Goodable

While everyone else is talking about the shooter at Uvalde, Texas, we’re doing something different at Goodable. We want to talk about two heroes: Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles. They were the two teachers that died protecting their students in the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 19 children at Robb Elementary School.<img src="https://scontent.fyto1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/284341945_580509236772642_763590570466120365_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=730e14&amp;_nc_ohc=UMVRvSt0XiMAX-fCaMu&amp;_nc_ht=scontent.fyto1-2.fna&amp;oh=00_AT9kq2f9PGPHqAK5spDzBwvIrviFugbuaBes1o6Cp-8PGw&amp;oe=6294912D">
Irma Garcia



<img src="https://www.ucisd.net/cms/lib/TX50000017/Centricity/Domain/1359/Irma%20Garcia%20DTOY.png">



Irma Garcia had been teaching for 23 years, all of them at Robb Elementary. She was married to her husband for 24 years, and together they had four children – the youngest of which was in seventh grade. She loved cruises and barbecues with her family, and was described by the school community as a teacher who loved her students. 



In 2019, Irma was a finalist for the Trinity University prize in education, which honors excellence in education. In her nomination, Irma was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/20015082725/posts/pfbid0AKYPQ2Xogg5xQrk6XUqo3Xuae7nLc2969UanYpGJpw5t1S6xT5kEJHNDADrG3hTAl/?d=n" target="_blank">praised</a> for helping struggling students “excel academically with a renewed vision of education.”



When the gunman opened fire in her school, she physically shielded her students from the bullets. Irma gave her life to protect others, and died a hero.



In a <a href="https://twitter.com/fuhknjo/status/1529298462570946560?s=20&amp;t=Kfz_04Tqia3tr7knj7n1Fg" target="_blank">post on Twitter</a>, her nephew said she was “loved by many and will truly be missed.”



Eva Mireles



<img src="https://www.ucisd.net/cms/lib/TX50000017/Centricity/Domain/1365/Mireles.jpg">



Eva Mireles was a teacher who taught language and special education. She was a teacher of 17 years, and was described by parents as a “<a href="https://twitter.com/audreymg0928/status/1529249176390860801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1529249176390860801%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marca.com%2Fen%2Flifestyle%2Fus-news%2F2022%2F05%2F25%2F628daeda46163f6a138b4618.html" target="_blank">beautiful person &amp; dedicated teacher</a>” who went “above and beyond for her students.” In an <a href="https://www.today.com/news/news/cousin-of-teacher-eva-mireles-killed-texas-school-shooting-speaks-out-rcna30437?cid=sm_npd_td_fb_ma&amp;fbclid=IwAR3A4ZIX1GcHe2Qwm-yuz5ohJWpqOIgtioiw-wb2A6Q5pt81OmGJEnFAPK0" target="_blank">interview</a> with The Today Show, Eva’s cousin described her as “absolutely vivacious” and said “it breaks my heart. Her cooking was amazing, her laughter was contagious, and she is going to be missed.”



Eva loved the outdoors — she wrote about her love of hiking, running, and riding her bike. She was a wife and a mother, and died trying to protect her students.



Eva’s daughter, Adalynn, posted a tribute to her mother, describing her as the “half that makes her whole”. Adalynn mentioned that her favorite memories of her mother from karaoke and cooking, and her mother’s beautiful laugh.
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTm45nvWYAEiyDy?format=jpg&amp;name=large">
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTm45nwWYAAqnVK?format=jpg&amp;name=large">




In a world full of names, remember these ones. Two teachers who didn’t hesitate to protect their students in the face of danger, and lost their lives protecting others. Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles were heroes. 



A fundraiser has been set up for the families of the victims and can be found <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/mtdrdc-texas-elementary-school-shooting-victims-fund" target="_blank">here</a>.

A Tribute to The Hero Teachers of Uvalde

GoodGoodGood

Atlanta just hit a major milestone in its fight against homelessness and rising rents — and it started with a 1960s motel.

In the city’s Reynoldstown neighborhood, an aging two-story motel has been transformed into The Ralph David House, a 56-unit affordable housing complex now home to residents who were previously unhoused. It’s the first adaptive reuse development along the Atlanta Beltline, the city’s 22-mile multi-use trail and transit corridor that’s becoming a hub for more than just joggers and cyclists.

“Once an aging 1960s era [motel] is now a driving community for our city’s most vulnerable residents that need it the most,” said Mayor Andre Dickens at the project’s opening. “We delivered affordable housing faster and more efficiently, proving that creative solutions can drive real results.”

The project is part of a broader push to create more than 5,000 affordable homes by 2030. As of now, the city is already 69% of the way to meeting that goal. The new development is specifically reserved for those making 30% or less of the area’s median income, with priority given to those who were recently unhoused. Rent, including utilities, is capped at 30% of each tenant’s income. The site also includes an on-site social worker's office for ongoing support.

To bring the project to life, the Atlanta Beltline invested $500,000 toward the renovation, with additional funding from the Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund, City of Atlanta HOME funds, Partners for HOME’s HomeFirst program, and Housing Choice Vouchers from Atlanta Housing.

“This is the first time the Atlanta Beltline has invested in this kind of project,” said Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of the Beltline. “We saw this as a catalytic opportunity to continue guiding equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development in Atlanta, which has many historically disinvested neighborhoods.”

The development is named after Ralph David Abernathy, the civil rights leader and close friend of Martin Luther King Jr., tying the project to a legacy of justice and equality. That legacy continues today — the building now offers safe, stable housing to a group of residents that will largely be made up of low-income BIPOC individuals.

The project comes at a time when Atlanta, like many cities across the U.S., is facing a severe housing shortage. Between 2018 and 2023, the Atlanta metro area lost more than 200,000 affordable housing units, leaving thousands of low-income renters struggling to find homes.

But with projects like The Ralph David House and continued investment in Beltline-adjacent housing, the city is showing how creativity and commitment can turn overlooked spaces into opportunity — and offer a lifeline to those who need it most.

Historic Motel Transforms Into Vibrant Affordable Housing Named After Civil Rights Icon

Good News Network

A fisherman from the UK is turning the tide on plastic pollution with a kitchen-born invention that’s now attracting backing from global giants like Mercedes Benz and L’Oréal.

Ian Falconer, a longtime skipper, was fed up with the sight of discarded nylon fishing nets piling up on harbors across southwest England. Most nets, he said, are replaced every six months and then either tossed in the sea, burned, or buried in landfills. The result: a mountain of plastic waste and serious harm to marine wildlife.

So he decided to do something about it.

After experimenting in his kitchen with old nets given to him by the harbor master in Newlyn, Falconer developed a method to turn discarded nylon fishing nets into raw plastic pellets. His startup, 0rCA, now uses patented recycling technology to process up to 1 metric ton of netting per day.

The resulting pellets can be used just like virgin plastic — for injection molding, 3D printing, or even to make products like lampshades and razor handles. It’s an approach that’s gaining serious attention. Falconer has already raised more than $1.35 million in investment from companies including Phillips and L’Oréal.

“The beauty of it is that it all fits in a shipping container and pretty much anyone can operate it,” Falconer told The Guardian. “So you could have one of these at every harbor around the world, converting a costly and hazardous waste into a profitable raw material.”

And that’s exactly what 0rCA is now offering: a plug-and-play recycling micro-factory, shipped in a single container and priced at $500,000. The idea is to bring the solution directly to the ports where the waste is generated — and stop it before it reaches the ocean.

Globally, the scale of the problem is enormous. Falconer estimates that about one million tons of fishing nets are wasted every year. While nylon is a strong and effective fishing material, it doesn’t stay invisible forever. After several months in the sea, the fibers develop a layer of algae and lose their original blue tint. That cloudiness makes the nets more visible to fish, which means a drop in catch rates — and a reason for skippers to discard them.

In most cases, those nets aren’t recycled. In fact, only a small fraction of nylon fishing nets in the UK ever are. That’s what Falconer wants to change, not just in Cornwall, but at fishing harbors worldwide.

By transforming something harmful into something valuable, he’s proving that even waste can be a resource, if you have the right tools.

This Innovation Is Transforming Discarded Fishing Nets Into 3D Printer Filament

People

At Smithills Open Farm in Bolton, England, one little rabbit is proving that fitting in doesn’t require being born the same as everyone else — sometimes, it just takes a bit of yarn and heart.

Van Gogh, a gray rabbit born without ears, stood out in his litter not just for his missing appendages, but for the special attention he’s since received. One of the farmers at Smithills — who also runs a crocheted scrunchie business — decided to craft him a custom pair of soft, pink-and-gray ears to help him feel more included with his siblings.

“Knowing one of our farmers crochets on the side, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to make Van Gogh feel more included with his siblings,” said Caitlyn, a spokesperson for the farm, in an interview with SWNS.

The farm shared a video on TikTok showing the moment Van Gogh tried on his new ears. The clip begins with the bunny nestled among his siblings — all shades of cream and gray — before cutting to the star of the show wearing his fluffy crocheted ears, tied gently with a bow under his chin. With his new accessory, Van Gogh confidently hopped around, his handmade ears flopping in time.

Born about four months ago, Van Gogh’s condition is still a bit of a mystery. “He was born earless, but we don’t really know why,” said Caitlyn. “Luckily, it hasn’t affected his hearing, so it’s a purely aesthetic issue.”

And while the ears are just for fun — and only worn briefly under farmer supervision — they’ve made a lasting impression.

Smithills Open Farm is home to a variety of animals including donkeys, pigs, cows, llamas, and more. But lately, it’s Van Gogh and his one-of-a-kind look who’s stealing hearts — proving that sometimes, a small gesture can go a long way in helping someone feel like they belong.

Rabbit Born Without Ears Receives Crocheted Pair to Blend In with Family

At Silver Crest Elementary in Herriman, Utah, every child gets a lunch tray — but not every family can afford to pay for it. One-third of the students carry lunch debt.

That problem is far from isolated. Nationwide, student lunch debt has surged to nearly $200 million per year, according to the Education Data Initiative. In Utah alone, the total is approaching $4 million. As the numbers rise, everyday citizens in the state are stepping up to help — one check, one TikTok video at a time.

DJ Bracken, a single father, didn’t expect to launch a statewide effort. It started with one school.

“I thought that number seemed insane. I didn’t think it was real,” he said, after learning a nearby school was more than $800 in debt for student meals.

“When I offered to pay it, it was sort of a surprisingly mundane interaction for how impactful it ended up being,” he said. “They’re like, yeah, you can write a check and walk in and pay off the entire debt. And that’s exactly what I did.”

Bracken used his own money to cover the debt. Then he started the Utah Lunch Debt Relief Foundation, which has now helped erase the lunch debt of more than 30 schools through donations — including the one his daughter attends.

Special education teacher Kati Jo Christensen is tackling the problem in a very different way: she dances. Posting videos on TikTok, Christensen has racked up nearly 2 million likes, drawing attention and donations. So far, she’s raised around $30,000, all of which she’s donated to wipe out student lunch debt.

“I wanted to do something positive,” she said. “So I just decided to try to reach out on TikTok, and it just kind of morphed into me dancing on TikTok.”

While her online moves spark laughs, her message is deeply serious.

“It’s hard. It’s really hard, because these kids don’t understand,” she said. “They deserve to be thought of, they deserve to be loved and they deserve to be fed. That’s just a basic human right.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. federal government temporarily made school meals free for all students — a policy that ended in 2022. Since then, only nine states have continued with permanent free meal programs: California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont.

Bracken believes it’s time for Utah — and the nation — to rethink its priorities.

“Where are my taxes going if not to feeding kids?” he said. “And I think that resonates with citizens across the country — where are they going?”

He’s now advocating for systemic change, pushing lawmakers in Utah to expand access to free school meals statewide.

“Right now in our country, there are few problems that we can agree on,” Bracken said. “And I think nutrition and education obviously go hand in hand.”

While the long-term fix may lie with legislation, for now, people like Bracken and Christensen are filling the gaps — one act of kindness, one dance, and one donation at a time.

Utah Residents Rally To Erase School Lunch Debt, Inspiring Nationwide Change

The Guardian

Thousands of men with advanced prostate cancer in England will now have access to a new treatment that could cut their risk of death nearly in half — and with fewer side effects.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of darolutamide, also known by its brand name Nubeqa, for men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The drug, taken as two tablets twice daily, blocks hormones that fuel cancer growth and will now be available on the NHS.

The decision means at least 6,000 men a year will be offered the drug, which NICE says is just as effective as other current combination treatments but with fewer adverse effects.

“I’m pleased we can recommend this new combination treatment, which provides another much-needed option for people with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer,” said Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE. “We are determined to ensure that effective treatments such as darolutamide, which can help extend the length and quality of people’s lives, are made available fast to the people who need them.”

The treatment is delivered alongside androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which reduces testosterone levels. While ADT alone has long been a standard option, adding darolutamide to the mix has shown dramatic benefits.

Clinical trials found the combination reduced the risk of death by 46% compared to ADT alone, without increasing side effects compared to other drug combinations already available on the NHS.

The charity Prostate Cancer UK welcomed the approval, calling it a “gentler” alternative that could be especially helpful for older men or those who aren’t suited to existing therapies.

“Darolutamide is an important new treatment that gives thousands of men with incurable prostate cancer another effective option that could halve their risk of death,” said Amy Rylance, assistant director of health improvement at the charity. “While it’s just as effective as existing drugs, it has fewer side-effects. Our hope is that this will make it easier for more men to benefit.”

Still, Rylance warned that access could remain uneven. A recent national prostate cancer audit found that fewer than half (47%) of men with advanced prostate cancer were receiving the latest recommended treatments.

“It’s great that new drugs like this are being approved, but this is only the first step,” she said. “The government must ensure the new national cancer plan includes steps to make sure the right treatments reach the men who need them.”

Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, also praised the approval, noting it gives doctors and patients greater flexibility in choosing the treatment that fits best.

“This decision provides another welcome treatment option for patients living with an advanced and aggressive form of prostate cancer,” he said.

Darolutamide is made by Bayer and is part of a broader push by health officials and charities to offer more personalised, better-tolerated treatments for people with late-stage cancer.

England Offers New Prostate Cancer Drug That Halves Death Risk To Thousands

Science Alert

A new clinical trial has found that two existing drugs — a diabetes medication and an insulin nasal spray — may safely slow or improve early signs of Alzheimer’s disease by targeting key metabolic and brain health functions, without causing harmful side effects.

The trial, conducted in the US and published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, tested the safety of empagliflozin, a drug typically used to treat diabetes and heart conditions, and a nasal spray that delivers insulin directly to the brain. While the trial was small and not designed to test effectiveness, researchers say the early findings are encouraging.

“For the first time, we found that empagliflozin, an established diabetes and heart medication, reduced markers of brain injury while restoring blood flow in critical brain regions,” said Suzanne Craft, a neuroscientist at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and lead investigator of the trial.

“We also confirmed that delivering insulin directly to the brain with a newly validated device enhances cognition, neurovascular health, and immune function,” she added.

The trial involved 47 adults between 55 and 85 years old, 42 of whom completed the full four-week course. Participants were either diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, mild dementia, or showed early molecular signs of Alzheimer’s despite being cognitively healthy.

Each participant received one of four treatments: empagliflozin alone, the insulin spray on its own, both drugs together, or a placebo. Though the study was too small to detect statistically significant changes between the groups, researchers observed promising trends.

Empagliflozin, which helps the body process glucose and sodium, was shown to reduce levels of tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid — a protein known to form harmful clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. The drug also appeared to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and positively impact cholesterol and other Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers.

Meanwhile, the insulin nasal spray — designed to bypass the bloodstream and deliver insulin straight to the brain — was linked to improvements in memory and thinking. Brain scans showed better white matter connectivity and increased blood flow in regions linked to memory.

“Our study suggests that targeting metabolism can change the course of Alzheimer’s disease,” Craft said. “Together, these findings highlight metabolism as a powerful new frontier in Alzheimer’s treatment.”

The idea is to shift focus from treating symptoms in later stages to addressing the biological processes that go awry earlier in the disease — particularly how the brain uses energy and handles inflammation.

“Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are incredibly complex,” Craft noted. “Multiple treatment approaches are likely needed to better manage them.”

Though it’s early days, the trial’s success in showing the safety of these treatments opens the door to larger, longer-term studies. Craft and her team are already planning next steps, aiming to test these treatments on a broader scale in people with early or preclinical Alzheimer’s.

“We believe these treatments could offer real therapeutic potential, either on their own or in combination with other Alzheimer’s therapies,” she said.

New Diabetes Medication And Insulin Spray Show Promise In Tackling Early Alzheimer's Symptoms

BBC News

Caroline Palmer’s first thought after hearing she had cancer wasn’t about herself — it was about her 10-year-old son.

“I can't die, I need to be here for my 10-year-old son, so we've got to sort this out,” she said.

The 50-year-old teacher from Coalville, Leicestershire, was diagnosed in 2023 with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), a rare and aggressive blood cancer that affects the brain and spinal cord. She’d initially dismissed her symptoms — headaches, fatigue, and strange flashing lights — as signs of perimenopause.

But an MRI scan revealed a lesion on her brain, and a biopsy at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham confirmed it was cancer. “When I was diagnosed, I was really scared because I thought I was going to die,” she said. “My first thought was for my son, who was just 10. We'd waited a long time to become parents, and I just thought ‘I can’t die, I need to be here for him.’”

According to Cancer Research UK, between 30 to 50 percent of patients offered the standard treatment for PCNSL do not survive. But Caroline’s story took a turn when she was offered a place in a clinical trial called OptiMATe, which combines chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and a stem cell transplant.

“It was a complete lifeline,” she said.

Backed by £1 million in funding from Stand Up To Cancer, the OptiMATe trial was created by researchers in Southampton and Nottingham. Caroline became the first person in the UK to join it. With about 330 patients globally, it’s one of the largest trials ever conducted for this rare form of cancer.

Professor Chris Fox, a consultant haematologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the chief investigator for the trial, said PCNSL is “a really challenging disease” with high risks of serious side effects.

“Often when people are given their first treatment, they are very frail,” he said. “With OptiMATe, we hope that by giving less intensive treatment initially and shortening the first phase of treatment, we can reduce the side effects and get more people to the stem cell transplant.”

He added that “it can be difficult to believe that giving less treatment could actually lead to better outcomes,” but that the goal was to find safer ways to deliver effective therapy and improve the odds of long-term remission.

Caroline was transferred to the haematology unit at Nottingham City Hospital and began preparing for the trial. Before she started treatment, she was given one night at home to tell her son.

“I needed to tell my son before he heard it from anyone else,” she said. “I treated him to a McDonalds, and gently explained that I had something that was very hard to get rid of and that it could only be treated in hospital. I told him I wouldn't be able to see him for a while.”

That “while” turned into 40 days of separation to protect her from infection during her first round of treatment.

The first cycle of the OptiMATe treatment showed promising results — scans revealed the tumour had already shrunk significantly. After two more rounds, Caroline underwent surgery to prepare for a stem cell transplant.

“It was a tough three weeks in hospital and I was sick a lot, but by the third week I began to feel slightly better so that I could go home,” she said.

Recovery from July to December was gruelling. Caroline was sick daily and lost a significant amount of weight. But she took each day as it came. “When I finally heard the words that I was in remission, the difficult days no longer mattered,” she said. “I knew the treatment was going to be hard and it was, but it was worth it because I'm here today.”

Today, she’s in remission, driving again, and gradually returning to work. She’s also helping to care for her brother, who has early-onset dementia.

“Now, thanks to the people who fundraise for Stand Up To Cancer, I’m here today watching my son grow up,” she said.

Caroline is currently taking part in the charity’s “Sweat Every Day in November” challenge, determined to give back after what she calls a second chance at life.

A Breakthrough Trial Just Helped This Mother Overcome Aggressive Blood Cancer

A dog was rescued from a storm drain by New Jersey police after he slipped off his collar and fell down into the sewer whilst on a walk, recently released bodyworn footage showed.

Wall Township Police Department said patrol officers Jerry Baker, Dan Grothues, Josh Wheeler, and Lieutenant Eric Jennings found Sandy scared and stuck below ground with her owner just as distraught.

The officers improvised quickly and used a lockout tool to carefully reach down and hook Sandy’s collar, pulling her to safety.

Sandy can be seen being pulled from the drain in the footage and safely reunited with her very grateful owner. Police said Sandy suffered no injuries during the rescue.

A dog was rescued from a storm drain by New Jersey police after he slipped off his collar and fell down into the sewer whilst on a walk, recently released bodyworn footage showed.Wall Township Police Department said patrol officers Jerry Baker, Dan Grothues, Josh Wheeler, and Lieutenant Eric Jennings found Sandy scared and stuck below ground with her owner just as distraught.The officers improvised quickly and used a lockout tool to carefully reach down and hook Sandy’s collar, pulling her to safety.Sandy can be seen being pulled from the drain in the footage and safely reunited with her very grateful owner. Police said Sandy suffered no injuries during the rescue.

This Dog Was Just Rescued From a Storm Drain After Slipping From Her Collar

Fox News

One day, Earth’s closest neighbor could be dotted with glowing cities made of glass — and not just any glass, but strong, self-healing structures made from the Moon itself.

NASA has teamed up with California-based startup Skyeports to explore how lunar dust, or regolith, could be transformed into massive transparent glass spheres — future habitats for astronauts living and working on the Moon.

The idea sounds like science fiction, but it’s rooted in emerging technology. Skyeports has developed a method to heat regolith in a microwave furnace, causing it to melt and expand like a soap bubble. Once cooled, it forms a durable, transparent glass shell strong enough to withstand the harsh conditions of space.

According to Dr. Martin Bermudez, CEO of Skyeports, current prototypes are just a few inches wide, but the goal is to eventually create habitats up to 1,640 feet across — enough space for entire lunar communities. These cities could be connected by see-through glass bridges, forming glowing outposts under the Moon’s pale light.

Built with Moon dust, powered by the Sun

What makes this vision different is that the entire structure would be built on the Moon, using only local materials. No need for expensive shipments from Earth. Even the pipes used to blow the molten glass could serve as entryways, and 3D printers inside the spheres would fabricate furniture and equipment using other lunar resources.

The structures are also designed to be self-sustaining ecosystems. Built-in solar panels would power each dome, while internal systems would support plant growth, creating a closed-loop supply of oxygen, food, and water. The glass could even self-heal minor cracks from micrometeorites or moonquakes.

The spherical design isn’t just aesthetic — it’s functional. It distributes internal pressure evenly, adding strength. When mixed with minerals like titanium, magnesium, and calcium, the resulting glass could be stronger than steel.

Testing on Earth, then in space

The project is part of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, which supports bold, long-term ideas that could transform space exploration. With NASA’s Artemis program preparing to send astronauts back to the Moon, building safe, durable habitats is a top priority.

The next steps involve testing Skyeports' glassblowing technique in a thermal vacuum chamber and aboard parabolic flights that simulate microgravity. If successful, trials could move to the International Space Station, and eventually, the Moon itself within the next few years.

A model for building back on Earth

While the primary goal is building sustainable lunar homes, the technology could have big implications here on Earth, too. These techniques could lead to eco-friendly construction using local materials, offering an alternative to carbon-intensive building methods.

“Humanity is learning how to move from exploring space to actually living there,” said Bermudez. “And what we learn up there may change how we build down here.”

Whether or not people will one day live in glowing glass cities on the Moon remains to be seen. But thanks to projects like this, it’s starting to look a lot less like science fiction — and more like the next big leap.

NASA is Exploring Glass Cities on the Moon — Made from Lunar Dust

ABC News

On a quiet stretch of private beach in Lagos, cheers erupted as three rescued sea turtles slowly crawled back into the Atlantic. For conservationists and students watching from the shore, it was more than a heartwarming moment — it was a small victory for wildlife protection in Nigeria.

The turtles, released last weekend, had spent weeks recovering at a sanctuary run by the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative. All three had been rescued from fishermen’s nets, part of an ongoing effort to save endangered marine animals from a coastline where awareness remains low and threats are high.

“For fishermen, they are just food,” said Chinedu Mogbo, founder of the Greenfingers group. “There is no knowledge out there of wildlife.”

Sea turtles are considered endangered along the Nigerian coast, where fishing activity, coastal development, and habitat loss have driven their numbers down. There are no clear population figures for Lagos waters, but conservationists like Mogbo say they’ve seen a significant drop in the number of nesting turtles arriving onshore to lay eggs.

Still, the work is making a dent — slowly. Mogbo said his team has released dozens of turtles in recent years. Some of them have even come back into contact with the group again, after being recaptured by fishermen who now know to call for help.

“We have released sea turtles then found them captured again after six months, and our attention was drawn to them by fishermen," he said. "That, to me, is a positive turn.”

The Greenfingers group has found that offering small incentives helps shift attitudes. Fishermen who report turtle sightings or nests, or who alert the group when they catch one by accident, are rewarded with fishing gear in return.

It’s a practical approach in a country where wildlife protection is often outpaced by day-to-day survival needs. Nigeria is home to 23 critically endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It’s also a hotspot for illegal wildlife trafficking — driven, experts say, by population pressures, poverty, and a lack of education about biodiversity.

“Nigeria’s endangered wildlife faces an acutely critical and ongoing threat, teetering on the brink of irreversible biodiversity collapse,” said Mark Ofua, West Africa representative for Wild Africa.

That urgency wasn’t lost on the group of students who witnessed the release.

“It is very special to me because I’m very passionate about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation,” said Aviel Izedonmi, one of the students at the beach. “Seeing something like this in Nigeria, where it is uncommon, just shows me how important these things are.”

As the three sea turtles vanished beneath the waves, the moment marked more than a return to the wild. For Mogbo and his team, it was another reminder that progress — however slow — is still possible when people are given the tools and trust to help protect what’s left.

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