Featuring black bear science education as an exhibition zone in the Hubei (Wuling Mountains) Wildlife Specimen Museum, externally promoting and popularizing species knowledge and project achievements. Nature educators organized public museum tours, conducted wildlife rescue activities, science lectures, etc., with annual public reception exceeding 35,000 person-times. By displaying spectacular black bear footage captured by the project, publishing science articles, and streaming real-time videos, visitors observed bears without disturbance. In recent years, illicit excavation, deforestation, and poaching have nearly vanished. Local residents now fully recognize the species’ importance; diverse educational approaches fostered comprehensive multidimensional understanding of Asian black bears, acknowledging them as part of the reserve community while avoiding intrusion into bear habitats.

To effectively resolve wild beasts harming farmers, the Houhe Reserve invested 244,000 yuan, purchasing 63,000 meters of fencing nets for free distribution to communities, and issued 160 sets of prevention alarms; explored installing 5,000 meters of pulse electric fences; annually acquired 50,000-100,000 yuan in wildlife damage insurance, installing real "insurance" for residents' production and livelihoods. Through alarms, fencing nets, and electric fences, effectively warned of black bear presence, blocked bears from entering community areas, alleviating human-bear conflicts.

 The Houhe NNR applied for financial support through multiple channels, and the black bear survey project secured 300,000 yuan from the "Green Mountains Public Welfare Nature Conservation Initiative" fund. Subsequently, scientific staff from the Houhe NNR selected 20 high-frequency black bear occurrence sites to deploy infrared camera traps, installing three infrared cameras at each trap point to capture individual identification markers of black bears. Simultaneously, they collected bear feces, hair, and other trace information to assist in population analysis. Using infrared camera traps, they identified and marked a portion of captured individuals, estimated the black bear population size in Houhe via mark-recapture methods, and concurrently conducted surveys through semi-structured interviews, completing a total of 193 questionnaires.

The Protected Area Management System (PAMS) by NOARKTECH is a centralized, intuitive dashboard aggregating data from edge devices. Co-designed with forest officials and community members, it delivers predictive analytics, real-time alerts, and supports evidence-based decision-making.

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI uses on-device Edge AI models and LoRaWAN communication to process data locally and transmit alerts even in low-connectivity regions. This low-power, scalable network allows instant wildfire detection, animal tracking, and real-time environmental monitoring.

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI integrates bio-acoustic microphones, air quality sensors (CO, VOC), and hyperlocal climate monitors to detect wildlife movement, forest fires, and ecological disturbances. This system enables real-time environmental intelligence for conservation, climate resilience, and human-wildlife conflict prevention.

The creation of a comprehensive, open-access DNA reference library of native plant and animal species was foundational to our solution. Recognizing that global databases lacked coverage for many Eastern Mediterranean species, we built the first Lebanese library encompassing plants, mammals, and now expanding to insects, birds, and fungi. This reference database improves the accuracy of DNA sequence matching and enables precise identification of species present in environmental samples. It also fills a critical regional data gap and facilitates ecological studies, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation planning. By publishing the library openly, we promote transparency, collaboration, and the potential for adaptation in similar biodiversity hotspots.

This building block captures the iterative research, prototyping, and testing process behind the design and performance optimization of Sparsa's compostable menstrual pads. The goal was to systematically address key challenges such as absorbency, retention, and hygiene using accessible, compostable materials and context-appropriate methods. 
 
During initial trials, the embossing of the word 'Sparsa' into the pad design caused production issues, as the added pressure led to small holes at the site of embossing. This aesthetic feature was removed in future die versions to preserve structural integrity. Material testing revealed that the non-woven cotton selected for the top layer was hydrophobic, preventing fluid from entering the absorbent core. Though soft and natural, it was unsuitable. It was replaced by viscose, a hydrophilic and compostable fiber. However, viscose caused another issue—it spread liquid too effectively toward the wings, where no absorbent material was present, leading to leakage. 
 
To address these problems, internal lab tests were developed and applied. The team created over twenty prototypes, varying in top layers, glue types, layer arrangements, and inclusion of guar gum. Some of these, like guar gum, improved total retention but introduced a gel-like texture that reduced comfort and slowed absorption. Tests showed that glue can either support or hinder fluid transfer depending on how and where it's applied—too much glue acted as a barrier and even left residues. Effective glue bonding improved layer connectivity but required careful quantity control. 
 
One critical hygiene failure revealed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. Investigation found that gloves were not mandatory in the fiber factory, especially after cooking. Human skin was the primary contamination source. The team responded by revising hygiene protocols, making gloves mandatory post-cooking in both pad and fiber factories. This step eliminated the bacterial presence in follow-up tests. 
 
To better understand bacterial presence and reduction strategies, five process variations were developed—each changing the sequence of cooking, beating, and chlorine treatment. These were labeled Sample A to E and tested for bacterial load. The results provided insight into how specific steps and moisture conditions influence microbial contamination. 
 
Leakage from the wings was another key challenge, especially with viscose layers that spread liquid outward. Since wings lacked absorbent material, the team created different prototypes to control this spread. Solutions included modifying top layers, stretching or perforating materials, using starch or wood glue in targeted zones, and bonding absorbent materials more tightly. Some prototypes featured layered configurations with transfer paper. Tests confirmed that fluid distribution and retention improved only when materials were positioned effectively—paper layers under the core performed poorly, while those bonded near the surface aided absorption. 
 
Through every iteration, the team learned to question assumptions, test every new configuration, and document repeatable results. Design improvements were not driven by one-time outcomes but by data-backed testing, careful material selection, and practical lessons from production. 
 

This building block outlines the findings and methodology of a nationwide field study conducted in 2022, which informed the Sparśa Pad Project. The research examined menstrual product usage, access, stigma, and user preferences among 820 Nepali women and adolescent girls in 14 districts across all seven provinces.

Using a structured face-to-face interview approach, the team employed ethically approved questionnaires administered by culturally rooted female research assistants. This method ensured trust, context sensitivity, and accurate data collection across diverse communities. The interviewers were trained in ethical protocols and worked in their own or nearby communities, thereby strengthening rapport and enhancing their understanding of local norms, power relations, and languages.

Key findings revealed a high reliance on disposable pads (75.7%) and ongoing use of cloth (44.4%), with product preferences strongly shaped by income, education, and geography. Respondents prioritized absorbency, softness, and size in menstrual products. While 59% were unfamiliar with the term “biodegradable,” those who understood it expressed a strong preference for compostable options, over 90%. Importantly, 73% of participants followed at least one menstrual restriction, yet 57% expressed positive feelings about them, seeing them as tradition rather than purely discriminatory.

These findings directly shaped the design of Sparśa’s compostable pads, informed the user testing protocols, and guided the development of targeted awareness campaigns. The accompanying link and PDFs include a peer-reviewed research article co-authored by the team and supervised by Universidade Fernando Pessoa (Porto, Portugal), as well as informed consent forms, a statement of confidentiality, and a research questionnaire. These documents are provided for practitioners' reference or replication purposes.

Why this is useful for others:

For Nepali organizations and local governments:

• The study provides representative national data to inform product design, pricing strategies, and outreach campaigns.
• It reveals regional, ethnic, and generational differences in attitudes that are essential for localized intervention planning.
• The questionnaire is available in Nepali and can be adapted for school surveys, municipal assessments, or NGO projects.

For international actors:

• The research demonstrates a replicable, ethical field methodology that balances qualitative insight with statistically relevant sampling.
• It offers a template for conducting culturally sensitive research in diverse, low-income settings.
• Key insights can guide similar product development, health education, and behavior change interventions globally.

Instructions for practitioners:

• Use the attached PDFs as templates for conducting your own baseline studies.
• Adapt the questions to reflect your region’s cultural and product context.
• Leverage the findings to avoid common pitfalls, such as overestimating awareness of biodegradable products or underestimating positive views on restrictions.
• Use the structure to co-design products and testing tools that truly reflect end-user needs.

Grasshopper Technologies has further identified a lack of coordination in terms of where Green Jobs are posted in South Africa. The Green Jobs Connect Platform was therefore built to help Green Graduates as well as Green SMMEs to apply for opportunities within the conservation sector in the country. The platform is made up of the 3 main components:

1. Green MSMEs looking for opportunities
2. Clients looking at appointing Green and vetted MSMEs and Graduates
3. Graduates looking for work opportunities

The platform is managed by Grasshopper and is free for all and it seek to connect the three components above.