High school playoffs, festival prep, Timber Harvest Day are last Week in Photos – Lewiston Sun Journal

Report on Recent Community Activities and Developments in Lewiston-Auburn and Surrounding Areas

Community and Cultural Initiatives

Recent events in the region highlight a strong commitment to community engagement and cultural enrichment, aligning with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• FEZtival of Trees Preparation: Preparations are underway at the Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston for the annual FEZtival of Trees. This community-centric event promotes social cohesion and local partnerships, directly supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Youth Arts Education: Students in grades 3-6 attended a performance of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” at Edward Little High School. By providing access to cultural arts, this initiative contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education), ensuring an inclusive and equitable learning environment that extends beyond the traditional classroom.

Infrastructure and Public Safety Enhancements

Significant developments in public infrastructure and emergency response underscore progress towards creating safer and more resilient communities.

1. New Fire Substation: A new fire substation has been opened on Captain Bazinet Way in Lewiston. This critical infrastructure upgrade enhances emergency response capabilities, contributing to the safety and resilience targets of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and strengthening public institutions as outlined in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
2. Hazardous Material Incident Response: A large-scale emergency response was successfully managed following a hazardous material spill in Auburn. The coordinated effort protected public health and prevented environmental contamination, reflecting the principles of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11.

Educational Outreach and Environmental Awareness

A notable educational initiative focused on sustainable resource management, providing students with practical knowledge aligned with global sustainability targets.

• Sustainable Forestry Field Trip: Third-grade students from Carrie Ricker School visited Smithfield Plantation for a demonstration on sustainable timber harvesting. This program provided valuable education on responsible resource management, directly addressing several SDGs:
  • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Imparting knowledge and skills for promoting sustainable development.
  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Illustrating the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
  • SDG 15 (Life on Land): Emphasizing the importance of sustainably managed forests.

Local Sporting Achievements

The community gathered to celebrate local athletic talent during the state football championships, promoting health and social inclusion.

• Eight-Man State Championships: Auburn hosted the state finals, which serve to promote physical activity and community pride, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and the social vibrancy of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
  1. Small School Final: Stearns secured a 20-18 victory over Old Orchard Beach.
  2. Large School Final: Camden Hills defeated Spruce Mountain with a final score of 52-26.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, through its various photo captions, touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The issues discussed, ranging from community events and public safety to education and environmental management, connect to the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is addressed through the depiction of community sports, which promote physical activity and well-being, and the emergency response to a hazardous material spill, which aims to protect public health.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: This goal is highlighted by the educational activities for students, including a school musical performance and a field trip focused on forestry and environmental science.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The mention of a new fire substation directly relates to the development of resilient community infrastructure.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This is connected to the development of public safety infrastructure (fire station), emergency response capabilities (hazmat spill), and the fostering of community and cultural life (FEZtival of Trees).
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This is relevant to the forestry field trip, which educates on the sustainable management of natural resources, and the hazardous material spill, which underscores the importance of sound chemical management.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The field trip for students to a plantation to learn about sustainable logging from the Maine Forest Service directly addresses the sustainable management of forests.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The “FEZtival of Trees” event, organized by the Kora Shrine Temple, exemplifies a civil society partnership working to strengthen the community.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities described in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The high school football championship games promote physical activity, which is a key preventative measure.
2. Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The emergency response to the hazardous material spill is a direct action to prevent illness and protect public health from chemical contamination.
3. Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The field trip on sustainable forestry for third graders is a clear example of “education for sustainable development.” The school musical also contributes to an appreciation of culture.
4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support… human well-being. The construction of a “new substation” for the fire department is an investment in resilient public safety infrastructure.
5. Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters. The new fire station enhances the community’s capacity to respond to disasters like fires, and the large emergency response to the hazmat spill is an action to mitigate the impact of a technological disaster.
6. Target 12.4: Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes. The hazardous material spill highlights a failure in this area, while the emergency response represents an effort to manage the consequences and mitigate environmental impact.
7. Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests. The educational demonstration involving Maine Forest Service foresters and the selective harvesting of marked trees illustrates the principles of sustainable forest management.
8. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The “FEZtival of Trees” hosted by the Kora Shrine Temple, a civil society organization, for the public is a direct example of such a partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article’s captions contain several implied indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For Targets 9.1 and 11.5: The existence of a “new substation” serves as a direct indicator of investment in and development of resilient public safety infrastructure.
• For Target 4.7: The organization of a “field trip for third graders” on sustainable forestry and a performance of “Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ on stage for Auburn students” are indicators of the provision of education for sustainable development and cultural appreciation.
• For Target 15.2: The involvement of “Maine Forest Service foresters” in an educational event and the description of a logger cutting “trees marked for harvest” imply the implementation and promotion of sustainable forest management practices.
• For Target 3.9 and 11.5: The report that “No injuries were reported” following the hazardous material spill is a key performance indicator for the effectiveness of the emergency response in protecting human health and well-being.
• For Target 3.4: The staging of a “state championship” football game indicates the existence of structured youth sports programs that promote physical activity.
• For Target 17.17: The “FEZtival of Trees” event itself is an indicator of community engagement and the activity of civil society partnerships.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sunjournal.com