Welcome back to our weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s getting our team talking. Let us know what you think at [email protected].
That old chestnut
Once upon a time, American chestnut trees thrived across the forests of the eastern United States. It’s estimated that there were about four billion of them — until a deadly blight began to wipe them out in the late 1800s. Today, the species is considered functionally extinct, but scientists have developed a more blight-resistant hybrid: a tree that is mostly American chestnut, crossed with a bit of the disease-tolerant Chinese chestnut.
And in RTBC’s hometown, according to a Gothamist story shared by Editorial Director Rebecca Worby, the New York Restoration Project is working to get 1,000 hybrid saplings in the ground across the five boroughs. Any New Yorker with the necessary green space can volunteer to plant one.
Becca says:
I’m always rooting for the iconic American chestnut. I’ll be looking out for these blight-resistant saplings around the city.
Tech savvy
Last month, a big victory for affordable housing came about in an usual way, as Shelterforce reports in a story shared by Executive Editor Will Doig.
Will says:
Sometimes the other side helps you win: When folks in Seattle found out companies like Amazon and Microsoft were spending big to stop a bill that would give the city more affordable housing, they turned out in droves to vote for it — and won by a large margin. “Frankly, Amazon donating was a godsend for us,” said one affordable housing advocate.
What else we’re reading
🔋 The grid is weak. The bikes are electric. Rwanda is betting it’ll work anyway — shared by RTBC founder David Byrne from BBC News
🎒 NYC’s congestion toll has students spending more time at school — shared by Rebecca Worby from Courthouse News
In other news…
Reasons to be Cheerful’s annual variety show, Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things, is just over a week away, and we can’t wait!
Check out some of our favorite photos from last year’s zany and raucous event.
