Green Options » nature http://greenoptions.com/tag/nature Posts tagged 'nature' Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:17:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Our National Parks: America’s Best Idea http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/09/25/our-national-parks-americas-best-idea/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/09/25/our-national-parks-americas-best-idea/#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:17:28 +0000 Rhonda Winter http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/09/25/our-national-parks-americas-best-idea/ Filmmaker Ken Burns’ most recent PBS documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, is a stunning and utterly engrossing tribute not only to our country’s many awe-inspiring natural landscapes, but also to our nation’s fundamental democratic principles. Burns interviews scores of ordinary people, from park rangers and activists to journalists and historians, as they trace the origins of our greatest collectively-owned resources, and share their unique personal experiences in the vast beauty of our national parks.

“When we look at the parks and we look at the United States and we examine the whole idea of democracy, I think that the park experience is an exploration of the idea of freedom.”

-Shelton Johnson, Park Ranger

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]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/09/25/our-national-parks-americas-best-idea/feed/ Lasers from Space Show Ice Sheets Thinning — Greenland and Antarctica http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/25/lasers-from-space-show-ice-sheets-thinning-greenland-and-antarctica/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/25/lasers-from-space-show-ice-sheets-thinning-greenland-and-antarctica/#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:16:49 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/25/lasers-from-space-show-ice-sheets-thinning-greenland-and-antarctica/

This week in the journal Nature scientists give the most comprehensive view of thinning ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica to date.

Scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the University of Bristol analyzed 50 million satellite measurements (from NASA) to show the massive ice loss on these polar giants.

The result are surprising, even to the scientists.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/25/lasers-from-space-show-ice-sheets-thinning-greenland-and-antarctica/feed/ Largest River Protection Area in Europe — in Croatia and Hungary http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/18/largest-river-protection-area-in-europe-croatia-and-hungary/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/18/largest-river-protection-area-in-europe-croatia-and-hungary/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:51:08 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/18/largest-river-protection-area-in-europe-croatia-and-hungary/

Croatia and Hungary signed an agreement yesterday to protect a major biodiversity area that crosses borders along three rivers. The agreement is being called a “Trans-Boundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve” and has resulted in the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) awarding the two countries with a “Leaders for a Living Planet” award.

The reserve will preserve several endangered species, among other environmental jewels. There is also the possibility of the reserve expanding several times over into neighboring countries in the future.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/18/largest-river-protection-area-in-europe-croatia-and-hungary/feed/ Plants at Schools Result in Happy Kids http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/09/15/plants-at-schools-result-in-happy-kids/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/09/15/plants-at-schools-result-in-happy-kids/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:24:56 +0000 Julie Knapp http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/09/15/plants-at-schools-result-in-happy-kids/ Houseplant Does your child’s school have plants in the classrooms? If not, they should. Plants could make going to school more enjoyable. A recent study published in the journal HortScience found that the presence of greenery in classrooms had a significant positive impact on the level of satisfaction students felt in relation to learning, instructors’ enthusiasm and instructors’ organization.

Since many Americans spend up to 80% of the day indoors, it’s no surprise that bringing nature inside is a good thing. Previous studies have shown houseplants can help clean indoor air, reduce tension, improve coping mechanisms, boost work productivity and help increase concentration and attention.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/09/15/plants-at-schools-result-in-happy-kids/feed/ Get Outside Even After School Starts http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/09/09/get-outside-even-after-school-starts/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/09/09/get-outside-even-after-school-starts/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:38:35 +0000 Derek Markham http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/09/09/get-outside-even-after-school-starts/ Once school starts, sports and band practice begins, and vacations are over, it seems there is never enough time in the day to just get outside with our kids.

I’m a firm believer in getting lots of nature time - anything, as long as it includes plenty of fresh air, surrounded by trees and plants and dirt. The National Wildlife Federation’s campaign, “Be Out There” has a list of 10 ways to get outside, even after school starts.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/09/09/get-outside-even-after-school-starts/feed/ California Fires Not the Only Thing Hurting Communities in California http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/09/02/california-fires-not-the-only-thing-hurting-communities-in-california/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/09/02/california-fires-not-the-only-thing-hurting-communities-in-california/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:41:09 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/09/02/california-fires-not-the-only-thing-hurting-communities-in-california/
Communities of all sorts are being disturbed by the fires in California. As another result of climate change, bird communities are expected to see some big changes in other ways, according to a new report released on September 1.

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]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/09/02/california-fires-not-the-only-thing-hurting-communities-in-california/feed/ Spider Tortoise Population Ravaged by Poachers http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/28/spider-tortoise-population-ravaged-by-poachers/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/28/spider-tortoise-population-ravaged-by-poachers/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:56:21 +0000 Mariella Moon http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/28/spider-tortoise-population-ravaged-by-poachers/ Spider tortoise

The northern Madagascar spider tortoise, one of the three subspecies of Pyxis arachnoids, is currently facing a threat to their population brought about by poachers.

The spider tortoise is small compared to other tortoise species, and is characterized by the presence of web-like patterns on adult shells. The northern Madagascar spider tortoise subspecies (P. a. brygooi) can only be found in a narrow strip on the coast. Since they’re endemic and hence, can easily be caught, the subspecies is currently “extinct across 50% of its former historical range.” Senior wildlife biologist at Nautilus Ecology UK, Ryan Walker, conducted this population survey last March, and came to the conclusion that the wild population of the northern Madagascar tortoise has fallen by 90%, mostly due to massive collection for illegal pet trade.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/28/spider-tortoise-population-ravaged-by-poachers/feed/ India’s Water Problems Increasing http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/21/indias-water-problems/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/21/indias-water-problems/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:53:30 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/21/indias-water-problems/
A new study this month is showing a lot of concern for Indians, and all of us who rely on products from India.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/21/indias-water-problems/feed/ Outdoor Etiquette: “Lend a Hand. Care for the land.” http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/13/outdoor-etiquette-lend-a-hand-care-for-the-land/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/13/outdoor-etiquette-lend-a-hand-care-for-the-land/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:35:57 +0000 Leslie Quigley http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/13/outdoor-etiquette-lend-a-hand-care-for-the-land/ JUly_Recap-124 In just a few days,  I will be enjoying the great outdoors again! It’s only been 2 1/2 weeks since we’ve been back from our first trip. Were going to Mammoth and staying in a condo. Our last trip we camped for the remaining four day. Which was a bit hairy at times with a 2 yr. old and 3 mos. old but we managed. I’m so glad we did it too! It was fun to watch Tristan connect with nature. After reading Wild Animal Baby and other wildlife related books Tristan was able to put things into perspective.

During this trip we cloth diapered and had a potty trainer on our hands! The condo at Bass Lake had a washer and dryer and while camping in Yosemite we used the laundry mat at Curry Village. I only did the washing at Curry Village and let the diapers & undies air dry in the sunshine on a tree branch at our site. We were prepared to use a bucket and gloves if we did not have access to a washer! It worked out nicely though. My 2 yr. old loved being in nature and really enjoyed boat rides on the lake. He saw tons of wildlife including a BEAR! While driving back to our campsite, our first day in Yosemite, we watched a bear eating in a meadow through the car window. It was neat. Tristan also saw a “Big ole Buck” on a bike ride first thing in the morning around the campground.

It was so amazing to see nature through his eyes. He chased the squirrels to their holes and around the campsite and collected specimens to put into his bug kit. Our hike to Vernal Falls was quite a journey and I think he understood it’s significance. My husband and I consider ourselves experienced campers. We’ve done a lot of camping. Every time I walk away from a campsite, I have a new perspective on life. Unplugging for the few days and recharging your soul with Mother Nature is a must! Getting away from all the stimulus and “roughing -it” for a few days makes you appreciate the things we have in life.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/13/outdoor-etiquette-lend-a-hand-care-for-the-land/feed/ NWF’s Children’s Magazine: Wild Animal Baby http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/12/nwfs-childrens-magazine-wild-animal-baby/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/12/nwfs-childrens-magazine-wild-animal-baby/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:44:19 +0000 Leslie Quigley http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/12/nwfs-childrens-magazine-wild-animal-baby/ DSC_1643_edited

One of the gifts my son received for his 2nd birthday was a subscription to Wild Animal Baby published by the National Wildlife Federation. The magazine is printed on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper. Wild Animal Baby is a children’s magazine for the age range 12 months to 4 yrs.

Wild Animal Baby is a wonderful way to get your toddler involved in reading at an early age. The magazine encourages children to get outdoors and appreciate nature. My son loves to get the mail and often asks to check the mailbox for his monthly copy of Wild Animal Baby.

Wild Animal Baby is just the right size for toddler hands. The pictures are bright and engaging and it is filled with several interactive activities for your child. Including I spy, letter/color/shape recognition, songs with illustration motions, captivating stories, child participation and much more.

My son loves to look for Sammy Skunk! I enjoy reading Wild Animal Baby to him because it is  educational and entertaining. We burn up some good time going through the pages and doing the activities.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/12/nwfs-childrens-magazine-wild-animal-baby/feed/ “Smokey the Bear” turns 65! http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/09/smokey-the-bear-turns-65/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/09/smokey-the-bear-turns-65/#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:25:57 +0000 Leslie Quigley http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/09/smokey-the-bear-turns-65/

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The nostalgic bear that educates the public on the dangers of wildfires turns 65, today! Smokey Bear’s first public poster release was August 9, 1944. In case you don’t know, Smokey Bear is one of the most recognized symbolic images of the United States Forest Service.

According to Wikipedia, Smokey Bear is often unofficially referred to as ”Smokey the Bear” after two songwriters added the word “the” for rhythm purposes. Smokey Bear vigilantly reminded us with his popular slogan “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires”. It wasn’t until April of 2001 that his message was updated to “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” which included all unwanted, unplanned fires in natural areas.

When I think of campfires, I envision the fictional character, Smokey Bear. Growing up, there were posters of “Smokey the Bear” plastered on every classroom wall. I can even remember the commercials. A recent study proved 95% of those surveyed could finish the sentence when given the first words of his famous slogan.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/09/smokey-the-bear-turns-65/feed/ The Story of Sustainability http://sustainablog.org/2009/08/05/the-story-of-sustainability/ http://sustainablog.org/2009/08/05/the-story-of-sustainability/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:22:54 +0000 John Ivanko http://sustainablog.org/2009/08/05/the-story-of-sustainability/ We’ve all heard of The Story of Stuff. But The Story of Sustainability?

This past weekend, we had the pleasure of hosting Dennis Paige, founder of Swiftdeer-Paige, at Inn Serendipity to share a program on storytelling with our community of friends and family. Awarded the 2008 Grassroots Conservation Leadership Award from the Audubon-Chicago Region and the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project, Paige has been entertaining and teaching thousands of people about the most pressing ecological issues of our times while inspiring a more balanced relationship with the web of life through the craft of storytelling. He’s been at it since 1989.

Paige’s hour-long program was a reminder of how far we still need to go on our journey of creating a “Story of Sustainability” that most American’s can embrace, not just a few. Obviously, the present American story of never-ending growth, executive bonuses, consumer-based economy, and more jobs is not compatible with the long term sustainability of a finite planet – especially if you recognize that despite our technological know-how, two thirds of the planet’s human inhabitants still cannot drink a glass of safe water, for example.

Elements of a Great Story

According to Paige, the elements of a great story are imagination, believability and content. Our group of local friends, bed & breakfast guests and family members circled around Paige as he orchestrated various activities to help our group, who ranged in ages from 4 to 80, become better storytellers and understand this ancient art and craft of storytelling. In terms of the content, it’s all about the problem, resolution and moral of the story.

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]]> http://sustainablog.org/2009/08/05/the-story-of-sustainability/feed/ Why Are There Fewer Large Trees in Yosemite? http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/08/03/why-are-there-fewer-large-trees-in-yosemite/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/08/03/why-are-there-fewer-large-trees-in-yosemite/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:15:06 +0000 Ruedigar Matthes http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/08/03/why-are-there-fewer-large-trees-in-yosemite/

We’ve all heard the legend of Johnny Appleseed, the legendary apple tree planter of the United States. He walked across the country with his walking stick, and a bucket of seeds, just walking and planting as he went. Everywhere he went, apple trees sprouted up. And he was a hero. It is such a hero that Yosemite is looking for now.

The number of large trees is falling in Yosemite National Park, but no Johnny can be found. And the decrease is bad news for many species, including spotted owls, mosses, orchids and fishers (a carnivore related to weasels). These species, as well as others, are losing their habitat with the loss of the trees.

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]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/08/03/why-are-there-fewer-large-trees-in-yosemite/feed/ Giant Jellyfish Prepare to Invade Japan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/30/giant-jellyfish-prepare-to-invade-japan/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/30/giant-jellyfish-prepare-to-invade-japan/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:20:55 +0000 Bryan Nelson http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/30/giant-jellyfish-prepare-to-invade-japan/ Giant Jellyfish

Giant poisonous jellyfish are poised to assault Japanese waters, experts warn.

Reports of massive bloomings indicate that this season’s Nomura’s jellyfish spawn should be a big one. The good news is that there may not be a nation on Earth more psychologically prepared for the invasion of giant monsters.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/30/giant-jellyfish-prepare-to-invade-japan/feed/ Global Warming Means Shorter Lives for Cold-Blooded Animals http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/29/global-warming-means-shorter-lives-for-cold-blooded-animals/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/29/global-warming-means-shorter-lives-for-cold-blooded-animals/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:18:56 +0000 Bryan Nelson http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/29/global-warming-means-shorter-lives-for-cold-blooded-animals/ turtle

Cold-blooded animals have a lifespan which is exponentially related to the temperature of their environment, a new study finds.

That means that as temperatures increase due to global warming, cold-blooded animals around the world will begin dying younger. Given that the vast majority of animals on Earth are cold-blooded, including the likes of amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans and reptiles, global warming could have unexpected, profound impacts on the world’s ecosystems.

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]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/29/global-warming-means-shorter-lives-for-cold-blooded-animals/feed/ People Caught Stealing Meat From Endangered Lions http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/people-caught-stealing-meat-from-endangered-lions/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/people-caught-stealing-meat-from-endangered-lions/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:25:03 +0000 Bryan Nelson http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/people-caught-stealing-meat-from-endangered-lions/ Lion Kill

Hungry villagers have been caught stealing meat from the nearly extinct lions of Waza National Park.

The villagers likely scare off the lions with sticks or fire shortly after they make a fresh kill. Researchers fear the practice may be more common than previously thought, and it may help explain why lion numbers are plummeting in Cameroon.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/people-caught-stealing-meat-from-endangered-lions/feed/ Freed Dolphin Attacked by Sharks, Then Euthanized http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/29/freed-dolphin-attacked-by-sharks-hours-after-release-euthanized/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/29/freed-dolphin-attacked-by-sharks-hours-after-release-euthanized/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:24:19 +0000 Bryan Nelson http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/29/freed-dolphin-attacked-by-sharks-hours-after-release-euthanized/ Dolphins

Dunham the bottlenose dolphin was attacked by sharks and euthanized this Tuesday just 3 hours after being released from Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Experts nearby monitoring the dolphin said he was attacked by at least two different sharks, and that the wounds were life-threatening. They euthanized him immediately upon arriving at the scene.

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]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/07/29/freed-dolphin-attacked-by-sharks-hours-after-release-euthanized/feed/ Sarah Palin Farewell Speech: As Performed by William Shatner http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/28/sarah-palin-farewell-speech-as-performed-by-william-shatner/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/28/sarah-palin-farewell-speech-as-performed-by-william-shatner/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:52:30 +0000 Timothy B. Hurst http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/28/sarah-palin-farewell-speech-as-performed-by-william-shatner/ Outgoing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s farewell speech to the people of Alaska left more than a few people scratching their heads about the tone, message, and even the general point of it. I was particularly struck by the allusions to nature, the turning of the seasons, Alaskan wildlife, and the climate. And While Palin’s chain of independent clauses may have sounded a little disjointed to the untrained ear, they didn’t to William Shatner.

]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/28/sarah-palin-farewell-speech-as-performed-by-william-shatner/feed/ Bio-Mimicry Science Makes Spider Silk Stronger http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/28/bio-mimicry-science-makes-spider-silk-stronger/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/28/bio-mimicry-science-makes-spider-silk-stronger/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:29:01 +0000 Michael Ricciardi http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/28/bio-mimicry-science-makes-spider-silk-stronger/ Araneus spider

Move over Nature…the famed strength of a spider’s web silk now has some competition. Bio-mimicry and bio-materials–both emerging new sciences that seek to utilize and/or reproduce or modify natural biological materials and properties for commercial usage–has been seeing an explosion of research and experimentation of late. Recent bio-materials experiments with spider dragline silk (taken from an Araneus spider’s silk glands) have resulted in a bio-mimicked new material that is stronger than its natural version.

To make this new material, the scientists had to “infiltrate” the inner protein structure of the spider’s dragline, silk threads with a metal ion of zinc (Zn 2+). These experiments built on earlier analyses of the mandibles of leaf-cutter ants, locusts, and marine polychaetes (a type of large sea worm) that showed a strong relationship between accumulated Zinc, Aluminum and Titanium levels in these materials and their high tensile and hardness properties.  Previous attempts to incorporate such metals synthetically had proven to be too great a technological challenge.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/28/bio-mimicry-science-makes-spider-silk-stronger/feed/ Take the Time to Walk Barefoot in the Grass http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/25/take-the-time-to-walk-barefoot-in-the-grass/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/25/take-the-time-to-walk-barefoot-in-the-grass/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:11:27 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/25/take-the-time-to-walk-barefoot-in-the-grass/ Your kids may do this all the time but do you ever kick off your shoes and run barefoot through the grass?

I am very anti-shoe (yes, I am a barefoot hippie-neo-hippie actually, I am very into hygiene).

Being outside without shoes can feel to some like going about naked. There are people who never walk around outside without shoes. Gasp! Yes, I know, horrible isn’t it? How can you connect, really connect to Mother earth without feeling her beneath your bare feet?

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