Victoria Falls spans more than one mile wide and plummets between 350 to 360 feet, making it twice the width and depth of Niagara Falls. During the height of the rainy season (April), more than 300,000 gallons of water travel over the falls every second.
A unique feature of the Victoria Falls is that opposite the water fall the level of the land continues,allowing the visitor to walk along its whole length, separated only by the gorge, and close enough to feel the roar of the water as it drops into the Batoka Gorge. So vast are the falls and their setting that it is very difficult to grasp their true grandeur.
Victoria Falls is one of the natural wonders of the world, and a tourism destination of note. You can do game drives, river cruises, bike rides or bush walks, horse-riding, fishing and birdwatching, adrenalin activities and historical tours - Victoria Falls has it all!
Victoria Falls town is surrounded by National Park, and wild animals roam freely, including elephant, buffalo, various antelope species, warthog, vervet monkeys and baboons. All may sometimes be seen in and around town - and often are!
Above the Victoria Falls the Zambezi River offers sunset cruises, fishing, birdwatching and game viewing opportunities along the Zambezi National Park. Below the Victoria Falls the Zambezi River, as it twists and turns its way through the Batoka Gorge, is home to gorge swings, bungee jumps and some of the wildest white water rafting in the world.
A must see! Entry to the Victoria Falls National Park costs $30 for non-nationals, with lower rates for national and regional passport holders. The park is open from 6.00am to 6.00pm daily.
Take a picnic and make the most of your time here, you can easily spend several hours in the park. The best time for rainbows in the spray is the afternoon, although mornings are often quieter and sunrise is well worth getting up for.
The rainforest and several other sections of the Falls a wet all year round, and a light waterproof is recommended. Cameras and other electrical gadgets will need waterproof bags to keep them dry. The Victoria Falls Rainforest Café, located inside the park, serves a full all day menu.
Outside the Victoria Falls Park in the car park is a great little curio market, which is run by a co-operative of local artists and traders - don't be tempted to buy from street sellers and if you can support these sellers who are trying to do it the right way. You can also hire waterproof raincoats here if you don't have your own.
The Victoria Falls can be viewed from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides – although only the Zimbabwe side allows you to walk along opposite the lip of the Falls for about two-thirds of its length and the area of the rainforest and Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side is twice as large as the Zambian side. When the water is low the Zambian side can be very disappointing as there is very little water coming over their end of Falls, partially due to the intake of water for the hydroelectric power station on the northern bank. Be aware of visa implications if leaving Zimbabwe and entering Zimbabwe. but note you'll also get an extra perspective on the Falls from the Victoria Falls Bridge, which you can visit without all the visa implications (although you will still need your passport!).
David Livingstone was the first European to view the Falls in 1855, naming them the Victoria Falls in honour of the reigning British monarch, Queen Victoria. His written accounts caught the imagination of Victorian Britain and, together with the paintings of Thomas Baines, brought the Victoria Falls to the attention of the world.
Arriving at the island which now bears his name, on the very lip of the Falls, he gained his first view of them from what must be one of the most breathtaking of viewpoints, describing it as “the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa”.
Prior to these first European explorers the Falls had been inhabited by the local Toka-Leya tribes under Chief Mukuni, mainly located on the northern bank of the river for safety from Matabele cattle raiders under Mzilikaze, a where the Mukuni cheiftanship continues to this day.
Within fifty years of Livingstone's first visit to the Falls, Cecil Rhodes had occupied a country and built a railway line from the Cape to the Falls, although he did not live to see it or the Falls. The Victoria Falls Hotel was opened in 1904 and the Victoria Falls Bridge opened in 1905, heralding the beginnings of tourism to the region.
Since these early beginnings millions of visitors from every corner of the world have be drawn to Zimbabwe to view one of the widely claimed 'Seven Natural Wonders of the World'.
A spectacular 1708 meters wide with an average depth of 92 meters the Victoria Falls forms the largest single curtain of falling water on earth, twice the height and one and a half times the width of Niagara Falls.
The volume of water carried by the Zambezi River varies greatly during the year, and depends on the seasonal rains in the Upper Zambezi catchment, which occur from late November until March. The water is at its highest from about the middle of March until about the middle of May, and during this period the huge volume of spray from the Falls can all but obscure them from immediate view. The spray plume rising above the Falls can reach up to 500 metres high and be visible 30 kilometres away and the constant localised rain nurtures a miniature 'rainforest' ecosystem under its shadow, and the visitor should be prepared to be soaked to the skin (waterproofs advisable!).
Towards the end of September the river levels starts getting really low, with the Victoria Falls exposed within the rocky gorge, until the end of November when the local rains start filling up the river again. Clear of the shroud of spray, you can marvel at the solid rock walls of the gorge, worn smooth by the abrasive power of the water, and watch the tumbling streams of water fall into its depths.
Near the eastern end of the Falls, about three quarters of the way along its length, the river escapes through a narrow opening, only 60 metres wide. It then flows into a deep pool called the Boiling Pot, about 150 metres wide, before turning and racing on its 100 kilometre journey through the zigzagging Batoka Gorge. Compressed from such a wide open channel into the narrow twisting gorge, the river changes from placid and peaceful to tortuous and treacherous.
Read more about the human and natural history of the Victoria Fall region - To The Victoria Falls (external site, opens in a new window).


Jorge Chávez Airport will be the first Peruvian air terminal to use energy from renewable sources
Lima Airport Partners (LAP), operator of Jorge Chávez International Airport (AIJC) and ENGIE Energía Perú, a Peruvian power generation company, signed an important contract for the supply of 100% renewable energy for the first air terminal in Peru, as well as for its mega expansion project. Through this contract, LAP will be able to supply its operations with energy from 100% renewable sources, backed by I-REC International Certification. This supply agreement is for a contracted power of up to 28.8 MW and is valid until December 2031, starting in September 2021 for the expansion project and from January 2022 for the existing terminal. "In the framework of our sustainability policy and our commitment to contribute to the mitigation of climate change, the agreement reached with ENGIE Energía Perú will allow us to continue expanding our operations of the existing terminal and the construction of the new terminal, growing in a sustainable and responsible way with society and the environment, using 100% renewable energy," said Turgay Kircar, LAP's Central Operations Manager. It should be noted that with this contract, LAP estimates that it will contribute to avoiding the annual emission of approximately 15,000 tons of CO2e into the environment. This will reduce between 99% and 100% of the greenhouse gas emissions generated by electricity consumption. "At ENGIE, we are committed to helping our customers be part of the energy transition to a carbon neutral economy. This 100% renewable energy contract with LAP represents a clear example of the commitment of both companies to seek energy solutions that are increasingly sustainable and beneficial to the environment," said Daniel Cámac, Commercial Vice President of ENGIE Energía Perú. ENGIE Energía Perú is one of the largest power generation companies in the country. With 24 years in the Peruvian market, it is part of the ENGIE Group, the largest independent power producer in the world, with 170,000 employees in 70 countries. Its purpose is to accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, offering low-carbon electricity generation, renewable energy and energy infrastructure. Finally, LAP remains firmly committed to sustainability, to provide a unique, simple and efficient service experience, and to be an airport that promotes development for all.


"We create a sustainable world by denying waste exists and by transforming organic material into clean energy."
As consultants we visited many staff restaurants in which organic waste (swill) is simply thrown away. This is a very costly method to get rid of this swill. Not only are high collection and transportation costs involved, but also valuable organic material is reduced to worthless waste.
There is a smarter solution for this challenging issue. By fermenting the organic material into biogas and then upgrade it to green gas this solution works both ways: neutralizing the waste problem for medium and large sized companies and at the same time creating a new sustainable usage for high value organic material. A truly sustainable cycle!
We started to look for competent partners and founded a joint venture with high tech companies in the fermenting and engineering business. Out of it came Swillpower, a company that solves your waste problems by transforming swill into clean energy.
In 2016 we acquired a substantial international subsidy and thanks to the support of some visionary companies and the local government our challenging adventure was born.
facility at the Energy Transition Centre (EnTranCe), the hot spot for new business development in energy transition and part of Energy Academy Europe.
Our goal is to build a working prototype of the Swillpower converter before the summer of 2019. In the next months we'll keep you informed about our thrilling project through this website. Stay tuned!


Living A Green Lifestyle
November 16th, 2008
Reduce. Recycle. Reuse Living a green lifestyle.
“Living green” is a notion that benefits every lifestyle. Now, more than ever, being environmentally conscious is rapidly developing from a trend to a way of life. With gas prices sky rocketing and natural resources dwindling before our eyes, we can easily make small changes to limit our impact on the earth.
Joanna Vargas Salon, Skin Care Sanctuary shares with you some quick and simple suggestions that can act as a checklist and starting point on the road to reducing your carbon footprint and beginning your path to green living. And it does not matter whether your business is a spa or some other enterprise, with some small but beneficial adjustments, these tips can be easily integrated into your everyday life and that of your business.
Switch to energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, such as those certified by Energy Star. They use up to seventy five percent less energy and last a great deal longer than conventional alternatives. We use power strips here at our day spa in New York City as a convenient way to collectively plug in our electronics and shut them off when they are not in use. While this may seem like an easily forgettable step, it is important to consider that electronics contribute to between five to twenty percent of your monthly power bill while on standby.
Save plastic wrap, bubble wrap, boxes and any other commonly reusable materials. Urge your office or apartment building to recycle if it does not already. Also, think before you print your emails and faxes. Here at our skincare salon we think, do we really need a hard copy? And if we do, can we use that piece of paper to print double-sided on it.
Organic canvas and cotton bags are an environmentally conscious and stylish alternative to plastic shopping bags. Joanna Vargas Spa uses bags that are made from recycle materials. You at home or the office can reinvent vintage clothing and furnishings. An old wood chair in good condition but covered with old or ugly fabric found at a thrift store can easily be cleaned and recovered. A fabulous vintage coat can easily be altered, leaving you with a one of a kind treasure that now fits to your specifications.
Reduce, recycle, and reuse. There is no better time to start than now!
Joanna Vargas Skin Care Salon in New York City is dedicated to improving our relationship with the environment and the people that live in it. That is why we strive to strengthen our green life style by only using organic skin care products and noninvasive techniques. Please if you have any questions or wish to make an appointment call us at 212.949.2350 or email us at Salon@JoannaVargas.com. And when you shop on our online store use this code uar296US!+cS for 10% off during check out.


Whether your motivations for going solar are economic, environmental, or personal, this list of solar power benefits will have something for everyone. Here are some reasons why you should consider changing to solar;
Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, electricity costs can make up a large portion of your monthly expenses. With a solar panel system, you’ll generate free power for your system’s entire 25+ year lifecycle. Even if you don’t produce 100% of the energy you consume, solar will reduce your utility bills and you’ll still save a lot of money.
Solar panels aren’t an expense – Thanks to substantial electricity bill savings, the average homeowner pays off their solar panel system in seven to eight years!
One of the most clear cut benefits of solar panels is the ability to hedge utility prices. In the past years, residential electricity prices have gone up by an average of 3% annually. By investing in a solar energy system now, you can protect yourself against unpredictable increases in electricity costs. If you’re a business or homeowner with fluctuating cash flow, going solar also helps you better forecast and manage your expenses.
Multiple studies have found that homes equipped with solar energy systems have higher property values and sell more quickly than non-solar homes. Surveyors are increasingly taking solar installations into consideration as they value homes at the time of a sale, and as homebuyers become more educated about solar, demand for properties equipped with solar panel systems will continue to grow.
Solar is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. A typical residential solar panel system will eliminate three to four tons of carbon emissions each year—the equivalent of planting over 100 trees annually.


Specialist research, survey and monitoring, mitigation and conservation, assessment and evaluation services
We aim to provide technically excellent ornithological and ecological fieldwork and advice. We can accommodate projects of any size, nationwide, covering all habitats and species, offering a dedicated, cost-effective service to successfully deliver projects within budget, schedule and specification.
We are experienced in all aspects of ecology and ornithology, which ensures that our fieldwork produces technically excellent surveys and reports, promoting objective analysis and assessment.
Our experienced ecologists and ornithologists maximise systematic data collection via implementation of recognised and approved survey methodologies and the design of bespoke techniques to compliment project specifications.
Working on a sub-consultant and freelance basis we specialise in the following professional services:
We particularly specialise in bird surveys, including but not limited too – preliminary bird walkover surveys, breeding bird surveys (CBC territory mapping), wintering and migratory bird surveys, upland wader surveys, vantage point surveys (often renewable energy applications), wetland bird surveys (WeBS), raptor surveys/monitoring, seabird surveys/monitoring and species specific surveys, research and monitoring including Schedule 1 species listed on the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Preliminary ecological appraisals, bats (potential roost assessments, dusk/dawn surveys etc), badgers, reptiles, water vole, otter, red squirrel and great crested newts .
Research and Education
Research projects with government and non-government organisations (including species specific studies), education sessions/talks at schools and other institutions – including guided walks, talks and identification tutorials.
Mitigation and Conservation
Robust mitigation advice to projects of all sizes including bespoke recommendations tailored to the project/species involved and outcomes required.
Advice and/or practical assistance with provision of habitat and nest boxes for specific or general enhancement targets.
Additionally, we can also provide species specific, mitigation boxes (bird nest boxes inc raptors, bat boxes, dormouse boxes etc). Examples of which can be seen in our newsletter. These are also available for individual order at special request.


Today, March 22nd, is World Water Day, in which a host of international agencies such as the United Nations attempt to raise awareness of the vital significance of – but also the many threats to – this precious resource. For those interested in natural resource justice, water occupies a very special place. Along with air, it is unquestionably necessary to any human existence. But whereas air raises relatively few issues – people are rarely deprived of air, although sometimes its poor quality impairs their health – across the world access to water is patchy at best. Many people – most commonly women – find accessing water every day time-consuming, expensive and in many cases dangerous.
Some communities – like the UK – consume huge amounts of water, and rarely even have cause to think about its ready availability (short of the occasional hosepipe ban!). On closer inspection, though, this is not because we have plenty of water within our borders. The UK actually has a massive ‘external water footprint’ – which means that more than two-thirds of the water used to produce the goods, services (and most importantly food) that we consume is actually used to produce those goods overseas. This makes us a major net importer of ‘virtual water’, indirectly consuming water from a series of countries across the world. We are deeply embedded in, and dependent upon, this global trade in ‘virtual water’ – although most of us have no idea of it.
Our deep involvement in the movement of virtual water across the globe, and the fact that water itself is not produced by anyone but in fact circulates through a global hydrological system which we all benefit from but over which we have little control, means that we ought to sit up and take notice of the costs associated with the virtual movement of water. We also should recognise the situation faced by those whose access to water is much less secure. Strikingly, people living in slums in the Philippines pay more for their water than do people in Britain. Belatedly, we are recognising that access to water and sanitation is a human right, and a basic one at that. So there is an urgent need to enhance the infrastructure needed to transport water cheaply and effectively to where people actually need it. And given that agriculture accounts for about 80% of global water usage, there is a further need to spread efficient technologies which would wean countries off environmentally unsustainable forms of irrigation.
The UN has declared 2013 the International Year of Water Cooperation, highlighting the work that remains to be done. Individuals can give to charities such as WaterAid which share these twin projects of developing infrastructure and improving agricultural efficiency. They can try to educate themselves to consume less water-intensive products. But other opportunities could also be explored. Through the pioneering work of Wereld Waternet, every time a resident of Amsterdam runs their tap or fills their bath they pay a small surcharge ring-fenced for improving water infrastructure in countries like Egypt, Morocco and Suriname. On World Water Day, is it time to explore such ideas closer to home?


The Texel pine forest, the 'Dennenbos', is a planted forest. There are few indigenous trees on the island. The island inhabitants were dependant on the wood which washed up on the beach. It used to be commonplace to make the rafters for farmhouses out of the masts of ships which were washed up on the shore.
At the end of the 19th century enterprising Texel inhabitants decided to put the barren dunes to good use. Trees were planted, mainly pine trees, to produce wood. Many Texel people were sceptical about the planting of 'the Dennenbos'.Little grew in the dunes and many thought that pine trees wouldn't survive on Texel. The nature conservationist Jac.P. Thijsse,who taught on Texel from 1890-1891, protested against the exploitation of the landscape.
Later on the sceptics changed their opinion. Thijsse was right in saying that by draining the wet dune valleys a unique environment would be lost. But in his famous Verkade-album 'Texel' from 1927 he wrote enthusiastically about a cycle ride through the 'Dennenbos': "Everyone visiting the 'Dennenbos'' will have to agree that the State woodland commission has done good work here and that it has improved the quality of life on Texel. Of all the things our island can be proud of, one thing is missing, and that is protection from the wind.
The islanders became fond of the 'Dennenbos'. The wood production was poor due to the infertile land and the see winds, but once tourism started booming on the island the 'Dennenbos' became an important leisure area. Deciduous trees were planted in order to create a more varied environment. The 'Dennenbos' is still called De Dennen, meaning 'the pines'. Just how important the pine trees are to the islanders became apparent a few years ago when they campaigned against the plans of Staatsbosbeheer to fell part of the pine forest.


An exhibition of artworks made from recycled materials
Saturday 10th July to Saturday 14th August 2021
Sculpture, jewellery, mosaics, glass frames, lighting, homeware and furniture all made from reclaimed and recycled materials by artists who are dedicated to creating new art from old waste.
Professional sculptor Ptolemy Elrington creates 'hubcap creatures' working with recycled materials incorporating a regenerative eco aware theme in his work. Jake Partridge creates artworks from repurposed and recycled materials saving many skateboards from landfill and collecting dust in the back of skate shops and peoples garages. Adele Zaslawska makes mosaics to make people smile & to perhaps trigger fond memories, using the beautiful patterns & designs of old china, often incorporating a little bit of history with the maker's stamp. Anthony Harris is a glass artist based in Salisbury, relocating after working for fifteen years at the Royal College of Art to continue with his glass art and restoration business. His recycled frames incorporate artwork using silver and gold leaf adhered to a glass surface, drawing into the surface to reveal an image. Themes include birds, bees and blossom.
The exhibition also features the work of: 'J.A.M.S Ironwork' (lighting made from upcycled vintage materials), 'Rescue & Revive' (hand crafted gifts and sculptures using reclaimed, found and vintage materials including cutlery, stained glass, tin and driftwood), Rebecca Crawford (mobiles and jewellery using recycled plastic), Tom Sibbick (sculptures using recycled materials) and 'Badger & Birch' (Terrazo homeware crafted from waste mussel, oyster and scallop shells reclaimed from local seafood restaurants).
At Fisherton Mill, Salisbury 'Recreate' is a truly imaginative and inspiring exhibition running for 5 weeks and not to be missed!
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday, 9.30am-5.30pm


Recycling and repurposing is our mission. Through consignment, we do our part in the circular economy by reducing the fashion industries’ yearly impact on pollution. Our sustainable solution is to entice customers to buy pre-loved from our repurposed, near-perfect luxury goods.
If you would like to consign with us or to find out more information on what consigning is really all about; we would love to hear from you!
Simply send us an email at email@example.com with descriptions of your items and photos.


Enjoyable sustainable renovations
What is retrofitting?
It a nutshell, it refers to the addition of new technology, components or features to older systems. Retrofitting period homes involves upgrading existing properties to improve energy efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. It also often involves retaining / refitting original finishing features.
Some popular techniques for retrofitting period homes include: draught-proofing, insulation, double or triple glazing, heating upgrades, ventilation, energy efficiency lighting, and solar panels.
Improving the energy efficiency of a period home while maintaining sustainability involves a combination of thoughtful design, high-quality materials, and environmentally friendly practices.
Here are five important changes that you can consider making on your period home:
1. Insulation upgrades - lots to choose from
Enhancing insulation throughout the home is crucial for reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency. In a period home, this can be achieved by adding insulation to the roof space, walls, and floors without compromising the historical integrity of the
Using sustainable insulation materials such as sheep's wool, cellulose, or recycled fibres can minimise environmental impact. Insulation is a wide topic as it refers to the contents of external and internal walls and floors as well as their finishing layers. That topic is a whole other blog post that I am committed to write on soon.
With a bit of research you'll find that a number of companies nowadays produce insulation materials that are sustainable and easy to fit/apply. It can be easy to go to the most popular product or to reply on your building contractor to choose.
However, renovating sustainably requires us to be proactive. Educate yourself on the composition of the materials that are being fitted in your home. Support your builder in choosing sustainable and ethical materials that will last, won't cost the earth (meaning both the planet and your pockets), and won't be harmful to the health of the household. If you care but are not sure where to start or how to achieve that, ask for advice from the experts.
You can even do some of the work yourself if not all of it. Ot is simpler that it looks, but I won't lie, it is messy and disruptive to open walls. Decide if you want to live in during the works. Whatever you choose, it will be well worth the inconvenience, when you see your energy bills reduced by half or more.
2. Window restoration or replacement - you have options
Replacing widows when they can be refurbished can also cause unnecessary waste. Instead of replacing them outright, you can consider restoring and upgrading existing windows with techniques such as draught-proofing, adding secondary glazing, or installing custom-made storm windows.
If replacement is necessary, opt for energy-efficient windows with low-emissivity coatings and thermal breaks, preferably made from sustainably sourced materials like timber. Replacing windows can be a significant expense and typically, window fitting in the UK involves a long lead time.
My advice before making the decision to replace or refurbish windows is to get three quotes from contractors who can do both. Start your search for contractors early in your renovation process. Once you've signed a contract with deposit, the lead time is on average 8-16 weeks before fitting.
When buying a property, check the condition of the windows and make sure your renovation budget includes their replacement or restoration if this is going to be necessary in less than five years from moving in.
Replacing windows is minimally disruptive and (although it is possible that the wall around the window will need repainting) you can easily get this done while living in the property.
3. Heating system modernisation -
Updating the heating system is essential for improving energy efficiency in a period home. This can be done in a number of ways : boiler replacement, zoned heating, and increased radiator size are here discussed.
Consider replacing outdated boilers with high-efficiency condensing boilers or exploring renewable heating options such as heat pumps or biomass boilers. The key word there is : outdated. Boilers have a long lifespan and can be repaired multiple times. To learn more about changing your heating system, you can read The Place Between's other post Hiring a Heating Engineer for Gas Boiler Replacement: Tips and Considerations.
Implementing zoned heating controls and smart thermostats can also help optimise energy usage and reduce heating costs while maintaining comfort levels. This sort of improvement can be disruptive and is best done when renovating, i.e. when you are opening the floors and walls anyway. Smart radiator valves are an alternative for those who aren't renovating their homes but would like to control radiators remotely.
When renovating, increasing radiator size/heat output can allow your system to reach a balance a warmth and efficiency at a lower temperature. With the cost of living crisis, the advice to lower the temperature of boilers to reduce energy bills has become very popular.
However, this may not work for your home if your radiators are not energy efficient. High-efficiency radiators, such as those with double panels or fins, will generally provide better heat output while using less energy compared to traditional single-panel radiators. So here comes a dilemma when you would like to retain or refit beautiful old cast iron radiators. I promise to look into this in more details too. Stay tuned, sign up to our newsletter and get a copy of our Green Home Renovation e-booklet to get more insight.
4. Air tightness improvements
Addressing air leakage and draughts is key to enhancing energy efficiency and comfort in a period home. You can seal gaps and cracks around windows, doors, floorboards, and other areas of air penetrations using eco-friendly caulks, weatherstripping, or expanding foam insulation. Dense and natural fabric such as velvet, wool and felt can also be added to draughty spots, such as the front door or french garden doors.
When renovating, consider installing airtight membranes or breathable insulation barriers in the walls and floors to minimise heat loss while allowing moisture to escape, thus preventing condensation and mould issues.
5. Renewable energy integration
Incorporating renewable energy technologies can further reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions in a period home. Options include installing solar
photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof to generate electricity, solar thermal systems for hot water heating, or even small-scale wind turbines or micro-hydro systems where feasible.
If you are new to this, you can get advice and enquire about systems that are appropriately sized for the home's energy needs. The environmental impact of the materials used in manufacturing and installation is also relevant.
By implementing these changes thoughtfully and sustainably, homeowners can significantly improve the energy efficiency of their period homes while preserving their historical character and minimising environmental impact. Working closely with experienced professionals who specialise in period home refurbishment and environmental sustainability is wise.


If you have asthma or allergies you don’t have to limit your yard decorating to stones and concrete! There are many plants you can use to design your home garden including flowers, shrubs, trees and more, that won’t contribute to your outdoor allergy symptoms. (See some pictures of a few common allergenic plants.)
However, keep in mind that, even if your garden is “allergy free,” many of the pollens that affect you can travel to your yard from other gardens in the neighborhood or even from as far away as the next state. But there are intelligent and create ways to make sure you minimize the allergens growing right in your own back yard.
Blowin’ in the Wind
Many plants “mate” by releasing billions of pollen grains into the wind during the spring, summer and fall months, including many grasses, trees, and bushes. These are the types of plants you want to avoid in your garden. Instead, you should consider plants that rely on insects for cross-pollination, which are known to have pollen grains that are much heavier and don’t travel through the air quite as easily.
Among these types of plants are several bright colored flowers, fruit trees and shrubs. Ask any nursery expert or a local horticulturalist to help you identify these types of plants and make a list of those you’d like to see in your garden plan.
- Grasses - Bermuda, Fescue, Johnson, June, Orchard, Perennial Rye, Redtop, Salt Grass, Sweet Vernal, Timothy.
- Shrubs - Cypress, Juniper.
- Trees - Alder, Ash, Aspen, Beech, Birch, Box Elder, Cedar, Cottonwood, Elm, Hickory, Maple, Mulberry, Oak, Olive, Palm, Pecan, Pine, Poplar, Sycamore, Walnut, Willow.
- Weeds - Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac, Cocklebur, Pigweed, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush.
- Flowering Plants - Begonia, Cactus, Chenille, Clematis, Columbine, Crocus, Daffodil, Daisy, Dusty Miller, Geranium, Hosta, Impatiens, Iris, Lily, Pansy, Periwinkle, Petunia, Phlox, Fose, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sunflower, Thrift, Tulip, Verbena, zinnia.
- Grasses - St. Augustine
- Shrubs - Azalea, Boxwood, English Yew, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Viburnum.
- Trees - Apple, Cherry, Chinese Fan Palm, Fern Pine, Dogwood, English Holly, Hardy Rubber Tree, Magnolia, Pear, Plum, Red Maple.
In addition to strategically selecting certain plants, other prevention tips include:
- When working outdoors, wear a NIOSH-approved face mask, hat, glasses, gloves and a long-sleeve shirt to reduce skin and nose contact with pollen.
- Since wood chips or mulch can retain moisture and encourage molds to grow, use gravel, oyster shell, or special plant groundcovers (vinca or pachysandra) instead.
- Asking a family members who don't have allergies to mow lawns and weed flower beds.
- Keep grass cut low - 2 inches high - to help keep stems of pollen from reaching to high into the wind.
- Be cautious about using hedges since their branches easily collect dust, mold and pollen, and keep then pruned and thin.
- Keep the windows in the house closed while mowing and for a few hours afterwards.
- Limit your gardening days to cool or cloudy days, and in the later afternoon or evening when pollen concentration in the air is generally lower.
- Immediately shower and change your clothes when you go back indoors and make sure to wash your hair to remove allergens trapped there.
SOURCE: This information should not substitute for seeking responsible, professional medical care. First created 1995; fully updated 1998; most recently updated 2005.
© Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) Editorial Board


Committed to investing responsibly
Paving the way for progress
We believe we have a duty to use our platform to support positive change in the world. So we act purposefully to minimize our impact on the environment, build productive relationships in the communities in which we work, and help everyone reach their full potential.
Sustainability Report 2022
GCP continues to make progress to enhance its approach to responsible investment, identify and manage climate-related risks and opportunities, maximize our community impact through our foundation and improve our collection, validation and management of ESG data.
This report covers our ESG-related activities and data from 1 January to 31 December 2022.
Responsible Investment Policy
As a company, we hold a mirror up to ourselves each day and focus on staying true to our core values. Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies reflect our commitment to stakeholders – to always be responsible investors and incorporate ESG priorities into our decision making throughout the lifecycle of our investments.
Minimizing climate change and our impact on the environment is a key part of our mission. Through engagement and coordinated action, we aim to continually improve sustainability in our company and across our portfolio of investments.
Our sustainability principles
- Build businesses and invest responsibly
- Govern with high ethics and transparency
- Develop, manage and monitor more sustainable assets
- Improve efficiency and enhance value
- Promote well-being
Whether we’re creating safe, healthy work environments, assisting in employee career development, or engaging in community initiatives such as food banks and job training programs, caring for people (both ours and others) is a primary focus.
Integrity and ethics are embedded in our DNA and reinforced through our training, education and culture. It’s why we have an uncompromising commitment to strong corporate governance, high ethical standards, and transparency with stakeholders.
The Jeffrey H. Schwartz Foundation
Honoring the legacy of GLP’s late co-founder, The JHS Foundation aims to build a more just and equitable society. To support this mission, the foundation is actively engaged in programs and initiatives that bolster education, protect the environment and emphasize equality. These efforts are helping improve lives across our global communities.


Deodorant Tofu Cat Litter Green Tea Scented
Get ready to transform your litter routine with our revolutionary green tea scented tofu cat litter! Immerse yourself in the invigorating scent of green tea while experiencing the unmatched clumping power and odor control that our litter offers. Crafted from all-natural peas and cornstarch, it provides a safe and environmentally friendly option for your beloved kitty. Say goodbye to the hassle of carrying heavy bags of litter to the trash. Our litter can be effortlessly flushed down the toilet, as if by magic. Allow us to elevate your litter experience to an unparalleled level of excellence.
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Net Weight: 5.5 lb
*Low on stock


2022 ALL TENNESSEE LUTHERAN YOUTH GATHERING
Theme - "What is AGAPE?" (What is Love?)
St. Timothy LC
650 East Main Street
November 12-13, 2022
For youth in 6th - 12th grade
Cost: $40 per person
(While "Tennessee" is in the title of this event, we welcome ALL youth in 6th - 12th grade!)
Registration will be through our GROUP registration form. Once you've complete you're registration, you can click on your confirmation link to update your information.
Payment is accepted online or by check.
If paying by CHECK, please mail to ELCA Southeastern Synod, Attn: All TN 2022, PO Box 400, Decatur, GA 30031
NovusWay Ministries recently entered into a conservation easement on 518 of the camp’s 750+ acres. This step culminates a seven year process of working with the Blue Ridge Conservancy to find a way to preserve and protect the wilderness nature and character of the camp for future generations. Designated by the state of North Carolina as “Lutherock Natural Area,” this camp represents one of the top areas in the state to preserve and protect. With two globally endangered ecosystems (Northern Hardwood of Beech, Birch and Sugar Maple), High Elevation Rock Summits, and three globally endangered species, it is no wonder the Blue Ridge Conservancy was eager to enter into an easement. The Clean Water Management Trust Fund also desired to protect the water quality of the North Toe River (also on the property), a primary source of drinking water for Spruce Pine, NC. The easement is in accord with the Natural Resources Management Plan authored by Dr. Ed Hauser, who chaired NovusWay’s Environmental Stewardship Advisory Council and the North Carolina Synod’s Task Force on Caring for Creation. It also affirms the desire of the original twelve congregations that owned and operated Lutherock for four decades that the site remain a wilderness place and not be over-developed. Hauser had this to say about the easement, “I’m delighted at this action that will insure the visual scenic beauty, ecological integrity of endangered ecosystems and species, and natural streams and their riparian zones which support populations of the Wheller’s Salamander, a globally endangered species, and native brook trout. Camp Lutherock is literally a treasure for today and for future generations.” Lutherock program directors, Kara and Jacob Ridenhour, are actively working to develop the “Living Waters Outdoor School” that focuses on environmental and adventure education at Lutherock. The site will utilize the unique Lutherock ecosystem as an outdoor classroom to help students not only experience the grandeur of God’s creation, but learn to better care for it. Chief Operating Officer Susan Troutman, who guided the easement process for NovusWay together with board members, the Rev. Greg Williams, Hendersonville, and Joanna Britt, Winston-Salem, commented about the easement, “We were very careful to protect the camp’s facilities and future program and development potential, while at the same time respecting the unique ecosystem and treasures of Lutherock.” The Blue Ridge Conservancy and Clean Water Management Trust Fund purchased the easement on 518 acres, but the camp maintains use of that part of the property. This means that the camp can continue to use and maintain hiking trails, undertake rock climbing, use and install tent platforms, picnic sites and overnight camping sites and ropes courses. However, the camp cannot build permanent structures or roads in the easement area. Troutman also indicated that all camp facilities (including the staff residence, climbing tower, recreation field, and the area known as the “saddle) are outside of the easement area. Also outside of the easement are all locations of potential future development. There are additional benefits to the easement. Many readers will remember how Lutherock battled to keep Mountain Electric from running a transmission line through the site in 2012. With the easement no transmission line can run through the property. When the Blue Ridge Conservancy conducted a survey at its expense, they created a trail around the boundary, which now is a benefit to maintaining and monitoring the land. The Board of Trustees was unanimous in voting to enter into a conservation easement that both enables the ministry of Lutherock to continue to grow and develop in the future, while preserving the unique ecosystem and wilderness nature of the site.


The Cat in the Hat starts at the top—of the rain forest, that is—and takes readers down through the different layers to see all sorts of wonderful creatures and incredible plants and trees. The beautifully rendered illustrations show in detail the exotic birds and animals, while also highlighting the colorful plants, such as orchids, that inhabit this amazing ecosystem. Readers will see how animals and insects camouflage themselves among the leaves and trees—and be challenged to spot the creatures for themselves. And all the while, the Seuss-inspired verse will keep things moving along (and easy to understand). From top to bottom, the Cat will show readers the treasures of the tropical rain forest.
Tie-in Activity: Consider making a simple terrarium out of a clean, clear plastic 2-liter bottle, with the label removed. Cut the bottle in half. Add 1-2 inches of pebbles; a layer of activated charcoal to act as a filter (optional); and several inches of potting soil. Plant seedlings in the soil, and then water them. Slip the top (with cap) back on over the bottom half. Place the bottle in the sun and watch the "rain" form inside.


Portable Spill Containment Berms
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Celebrate Earth Science Week at Wyoming ROCKS: Geology in Everyday Life—Today and in the Past on Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m.–2 p.m., at the UW Geological Museum. Learn how geology is reflected in the foods we eat and the items we use both today and in the past. Activities include rock art painting, match the mineral, rock ID kits, scavenger hunt, virtual field trip, and planetarium shows. Free and open to the public. Co-hosted by the Geological Museum, Wyoming State Geological Survey, U.W. Planetarium, and the Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist.
Wyoming ROCKS: Geology in Everyday Life—Today and in the Past
Add to Calendar
October 19, 2019 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
UW Geological Museum
Wyoming State Geological Survey


Texas State University became regulated in December 2013 under the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, a state mandated stormwater protection permit. This will require additional measures to be taken in regards to stormwater runoff, including mandatory campus wide awareness training. This session will cover General Stormwater Awareness, Good Housekeeping/Pollution Prevention, and Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination trainings.
You will learn:
-What stormwater is and where it goes
-The concerns of stormwater runoff on it's path to the river
-How you can help protect the river and the creatures that inhabit it
-How to detect and report an illicit discharge
-Best practices for general facility maintenance, pollution prevention practices and good housekeeping procedures


We’re coming to get you.
The Wellthisiswhatithink household has been experiencing a sudden rush of cockroaches. (Insert horrified scream at regular intervals here.)
This is an unusual infestation for us. We frequently have to deal with invasion of ants (whenever we get consecutive days of rain they move indoors) and sometimes mice (now seemingly dealt with by chucking inordinate amounts of “Ratsak” into the cavity under the house). Mice and ants frequently reach plague proportions in Australia. But we have, thus far, seen very few ‘roaches, until this year. This year, it seems every time we move an item, something dark and vaguely menacing scuttles rapidly away.
When you think of cockroaches, you’ve got to admit you think filth and squalor. Certainly Mrs Wellthisiswhatithink does. She is mortified at every appearance.
But are these traditional beliefs that cockroaches are dirty, disease-spreading bugs actually entirely accurate? As always, the worldwideinterwebs thingy is our friend.
Apparently there are nearly 4000 species of cockroaches in the world, but only 25 to 30 actually have a pest status.
And yes, cockroaches love to live in filth — but does that make them dirty?
You want to know why we like big spiders in Australia? This is why.
An interesting test has just been completed to see just how dirty cockroaches are in relation to a human being and other things we have daily contact with.
The researcher took two swabs of germs. Firstly, a cockroach will run across a dirty surface, such as the kitchen floor, and will then be left for two hours before a swab is taken of its’ er, feety little things. The a human set of fingers will then walk across the same surface and he won’t wash his hands for two hours before his swab is taken.
Both samples are then put into separate Petri dishes, then turned upside down and put into an incubator at 37 degrees to be left overnight. If there are any germs, they’ll easily be seen in the morning.
Twenty-four hours later it’s time to compare the cultures to find out who’s the king of clean.
First swab: a control swab was added to the experiment to guarantee the experiment is accurate. There is no bacteria growing on this plate.
Cockroach’s swab: There are a few colonies of bacteria there.
Human swab: There’s a lot more bacteria on the plate where the human hand was swabbed.
The cockroach is actually cleaner than human.
Why? Because cockroaches actually clean themselves fastidiously — all the time.
“Most species of cockroaches are kind of like cats. Cats are considered to be a very clean animal because it’s always grooming itself. And cockroaches do that also,” says bug collector Darrin Vernier. He lives in the US state of Arizona and is crazy about creepy crawlies.
Darrin’s got 10,000 roaches in his personal collection and he claims that his roaches are invaluable in breaking down dead and decaying matter in the eco-system.
So cockroaches could be seen in the insect world as the obsessive compulsive fastidious cleaner?
Darrin says this is a great way to look at it: “Sometimes I walk in from the outside and I track in dirt under my feet accidentally. That’s really the only thing the cockroach does that has any relation to filth at all and it’s because we’ve already left it there. If we clean it up it’s not a problem.”
So if roaches are so clean, what sort of dangers do they really pose?
Dr Noel Tait is an honorary professor in invertebrae zoology at Macquarie University. He says the problem with cockroaches are those nasty little deposits they leave behind.
“The allergens are cockroach allergens themselves. They are in the faeces because they are chemicals from the bodies of the cockroaches. And people who are susceptible to allergic situations can become hyper-sensitised to them,” says Dr Tait. So regular cleaning reduces the possibility of an allergic reaction to roach faeces. (Reaches for a Chux and the disinfectant.)
There are no available Australian statistics, but in the United States, up to 60 percent of asthma sufferers are affected by cockroach allergens.
If you’re one of them, you could get skin rashes, watery eyes, nasal congestion and even asthma attacks.
Cockroaches can, indeed, spread disease. And even quite frightening ones, like salmonella, staphylococcus and even leprosy. Entomologist David Rentz says the dirtiness of a cockroach is entirely dependent on where it has been.
“Studies have shown that they pick up these things on their feet and move them around that way and when they are feeding, of course they get bacteria and such on their mouthparts,” he said.
“If they have not been any place where they can get germs, well they are not germy at all.”
Luckily most homes are free of really nasty germs. A quick whizz round with an airborne disinfectant spray will help.
Dr Rentz is quick to point out that it’s only the six or eight introduced species of cockroach in Australia that are worth killing.
The more than 500 species of native Australian roaches are unlikely to survive long in an urban environment and are important to the native ecosystem.
“It’s just a very small percentage of the total number of cockroaches that give the whole group a bad name,” he said.
So if you don’t want cockroaches taking up residence at your house — clean up. Cockroaches in homes are only as dirty as the environment they are living in. If you have a filthy house, they will spread that filth around your kitchen, but if your kitchen is clean and hygienic, you won’t be providing them with a food source and they won’t bother so much. But if the odd cockroach does show up, at least you know they’re not that bad. They’re actually quite hygienic.
Cleaning up regularly is the best bet. Chances are the roach will be hungry and go looking for richer pickings next door.
Some common cockroach hiding spots.
Start by attacking these areas with a combination of insecticide (the barrier kind will help) and loads of hot soapy water and a broom.
Cockroaches thrive in warm, humid conditions. They prefer to live in kitchens and other food preparation areas, so they can feed off food spills. But cockroaches can eat just about anything, and can survive without food for long periods of time. Cockroaches are scavengers. While most roaches prefer sweets given a choice, in a pinch, they will eat just about anything: glue, grease, soap, wallpaper paste, leather, book-bindings, or even hair. Worse yet, a cockroach can survive a remarkably long time without food. Some species can go as long as 6 weeks without a meal! These traits make cockroaches in our homes tough to control. But in nature, cockroaches provide an important service by consuming organic waste. They’re the garbage collectors of their habitat. So patience in getting rid of them helps, too.
Hiding spots for the household cockroach include:
- Cracks in walls.
- Confined spaces, such as behind the refrigerator, in a pantry or underneath a stack of magazines, newspapers or cardboard boxes.
- Any furniture items that are generally left undisturbed.
- Kitchen cupboards.
- Below sinks.
- Around water heaters.
- In drains and grease traps.
But what about the one about cockroaches being able to survive a nuclear war? Well, it’s true, they can. For humans, a lethal dose of radiation is about 800 rems but some roach varieties can withstand doses up to a hundred times bigger, and as long as they’re not in the blast zone, they’d survive the radioactive fallout of a nuclear explosion.
As Fruit Of One’s Loins remarks, “that’s just creepy; that’s why I hate them”. (Cute horrified scream and gallons of soapy water.)
So how to deal with the sudden appearance of a cockroach in your life?
Chances are a rolled up newspaper or a fry pan won’t cut it. Those little suckers are fast. Measurably fast.
Cockroaches detect approaching threats by sensing changes in air currents. The fastest start time clocked by a cockroach was just 8.2 milliseconds after it sensed a puff of air on its rear end. Once all six legs are in motion, a cockroach can sprint at speeds of 80 centimeters per second. And they’re elusive, too, with the ability to turn on a dime while in full stride. Whacking them with a sizeable burst of insect spray will give you a better chance.
Except the little buggers often scuttle off anyway. Are they resistant to that, too? They’re superhero insects.
Perhaps most fascinatingly, cockroaches can be conditioned. Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov first documented the concept of classical conditioning, famously demonstrated by his salivating dogs. The dogs would hear a ticking metronome each time they were fed. Soon, the sound of the metronome alone was enough to make the dogs salivate in anticipation of a meal. Now Makoto Mizunami and his colleague Hidehiro Watanabe, both of Tohoku University, have found that cockroaches can also be conditioned this way. They introduced the scent of vanilla or peppermint just before giving the roaches a sugary treat. Eventually, the cockroaches would drool – yes, drool – when their antennae detected one of these scents in the air.
We are currently working out how to use this information to rid us of urban cockroaches once and for all by creating a new roach trap which will excite them into getting caught all on their own, and which will make us millions. Watch this space.


Over October, November, and December 2018, we will be running 6 weekend workshops as part of our Super Natural Apprentice Program. These programs will be aimed at beginners or enthusiasts, or people who are looking to expand the range of their natural living knowledge, all held on a beautiful Organic Farm property in Gippsland, VIC Australia.
These courses will cover:
plus 2 more weekends to be announced!
Full info below
‘Permaculture is the design of systems for efficient, productive and regenerative outcomes. It differers from organic gardening in its approach to planning for functional interconnected systems.
This workshop is an overview of Permaculture Design Course topics, such as plant and animal systems, patterns and ecology, water storage and conservation and energy cycling; focusing on exercises that assist in finding the relationships between elements and how this can lead to higher yields in food production and efficient time and resource distribution. Access to property is not essential in order to benefit from Permacultures teachings, as the principles can be applied to many different situations. Learn how to live a life of purpose, fulfilling more of your daily needs in a regenerative manner that can lead to positive planetary outcomes.
In this workshop you will learn: – Permaculture Eithics and Principles and how to apply them to different facets of life – Understanding and improving soil – Animal Systems and Beekeeping – Annual Garden Systems – Perennial Garden Systems – Water management – Utilising microclimates This 3 day workshop will guide you in designing for land-based systems that are efficient and beautiful. Become an Earth steward and start practicing regenerative ways of living.’
Taj is an enigmatic, energetic, completely focussed teacher who will bring her intense knowledge base to EdenHill to share with all of us theoretical concepts, and then how they might play out on our specific land.
Come and join the owners of EdenHill Farm, Leni & Paul, as we explore in depth their approach to Organic Farming and Aquaponics on their beautiful 20acres in Gippsland VIC.
Experience Pauls’ extensive knowledge and approach to composting (wet and dry) focussing on quail manure and worm juices. Quail manure is some of the highest nitrogen containing manures of the bird world, and makes a fantastic organic compost. Learn how to precisely brew worm juice and craft compost, and how to implement it properly once it’s ready.
Lenis seed raising approach is a huge passion of hers. Her mission includes bringing beautiful plants and vegetables into peoples lives and homes, and sells her seedlings each week at many different local markets. You will learn all you need to know to raise beautiful, healthy seedlings, which will grow into luscious, full plants to provide you with delicious organic produce.
Also explore their extensive market garden and how they tend, harvest, and move their beautiful organic produce.
There will also be a module on Aquaponics, the marrying of Aquaculture and Hydroponics, and how you can setup and care for your own system to entertain a hobby or produce larger scale fish and vegetables.
If you are one of Leni and Pauls regular customers, come and say hello and checkout where all the magic happens!
Come and learn the theory and practical installation of a simple solar power setup on one of our cute little tiny houses. The system will service the needs of the inhabitant, and let them charge daily devices and evening lighting.
Taught by an incredibly knowledgable Dominic, his explorations into power and electricity boggle us, and he is able and willing to tackle even some of the most in-depth questions on the electrical world.
Wether you’d like a small system to take camping, or a full scale off-grid home setup, this course will give you a great introduction and hands on experience with the world of Solar Power.
Join the growing community at EdenHill farm, with all organic meals lovingly prepared and included in the price.
‘Born from necessity (and a whole lot of ice fishing) in the remote wilderness, The Bush Tannery is a rediscovery of our connection with nature and the traditional practices and teachings that tap into, and strengthen that bond.’
‘Our aim is to teach and support the most ethical, sustainable and respectful practices that celebrate life, through community engagement and a sharing of the traditional skills and practices of tanning and leather crafting. Explore our site to learn more about our journey and practices, and check out our upcoming workshops to see how you can be part of it.’
Josh is a wonderful teacher and custodian of traditional techniques of how to take almost any animal skin and process it into beautiful, usable leather and fiber, for a multitude of uses.
Josh has extensively studied many different traditional techniques from bark tanning to brain tanning, and is a wonderful teacher.
If you are interested in booking a Weekend Workshop, please follow these links:
or get in touch below for a payment plan or enquiry


Philips Ultrasound Building Addition Survey & Site Design
Philips Ultrasound, Armagh Township, Mifflin County, PA
Stahl Sheaffer provided survey, site design, traffic, environmental, and land development services to the architect on this multi-building addition for Philips Ultrasound. Associated site improvements required to support the additions included a parking lot expansion, a new loop driveway and entrance onto a State Route, truck dock access, and stormwater management facilities.
This project was under the jurisdiction of the Armagh Township Stormwater, Zoning, and Subdivision/Land Development Ordinances and required a Land Development Plan and stormwater management plan approval from the Township. Additionally, the project required an Individual NPDES permit from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) and Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) from PennDOT, and environmental permitting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and Pennsylvania Game Commission.


Whether a prey animal hides, flees or counterattacks when faced with an approaching predator influences myriad aspects of its behaviour, ecology and even psychology. It therefore is not surprising that our early observations of coyotes hunting mule deer and white-tailed deer led my students and me in these different directions.
Ecology: Prey behaviour and predator-prey relationships.
We still conduct work on the influence of prey behaviour and predator-prey relationships, relying on exceptional observation conditions at our main study site on the prairie grasslands of southern Alberta.
Behaviour: Inter-species hybridization and transmission of disease:
We are beginning a new project that investigates conditions that facilitates or prevents hybridization between white-tailed deer and mule deer, two species that are able to interbreed and produce fertile hybrid. When conducting this work, we plan to conduct detailed observations of mating tactics and other social interactions that may help to understand variation in the transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal prion disease spreading across North American deer.
Psychology: Evolutionary continuity in infant cries and caregiver responses.
Another major focus of the lab is the evolutionary continuity in newborn cries and adult responses to these cries. Our discovery that deer mothers respond to newborn cries of diverse species of mammals suggests suggest that a response to infant cues of a different species is not uniquely human, but may instead be the result of sensory mechanisms shared across mammals through tens or hundreds of millions of years of evolution.
Dr. Susan Lingle
Department of Biology
The University of Winnipeg
515 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9 Canada
Tel: (204) 258-2964
For updates, see our facebook page:
Twitter: team mule deer @linglelab


The Lakeside County Water & Sewer District (LCWSD) currently operates and maintains three water systems – the Lakeside System, Troutbeck Rise/Lakeside Estate System, and Cherry View System.
The Lakeside Water System was acquired from Bill Brass in 1997. It consists of a 200,000-gallon steel storage reservoir and three water wells. It services approximately 293 units.
The TB/LE Water System, originally called the Troutbeck Rise Water System, was privately owned until December 2002 when the LCWSD assumed ownership and operation of the system. About that same time the system was expanded to include the Lakeside Estates Subdivision. An old redwood water storage tank was replaced with a new 120,000-gallon steel tank. The system is served by two water wells located in Troutbeck Rise and Lakeside Estates, respectively. In 2006 the Spurwing Development was added to the system. As of 2014 this system services 92 connections.
The Cherry Hill and Mission View water systems were acquired in 2010 and 2011, respectively. On January 10, 2014 the two systems were combined to form the Cherry View Water System. This water system consists of one 176,000-gallon storage tank, four wells, a storage reservoir, and pump houses. This system provides water service to approximately 155 units.
We strive to maintain a high level of protection and efficiency with these water systems. Of high priority was to add water meters to all residents for two reasons: 1) to track usage for billing purposes; and 2) to monitor our system for leaks. Also in 2006 we added a radio read system to the meters with the capability to detect leaks or high use situations and to reduce meter reading time by two-thirds.
In 2009 we installed sensors in all wells so we can monitor them on a daily basis. We hired a hydrologist to perform and monitor a drawdown pump test of our largest well for 72 hours. This test provided very valuable data that revealed a very solid performing aquifer with plenty of good clean water. We have now had ten consecutive years of monthly, bacteria-free tests to back that up.
We hope you will continue to enjoy a clean glass of water on us!


Duct cleaning often gets overlooked because it is the behind the scenes of your heating and air unit. Even though you don't think of the ductwork as much, it is one of the most important parts of your HVAC system. Since the ducts carry the cool or warm air throughout your home to keep it at a comfortable temperature, these ducts need to be clear so that they work efficiently. Continue reading to learn why you should have your ducts cleaned regularly.
Benefits of Duct Cleaning
- Extends the life of your HVAC system by making it work less hard
- Reduces heating and cooling bills by using less energy to keep comfortable
- Moves less dust and dirt throughout the home or building
- Reduces maintenance and repair requirements with a clean system
Health Problems Affected by Dirty Ducts
Sinus Problems and Allergies
If you don't clean your ducts regularly, the dust, debris, and dirt builds up and travels with the air into your home. Instead of breathing clean, fresh air while you are in your home, you are breathing in all of these allergens and pollutants.
Some people will not be bothered by the particles in the air, but if you have existing sinus or allergy problems, you will suffer. Your allergies will worsen, and you will suffer from more frequent sinus infections than before. So if you find that your allergies are worse, seemingly out of nowhere, have your ductwork inspected and cleaned.
Asthma and Respiratory Problems
If you have asthma, you don't take breathing clearly for granted, and it is even more important to your health that you breathe in clean air. Any dust, pollen, dirt, or mold that is released into the air from the dirty ductwork can cause you to have an asthma attack, which can be very dangerous, depending on how severe your asthma is.
Even if you don't have any pre-existing conditions, you can get sick from dirty ducts. In addition to the normal dust, pollen, dirt, and other allergens in dirty ducts, fungi, viruses, and bacteria are present too. These germs travel throughout the space with the warm or cool air and will end up making you sick with a respiratory illness.
As you can see, dirty air ducts are something that you should take seriously. Having your ducts cleaned yearly is usually enough for most spaces and you will find that it is worth the expense to breathe fresher air.


The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) remains committed to ensuring that Vietnam-era Veterans receive benefits they have earned through their service. This commitment includes determining presumptive service connection related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposure.
- Congress has provided that a Veteran who “served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975,” will be presumed to have been exposed to an herbicide agent during such service. This presumption of exposure may be used to service connect an herbicide-related disease and establish entitlement to VA disability compensation.
- VA interprets the phrase “served in the Republic of Vietnam” to refer to duty or visitation on land (ground troops) or on the inland waterways of Vietnam (“Brown Water” Navy), but not to include service in the waters offshore (“Blue Water” Navy) or in the airspace above Vietnam.
- In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Haas v. Peake) upheld VA’s policy as a reasonable interpretation of the governing statute.
At the request of VA, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conducted a review of numerous medical studies related to whether Blue Water Navy Veterans were exposed to herbicides during Vietnam service.
- The IOM determined in its report, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure (2011), that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that Blue Water Navy Veterans were exposed to herbicides.
- The medical and scientific evidence available at this time does not support extension of the presumption of exposure to herbicides to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans.
A recent Veterans Court decision, Gray v. McDonald, required that VA re-evaluate and clarify its definition of “inland waterways.” Consistent with the decision in Gray, the Department has clarified that it defines inland waterways, which are part of the Republic of Vietnam for purposes of acknowledging Agent Orange exposure, as fresh water rivers, streams, canals, and similar waterways. Because these waterways are distinct from ocean waters and related coastal features, service on these waterways is service in the Republic of Vietnam. VA considers inland waterways to end at their mouth or junction to other offshore water features, as described below. For rivers and other waterways ending on the coastline, the end of the inland waterway will be determined by drawing straight lines across the opening in the landmass leading to the open ocean or other offshore water feature, such as a bay or inlet. For the Mekong and other rivers with prominent deltas, the end of the inland waterway is determined by drawing a straight line across each opening in the landmass leading to the open ocean.
In contrast, offshore waters, where exposure to Agent Orange will not be presumed, are the high seas and any coastal or other water feature, such as a bay, inlet, or harbor, containing salty or brackish water and subject to regular tidal influence. This includes salty and brackish waters situated between rivers and the open ocean. Examples of offshore bays or harbors in Vietnam include, but are not limited to DaNang Harbor, Nha Trang Harbor, Cam Ranh Bay, Qui Nhon Bay, and Ganh Rai Bay.
Veterans who meet certain service qualifications and have any of the medical conditions determined by VA to be related to exposure to Agent Orange are encouraged to apply for benefits. Claimants may apply online through the eBenefits portal or by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension, or VA Form 21-526EZ, Fully Developed Claim (Compensation). Additional information regarding exposure to herbicides during Vietnam service is available on VA’s Public Health site at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/.
Who are Blue Water Navy Veterans?
Blue Water Navy Veterans are those sailors and other Veterans who served aboard ships that did not enter Vietnam’s inland waterways.
Were Blue Water Navy Veterans exposed to Agent Orange?
The U.S. military sprayed Agent Orange over the Vietnam land mass. However, Blue Water Navy Veterans may be entitled to the presumption of Agent Orange exposure if they were on a ship when it entered Vietnam’s inland waterways or went ashore.
Why doesn’t VA recognize Blue Water Navy Agent Orange exposure?
The presumption of exposure to Agent Orange during Vietnam service is based upon service in Vietnam where Agent Orange spraying occurred, which includes the country’s inland waterways. VA asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to determine whether there was any scientific basis for concluding that Blue Water Navy Veterans, who had only shipboard service off the coast of Vietnam, were also exposed to Agent Orange. IOM was unable to determine whether or not Blue Water Navy Veterans were exposed to herbicides sprayed in Vietnam.
Were any Navy Veterans exposed to Agent Orange?
Yes. VA recognizes that many Navy Veterans served in Vietnam, and those Veterans are afforded the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange and service connection for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.
Doesn’t an Australian study conclude that Blue Water Navy Veterans were exposed to Agent Orange?
No. IOM validated the Australian study’s laboratory methodology and confirmed that the intake of Agent Orange-contaminated seawater on Navy ships could result in exposures through the Navy’s potable water desalinization process. However, the IOM concluded that the lack of evidence regarding the extent of any herbicides in the seawater made it impossible to determine whether Blue Water Navy personnel were exposed to herbicides through such processes.
Isn’t there new science proving Blue Water Veterans were exposed to Agent Orange?
No, environmental health experts in VA’s Veterans Health Administration have reviewed the available scientific information and concluded that it is not sufficient to support a presumption that Blue Water Navy Veterans were exposed to Agent Orange. This review includes the 2011 Institute of Medicine report specifically addressing the plausibility of offshore exposure, as well as subsequent research published in reputable scientific journals. VA, however, remains concerned with the health and well-being of all Veterans, including those who served off Vietnam’s coast. As a result, we have partnered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans to initiate a groundbreaking study of Blue Water Navy Veterans health outcomes. We hope to have data gathered and analyses published in 2017.
What’s next for Blue Water Veterans?
VA will continue to resolve their claims for Agent Orange-related disability benefits on a case-by-case basis.
Where can Navy Veterans find more information?
On the web at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/index.asp. We also maintain a public database of ships known to have operated on the inland waterways for some period of time at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/list.asp.
Ships List FAQs
I served on a PCF “Swift Boat” in and around the Rung Sat Special Zone in 1968. Am I entitled to a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange?
Yes, VA has determined that Veterans who had Vietnam service aboard certain classes of boats and ships that operated primarily on Vietnam’s inland waterways are entitled to the presumption. PCF is one of those classes. Additionally, service in the Rung Sat Special Zone is service in Vietnam, not offshore, under VA’s policy.
I served from 1965 to 1967 aboard the USS Guadalupe (AO-32), an oiler that operated in Ganh Rai Bay during April 1966, but I have never filed a claim for disability benefits. My doctor just diagnosed type II diabetes. Am I still entitled to the presumption of Agent Orange exposure?
As a result of the remand by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Gray v. McDonald, VA reviewed and clarified its policy concerning inland waterways where exposure to herbicides will be presumed. Although VA had previously considered Qui Nhon Bay and Ganh Rai Bay to be inland waterways, these two offshore bays are no longer considered inland waterways under VA’s policy clarification.
Although VA will no longer add new ships or new dates of service to the ships list based on their presence in Qui Nhon Bay or Ganh Rai Bay, VA has already established a presumption of Agent Orange exposure for a number of ships entering those bays, including the Guadalupe’s April 1966 service. VA will therefore continue to extend that presumption to crewmembers who were aboard the Guadalupe at that time. If you were actually aboard the Guadalupe when it operated in Ganh Rai Bay in April 1966, you will be entitled to the presumption of Agent Orange exposure.
I served aboard a ship that operated on Ganh Rai Bay during April 1968, but I have never filed a claim for disability benefits. My doctor just diagnosed type II diabetes. VA has already recognized my ship’s service on Ganh Rai in 1966, but not 1968. Am I still entitled to the presumption of Agent Orange exposure?
If you went ashore in Vietnam at any point while performing active service, you are entitled to the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. Although your ship is already on the list because it operated in Ganh Rai Bay in 1966, we are not adding the April 1968 period to the list because it was not service on Vietnam’s inland waterways. Because we’re not adding the April 1968 period to VA’s ships list, that offshore service cannot be used to establish a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange.
[Source: Released February 4, 2016]


Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the scientific term for the variety of life on Earth. It refers not just to species but also to ecosystems and differences in genes within a single species. Everywhere on the planet, species live together and depend on one another. Every living thing, including man, is involved in these complex networks of interdependent relationships, which are called ecosystems.
Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food. They provide raw materials and resources for medicines and other purposes. They are at the foundation of all civilisation and sustain our economies. It's that simple: we could not live without these “ecosystem services”.
However, despite its critical importance, biodiversity across the world, and within the UK, is in significant decline. It is estimated that more than one in ten (15%) of the UK’s wildlife species is at risk of extinction, and the numbers of the nation’s most endangered creatures have plummeted by two-thirds since 1970. The abundance of all wildlife has also fallen, with one in six animals, birds, fish and plants having been lost.
There are, of course, a wide range of causes of biodiversity loss, such as pollution, intensive farming practices, climate change, the introduction of invasive species, and population growth. However, it is not all doom and gloom, and steps can be taken to both protect against biodiversity loss and to proactively reverse and improve levels of biodiversity. The “planning system” (i.e. the policies that guide decisions on what developments can happen, where and how), can play a huge role in supporting biodiversity, and that is why it has emerged as a key priority within Moreton-in-Marsh’s emerging Neighbourhood Plan.
Through a Neighbourhood Plan, policies can be developed to provide protection for key areas of land that may be rich in biodiversity, or play a key role in supporting biodiversity in the town. It can include policies to encourage more energy efficient new buildings, and to encourage and support more sustainable modes of travel to reduce the use of car within the town. It can also take advantage of new legislation that is being developed by the UK Government through the new Environment Act to require “Biodiversity Net Gain” through future developments.
The principle of Biodiversity Net Gain is simple – any new developments must lead to an overall increase in biodiversity. Biodiversity net gain requires developers to ensure habitats for wildlife are enhanced and left in a measurably better state than they were pre-development. They must assess the type of habitat and its condition before submitting plans, and then demonstrate how they are improving biodiversity – such as through the creation of green corridors, planting more trees, or forming local nature spaces. Green improvements on site will be encouraged, but where they are not possible, developers will need to pay a levy for habitat creation or improvement elsewhere. Through the Moreton-in-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan, we can develop ideas and projects that would help increase biodiversity within the town, and then use funding from developers to make these happen. Ideas already discussed include a community orchard, planting of wildflowers, and enhancements to existing green corridors.
As we develop the Moreton-in-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan, we would love to hear your ideas and thoughts about how we could protect and improve biodiversity within the town. Please let us know your thoughts by contacting us directly or engaging in the various consultation activities and surveys that will be ongoing as we develop the plan.


We have butterflies!!!
Over the last few weeks Reception have taken care of baby caterpillars and learnt all about the life cycle of the butterfly.
We watched the whole cycle happen before our eyes. Our five caterpillar eggs, became very hungry caterpillars, then chrysalis, and finally five beautiful `painted lady` butterflies.
We fed our butterflies fruit, sugared water and flowers and when they were strong enough we decided to set them free.
We chose the back of our school field and decided that it was the most suitable environment for our butterflies.
What a beautiful afternoon we had releasing them into the wild.
Goodbye butterflies we will miss you!


Congratulations to our brother Thomas Colton for receiving the William T. Hornaday Award from the Boy Scouts of America. The William T. Hornaday Award is presented by the BSA for service in conservation and ecology and has
been referred to as “an Olympic Medal bestowed by the Earth”.
The award was created in 1914 by Dr. William T. Hornaday, director of the New York Zoological Park and founder of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. It was created to encourage learning about natural resource conservation and the environment, teach sound stewardship of the natural resources and the environment, and recognize those who are outstanding in this field.
The award is rare. Only around 1,100 Hornaday awards have been given in the past 100 years. It takes a substantial commitment of time and energy to earn the award. Congratulations to Thomas for receiving this award and to his commitment to outdoor ethics.


All our new products and processes are developed with a close view to reducing the impact on the environment.
Existing products and processes are assessed continuously in the light of new developments. With the move to our new facility in the Northern part of Lausanne we pushed this philosophy through to our day-to-day working live.
Our new facility is CO2 neutral and we put great emphasis in the separation of various types of waste. Not just concerning printing but also in our offices.
As one of the few companies in Lausanne we are connected to the city’s remote heating network. Along with the International Olympic Committee’s building, ours is, in fact, one of only two also using the city’s remote heating network for cooling purposes.
Another feature is our naturally covered rooftop which is not only environmentally friendly but it also creates a more pleasant working environment.


Concern for animals is growing in all countries throughout the world.
Yet, never before had so many sentient beings been killed for food.
We are depleting the seas and monopolising most of the land area.
We constantly impose unspeakable suffering on the animals of this planet.
At the same time, an ever growing number of us refuse to collaborate in the gigantic machine of death.
When hundreds of billions of lives are at stake, we must now do more than refuse to collaborate:
we must refuse this constant butchery, we must demand an end to the massacre, we must clamour for abolition!
We demand the abolition of the production and consumption of animal flesh throughout the world !
We demand the prohibition of the products of hunting, fishing and livestock farming, because they involve the exploitation, suffering and death of sentient beings.
Let’s organise actions everywhere,
From 20 to 27 September 2014
For the upcoming World Week for the Abolition of Meat!
We are calling on you to organise and announce here any actions that you consider useful so that we can work together to bring closer the day when no animal will be unnecessarily killed to be used for food.
Because meat production involves killing the animals that are eaten,
because their living conditions and slaughter cause them to suffer,
because eating animal products isn't necessary,
because sentient beings must not be mistreated or killed unnecessarily;
therefore, farming, fishing and hunting, as well as selling and eating animal products, have to be abolished.


Introducing the 480ml Single Wall 304 Stainless Steel Water Cup, a fusion of functionality and style for elevated hydration. Crafted from premium-grade 304 stainless steel, this water cup exemplifies durability and rust-free assurance, ensuring a companion that stands the test of time. Its single-wall design not only guarantees lightweight portability but also makes it the perfect choice for outdoor pursuits, travel adventures, or everyday use at home or work. With a sleek, contemporary aesthetic, this water cup is more than just a beverage holder – it’s a fashion-forward statement that seamlessly complements any setting.
- Premium 304 Stainless Steel: Our commitment to quality shines through with the use of superior 304 stainless steel, endowing the water cup with unparalleled strength and corrosion resistance, promising lasting performance.
- Lightweight and Portable: The single-wall construction ensures that the 480ml water cup remains lightweight and effortlessly portable, ideal for those on the move, whether it’s a trek through the wilderness or a bustling urban commute.
- Sleek and Modern Design: Combining practicality with aesthetics, the water cup’s contemporary design adds a touch of sophistication to your beverage experience, making it a suitable choice for various occasions.
- Eco-Friendly Choice: By choosing the reusable 480ml Single Wall 304 Stainless Steel Water Cup, you’re not just elevating your hydration routine but also contributing to a greener planet by reducing single-use plastics.
The 480ml Single Wall 304 Stainless Steel Water Cup redefines the standards of durability, convenience, and style in one exceptional package. Designed for both the outdoors and everyday life, this water cup’s premium 304 stainless steel construction guarantees resilience while its single-wall structure keeps it lightweight. Embrace a sustainable lifestyle by choosing this eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic bottles. Elevate your hydration journey with a water cup that effortlessly combines elegance and functionality, ensuring you stay refreshed and stylishly hydrated wherever you go.


Heinz is committed to working together with major stakeholders from industry, government and the public to help achieve a more sustainable approach to sourcing raw ingredients for our products. We are also focused on safety and quality, and we set strict buying specifications in order to meet these requirements. In 2012, Heinz was recognized with a Justmeans Social Innovation Award for Best Incorporation of Ethical Sourcing or Certification.
Sustainably Sourced Cocoa - UTZ Certified
Background: Poor soil fertility management, aging tree stocks, improper use of chemicals, uncontrolled deforestation and poor labor conditions are several of the challenges faced by the cocoa industry. These factors also represent imminent threats to the sustainability of cocoa farming. As consumers grow increasingly aware of these situations specific to the cocoa industry, they demand products that are sourced in a responsible way.
Position: As we announced in our last report, our De Ruijter brand in the Netherlands was the first major chocolate sprinkles manufacturer to announce the switch to UTZ CERTIFIED cocoa that adheres to sustainable agriculture practices for the cocoa supply. We are pleased that all cocoa bought by Heinz as of January 1, 2013 is 100% sustainable – UTZ CERTIFIED. This includes the De Ruijter, Venz and Kwatta brand chocolate sprinkles brands. The move to UTZ CERTIFIED cocoa is an important step that helps to provide a sustainable future for Ivory Coast cocoa growers. By teaching growers safe and more efficient farming practices, the quality and yield of cocoa beans will increase, resulting in a better income for farmers and knowledge shared throughout the supply chain. UTZ CERTIFIED works together with major stakeholders from industry, government and the public to help achieve a more sustainable cocoa sector. The Code is internationally recognized, and the goal is to reach many small farmers and involve them in the global supply for responsible cocoa.
Certified Sustainable Palm Oil
Heinz recognizes that unsustainable cultivation of oil palm contributes to deforestation, climate change and a lack of biodiversity in oil-producing countries.
Background: Heinz has been committed to the sourcing of certified sustainable palm oil and has a solid track record of continual improvement on the company’s journey to achieve 100% certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2013. In the last report, we announced that Heinz converted our largest global palm oil usage to segregated certified palm oil sources from a new plant in the Netherlands. As a result, Heinz began using segregated certified sustainable palm oil in manufacturing frozen potato products at our Westwick factory. Heinz also reduced our palm oil usage in North America through product reformulation to enhance product health and wellness.
Commitment: Heinz completed its conversion to 100% certified sustainable palm oil in December 2013. Our Global Sustainable Palm Oil Steering Team, which includes our key regional procurement, quality and R&D personnel, assesses and facilitates compliance with this goal globally. This team also works closely with Research & Development to ensure that palm oil is only used in new products when there is no technical or commercial alternative available. We are also reformulating existing recipes to incorporate alternative environmentally responsible sources.
Heinz promotes the use of palm oil from sustainable sources through our membership in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). This not-for-profit association brings together stakeholders — including palm oil producers, palm oil processors or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation non-government organizations (NGOs), and social or developmental NGOs — to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil.
In its November 2013 Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said, “This Scorecard shows that a handful of companies like... Heinz have done exactly what WWF has asked of them. They have put the effort into making sure they’re in a good place to meet their commitments to use Segregated CSPO and to move away from relying on Book and Claim certificates.”
Farm Animal Welfare
Heinz recognizes that animal welfare is a growing consumer interest.
Background: Heinz is one of the world’s premier food companies. At Heinz we have always been committed to providing safe, wholesome and nourishing foods that enhance the lives and well-being of people everywhere – a philosophy that extends throughout our supply chain, and in particular in our approach to animal welfare. As with all ingredients, the primary concerns for Heinz are safety and quality, and we set strict buying specifications in order to meet these requirements. At Heinz, the provenance of our ingredients is important to us. We have a long-standing history of ensuring traceability in our agricultural supply chain, and we share best practices across our global business. We keep our meat supply chain as short as we can in order to maintain the best possible levels of ingredient traceability.
Heinz believes that animals should be treated with compassion and we are committed to ensuring that the ingredients we purchase from our suppliers are produced in a sustainable and ethical manner. Heinz does not operate any animal processing facilities and is not a leading buyer of animal-derived ingredients. However, we have several ongoing initiatives and a global position statement to ensure a consistent approach on animal welfare for our animal-derived products.
Cage Free Eggs:
Heinz is not a major user of eggs and therefore we have little to no influence on the costs of egg prices either in the U.S. or globally. That said, Heinz has made a commitment to source our eggs from cage-free chickens as suppliers meet our growing request for this ingredient. Specifically, in the U.K., we use free-range eggs in Heinz Mayonnaise.
Across all Heinz businesses, we continue to work with our egg suppliers to review and further understand the options and capabilities in cage-free sourcing going forward. We ask stakeholders to work with major egg suppliers and users to bring down the costs of cage-free eggs, which today are significantly higher than those of caged eggs.
Heinz applauds and supports industry efforts to move away from using gestation crates for pregnant sows. The Company is currently working with its pork suppliers to understand and document their plans to reduce or end the use of gestational crates. This information is used to inform the Company’s choice of suppliers now and in the future, in an effort to increase the Company’s use of pork from crate-free sources.
Position: Heinz recognizes that many consumers have concerns about animal welfare and we take these concerns seriously. First and foremost, no Heinz products are tested on animals. Secondly, Heinz suppliers are required to have implemented validated Animal Welfare Programs to prevent the abuse of animals. These Animal Welfare Programs are to be compliant to the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA), the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Heinz requires written confirmation of compliance to these Animal Welfare Programs. Heinz requires formal Animal Welfare Assurance programs at each of our supplier locations validated through audits and a target training program to preserve the health and well-being of the animals and food safety of the finished products.
In addition to compliance with all local legislation in force in the country of origin, Heinz requires that its suppliers adhere to the principle of the Five Freedoms for animal welfare:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst;
- Freedom from discomfort;
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease;
- Freedom to express normal behavior; and
- Freedom from fear and distress.


Ornis Hungarica. vol.22(1). (2014) p.1-14.
A case study on the phylogeny and conservation of Saker Falcon
The Saker Falcon is a falconid raptor species with Palearctic distribution. It has never been a common bird in Hungary, now there are cc. 220–230 nesting pairs within the country borders. Currently total world population is cc. 19 000–34 000 individuals. Its taxonomic status is complicated. Two subspecies are distinguished (Falco c. cherrug and Falco c. milvipes); however, molecular data does not support this split. Phylogeny of the species is also not clarified, similarly to closely related raptors. There are many factors threatening the population of the Saker. One of these factors is the occurrence of the hybrid falcons. By molecular investigations more data can be gained, that could be useful in practical conservation, too.


Air pollution is a major concern in India. National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched in 2014 to disseminate information on air quality in an easily understandable form for the general public. AQI has six categories of air quality. These are: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor and Severe. AQI is considered as ‘One Number- One Colour-One Description’ for the common man to judge the air quality within his vicinity. The formulation of the index was an initiative under Swachh Bharat Mission (Cleanliness Mission).


ARTES Ingegneria was founded in 1977 as the BONO Company in charge of waste water treatment. BONO, the mother Company, was already committed, right from its birth in 1958, to excellence in the business of Steam Boilers and Boiler-Water Treatment.
At the incorporation of BONO into the Cannon Group in 1988, ARTES inherited the international attitude, the innovative mind and the strength of a multinational Company that paved the way to ambitious goals of growth and technological improvement.
Water treatment systems are designed by ARTES’ engineers on its own know-how and on proprietary technologies while fabrication and skid-mounting are performed “in-house” in full respect of the quality, safety and environmental international standards.
ARTES is currently one of the leading companies providing water & waste water treatment solutions in the Oil & Gas sector, onshore and offshore, upstream and downstream, with supplies to the major National and International Oil Companies and EPC contractors. ARTES’s installations are in the most diversified sectors including oil production, refining, petrochemicals, gas treatment, fertilizers plants.