Good News Friday: A new home for endangered penguins

This week, some Durham students kicked off the school year and their future careers. Also this week, a young Davidson, North Carolina resident is looking to help fund a new home for endangered penguins and Grandfather Mountain prepares to promote conservation by hosting their annual Junior Naturalist day. 

It’s already our favorite time of the week – Good News Friday!

This week, some Durham students kicked off the school year and their future careers. Also this week, a young Davidson, North Carolina resident is looking to help fund a new home for endangered penguins and Grandfather Mountain prepares to promote conservation by hosting their annual Junior Naturalist day. 

If you want every day to feel like Good News Friday, check out our previous editions here.

Healthcare education in Durham

Some Durham freshmen will be graduating from high school with more than just a diploma. 

Durham Early College of Health Sciences opened its doors on Thursday to a new class of 100 students who will gain healthcare credentials or associate degrees while in high school. Students will have the opportunity to participate in internships, job shadowing, and summer camps through the school’s partnership with Duke Health.

While DECHS is tuition-free, the cost of college courses, textbooks, and other fees are also covered for students to jump-start their career in the healthcare field.

Save the birds!

One young North Carolina bird enthusiast got serious about her love for the winged creatures this summer.

7-year-old Olivia Richardson has spent her time building bird feeders by hand using popsicle sticks to raise money for Penguin Park, a new exhibit at Sylvan Heights Bird Park. Currently home to over 2,000 waterfowl and birds, this latest exhibit at Sylvan Heights will house critically endangered African penguinsWhile the exhibit broke ground on June 7, Richardson is still collecting donations in order to include other native birds found with the penguins. According to a report from Fox8, Richardson has currently raised over $2,000.

Naturalists in nature

It’s time for young nature lovers to brave the great outdoors and learn more about the beauty surrounding one of North Carolina’s mountains.

Tomorrow marks Grandfather Mountain’s annual Junior Naturalist Day. Children ages 5-12 are invited  to learn about conservation by participating in outdoor activities including nature journaling, animal observations, and the junior hawk watch.

All the activities are included with the price of admissions and tickets can be reserved here.