I’ve been telling my husband ” leave the leaves” for years. He now shreds the leaves on the lawn with a lawnmower and adds as many as possible to the compost. Most of our yard is wooded so it is great just to let them decompose where they fall and return the nutrients to the…
Healthy Environment
Alaskan Brown Bears Frolic In Waterfall
by News
Katmai National Park, Alaska Brooks falls Bears are undeniably one of nature’s most majestic animals. It was fortunate that one of the wildlife cameras in Katmai National Park and Preserve, directed at Brooks Falls, was able to catch such a glimpse into the daily lives of the native Brown Bears. Katmai National Park and Preserve…
Prevent Lyme Disease; Get an Opossum (part 1)
by Sean Smith
Superbloom in California Deserts
by Helen Brophy
Record drought in California yielded to heavy rains during the winter of 2016-2017. The result is a huge wildflower bloom. This is the first in 12 years and it is taking place in California’s usually arid deserts including Death Valley National park. The past winter has been the second wettest in California since 1895, this…
France Bans Plastic Eating Utensils, Cups And Plates.
by Helen Brophy
France has become the the first country in the world to ban plastic eating utensils, cups and plates. The ban will go into effect in 2020. According to French President Hollande the ban is part of an effort to become exemplary as a nation in the reduction of greenhouse gases. Environmental progress is a main…
The Environmental Movement’s Greatest Success Story: Ozone Layer Begins to Heal
by News
“This is a very positive story,” said Dr. David Fahey, Director of the Chemical Sciences Division at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory, and a co-chair of the Scientific Assessment Panel of the Montreal Protocol. “The whole world has participated in the control of ozone-depleting substances. All the behind the…
President Obama Signs New Toxic Chemical Rules Into Law
by Helen Brophy
President Obama signed a new toxic chemical law which is the first major overhaul in 40 years. This is a great step towards cancer prevention and protection of our health and environment. It has been too long in coming. Congress spent more than three years working on the bill, which rewrites the 1976 Toxic…
Prevent Lyme Disease; Get an Opossum (part 2)
by News
If you missed the beginning portion of this article, Check out part one in our Healthy Environment section. As I explained in the previous article, while you might not readily be able to get an opossum, do not chase them away if you are lucky enough to have one show up. Opossums are hugely beneficial. As…
Lightweight solar platforms stay steady on ocean waves : TreeHugger
by Helen Brophy
Floating solar platforms are would minimize environmental impact and should be a big boost to solar energy use. Heliofloat concept. These floating solar platforms meant for any body of water including the ocean, are lightweight and flexible enough to bob with the waves while remaining steady on the surface, even in rough weather. Source: Lightweight…
Freshen your home with peppermint
by Helen Brophy
Using a homemade, natural peppermint room spray can bring a fresh, lively holiday scent to your home. I spritz some in my entry halI to greet my guests. I use the spray around all my sofas and cushioned chairs. Hold the spray about two feet away from your stuffed furniture and spritz gently. Do not…