Viridescence - be green!

Wetlands reduce the impacts of flooding, provided wildlife habitat, recharge groundwater, and provide areas for recreation and educational opportunities. On July 20, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that wetland reserve easement projects in seven states will receive $15 million from the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) and project partners. ($13 million from the WREP and $2 million from project partners). The funds go to high-priority watershed projects in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Over 25,000 acres of these critical watersheds will receive assistance to protect, enhance, or restore agricultural land into wetland reserves. What does this mean? Landowners register their wetland with the NRCS. The NRCS then purchases a wetland reserve easement through which the NRCS provides financial and technical support for wetland restoration. The wetland reserve easement gives permission to the NRCS to de

Even in small spaces, one can cultivate a little patch of paradise using containers to grow native, exotic, and edible plants. Not only will you get to enjoy the bounty, butterflies and bees will love the garden space you’ve create on your patio. Make a Plan! Survey the space you want to create your patio garden paradise. Do you want to build permeant raised beds or use portable containers? Do you want to build / purchase a vertical living wall planter? What type of garden do you want (i.e. edible or decorative or both)? Consider the following: Containers : Plastic, ceramic, wood? Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Plastic is lightweight and inexpensive. If using plastic, make sure to drill holes in the bottom for water drainage. Ceramic is more expensive and heavy and has a tendency to dry out quickly. Wooden container are usually heavy and therefore not easy to move. It is recommended to place saucers under the containers to catch water so as to prevent

President Lincoln described the USDA as “The People’s Department” , so as an honor to him, the USDA named the project aimed at starting and sustain community gardens “The People’s Garden”. The mission of The People’s Garden is “growing healthy food, people and communities”  (USDA, n.d) . Under this program, the USDA partners with community and school gardens, urban farms, and small-scale rural and urban agricultural project (non-private residence) to create and sustain public gardens. Why start a community garden? Community gardening increases access and consumption of fruits and vegetables. It also allows community member who lack space to grow a garden the opportunity to do so. Gardening provides an outlet for stress relief, strengthens the relationship between community members, and provides green space in urban areas that supply a natural ascetic as well as habitat for pollinators and migratory insects. Join the community and Register a Garden . Three criteria to registe

Bats are an important element of the ecosystem. They are excellent pollinators, feast on pesky mosquitoes and nocturnal insects, and provide a valuable fertilizer – bat guano. As mentioned, bats pollinate hundreds of varieties of plants, including agave, bananas and avocados and spread the seeds of cacao, figs, and nuts 1 . Nightly, bats eats thousands of nocturnal insects and mosquitoes often eating their body weight in prey. By doing so, bats help protect crops from insect pests and in doing so reduce the need for insecticide ($3.7 billion worth 2 ), which reduces air and water pollution. Bats also serve as prey for owls, falcons, and weasels 3 , to name a few. Additionally, bat guano (bat poop) is a valuable fertilizer for both agricultural practices and cave organisms. Help bats by planting a bat garden and installing a bat house. Bat gardens include flowers that open late afternoon and evening, have white, purple or green flowers, and have a musty odor 4 . Some flowers to consi

Help make the air cleaner by doing your part to reduce air pollution. Less electricity = cleaner air At home: Turn off the lights when you leave a room Use compact florescent light bulbs Use a fan instead of air conditioning Recycle plastic, paper, metal and organic materials Chose products made from recycled materials Wash laundry in cold water and hang to dry Turn off appliances when not in use Install low-flow shower fixtures Use reusable grocery bags Eliminate the use of toxic household cleaner On the road: Carpool Walk or bike when possible Use public transportation Combine errands into on trip Drive less on days with unhealthy air Maintain vehicle Maintain proper tire pressure Remove unnecessary weight from car Limit vehicle idling time Accelerate gradually and maintain the speed limit By following these simple suggests, you’ll do your part to help reduce air pollution. Source: California Air

Ecotourism connects conservation, sustainable travel, and communities. It involves responsible travel to natural environments that empowers the local communities while supporting conservation efforts and provides interpretation and education. This summer consider taking a trip to a National Park 1 or Monument, a World Heritage Site 2 , or an exotic trip to one of many ecotourism destinations around the world. If you are booking an ecotourism excursion with a professional outfitter, make sure the outfitter participates in follow the ecotourism principles as described by the International Ecotourism Society 3 . Minimize impacts to the environment and community Establishes environmental and cultural mindfulness Arranges for a positive experience for both visitor and host Delivers direct financial benefits for conservation Creates financial benefits for local people and private industry Provides memorable interpretative experiences that help raise awareness to the reg