Green How Tos

Native grasses reduce lawn care costs and make better lawns

Native grasses reduce lawn care costs and make better lawnsThe snow and ice are finally gone, the birds are singing, and trees are beginning to leaf out. It’s that season again – lawn care season. Consumers spent $35 billion in 2007 for lawn and garden products. So we get better lawns from it right? Not really.

In fact, most lawn care results in a vicious cycle. Adding fertilizer in the spring jumpstarts the lawn growth. But that helps the weeds as well as the grass. Adding herbicide kills weeds – which also kills beneficial broad leaf plants like clover, which fixes nitrogen. The remaining monoculture of grass has no defense to pests, so pesticides need to be added. Come the dry summer, and the lawn needs watered daily so it doesn’t wither and dry-out. You water and you fertilize and you add more chemicals and – if everything goes right and the lawn grows nice and lush – you have to mow at least once or twice a week.

Responsible fishing says good-bye to felt-soled wading boots

Responsible fishing says good-bye to felt-soled wading boots

As anglers explore new waters and interact with nature in a uniquely participatory way, they often develop a conservation sensibility. Because, in spite of high tech fishing gear such as Gore-Tex waders, graphite rods, and felt-soled wading shoes, the first prerequisite for good fishing is clean water, and that depends on a resilient, intact ecosystem. Yet – regardless of how conservation-minded they might become – anglers are unwittingly damaging ecosystems by spreading invasive species such as Didymo from watershed to watershed with felt-soled waders.

Felt-soled boots were introduced in the late 1980’s. Because felt soles gave superior traction on slippery rocks and made wading swift rivers safer, they were quickly adopted by anglers. Since felt soles stay damp a long time, however, they are also a haven to transport invasive species such as Didymo (Didymosphenia geminate).

Reusable water bottles keep money from going down the drain

Reusable water bottles keep money from going down the drainPeople in the US consume eight billion gallons of water in 50 million bottles annually, in spite of an abundance of nearly free, good tasting tap water. Instead of buying bottled water, a reusable water bottle and a little planning can go a long way to both save money and the environment.

So why do people buy bottled water? Mainly, because it is convenient. For health conscious people, grabbing a bottle of water while on the go or at a meeting is a better choice than a can of soda or a sugary fruit drink. Additionally, bottled water often does taste better than tap water. The taste of tap water can be hit or miss depending on its source and treatment, but bottled water is normally filtered and treated (at least we hope so).

The best investment you can make right now is to plant a tree

The best investment you can make right now is to plant a treeWith the recent near-apocalyptic events of earthquakes, tsunamis, and nuclear accidents, it’s easy to think that individual actions don’t matter. Instead of fretting about climate change and other world problems, there’s something you can do right now as a gift to future generations: plant a tree.

In tough economic times, some argue that – although trees are nice – spending money on planting and maintaining them is not a justified cost. Contrary to that sentiment, research on urban trees shows that they provide vital economic benefits.

Jill Jonnes’s article What Is a Tree Worth? examines the benefits that trees provide. She discusses studies done in Chicago, Sacramento, and New York City to assess the value of urban trees. According to the 2006 New York study, the half million trees in New York City provide $122 million in benefits. These include:

Heresy! The best choice for grocery bags may be plastic

Heresy! The best choice for grocery bags may be plasticOne of the more common environmental choices made every day is choosing paper or plastic or reusable bags to pack groceries. The choice usually isn’t difficult for the environmentally informed person; picking plastic grocery bags has even become anathema in some places. But a recent study suggests that, from an environmental standpoint, plastic groceries bags are actually the best option. With conflicting reports, what is an environmentally responsible person to do?

Ideas for sustainable eating that might make you turn green

Ideas for sustainable eating that might make you turn greenEnvironmental issues, such as invasive species or global warming, seem to be huge problems and to require equally huge efforts to be solved. But everyone eats, and choosing to eat more sustainably can be a simple way to both nourish the body and improve the environment. Provided, of course, that the menu doesn’t make you turn green.

Invasive species, such as lionfish or Asian carp, can wreck ecosystems and cause both environmental and economic damage. Lionfish – a native of the Indian Ocean and prized as an exotic fish – were released into the Gulf of Mexico in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew destroyed aquariums in south Florida. Lionfish are now decimating native reef fish. Asian carp were imported by catfish farmers to control algae growth in their ponds. The Mississippi floods of the in the early 1990’s allowed the carp to escape and take over the Mississippi river system. The carp are not only voracious eaters, they also are known to fly into the air and injure boaters.

From boughs to biofuels: ways to recycle Christmas trees

From boughs to biofuels: ways to recycle Christmas treesAs the magic of the 2010 holiday season fades to memory, once festively adorned Christmas trees lay naked and neglected in backyards and along roadsides. And many other Christmas trees remain unsold in vacant lots. What should be done with all these trees? With a little ingenuity and science, Christmas trees can be recycled in other uses, such as biofuels or even fish habitat.

Prince Charles asks British celebs to join his "Garden Party”

Prince Charles asks British celebs to join his "Garden Party” Prince Charles seems to be the odd man out when it comes to the royal family. He’s been overshadowed by his mother the Queen, his former wife Diana, and now his sons William and Harry. While he might not sell a lot of papers, Prince Charles is still pushing to get the word out about the environment, a cause that he’s championed since the 1980’s. His “Start” initiative will bring together celebrities and green ideas for an eco-minded “Garden Party To Make A Difference” this September.

Green parties aren't just for politicians

Green parties aren't just for politiciansAs any host knows, guests leave more than well wishes and fond memories behind. It can take a crew armed with heavy duty garbage bags and disinfectants to clean up after everyone goes homes, and the bigger the celebration, the bigger the mess. An event like the World Cup, a cause for large-scale construction projects and long-distance travel, can easily generate hundreds of tons of waste. Celebrations don't have to harm the environment, however, and a little planning and creativity can make your own party green.  

New iPhone owners, recycle your old phone for a good cause

New iPhone owners, recycle your old phone for a good cause Thousands of people got lucky yesterday and can say that they now own the hottest gadget on the planet, the new iPhone. Now that you’ve got the latest and greatest from Apple, what should you do with your old cell phone? There are a lot of worthy organizations that could use your old phone to generate needed funds or even help a child in the classroom.

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