dam logging) were made all too clear over the years as the rivers dried up and wildlife populations declined."We're trying to learn from our mistakes and find a better way to manage," said Phil Rigdon, director of the Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources.That's why Nicolai is now helping lead a project for the Yakama Nation aimed at rebuilding river complexity by returning logs to their rightful place. Many of these streams are now unreachable by road, which is why helicopters are used. Logs are flown from staging areas and carefully placed at precise drop locations marked with pink and blue flagging tape. Many of these streams are now unreachable by road, which is why helicopters are used.Photo credit: CanvaThe wood comes from forest-thinning projects led by The Nature Conservancy and includes species such as Douglas fir, grand fir, and cedar. Although some of the timber could have been sold, it is instead being used as river infrastructure.For tribal leaders, the work carries even deeper meaning. During the helicopter flights, they gathered along the Little Naches River for a ceremony and prayer. Tribal leaders gathered by the Little Naches River for a ceremony and prayer.Photo credit: Canva"It was very simple: to bring what was rightfully part of this land back to us," said former tribal chairman Jerry Meninick.The aftermath of the original restoration project illustrates how human concepts, such as the belief in the superiority of "cleanliness," can be limited and sometimes cause more harm than good. The miracle of nature, however, is that when left to her own devices, she can heal herself.