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A TOUCH OF NATURE
April 15, 2002 Issue
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DONNA'S COMMENTS
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Since we visited rain forest while we were in Singapore, my heart goes out to all that depends on them. That includes man. We are losing so many plants that may have cures in them for the life-threatening diseases of our day. Maybe you'd like to know a little bit more about rain forests, so I'll put some facts in the next few issues.

RAIN FOREST FACTS: DID YOU KNOW?
What the requirements are for a forest to be classified as a "tropical rain forest"? It must:

1) lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn

2) receive 100-400 inches of rainfall throughout the year

3) remain warm and frost-free all year (between 70 and 85F) with very little daily fluctuation.

Brazil contains one-third of the world's remaining rain forests. The toucan's large, colorful beak is hollow so that it remains lightweight enough to fly.

An epiphyte is a plant that grows on another plant, depending on it only for physical support, instead of in the soil. Examples of epiphytes include the orchid, bromeliad, and fern. Almost 65% of Central America has been deforested to create pasture land for grazing cattle that are exported as meat. Learn more about rain forests!

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CRITTER FACTS
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TEN TIPS FOR ATTRACTING PURPLE MARTINS
1. Find suitable habitat - open and semi open areas

2. Select optimal location - 30-100 feet away from human dwellings unobstructed by trees/shrubs within 40-60 feet

3. Paint white - they attract more

4. Keep other species out - use starling-resistant entrance holes

5. Once established, keep holes closed until Martins arrive - if they bred at your site the year before, they are likely to return

6. At new sites, open houses when adults begin arriving if you don't have starling-resistant holes - keep them plugged until 4 weeks after adults arrive in order to attract subadults to new colonies

7. Discourage predators - remove vines, brushes, shrubs and wires that extend near the housing

8. Build housing to specifications - 7x12 floor (min. 6x6), entrance hole 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 wide and placed at 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 above the floor.

9. Play a recording of martins' dawnsong to entice investigating martins

10. Mount your martin house on poles that can be raised or lowered easily - you will want to evict competitors and conduct weekly nest checks. Purple Martins are very tolerant of humans and will not abandon the next after these disturbances. Get more info.

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CHARACTER QUALITIES IN NATURE
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OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY - Grizzly Bear

The grizzly mother is in almost constant communication with her cubs during their training period. Their independent spirit and highly inquisitive nose can lead them into serious trouble unless she exercises resolute protection.. For all misdemeanors, the cubs are soundly spanked and sent bawling ahead of the mother.

Grizzly cubs are born without a natural fear of its enemies. The mother must teach it that there are very real dangers to be avoided. Enemies which it must learn to avoid are the wolf, the puma, and most of all, man. The mother has the ability to swiftly sense danger, and she takes special care to teach her young what to do when it approaches.

In spite of her watchfulness, they often receive the natural consequences of their premature independence with a stinging, unpleasant spray of a striped skunk. Too much curiosity could kill a cub if it explores or tries to eat a porcupine without realizing the deadly effect of its quills. Since the quills are constructed with many little barbs similar to those on fish hooks, it is almost impossible for the bear to remove them. Each unsuccessful attempt to pull the quills out only drives them deeper into the flesh. The encounter could be fatal.

Source: Character Sketches, Vol. I, Institute in Basic Life Principles

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GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE- Restoring the Balance
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BUTTERFLY GARDENS

Butterflies bring not only color and movement to your garden, they pollinate your flowers as well, and their larval stages provide food for birds. Some butterfly garden choices are: Lavender, thyme, cosmos, nicotiana, purple coneflower, allysum, lychnis, daisies, garden phlox, butterfly bush, sweet rocket, tagetes marigold, and stinging nettles.

Butterflies need water also, so keep a mud puddle or wet spot available. Learn more!

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"GREEN" INFO- Making It a Way of Life!
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CRUELTY-FREE PRODUCTS

Are you looking for products not tested on animals? Do you work for a company that doesn't test on animals? Get your free shopping guide to animal friendly stuff here, or find out how your company can join the more than 200 companies in the shopping guide.

DON'T LIGHT AREAS NEEDLESSLY

Turn off the lights when they're not being used. Much electric is wasted with lights on in rooms not being used. You can also use a lower watt bulb in areas like hallways where you simply need enough light to pass through. Learn an appreciation for darkness, or at least, for less light. Some of God's greatest gifts are evident only in darkness that is increasingly rare.. Many urban children have never seen stars. We need to learn the pleasures of candelight, firelight and starlight

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REDUCE, REUSE, THEN RECYCLE
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SODAS WITH RECYCLED CARBON DIOXIDE

Ever wonder where they find all that fizzy water to make soft drinks? Most soda is made by mixing syrup with water and injecting the mixture with carbon dioxide. Now, two companies in Canada have found a way to deliver the fizz while reducing environmental damage. The Shell Chemicals plant in Scotford, Alberta, makes monoethylene glycol, and ingredient in antifreeze - and generates 65,000 to 70,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Instead of releasing the gas into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming, Shell will deliver it to Air Liquide, a company that supplies soft drink makers. Shell's carbon dioxide arrives with many impurities, including water, hydrocarbons (such as methane, ethane, and ethylene) and dust. Air Liquide cleans the gas by cooling it so the water condenses, heating it to 450 degrees C to eliminate the hydrocarbons, and running it through filters to strain out the particles. After which, it's ready for your sarsaparilla..

Diane Lanigan in Popular Science - March 2002

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CREATION IN THE BIBLE
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Psalm 104:16-18
The trees of Jehovah are filled [with moisture], The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: As for the stork, the fir-trees are her house. The high mountains are for the wild goats; The rocks are a refuge for the conies

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MUSINGS: POETRY & PROSE
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"Nature never did betray the heart that loved her."
öWilliam Wordsworth

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GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR PLANET
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GREENING LOS ANGELES

When children in L.A.'s Chinatown want to play soccer or tag, their parents have to drive them miles away from home. But that is beginning to change, with help from Environmental Defense. Read more about Greener Cities.

FOR WILD ANIMALS

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports (4/11) that the town of Encinatas, California, has joined the growing list of communities that have banned or severely restricted exotic animal acts within city limits. The Encinitas City Council voted 3-2 to support an ordinance that would prohibit all parades and performances featuring non-domestic animals such as monkeys, alligators and elephants.

The ordinance is welcome news to animal advocates who have for years been expressing concern over the mistreatment of wild, exotic animals, whom many feel are abused to compel them into performing unnatural "tricks" for the amusement of human spectators. Read the Union-Tribune article.

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DISCLAIMER:
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.