The mandate of the Environment and Remedial Works is to monitor, implement, coordinate and advise on all matters related to the environment in the Cree territory in accordance with the agreements and legislation.
Environment and Remedial Works
Our vision is of a land of natural beauty where healthy ecosystems sustain our traditional lifestyle while balancing modern needs.
Our mission is to protect the air, land and waters of Eeyou Istchee for the benefit of all, both today and tomorrow.
The Environment and Remedial Works Department works on a wide range of issues related to forestry, mining, land use planning, wildlife management and protected areas.
Rose Lithium-Tantalum Mining Project


No Time To Read? Enter your Email Address & Get this article emailed to you by clicking below!
Crowded airports, beach bods and higher than normal electric bills can only mean one thing. It’s summertime. Yes, it’s that time of the year when many of us will spend more time baking in the sun and for pet parents, it means enjoying more time outdoors with our fur babies.
The issue with summer is the unbearable heat. It’s no secret that global warming is affecting our pets in numerous ways. Add to the fact that last year we had record temperatures across the globe. There was definitely an uptick in heat stroke and heat related deaths among dogs. Because of that, it’s more important than ever to keep your dog cool this summer.
Here are some tips on how to do that.
- Do not leave your dog in a car alone. There were many incidences last summer when dogs were left in vehicles and died as a result of the boiling temperatures. Think about this, on a day that is 70 degrees out, the temperature in a vehicle with the windows rolled up can reach 120 degrees in 20 minutes and it can reach 150 degrees in 40 minutes.
- Watch the asphalt. We’ve seen many instances where people took their dog for a walk on a hot summer day, only to return home and wonder why their poor pooch has blistered/bleeding paws. The pads underneath your pups paws are very sensitive, in fact they are as sensitive as our own feet. So if it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot, it’s too hot for your fur baby.
- Go out during cooler times. Vitamin D is good for us, but the heat can wreck havoc on your canine. What you want to do is take your daily walks before or after the sun’s peak time (basically earlier in the morning or in the evening).
- Have shade and stay hydrated. If your dog is outside, it’s important to have a cool area for them that is shaded from the sun. And of course, keep fresh water both inside and outside.
- Panting is how your dog cools itself down. However, if you have a dog with heart disease, you know how bad the heat is for them. I admit that I used to freak out when I would see Angelo panting (especially last summer), but a quick way to cool down your pup is to take an ice cube and run it along their neck and chest. This isn’t a substitute for water, but I’ve found it to work very fast, not to mention your fur baby has tons of fun licking off the excess liquid (from the ice cube) from their neck and chest.
Do you have any other tips on keeping your pups cool during the summer? Comment below and don’t forget to share!


Project to Monitor Shipping Noise Begins
Although shipping is extremely necessary for thousands of businesses throughout the world, there are some problems which are caused by extensive liquid shipping.
One of the main problems is caused to marine life and habitats on some of the busiest of shipping lanes. However, a new system which aims to monitor the amount of noise pollution could see those areas receiving the most noise pollution undergoing steps to reduce those levels.
Of course, the majority of shipping companies are highly responsible and operate with the best possible intentions and actions when it comes to preserving marine life. However, this does little to change the fact that with more people and businesses than ever using chemical shipping companies, there is more traffic within these marine habitats and therefore more disruption to the animals and plants who already live there.
The aim of the new project, which has been developed by a biologist in Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences, is to identify the level of noise which is created by ocean freight shipping and establish the damage it is causing.
The new study was developed by Nathan Merchant who will study, in the first instance, the effect that shipping is having on his native Scotland and the marine life in the Scottish shipping lanes, which includes Bottlenose dolphins and a variety of seal species. He explains the project, saying “Underwater noise levels have been increasing over recent decades, due to escalations in human activity," says Merchant, referring to shipping, pile-driving, and seismic surveys. "These changes in the acoustic environment affect marine mammals because they rely on sound as their primary sensory mode. The disturbance caused by this human-made noise can disrupt crucial activities like hunting for food and communication, affecting the fitness of individual animals."
Eventually, the project will establish whether the noise levels and any disturbance they cause have an effect on mating with Merchant adding “Right now, the million-dollar question is: Does this disturbance lead to changes in population levels of marine mammals? That's what these long-term studies are ultimately trying to find out."
In addition to studying noise levels and their effect, Merchant will also establish whether different ships and sizes create different noises, and in due course whether they have different effects.


We donate 10% of our profits from the sales of these products to animal charities on a monthly basis to assist the ongoing welfare of animals.
Don't Just Boost Kibble, SUPERBOOST Kibble!
Pet Industry Consultants have certified the description of Rockster as a “Superfood for Dogs”. Additionally Rockster recipes, the cooking process as well as the ingredients are certified by Lacon, ABCert & the Organic Food Federation. German Bio certification has some of the most stringent “Bio” regulations in the world and has a zero tolerance policy to the use of antibiotics.
- Ingredients and process are regulated by very strict quality control rules.
- Animals fed only bio-organic food and cows are grass fed on pesticide-free land and certified to be free from exposure to chemicals, antibiotics, steroids and growth hormones.
- Animals are raised humanely respecting animal welfare.
- Plants and vegetable sources are grown free from exposure to chemicals and pesticides.
- No ingredients unfit for human consumption, fillers, meat paste, or waste materials of any kind.
- Strict production protocols removing risk of contamination from feed-grade foodstuffs or anything nasty whatsoever.
- Taste comes only from natural ingredients – no additives, flavourings, added sugars or sodium.
- All of our packaging is BPA-free.
- Carbon dioxide neutral production.
Bio-Superfoods with Prebiotics
Certain foods are nature’s gift, many call them “superfoods”. They are nutritionally dense foods that offer tremendous dietary and healing potential and have been used for thousands of years, due to their power to offer a rich source of nutrients, stimulating health at the cellular level. In order to reduce the need for expensive supplements, medicinal levels of a wide variety of bio-organic superfoods, never used before in commercial pet food, are added in specific combinations to optimise the health of dogs. Each product also includes bio-fermented Jerusalem artichoke concentrate, a natural prebiotic which aids nutrient absorption in the digestive tract as well as detoxifying the liver.
The Bio-Siegel is the national coordinating label of Germany which identifies agricultural products and bio-organically produced foods, independent from associations and brands.
Bio-Siegel can be used to label all products which are produced and inspected in accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on bio-organic production of agricultural products (EU Ecolabel) and whether at least 95% of the agricultural products come from bio-organic farming.
Organic Food Federation Certification
Certification of Organic operations and products.
USDA Organic Certification
The USDA organic seal verifies that producers met animal health and welfare standards, did not use antibiotics or growth hormones, used 100% bio-organic feed, and provided animals with access to the outdoors. Where foods made with multiple organic ingredients are concerned, USDA organic seal verifies that the product has 95% or more certified organic content.
Rockster’s bio-certification guarantees quality and purity of ingredients, including what the ingredients have been exposed to and ingested. The foods are the first in the U.S. to disclose 100 percent of the ingredients (including which part of the animal) and in what percentage. Due to the inclusion of certain superfoods rarely found in pet food, the anti-oxidant levels are up to 20 times higher than many other commercial pet foods, averaging more than 2,000 ORAC per recipe.
Transparency and Traceability
We believe that transparency is vital. This is why every Rockster product has 100% of the ingredients itemised and accounted for on the packaging. We even tell you EXACTLY which parts of the animal we use. Both our ingredients and our manufacturing process are certified, giving you the security of knowing exactly what is in your dog’s food or treats. We do not use any fillers, meat paste, foods unfit for human consumption or waste material of any kind and our products smell as good as they taste.
Rockster is gently poached from raw in the can at lower temperatures, mirroring sous-vide cooking methods. This means Rockster products are not exposed to high temperatures or oxygen, thus ensuring higher preservation of nutrients and flavor while eliminating bacteria or the need for preservatives. Rockster’s is ideal for dogs prone to allergies as Rockster products are hypoallergenic, single-protein formulas, without risk of contamination from other protein sources. All recipes are grain and gluten free.
All cans are certified to be 100 percent BPA free and fully recyclable, and production is CO2 neutral.


8 oz, mosquito bits, environmentally sound biological mosquito & fungus gnat control, kills mosquito larvae fast within 24 hours, controls fungus gnats in plant beds or pots when sprinkled on or mixed with potting soil prior to planting.
EPA registered in all 50 states.
32 oz, ready to use, neem oil spray, an all purpose insecticide, miticide, fungicide for organic gardening, derived from the neem seed, neem oil is an excellent choice for use on virtually any plant, including roses, flowers, vegetables, herbs, spices, houseplants, trees, turf & shrubs, kills all stages of insects, eggs, larvae & adults, makes a great dormant spray, imparts a healthy shine to hardy leaf surfaces, active ingredient: clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil.
Simply sprinkle in any standing water, including water gardens. Like the Mosquito Dunks®, this product kills mosquito larvae before they become adult (biting)mosquitoes. Will eliminate mosquito larvae within 24 hours. Also controls fungus gnats in potted plants.
12oz Ready to Use with Pump Sprayer. No odor, non-staining, all-purpose insecticide. Kills over 100 types of insect pests on over 60 varieties of ornamentals and houseplants. Great for container gardens too.
Lb, sluggo, slug & snail killer, contains iron phosphate & is used around pets & wildlife, can be used in vegetable gardens up until harvest & ornamentals, organic products that breaks down into fertilizer, safe to use around pets & wildlife.
This trap uses a food-based lure and color proven attractive to fruit flies. Simply add the liquid attractant to the trap and it starts catching fruit flies within minutes. Each trap comes with a 15-day supply of attractant and is reusable with RESCUE!® Fruit Fly Trap Attractant Refills. With more holes and a higher concentration of attractant, our exclusive design is proven to catch adult fruit flies eight times better than competitive traps.
Pt, concentrate, fruit tree & plant guard, protects plants against insects & diseases with new cutting edge ingredients, use to prevent common insect & disease pests in fruit trees, nut trees, ornamental plants, controls downy mildew in impatiens plants.
Permethrin 0.125%. An outstanding vegetable garden insecticide - kills and repels virtually any insect pest common to home gardens. Also great for Japanese Beetles on roses and flowers. Short days to harvest intervals.
Neem plus pyrethrin. A broad spectrum fungicide, insecticide and miticide for control of insects, diseases and mites on vegetables, fruit, nuts, herbs, spices, roses, flowers, shrubs, houseplants and turf grass around the home. Kills stink bugs, boxelder bugs, fungus gnats, to name just a few.
Full strength DE for indoor/outdoor insect control In homes, barns, stables, vegetable and flower gardens. This mechanical mode of action works by contact and by ingestion. Insects cannot become immune to its action. Insects all succumb within 24-48 hours of contact. Apply as a dust or a slurry. All natural and earthworm safe.
Tree & Shrub Drench, Apply At Root Zone To Provide Year Long Protection Against Tree & Shrub Damaging Insects Including Emerald Ash Borer, Systemic Action Protects Entire Tree, Will Not Wash Off,
contains Imidacloprid Insecticide.
Kills insects on contact PLUS protects against listed pests up to 30 days. Controls aphids, Japanese beetles (adult), leaf miners, rose midge, whiteflies and others. Rainproof in 1 hour after application. Perfect for indoor houseplants. Actives: 0.0015% beta-cyfluthrin and 0.012% imidacloprid.
2.5 LB, Sluggo, Slug & Snail Killer, Contains Iron Phosphate & Is Used Around Pets & Wildlife, Can Be Used In Vegetable Gardens Up Until Harvest & Ornamentals, Organic Products That Breaks Down Into Fertilizer, Safe To Use Around Pets & Wildlife.
When insect pests or their damage appear in your lawn or landscape, take control with a product you can trust. Easy-to-use Sevin® Lawn Insect Granules kill and control insect pests in lawns, home perimeters and ornamental and edible plantings. Just load your lawn spreader and apply granules at recommended rates. Water thoroughly to release the active ingredient and reach pests where they hide.
Contech, 15 oz, ready to use, tanglefoot tree insect barrier, non-drying, sticky compound, long lasting, weatherproof, made of all natural ingredients, non-toxic to humans, pets & the environment, sticky pastes made from natural gun resins, vegetables oil, & wax applied as a continuous band around the trunks of shade trees, plants or vines that provide a barrier against destructive climbing insects.
Ortho, 24 oz, ready to use, rose & flower insect killer, control ants, aphids, crickets, fleas, gnats, japanese beetles, whiteflies & other listed pests, keeps killing for up to 4 months, for indoor & outdoor use, easy to use, no mixing formula, dries fast, no lingering odor, active ingredients: 0.02% deltamethrin
2 lb, ortho bug-geta snail & slug killer, results in 1-3 days, safe around pets & wildlife, protects flowers & edibles from snail & slug damage for up to 3 weeks, unconsumed bait will degrade & become part of the soil.
WHY wasp & hornet yellow jacket trap catches 18 species of stinging pest, 4 species of paper wasps, bald faced hornets & european hornets, 12 species of yellow jackets. Environmentally responsible. No killing agents, insects die naturally. 2 week attractant kit included. No extra food bait required. Catches queens in spring before they build nests. Catches workers from summer through fall. Double chambered design prevents insects from escaping durable construction holds up for multiple seasons. Will not trap beneficial honeybees.
Permethrin .25%. Fast acting and long lasting (up to four weeks) control of ants, fleas, ticks, chinch bugs, crickets and more. Excellent product for household "perimeter” treatment applications and more.


Extend your reach to clean windows and solar panels with this two-in-one easy to use kit. The ProCurve® system is designed to clean windows and solar panels faster, safer, easier and is better for the environment. Using this system leaves no carbon footprint and conserves water, unlike complicated, expensive, non-eco friendly equipment. The ProCurve® System allows you to reach and clean even the most difficult to access windows and solar panels.
The HydraSoar® flow-thru extension pole and soft brush expedites the cleaning process when a water supply is available.
- 5-12′ ProCurve extension pole
- 4-8′ HydraSoar flow-thru extension pole
- 18″ Sorbo® squeegee channel & rubber
- 2 ProCurve tool handles
- 14″ deluxe wash sleeve
- 14″ support bar
- Soft flow-thru brush
- Canvas carrying case
- Printed Instructions (available for download)
- Made is the USA
*Sizes reflect the industry standard for extension pole lengths. For the most accurate sizes see chart below.
|Item||Description||ProCurve Size||HydraSoar Size||Pack Qty.||UPC|
|1005||3-Section Kit||5.1-11.7 ft / 1.6-3.6 m||4.5-8 ft / 1.4-2.5 m||1||039932010054|


Silicone vs Acrylic Roof Coatings
Silicone is the smart choice when compared to any acrylic roof coating. A silicone restoration membrane delivers superior UV resistance, adhesion, and reflectivity.
UV Resistance - Unlike acrylic roof coatings that chalk, discolor, crack and haze when exposed to ultra violet rays, silicone restoration membranes provide an in-organic, high solids elastomeric roof coating that will not degrade, chalk or crack under even the most extreme UV attack.
Stays Strong in Standing Water - Traditional elastomeric/acrylic roof coatings are water-based and cure when water evaporates. When standing water is present on roof surfaces for a period of 48 hours or more, acrylic roof coatings can begin to re-emulsify to their liquid state and lose adhesion. In contrast, silicone coatings cure and cross-link by reaction with moisture in the air. Silicone cannot re-emulsify due to exposure to standing water. SmartRoof™ 1-Coat High Solids Silicone Roof Coating is not water-based. As such, when standing water is present, its adhesion to the roof substrate is not affected.
Reflectivity Saves Energy - Using white silicone roof coating on a roof saves building energy use by as much as 15% to 35%.


"Carbon neutral is not the same as not emitting carbon, 'cut coal when you see it' and 'zero carbon' are not desirable, but to balance the carbon emitted and the carbon absorbed back by nature." Recently, Liu Ke, a foreign member of the National Academy of Engineering of Australia and president of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Southern University of Science and Technology, said in an exclusive interview with People's Daily during the Second Modern Energy Industry Development Conference that the focus should be on improving the utilization rate of renewable energy such as wind and solar energy.
"The core problem of new energy is to develop new ways of energy storage, which cannot rely only on batteries." Professor Liu believes that the future of liquid fuel is not necessarily with gasoline, but the liquid must be the best energy carrier for human beings, only made into a liquid, the use of good pipe network, in order to solve the future of human green energy problems.
"Because whether it is land transport or sea transport, the cost is very cheap. And liquids also have the advantage that they can be stored for a long time, just like alcohol, tighten the lid a bit and store it for fifty years without any problem, so this is the main reason why I think the choice of liquids is the most important." He said.
"It is suggested that wind and solar energy can be converted to green liquid fuel for storage. When there is wind and sun, we store the wind and solar energy in a liquid form. When there is no wind and no sun, then use this liquid to drive or generate electricity. I think this is a very worthy of the attention of China's new energy industry in the future." Professor Liu said.
"Inner Mongolia as a major province of scenery resources, its advantage is that wind and solar energy is very rich. How to combine wind energy, solar energy and the poor quality coal in Inner Mongolia's coal resources into a 'green liquid' is an opportunity for the future development of Inner Mongolia." Professor Liu said that this is crucial for China to achieve carbon neutrality and achieve oil self-sufficiency and energy self-sufficiency in the future. At the same time, in the process of developing solar energy, using the components separated from the coal, the desert in Inner Mongolia also try to manage into an oasis, which are the strategic direction of Inner Mongolia's development is crucial.
Professor Liu analyzed that the key to carbon reduction lies in changing the energy structure, and green methanol, which stores wind and solar energy in liquid form, will become one of the most reasonable energy solutions. He stressed that with green methanol, the internal combustion engine of the car will have a chance to become green energy power and achieve low carbon emission.
Professor Liu also said that, more importantly, if the energy system using green methanol as raw material is used on a large scale, it can achieve less than 1/5 of the carbon emissions of today's coal economy, which can further solve the problems of electricity, transportation and heating and cooling.


The Camp Lejeune water contamination crisis stands as a sobering reminder of the profound impact that environmental hazards can have on the lives of veterans and their families. The hazardous chemicals that tainted the base’s water supply have left a trail of devastating health impacts, leading to the recognition of presumptive disabilities associated with the toxic exposure.
Health Impacts of Contaminated Water
The health impacts resulting from exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune have been extensive and alarming. The volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), have been linked to a range of severe health conditions:
- Cancers: Perhaps the most concerning health impact is the heightened risk of various types of cancers. Studies and epidemiological evidence have established a clear connection between the chemicals in the water and an increased incidence of cancers such as leukemia, breast cancer, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer.
- Neurological Disorders: Exposure to toxic substances like TCE has been associated with neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. These conditions can have profound effects on an individual’s quality of life and overall well-being.
- Reproductive Issues: Contaminant exposure during pregnancy has been linked to adverse reproductive outcomes, including miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects. The long-lasting impact on families and the emotional toll of such outcomes cannot be overstated.
- Immune System Dysfunction: The toxic chemicals in the water have the potential to disrupt the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and other illnesses.
Presumptive Disabilities and Recognition
The link between the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and the subsequent development of specific health conditions has prompted the recognition of presumptive disabilities among veterans who served there. Presumptive disabilities acknowledge that certain medical conditions are presumed to have originated during military service, easing the burden of proof for veterans seeking benefits and support.
- Cancer: The VA acknowledges a range of cancers as presumptive disabilities for veterans exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. These include leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and several others. The presumption recognizes that these cancers are more likely to have been caused by the toxic exposure.
- Neurological Disorders: Conditions like Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonian syndromes are also recognized as presumptive disabilities for Camp Lejeune veterans. This recognition reflects the mounting scientific evidence linking these disorders to exposure to the hazardous chemicals.
- Birth Defects: The VA acknowledges certain birth defects in the children of Camp Lejeune veterans as presumptive disabilities. This recognition is a testament to the intergenerational impact of the water contamination crisis, underscoring the need to support both veterans and their families.
Seeking Support and Advocacy
While the recognition of presumptive disabilities is a significant step forward, navigating the benefits and support system can still be complex and challenging for veterans and their families. The process of filing claims and providing evidence of exposure requires careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the requirements.
Veterans’ advocacy groups have played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the health impacts of Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water and advocating for the rights of affected individuals. These groups provide essential resources, information, and support to help veterans access the benefits and care they deserve.
The health impacts stemming from the Camp Lejeune water contamination crisis are a stark reminder of the enduring consequences of environmental hazards on our veterans. The recognition of presumptive disabilities offers a glimmer of hope and relief for those who have suffered from exposure to toxic chemicals during their service. As we move forward, it is crucial to continue advocating for improved medical care, support services, and research to better understand the long-term effects of the contamination. By honoring the sacrifices of Camp Lejeune veterans and their families, we can work towards a future where the well-being of those who serve is safeguarded with the utmost care and compassion.


Global Meltdown 2017 1080p BluRay H264 AAC-RARBG
Language : English
1.66 GB | 1 h 27 min | mp4 | 2 500 kb/s | 1920x1080 | AAC, 48.0 kHz, 2 channels, 224 kb/s
Genre: Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller
A helicopter pilot and an environmental scientist lead a exodus of survivors in a search for a safe haven after a catastrophic tectonic event causes the crust of the earth to break apart.


The lack of access to potable water is an age-long problem facing global leaders and climate change is exacerbating the challenge.
In the Philippines, some 11 million families face the dilemma and are forced to rely on “unprotected” deep wells, springs, rivers, lakes and rainwater for their household needs.
Lack of sanitation facilities, according to National Water Resource Board (NWRB) executive director Dr. Sevillo David Jr., has also forced some families to defecate in the open, risking water contamination and diseases.
The water supply lack worsens during the dry season. “We have enough water supply for now. But the PAGASA says El Niño is looming,”says David. “We need to prepare for this as it could affect our water supply, particularly in our farms,” David said.
The water crisis received centerstage during a three-day United Nations Conference that drew some 10,000 participants in New York.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 24 called on the world to safeguard water resources to avert conflict and ensure future global prosperity.
Water, he says, is “the most precious common good” and “needs to be at the center of the global political agenda,” he said at the end of three-day UN conference.
“All of humanity’s hopes for the future depend, in some way, on charting a new science-based course to bring the water action agenda to life,” Guterres said. “Now is the time to act.”
The world is not on track to meet its 2030 water goals, including access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all.
Guterres before the meeting described water as humanity’s “lifeblood” and said its “vampiric overconsumption” had “broken the water cycle” and led to more natural disasters.
The world is “blindly traveling a dangerous path” as “unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity’s lifeblood,” Guterres said in a foreword to the report, released hours ahead of the first major UN meeting on water resources in nearly half a century.
Between two and three billion people worldwide experience water shortages. These shortages will worsen in the coming decades, especially in cities, if international cooperation in this area is not boosted, warn the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN-Water in the latest edition of the UN World Water Development Report.
Globally, 2 billion people (26 percent of the population) do not have safe drinking water and 3.6 billion (46 percent) lack access to safely managed sanitation, according to the report.
The global urban population facing water scarcity, says the report, is projected to double from 930 million in 2016 to 1.7–2.4 billion people in 2050. The growing incidence of extreme and prolonged droughts is also stressing ecosystems, with dire consequences for both plant and animal species.
There is an urgent need to establish strong international mechanisms to prevent the global water crisis from spiraling out of control. Water is our common future and it is essential to act together to share it equitably and manage it sustainably, the report said.
In 2020, two billion people were still without safe drinking water and 3.6 billion lacked access to safely managed sanitation services, including 494 million who had to relieve themselves in the open, according to the latest figures compiled by the UN-Water website.
At least two billion people drink water contaminated with feces, and 2.3 billion lack basic sanitation services—conditions conducive to the spread of cholera, dysentery and polio.
While climate change makes droughts more frequent and intense, UN climate experts (IPCC) also estimate that about half of the world’s population suffers from “severe” water shortages during at least part of the year.
The World Bank estimates that climate change-exacerbated water shortages could cost some regions up to six percent of GDP by 2050 due to impacts on agriculture, health, income, and potentially forced migration or even conflict. Ray S. Eñano with AFP
Agriculture makes up more than 70 percent of global water usage, but as city populations have continued to grow, “water allocation from agriculture to urban centers has become a common strategy to meet freshwater needs,” the UN said.
But that’s not likely to be enough. The number of urban residents threatened by water scarcity is expected to rise from 933 million in 2016 to between 1.7 and 2.4 billion in 2050, according to UN-Water, which projects that India will experience the most severe effects.


KSSOCA is offering both (a) Seed Certification & (b) Organic Certification services. Separate targets are fixed for both the divisions to undertake the program respectively.
The organization has been providing excellent service to the Seed Producers, Growers and the Farming community in particular. There has been an upward trend in the Certification Activities year after year and the Area Registered & the quantity of Seeds Certified has increased from 6315 ha. & 56179 qtls. in 1975 and every year average 50,000 – 55,000 Ha area has been registered and average about 5 lakhs – 5.5 lakhs qtls certified seeds production is being done. Various factors have contributed to this manifold increase like awareness amongst the farming community regarding the benefits of use of high quality seeds, encouragement by the State & Central Governments. for production and distribution of high quality seeds, participation of more no. of seed Producers and Growers in Seed Production Program and also varied agro-climatic conditions and soil types prevailing in the state which are conducive to seed production of various crop varieties.
- 1. To provide quality certified seeds to the farmers to increase production & productivity;
- 2. Increase area under seed production and increase the availability of certified seeds to the farmers, thereby increasing the seed replacement rate (SRR);
- 3. Reduce the percentage of failure of seeds at field, unit as well as lab level;
- 4. Improve the infrastructure facilities of KSSOCA for effective and timely certification activities.
The following are the main objectives of Seed Certification Agency:
- 1. To recognize varieties (and kinds where improved varieties are to available)eligible for seed certification and publish annually lists indicating the names of such varieties and kinds.
- 2. To maintain a list of sources of Breeder & Foundation seeds approved by the Central Seed Certification Board in case of variety grown in more than one state and by the state seed certification board in the case of varieties and kinds.
- 3. To Verify, upon receipt of an application for certification that the variety is eligible for certification, that the application has been submitted in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the state seed certification governing board and that the source of seedused for planting is from approved sources
- 4. To provide for the inspection of seed field, seed processing plants and seed lots in accordance with the procedures outlined by the central seed certification board.
- 5. To ensure that the seeds certified in the state conform to the standards prescribed by the central seed certification board.
- 6. To grant certificates, certification tags and seals etc., designed as per specifications provided by the state seed certification governing board.
- 7. To carry out educational program designed to promote the use of certified seed including a publication listing co-operators in the seed certification program and sources of certified seed and provide such information to the central seed certification board and to publicize the same.
- 8. To regulate the processing of seed in the seed processing units with a view to see that seeds are properly processed to conform to the standard fixed.
- 9. To test the seeds at the notified seed testing laboratories to conform to the standard prescribed under the seed Act.
- 10. Periodical inspection of premises of dealers to ensure that certification standards are not violated and there is no abuse of certification in any form and to ensure that farmers get certified seeds conforming to the standard prescribed under the seeds Act at all times.
- 1. Certify seeds of all notified kinds and varieties.
- 2. Outline the procedure for submission of applications for growing, harvesting, processing, storage and labeling of seeds intended for certification till the end to ensure that seed lots finally approved for certification are true to variety and meet prescribed standards for certification under the Act or the rules.
- 3. Maintain a list of recognized Breeders of seeds.
- 4. Verify, upon receipt of an application for certification that the variety is eligible for certification; that the seed source used for planting was authenticated, and the record of purchase is in accordance with the rules and the fees have been paid.
- 5. Take sample and inspect seed lots produced under the procedures laid down by the Certification Agency and have such sample tested to ensure that the seed conforms to the prescribed standards of certification.
- 6. Inspect seed processing plants to see that the admixtures of other kinds and varieties are not introduced.
- 7. Ensure that action at all stages, e.g. field inspection, seed processing, plant inspection, analysis of samples taken and issue of certificates (including tags, labels, seals etc.) is taken expeditiously.
- 8. Carry out educational program designed to promote the use of certified seed including a publication listing certified seed growers and source of certified seed.
- 9. Grant of certificates (including tags, labels, seals etc.) in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the rules.
- 10. Maintain such records as may be necessary to verify that seed plants for the production of certified seed were eligible for such planting under the Rules.
- 11. Inspect fields to ensure that the minimum standards for isolation, rouging (where applicable), use of male sterility (where applicable) and similar factors are maintained at all times, as well as ensure that seed-borne diseases are not present in the field to a greater extent than those provided in the standards for certification.


Dr. El Tahir Ibrahim Mohamed
Director, Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre
Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre
The Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Programme in the ARC, which is managed at present by the Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre (APGRC), has passed through an evolutionary process since the early 1980s as follows:
- It started in 1982 as an activity within the Horticultural Research Section of the ARC to collect, conserve and characterize the local genetic resources of horticultural crops, including vegetables and medicinal and aromatic plants, with support from what was so called by then the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR).
- In 1995 the ARC upgraded this activity into a separate programme for conservation of, and conducting research on the local genetic resources of all cultivated crops in Sudan. The programme was operated since then through an independent entity under the ARC, which was called the Plant Genetic Resources Unit.
- In the meantime the programme was developing in terms of human resources; infra-structure and activities related to collection, conservation, characterization and evaluation of local genetic resources of different plant species important for food and agriculture in Sudan.
- Following the considerable expansion in the germplasm holdings, physical capacity and human capacity, the PGR Unit was upgraded into a centre in 2014 named the Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre (APGRC).
To visit the Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre page on Genesys click on “Go to Genesys”
Objectives and expected outputs
The APGRC has a mandate of realizing sustainable management and use of the plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) in Sudan through attaining the following specific objectives:
- Conservation of local PGRFA against deterioration, loss and extinction.
- Enhancement of sustainable use of PGRFA in scientific research and breeding activities, as well as in activities related to protecting and sustaining the natural ecosystems and farming systems.
- Protection of national, community and farmers’ rights over the PGRFA, and realization of fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.
As a result of endeavours of the PGR programme to fulfill its mandate and attain different objectives, a number of outputs are expected to be realized including the following:
- A comprehensive national system for ex-situ and in-situ (on-farm) conservation of PGRFA in Sudan established on the basis of the international scientific standards.
- A knowledge base on the nature, size and values of diversity of PGRFA in Sudan created, and hence sustainable use of such genetic resources enhanced
- Data on PGRFA in Sudan well managed, and access to the PGRFA and associated information facilitated on the basis of the internationally agreed terms and nationally accepted conditions.
- The sovereign rights of the country and the rights of all parties over the PGRFA in Sudan protected, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use realized.
Structure and facilities
The PGR programme is run by the APGRC, which is structured in a network composed of genebanks, managerial sections and research projects.
Activities for conservation of the local PGRFA are carried out through a network of genebanks that comprise seed and field genebanks. They are composed of a central national genebank facility at the headquarters of the APGRC in Wad Medani, which is connected with a number of sub-national genebank units located in different agricultural research stations of the ARC. The latter include a seed genebank unit in Elobeid, banana field genebank in Kassala and date palm field genebank in Elhudeiba.
The central genebank is located within the APGRC headquarters in Wad Medani. It is composed at present of a central seed genebank with a number of seed laboratories attached to it. Batches of seed samples of all germplasm collections from all over the country are ex-situ conserved under long term seed storage conditions, which are realized in deep freezers that are adjusted at around -20° C. Seeds are adjusted at a level of moisture content within a range of 3-7% before permanently stored in the seed bank. They are packaged in laminated aluminum foil packets that are then hermetically sealed before deposited in the freezers. Seeds are tested for viability at the beginning before finally accepted and deposited in the genebank, and then on a regular basis for monitoring purposes. All deep freezers are accommodated in separate rooms, which are air-conditioned to around 22° C the whole day round.
The central seed genebank is attached with two seed laboratories, which are a seed drying and testing laboratory and a seed testing and packaging laboratory. This is in addition to a seed extraction room, where seed samples of germplasm collections are received from the original sources after collecting or multiplied in the field. They are then extracted, cleaned and temporarily packaged for further seed processing operations. The seed samples are then dried using seed drying cabinets within the seed drying and testing laboratory. They are also tested for viability within the same laboratory using a seed germinator or under open air conditions in a seed testing nursery. Once dried, seeds are then transferred to the seed testing and packaging laboratory, where they are tested for seed moisture content using a seed moisture analyser before permanently packaged. The seed samples of accepted moisture levels are packaged into the laminated aluminum foil packets, which are sealed using a heat sealing machine. Seed packets are then deposited into the appropriate freezers within the seed bank. The original seed samples firstly acquired by the genebank are kept in a batch separate from those resulting from any subsequent seed multiplication or regeneration processes. The Central genebank facility is equipped with a stand-by generator for emergencies.
Sub-national Seed genebank in Elobeid
A sub-national seed genebank unit is established within Elobeid Agricultural Research Station since 2005. The purpose from establishing this unit has been to conserve a copy of the seeds of the germplasm accessions conserved in the central genebank for use and safety duplication. Two major batches are stored in this seed bank. They consist of an active copy from germplasm accessions collected from the regions in the western sector of Sudan viz Kordofan and Darfur regions, in addition to a duplicate copy from other accessions collected from other regions of Sudan for safety purposes. This unit is equipped with major seed storage and processing facilities including deep-freeze chests, seed moisture analyzer, cooled incubator and heat sealing machine for aluminum packets. It is also supplied with a stand-by generator for emergencies.
Seed samples in Elobeid seed bank are also stored in deep freezers under long term conditions of -20° C, with seed moisture content adjusted within the range of 3-7%. Seeds are also packaged in laminated aluminum foil packets that are heat sealed.
Banana field genebank in Kassala
A field genebank for banana genetic resources is established in Kassala and Elgash Agricultural Research Station since 2001. It occupies a land area of 10 feddans, where a collection of banana plantations is grown for conservation of banana clones collected from different traditional areas for banana production in Sudan. The banana plantations are maintained by regularly applying the routine necessary cultural practices for banana production including weed removal, irrigation and chemical fertilization. It is equipped with some necessary field tools including a hand tractor and other manual tools.
Date palm field genebank in Elhudeiba
A field genebank for date palm genetic resources is established in Elhudeiba Agricultural Research Station since 2015. It occupies so far a land area of around 8 feddans, where a collection of date palm trees is grown for conservation of date palm genetic resources collected as off-shoots from different traditional areas for date’s production in Northern and River Nile states of Sudan. The field genebank is maintained by applying on regular basis the routine necessary cultural practices for date palms including weed removal, irrigation and chemical fertilization. It is equipped with some necessary field tools including a hand tractor and other manual tools.
The PGR programme is managed through the APGRC from its headquarters in Wad Medani. The director of the centre is responsible for all administrative and financial aspects to ensure the proper implementation of all components of the programme. This is in addition to his/her technical responsibilities with regard to the development and implementation of the technical plans and activities of the programme. As the central genebank is playing a major national role in the management of all PGRFA holdings its work is undertaken through two main sections, which are the PGR conservation section and the PGR information management section.
PGR Conservation Section
This section is responsible for ensuring the proper conservation and management as well as monitoring of the state of all PGRFA holdings in the central genebank. This includes all germplasm processing and testing operations, germplasm storage conditions and operations related to providing access for users to the germplasm holdings according to regulations. The section is headed by one of the research staff in the centre with technical assistance provided by a team of technicians and labourers.
PGR Information Management Section
This section is responsible for ensuring the proper management of all data related to the PGRFA holdings such as passport, management, characterization and evaluation data. Its routine activities cover adding, editing and producing reports on available information. The section is also responsible for managing access to the available data for users according to regulations. Moreover, it is also responsible for preparation and production of publication materials of relevance to the activities of the programme. The section is headed by one of the research staff with a major technical role played by an information management technician.
The processes related to data management are realized through operating and using a genebank documentation system with a comprehensive database. This genebank documentation system used is known as SESTO, which is a genebank data management tool, developed and used by Nordic Genetic Resource Centre (Nordgen). The SESTO is operated through a server linked with different personal computer units through a local area network. This system is used at present by the APGRC to manage the passport and management data, and it is being upgraded at present to accommodate characterization and evaluation data as well.
Research activities of the PGR programme are aiming at exploring the in-situ diversity of the PGRFA in Sudan, as well as enhancing their use through studying this diversity to provide necessary information on its size and values. To accomplish such objectives the PGR programme is dealing with different research topics under a number of thematic and crop-wise projects as following:
- Exploration and conservation of PGRFA.
- Enhancement of use of the genetic resources of cereal crops.
- Enhancement of use of the genetic resources of oil crops.
- Enhancement of use of the genetic resources of leguminous crops.
- Enhancement of use of the genetic resources of vegetables and medicinal and aromatic plants.
- Enhancement of use of the genetic resources of vegetative propagated fruit producing plants.
- Enhancement of use of the genetic resources of natural range plants.
The research activities of different projects include the following:
- Conducting field surveys and organizing regular missions to explore, collect and acquire samples of the genetic resources, including farmers’ varieties, old cultivars, breeding materials and wild relatives for the purpose of ex-situ conservation in the genebanks.
- Characterizing the PGRFA for morho-agronomic traits as well as genetic traits using standardized descriptor lists and molecular tools for different plant genera.
- Evaluating the PGRFA for different desirable traits on the basis of field performance under natural or controlled conditions, or by using molecular markers.


12 September 2022
BURRIMA BOARDWALK IS CLOSED TO ALL VISITORS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE FLOODED ACCESS.
Roads and visitor access are closed.
NSW National Parks & Wildlife service will be undertaking an aerial shooting operation for feral animal control between 26/9/22 – 02/10/22.
During this time entry to the ‘Burrima Boardwalk’ is not permitted.


OTHER GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- The “Monk’s Garden” features flowers and herbs grown in ancient medieval monasteries.
- A stone and gravel labyrinth was created in 2012 and continues to be a place of prayer.
- The greenhouse allows us to grow our hundreds of tomato plants!
- We grow other plants, such as green beans, potatoes, kale, and fruit trees. We strive for variety!
- We eat and cook what we grow, encouraging healthy eating through kale chips, beet brownies, zucchini bread, and lettuce wraps!
- A California native garden connects us with our local history and climate and is part of our Eco-School and National Parks programs. We save the seeds from our native plants to grow new ones that help the National Parks to reforest damaged areas.
- Our students learn the value of hard work, and they also get the chance to rest and read under a shade tree in the garden.
- We are in conversation with California Lutheran University and their garden program. A row of Ascension Lutheran School tomatoes is being grown in the CLU garden.
Our garden program is led by volunteer parents and grandparents, both beginners and those with horticulture degrees or a lifetime of experience. If you would like to learn more about the garden or become a “garden helper,” contact one of our Garden Committee Co-Chairs, Tiffany Napierala at email@example.com or Chamie Delkeskamp firstname.lastname@example.org.
If you are looking for garden resources, here are some links to books and websites that we have used as part of our own continued learning at Ascension Lutheran School:
Last Child in the Woods
This book, by Richard Louv, has been influential in the creation of our
preschool and day school gardens and outdoor classroom spaces. Louv argues
that too many children (and adults, too) are suffering from what he calls “nature
God, Faith, and Gardening
Watch the 12-minute Ted Talk by Fred Bahnson on faith-based communities becoming more fully alive through gardening, and/or read his book, Soil & Sacrament.
To Garden with God by Christine Sine
Pat Welsh’s book Southern California Organic Gardening gives a month-by-month guide to all your gardening questions.
Peaceful Valley has a plethora of short how-to videos on growing everything from tomatoes to beans to vines… as well as how to water, prepare soil, harvest, can and make cheese.
Gardening and U.S. History
Our 8th graders study U.S. History and take an annual trip to Washington, D.C. One of the sites they visit is Mt. Vernon where they stroll the gardens of George Washington. They learn how our founding fathers were gardeners. Learn more by reading Founder Gardeners by Andrea Wulf.


Preventing water damage inside our bathrooms is as important as directing water away from the foundation. As part of your routine home-owners maintenance, you should inspect the grout and/or caulking in tubs, showers and vanities for cracking.
If cracks are left unrepaired with the high humidity in your bathroom, it can become an open invitation for mould and mildew to grow, often out of sight. Mould is recognized as contributing to health and indoor air quality problems.
Loose grout or sealant usually causes cracks around the bathtub, shower or bathroom tile joints. If these cracks are not quickly cleaned out and filled, they can let in water that can damage your walls and the framing behind them.
To prevent this, immediately remove any damaged caulking (showing signs of cracking or gaps) or loose grout and replace it.
Cracks should be cleaned thoroughly before installing new caulking/grout. New grout should be installed in the joints between tiles. Ensure you follow-up with a quality grout sealer spray as grout is porous and treat with same annually to prevent water entering through the grout.
Since tubs expand and contract slightly due to temperature differences, grout is not suitable between the tub and the tile walls. Silicone sealant is required in that location.
Remember proper maintenance is much less expensive than the costly repairs that may be necessary if you sustain water damage.


WHITESTONE VALLEY C&D LANDFILL
Whitestone Valley Construction & Demolition Landfill provides disposal to North Georgia and the Metro Atlanta areas. This facility has capacity to take all demolition and construction debris as well as asbestos.
Whitestone Valley Landfill is a premier recycling facility within the Metro Atlanta and North Georgia areas. If you have an asbestos job to dispose of, please call the office 48 hours in advance at (706)-253-3300.
1840 Anderson Mill Road Austell, GA 30106


February 2 is known as “Groundhog Day” and in North America this day has become somewhat of a commercial spectacle. There are, however, ancient roots tied to this event which more closely honour the seasonal cycles while encouraging us to pause and consider what lies ahead.
Recently, I participated in an outdoor pre-dawn Imbolc ceremony on the edge of Ramsey Lake, in Sudbury, Ontario. With a wind-chill temperature hovering around -24C (-10F), yes it was brisk. Joined by a bunch of hardy Laurentian University students, we were led by an enthusiastic Environmental Studies professor who continually encourages us to find old and new ways to reconnect with the natural cycles around us.
Imbolc is a Sabbat which marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This was an important time in early cultures as kinship groups would have to assess how much food they had left for the rest of the winter. Even though many people hope that winter will not last another six weeks, most of us cannot imagine having to ration food for that length of time.
In our celebration, we honoured the Irish Goddess Brighid. She is the keeper of the flame and protectress of the home and hearth. The concept of spring-cleaning seems to have its roots in the ceremonial activities of purification and cleansing. Brighid was also said to inspire creativity.
We creatively tailored our ritual with new poetry, old song lyrics, while sharing food among us, including the more than human world by hanging a couple of bird seed bells. After lighting candles to symbolize the spreading of light, we burned scraps of paper with our intentions for the next six weeks on them. These simple actions, done in a group of like minded people, symbolically and communally acknowledged the shift towards the upcoming season of spring.
So you see, I really don’t care what the commercial groundhogs predict. I am striving to honour the natural rhythms of nature by regularly stopping to notice the continual shift in seasons.
Regardless of the weather, I would encourage you to get outside and celebrate the natural turning points in your inner and outer worlds. And while you are outside, perhaps you might consider asking yourself:
What are my intentions for the rest of this winter?
What do I need to ‘spring clean’ in preparation for new growth?


As part of its commitment to the environment, the ADA is taking a tangible step at the 79th Scientific Sessions to reduce paper consumption.
The Scientific Sessions Abstract Book will be available only in a digital format this year, while the official meeting news source has also gone digital at ADAMeetingNews.org. Scientific Sessions abstracts and meeting news will be conveniently accessible through the meeting app or online.
If you need hard copies of abstracts at the meeting, remember to plan ahead since the Abstract Book will not be available at the Scientific Sessions. View the abstracts here.


Although there might be a lot of people who are not ready for summer to end, it’s not bad after all because fall offers beautiful sceneries. After summertime is over, each state will experience its own unique view of fall over the next few months. As a result, people who love watching leaves change will start travelling to places where the views are stunning. New York, Maine and New Hampshire always have great seasonal views and attract a lot of people. However, there are other places you can visit to see fall colors or engage in activities such as hiking or biking. Here are 5 great places you can visit to see fall colors:
New England is well known with fall colors in the US especially when you visit at the right time. There are numerous plants that turn varying shades of red, orange, yellow and brown from September through mid-October. Much of the credit to these shades go to the sugar maple although there are other trees that have yellow and orange shades for example oaks, basswood and alders. Stowe is well connected to hundreds of mile of biking and hiking trails which you can use for sightseeing. In addition, the area has an easy access to the highest points of the Green Mountains where you can enjoy beautiful sceneries if you are up for it.
Columbia River George, Oregon
Columbia River Gorge is a home to more than 50 waterfalls which are a great spectacle to see. However, the best time to visit is during the fall months when firs, Oregon mash, twisted pines and cottonwoods start showing their colors. To see fall colors, you can drive along the river, bike or hike a variety of trails or raft/kayak down the river. If you are planning to visit Columbia River Gorge, the best time to do it is between mid-September and mid-October.
Zion National Park, Utah
Although you won’t find vast forests changing colors at once, Zion National Park has spots of crimson maples, cottonwoods, yellows of box elders and burnt-orange oaks. All these beautiful sceneries are set against the pale rocks of Zion and the blue desert sky making the view memorable. To see fall colors, you can start with the popular Emerald Pools trail hike. The trail hike starts from the lodge and goes all the way to the waterfalls and the crystalline pools. This trail hike is usually recommended if you would like to see deciduous trees of Zion. However, to see the maple grooves, consider taking the arroyos of East Zion. It is advisable to have a map, a tour guide or research in advance before taking the hikes to avoid getting lost or missing important places.
The Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina & Tennessee
This is one of the most visited national parks in the US because it has more than 100 species of native trees. Maples, hickories, sweetgums and scarlet oaks are some of the species which makes the park worth a visit. On autumn, the trees display an orange, gold, purple and crimson colors which attract leaf peepers. With more than 800 miles of hiking trails and scenic roads, you can spend days exploring the vast forests. The best time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains is from early October to early November when fall colors are distinct.
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Michigan state forest encompasses nearly 4 million acres making it the largest forest system in Eastern US. As a result, Upper Peninsula has more than twenty forested parks where you can take a tour. This densely forested Peninsula is sandwiched between three lakes which offer an added advantage to those who visit. You can swim, kayak or ride boats on these lakes. There are numerous tree species which offer a wide range of fall colors. Some of the tree species in Upper Peninsula include Aspen, Ash, oak, maple, sycamore, birch, beech and tamarack. The most ideal time to visit Upper Peninsula is from mid-September to mid-October although the peak happens in October.
It is evident that there are numerous places in the US where you can visit and see fall colors. However, you will have to do thorough research to find what you are looking for. In addition, familiarizing yourself with local places, cultures and local people is important before you embark on your tour. Finally, if you are planning to visit for a few days, consider having an estimated budget and plan your accommodation in advance to avoid experiencing problems when you arrive.
If you have a favorite place let us know.


Sadiq Nagar, Delhi
In 2017, as a part of the NDTV Dettol Banega Swachh India campaign, we launched a pilot project in Sadiq Nagar, Delhi to introduce household waste segregation. We partnered with the local Municipal Counsellor to introduce residents to household waste segregation.
Sadiq Nagar is a large colony of central government employees in South Delhi with 1700 households. The source segregation project was kicked off by distributing 2 colour-coded bins to each household and creating a door to door awareness campaign before disposal. The project culminated with an ‘inter-jeena’ competition in August 2018 where green champions were recognised and rewarded for successfully adopting segregation and keeping their local community clean and litter-free. At the end of the project period, Sector 3 achieved a 63% incidence of segregation.
This project was funded by Reckitt Benckiser.


Kilpilahti, Porvoo, has the largest cluster of oil refining and petrochemistry in the Nordic countries. The area has approximately 3,500 jobs. The companies operating there provide a continuous production chain from crude oil to plastic products. Neste also manufactures renewable fuels.
Together with local companies, the City of Porvoo and the development company Posintra are building a new future for Kilpilahti. Development efforts are partly based on the companies’ local operations, while seeking innovative ideas. Kilpilahti has excellent opportunities to develop into an important bio- and circular economy cluster.
Together, the operators involved have defined a common development vision for the area, entitled ”Kilpilahti, world-class industrial circular economy cluster – sustainable, intelligent renewal”. The City of Porvoo is currently zoning more business land for the area.


Elegent, Boutique, Relaxing, environmentally CONSCIOUS
PUR Beauty Lounge was Founded in July of 2019 with a Mission. Not only did we want to stand out from the rest (because really… who doesn’t?) but we were determined to provide an experience second to none while being very natural, clean and environmentally conscious. We spared no expense when it came to giving our guests the best experience possible while here. Come in and treat yourself to a Coffee, Latte, Mocha, Cappuccino, Espresso, Wine, Brandy.. well.. you get the idea.. we have a HUGE selection of refreshments to choose from. Don’t take our word for it, come see for yourself.
stay ahead of the game
Get on the list, stay up-to-date with new promos
edmonton • since 2019
Green Circle Certified
We are proud to have partnered with Green Circle to help us in keeping our Salon Green. Being a part of the Green Circle Network allows us to recycle over 96% of our Salon Waste! Waste that would normally end up in a landfill.


The different degrees in the Lake Anna water temperature is one of the many ways the lake is fantastically interesting and different from other lakes! The warmer temperatures on “the warm side” of Lake Anna significantly extend the water sports season into the fall and winter months. The Lake Anna water temperatures fluctuate throughout the lake (and throughout the year) due to the support role Lake Anna plays with the power plant.
Lake Anna stretches into 3 counties of Virginia: Louisa county, Spotsylvania county, and Orange County (partially at the northern tips). As one of the best recreational lakes in the state, it is also one of the largest.
Table of Contents:
- Lake Anna Water Temperature History
- Lake Anna Hot Side Water Temperature
- Lake Anna Water Temperature By Month
Lake Anna Water Temperature History
Lake Anna was built in the early 1970s to support the operation of North Anna Power Station. The water at Lake Anna moves through an important cycle to help the power plant function. When it was built, Lake Anna was divided into two completely separate bodies of water, commonly called “the cold side” (aka the public side of Lake Anna) and “the warm side” (aka the private side of Lake Anna).
The cooler water on the cold side of Lake Anna is pumped into the power plant to absorb heat inside the plant. When the water is inside the power plant, the water temperature increases. Next, the water is pumped out of the power plant into the warm side of Lake Anna, which acts as a “cooling pond” where the water sits and the temperature cools down. After the water cools down on the warm side, the discharged water is then pumped back to the cold side of Lake Anna to begin the cycle again. The power station pumps an impressive 2 million gallons of water per minute!
Lake Anna Hot Side Water Temperature
The water temperature of the hot side of Lake Anna is typically 14 degrees warmer than the water temperature on the cold side of Lake Anna. On average, the water temperature on the warm side of Lake Anna is 14 degrees warmer than the water temperature on the cold side of Lake Anna.
Check current Lake Anna water temperature.
Lake Anna Water Temperature By Month
You may be wondering when is the best time to visit the lake. That depends on the climate you prefer. Overall, we would describe the climate at Lake Anna as mild temperate. In the summer months, the water temperature at Lake Anna is in the 80s on the cold side of the lake and 90s on the warm side of the lake. With an average air temperature of 78.3°F and an average water temperature of 79.7°, July is typically the warmest month in a year.
In the winter months, the water temperature at Lake Anna is usually in the 60s on the cold side and in the 70s on the warm side. When it comes to air temperature, January is typically the coldest with 36.3°F average air temperature. However, when it comes to water temperature, February is typically coldest with an average water temperature of 34.7°F. February is also the driest month with minimal rain while August is usually the wettest month with about 1.3 inches of average rain.
Most people prefer to visit the area during summer months into fall, between June and September.
The water temperatures at Lake Anna are one of the many things that make Lake Anna truly unique and exciting. Please contact The Ashley Hoffman Group to learn more about Lake Anna and all of the real estate and commercial opportunities that are here!


Introducing children to sustainable living practices from a young age is not only beneficial for the planet but also helps instill lifelong habits of mindfulness and environmental stewardship. Beeswax wraps present a wonderful opportunity to engage kids in the kitchen while teaching them about the importance of reducing waste. In this post, we'll explore how beeswax wraps can become a fun and educational tool for kids, offering tips on how to use them and creative ideas for delicious and eco-friendly lunches and snacks.
Why Beeswax Wraps for Kids?
Beeswax wraps offer a hands-on and interactive way for kids to participate in meal preparation while learning about sustainability. By using beeswax wraps, children can see firsthand how simple changes in their everyday habits can make a positive impact on the environment. Additionally, involving kids in the process of making their own lunches and snacks empowers them to make healthy choices and fosters a sense of independence and responsibility.
Tips for Using Beeswax Wraps with Kids
Start Simple: Begin by explaining to kids what beeswax wraps are and why they're a better alternative to plastic wrap. Keep the initial activities simple, such as wrapping sandwiches or covering bowls of snacks.
Get Creative: Encourage kids to get creative with their wraps by experimenting with different folding techniques and shapes. You can even turn it into a fun challenge or game to see who can come up with the most unique wrap design!
Practice Patience: Using beeswax wraps may require a bit of patience, especially for younger children. Take the time to demonstrate how to properly wrap items and provide gentle guidance as needed.
Emphasize Reusability: Remind kids that beeswax wraps are reusable and can be washed and used again and again. Encourage them to take care of their wraps by cleaning them properly after each use.
Lead by Example: Children learn best by example, so be sure to incorporate beeswax wraps into your own daily routine. Let them see you using wraps in the kitchen and share with them why you choose to use them.
Fun and Creative Ideas for Kids' Lunches and Snacks
Wrap it Up: Try wrapping kids lunch items up instead of using plastic containers or bags. Some lunches that wrap well are sandwiches, sushi, and wraps. Not only does it make for a fun and interactive meal, but it also reduces the need for disposable packaging.
DIY Snack Packs: Create individual snack packs using small beeswax wraps or cut larger wraps into smaller pieces for the perfect snack bag size. As the beeswax wraps are naturally adhesive, simply fold into the shape of a bag and seal the edges together. Fill them with an assortment of nuts, fruits, crackers, and cheese for a nutritious and waste-free snack option.
Fruit and Veg on the Go: Try wrapping precut fruit and veg sticks in a beeswax wrap and placing into lunchboxes. The beeswax wrap will keep the fruit or vegetables from drying out. Think apple slices, carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, capsicum slices. These options will all wrap easily into a small wrap ready for snack time.
Decorate and Personalise: Allow kids to decorate their beeswax wraps with non-toxic markers or fabric paint to add a personal touch. Using our DIY Kit, they can wax coat their own wraps after decorating the fabric. They can create colorful designs, write their names, or draw pictures to make their wraps uniquely their own.
Compost: When the wraps are ready for composting, let the kids help cut the used wrap in to smaller pieces and be involved in the composting process. This way they can understand the long-term benefits of reducing the use of plastic within their own lives.
Get Started Today
Beeswax wraps offer a fantastic opportunity to engage kids in the kitchen while teaching them about sustainability and healthy eating habits. By involving children in the process of using beeswax wraps to pack lunches and snacks, parents can empower them to make eco-friendly choices and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. With a little creativity and imagination, beeswax wraps can transform mealtime into a fun and educational adventure for the whole family. So why not invite your kids to join you in the kitchen and embark on a journey towards a greener, healthier future together?


Environmental Modeling Systems, Inc.
EMS-I is the head distributor of software, support, training, and consulting services for water resources modeling using the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS Software), Surface-water Modeling System (SMS Software), and Watershed Modeling System (WMS Software).
The GMS 6.5 is now available! We are optimistic that the new features and enhancements will make GMS more productive than ever!
The SMS 10.0 is now available! We are optimistic that the new features and enhancements will make SMS more productive than ever!
The Watershed Modeling System (WMS) is a comprehensive environment for hydrologic analysis. It is developed by the Environmental Modeling Research Laboratory of Brigham Young University in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station (USACE-WES).


On Permaculture and Closing the Loop
By Brooke Taylor
This blog post is written by our newest team member: Brooke Taylor. Brooke is our Assistant Winemaker & Vineyard Manager. She joins us fresh out of the winemaking program at Niagara College. Having worked a harvest at Rosewood she has left the Niagara region for beautiful Prince Edward County. Despite being ‘fresh’ to the winemaking scene, Brooke is no novice to gardening. Having run her own landscaping company in Toronto, attending and teaching a Sustainable Agriculture program in the Panamanian jungle and completing a bachelor’s degree at Ryerson University (now MTU) in Environment and Urban Sustainability, she is well qualified to join our team, helping to craft healthy plants and make delicious wines.
Closing the Loop at Trail Estate
In order to create a closed-loop system here at Trail Estate Winery we must be focused on sustainability, permaculture practices and efficient compost systems. Sustainability means leaving the natural environment better than we found it and co-existing with nature. Permaculture is an agricultural practice that focuses on planting perennials (plants that return every year) and implementing systems that mimic natural processes. We have started to build our first permaculture garden space on the property in the Wine Forest.
The Wine Forest
The Wine Forest is home to ingredients for our Piquette with perennials planted such as: rhubarb, lavender, black currants and more. The long-term plan will involve the planting of more perennials that we can experiment with such as: raspberries, blueberries and other currant varieties.
Companion planting techniques will be implemented like planting columbines next to rhubarb and echinacea around the lavender. This planting technique promotes good soil health and pest mitigation. Irrigation will be by a system
of swales that will run and interconnect throughout the garden. Swales are trenches that, when designed properly, will move and store water near the roots of plants and mitigates water and soil run-off.
A cornerstone of self-sufficiency is seed saving which is another process that I have started by scavenging and harvesting seeds from our wild flowers on site such as milkweed, columbine and asters. These native-to-Ontario flowers not only look great but are also beneficial pollinators and the Monarch butterfly population.
Also new are a couple compost systems in order to make our waste productive and that will ultimately be applied to our vineyard to promote soil health, water retention and weed suppression. Compost is a waste pile of leaf litter, food scraps, grass cuttings, straw and other natural materials that are rich in nitrogen and carbon. Over time the decomposition of these materials will create very healthy soil which, due to mass monoculture farming, some of our healthiest soils in the world have been depleted to the point of no regeneration. It is critical that we build new soil in order to promote biodiversity above and below the ground level.
All our grape skins and pomace from the harvest season will be an integral part of our compost pile. I have created a windrow, which is a long narrow compost pile that will result in higher decomposition rates and is a productive solution for our grape pomace. Once decomposed, it will be returned to the plants that they came from as soil, thus creating a truly closed-loop system.


EnvironmentView Christmas Brochure
Our Environmentally Friendly Hotel
As a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, we are committed to implementing environmentally friendly practices throughout our hotel and restaurant.
We also encourage all of our guests to help us protect the local environment.
We make it our job to:
- continuously improve our environmental and social performance
- reduce pollution, emissions and waste by recycling
- reduce the use of energy, water and other resources
- raise awareness, encourage participation and train employees in sustainable business practices
- expect similar environmental standards from all suppliers and contractors
- assist customers to use products and services in an environmentally sensitive way
- liaise with the local community
- minimise our risks associated with social and environmental issues


According to this scenario of the U.S.
Energy Information Administration, China has already outpaced Europe
in carbon dioxide emissions and will overtake the United States of
America in about 10 years. By 2030, China's carbon dioxide emission
will be more than twice as much as that of OECD Europe.
Remarkable in this scenario is the
carbon dioxide emission of India, which is currently about one third
of China's. By 2030, India is projected to have a CO2
emission of a little more than 2,000 million metric tons - as
compared to almost 11,000 million metric tons in the case of China.
These number seem to prove that any
discussion about "Global Warming" that does not take into account
China is worthless. On the other hand, one shouldn't overlook the
fact that much of China's spectacular increase in carbon dioxide
emissions is based on assumptions about future economic trends -
which might or might not come true.


The foundations for animal life had now been laid down, and following the appearance of mouths and mobility, evolution took off. Attenborough explores the Burgess Shale in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, where there is fossil evidence of an event 542 million years ago which saw animals increase in number, diversity and size as never before. These ancient rocks reveal the world’s first large predator, the first defences and the emergence of an animal group that would conquer the oceans: the hard-shelled arthropods.
With bodies completely covered in a hard skeleton, arthropods resisted predation and diversified beyond comparison. Attenborough examines fossils from the deserts of Morocco and beaches of Scotland which document how this group would proliferate to conquer the oceans and make the pioneering first steps onto land. Some grew large and ponderous, and others developed wings and took to the air for the first time.
It wasn’t just the arthropods that made the move onto land. A tiny, almost insignificant fossil reveals a worm-like animal which could be the ancestor of us all. From such creatures evolved the first fish, some of which would evolve lungs and slither onto land, giving rise to the amphibians. From these terrestrial beginnings the reptiles would evolve, and eventually, much later, the birds and mammals.
During the course of the history of life, not all groups were successful. Many of the earliest animals died out, leaving no living descendents. But from the earliest life, a few groups of animals endured and evolved into the wondrous diversity of life we see on Earth today. As Attenborough concludes, the first animals may seem to us very remote and strange, but all of us alive today owe our very existence to them.


Both Zhanjiang and Dongguan campus of GDMU have passed the evaluation conducted by the Department of Education of Guangdong Province and were recognized as “Guangdong Green School”recently.
The university has carried out the establishment of “ Green School” in strict accordance with the evaluation standards in Guangdong Province, actively carried out the work from the the five aspects of “carrying out ecological civilization education, implementing green planning management, building a green campus, cultivating green campus culture and promoting green innovation research” ,and continuously improved the level of green development of the whole university.
Earning this award is not only the affirmation of our effort of establishing “ Green School” , but also an encouragement for our university to pursue green development.
Writer: Mao Huajun
Editor: Tang Zhipeng


Pousada Serra Verde Environmental Policy
Last Reviewed : 13/01/24
Next Review : 01/01/25
Pousada Serra Verde recognises that it has a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance as an integral part of our business strategy and operating methods, with regular review points. We will encourage customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to do the same.
Jeff & Kemely Parfrey are responsible for ensuring that the environmental policy is implemented. However, all employees have a responsibility in their area to ensure that the aims and objectives of the policy are met.
We endeavour to:
- Comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.
- Continually improve and monitor environmental performance.
- Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.
- Incorporate environmental factors into business decisions.
- Increase employee awareness and training.
Recycling & Waste
- We will eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging.
- We will remove single-use plastic wherever possible.
- We will recycle wherever possible.
- We will help guests and suppliers to recycle.
- We will minimise the use of paper and packaging as much as possible.
- We will seek to buy recycled and recyclable paper products.
- We will reuse and recycle all paper where possible.
- We will not use disposable cups/cutlery etc…
- We will not provide disposable ‘travel’ size toiletries.
Energy and water
- We will seek to reduce the amount of energy used as much as possible.
- Lights and electrical equipment will be switched off when not in use.
- The energy consumption and efficiency of new products will be taken into account when purchasing.
- 2022 has seen the installation of solar panels to generate electricity.
- We will reduce the need to travel, where possible.
- We will make additional efforts to accommodate the needs of those using public transport or bicycles.
- Cleaning materials used will be as environmentally friendly as possible.
- We will only wash linen/towels every 3rd day or unless requested.
Monitoring and improvement
- We will comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.
- We will continually improve and monitor environmental performance.
- We will continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.
- We will incorporate environmental factors into business decisions.
- We will increase employee awareness through training.
- We will review this policy and any related business issues at our monthly management meetings.
- We will involve staff in the implementation of this policy, for greater commitment and improved performance.
- We will update this policy at least once annually in consultation with staff and other stakeholders where necessary.
- We will work with suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors to improve their environmental performance.
- We will use local labour and materials where available to reduce CO2 and help the community (this is to be measured in our Carbon Footprint document).
Carbon Footprint Measuring – Pousada Serra Verde
What are greenhouse gas emissions?
- The key greenhouse gas emissions are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. Each gas has a different capacity to cause global warming.
- Carbon dioxide is expected to be responsible for about two thirds of the anticipated future warming.
What causes greenhouse gas emissions?
- Human activities release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere – using electricity generated from fossil fuel power stations, burning gas for heating or driving a car.
- The main activities from business which release greenhouse gases include
- Electricity/gas use
- Waste disposal/recycling
- Business travel
How do we measure our carbon footprint?
- We measure over a 12 month period.
- We use an online calculator from the Carbon Trust https://www.carbontrust.com/resources/sme-carbon-footprint-calculator
- We then use the Carbon Trust’s benchmarking tool to see whether we meet European Standards.
- To reduce carbon footprint by 10% year on year.
- To move to renewable energy by 2025.
2019 Carbon Footprint: Total emissions (k gCO2e): 1,658
2020 Carbon Footprint: Total emissions (k gCO2e): 1,201 (note 5 month closure due to covid-19)
2021 Carbon Footprint: Total emissions (k gCO2e): 1,432
2022 Carbon Footprint: Total emissions (k gCO2e): 1,143 (solar panels installed mid year)
Global Tourism Plastic Initiative – Pousada Serra Verde
Plastic pollution results in an estimated damage of US$13 billion each year to marine ecosystems and has an evident impact on our natural systems that are essential in supporting travel and tourism (UNEP, 2021). To align and enhance the travel and tourism sector’s efforts in fighting plastic pollution and transition to a circular economy for plastics, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI) was launched by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF). GTPI invites companies from across the travel and tourism industry to endorse a “common vision of a circular economy for plastics, where plastics never become waste, as provided by the EMF’s New Plastics Economy initiative
Upon becoming a signatory to the GTPI, accommodation providers commit to:
1. Take action to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and/or items by 2025;
2. Take action to move from single-use to reuse models or reusable alternatives by 2025;
3. Engage the value chain to move towards 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025;
4. Take action to increase the amount of recycled content across all plastic packaging and items used by 2025.
In addition, they commit to “report annually and publicly on progress towards meeting these commitments, as well as on estimates of annual weights of plastics use”.
How do we measure our plastic usage?
- We use the GTPI Plastics Measurement Methodology and measuring tool.
2021 Plastic Waste Generated: Weight of plastics per guest night (kg): 0.031
2022 Plastic Waste Generated: Weight of plastics per guest night (kg): 0.031


Medusafilters - vegan activated carbon filter made in Germany
- vegan fiber caps
- Coconut activated carbon
- Diameter 6mm / length 25mm
- environmentally friendly production in Germany
The vegan activated carbon filters from Medusafilters consist of thin, vegan cellulose sheets on the front and back and are filled with coconut activated carbon in the middle. This double filters the smoke and removes a large amount of impurities such as tar and condensate.
The taste of the filters is very neutral, the aroma of the tobacco products is retained and ensures a pleasant smoking experience.
On cold, damp days, the filters are very tolerant and do not clog . Even with too much or damp tobacco they are very tolerant and ensure a perfect passage.
Variants: 50 pieces in a refill bag or 100 pieces in a reusable glass


Top 10 energy saving tips
- Ceiling insulation is the most effective barrier against the summer heat and the winter cold. A minimum of R3.5 is recommended for most areas in Victoria.
- Keep the heat inside during winter and the hot air out in summer by sealing up any gaps and cracks in external walls, floors and ceiling. Seal external doors using draught stoppers or 'door snakes' at the bottom and weather stripping around the frames. Close blinds, curtains, windows and doors on cold days to keep the heat in, and in summer use outside shading to keep the sun off the glass.


Walter Nyamukondiwa and Admore Mbonda in Kariba
A KARIBA man has been trampled to death by an elephant early this morning while on his way to work along Lomagundi Drive.
The man who has been identified as Everson Tafarawo Safarawo of Nyamhunga 2 suburb in Kariba is believed to be employed as a gardener at Mzimkhulu lodge in Breezes suburb.
His body was found by a passer-by who went on to inform people in the area.
Safarawo reportedly saw a herd of elephants along the main dust road and decided to use a footpath to nearby Baobob Ridge suburb.
Unknown to him there was another elephant with a calf which went on to attack him.
Most people have resorted to walking owing to the high transport cost putting them at risk of being attacked by wild animals.
Cases of human and wildlife conflict have been on the increase amid indications from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) that there were more than 84 000 elephants than the 40 000 carrying capacity.


This is an app. 5 inches wide/4.5 inches tall sticker of the Tule Elk. It is high quality, fade-resistant, and weatherproof. The tule elk is a subspecies of elk found only in California, ranging from the grasslands and marshlands of the Central Valley to the grassy hills on the coast. The subspecies name derives from the tule, a species of sedge native to freshwater marshes on which the Tule elk feeds. Tule elk were brought to the brink of extinction, but thanks to conservationists their population is on the rise!!!


2nd Annual Penn Labs Freezer Challenge Winner Announced
Thank you to all Penn labs who participated in our second annual freezer challenge. The Freezer Challenge is part of the International Freezer Challenge supported by My Green Labs and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL). Lab freezers represent a huge opportunity for energy savings and increasing lab sustainability. Thousands of scientists around the world compete in the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge each year to learn how to be more energy efficient with their lab's cold storage, improve sample accessibility, reduce risk, and save costs for their institutions.
Penn Sustainability congratulates this year’s winner – Vaughan Lab in Penn Vet. This lab team spent the spring semester taking special steps to improve freezer efficiency, including performing defrosts, participating in interactive workshops hosted by the Penn Green Labs program with Thermo Fisher Scientific and Quartzy, organizing and cleaning out old samples, and temperature tuning ULT freezers. We extend a special thank you to challenge participants this year as we face continued COVID-19 challenges, making participation even more impressive!
We look forward to the participation of even more Penn labs in the 2023 Penn Labs Freezer Challenge, starting in January of 2023. In the meantime, we hope you will explore sustainability in your own lab space and get involved with Penn’s Green Labs program. To learn more, visit our Green Labs website.


July 28, 2016
Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro and Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on the site of the future home of FDNY Rescue Company 2.
Formed in 1925 to establish special rescue capability in the borough of Brooklyn and currently housed at 1472 Bergen Street, Rescue Company 2 is one of FDNY’s five rescue companies—specially trained units that respond to a variety of unique emergencies in addition to fires.
The company’s new station, located at 1815 Sterling Place in Brownsville, Brooklyn, is designed to be a training tool itself by enabling the simulation of a wide range of emergency conditions in, on, and around the building, including specific areas for trench rescue and confined space rescue training, a room to simulate the smoke-filled environments in which firefighters operate, and an elevated area that allows firefighters to train to rappel from the roof of a building to perform a rescue.
The design incorporates innovative double-use spaces such as a vertical light and air shaft that doubles as a training tower with windows, doors, and balconies that mimic typical city conditions. The exterior maintains the neighborhood scale and iconic red doors of more traditional firehouses. In line with the Mayor’s commitment to an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the design includes a solar water heating system, 100% LED lighting with motion sensors to reduce electricity usage, and a green roof to help mitigate storm water runoff from the site.


Whilst memories of beloved teddy bears might bring a nostalgic glow to the thought of real bears having roamed the Clwydians, the ‘terrible teeth and claws’ aspect of Ursine identity makes their absence something of a relief. Whichever vision they conjure in your mind’s eye, here they certainly were.
Most of us warm to the idea of a bear, perhaps because (apart from being ‘cuddly’) they remind us of ourselves. This is probably why the polar bear has been adopted as flagship species for the environmental movement’s action on climate change in the Arctic. And also the reason that the media have reported with a sense of horror that rising temperatures are impacting on polar bear ranges, causing them to come into contact with grizzlies – with whom they then interbreed.
Alarming though this sounds, the sequencing of ancient bear DNA demonstrates that – as with other close species – occasional ‘dangerous liaisons’ have always occurred at the periphery. In what at first seems an extraordinary finding made by a team led by Dr Ceiridwen Edwards (now of the University of Huddersfield), it transpires that all modern polar bears are descended from (now extinct) Irish brown bears. And in similar vein, studies of contemporary grizzly bears in Alaska show that they have varying degrees of polar bear within their genetic make-up. All of which suggests a certain plasticity – which, in turn, challenges our notion of what a species actually is.
Perhaps this shouldn’t surprise us. We now know that many of us have a Neanderthal component within our DNA, evidence that human species interbred in the past. The very idea of a species as something set in stone is, it seems, somewhat flawed because everything is in constant motion, changing in response to its surroundings and the things it bumps into. But BIG problems come when change happens very quickly – as is happening now – and species can’t adapt quickly enough.
So whilst the idea of a pizzly bear (as these hybrids are called) is then less unnatural than it might at first seem, this doesn’t mean that the threat of human-caused climate change is a sham, nor does it diminish the reality that the ‘unnatural’ forces (ie. us) that are causing it are also unleashing a tsunami of toxins into the environment. This represents an equal threat to all life on earth – ourselves included. In fact the current scenario is a disaster for Homo sapiens in particular, because we have come to expect – to demand – stasis, our increasingly urban civilisation being founded on it. Consequently we’ve become deeply resistant to the idea of change because it’s become much more difficult to change. This inflexibility will not enhance our chances of survival. Maybe we need to be more plastic (rather than overwhelming Earth’s ecosystems with it).


RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 15, 6-8:30 pm.
WHOOOO comes out at night? BAT you don’t know! Attendees will enjoy an old-fashioned campfire complete with s’mores & roasted hot dogs and a singalong with musician Merit Koch. After dinner, partake in a guided evening hike through our Woodland and learn about the plants & animals that come out when we go to bed. Plus families can learn about bats, see a live owl with Kate Friedman, Education Director of the Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, and plant a moonflower to take home.
- Music from Merit Koch
- See a live owl with Kate Friedman, Education Director of the Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Learn all about bats with Chris Grow of Grow Environmental Services
- Moonflower planting
- Guided evening hikes through our Woodland
- Roasting marshmallows & hot dogs
$10 MBG Members/$15 Non-Members. Price is per person. Children under 2 are free.


The Warren County Commissioners have provided a check for $500 from their Act 13 account in support of the 14th Annual Allegheny River Cleanup to an event organizer, David Snyder. The funds will be used for event activities and equipment as the cleanup takes place from September 15th through the 17th this year.
The Allegheny River Cleanup is a yearly conservation and ecotourism opportunity for volunteers to travel across the Allegheny River in Warren County to help clean and take care of the river banks.
Since the event in 2005, nearly 5,000 volunteers have donated more than 40,000 hours and have removed almost 900 cubic yards of trash from the watershed. Pulling everything from television sets; microwave ovens; lawn chairs; refrigerators; 55-gallon drums; more than 16,900 tires and more than 152,000 pounds of recyclable metal. Countless bags have been filled with recyclable metal, glass, plastic and aluminum.
Warren County not only donates funds but also provides inmate labor for a good cause and coffee for the volunteers. The Commissioners have officially proclaimed the week of the river cleanup “Watershed Cleanup Week” in Warren County in an effort to further help the cause.
David Snyder, event organizer for the cleanup said, “Support of this project by the Warren County Commissioners and other agencies and businesses creates the opportunity for all of us to give back to the community to make it safer, more beautiful, and more sustainable to live. Thank you!”
Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said, “I’ve signed up both my sons for this, and everyone in my family is excited to participate. This event isn’t just environmentally positive but also a lot of fun.”
Pictured are the Warren County Commissioners and David Snyder.