Partnership with CEMEX
The CEMEX - BirdLife International Global Conservation Partnership Programme 2007-2017
BirdLife and CEMEX share a common vision of achieving environmentally sustainable development and both recognise the business case for integrating biodiversity conservation into daily operations. CEMEX publically recognise their commitment to be a responsible steward of the land and to conduct activities in a sustainable manner. To this end, BirdLife and CEMEX began a global partnership in 2007. The partnership demonstrates that corporates and NGOs with compatible aims and interests can generate significant gains, for both business and biodiversity, by working together.
Biodiversity Scoping Study
Following the signing of the global partnership agreement, CEMEX pioneered a strategic plan to prioritise action for biodiversity in the countries hosting CEMEX sites, resulting in the launch of the CEMEX-BirdLife Biodiversity Scoping Study in 2010.
The Scoping Study built on efforts already undertaken by CEMEX, in particular:
- CEMEX’s vast El Carmen wilderness reserve which it manages as part of a transboundary conservation area between Mexico and the US (a global ‘hotspot’ for biodiversity)
- as well site-based efforts to restore sites, working proactively with stakeholders to protect and enhance biodiversity
- the renowned conservation book series
Biodiversity Action Plans
Next, CEMEX and BirdLIfe developed and in 2011 launched the corporate Biodiversity Action Plan guidance (BAP) - a major milestone for the partnership. The guidance is designed to help CEMEX operations develop Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) for their operations- regardless of location, proximity to areas with high biodiversity value or experience in biodiversity management.
It is a systematic approach that guides sites through the process of evaluating the necessity of biodiversity actions and, for those sites where BAPs are already in place, to identify if all recommended elements of a BAP are being covered.
The BAP guidance approach is flexible and addresses individual needs of particular sites. The aim of a BAP is at minimum to achieve no net loss of biodiversity and, at best, to achieve a lasting and overall positive impact on biodiversity, compared to the state prior to when operations began. Download the Biodiversity Action Plan guidance (BAP)
Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Pilot Projects
The primary focus of the Global Programme is to support CEMEX national operations and BirdLife Partners develop and advance these BAPs at one pilot site in each global CEMEX region. There are six pilot sites, five of which are underpinned by national strategic partnerships. The intention is that these pilots will have a ‘pebble in the pool’ effect: influencing the initiation of new BAPs and best practice at other priority sites in each CEMEX global region. They also serve to progress a collaboration between CEMEX in-country and a BirdLife national Partner organisation, establishing a working partnership that can identify relevant conservation issues, engage with the stakeholder community and develop a plan of action that will prioritise and address such issues.
Why are CEMEX and BirdLife International working together?
The underlying rationale of the partnership is to strengthen each organisation's ability to achieve sustainable development with special reference to biodiversity conservation. The Programme’s activities are underpinned by the shared programme objectives.
For a detailed example of a Biodiversity Action Plan, check out the case study about the Soto Pajares in Spain.
Click here for all CEMEX -related news via


Keokuk Hosts Bald Eagle Appreciation Days
A few thousand people will flock to Keokuk this weekend to observe bald eagles in their natural habitat.
Tom Buckley with Lee County Conservation is the organizer of the 31st annual Bald Eagle Appreciation Days. The events are free and run Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
He said binoculars will be available and spotting scopes will be set up at the Victory Park and by the Southside Boating Club to watch the birds down on the Mississippi River.
“With the weather temperatures being as cold as they are they are pretty well congregated there,” Buckley said. “And the temperatures through the weekend are supposed to be much more favorable for us human beings so it’ll be a good chance to get out and see the eagles.”
Several other events are scheduled to be held in River City Mall throughout the weekend.
Buckley said there will be a presentation of other birds of prey at the movie theater every hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. He said the birds will fly over the audience and pick up items.
He said there will also be a series of seminars at the mall focusing on invasive plants, butterflies, and goats.
Iowa State University Insect Zoo will also have a display with hands-on activities.
“It will be interesting to people, sometimes a little creepy. But they’re actually fun to see and learn a little about those,” Buckley said.


Estonia: Environment tax hikes suggested
In Estonia, the in-depth analysis of the environment taxes finds that environmental taxes should be raised over 2016-2020. The analysis, led by the Green Party's Valdur Lahtvee, advises to impose a car tax, hike the fuel excise, impose a mandatory excise duty on packaging, among other. The analysis, commissioned by the State Chancellery, should serve as the basis for the Government to outline the tax policy for the next years. The biggest impact is expected from imposing the national Co2 tax on electricity production, rising to EUR 20/tonne by 2020 on condition the price of carbon credits used in the EU emissions trading, remains below EUR 10/tonne. The imposing of the high tax would push the production cost of electricity at Narva power plants to surpass the current cost by EUR 30/MWh. The high price level would make the Narva power plants non-competitive. The analysis likewise advises to tax farmers, imposing a tax in the use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides. The analysis also advises to tax the production of waste fuels, and impose a waste tax on
households. At present households pay only for waste collection.
Original content in Estonian


JUNE 2021 (Tualatin, OR) – This month, Oregon Business magazine named its 2021 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon, recognizing employers with best-in-class sustainable workplace practices. Hartmann&Forbes, appearing on the list for its ninth consecutive year and continuing to rise up the ranks, came in at #6 jumping from #21 in 2020 and #32 in 2019.
Hartmann&Forbes, maker of luxurious natural windowcoverings, wallcoverings and textiles, continues to work diligently to reframe the context of responsible design by making products in ways that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. Passionately committed to drive change within the industry, the company continues to lead the industry and brainstorm ways they can reach the next level of sustainability.
“We believe business can be a powerful platform for change, so we are honored to be recognized as a top company in the state for all of our efforts,” explains Michael Jones, Hartmann&Forbes Founder. “In spite of one of the most unusual years of our lives, we are committed to continuing to build a conscious business to drive improvements within the design industry, offering a more sustainable future for the generations that follow.”
Handwoven and crafted with natural fibers including ramie, water hyacinth, and abaca fibers, each Hartmann&Forbes product begins with the careful examination and selection of premium natural fibers. By cultivating unique natural fibers from well-managed ecosystems and weaving near the source, they ensure authentic craftsmanship that leaves a smaller environmental footprint. The company crafts its products using natural materials and techniques that have low or no levels of VOC’s, minimizing the impact products have on indoor air quality. Additionally, each of Hartmann&Forbes natural products are designed and crafted using components that can be recycled, recrafted, or composted at the end of its lifecycle.
The company started Project Green in 2005, a company-wide collaborative effort that empowers the entire staff to suggest and participate in ways to improve its sustainable workplace efforts. Project green has led to numerous initiatives including the use of Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper, corporate recycling, a renewable energy program, carbon neutral deliveries, the use of recyclable shipping products and more.
Celebrating its 13th year and based on Oregon Business’ widely recognized 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon ranking, the 100 Best Green Workplaces come from a variety of industries, including manufacturing, professional and business services, construction, and the nonprofit sector.


Regardless of if you were born with a green thumb or not, indoor plants are easier to care for than you think. Some thrive being left alone in low light conditions and can withstand long periods of neglect. While outdoor plants have to constantly be cared for, monitoring changes in temperature, weather, and insect invasions, indoor plants have adapted to their predictable life inside, and hardly require any attention at all.
Adding a few pops of greenery to your home can really liven up a space. Don’t know what to do with an awkward corner of a room? Add a plant. Want to break up a crowded shelf? Add a plant. There’s an indoor plant for just about every surface or square inch of your home, and you’ll be amazed at how a live plant can be the perfect finishing touch to any space. Not only do indoor plants look great, but studies show they can also improve your mood and reduce both physiological and psychological stress. Working with plants has also been found to be therapeutic, increasing feelings of well-being among people with depression, anxiety, dementia, and other mental illnesses.
Best Air Purifying PlantMoney Tree Bloomscape Read More
Great Low Maintenance PlantButton Fern The Sill Read More
Most Resilient PlantZZ Plant Bloomscape Read More
Great for Well-Lit RoomsPonytail Palm Bonsai Costa Farms Read More
Great for GiftingMini Preserved Living Wall The Sill Read More
Before you pull the trigger on the indoor plant that catches your eye, it’s important to do your research. Carefully consider your space and the amount of direct or indirect sunlight it gets on a daily basis and look for a plant that thrives in that environment. For those who don’t get much sunlight in your home, there are plenty of indoor plants that prefer these shadier conditions. Pet owners need to take caution in keeping indoor house plants, as some plants can be poisonous when ingested by curious critters.
There's an indoor plant for just about every space, no matter how big or small. If your home could use some greenery, take a look at some of our favorite indoor plants below.
Read more: How to Keep Houseplants Alive
What To Look For In An Indoor Plant
Indoor plants in general tend to be very low maintenance, but there are some that require a bit more time and attention. Before purchasing your next indoor plant, make sure to look over the care instructions and make sure you have adequate resources and time to dedicate to the plant. Consider how well the label says the plant will thrive in your space in terms of light and maintenance. You don't to buy a plant because you love how it looks and then have nowhere to put it. If you're new to indoor plants, we recommend you start small and graduate up to bigger plants as you grow more comfortable and confident in indoor gardening.
And if a plant dies on you, as it often happens, don't worry. Take note of the signs leading up to its death (leaf color, soil level, pests, etc.) and do some research to determine what happened so you can prevent it with the next plant.
How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's home editors and writers on the best furniture brands. Experts, including our Deputy Editor Christian Gollayan and Gear Editor John Thompson, put indoor plants to the test and evaluated for their resiliency, value, and ease of care. We also considered top-reviewed indoor plants that had high customer ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.


The application of preservative wood will be limited, which is mainly related to the use of preservatives. Inhibition of bacterial growth is one of the basic characteristics of preservative wood, which is achieved by the toxicity of preservatives. The toxic substances of the antiseptic wood factory are only aimed at the bacteria or some pests in the wood to ensure the normal use of the wood.
In the wood industry, there are generally three standards to measure the toxic concentration of anticorrosive wood. What are these three standards? Next, what is the significance of Shandong anticorrosive wood manufacturer to take you to understand:
1. Lethal concentration refers to the complete killing of fungi.
2. Stopping concentration refers to stopping the growth of fungi or making AI become a disease or a dead Ai. At this time, the concentration of preservative is called stopping concentration of preservative AI.
3. The death limit is between the stopping concentration and the death concentration, which can stop the growth of Artemisia annua and kill Artemisia annua.
We can choose the right board according to different environment, for example, the wood with high concentration in outdoor environment and the wood with low concentration in indoor environment. There is a preservative that is not always effective, but it also needs us to pay attention to the use and maintenance in our daily life, so as to better play its role.


Du soleil aux volcans
No upcoming broadcast (for now).
From the sun to the volcanoes
The sun and the volcanoes are two primitive forces that accompanied the planet's birth. Two forces essential to the origin of all life on Earth. Tanzania, Galápagos, Arctic, Sahara... Whatever the environment, the power of the volcanoes and the sun condition the way all things live.
Directed by: Huw Cordey, Nick Shoolingin-Jordan (United Kingdom/France, 2020)
Narrated by: François Morel.


Authorities are apologising after contaminated tap water left dozens of Darfield residents stricken with diarrhoea and vomiting.
The Selwyn District Council will review its systems after more than 125 Darfield residents were struck down by gastroenteritis after drinking contaminated water.
The announcement comes after Canterbury District Health Board medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey said the council needed to ''wake up to its responsibility'' and address its recurring water issues.
Humphrey said more than one barrier had failed, resulting in the ''serious outbreak''.
''Intensified farming now means that a lot of water is contaminated with animal faeces, especially the Waimakariri after heavy rains. Secondly, the chlorination of this heavily contaminated water fell short of levels required to make it safe.''
He said the importance of protecting water from source to tap was ''sometimes lost in political imperatives''. Stuff, August 29
Graphic: Porcupine Farm


The need to prepare for our Spring Garden seems so far away when we are experiencing the cooler shorter days of winter here in the High Desert. Yet, planting time is only 3 or 4 months away. Desert winter days can be warm enough that you forget it’s winter then the sun goes down and the temperature drops so quickly reminding you to put some more wood on the fire.
For some winter is the time to search through seed catalogs dreaming of what type of Tomato to grow this year or should one try those foot long Green Bean seeds. But for us, this year, we are still preparing our first vegetable garden in our new home.
Last month we started putting up the corrugated metal around the garden to keep out the Rabbit’s. We do not want to compete with them for our garden produce. Previous experience here in the High Desert taught us that a rabbit can spot a green sprout miles away. They devour the young plants, lacking the patients to wait for the fruit or veggies to ripen. Hubby built a new gate, for the archway, one that is wide enough for the wheelbarrow and garden wagons to go through. I dug my first row down two lengths of the spade then filled it with manure and straw procured from the hen house. Filled the trench with water and then piled the original soil back on top of the row. Each week I’ll do another row just like the first.
Hubby also set up two 350 gallon water containers for those occasions when the power goes out. We are on a well, which means when the power goes out we have no water! No water during the hot summer months this could prove deadly to our vegetables. He stacked the containers on pallets high enough to fill buckets and to create a gravity feed for the water hoses. It feels good to be making progress. I’m very anxious to have our garden ready for spring planting.


Cator, Ruma & Associates was selected to provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology systems design and contract administration for the new University of Denver Community Commons building. The new facility is meant to be a central gathering location for the entire campus. The project includes a food service hall, offices for student services, collaborative study spaces, and various event spaces. Community Commons is being built in place of the now-demolished Driscoll North building.
Mechanical utilities were provided, including steam, condensate, and chilled water from the campus central utility plant (CUP). Direct buried piping will be routed from the CUP through the north wall of the lower level where a new mechanical room will be constructed. Building chilled water will be supplied through two (2) chilled water pumps with VFDs. Building heating water will be supplied through a steam to water heat exchanger and two heating water pumps with VFDs. A condensate return pump will also be provided. Custom air handling units (AHUs) with supply and return fan arrays, indirect direct evaporative cooling and heat recovery will be provided. The air distribution system is conventional overhead distribution serving the food service level and displacement ventilation serving the remainder of the building.
Utilities were disconnected from Driscoll North at the bridge connection in Driscoll South, allowing Driscoll South to remain online during demolition of Driscoll North. The new utilities serving Driscoll South will be connected into the campus distribution mains running on the east side of the building.
The project is targeting LEED Silver certification. It will also be registered in the Xcel Energy - Energy Design Assistance (EDA) Program for energy incentives.


Gooseberry leaf spot and powdery mildew
I have three different gooseberry bushes and only one is currently affected by these problems. It is called Poorman's Gooseberry and apparently isn't as resistant to these problems as my other two. Do you guys know of any tricks to help save this plant? I've been pulling any dead leaves and putting them immediately into the yard waste bin to prevent the spores from hanging about in the soil.
Powdery Mildew - harder to see because this problem just started. I blame the heavier than usual rain fall in the past couple weeks here in Seattle


Clean drinking water is essential to a life that thrives. Unfortunately, many people don’t have access to this basic substance due to conservation constraints, aging infrastructure, and government mismanagement of resources. They are left with contaminated water that causes cancer, digestive issues, and skin irritation. When it comes to your family’s water supply, you can take matters into your own hands by installing a whole-house water filtration system. Here are some common contaminants in today’s water supply and ways that you can protect your health by installing the right water filtration system.
Corrosion in lead pipes can introduce small amounts of lead into your drinking water. With high exposure, lead can cause brain damage and impair cognitive development in children.
The residents of Flint, Michigan learned the hard way how lead pipes corrode and contaminate critical drinking water supplies. This public health crisis can be stopped at the household level by installing a distillation water filtration system.
Bacteria and Viruses
Legionella and enteroviruses are harmful pathogens that are found in water supply lines. When your body is unable to fight off infections caused by these bacteria and viruses, you can succumb to illnesses such as Legionnaires disease, meningitis, or gastroenteritis. Ultraviolet (UV) light destroys bacteria and viruses by interfering with their molecular structures. You can kill these pathogens before they cause harm by installing a UV light water filtration system.
Medical breakthroughs have led to more pharmaceutical drug use. Trace amounts of these drugs are sometimes found in public water supply lines. If your city or town doesn’t use a reverse osmosis treatment system, you can protect your family’s water supply by installing a whole-house reverse osmosis water filtration system.
Bottom line: The type of water filtration system that you need depends on your water’s chemical composition. Let us help you to assess your home’s water quality and identify the water filtration system that’s right for you. Jack Frost Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC has been making New Jersey homes safer, healthier, and more comfortable since 2008. Call us today at (973) 520-0505to find out more about our home water filtration installation services.


This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, June 4, 2020 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also see this report on the Chamber of Commerce website: https://www.visitdetroitlakes.com/birding-report
Summer nesting season has surely arrived and the flood of migrants has slowed and is nearly over in the northwest. It appears that many of the warblers have overflown our area in the rush for the nesting areas as we have not seen the numbers and species that we usually do. Most of the ones we have seen nest in or not far from our area. During the last two weeks, the flycatcher crowd has appeared with the warmer weather along with the bugs. Due to the many reports of the usual expected migrants, I will mention only the more interesting or unusual species this week.
At the North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County, there were reports of HUDSONIAN GODWITS, CATTLE EGRETS and WHITE-FACED IBIS this week. Douglas Kieser saw a WHIMBREL there on May 24th. Charlene Nelson reported an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER in Battle Lake on May 22nd.
A PACIFIC LOON was reported by Jason Swelstad at Seven Sisters Prairie in Douglas County on May 31st. A COMMON LOON was observed at Alexandria on June 1st.
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was observed by Chris McDonald at Maplewood SP in Otter Tail County on May 30th. Wayne Perala reported a SUMMER TANAGER at Inspiration Peak on May 26th, and CASPIAN TERN in Fergus Falls on May 31st . A COMMON MERGANSER was reported at Fergus Falls on June 3rd.
From Wilkin County, Aaron Ludwig reported a WHIMBREL and a WHITE-FACED IBIS at Wolverton on May 23rd.
Marshall Howe in Hubbard County found WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in the Lake Alice Bog on May 31st. PURPLE MARTINS appeared on May 27th.
A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was observed by Kristie Yliniemi in Becker County on May 31st. Pat Doeden observed a RUDDY DUCK in the county on May 27th.
Tim Lamey found a SAY’S PHOEBE at Felton Prairie in Clay County on June 4th.
In Polk County, Russ Wilbur spotted a BOBOLINK near the Red River on June 2nd. Craig Mandel led a group to the northwest from May 28th – May 29th, and they spotted a displaying SHARP-TAILED GROUSE along US 59 north of 400th St. SE.
Notably there were only 8 species of warblers found by Craig’s group in Pennington and Red Lake Counties on those two days.
The group also visited Kittson County on May 29th, where they found EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE in Hallock, RED-NECKED PHALAROPES at both Lake Bronson and Hallock WTP’s, and a BONAPARTE’S GULL at the Karlstad WTP.
Beth Siverhus sent in a list of species found in Roseau County this week. They included only seven species of warblers, SCARLET TANAGER, GRAY CATBIRD, BROWN THRASHER, GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER and many others.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at firstname.lastname@example.org OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber’s numbers 218-847-5743 or 218-847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, June 11, 2020.
Pennington County, MN


Much as I love a luxury shower gel, I’m very aware that it literally ends up down the drain. If I’m buying for my family, I tend to hover around the not absolute basic but not expensive mark, so I was pleased to find the Unilever owned Love Beauty And Planet brand in my local supermarket.
This is Unilever’s showcase brand for sustainability and environmental responsibility. All ingredients are ethically sourced in vegan formulas and packaging that is fully recyclable. What’s more unusual about Love Beauty And Planet is their transparency about environmental impact; specifically their carbon footprint, which they aim to reduce by 20% by next year. Love Beauty And Planet also contributes to a Carbon Tax Fund so whatever footprints they place during manufacturing they offset by donating to programmes that reduce emissions.
So, the credentials are good, but is the shower gel? Actually, for £5.99 for 500ml, I think so. The fragrance is pleasant enough but quite mild and in terms of washing – nothing to complain about. It didn’t dry out my skin, the lather was decent without being sumptuous and I quite like the fact that the liquid has a kind of earthy look to it rather than being sparkling clear. I found mine in Tesco but I know that it’s stocked in Superdrug so it shouldn’t be hard to find.
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.


Nature can be sometimes so powerful.
And will always surprise us with weird but natural phenomena.
And if you want to learn the names of the different halos… Here a last picture. There were more than 20 different and rare halos.
This stunning but complex solar halo was captured by Claudia & Wolfang Hinz, atmospheric optics experts, in the small ski station of Neklid in the Bohemian Erzgebirge on January 30, 2014. Low temperatures and high humidity created favorable conditions for the formation of “diamond dust.”


Bothered by the prevalence of mercury due mainly to Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities, Nigeria is to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) for the sector.
This appears to be a fall-out from the “Minamata Convention Initial Assessment (MIA) in Nigeria”, a project which, among other functions, conducted a preliminary inventory of mercury releases in the country.
Inventory results showed that ASGM processing is significant, thereby prompting the development of a NAP for the ASGM sector.
Proposed and approved by Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project’s objective is to improve national capacity and capability for the management of mercury. Implementation arrangement has been finalised, with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) as the implementing agency.
Making the disclosure recently in Abuja at the inception workshop on the NAP on mercury use in the Nigerian ASGM sector project, Environment Minister of State, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, disclosed that the components of the NAP are in accordance to Annex C of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, adding that project implementation commenced with the inauguration of a National Steering Group (NSG) recently. The NSG, he added, would be responsible for providing guidance and technical support to the executing agencies for effective implementation of the project activities.
The workshop participants, who deliberated on the best approaches to formalise the ASGM sector in Nigeria, as well as available mercury-free alternatives for ASGM activities, noted that, while holders of exploration licenses lease out to illegal miners, ASGM miners lack operational equipment and funds to facilitate operations.
They also underlined the fact that while enforcement of laws and policies in the ASGM sector is weak, informal miners in the ASGM sector engage in unhealthy practices including continued use of mercury.
To formalise ASGM sector in Nigeria, the participants want government to:
- Take appropriate steps to control and eventually eliminate illegal mining,
- Provide security for ASGM workers,
- Have functional cooperative societies,
- Provide access to capital and fund mining activities and facilitate provision of appropriate equipment,
- Facilitate the establishment of gold buying centres across the country,
- Engage in establishing a strategic gold reserve, and source products only from licensed mines,
- Educate law enforcement agents and security agents on enforcement of mining laws,
- Sensitise ASGM miners and host communities.
The workshop also mentioned the following mercury-free alternatives:
- Borax – however it is not available yet for use in Nigeria,
- Igoli machine – not yet in use also because the needed chemicals are not available and the miners are not trained yet for its use,
- Traditional panning methods and the sluicing method,
- Use of retort capture method for fugitive emissions from the mines during burning processing.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a new international environmental convention for global community to work collaboratively against mercury pollution. The Minamata Convention aims at achieving environmentally sound mercury management throughout its life cycle. The Convention was adopted at the diplomatic conferences held in Minamata City and Kumamoto City in October 2013.
Having achieved the required 50 ratifications, the Convention came into force on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Consequently, the Convention, which aims at protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds, will become legally binding for all its Parties on Wednesday, August 16, 2017.
The 1st Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP1) will gather governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations from around the world in Geneva from September 24 to 29, 2017.
Nigeria is yet to ratify the Convention.


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Tue February 12, 2013
Delta Smelt Deaths Mean Less Water for Central and Southern California
Too many fish deaths in the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta are forcing the California Department of Water Resources to reduce the amount of water pumped to the Central Valley and southern California.
The number of protected Delta Smelt killed this year is nearing the annual limit set by the Endangered Species Act. Pumping stations have killed 232 smelt. Rules allow only 305 over the entire year.
Mark Corwin with the Department says the deaths illustrate the need for a new system, one that would include $14 billion twin tunnels.
“We have no reason to expect that next year will be any different or the year after that will be any different and this conflict will continue to play out year after year, until we make fundamental changes in the way we manage the Delta.”
So far the department has had to withhold 700,000 acre feet of water, enough to supply more than a million households for a year.
The Department says less water will be available for storage and that may affect some farmers and other water users this coming summer.


This article reviews the production of renewable aviation fuels from biomass and residual wastes using gasification followed by syngas conditioning and Fischer-Tropsch catalytic synthesis. The challenges involved with gasifying wastes are discussed along with a summary of conventional and emerging gasification technologies. The techniques for conditioning syngas including removal of particulate matter, tars, sulphur, carbon dioxide, compounds of nitrogen, chlorine and alkali metals are reported. Recent developments in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, such as new catalyst formulations are described alongside reactor technologies for producing renewable aviation fuels. The energy efficiency and capital cost of converting biomass and residual wastes to aviation fuels are major barriers to widespread adoption. Therefore, further development of advanced technologies will be critical for the aviation industry to achieve their stated greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2050.


“Diamond Fuji” is a phenomenon which occurs only a few times a year when the sun sets into or rises out of the top of Mt. Fuji.
You can see the Diamond Fuji phenomenon in Minamiboso area in a couple of days in the next few weeks!
Viewing spots, dates and aprrox. sunset time are as follows:
*It depends on the weather conditions.
Don’t miss the perfect shot!


Other Names: Rubber Fig/Rubber Bush/Indian Rubber Bush
Scientific Name: Ficus Elastica
Native: South & South-East Asia
A hotel lobby staple, and for very good reason, this plant will grow into an strikingly beautiful tree with glossy, deep green leaves that often have a purplish hue. Native to this region, this fig tree variant requires very little care and looks just as good, if not better than its cousins - the Weeping Benjamin Fig and the Fiddle Leaf Fig! Add to that the fact that it is an anti-pollutant and can remove indoor toxins, and you know this is a keeper!
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Articles & Whitepapers
Level sensors are critical in controlling sequencing batch reactor (SBR) systems, monitoring liquid levels in the basins and helping to control pumps that move wastewater through the system. A municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was experiencing issues with its existing level sensors. Due to a challenging environment, surface conditions and obstructions, the level sensors produced ...
Screw press dewatering machines have emerged as indispensable tools in the realm of solid waste treatment, playing a pivotal role in minimizing waste volume, efficiently managing waste streams, and ...
Automatic backwash filters are a type of self-cleaning filter designed to remove impurities and contaminants from water, ensuring it meets the stringent quality standards required for drinking and industrial processes. Their self-cleaning capability ...
Ile-de-France/SIAH inaugurates an innovative wastewater treatment plant that relies on Veolia technologies to produce energy from wastewater
The Universita Politecnica delle Marche of Italy acquires a double reactor respirometry system model BM-EVO2 from Surcis
Equipment & Solutions
This uniquely designed aerator provides oxygen from the bottom up without the need for an external blower, providing 360-degree radial mixing. The Hurricane submersible aerator’s 360-degree radial mixing system incorporates new, unique air diffusers for high oxygenating efficiency and thorough mixing over a wide area.


A Day in the Life of Gavia stellate, a Red-Throated Loon
Today we are reporting on a very interesting species of bird known as the “Red-throated loon”, whose scientific name is Gavia stellate.
Different Appearances of the Red-Throated Loon
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a red-throated loon is its bright red throat. However, its red throat is only seen during its breeding season. During breeding season, the summer, the loon has a dark brown or black body with a white breast and a red throat. Additionally, it has red eyes and a thin, black beak that is usually tilted upward.
During all other times of the year, however, the loon has a difference in appearance. During non-mating season, it loses the intense red coloration and is pale gray and white, with a white breast and gray and white head.
Breeding Behavior of the Red-Throated Loon
Because of their leg structure, it is hard for red-throated loons to walk on land and therefore, these loons only go on land to nest. When these loons create on-land nests, they are located near low shorelines and are made up of grass and moss. Meanwhile, some loons remain in the water to nest and create their nests in shallow waters and make them with substances and vegetation that they find in their aquatic environment. The average clutch size for a red-throated loon is about 1-3 eggs and the eggs appearance is an olive or brown coloration with speckles.
Red-throated loons are monogamousand both parents are responsible for caring for the offspring. Both the male and the female build the nest and care for and incubate the eggs. The care from the parents also continues after the eggs hatch. One day after hatching, the newborn loons leave the nest to avoid predators but return shortly after and are again cared for by their parents.
The Red-Throated Loon’s Habitat and Foraging
Like many other species, the red-throated loon migrated during the winter and therefore, based on the season they can be found at different locations. During breeding season, the summer, these loons reside in low wetlands, ponds, and swamps. Typically, as seen on the map, during this time, they resided in northern Canada, which is depicted in orange on this map. During non-breeding season, the red-throated loons are found in more southern Canada and to parts of the United States. During the non-breeding season would be when we would be able to see these Red-Throated Loons in Duchess County, New York. During non-breeding season, they typically live in shallow sheltered marine habitats or the ocean. Lastly, during migrating season, red-throated loons live in large lakes or oceans.
Because these loons very frequently leave marine habitats, they scavenge the water for food. Due to its body shape, the red-throated loon can dive very far below the surface. The diet of a this bird consists of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other marine life
Social Behavior of the Red-Throated Loon
Typically, the red-throated loon lays low in water due its dense bones. From this position, the loon can either dive for food or take off to flight. The red-throated loon is the only type of loon that can take off directly from its sitting positioning and does not need to have a running start. Due to the loon’s tendency to dive for food, it is very important for the loons to protect their feathers. On a daily basis, these birds preen to help keep their feathers waterproof.
In addition to these behaviors, the red-throated loon has a few other tendencies that vary based on the season. Loons typically reside in water but during breeding season, loons wander away from their nesting pond and nest on land. On the other hand, during the winter, red-throated loons feed in small groups and congregate.


This was my second attempt to view it since Haynes and others had seen it earlier in the week, and also Saturday morning. The newly cleared out area at the Winchester St. entrance makes for a new place to bird watch which is fun. I saw this flicker across the road prepping a hole for a nest, but no sign of the warbler.
Apparently Ian and Mary Lou and several other people I met at the park today were looking for it as well, but did see a
scarlet tanager in the area. Sadly, I missed that too!
The lower gardens of course had our summer resident tree swallows. They're always the first birds you see and the yellow warblers were in great abundance.
Saw goldfinches, catbirds and a rose-breasted grosbeak
In the upper gardens, a wren has picked out his nest box and keeps an eye on it constantly. I'm not sure if his lady has arrived yet, but he's ready when she does! Saw more palms and some yellow rumps in the area near the birch and beehives. Have been seeing several female red-winged blackbirds this spring as well as their beautiful male counterparts. Canada geese and a hawk flew overhead. More orioles and a nuthatch...
Down by the soccer field were several grackles and lots of yellow rumps. I finally spotted a warbling vireo high up in an oak tree. There was another red-breasted grosbeak, several red-winged blackbirds and chickadees.
Barn swallows were flying back and forth over the river and a couple of


Visitors were once again taking to the water a week after an oil spill caused beach closures. While cleanup continued near Huntington Beach Pier, both city and state beaches reopened on Oct. 11.
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Have you noticed your houseplants looking a little lackluster lately? It might be time to repot your plants! Knowing when to repot can be tricky, but with our handy guide, you’ll be able to spot the signs and give your indoor garden the TLC it deserves. Read on to learn about the clues that it’s time to repot your houseplants and how to do it properly.
Signs It’s Time to Repot Your Houseplants
1. Roots Growing Out of Drainage Holes
When you notice roots growing out of the drainage holes in your houseplants, it’s a clear indication that it’s time to repot them. This is a natural sign that the plant has outgrown its current pot and needs more space to thrive.
2. Wilting or Yellowing Leaves
Wilting or yellowing leaves on your houseplants can be a sign that it’s time to repot them. When a plant’s roots become overcrowded or lack sufficient nutrients, the leaves may turn yellow or wilt. Repotting your plant can provide it with the space and resources it needs to thrive.
3. Soil Drying Out Quickly
One of the signs that it’s time to repot your houseplants is when the soil dries out quickly. This can be indicative of the plant outgrowing its current pot and needing more space for its roots to spread and absorb water. Keeping an eye on the moisture levels in the soil can help determine when repotting is necessary.
4. Presence of Pests or Diseases
Another sign that it’s time to repot your houseplants is the presence of pests or diseases. If you notice any creepy crawlers or your plant seems to be struggling with a disease, it’s a good indication that your plant needs a new home.
5. Unpleasant Odor
If you notice a strong and unpleasant smell coming from your houseplant, it could be a sign that it needs to be repotted. This odor can be caused by stagnant water, rotting roots, or excessive buildup of fertilizer.
Steps to Repotting Houseplants
1. Choosing the Right Pot and Soil
Choosing the right pot and soil for your houseplants is essential for their growth and well-being. It’s important to consider the size of the pot relative to the plant and to use a suitable potting mix that meets the specific needs of your plants.
2. Gather Necessary Supplies
Gather all the required items, such as newly prepared soil, a digging tool, and any added components such as netting to cover the holes for water drainage or a layer of stones at the base to promote better drainage.
3. Loosen the Root Ball
Delicately tap or massage the edges of the present pot to relax the root mass. Take the plant out of the pot with caution, keeping a firm grip near the stem’s base to prevent harming the leaves.
4. Inspect and Trim Roots
Inspect the roots of the plant to identify any indications of harm, decay, or roots that grow in circles. Utilize sharp pruning shears to remove any lifeless or excessively lengthy roots. In the event of tightly circling roots, delicately tease them away to prompt outward growth of the roots.
5. Prepare the New Pot
Add a layer of new potting soil to the bottom of the new pot, making sure it’s even and has sufficient depth for the roots of the plant. Form a small hill in the middle to hold the plant’s base.
6. Position the Plant
Gently position the plant at the middle of the fresh pot, ensuring it is located at the right height. The root ball’s upper portion must be parallel or marginally below the pot’s edge.
7. Fill with Potting Mix
Use new potting soil to fill in the gaps around the roots, pressing it down lightly to remove any air pockets. Gradually add more soil, taking care to cover all areas between the roots.
8. Watering and fertilizing the plant
Watering and fertilizing your houseplants is crucial for their health and growth. Make sure to water your plants when the soil feels dry to the touch, and apply enough water until it runs out of the drainage holes. Fertilize your plants once every two weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer, or use slow-release or organic fertilizers for a more gradual feeding. Remember to adjust your watering and fertilizing routine based on the specific needs of your plants.
9. Post-Repotting Care
Put the plant in a place that matches its needs for light after it has been replanted. For some time, do not give it direct sunlight as this may cause the plant to become stressed.


The visual management technique used in process improvement, i.e. value stream mapping (VSM) has been presented in the paper. Value stream mapping is one of the basic management tools in the context of Lean Management or Lean Production. It allows to visualize the flow of decision, information, material and their connections in the full production cycle (from the order, through planning, production, to shipping to the customer). VSM is a lean tool that gives the ability to create flows in the process before implementing changes. In this paper, the possibilities of changes planning based on the current and future status maps have been discussed. On the basis of the current state map (CSM), the areas requiring improvement and operations which efficiency is decisive and for the process have been designated. Particular attention has been paid to the possibilities of using VSM in unit production processes. In the paper has been proposed the two possibilities for company development in terms of the improvement technique in line with the Kaizen philosophy as well as the implementation of process innovations. Which means balanced development through the improvement of the existing process or an acute development strategy through the implementation of process innovations (which involves significant costs).
Management in accordance with the principle of sustainable development is one of the basic aspects of environmental protection, and is nevertheless important in macroeconomic management (eco-innovations in national regulations) as well as in micro-regulations (municipal regulations). The municipalities authorities are obliged to preventing the negative effects of environmental degradation, preventing pollution, providing information on the state of the environment, cover the environmental policy, in order to ensure the land advancement in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The implemented projects should mainly improve the living conditions of the inhabitants. That is why eco-innovative activities introduced in individual, small territorial areas (municipalities) are becoming more and more important. The paper is based on a case study as a recognized method of analyzing and discussing authentic situations used in management sciences.
Neodymium magnets currently dominate the magnet market due to their superior magnetic properties with maximum volume minimization. In this paper, the results of X-ray analysis for two types of magnetic powder obtained from the recovered magnets traditionally used in electric motors and hard disk have been presented. The NdFeB magnets are composed of 25-35 wt. % rare earth elements (RE) and the rest being transition metals (mainly Fe.). RE, other than Nd, such Dy, Pr, Tb and Gd or exogen elements, other than Fe, such as Al, Co, Ga, Nb, Si, Cu and Zr can also be present as minor admixtures. This paper brings an opportunity to introduce the hard magnets recycling technology on an industrial scale.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used as an additive in conventional point-of-sale thermal paper receipts, in the production of many polycarbonate plastics, and epoxy resins lignin for food. BPA is xenoestrogen, a foreign compound that is not naturally produced in living organisms, but which acts similarly to natural 17-ß estradiol (natural estrogen). Due to its weak estrogenic activities, BPA exposure may influence multiple endocrine-related pathway, and is associated with prostate and breast cancer, neurobehavioral deficits, heart disease, and obesity. Furthermore, BPA may act as a DNA methylation agent and cause altered gene expression in the brain. Human exposure to bisphenol A is a matter of controversy. This review shows a potential risks in workplace resulting from contact with bisphenol A. The work presents the contribution of BPA exposure levels via dermal contact and the relationship between BPA exposure level and oxidative DNA damage.
The rare earth elements (REE) are vital to innovation technologies and society and are important for the industry, especially for high-tech solutions. In the modern world, anumerous applications have been developed using rare earth elements (REE), implying human exposures and raising unclear questions as to REE-associated health effects. Protecting the environment and public health from disadvantageous actions of rare earth elements mining and processing as emerging pollutants is urgently desired to achieve sustainable development. All activities in mining processes like extraction, separation and after recycling of REE elements could create rick to human health and environment. In the paper the role of management in safety aspects during mining and processing of rare earth elements has been highlighted. In the paper, the potential dangerous and damaging effects on the environment and human health have been identified - the potential risk in the processing as well as the possibilities of preventing the occurrence of hazards have been analyzed.


All of us did not know how appreciable our circumstances were before we exposed ourselves to Cambodia’s local school. We helped them by planting the trees and building the protections. In order to escape from the hot sun, we went into one classroom and I saw one unforgettable sentence written on the table. The message was “NOT WATER HERE”. I was really shocked by the message because it plainly showed how tough the environment is and how much they are struggling. Throughout this trip, all of us should realize that we had everything that they really want and use our power to help them. I think that is the most important purpose of this trip.


On December 14, 2010, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service published its final rule (PDF) redesignating critical habitat for the Santa Ana sucker, a small fish species occurring in watershed draining the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains of southern California. The Final Rule designates a total of 9,931 acres across San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange counties and is comprised of 7,097 acres in the Santa Ana River, 1,000 acres in the San Gabriel River, and 1,233 acres in Big Tujunga Creek. The Final Rule increased the sucker’s net critical habitat by approximately 1,026 acres over the Service’s 2005 rule (PDF).
The Santa Ana sucker was listed as threatened in the Santa Ana River, San Gabriel River, and Big Tujunga Creek in 2000. In 2005, the Service designated critical habitat for the sucker in the San Gabriel River (5,765 acres) and Big Tujunga Creek (2,540) totaling 8,305 acres. In the 2005 final rule, the Service did not designate critical habitat for those portions of the Santa Ana River covered by habitat management plans–the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and the Santa Ana Sucker Conservation Program–consistent with established policy. Nor did the Service designate portions of the Santa Ana River not covered by habitat management plans, which are also unoccupied. In its 2005 final rule the Service explained that although these areas provide necessary flood conditions and sediments and small cobblestones that is passes to the downstream area occupied by the sucker, those features alone are not sufficient to meet the statutory required statutory standard –“essential to the conservation of the species” — particularly in light of Congressional direction to be “exceedingly circumspect” in designating critical habitat outside of areas currently occupied by the species.
In its 2010 Final Rule the Service performs an about-face, which is evident in new critical habitat designation of 7,097 acres in the Santa Ana River. The Service lifts the exclusion of those portions of the Santa Ana River subject to the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (approved in 2004) and the Santa Ana Sucker Conservation Program (2000) because they have not yet been sufficiently implemented to yield benefits to the sucker. The Service continues its reversal by designating as critical habitat upstream unoccupied areas in the Santa Ana River based on necessary water flows and coarse sediments deemed essential for the conservation of the species.
Acreage reductions in the San Gabriel River and Big Tujunga Creek units, as well as mapping changes within the Santa Ana River critical habitat unit, reflect refined mapping capabilities, changes to the criteria used to identify critical habitat, such as a slope limit of 7 degrees, and reevaluation of the 2005 rule, which, was compelled by court order from the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California as a result of a stipulated settlement agreement with California Trout and other environmental groups.


Air humidification – it is a devices that enable without significant energy to help maintain a cushty a higher level humidity in the room. The basis of the very of those is associated with the effective use of evaporators operating over a “cold” or “hot” evaporation. On top of that the air humidification can aromatize the air to your liking. Fortunately they are surprisingly easy to perform and reliable in operation.
Loss of humidity inside room can result in many diseases. Human bronchi are seen as a remarkable ability to cleanse itself. But dry air cuts down on the ability. This raises the the likelihood of infection and various respiratory problems. This really is typical especially in winter, if the humidity within the room is quite a bit below normal. However, not only person have to suffer from a reduction in moisture. Many men and women who surround their houses with all styles of exotic flowers and plants have a clue how difficult it is sometimes to build favorable conditions for their existence. Some moisture-loving plants have daily spray, cover with moist gauze and place them near the vessel with water. This all is reasonably troublesome and not just always effective. To solve these and various other problems and were created “moisturizers”.
Pace of recent life causes us to be to spent a lot of times inside room, whether it is an office, apartment or vacation home. The origin of favorable conditions within the habitat it’s the key to our overall health. Unfortunately, people never obtain the problem of maintaining the amount of humidity in homes and workplaces. Meanwhile, in summer and winter as the a central heating system or air conditioner, the air contains inadequate moisture, for an usual person, and also for the most indoor plants, and perhaps the preservation of wooden furniture.
On our website you’ll find a wide array of Whole House Humidifiers and much more Air Cleaners, UV Light Purifiers, Dehumidifiers, Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilators, General Fuel Oil Products or Gar-Ber Filters. Central Humidifiers can be utilized in apartments, offices, child care, overall health centers, flower conservatories, greenhouses and conservatories. Furnace Air Conditioner Filters significantly increases the air and decreases the probability of various diseases. By ordering Residential Humidifiers you provide yourself and your loved ones clean and fresh air in your house.
Many of the right information about Furnace Air Filters is found on our webpage chrome://newtabhttp//www.generalfilters.com/, our company offers a wide array of entire house residential quality of air solutions, all the best to improve your health at the deepest prices!
For more information about Central Humidifiers visit our website.


Author(s): Veronika Meduna
2014 was the hottest year since record keeping began back in 1880. July 2015 was recently confirmed as the globe's hottest month ever recorded, both on land and in the oceans. This December a major international meeting, to be held in Paris, seeks a new agreement to address climate change. Against this historic backdrop, acclaimed Radio New Zealand science writer Veronika Meduna explores our future in a warmer world. Beginning with lessons from our ancient geological past, this BWB Text draws on current observations and increasingly sophisticated climate models to explain a range of climate change impacts and possible end-of-century scenarios for New Zealand. Distorted ecosystems, extreme weather, new landscapes and adapted foods are just some of the likely changes that amount to a radically different future for our country.
The author is a known writer and broadcaster of science environmental articles. In this text she writes about the possible and likely effects of climate change on our country. She looks back into the past to the Pliocene period when CO2 was last as high as it is now, she looks at what’s happening in Antarctica, she looks at insect and other fauna, especially our bats and the red-billed gull, and at future farming trends and our warming and eroding seas. She echoes concerns from Mike Joy's book about our wetlands and their destruction by rising seas. We need to act now and keep carbon in the ground. She argues that “Climate change is something that we all have a stake in and that whatever we do to turn climate change around will be beneficial in many aspects. From the perspective of 2100, it will certainly be clear that we had a chance to act!" - Peter
Veronika Meduna is both a science broadcaster with Radio New Zealand, producing and presenting Our Changing World, and an award-winning writer. Veronika trained and worked as a microbiologist before becoming a science journalist and has spent time at Oxford University, as a Chevening David Low Fellow, studying the media's role in communicating scientific risk and uncertainty.


Content related to ‘IAQ’
Spring is here and that means warmer weather, blooming trees, bright flowers and…cleaning. While a good practice for offices, spring cleaning can also be a catalyst for modernization.
DCV can provide good indoor air quality while also delivering substantial energy and cost savings…especially for facilities and zones with highly variable and unpredictable occupancy, such as meeting rooms, classrooms, theaters, auditoriums, gyms, cafeterias/restaurants, retail stores, and hotels.
Next time you spray on that new fragrance beware—you may be turning off the very people you want to impress. A new study reveals the top 10 odors that can have a powerful and negative impact on our olfactory senses.
Ensuring healthy indoor environments often challenges energy efficiency measures.
How often do you recommend replacing the belts in roof fans? Additionally, how often should the ventilation system be cleaned?
The relationship between the chemical content of building materials and occupant health is gaining renewed attention. This installment of “Renewable Energy” shifts its focus from alternative power to conversations about “chemicals of concern.”
A proposed change to the ventilation rate procedure in ASHRAE’s indoor air quality standard is open for review after changes were made based on public input last year.
ANSI has released two new important standards regarding IAQ testing and furniture emissions.
LA Testing is a provider of formaldehyde and volatile organic compound (VOC) testing services and products to professionals and the general public.
There are many benefits to improving facility indoor air quality (IAQ). But how can facility managers get it done?


Candidate for the Electorate of Cooper, VIC
Adrian has been campaigning on environmental issues since 1986. His early campaigning included working on both the East Gippsland and Central Highlands Forest Campaigns. In the mid 90s he co-founded and was instrumental in running the successful Greater Otway National Parks Campaign through OREN. In 2005 he ran the successful campaign to stop the Naas Valley Dam for CCSERAC in Canberra. Over the years he has also helped to support a number of other campaigns including Victorian Marine Parks Campaign and the Stone Haven Power Plant Campaign.
Adrian began campaigning on climate change in 2003, calling for a near zero emission society and net negative emissions. Working with Matthew Wright, he founded and was the full time campaign coordinator and director of Futureenergy.org then later Beyond Zero Emissions.
Adrian has worked in jobs that range from a professional environmental campaigner, renewable energy educator at CERES, bush re-vegetation with Greening Australia, Sustainable Housing Policy officer with the Victorian Government, to a bouncer at Melbourne clubs and pubs when he need to earn money to fund his campaigning.
He also spent 8 years serving in the Australian Army Reserve as an Infantry private and then Lieutenant in the Infantry.
Adrian has a long interest in politics, joining the young Liberals while at school and later running a number of times as a candidate for the Greens.
Adrian's campaigning since 2016 has been largely focused on getting councils to declare climate emergency though the organisation he co-founded, CACE. He divides his spare time between his family, climate campaigning, teaching collapse survival and developing a permaculture property in the Otways.
Adrian has a BSc from Melbourne University, majoring in Botany, a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management.
Declare and mobilise against the climate emergency with a 10 year transition to negative emissions. Put a price on carbon and lead internationally to restore a safe climate with 800% renewables.
End native logging and incentivise regenerative agriculture and biodiversity. Manage watersheds and rehydrate Australia. Cease fossil fuel extraction.
Anti-corruption body, Compassionate welfare, Whistleblower protection, Simpler + fairer economics, Transparent government and Campaign finance reform.
Help out with the campaign!
This is your chance to help build the future you want to see.
We rely on volunteers to help out during elections. It could be as simple as handing out flyers or even helping to design them. Sign up now to volunteer if you are keen to take that next step.Volunteer Now!
Donate to support the campaign today!
Your donation goes towards the $2,000 candidate nomination fee, printing flyers and promoting the campaign online.


Panicum virgatum 'Joz276' PURPLE BREEZE™
Purple Breeze Switch Grass
- Main interest:
- colourful dark purple foliage and showy panicles
- full sun
- Soil humidity:
- moist soil
- Growth type:
- Flower colour:
- Flowering period:
- July to September
- green turning to purple
- USDA Hardiness:
- zone 4a: -34.5 °C (-30 °F) View Zone Map
- Mature height & width (max.):
- height: 3.5 ft (1.05 m) width: 1.5 ft (0.45 m)
- borders, specimen, mass planting, container
Purple Breeze Switch Grass will add colourful foliage and brighten up your garden or landscape. Flat, linear mid-green leaves turn purple-maroon as the clump-forming grass ages. Airy green flower panicles are flushed with purple, complimenting the foliage, and bloom late summer to fall. Purple seed heads follow. This beautiful Purple Switch Grass is ideal in borders, as a screen, a focal point, or in containers.
Please use availability information as a guide only. The weather is a fickle thing, and impacts when our plants are actually available for shipping. Please be aware that we are not answering emails regarding plants availability. The best advice we can give you is to check back once in a while, choose a size option and check the current stock.
Synonym(s): Panicum virgatum 'Purple Breeze'
Also known as: Purple Breeze Switchgrass, Purple Switch Grass, Purple-leaved Switch Grass


The new EU level energy efficiency directive is enforcing an apartment specific water consumption measurement system in new apartment buildings. Vastuu Group offers a concept that helps building owners follow the directive easily.
Concrete is the most common building material in the world, but also the most burdensome. We are involved in The Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT 's project to optimize the life cycle of concrete through digitalization. Besides climate impacts, optimization benefits every actor in the concrete life cycle. It also provides a model for the productivity of the entire construction industry.
At the beginning of this year, we teamed up with Demola to explore and understand the future possibilities of data in different contexts. Together with our parent company Vastuu Group, we are focusing on the data platform economy and thus insights, findings and next-generation points of views are very important.
M.Sc. Esa Halmetoja presents in his doctoral dissertation "Improving perceived indoor conditions using building information models and field data" how data sharing enables the introduction of new business models in facility maintenance and operations. Platform of Trust was part of the study seeking, combining, resending data.
KPMG has published its 5th annual edition of the Real Estate Innovation Overview in collaboration with Global Proptech. Platform of Trust is listed in the overview as one of the property information platforms.


Slow Release Garden Booster
Our premium slow-release formula rejuvenates soil and improves moisture retention, stimulating microbial activity and making nutrients available to plants and trees.
Apply a generous amount around the base of the plant or tree, working it lightly into the soil before watering. Keep the product away from the stem to prevent root rot. Reapply every 12 weeks or as needed.
*These rates apply to our Garden Booster & Liquid Plant Food only - excludes pots.


Amphipods are beneficial to the aquarium’s ecosystem, but they can overpopulate the aquarium. A large number of amphipods in your aquarium can look unappealing. What you can do is bring something that eats amphipods. But what eats amphipods?
Many saltwater fish, such as wrasse and mandarin fish, enjoy eating amphipods. But if you have a freshwater aquarium, there are still options for you! This blog will introduce the creatures that eat amphipods in freshwater ecosystems.
If you’re intrigued to know which fish this includes, read on!
Amphipods are zooplankton and a great food source for almost every fish. That means any fish can be a predator of amphipods. From tiny fish to big sharks, they can all eat amphipods.
Amphipods are not easy to get. They usually hide under rocks, corals, and other places and come out at night to roam around. So it can be challenging for fish in the ocean to eat amphipods. But in an aquarium, you can easily kill amphipods by putting in some freshwater fish.
Amphipods are eaten by wrasse, a marine fish with 600 different species. Wrasse can be the best predator for amphipods in the aquarium. These fish are effective carnivores that prey primarily on a variety of small invertebrates.
You have probably heard of mandarin fish and thought, “Do mandarin fish eat amphipods?” Yes, mandarin fish can be the ultimate predator for amphipods. The Mandarin Dragonet fish is a saltwater fish, but you can keep them in your aquarium to get rid of amphipods.
Mandarin fish love to eat copepods and amphipods to survive. They are small and very inexpensive, which is best for an aquarium or reef tank.
While clownfish may help you get rid of amphipods, there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider. The advantage is that clownfish eat amphipods and can help control their population. However, the disadvantage is that getting rid of all the amphipods with just a few clownfish can be difficult.
Clownfish typically eat both copepods and amphipods for food, so they may not be able to completely wipe out the amphipod population on their own.
Amphipods love to roam around in the darkness to hide from predators, which is why clownfish are not that effective at getting rid of amphipods from aquariums. At night, when amphipods emerge from hiding places like under rocks, clownfish sleep.
Almost every type of freshwater fish eats amphipods. Amphipods can be a natural food source for freshwater fish when they are not hunting. In freshwater aquariums, there are many fish that enjoy eating amphipods. These include some varieties of plecos, killifish, gouramis, and even some cichlids!
If you’re looking for a species of fish specifically designed to eat amphipods in a freshwater tank, then the Siamese Algae Eater is your best choice. The Siamese Algae Eater is known for its voracious appetite and loves to feast on amphipods!
In addition to fish, there are also other predators of amphipods in a freshwater aquarium, such as snails. Apple snails, Ramshorn snails, and Malaysian trumpet snails all love to eat amphipods. You can also get shrimp that will consume amphipods as part of their diet.
Guppy is a type of freshwater fish that feeds on amphipods. They can survive on amphipods when they are not hunting. Amphipods are an essential element of freshwater fish diets. That’s why you should always grow amphipods in your freshwater aquarium.
If you are thinking about getting amphipods for your reef tank, make sure to add saltwater fish that eat amphipods. Seahorses are the most common saltwater fish that consume amphipods. They are carnivores and will eat amphipods when they are not hunting.
Another saltwater fish that feeds on amphipods is the royal gramma fish. They belong to the Grammatidae family, which is a group of brightly colored sea-dwelling basslets. Royal grammas feed primarily on small invertebrates like amphipods, copepods, and mysids.
The yellow tang is another saltwater fish that loves to feed on amphipods. They are known for their bright yellow color and are commonly found in tropical reef tanks, where they feed on small invertebrates like amphipods.
You can also add octopus because it also eats amphipods. The diamond goby is another saltwater fish that eats amphipods. The most popular saltwater fish that eats amphipods is the wrasse. Almost every kind of wrasse eats amphipods, so it will be easier for you to get wrasse for your reef tank.
Frequently, amphibians are naturally introduced into closed aquarium systems when live sand and/or live rock have been added. If the temperature in the tank is slightly warmer and there is a food source available, they will begin to multiply.
The amphipods in live rocks and corals often become visible to the naked eye after they’re transferred from their natural habitat (the ocean) into an aquarium or fish tank. These little creatures tend to hide under objects like rocks and sand so that bigger fish can’t eat them. After being placed in a new environment, the amphipods feel safe enough to come out from hiding.
You may want to get rid of amphipods from your aquarium or reef tank. But amphipods are an essential element for your fish and their ecosystem. Amphipods are frequently important parts of other aquatic systems where they aid in the recycling of nutrients and serve as a source of high-quality food for a wide range of creatures, including crayfish, fish, amphibians, water birds, and semiaquatic mammals.
Amphipods are the most abundant microinvertebrates and the keystone species of groundwater, springs, and saltwater. They eat zooplankton and keep the ecosystem balanced. Amphipods play an important role in groundwater and springwater systems. They are also a natural food source for saltwater and freshwater fish.
Amphipods are important in processing detritus, and as a result, they produce a lot of feces and tiny particles of organic matter, which other invertebrates eat.
Amphipods can be one of the primary food sources for your reef tank fish. Seahorses, octopus, wrasse, mandarin, shrimp, crabs, and much more saltwater fish can eat amphipods. Amphipods can also help to balance the ecosystem by eating zooplanktons, which are a source of food for other large fish.
However, amphipods can overpopulate and make the reef tank look unappealing. That’s why you need fish that eat amphipods to keep their population balanced.
Amphipods can live for up to two years, provided other predators don’t eat them. These tiny crustaceans have many Natural enemies, like big fish and sea mammals that hunt them for food. Despite this, amphipods can survive in most environments for up to two full years with a good source of shelter and food.
Amphipods can grow to be anywhere from 5 mm to 20 mm (3/16 to 3/4 inch) as adults. Talitroides topitotum measures 7 mm on average, while Talitroides allaudi is a little smaller at only 3.5mm. The largest of these species, Arcitalitrus sylvaticus (Haswell), has the potential to reach 8mm (3/8 inch). Although they come in other colors, too, aquatic species are most often seen in white.
No, amphipods are not harmful to fish. Instead, amphipods can be very nutritious for other big fish. Keeping amphipods in your aquarium can add versatility to your fish’s diet. Amphipods can easily be digested but cannot attack other fish because of their size.
According to researchers, amphipods play a vital role in keeping the ocean’s ecosystem balanced. They don’t cause harm to any other sea creatures. However, an overpopulation of amphipods in reef tanks can become a problem.
After learning what eats amphipods, you can bring the fish mentioned in this blog. However, if you want to grow amphipods in a reef tank or aquarium, keep an eye on them. It is because amphipods can grow within weeks, and if your fish don’t eat them, they will overpopulate.
Amphipods can benefit both freshwater and saltwater fish, so they can be used for either. Do not think amphipods are harmful to fish because they are not.


Considering A River Birch Tree?
If you are looking for a river birch tree, this is the blog for you. I will review important information about this beautiful and strong US native tree. You will learn all about the river birch including its description, care, and facts about the river birch tree. Read on to learn more about our river birch trees for sale.
River birches are distinctive shade trees with their unique shape and exotic bark. River birches often have 2, 3, or even 4 trunks, but sometimes they only have 1 trunk. The green leaves turn vibrant yellow in fall. River birches are fast growing shade trees and they can easily grow 2 to 3 feet per year. With a mature height upwards of 60 feet and a rapid growth rate this shade tree is a great option for large homes. Be sure you have plenty of space for this tree as they can spread to 40 feet across. These adaptable trees are easy to grow and no maintenance once they are established. The river birch is also deer, pollution, wind, and ice tolerant. These trees can grow throughout most of the United States. They are recommended for growing zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Facts about River Birch Trees
• This tree is botanically known as the Betula nigra and is also referred to as the black birch or water birch.
• River birches are native to a majority of the east coast of the United States to much of the central US.
• This shade tree naturally occurs in wet areas like swamps and floodplains. It enjoys moist soil and can even live in wet sites.
How To Care
River birch trees grow in full sun. These trees can adapt to just about any soil and can even tolerate wet soil. They are also much more heat tolerant than other birches and are drought tolerant once they are established. Water your river birch deeply 2 to 3 times per week for the first 3 months after planting. After your tree is established, you will only need to water during times of severe drought. Add a 2 inch layer of mulch when planting these trees to help keep the soil moist. Be sure to pull the mulch away from the trunk to avoid encouraging pests and disease. Fertilize in early spring with a slow release fertilizer. If pruning is necessary, late winter to early spring is the best time to do this. Remove dead, broken, and diseased branched as soon as you notice them.
How to Plant a River Birch Tree
• Your potted river birch tree should be watered well immediately before planting.This helps prevent shock by ensuring the roots are able to stay moist.
• Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and put your tree in the hole. The top of the root ball should be slightly higher than the existing soil line. Make sure that your tree is straight from a few different vantage points.
• Fill the soil back into the hole around the root ball. Tamp the soil down gently with your hands to remove any air pockets
Water deeply until the ground can no longer hold water.
• Add 2 inches of mulch in a mound around your new tree to help the soil retain moisture longer and reduce watering needs.


With Spring in the air April is the time our reptiles start to woo their mates. After emerging from brumation around March, they are ready to mate as the weather starts to warm up. This will continue into May.
The territorial adder dances a duel to compete for females this month. These females, like most of the UK’s reptiles, give birth to ‘live young’. The eggs have been incubated internally and this process is called Viviparity. This method of producing young protects the developing eggs from predation, disturbance or just getting too cold in our climate to survive. Only Grass snakes and sand lizards lay eggs. The sand lizard lay their eggs under a sunny patch of sand and the grass snake in rotting vegetation like a compost heap that creates heat during decomposition.
During April, May and September our reptiles are at their most active so now is the time to see them out and about. Early morning basking as they top up their temperature for a day of hunting ahead is a good time for spotting. Check out sunny spots that are sheltered from the wind. If you do spot anything report this on our make sure to let us know through Froglife’s free Dragon Finder app on Google Play and Apple Store!


By Rachael Funk
The beauty of New Zealand pulls travelers from all over the world. Adventure lovers delight in hiking, kayaking, swimming, and trekking through the majestic terrain and over the beautiful landscapes. While the bustling cities offer plenty to do and love, those who set off to find New Zealand’s natural treasures are in for the trip of a lifetime. Here are nine of New Zealand’s most gorgeous spots.
Image posted by Instagram user @djokovicova_inthesky
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Among the best-known attractions in New Zealand is the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. There, you can float down the underground river and gaze up at a galaxy of glowworms illuminating the world around them. As you glide through the water, guides provide information on the caves and the worms that live there.
39 Waitomo Village Road (formerly Waitomo Caves Road), Waitomo Caves, Private Bag 501, Waitomo
Hours: Open 9am daily, tour departure times may vary
Considered one of the best day hikes in the country, this 12-mile trek leads you through the crossing where “Mordor” was filmed in The Lord of the Rings. The trail varies between an easy walk and some steep areas, but is generally considered doable for most hikers. Pass volcanoes, craters, and other unique landforms as you make your way across this breathtaking landscape.
Tongariro Crossing, Tongariro National Park 4691,
Hours: Bus service from town to the crossing begins at 6:30 am and return service begins at 3:00 pm
Image posted by Instagram user @mariselahernandezo
The whole name for this gorgeous place is "Te Waikoropupu," a name easier to maneuver when shortened to “Pupu.” The largest freshwater spring in the Southern Hemisphere, Pupu Springs gush spring water clearer than the famously clear Weddell Sea in Antarctica. Contact with the water is forbidden as the springs are sacred to the local Maori, but guests can enjoy walking trails and observation points around the springs.
Pupu Springs Rd, Takaka 7183, New Zealand
Hours: Open 24 hours daily
A main attraction of Moeraki Beach, these beautifully rounded boulders were formed over the span of millions of years. The spheres are concretions that were excavated by shoreline erosion from the cliffs backing the beach. An excellent place for photographs or a romantic walk, the Moeraki Boulders are a point of interest for many locals and travelers alike.
Moeraki Boulders Rd, Hampden 9482, New Zealand
Hours: Open 24 hours daily
Image posted by Instagram user @fabiosingenberger
Filled with natural thermal springs, Wairakei Terraces hold pools below the area’s silica terraces and waterfall. Indulge in the mud and silica waters which have been used for centuries for healing and wellness by the Maori. Guests can enjoy baths, massage, and beauty treatments here to revitalize and rejuvenate.
Sh 1, Wairakei 3377, New Zealand
Hours: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm, Friday to Wednesday and 8:30 am – 7 pm Thursday
Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most impressive destinations for locals and travelers alike. A fiord within Fiordland National Park, this spectacular part of the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve appears on bucket lists all over the globe. Rudyard Kipling went so far as to describe the Milford Sound as the eighth Wonder of the World. Take a cruise down the sound to see snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, sometimes even dolphins!
Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre: Lakefront Dr, Te Anau 9640, New Zealand
Hours: Visitor Centre open 8 am – 5 pm daily
The Blue Pools
The glowing Blue Pools of Haast Pass are full of water so clear, you can see straight down to the bottom. The icy glacial water is swimmable, if you don’t mind the cold. A swing bridge is suspended high above the deep water and if you are an incorrigible thrill seeker, you can jump into the pools from there. A gentler entrance can be found below the bridge if you’d like to get in slowly. An easy 30-minute walk is required to and from the car park, and brings you to the pools through the forest to this magnificent area.
Haast Pass-Makarora Rd, Mt Aspiring National Park 9382, New Zealand
Hours: Open daily
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
Only a 20-minute walk from the main highway of Punakaiki, these limestone rocks are a must see – especially at high tide! 30 million years of compaction and erosion have created these impressive formations and several vertical blowholes for the tides to blast through. Appearing flat-topped and stacked like pancakes, these rocks are reachable via the easy Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk in the center of Punakaiki.
Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre: 4294 Coast Road, Punakaiki RD 1, Runanga 7873
Hours: Visitor Centre open 9 am – 5 pm daily
Obviously you’ve heard of the Northern Lights, but did you know there are also Southern Lights? New Zealand is famous for many natural wonders, and the Southern Lights are among them. Aurora Australis is to be enjoyed only by those who make it far enough south to catch the show. The green and pink hues can be spotted over the horizon when conditions are just right, with very little notice. In New Zealand, the winter months (March – September) are the best to see the lights around midnight. The right solar activity partnered with dark, clear skies makes it easiest to see the phenomenon, especially if you are on Stewart Island, Lake Tekapo, or the Catlins.


Here's how to control weeds in your garden
Nature uses weeds to heal up sites which are plantless as a result of drought or poor soil conditions in order to protect and preserve the soil. However as gardeners we do not appreciate the effort that weeds are continually trying to accomplish.
Weeding to us is a never-ending chore, and left undone will quickly take over the whole garden. This week I will review some methods to use in controlling weeds. It is the first season you start a new garden that the weeds are usually the hardest to control because you are changing an area that was once something else into a garden. One good rule is don't take on more space than you can handle. It is better to do part and do it well, than to take too much and not really accomplish what you planned.
Weed seeds can lay dormant for a long, long time. But it is only the seeds in the first couple inches of soil that get enough light to germinate. So digging and cultivating brings hidden seeds to the surface each time you open the ground. So dig only when you need to and immediately heal up the disturbed spot with either plants or mulch well. In your lawn use a fishtail weeder so that you can slice straight down along taproots and not disturb the soil around the weed.
One of the best preventive measures for weeds is mulch. Mulch benefits plants by keeping the soil moist and cool, providing some nutrients, and depriving weeds of light. Some light will pass through only mulch, so you need to use a light blocker like cardboard, four layers of newspaper or landscape cloth under the mulch. Over time, if the mulch is not renewed weed seeds and debris will become trapped in the original mulch and start to grow. So keep renewing the mulch (wood chips, bark chips, straw, pine needles) a little each year to keep it about 3 inches thick.
The old saying "pull weeds when wet, hoe when dry" is a good way of controlling weeds. To make your garden look well kept, bring along a container to collect the weeds that you pull. If these weeds are free of seeds they can go into your compost pile. After a drenching rain is an especially good time to pull weeds by hand, and to use the fishtail weeder to pry up taproots for the least soil disturbance. If the soil is dry, use a sharp slicing tool to slice off weeds just below ground level rather than a hoe because there will be less soil disturbance.
If the weeds get ahead of you and start to form seed heads, you can cut off the seed heads so they do not have the chance to go to seed. When the seed head is removed the weed will try to regrow a new seed head. This will force the weed to use up its food reserves to make a new seed head and help exhaust their food reserve to their root system. You can also use a string trimmer equipped with a blade to cut down prickly thistles or brambles and eliminate weeds.
Another way to block the light supply to weeds is by close plant spacing. The spacing of plants is based on the idea of the plants just touching one another when they reach maturity. If you reduce this spacing by 25 percent, your plants will be closer and tighter and the gaps between plants will reduce the light available for weeds to grow. This will also reduce the air flow through your garden so plants that are prone to downy mildew (such as bee balm and phlox) may become infected with it.
Water only your plants not the whole garden. If possible use drip irrigation or soaker hoses around your plants and water only your plants and not the weeds scattered around the whole garden. Depriving weeds of water reduces weed-seed germination by 50 to 70 percent. Try to enrich you soil with organic matter and fertilizer often. Soil scientists aren't sure how it works, but fewer weed seeds germinate in healthy soil that contains fresh infusion of good compost or organic matter.
Kyle Schulz is a Wadena County Master Gardener from Sebeka, and the regular gardening columnist for the Wadena Pioneer Journal. The Pioneer Journal and the Echo Press are both owned by Forum Communications Company.


This is a medium sized masdevallia species with very long lasting large flowers that are produced successively over a very long period from a flower spike. It is not unusual for this orchid to be in flower for eight months of the year.
The flowers are invariably pendulous and so we usually move this plant up onto a shelf when flowering. With such a long flowering period it now lives on that shelf.
The species is found in cloud forests from 1500-1900m in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador and so plants are very at home in our Cool Americas section.


Photo: Cory Antiel
Hunting season starts Saturday, Nov 21 and continues to December 22.
We advise avoiding hikes during the first few weeks of the season
or being extra cautious while you’re out.
If you choose to hike at one of RPA's community forests or preserves,
or on other public lands (including state lands),
please remember to wear some blaze orange, and avoid wearing white.
Hunting at RPA community forests is restricted to a few hunters per day.
Hunting is NOT allowed at Barberville Falls,
but it’s still a good idea to wear blaze orange on the trails.
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us:
email@example.com / 518-712-9211
Learn more about hunting on RPA lands here:
Learn more about hunting season safety here:


Care Level: Advanced
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Purple Queen Anthias is one of the most sought after Anthais species, but is best left to advanced and expert level aquarists due to their fragile nature and difficulty adapting to aquarium life. They feature a gorgeous purple/pink body, blue edging on its fins, and a multi-colored face with a yellow chin. This color intensified with maturity, especially in males. They can be kept as a mated pair, or in a small school of females. Avoid keeping two males in the same tank, as it can lead to extreme aggression. Adult males can reach up to 7 inches in length with females being smaller.
Diet Requirements: In the wild Anthias feed on zooplankton and occur in areas with strong currents such as reef faces, slopes, drop off zones. Purple Queen Anthias can have difficulty adapting to prepared aquarium diets and require multiple small meals of live foods to start. A steady supply of copepods, frozen mysis and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, as well as high quality flake foods can be offered 3-5 times daily once established.
Care Requirements: Purple Queen Anthias do best in a stable and well established aquarium of at least 75 gallons. They are peaceful and may be kept in a reef tank setting with plenty of live rock, but since they are one of the more sensitive species of Anthias, they will require expert care, attention and optimal water chemistry. To best recreate a natural reef environment for the Purple Queen Anthias aquascape with a generous amount of live rock and create slopes, caves, and overhangs for an interesting and diverse reef aquarium landscape. They are considered reef safe and will not bother coral or other invertebrates. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″ Medium: 2-1/4″ to 4″ Large: 4″ to 6″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.


★★ Another dark and warmthless waste of the year’s longest days. Intermittent rain again, mist again, damp sluggish air in the subway. Sidewalk tables were empty. Water beaded on the seats of the outmost aluminum chairs. A backhoe bucked and dropped clods of dirt into a dump truck. An insistent breeze carried news of industrial cooking, news of feces. In the afternoon, in the sculpture garden that poses as a public amenity, the wind made the silvery grass sway, till a rubber-booted volunteer asked the public to leave.


Brussels, 04 February 2002
A research project funded by the European Union's Fifth Framework programme for research (FP5) is investigating ways of using plants and herbal extracts to reduce environmentally damaging methane gas emissions from cows and improve their milk production.
The project, involving scientists and commercial partners from Ireland, Spain, Germany, the UK and Switzerland, is being given a 1.94 million euro research grant under the FP5 Quality of Life programme.
Dr John Wallace from the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen, UK, who is heading the project, said that methane emissions from grazing animals account for one third of the total EU emissions of the gas. Methane is 20 times as potent at destroying ozone as the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, he said.
The project aims to explore a range of novel plants and plant extracts which could replace the use of man-made feed additives, such as antibiotics, in controlling gut bacteria in cows, reducing harmful methane emissions, increasing the efficiency of livestock production and slowing the spread of resistance to antibiotics in human infections.
'We know that the release of methane from ruminants is extremely damaging to the environment,' said Dr Wallace. 'Currently, however, methane release levels are increasing at an exponential rate. We believe our work has the potential to halt this increase and help stabilise the environment by taking a natural route to improved rumen fermentation. At the same time, we believe that the current growth in antibiotic resistance in humans, part of which is generally accepted to be linked to the use of antibiotics in animal feeding, could also be reduced.'
Some of the inspiration for the project comes from the Rowett Institute's 20 year partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The collaboration has aroused interest in the potential feeding value of new plant species. Dr Rowett explained that some of the ILRI's collection of tropical and subtropical plants 'appear to have significant potential value as rumen-manipulating agents with an associated capacity to lead to reduced methane output from the animals concerned.' He said the Rowett Institute is now examining similar promising plants as part of the new EU-supported project.
For further information, please consult the following web address:


Equipment For Handling and Applying Manure On Small Farms
A tractor and a manure spreader are needed to ensure proper field application of stored manure. Some small farms may be able to utilize small ground-drive spreaders that can be pulled behind an all-terrain vehicle or pickup instead of a tractor. Pull-type spreaders are traditionally used, although truck-mounted spreaders are sometimes used on larger farms.
Solid manure can be removed from storage using front-end loaders, scrapers, or other handling equipment. Small or limited-resource farms can get by with equipment as simple as a wheelbarrow and pitch fork. The size of the equipment influences the time required to load, haul, and spread manure. For more information see Nutrient Planning on Small Farms.
Environmental Considerations When Spreading Manure
Manure should not be spread where and when there is any risk for water pollution, such as near streams, ponds, wells or other waterbodies. Your local soil and water conservation district or Natural Resources Conservation Service office can also help identify if additional special protection areas exist on farmland and bordering properties.
Stored manure should be applied to the soil in a thin layer to speed drying and discourage fly breeding. Spreading incompletely composted manure on horse pastures should be avoided due to the risk of infecting pastures with internal parasites. Manure should be spread at agronomic rates (rates equal to or less than plants will use in a year). When stockpiled manure is spread on crop fields, the application may not meet the total needs of the crop. Each source of horse manure will vary, especially when different bedding sources are used. Typically, a ton of horse manure will contain eleven pounds of nitrogen, two pounds of phosphorous, and eight pounds of potassium. Average values are given in the table below and can help to determine the number of acres needed to properly apply the horse manure. Refer to your local Cooperative Extension office to get a list of laboratories that will do manure analysis.
|Manure||Percent Solids||Nitrogen – N||Phosphorus – P2O5||Potassium – K2O|
When Should Manure Be Land Applied?
Spring is the preferred time to apply manure. Forage or hay crops generally provide the greatest flexibility in planning land application operations. Cool season grasses can generally utilize manure nutrients from early spring to late fall, and application equipment generally does not adversely affect the crop regardless of its growth stage. However, spreading manure on wet soils should be discouraged as it leads to soil compaction and tearing of the top soil.
Manure Nutrient Availability
When spread, not all nutrients in manure are immediately available for plant use. The amount of nitrogen available is a function of the percentage of nitrogen in the manure, whether or not it is incorporated in the soil, and the rate of organic matter decomposition of the manure. Nitrogen availability (during the first growing season) will range from 35% of the total nitrogen when manure is spread on the soil surface to 60% when immediately incorporated into the soil. Availabilities of phosphorus from phosphate (P2O5) and potassium from potash (K2O) are commonly set at 80% and 90% of totals, respectively. For links to publications that include more detailed information and formulas for estimating nutrient availability from manure see Manure Nutrient Management Educational and Informational Resources.
Manure Containing Wood Shavings or Sawdust May Require Additional Management
Horse manure often has an additional consideration when it comes to nutrient availability. Sawdust or wood shavings are high-carbon materials that require a great deal of nitrogen to break down. This process can tie up available nitrogen, rendering it unavailable to plants or crops. A fact sheet on how to manage horse manure that contains wood shavings or sawdust is Horse Manure Management: The Nitrogen Enhancement System.
Too Much Manure?
In situations where land application is not an option or the farm has more manure than can be appropriately utilized, the producer will need to consider Off-Farm Manure Disposal options.
- Livestock factsheets and self-assessment worksheets, University of Rhode Island
- Equine Barnyard Management
- Exercise or Sacrifice Lots for Horses
- Fencing To Limit Horses Access to Riparian Areas
- Horse Manure Management
- Live from the National Water Quality Meetings
- Manure Storage on Horse Farms
- Off-Farm Manure Disposal
- Pasture Management on Horse Farms
- Spreading Manure on Horse Farms
- Stall Waste Production and Management
Author: Michael Westendorf, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey