The America the Beautiful Annual Pass, used by over a million visitors, grants entry to national parks and federal lands. The 2026 pass was legally mandated to feature a Glacier National Park

The America the Beautiful Annual Pass, used by over a million visitors, grants entry to national parks and federal lands. The 2026 pass was legally mandated to feature a Glacier National Park photograph. However, the Trump administration instead inserted the president's image, reportedly discouraging sales and potentially voiding passes if the image is covered.

A new bill, the Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act, seeks to ban images of living political figures on park passes. This aims to ensure public lands remain neutral spaces for all Americans, free from partisan politics.

U.S. residents should contact their representatives to support this act, ensuring passes feature natural beauty and wildlife, not political figures.

Lydia Jennings, a member of the Huichol (Wixaritari) and Pascua Yaqui (Yoeme) Nations, holds a doctorate in soil microbiology. Her work champions environmental science and the essential role of

Lydia Jennings, a member of the Huichol (Wixaritari) and Pascua Yaqui (Yoeme) Nations, holds a doctorate in soil microbiology. Her work champions environmental science and the essential role of Indigenous communities, striving for more inclusive academic and environmental landscapes.

When her graduation was canceled due to the pandemic, Lydia celebrated by running 50 miles to honor Indigenous scientists and knowledge keepers—a tribute to the past, present, and future. This inspiring story is captured in a film by Devin Whetstone and Jordan Marie Daniel.

Special thanks to Rising Hearts for making this film possible. Music was composed by Stephanie Nicora & Bill Reynolds, featuring vocalist Eden Fine Day, and songs by Portugal. The Man and Raye Zaragoza.

Angelina Xu, 17, founded a food recovery and composting program in 2018, addressing middle school food waste and insecurity. It collected unopened food for school food banks and sent cafeteria

Angelina Xu, 17, founded a food recovery and composting program in 2018, addressing middle school food waste and insecurity. It collected unopened food for school food banks and sent cafeteria waste for composting. By 2021, her program became Compostology, a youth-led nonprofit now involving 35,000 participants managing 24 K-12 school programs across Maryland.

Compostology received a World Wildlife Fund grant in 2021. In 2023, a student campaign spearheaded by Compostology passed SB 124, allocating $1.25 million for K-12 schools to implement their own programs. Compostology is now rolling out this grant program, ensuring accessibility for all schools.

Fritjof Capra: Patterns of Connection

Join us for a virtual conversation with Fritjof Capra to discuss the evolution of his thought. In the late 1950s Capra read the work of Werner

Fritjof Capra: Patterns of Connection

Join us for a virtual conversation with Fritjof Capra to discuss the evolution of his thought. In the late 1950s Capra read the work of Werner Heisenberg, a founder of quantum mechanics, and quickly intuited connections between the discoveries of quantum physics and the traditions of Eastern philosophy. The result was his bestselling book, The Tao of Physics. His synthesis, which dispensed with the mechanistic worldview of Descartes and Newton in favor of a systemic, ecological one, has provided him with a different perspective on the life sciences, ecology and environmental policy.

Six decades later, Fritjof Capra remains at the crossroads of physics, spirituality, environmentalism and systems theory. Organized thematically and chronologically, the essays in Patterns of Connection document his revolutionary and far-reaching intellectual journey.

Founded in 1903, The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum.

Inspired by a 2004 Wall Street Journal article on the E-Waste crisis, Alex launched Project WIN '05 with his Westerly Innovations Network team. This initiative achieved significant local impact,

Inspired by a 2004 Wall Street Journal article on the E-Waste crisis, Alex launched Project WIN '05 with his Westerly Innovations Network team. This initiative achieved significant local impact, collecting 21,000 pounds of E-Waste and establishing a permanent town receptacle that has gathered over 60,000 pounds. Project WIN '05 also helped enact local and statewide E-Waste dumping bans.

Alex further integrated computer refurbishing into his school's curriculum, restoring and distributing 260 computers to students locally and in Sri Lanka and Mexico. His recent work includes building an Internet café in Cameroon, developing a UN Environment Program pilot for international youth, and launching a "Bridging Divides" program with U.S. businesses and schools.

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