Grand Teton National Park. (Photo: rmarmion/Depositphotos)

Since its inception in 1916, the National Park Service (NPS) has strived to protect natural environments and offer a world-class experience to all its visitors. Now, thanks to a generous donation, it'll continue to uphold these missions. The National Park Foundation announced it has received the largest grant in its history, a $100 million gift from Lilly Endowment Inc.

“For over 50 years, private philanthropy has played a vital role in bridging the gap between park needs and available funding,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, the fundraising arm of the NPS created by Congress in the 1960s. “This grant will allow us to supercharge our efforts to ensure our national parks are for everyone, for generations to come.”

The money will be used to address the needs of the more than 400 national park sites that make up the NPS, from famed sprawling sites such as Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Yosemite National Park in California to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Our founders were inspired by the beauty and wonders of the natural world and supportive of research and educational programs about archaeology and the cultural history of our nation,” said N. Clay Robbins, chairman and CEO of the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment, which was created by members of the family behind the pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Company. “We are pleased therefore to further their interests through this grant.”

The funds will be allocated to four key areas—creating opportunities for young people, thus inspiring the the next generation of park stewards; ensuring the health and longevity of the fragile ecosystems and species, such as the trout; leveraging new technology that makes the parks more accessible and engaging; and delivering a more comprehensive historical narrative that includes underrepresented groups.

“The impact of this gift will be felt in our parks and in surrounding communities for generations to come,” added Chuck Sams, director of NPS. “This is a truly visionary investment, and an example of how the power of philanthropy can amplify this crucial work that we all believe in so much.”

The National Park Foundation announced it has received the largest grant in its history, a $100 million gift from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Yosemite National Park. (Photo: bryndin/Depositphotos)

“This grant will allow us to supercharge our efforts to ensure our national parks are for everyone, for generations to come,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation.

Yosemite National Park. (Photo: lunamarina/Depositphotos)

The money will be used to address the needs of the more than 400 national park sites that make up the National Park Service.

Acadia National Park. (Photo: f11photo/Depositphotos)

The funds will be allocated to key areas, such as creating opportunities for the youth and protecting fragile ecosystems.

Rocky Mountain National Park. (Photo: rondakimbrow/Depositphotos)

National Park Service: Website
h/t: [AP]

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READ: National Park Service Receives a Record-High Gift of $100M, the Largest Grant in Its History

More than 300 million people in the world are color blind, making it far more common than many people realize. Additionally, 98% of people with the condition have red-green colorblindness, making it by far the most common variation of the condition. As a result, many color blind people are unable to see art in the way that its creator originally intended, which can rob a piece of its original meaning and prevent them from fully being able to enjoy the work. Fortunately, a museum in Portland recently rolled out a new program designed to combat this.

The Portland Art Museum will now loan out red-green colorblindness glasses to patrons who request them, allowing them to see art in a way that would have previously been impossible. With this program, the Portland Art Museum is the first museum in Oregon to ever offer colorblindness glasses to visitors. It now joins hundreds of other museums in the world, including the George O'Keeffe Museum, Van Gogh Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Gallery of Art, the Corning Museum of Glass, Centre Pompidou, and Galerie d'Italia.

The museum was able to purchase five pairs of EnChroma colorblindness glasses thanks to a grant through The French American Museum Exchange, which aims to help blind and low vision museum patrons interact with art. The glasses contain a light filter that heightens the difference between reds and greens, and while it doesn't completely negate colorblindness, it does make it possible for people with red-green colorblindness to see a larger variety of hues. These glasses normally retail for approximately $200 and $400, making the Portland Art Museum's rental program even more unique.

“A lot of my job is curation and art analysis and looking at art constantly, every day,” says Jason Lee, a Kress Interpretive Fellow at the art museum and one of the first people to try out the glasses. “I think a lot of people experience art in completely different ways, and that’s one of the beautiful and powerful things about it. It's exciting because I think that I'll get the opportunity to revisit some of my favorite works.”

The museum has both child and adult sizes, as well as options that can fit over prescription eyeglasses. For more information, consult the museum's accessibility page.

Portland Art Museum: Website | Instagram | X | Facebook
h/t: [The Oregonian]

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: Museum Offers Color-Blindness Glasses To Help Visually Impaired Visitors View Art in a New Way

The older generation and Gen Z may not always connect on the same level, but one elderly woman is bridging that gap by showing that you’re never too old to have fun. She recently went viral on TikTok after a dancer named Lil Mark shared a video of her spontaneously joining his crew for a dance performance in a supermarket.

Lil Mark is known online for making dance videos in public spaces like food courts, supermarkets, parks, and streets. In one of his recent videos, he and two friends were dancing to a rap song by BossMan Dlow in a supermarket, filming everything on their phones. An older woman—affectionately dubbed “grandma,” by commenters—bravely joined in, trying to follow their moves while one of the dancers playfully showed her how it’s done.

Surprisingly, the older woman kept up impressively well with the pros, and you can clearly see she's having a blast. She proves she’s still got it, and people online are loving every moment of it. As of writing, the hilarious video has racked up over 11.4 million views and nearly 26,000 comments from people cheering her on. “Instead of turning up her nose, she turned up,” M Banks wrote. “Love it. [I] give her all her props. She ain't no Karen, she’s Carol.”

“Awww she was happy to be apart of it,” TikToker Mamie&Darrylsdaughter  commented. “I just wish more ppl would enjoy life like this instead of being angry all the time and ready to call the police on ppl for enjoying their life.”

The dancing grandma got so much love online that Lil Mark decided to do a follow-up video with her. This time, she’s dancing right beside him, and it's adorable to see her keep up with his fast moves while confidently showing off her own groove. She even lets her zipped-open handbag swing from her arm, clearly having a great time without a care in the world.

Check out both videos below and find more from Lil Mark on TikTok.

@lilmark_m256 She was lit dc : @FLAWDA ♬ original sound – lilmark

Lil Mark: TikTok | YouTube
h/t: [Upworthy]

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READ: Grandma Shows Off Her Moves as She Spontaneously Joins TikTok Dancers in a Supermarket

 

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The evolution of technology has increasingly introduced accessible features. Smartphones have implemented specialized assistive technologies like voice commands, screen readers, and customizable interfaces. And improvements in smart home devices, such as voice-activated lights, help improve everyday convenience and accessibility for people with mobility and sensory impairments.

In line with this trend, Tennessee has added all-terrain wheelchairs to 10 more state parks, bringing the total number of parks with mobility assistive devices to 22. These specialized wheelchairs are designed to navigate various terrains, allowing people with disabilities to participate in outdoor activities and explore natural environments that were previously more challenging to access.

According to Tennessee State Parks, the wheelchairs were obtained from a local company called Sunrise Medical which designs and manufactures the devices. The new wheelchairs are completely free to use and are suitable for both children and adults.

Some popular parks in the state that offer all-terrain wheelchairs are Fall Creek Falls State Park, Cumberland Mountain State Park, and Radnor Lake State Park.

In addition to offering all-terrain wheelchairs, Tennessee State Parks enhance mobility by offering wheelchair-friendly paved trails and facilities such as accessible kayak and canoe launches.

National parks have also made important strides toward accessibility through various programs and services like the Access Pass. The Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass that grants U.S. citizens with disabilities entry to more than 2,000 recreation sites nationwide, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. Furthermore, national parks provide specialized recreational equipment like adaptive bicycles, similar to Tennessee State Parks' all-terrain wheelchairs.

By continuously promoting accessibility, state-protected parks open up spaces where everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy the beauty of Tennessee. Beyond improving a visitor’s experience, these measures foster inclusivity and belonging in America’s shared parks.

Tennessee State Parks now offer free, all-terrain wheelchairs in 10 parks, making them accessible in a total of 22 parks.

The parks also provide wheelchair-friendly paved trails and accessible facilities such as mobility-friendly kayak and canoe launches.

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These efforts enhance visitor experiences and promote inclusivity so that anyone can experience the beauty of Tennessee's parks.

 

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A post shared by Tennessee State Parks (@tennesseestateparks)

Tennessee State Parks: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [Scripps News]

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READ: 22 Tennessee State Parks Provide All-Terrain Wheelchairs to Enhance Accessibility for All

Photo: Shnurochek13/Depositphotos

Nearly three years ago, MrBeast and TeamSeas started an initiative to raise $30 million to remove 30 million pounds of ocean trash. A few days ago, they announced that they had surpassed their goal, having pulled 34 million pounds of trash from the sea. It's a stunning achievement that shows the best side of content creation and pulling together online communities for the greater good.

With over 300 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, MrBeast has a lot of sway, which is evident in the results. The fundraiser started in 2021, with people encouraged to donate $1 to clean up one pound of trash. But people did much more than that. Not only did they donate, but they also got out, formed teams, and started cleaning local beaches and waterways.

And, thanks to MrBeast's online popularity, other content creators got involved, with over 400,000 contributing videos related to the cause. All the effort paid off, and according to TeamSeas, a third-party source verified the outcome.

This isn't MrBeast's first foray into philanthropy. The American YouTuber, who began posting videos when he was just 13, also runs the Beast Philanthropy channel, where he's done everything from helping those with sight issues receive surgery to adopting an orphanage.

He's also worked on environmental issues before. In October 2019, he teamed up with fellow YouTuber Mark Rober for TeamTrees and vowed to raise $20 million by January 1 to plant 20 million trees. That goal was surpassed before the self-imposed limit and, as of last month, over 24 million trees have been planted.

While some are critical of MrBeast's over-the-top videos and the motivations for his fundraising, there's no doubt that he's making an impact on the planet, one click at a time. And while the original TeamSeas goal is over, people are being encouraged to donate and support Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup to keep the movement going.

International collaborative fundraising campaign TeamSeas has surpassed its original goal and cleaned up 34 million pounds of trash from the ocean.

The initiative was started in 2021 by popular American YouTuber MrBeast.

 

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A post shared by TeamSeas (@teamseas)

Over 400,00 content creators made videos to support the fundraiser, which asked for $1 to clean up one pound of trash.

Ordinary people formed teams and competed to see who could do the best cleanup.

The success of TeamSeas proves that online communities can come together for the greater good.

As of today all 34,000,000 pounds of trash from TeamSeas has been removed from the ocean and verified by a third party 😀https://t.co/SbN0HkyVlJ

— MrBeast (@MrBeast) July 16, 2024

MrBeast: YouTube | Twitter

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READ: MrBeast’s TeamSeas Initiative Pulls 34 Million Pounds of Trash From the Ocean

Photo: s_bukley/Depositphotos

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum will host the JC100 Film Festival, a celebratory gathering in honor of former President Jimmy Carter's upcoming 100th birthday. The Plaza Theatre and the Atlanta Film Society will sponsor the event and curate a selection of Carter’s favorite films, which have yet to be announced. The festival will feature four films screened inside the museum theaters during the day, with an additional screening outdoors in the Entry Garden in the evening.

The museum and the event will offer free admission to all attendees, providing an opportunity for anyone wishing to honor Jimmy Carter's legacy and celebrate his 100th birthday. In addition to the film screenings, festival attendees can enjoy various activities including access to food trucks, trivia games, crafts, and more, ensuring an engaging experience for all ages.

 

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Carter, who served as the 39th President of the United States, has led a life marked by public service, humanitarian efforts, and unwavering commitment to peace. Since he departed from the White House in 1981, Carter has remained influential through his work with The Carter Center, which he co-founded with Rosalynn. The Carter Center has become renowned for its impactful achievements in promoting democracy, advancing human rights, and global health worldwide.

In particular, Carter and his foundation led one of the most successful public health campaigns in history by reducing the incidence of Guinea worm disease by over 99.99%, nearly eradicating it. Due to Carter’s significant contributions to public health and global peace, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

 

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For over a year now, Carter has remained in hospice care in Plains, Georgia, his hometown. He has resided there since the recent passing of his wife and former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, his partner for 77 years. At the age of 99, former President Carter is not only the oldest among the six living U.S. presidents but also the longest-lived president in the history of the nation.

The JC100 Film Festival will not just be a celebration of Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, but a tribute to a life spent in dedication towards others. It offers the public a chance to unite, reflect on Carter’s significant contributions, and celebrate the continuing legacy of one of America’s most beloved presidents. This celebration precedes Carter’s actual birthday on October 1 and is scheduled to run on September 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

President Jimmy Carter's upcoming 100th birthday will be a celebratory event for all to attend for free.

 

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The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum will be hosting the JC100 Film Festival on September 28 with film screenings and activities throughout the day.

 

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A post shared by Carter Presidential Library (@carterlibrary39)

The festival will offer free admission to both the museum and the event, inviting the public to celebrate Carter's legacy and milestone birthday.

 

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A post shared by Carter Presidential Library (@carterlibrary39)

Beyond its role as a birthday celebration, the festival will honor Carter's contributions to public service, humanitarian efforts, and global peace.

 

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A post shared by Carter Presidential Library (@carterlibrary39)

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum: Website | Instagram | Twitter
h/t: [WSB-TV]

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READ: Presidential Library and Museum Will Host Film Festival To Celebrate Jimmy Carter’s 100th Birthday

 

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A man named Spencer began mowing lawns when he was just 11 years old, using his father's push mower to earn some money. That bloomed into a successful landscaping business—SB Mowing—by the time he graduated high school, and now he has a thriving social media presence. His YouTube channel features videos of him mowing deserted or overgrown homes for free and during one such adventure, something unexpected happened.

While working on a property in Texas that was up for auction after a foreclosure, Spencer found a cat lying in the yard. Appearing to have a wound, the injured animal wasn't scared off by the loud noises of the leaf blower, and even let Spencer pet and hold him. After making several calls, Spencer finally found someone willing to help and took the wounded kitty to Edgar and Ivy's Cat Sanctuary, which specializes in caring for injured and abandoned cats.

The feline had gotten into a catfight, and its injuries had become infected. Luckily, the sanctuary treated the cat and nursed him back to health. Spencer was so moved by their willingness to help and passion for what they do that he encouraged his followers to donate to a GoFundMe. When he first started the fundraiser, he set a goal of $10,000, having no idea that the sanctuary was actually on the verge of closing due to a lack of funds.

After sharing the link with his millions of followers, the $10,000 goal was met nearly instantly. In fact, as of writing, the fundraiser stands at over $190,000. This ensures that the sanctuary will have more than enough funds to purchase much-needed supplies and continue helping cats in the Corpus Christi area by expanding its facilities.

As for the cat Spencer found? The sanctuary named him SB, in honor of the mowing company. And, since he'd shown such an interest in caring for kittens, the shelter decided to keep him.

Spencer of SB Mowing has a huge online following that watches him mow overgrown and abandoned lots for free.

 

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Recently, he encountered a stray, injured cat while mowing a foreclosure in Corpus Christi, Texas.

He then started a fundraiser for the only cat sanctuary that would accept the kitty he found.

 

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A post shared by Edgar and Ivy’s Cat Sanctuary (@edgarandivy_catsanctuary)

Little did he know that the shelter was on the verge of closure and that the generous donations of his fans would allow them to keep their doors open.

 

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A post shared by Edgar and Ivy’s Cat Sanctuary (@edgarandivy_catsanctuary)

SB Mowing: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube

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Photo: Charles Russo/Standford University

Only a few short generations ago, American women were expected to end any professional aspirations once they married. For Virginia “Ginger” Hislop, now aged 105, this meant giving up a teaching career despite investing time and energy in years of training. In 1941, with most of her credits completed, Hislop moved away from Stanford University before receiving her master's degree in education. Now, after raising two children and an impressive career in education, Hislop finally got to cross the graduation stage and receive her master's hood and degree.

Hislop had little choice about cutting her degree short. Her then-boyfriend George had been called up to military service due to World War II. This prompted a quick marriage before they moved to the U.S. Army outpost at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Hislop originally wanted to be a lawyer like her father. However, he wasn't keen on women lawyers and even less so on paying law school tuition for his daughter. Teaching was the next best choice for Hislop who was inspired by her grandmother and aunt that were both teachers themselves. They instilled in Hislop that “if you’re part of the community, you help with the housekeeping. You have a responsibility to other people.”

She enrolled at Stanford in 1936 and received her bachelor's in education four years later. A year after that, she was nearly finished with her master's work, just having to submit a thesis. She never got to finish that thesis, but 83 years later, her son-in-law Doug Jensen found out the graduate program had done away with its thesis requirement. This meant Hislop had in fact finished her coursework, and all she had left to do was don a cap and gown. “My goodness,” Hislop has said, “I’ve waited a long time for this.”

Photo: Charles Russo/Standford University

Despite having only just been awarded her master's, Hislop managed to forge a career in education. It's worth noting that even if she had received her degree, many school systems wouldn't have hired her as a married woman. Not until the 1964 Civil Rights Act were these “marriage bars” that allowed for schools to not hire wives, and even fire teachers who got married after hiring, completely done away with. Gender disparities may have put a hold on her career, but they led to her becoming a powerful advocate for all students.

When her daughter Anne entered ninth grade, the Yakima school she was attending was adamant young Anne take home economics instead of her preference, an advanced English class. Her mother didn't stand for this, and ended up joining the Yakima school board. “I felt that all the kids should have an opportunity to develop their potential as best they could, and that everybody should have a crack at higher education if they wanted,” said Hislop, who remained on the school board for 13 years.

She then worked with local and state legislators to have what was a junior college under the Yakima school district, become its own entity with its own board and budget. Because of her work and the Community College Act of 1967, Yakima Valley College is no longer just 13th and 14th grades. It now awards associates, bachelor’s as well as master’s degrees. Hislop went on to serve as board member of several other education and arts-focused organizations.

“I didn’t return to teaching, but I feel I put my teaching certificate to good use serving in committees and on boards and trying to improve the educational opportunities every chance I got,” Hislop posits. While you might think her master's is a perfect bookend to her impactful career, Hislop is still very much an active member of her community. Jensen agrees, “The biggest lesson I’ve taken from her is that you never really stop learning. She’s a voracious reader, and at 105 she’s still actively moving and shaking. No moss grows under her feet.”

Judging from the uproarious applause she received from the audience at commencement, she's still continuing to inspire.

105-year-old Virginia Hislop finally received her master's degree in education from Stanford University, 83 years later than she anticipated.

h/t: [Today]

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READ: 105-Year-Old Woman Finally Gets Her Master’s Degree From Stanford

✨ At 98, WWII veteran and Poolesville resident Richard Remp received the high school diploma he forfeited to serve our country. Hand-delivered to his hospice bedside, this diploma marks a heartfelt tribute to his lifetime of bravery and service.

https://t.co/lPqfoBEbM4 pic.twitter.com/TG3bb8EuMV

— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) May 20, 2024

Maryland resident Richard Remp was 17 when he dropped out of high school to enlist in the military during World War II. After this, he remained in the Marines and went on to serve in the Korean War, and then in the Vietnam War as a decorated gunnery sergeant. But despite his distinguished military career, Remp—like so many men and women who served in World War II—never received his high school diploma. That was, until Sharon High School in Pennsylvania issued Remp, now 98, a high school diploma in May.

This feat of human kindness was made possible by Remp's family, American Legion Post 247, and Superintendent Justi Glaros. After Glaros convinced her school board to approve the diploma, she drove 4.5 hours to Remp's home in Poolesville, Maryland, to hand-deliver the diploma to the veteran.

Remp, who is currently in hospice care at his home for stage four cancer, was surrounded by his family as Glaros presented him with the long-overdue diploma, as well as a Sharon Tigers t-shirt. Even though the veteran didn't attend Sharon High School, the importance of the gesture can't be overstated. After spending years serving his country, his community has found a way to give back in a big way.

Congratulations to Remp for becoming a member of the Class of 2024. You can watch the moment he receives his diploma, as well as his heartwarming response, below.

A veteran named Richard Remp finally earned his high school diploma at the age of 98.

h/t: [Neatorama]

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READ: 98-Year-Old World War II Veteran Finally Gets His High School Diploma

2024 Goldman Prize winner Alok Shukla (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

The biodiverse Hasdeo Aranya forests are one of the largest intact forest areas in India. Spread over 657 square miles, the forest, which is popularly known as the Lungs of Chhattisgarh, provides crucial natural resources to the 15,000 Indigenous Adivasi people living there. The sprawling forest is also home to diverse wildlife including elephants and tigers, as well as thousands of unique reptiles and birds.

However, one of India's largest coal reserves is also located in the Hasdeo Aranya forest, and in a country where blackouts are common and widespread, there has been a great deal of focus on turning the forest into a mining hub. Even though the Hasdeo Aranya forests are considered a “no-go” zone by India's environmental ministry, the policy was never enacted into law and as a result, more than 21% of India's coal comes from the region.

Several years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime pushed for 21 new mines to be placed in the forest, but a local man named Alok Shukla refused to let that happen. Shukla, a 43-year-old environmental activist, grew up watching the effects of deforestation on his community. He stepped up and founded the Save Hasdeo Aranya Resistance Committee, a grassroots organization advocating for the preservation of the sweeping, lush forests in the region. The protest campaign relied on both in-person action and social media awareness, and included events such as sit-ins, tree-hugging campaigns, and advocating for couples to write #savehasdeo on their wedding invitations.

Shukla's efforts paid off as India's legislature voted unanimously that all new mining proposals in the forest should be canceled. His commitment to conservation has also earned him the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize, which “honors ordinary people who take extraordinary actions to protect our planet.” He is sharing the prize with five other winners from Brazil, the United States, South Africa, Australia, and Spain.

An environmental activist in India named Alok Shukla founded a grassroots organization to help preserve the lush forests of his country.

2024 Goldman Prize winner Alok Shukla and community members at Hasdeo Aranya (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Over the years, India has cut down forests to build coal mines, but Shukla took a stand against the environmentally harmful deforestation of places like the Hasdeo Aranya forests.

2024 Goldman Prize winner Alok Shukla at the edge of a mine (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Shukla's efforts paid off as India's legislature voted unanimously that all new mining proposals in the forest should be canceled.

Hasdeo Aranya (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

And now, he's won the Goldman Environmental Prize for his work on conserving one of the largest forests in India.

Alok Shukla at the 2024 Goldman Prize ceremony in San Francisco (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Watch Shukla's acceptance speech:

Goldman Environmental Prize: Website | YouTube

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Goldman Environmental Prize.

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READ: Environmental Activist Saves One of the Largest Forests in India From Harmful Coal Mining