A TOUCH OF NATURE
February 1, 2002 Issue

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DONNA'S COMMENTS
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I've been wanting to get some training at a program that National Wildlife Federation does. It's never been close enough for me to attend, but I thought I'd share it with you since you may be close to an area they are teaching.

The "Habitat Stewards Program" teaches you about backyard habitat and then allows you to help others to learn. There are 24 hours of training and then you can volunteer your time in your community to help others build backyard habitats (or school yard habitats). It's free training and you give so many hours back as "payment." If this sounds as interesting to you as it does to me, get more information.

Since Valentine's Day will be over before I "see" you again, I'm wishing each of our subscribers a LOVE-FILLED day on the 14th. Plan for it now. Think about who you can show love to for Valentine's Day - make your list and begin to make some homemade cards (maybe for nursing home residents or prison inmates). It's fun to spread love around, so get busy during the next two weeks and make life special for some people around you --- and you
know, you never give love out that it doesn't come back around to you.

Hugs!
Donna

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CRITTER FACTS
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AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

Writing of the St. Johns River in Florida during the late 1770's naturalist William Bartram noted that "alligators are in such incredible numbers and so close together from shore to shore that it would have been easy to have walked across on their heads had the animals been harmless."

In 1967, the alligator was listed as an endangered species, meaning it was considered in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but a combined effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies in the South saved these unique animals. In 1987, the American alligator was removed from the list of endangered species. The story of the American alligator is one of drastic decline and complete recovery, an example of state, federal, and private cooperation, and truly one of the prominent success stories of the nation's endangered species program. They are now classified as a threatened species because of their similarity in appearance to the American Crocodile, an endangered species.

The range of the American alligator includes all of the land along the bank of the Gulf of Mexico. The American alligator is the largest reptile in North America, reaching 19 feet from head to tail. The young are black or dark gray with bright yellow stripes. As they age, they lose the yellow, leaving only a black or dark gray coloring. They can live as long as 50 years. They will eat almost any prey that comes within range. They will also eat the carcass of an animal if given the chance. Alligators will eat any time, but only if the temperature of the water is above 70 degrees F.

The eggs and young are most vulnerable with raccoons, large fish and birds being the biggest predators. Some dominant male alligators will also kill the babies. Young alligators eat mostly insects and small fish. A female alligator will lay 20-50 eggs in a nest made of rotting vegetation and mud covering the eggs with more vegetation until the size can be 3 feet high by 6 feet wide. She will remain near the nest to protect her unborn children. When the eggs hatch in about 65 days, the mother opens the nest and carries the babies to water. The young will stay near the mother for up to 3 years.

Here's a site with some photos. Be patient while it loads.

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CHARACTER QUALITIES IN NATURE
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JOYFULNESS: Black-Capped Chickadee

As winter approaches, many animals retreat to underground chambers and dens and birds fly south. However, even on the coldest of mornings, you will hear the soft, chattering noise of the Black-Capped Chickadee. Appearing to be unconcerned about the cold, they sing cheerful songs to one another, even when snow is falling. The move about in a confident search for dormant insects hidden in the crevices of tree bark and visit feeders with glee.

In the bleak times of winter when songbirds appear to be so absent, the chickadee is a welcome visitor to our yards and to watch them will add joy even to our own hearts. They encourage us as we see that even outward conditions cannot discourage their spirit and song. One naturalist referred to the chickadee as the "bird of the merry heart."

Source: Character Sketches, Vol. II

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GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE- Restoring the Balance
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TRANSFORMING A LAWN FOR WILDLIFE

Lawns fill the American landscape. They are where we play, relax, and enjoy a personal piece of nature. But there's a price tag on the traditional carpet of grass. Lawns reduce the habitat available to wildlife. Their upkeep requires constant watering (30 to 60 percent of U.S. urban water soaks lawns) and the use of herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides (each year U.S. lawns are dosed with 67 million pounds of synthetic pesticides). A gas-powered lawn mower pollutes as much in one hour as does a car in 350 miles of driving.

During this time indoors for the winter, consider redesigning all or a part of your own lawn to benefit wildlife, environment, and your pocketbook. Read more

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"GREEN" INFO- Making It a Way of Life!
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AIR QUALITY

We have all enjoyed the beauty and shade provided by trees, but did you know they improve the air we breathe? A single tree can absorb 650 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Trees also combat ground ozone levels by reducing air temperatures through shading and evapotranspiration, cooling the air surrounding them. Lower air temperatures lead to lower levels of ozone formation which is temperature dependent.

Lower temperatures reduce the need for air conditioning which leads to less pollution from production of energy and less reliance on energy resources. Evergreen trees can also provide relief from cold winter winds if strategically placed. Consult the local agricultural extension office for advice on best selection and placement

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REDUCE, REUSE, THEN RECYCLE
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RECYCLE OIL to SAVE MILLIONS

According to the EPA, 1 gallon of used oil can contaminate 1,000,000 gallons of fresh water!

If you change your own oil, you can be sure to dispose of it properly by contacting the American Petroleum Institute (API), who compiles a state-by-state list of Used Motor Oil Hotlines, as each state has different recycling laws: 202-682-8000 or visit online.

Almost all service stations, repair facilities and oil change centers will accept used oil and oil filters.

Source: Co-op America's REAL MONEY newsletter (Oct. 2001)
Authors: Nate Albee and Josh Sadlier
(800) 58-GREEN

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CREATION IN THE BIBLE
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Psalm 104:19-24

He appointed the moon for seasons: The sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night, Wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God. The sun ariseth, they get them away, And lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labor until the evening. O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches.

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MUSINGS: POETRY & PROSE
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"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings,
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their freshness into you, and the storms their energy,
while cares will drop off like falling leaves."

John Muir

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GOOD NEWS ABOUT CRITTERS
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ALLIGATOR ON THE LAWN

The Wildlife Center of Virginia cares for many reptiles every year, however, alligators are not on the normal list of expected species. Patient #01-2763 was a young male confiscated by the VA Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries.

The alligator had been captured in Hilton Head, South Carolina and transported to Virginia in the back seat of a car. A vacationer had found the animal on the island and decided to keep it as a pet. After returning home, he housed the alligator in his back yard, unaware that it is illegal to keep an alligator and that they are escape artists. A surprised, and somewhat frightened, neighbor summoned the police when she found the creature on her lawn.

Wildlife Center staff determined the alligator was healthy and ready for release into the wild. The problem was getting the animal back to South Carolina. Luckily the mother of one of the employees was heading south. The necessary permits were obtained and the animal prepared for travel to meet Dept. of Natural Resources personnel at the South Carolina border for transfer of the animal into their custody. Other than having a bit of car sickness, the gator arrived safe and sound and was released back home into the wild.

More information about The Wildlife Center of VA.

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The content, suggestions, and web links in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and not necessarily endorsed our sponsor "The Herbs Place.com" This is a personal publication by Donna Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna Watkins or "The Herbs Place.com" be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.