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A TOUCH OF NATURE
November 15, 2002 Issue
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DONNA'S COMMENTS
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Sometimes I get an email from somebody reminding me that the environment is more for people than animals and plants. That we have to think of people first and not place animals above people. I certainly agree! And not too many years ago I didn't see the correlation between the two, but knowledge is certainly enlightening.

When it comes to rain forest destruction for the grazing of cattle for cheap beef for the fast food industry, it's about people more than animals and habitat. The water supplies are being destroyed and indigenous communities that live by the resources of the rain forests are being wiped out. Target Earth is an organization that works for the poor through working for the environment. They are building community centers in these areas that have been destroyed to train these people in other ways to survive. [Target Earth]

Thousands of children in these undeveloped countries are dying from polluted water. The pollution of the water is killing mostly children because of their lowered immune system development. I worked for the EPA for a short period of time transcribing documents on water testing and it's absolutely astounding to me that they make decisions based on a percentage of deaths in various water supplies - even in the US. But then, there's been enough news reports and even movies made on those issues, so information is very available.

There are $6 billion people that live on less than $1 a day in our world and many of them are losing lives due to environmental issues.....so it's not an animal issue - it is a people issue. People do come first! I believe the earth we know was provided for man's enjoyment and as an expression of God's creativity. We need to be good stewards of it so that it will help people to survive.

Have a thankful time on Thanksgiving!
Donna

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ABOUT CRITTERS
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WILDERNESS MANNERS

Respecting the wild places of the earth is important when we visit them. It insures that we leave it in the same condition for others to follow our visit and for the wildlife that live there. Minimizing your impact on the land can make a big difference and this site will give you the details. Even for those who think they know enough about this subject - you'll find something you didn't know in this article.

WOODCHUCKS

When I see woodchucks basking in the sun, foraging contentedly for wildflowers or surveying the landscapes over which they preside, sometimes I think they possess a certain wisdom about how to enjoy life.

The growth of our farms and neighborhoods has created more woodland edges, the woodchuck's preferred habitat, and they find great quantities of delicious food in our fields and gardens. No wonder they generally live in harmony beside us.

Well, almost. Their burrows under our decks and outbuildings have not endeared the woodchuck to some, and their eating habitsÖdining on our flowers, fruits, and vegetablesÖhave inspired harsh retaliation from farmers and gardeners. Read more on woodchucks.

If you've already got woodchuck problems, here's an article that may give
you some solutions

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SAVING WHAT'S LEFT
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"Can anyone believe that it is possible to lay down such a barrage of
poisons on the surface of the earth without making it unfit for all life?"
Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

Each year, up to 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides are used in the U.S. - eight (8) pounds for every man, woman and child!

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10 TIPS TO HELP SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES

1. Find out more about local endangered and threatened species and their habitat.

2. Visit and support wildlife refuges and nature centers.

3. Join a conservation group.

4. Avoid buying wildlife products. Check the law, especially when traveling overseas. Many animal products are sold in other countries and are illegal to bring into the United States. 5. Report violations of wildlife laws to the police or game warden.

6. Recycle and do not litter. Not only should you recycle unwanted items, but you should buy products made from recycle material. Close the loop! Buy Recycled Material!

7. Avoid using unnecessary lawn chemicals and dispose of all household and automotive chemicals properly.

8. Avoid buying exotic pets.Each year millions of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals die because they are removed from their natural habitat and are sold as pets.Not only does the removal effect the animals, but it can upset the delicate balance of the habitat. Exotic animal that are introduced into a new habitat (by accident or on purpose) can have a devastating effect on local wildlife.

9. Become a volunteer. The best way to save endangered species is to get involved.

10. Learn more about Endangered Species at www.extinctionmemorial.org

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GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE- Restoring the Balance
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RAIN GARDENS

Most places rely on rainfall to replenish the local water supply. Unfortunately, due to air pollution and urban sprawl, a large portion of the rain that reaches our waterways and wildlife habitats is polluted. It is all too common to see water running down rooftops, into driveways, down streets and into storm drains rather than soaking into the ground. Along the way, this water picks up motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides and other harmful chemicals. However, there are things you can do to improve the water quality in your backyard and community. One easy and effective project is to create a "rain garden" so rainfall can be routed to an area where it will be naturally filtered. In addition to filtering the water, rain gardens also control the volume of water flowing into our waterways and recharge ground waters. More Info

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"GREEN" INFO- Making It a Way of Life!
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10 TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS & GIFT GIVING - Just In Time for the Holidays!

1. Give a gift that gives twice. Purchase your gift from an environmental organization or nature center. You get a equality gift and the purchase price goes to help support that organization's environmental efforts. Consider giving a membership as a gift, most memberships last a year and offer many extra benefits that can be used or receive throughout the year.

2. Use reusable gift packaging: metal tins, gift boxes & bags or make your own packaging from something you might throw away. Be creative and "Reuse"!

3. Save the wrapping paper and cardboard boxes for reuse. Press out crinkles with a warm iron. Flatten cardboard boxes for storage and reuse in the future. Be sure to recycle the paper and boxes you do not save.

4. Plan your shopping trip. To save fuel and reduce air pollution, car pool with friends and family to shopping areas. Try one stop shopping. Shop in areas were you can walk to many stores and businesses to get your gifts and decoration supplies. Reframe from return trip shopping by making a list of people you are buying for and the gift you are interested in getting before you go shopping for the first time.

5. Avoid using foam plastic packaging, newspaper make great packing material or ask for biodegradable packing material. If you receive a gift with plastic foam packing, collect all those pellets and take them to a packaging or special mailing center for reuse. Or save and store them for future reuse. Don't trash them.

6. Save your Christmas cards, ribbons and bows for use next year in package decorations or other projects.

7. Give extra food and clothing to homeless shelter or food pantry.

8. Use an artificial Christmas tree instead of a "Cut" tree. If have a cut Christmas tree compost it. Check to see if your city or county does this. If they don't, you can compost it in your own back yard. Pine needles make great mulch. Don't let the tree go to waste in a landfill

9. A gift for the second time.... Don't throw away old items when you get something new. Donate your old items to environmental or other non-profit organizations.

10. Use a "Living" or "Rooted" Christmas Tree. After the holiday is over the tree can be planted in your yard or donated to city park departments, nature centers and zoos. A small "Living" Christmas Tree can be used for many years until it get to large to move in and out of the house.

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MUSINGS: POETRY & PROSE
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"Even if I were certain that the world would
end tomorrow, I would plant a tree this very day."
-- Martin Luther King, Jr

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GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR PLANET
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CANADA ROLLS OUT WELCOME MAT FOR BIRDS

Canada will be welcoming migratory birds by dedicating more than $8 million to buy, restore and manage 185,000 acres of prairies, wetlands, aspen parklands, cypress uplands and mixed forests spread across eight provinces. Half of the money, $4.1 million, is a matching grant from the North American Wetland Conservation Act, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Nature Conservancy is contributing the other half. An additional $1.85 million for the project is coming from the Independent Nature Conservancy of Canada and othe Canadian partners. Hundreds of species of water and land birds - including red-shouldered hawks, bald eagles, loggerhead shrikes, prothonotary warblers, red-headed woodpeckers, yellow rails, least bitterns and Henslow's sparrows - will benefit from the nationwide effort.

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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.

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