"We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities"
-Pogo

David Brower, a highly respected environmentalist and mountain climber was named by the New York Times as the most effective conservation activist in the world. Brower views the earth as a thriving organism that can be saved and protected. His solution and challenge are known as CPR for the Earth (Conservation, Preservation, Restoration). He firmly believes that if all people take up the challenge to perform CPR on the earth; there will be hope and security for the future generations who inherit the planet.

Thus, the framework for Local Action within The 21st Century Schoolhouse is built around the concept of CPR for the Earth. Local Action projects are designed, organized and implemented by schoolhouse students within their own local communities and environments. Projects focus on some aspect of CPR for the Earth, whether it be conserving resources, preserving aspects of ecosystems or of human integrity, or restoring local environments to reach the balance of sustainability.

Students within the Schoolhouse research and identify needs within their local communities. Through participation in discussions and brainstorming sessions, plans are laid by which to conduct local action projects which reflect the needs of the community and its surrounding environment. Students work individually, in small groups, or in large teams and are empowered to contact and work with mentors in the fields of science, government, and within the local community in order to accomplish the goals of the local action projects.

A few examples of Local Action projects include:

• river/beach cleanups
• native tree and shrub planting
• using native plants to stabilize riverbanks
• removal of exotic species which choke out native species
• restoring habitats for bird, fish or animal species
• monitoring of water quality
• mapping of local habitats
• implementing recycling programs
• providing instructions to various community groups on local environmental aspects
• working with and teaching younger primary level students about local environmental issues
• preparing multimedia informational campaigns
• writing government officials