With the calender almost running to May, a spring pattern is finally in the works. The jet stream will push north and winds will shift to a southerly direction. This will pump up warm moist air into all of the Midwest starting Friday. This is not due to a large storm, so the warm will be sticking around, and the threat of any severe weather looks minimal. A large snow pack still persists in areas, but much of that will be gone by next week, with flooding being a concern. Coming off record snow months in the Great Plains, the warm weather is a welcomed sight.


The Nike Air Force 1 Low Crater White Black DH8083-100 is the perfect combination of style, comfort, and sustainability. These iconic low-top sneakers are part of Nike’s sustainable line of footwear, designed to reduce waste and promote eco-conscious fashion.
1. Sustainable Design: The Nike Air Force 1 Low Crater is constructed with recycled materials, including a Nike Grind rubber outsole and a Nike Regrind midsole, both made from recycled materials. By opting for these sneakers, you are contributing to the reduction of waste and environmental impact.
2. Classic Style: With its timeless silhouette and clean white and black colorway, these Air Force 1 Lows offer a versatile and effortlessly stylish look. Whether you pair them with jeans, leggings, or shorts, these sneakers will elevate any outfit.
3. Enhanced Comfort: The Air Force 1 Low Crater features a plush foam midsole that provides exceptional cushioning and support, ensuring all-day comfort. The low-top design allows for unrestricted movement and a lightweight feel, making them perfect for everyday wear.
– Colorway: White/Black
– Style Code: DH8083-100
– Low-top design
– Recycled materials: Nike Grind rubber outsole and Nike Regrind midsole
– Lace-up closure for a secure fit
– Perforations on the toe box for breathability
– Padded collar for added comfort
– Nike Air cushioning for a responsive feel
– Swoosh branding on the sides
In summary, the Nike Air Force 1 Low Crater White Black DH8083-100 offers a classic and sustainable sneaker option. With its timeless design, comfort features, and use of recycled materials, these sneakers are both fashion-forward and eco-conscious. Elevate your style while making a positive impact on the environment with these iconic low-top kicks.


KFC South Africa has announced the official launch of the brand’s partnership with Litterlotto – a first for the QSR sector in South Africa – which looks at addressing the root cause of litter and waste through behavioural science and nudge technology, encouraging consumers to bin their litter and, in return, stand the chance to be rewarded for it.
“At KFC we care for the planet and the communities in which we operate, and believe that as one of the world’s largest restaurant companies, we have the responsibility and opportunity to take action on some of the most pressing social and environmental challenges in the world. Our partnership with Litterlotto allows us to do just this by further elevating our existing sustainability approach locally through packaging and sourcing, as well as driving a much stronger approach to end-of-life packaging,” states Grant Macpherson, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC Africa.
“Our Litterlotto campaign – aptly named All Taste, No Waste – is based on a shared value approach which aims at making ‘doing good’ easy for the consumer while incentivising their participation. What’s more, consumers can bin any waste, not just KFC waste to stand a chance to win.”
Litterlotto is a free mobile phone app which provides the opportunity for users to win on-the-spot prizes and weekly jackpots for ‘doing the right thing and putting litter into the bin’. All consumers have to do is download the app, take a picture of them binning their litter and they will be entered into the KFC jackpot – giving consumers cash prizes periodically, with the opportunity to win spot prizes daily.
“As a purpose-led brand that drives a recipe for good and growth, and ensures that it is done the right way, this partnership aligns closely to our commitment to moving consumer-facing plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025. Furthermore, as a brand committed to growing sustainably by addressing climate change, emissions reduction in our restaurants, and investing in circularity – we are proud of this next step in our journey and believe that bringing consumers into the solution will go a long way in driving behavioural change,” continues Macpherson.
The KFC All Taste No Waste campaign, featuring LitterLotto, underwent a 3-month trial between September and December 2023, across select restaurants, and saw phenomenal success from a responsible disposal perspective. In fact, during this time the app saw 624,446 pieces of litter binned in the 3 months. Similarly, 76% of consumers who took part indicated that they are more likely to dispose of their litter more responsibly after using the app.
“There is no doubt that as an industry, we have a fundamental responsibility to not only create sustainable packaging and processes as key contributors to reducing environmental waste, but also an opportunity to leverage the scale of our brand to drive this critical behavioural change. We are excited about what this partnership can do for the communities in which we operate – incentivising positive behaviour while cleaning up our cities.” concludes Macpherson.


If you’re an avid camper, hiker, or traveler, you know that access to safe, clean drinking water is absolutely crucial. That’s where the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets come in. These convenient packets are the ultimate survival water treatment solution, allowing you to turn dirty, contaminated water into fresh, clean, drinkable water.
The P&G Purifier of Water Packets are highly effective and have been registered as a disinfect by the EPA, ensuring their reliability. With the ability to remove 99.9999% of commonly found bacteria and 99.99% of viruses, these packets provide peace of mind wherever you may be. Their portable design makes them easy to carry and use anywhere in the world, whether you’re camping in the wilderness or traveling to a remote country with poor water treatment facilities.
One of the standout features of these packets is their ability to treat water in just 30 minutes. With just one packet, you can treat 2.5 gallons or 10 liters of water, allowing you to quickly and efficiently access clean, drinkable water. The unique formula used in these packets combines flocculation and disinfection, eliminating waterborne bacteria and other pollutants. Not only do these packets ensure your safety, but they also provide eco-friendly water purification.
Here are some reviews from satisfied customers who have used the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets:
- “I recently went backpacking in a remote area, and these packets were a game-changer. I was able to quickly and easily purify water from a nearby stream, ensuring that I had clean, safe drinking water throughout my trip.”
- “I always keep a few packets of the P&G Purifier of Water in my hiking backpack. They’re so lightweight and compact, and I love knowing that I can rely on them to provide clean water, no matter where I am.”
- “I’ve used these packets during my travels to countries with questionable water sources. They give me peace of mind and allow me to stay hydrated without worrying about getting sick. Highly recommend!”
With the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets, you can confidently embark on your next outdoor adventure or travel to remote destinations knowing that clean, drinkable water is just a packet away. Don’t compromise on your safety – invest in these reliable and effective water purification packets today.
Effectiveness against Bacteria
The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets excel in their ability to effectively eliminate bacteria from contaminated water sources. With a registered disinfectant status by the EPA, these packets boast an impressive 99.9999% bacteria removal rate. This means that you can trust this portable water treatment system to protect you from harmful bacteria, ensuring that the water you consume is safe and clean.
Effectiveness against Viruses
In addition to its exceptional performance against bacteria, the P&G Purifier of Water Packets also demonstrate high efficacy in eliminating viruses. These packets have been tested and proven to remove 99.99% of commonly found viruses, providing an added layer of protection and peace of mind wherever your adventures may take you. Whether you’re camping, hiking, backpacking, or traveling to remote countries with inadequate water treatment facilities, this portable water purifier is your reliable companion.
Taste and Quality of Purified Water
While the primary concern when it comes to water purification is safety, the P&G Purifier of Water Packets go the extra mile to ensure that the purified water not only meets safety standards but also tastes good. The unique formula of these packets combines flocculation and disinfection, effectively eliminating waterborne bacteria and other pollutants that can affect the taste and quality of water. As a result, you can enjoy clean and refreshing water, even in challenging outdoor environments.
The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets offer outstanding product performance that guarantees the provision of safe, drinkable water on your outdoor ventures. With its efficiency against bacteria and viruses, as well as its commitment to delivering clean water that tastes great, this portable water treatment solution is an essential companion for any adventurer.
Ease of Use
Instructions for Usage
Using the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets is incredibly easy. Simply follow these straightforward steps:
- Tear open a packet of the Purifier of Water powder.
- Pour the entire contents into a container filled with dirty or contaminated water.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly for 5 minutes, making sure the powder is fully dissolved.
- Let the water settle for 5 minutes.
- Filter the water through a clean cloth or paper filter to remove any remaining impurities.
- Wait for an additional 20 minutes for the water to undergo the purification process.
- Your fresh, clean, and drinkable water is now ready to be consumed.
The P&G Purifier of Water Packets utilize a unique formula that combines flocculation and disinfection to eliminate waterborne bacteria and other pollutants. The powder effectively binds to impurities, causing them to clump together and settle at the bottom of the container. It then kills 99.9999% of commonly found bacteria and 99.99% of viruses, ensuring the water is safe and drinkable.
Packaging and Portability
The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets are conveniently packaged in a compact and lightweight design, making them perfect for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, backpacking, hunting, and traveling. Each pack contains 12 individual packets, providing ample supply for your adventures. The packets are sealed for optimum freshness and have a current expiration date of July 2025. With each packet treating 2.5 gallons or 10 liters of water, you can easily carry enough purification power for your entire trip without the added weight of bulky filters or treatments.
Don’t just take our word for it. Here are some reviews from satisfied customers:
- “I was skeptical at first, but these packets exceeded my expectations. They are incredibly easy to use and the water taste is surprisingly great. I can now confidently drink water wherever I go!”
- “The packaging is compact and fits perfectly in my backpack. It’s a lifesaver during hiking trips, ensuring I have clean water wherever I am. Highly recommended!”
- “I’ve used different water purification methods in the past, but nothing beats the convenience and effectiveness of the P&G Purifier of Water Packets. They are my go-to solution for safe drinking water on all my outdoor adventures.”
With the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets, clean and drinkable water is just a simple process away. Stay hydrated and worry-free on your next adventure with the ultimate survival water treatment.
The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of different environments. Whether you are camping in the great outdoors, hiking through rugged terrain, backpacking through remote areas, or even hunting in the wilderness, these portable water purifier packets are the perfect companion to ensure you have access to clean and drinkable water.
Ideal for Outdoor Activities
If you are someone who loves spending time outside and participating in outdoor activities, these water purifier packets are a must-have item in your gear. They are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry in your backpack or even in your pocket. You no longer have to worry about carrying heavy water bottles or searching for a clean water source, as these packets can turn any dirty, contaminated water into fresh, clean, and safe drinking water. So whether you are going on a day hike or embarking on a week-long camping trip, be sure to pack these purifier packets for a reliable and convenient source of clean water.
Traveling to Remote Areas
If you are planning on traveling to remote countries where poor water treatment facilities exist, then the P&G Purifier of Water Packets are essential for your trip. These packets have been registered as a disinfectant by the EPA and are highly effective in removing 99.9999% of commonly found bacteria and 99.99% of viruses. With just one packet, you can treat 2.5 gallons or 10 liters of water, ensuring you have access to safe and drinkable water wherever you go. So whether you are exploring the Amazon rainforest or trekking through the Sahara desert, these water purifier packets will provide you with peace of mind and the assurance that you can stay hydrated and healthy throughout your journey.
Longevity and Expiration
Expiration Date Information
When it comes to emergency water purifiers, one crucial aspect to consider is their longevity and expiration date. With the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have a reliable and effective water treatment solution that will last.
Each packet of the P&G Purifier of Water has a current expiration date of July 2025, ensuring that you have plenty of time to use them for your upcoming outdoor adventures or emergency situations. This means you can stock up on these packets without the worry of them expiring anytime soon.
To maintain the effectiveness and longevity of the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets, proper storage is essential. It is recommended to keep the packets in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This will help to preserve the quality of the product and ensure that they are ready for use whenever you need them.
Consider storing the packets in airtight containers or resealable bags to protect them from moisture and potential damage. By following these storage recommendations, you can ensure that your P&G Purifier of Water remains in optimal condition, ready to provide you with clean, drinkable water whenever and wherever you need it.
- “I recently went on a camping trip and brought along the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. These packets were a lifesaver! They turned murky lake water into crystal clear and safe drinking water. I was amazed by how effective and easy to use they were. Highly recommend!”
- “As someone who loves backpacking and exploring remote areas, I always make sure to carry the P&G Purifier of Water Packets with me. They have never let me down. Knowing that I can easily purify water from any source gives me peace of mind during my outdoor adventures.”
- “I used the P&G Purifier of Water Packets during a recent trip to a developing country with poor water treatment facilities. These packets were a game changer. They provided clean and safe drinking water without any weird taste or odor. I’ll never travel without them again!”
The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets not only provide clean and drinkable water, but they also have a positive environmental impact. The unique formula used in these packets combines flocculation and disinfection to eliminate waterborne bacteria and other pollutants. This means that not only are harmful bacteria removed, but the water is also left free of any unpleasant tastes or odors.
By using these packets, you can trust that you are not only protecting yourself from harmful contaminants but also minimizing your impact on the environment. The eco-friendly formula ensures that water purification is achieved effectively without harming the delicate balance of nature.
Disposal of Used Packets
Another aspect of the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets that contributes to their eco-friendliness is the ease of disposal. After using a packet to treat water, you can simply dispose of it in a responsible manner. The small size and lightweight nature of the packets make them easy to carry and dispose of without leaving a trace.
It is important to note that these packets should be properly disposed of according to local waste management guidelines to ensure minimal impact on the environment. By following the appropriate disposal methods, you can continue to enjoy clean and drinkable water while being mindful of the environment.
The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets offer a practical and environmentally friendly solution for water purification needs. With their highly effective formula and easy disposal, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are both protecting yourself and the environment.
The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets have received positive feedback from customers who have used them in various outdoor and travel scenarios. One customer mentioned that these packets were a lifesaver during their camping trip in a remote area with no access to clean water. They were amazed at how quickly and effectively the packets turned dirty water into clean and drinkable water. Another customer praised the convenience and portability of these packets, stating that they were able to easily carry them during their backpacking trip and treat water from various sources without any issues.
“I recently went camping in a remote area and these water purifier packets were a game-changer. They truly turned dirty water into fresh and drinkable water in just 30 minutes. I felt safe knowing that I could rely on these packets to provide me with clean water during my outdoor adventure.” – Sarah
“The P&G Purifier of Water packets are truly a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast. I used them during my backpacking trip and they exceeded my expectations. Not only were they lightweight and easy to carry, but they also worked wonders in purifying water from lakes and rivers. I highly recommend these packets for anyone who values clean and safe drinking water during their outdoor activities.” – John
Comparison with Similar Products
Alternative Water Purification Methods
When it comes to ensuring clean drinking water while on the go, there are several alternative methods available. One commonly used method is boiling water, which effectively kills bacteria and viruses. However, this process requires a heat source and can be time-consuming.
Another popular option is using water purification tablets, which work by releasing chemicals such as chlorine or iodine into the water to kill harmful pathogens. While these tablets are convenient, they can leave behind an unpleasant taste and odor.
In comparison to alternative water purification methods, the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets stands out as a highly effective and convenient option. These packets have been registered by the EPA as a disinfectant and are proven to remove 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses.
Not only do these packets provide reliable purification, but they also offer the advantage of being lightweight and portable. Unlike bulky water filters or large containers, the P&G Purifier of Water packets can easily fit into your backpack or pocket, making them ideal for camping, hiking, backpacking, hunting, or traveling.
Furthermore, the P&G packets are designed to deliver clean and drinkable water that tastes good. With a unique formula that combines flocculation and disinfection, these packets effectively eliminate waterborne bacteria and other pollutants.
In just 30 minutes, one packet can treat 2.5 gallons or 10 liters of water, providing a quick and efficient water purification solution wherever you are. Plus, with the current expiration date of July 2025, you can have peace of mind knowing that these packets will remain effective for a long time.
The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets surpasses alternative methods with its effectiveness, convenience, and ability to provide clean water that is safe to drink.
Where to Buy
P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets can be purchased from authorized retailers. These retailers are authorized by P&G to sell their products and ensure that you are getting the genuine product. Some of the authorized retailers include:
Outdoor supply stores: Visit your local outdoor supply store to find the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. These stores often carry a wide range of camping and hiking gear, making it convenient to find everything you need for your outdoor adventures in one place.
Pharmacy stores: Many pharmacy stores also stock the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. Check with your local pharmacy to see if they carry this product and ensure you have access to clean drinking water wherever you go.
In addition to authorized retailers, you can also purchase the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets online. Online platforms offer convenience and the ability to shop from the comfort of your own home. Some popular online platforms where you can find this product include:
P&G official website: Visit the official P&G website to purchase the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. This ensures you are buying directly from the manufacturer and can trust the authenticity of the product.
E-commerce websites: Online marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart, and eBay also offer the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. These platforms often have customer reviews and ratings, allowing you to make an informed decision before purchasing.
With various authorized retailers and online platforms, it is easy to find and purchase the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. Ensure you are buying from a trusted source to guarantee the quality and effectiveness of the product.
Here are some reviews of the product:
“I recently purchased the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets for a camping trip, and I was amazed at how well they worked. The water tasted clean and refreshing, and I felt confident that it was safe to drink. I highly recommend these packets for anyone who loves the outdoors.” – John S.
“I travel frequently to remote countries where clean water is scarce. The P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets have been a game-changer for me. They are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry in my backpack. I no longer have to worry about getting sick from contaminated water. These packets are a must-have for any traveler.” – Sarah L.
“I always make sure to have the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets with me when I go hiking or camping. They are easy to use and provide peace of mind knowing that I can have clean drinking water wherever I go. The expiration date is also a plus, as it gives me plenty of time to use the packets before they expire. I highly recommend these for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities.” – Mark D.
These reviews demonstrate the high-quality and effectiveness of the P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. Invest in these packets to ensure you have access to clean drinking water during your outdoor adventures.


The Kursis Charter is a T20 campaign, and was included in the T20 Referee's Screen. The campaign is good and, in general, complete and well thought-out.
However, there are some issues with it. Not with the campaign itself, per se, but with one of the planets it takes place on...
THE RADIOACTIVE TAINT IN MIIP'S ATMOSPHERE
The planet Miip in Ley Sector (0819 E999546-3) is the setting of an important series of scenes in this campaign. I won't go over them here for a very specific reason (at least one of my players reads this blog), but I will discuss that taint...
Miip itself is a very, very, VERY wet world. On the world's only inhabited island (essentially a small continent), it rains almost every day, sometimes for days on end. Sunshine seems to be a 'fleeting' occurence.
Here are the relevant sections from the setting regarding the taint and atmosphere/weather (paraphrased):
"radioactive dust taint in the atmosphere; only filters, breath masks required."
"The atmospheric taint may be the result of nuclear bombardment in the distant past, but this is unproven."
"storms can rage for whole days at a time."
What?? Let's cover that radiation angle first.
On a world this wet, how can any radioactive dust remain in the air? All that rain would remove it from the atmosphere, unless it were being replenished. Normal weather patterns and events would not be enough (as far as I know) to bring the radioactive dust back up into the atmosphere, not when it is this wet. If the world were covered with deserts, that'd be suitable, but not on this wet world.
Next, if the atmosphere were entirely filled with radioactive dust, as the campaign guide implies, more than a single city, or even a dozen, would have to be obliterated to produce that much dust, and keep it in the atmosphere for several thousand years. And that level of bombardment would certainly be detectable by the inhabitants, the Imperial Survey, and even the odd space traveller or two.
These numbers aren't exact, of course, as we do not have any real comparison in our real-life experience. However, we did heavily damage two cities with atom bombs at the end of World War 2. To my knowledge (I could easily be wrong about this!) there is currently no lingering dust in our atmosphere from this event, 70 years later, nor even a decade later.
ANIMALS AND LIFEFORMS IN RADIOACTIVE ATMOSPHERES
It is certainly possible for lifeforms to develop which can effectively deal with this type of atmosphere (or so I'm told; I'm no xeno-biologist). However, such lifeforms will be completely inedible for human consumption, or should be.
The campaign sourcebook states the 'native' Ursa on Miip generally lead a hunter-gatherer existence, eating local lifeforms for survival and sustenance. One can also assume that some Terran/human-compatible lifeforms from other environments have been introduced, and that these are also consumed.
There are two problems with this. First, I doubt that human or Ursa biologies would be capable of consuming meat from sources which can endure radioactive environments. Don't quote me on that for certain, as I'm no scientist, but it does make sense. Second, Terran life would have an extremely difficult time surviving this environment, with 'dust-borne' radiation, which would accumulate on surfaces, be blown by harsh winds into the eyes, etc. (See below.)
Add in the long-term issues involved with general radioactivity exposure (genetic damage, mutations, et al), and you have a seriously uninhabitable planet. At least for Terran lifeforms, which is the point here.
THE WIND OF MIIP'S ATMOSPHERE
"In between storms, powerful winds howl across the surface, uprooting trees and demolishing weak structures."
There are two things implied in this statement. First, during periods of 'relative calm' between the storms, the 'entire planet', or at least the entire area inhabited by the locals, is constantly swept by high speed winds.
I could see some trees or weaker/damaged structures being felled by winds after they'd taken significant water damage, or had their roots loosened from the soil by water saturation. That makes sense. But constantly? That is what this statement implies.
My interpretation: the winds can get that rough, but this occurs only 'infrequently'.
And if these periods of 'calm' are so bad, just how dangerous are the frequent storms?
I'm certain there are points I am missing about these topics, and this particular planetary write-up. C'est la vie. Feel free to post comments if you'd like.
The main point I'm (slowly) trying to make: as written, this is not a viable planet for human habitation.
How is this issue (as I see it) fixed?
Solution 1: Change the taint. Perhaps the taint is the high levels of humidity, created by the 90% or so surface water, along with the extensive rains. Or maybe it is actually some biological taint - hallucinogenic plant pollen (overdone in Traveller), or pollen which causes cancer in humans (also overdone in Traveller).
Solution 2: Change the atmosphere. This is the solution I will use in my setting, changing it from 9 (Dense, Tainted) to 8 (Dense, Standard), keeping the weather patterns (and that unrelenting rain) unchanged. All that rain, wind, and storms are more than enough challenge for a PC party.
There are, undoubtedly, many other ways to 'fix' this issue. One could be to ignore it, running the setting 'as is'. Most players won't care. Another could be to discern some natural function causing the issue. Or perhaps some other, unnatural solution will present itself. (Ancients, anyone?)
Whatever a referee chooses to do with this issue, be sure to give your players a great gaming experience!


You’re sitting on a wild, solitary beach, watching whales only a few yards away. You’re lying on the sand close to sea lions. You’re paddling the home bays of whales, elephant seals, sea lions, penguins — the safe havens where these animals mate and bear their young. There are so many whales that there’s a whale research station close by. It’s cool, silent and barren. The horizons are endless. This is our new trip to Patagonia.
We paddle in the wildlife refuge of Peninsula Valdes, in Chubut, Argentina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most nights we camp on the stunning, solitary beaches of Patagonia. Peninsula Valdes is best known as the nursery and sanctuary for the endangered Southern Right whale and is the only breeding ground for the elephant seal. On the gravel beaches, the sea lions mate and then raise their pups. Close to shore in the bays, the whales gather, mate, give birth, nurse and raise their calves.
In the barren Patagonian steppes, we can see guanaco, armadillos, foxes, cavy (a large rodent), Patagonian skunk, and the pampas cat. Birdwatchers can see the Magellanic penguin, kelp gulls, lesser rhea, cormorants, egrets, blackish oystercatcher, and flying steamer.
Because we paddle in remote areas, we carry all food and equipment in our sea kayaks. This is an expedition style trip, where we pitch our tents, camp out on the beaches and bathe in the ocean. We set up non-permanent camps and always try to leave no impact on the sites. Breakfasts include good coffee, cereal, eggs, juice and fresh bread. Lunches are sandwiches and salads. Dinners are international favorites with a fruit dessert.
On the first and last nights of the trip we stay in comfortable local inns with private bathrooms. And as always, we start and end the trip with special celebration dinners.
Patagonia’s dramatic solitude amazes visitors. It’s so remote and desolate that the early missionaries ignored it. Because of the dry steppes and isolation, the ruins of ancient Indian villages stayed undisturbed. The first Europeans in this area were – surprisingly — Welsh settlers who came in 1865, bringing their language and culture to their new world. The town of Trelew, where we start and end the trip, was settled by the Welsh. Even today, Welsh is the language of home and chapel in many Trelew homes.
This trip is our dream come true: lying on beaches just a few yards from sea lions and seeing whales close up. Come along with us on this year’s exploratory adventure!
Welcome at Trelew airport and transfer to the tourist village of Puerto Pirámides. Meet guide to review medical information, check on the equipment and answer any questions.
Accommodation in Puerto Pirámides.
Early in the morning we leave Puerto Pirámides to head towards Punta Buenos Aires, the northernmost edge of Golfo San Jose. After driving for about two hours on a gravel road we get to the place where our first expedition day takes place. In the afternoon we set up our camp, get our kayaks ready and receive from the guide a navigation safety briefing and instructions about our expected conduct in a protected area.
Time allows for a seaside hike to visit a small lighthouse.
DAY 3 – DAY 8
As we paddle along San José northern coastline we discover varied beaches, bays and coves. We visit Puerto San Ramón, Bengoa beach where there’s a small artisanal fishermen settlement, Punta Conos, Beach El 39, and Playa Fracaso to eventually arrive at Punta Tehuelche. We leave our kayaks in Punta Conos to walk this area. Conos, named after some cone-like hillocks, boasts a huge concentration of marine fossils dating back million years typical of Peninsula Valdés protected area. The wind blowing on the dunes uncovers and covers back again ancient Tehuelche settlements that existed along the Patagonian coast allowing us to recognize elements used by the natives such as utensils and arrowheads and to see the places where they used to eat. Beach El 39 is a research area for Southern Right whales for which the ICB, a local whale conservation organization reporting to the Whale Conservation Institute & Ocean Alliance, is responsible. We pay a visit to the scientist that work there and to their field lab.
We also visit Playa Fracaso wetland, a sanctuary for neartic migratory shorebirds such as red knot, white rumped sandpiper and Hudsonian godwit among others. This is where they stop for rest and food in their long trip from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we break off camp and start touring Península Valdés. Our vehicle takes us to the most attractive spots such as Punta Norte and Caleta Valdés eventually dropping us at Estancia Rincón Chico, located 3kms from Punta Delgada. During the tour, we visit colonies of Magellanic penguins and Southern elephant seals, and observe the steppe wildlife along our way.
Overnight and farewell dinner at the typical country Inn-style, Rincón Chico.
After breakfast we get ready to visit a southern elephant seal colony. Lunch at Rincón Chico and transfer to Puerto Pirámides to visit the small tourist village and board
the whale-watching excursion.
Transfer to Trelew airport where our adventure comes to an end.
Note: Whale watching tour at Puerto Pirámides is offered on day 1. If we have forced to cancel this tour due the weather conditions, the tour will run on day 6.


Green Nobel Prize 2021
The prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize, also known as the “Green Nobel Prize” will be awarded today to six environmental activists, one from each of the world’s inhabited continents.
This year’s winners include a special education teacher whose activism stopped the construction of a billion-dollar plastics manufacturing plant along the Mississippi River; a woman whose efforts led to the creation of a national park in Peru the size of Yellowstone; a community leader whose organizing and 500-day blockade of heavy equipment stopped the construction of two dams in the Balkans; an activist who helped cancel 13 coal power plants in Japan and is the first female prize winner from Japan; a man who has dedicated his life to rescuing endangered pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade and ending poaching; and a woman who fought for a national ban on thin plastics manufacturing in Malawi.
“When it comes to the environment, the global community of grassroots activists, leaders, thinkers, and philanthropists is only growing and becoming more sophisticated, more united, more powerful,” Susie Gelman, vice president of the Goldman Environmental Foundation, said in a press release.
“These Prize winners have so much to teach us about the path forward and how to maintain the balance with nature that is key to our survival,” Gelman said. “They have not been silenced — despite great risks and personal hardship — and we must also not be silent, either. It takes all of us.”


Stunning Moreton Bay
The waters of Moreton Bay a usually relatively calm, being sheltered from large swells by Moreton, Stradbroke and Bribie Islands. The Bay has an average depth of 6.8 meters (22ft) with some parts as deep as 30 meters. The Bay covers 1,523 square kilometers. The average annual temperature of the sea here ranges from 21 degrees in July to 27 degrees in February. Humpback whales venture into the bay every winter and spring during the annual migration between feeding grounds.
Bush & Beach Walks
Moreton Island is famous for its wide sandy white beaches and with almost 17,000 ha of national park there is much to see. There are a number of great nature walks from the Tangalooma Wrecks area.
Walk to 'the desert' and track back via 'the ridge'.
Massive Sandhill Views
Tangalooma has a number of massive sandhills that extend from the beach into the national park. The aboriginal name for Moreton Island is 'Moorgumpin' meaning 'the place of sandhills.
MARINE PARK WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES
Humpback whales are regular visitors to Moreton Bay Marine Park and are amazing to watch. Every winter and spring they travel via Moreton Bay on their annual migration between their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean and their breeding and calving areas in northern tropical waters. Whale season in Moreton Bay typically runs from June to November.
Brisbane is unique among the major cities of Australia in having an abundance of dolphins in local waters. Its resident species include both the Bottlenose dolphin and the Indo-Pacific Humback Dolphin.
Moreton Bay has the largest resident population of Bottlenose dolphins in the world.
Moreton Bay Marine Park is one of the few places in the world where large populations of turtles are found so close to a capital city. Of the world's seven turtle species, all but the Kemp's ridley have been found here.
The marine park has at least five "year round" resident turtle species; green, loggerhead, Pacific ridley, flatback and hawksbill turtles.


Static Caravan is a development of the unique British static caravan typology, a complete prefabricated summer holiday dwelling. Designed for an extended family, to replace their 40 year old caravan in north-west England, the 32m² design explores how to progress this typology to be used through more months of the year, improve space and material qualities, and provide more generous views over the beautiful national park.
The static caravan concept is an ideal solution for creating dwellings in our most treasured landscapes because of their minimal impact on the ground. An elevated mobile steel base chassis on wheels needs no earth-penetrating foundations and with being fully-built off-site there is minimal disturbance to nature during construction and installation. Solar panels and batteries, rainwater collection and water tanks, and a compost toilet replace the need for underground services. Therefore when they are removed there is the least possible change to the landscape.
Type: New-build prefabricated holiday dwelling
Location: Lake District National Park, UK
Parterre Services: Sketch Project & Feasibility Study
Status: Feasibility phase
The existing caravan arriving on site in the 1980’s
The materials chosen for the design aim to respond to the local environment and building culture while increasing the tactile quality for users. Cork cladding is used for its rough, earthy texture to respond to the rugged surroundings, and because it’s light weight is necessary to keep the overall weight down for mobility. The cork is stained green to meet local regulations to blend into the landscape. Below the cork is a dry stone wall, a traditional local building, constructed on-site with local Silurian slate to give the dwelling a solidity and to protect its underside from the sheep that inhabit the field with the caravan. Inside unique and locally mined Westmorland green slate tiles are used for worktops and benches to add a material richness and connection to the proud history of the area.
A high-performance construction is used to progress traditional static caravan designs that have very thin walls because of the space requirement, weight restrictions, and their summer time use. With contemporary high-performance insulation and membranes the thin walls can be retained while dramatically improving heat loss performance.


Transportation systems do not spring up out of the thin air. They are planned—and, in many cases, planned poorly when it comes to people of color. Conscious decisions determine the location of freeways, bus stops, fueling stations, and train stations. Decisions to build highways, expressways, and beltways, have far-reaching effects on land use, energy policies, and the environment. Decisions by county commissioners to bar the extension of public transit to job-rich economic activity centers in suburban counties and instead spend their transportation dollars on repairing and expanding the nation’s roads have serious mobility implications for central city residents. Together, all these transportation decisions shape United States metropolitan area, growth patterns, physical mobility, and economic opportunities. These same transportation policies have also aided, and in some cases, subsidized, racial, economic, and environmental inequities as evidenced by the segregated housing and spatial layout of our central cities and suburbs.


The Mason Group applies the tools of synthetic chemistry and nanotechnology to the design of materials that address basic science challenges in energy and sustainable development. We are particularly interested in the development of chemical strategies to manipulate entropic effects, phase transitions, and porosity at different length scales in inorganic and organic materials.
Advanced materials that can store high capacities of thermal energy and deliver it on demand are critical to the more efficient and sustainable utilization of energy. Through the development of strategies to manipulate the thermodynamics and kinetics of order-disorder transitions, our laboratory synthesizes new phase-change materials for thermal energy storage and heat management.
Owing to their myriad size- and shape-dependent magnetic, electronic, catalytic, optical, and mechanical properties, colloidal nanocrystals are exceptionally powerful building blocks for the construction of tunable materials. Our laboratory investigates porous materials composed of inorganic nanocrystals bridged by rigid organic ligands. These materials will exhibit novel properties that are derived from individual nanocrystals and their collective interactions, along with functionalized organic ligands and guest species in well-defined pores.
Porous nanocrystals with well-defined shapes, sizes, and surface chemistries offer opportunities for realizing properties that are not conventionally associated with porous materials and for addressing long-standing challenges in adsorption. Our laboratory is interested in the development of nanocrystal-based self-cooling and self-heating adsorbents, membranes for water purification, and liquids with intrinsic porosity.


2020年11月15日 6:09 AM #9305Jessica Mcgovernゲスト
by Christopher Mattison
- ISBN: 9780756613655 (0756613655)
- Release date: January 23, 2006
- Genres: animals, science
- Author: Christopher Mattison
- Format: paperback, 192 pages
- Publisher: DK
- Language: english
About The Book
A comprehensive, best-selling guide to more than 3,000 snake species for fans of snakes, snake owners, and students — now in an updated second edition produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution.
Get to know more than 3,000 snakes from around the world, from the familiar, massive Green Anaconda to the deadly Tropical Rattlesnake, the Reticulated Python, Red-Spitting Cobra, Puff Adder, Gaboon Viper, and more. Learn about the lesser-known dainty Leopard Snake, whose bright markings trick predators — and often humans — into thinking it is a deadly viper.
Snake uses gorgeous, full-color photographs of 60 snakes to showcase what makes these reptiles so extraordinary, and includes more than 450 illustrations and detailed close-up photographs that show the snakes in action.
Herpetology expert and wildlife photographer Chris Mattison accompanies each profile with fascinating snake facts and trivia on the snake’s physical and behavioral characteristics, information about habitats, reproductive behavior, feeding, defense, and more. Plus, the updated, easy-to-reference Snake Directory lists every snake species within the 18 snake families, including little-known and rarely sighted species.
Snake is a beautiful and comprehensive guide to some of nature’s more compelling animals.
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With the potential weather predicted for Potter County and much of the east coast, the Potter County Department of Emergency Services advises everyone to prepare now for the remnants of Hurricane Sandy and other severe weather predicted for early next week. Weather forecasters are predicting a very powerful, damaging, multi-day storm with high winds, heavy precipitation and flooding.
Residents are advised to stay alert by listening to the National Weather Service forecast for updates. Weather updates are available at http://weather.gov. Additional information on how to prepare for an emergency can also be found at www.ready.gov or by calling 1-800-BE-READY
Local utility companies are also preparing for the possibility of extended power outages. Residents are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of power outages lasting up to 7-10 days . Have on hand:
*Flashlight and extra batteries handy.
*Fresh batteries in your smoke detectors and CO2 detectors
* Emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill bathtubs with fresh water.
* Emergency supply of convenience foods.
*Necessary prescription medicines are filled and in travel case
*Extra blankets or sleeping bags available.
*Battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand
*List of emergency contacts and phone numbers
*A Plain, hard-wired telephone handy; many cordless phones may not work if a power outage occurs. Cell phones may not work as well. Note..Cell phones may be charged using your car charger.
*If there is a potential for flooding in your area, elevate your furnace, water heater and electrical panel in your home
*DO NOT use gas stove, kerosene heaters or open-flame heat sources for warmth.
Residents are encouraged to fill their vehicle gas tanks, generators, and gas cans as fuel supplies may be limited during power outages. Sump pumps should also be checked and ready to run for extended periods.
Residents are encouraged to report any power outages to their local supplier. Estimated Time of Restoration may not be available in the early part of the storm.
To report an outage, First Energy Customers (West Penn Power & Penelec) should call
West Penn Power & Penelec customers can view power outage maps at www.firstenergycorp.com. Select Current Outage Maps under Outages.
Twitter updates are available via @W_Penn_Power and @Penelec.
Tri-County Rural Electric customers should call 1-800-343-2559 or 716-662-2175 to report power outages. Outage information can be viewed at http://www.tri-countyrec.com/trico/stormoutages.asp
Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them!!
The PA Department of Transportation reminds motorists who must travel to be cautious as they travel throughout the storm period, allowing extra time to reach their destinations. Motorists are encouraged to drive defensively and to check road conditions before they head out as conditions may change drastically. Up-to-date road condition information is available at www.511PA.com.
If weather conditions become extremely dangerous, motorists are urged to stay off highways to make it easier for PA DOT to clear the roads and for local law enforcement to respond to emergency situations. If you must travel, motorists should pack an emergency travel kit including first aid supplies, non-perishable food, water, warm clothes, a blanket and a small snow shovel.
Several inches of rain are being predicted. To help reduce the potential for additional flooding issues, residents should make sure their gutters and storm drains are clean and free of debris, leaves, etc.
In the event of flooding…
*MOVE to higher ground
*STAY OUT of low lying areas which are subject to flooding
*DO NOT cross flowing streams
*DO NOT drive through flooded areas or standing water.
*DO NOT drive around barricades
It is also important to take care of your pets in an emergency. Just as we prepare our families to survive during an emergency, we must also prepare for our pets including a three day supply of food and water, medicines, first aid kits, color with ID tags, and crate or other pet carrier.
If you live alone, or are not able to be alone for such an extended time, arrange to stay with friends or relatives during the emergency. DO NOT wait until last minute to prepare or relocate in case travel is hazardous.


With the addition of the PV monitoring and data analytics company, Genscape -- part of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc conglomerate -- will expand its operations into the burgeoning solar sector.
Leading energy monitoring group Genscape has acquired PV performance monitoring and data analytics company Locus Energy in an effort to expand its core business into the solar sector and broaden its customer base.
As a leading provider of energy data and intelligence, the addition of Locus’ solar PV monitoring business to Genscape’s existing assets “will deliver exceptional value to a broader set of end-users and customers,” the Kentucky-based company added.
“The timing couldn’t be better,” said Locus Energy CEO Michael Herzig. “We share the same core value of delivering a customer experience that is second to none, combined with exceptional long-term financial security.”


I just finished reading David Quammen's remarkable book The Song of the Dodo. It's a tough read mostly because the writing is excellent, but the truth he reveals about species extinction is just flat-out sad. Quammen has done a huge amount of research and legwork to tell the story of the scientists who have studied species endangerment and extinction. Specifically, he examines island ecosystems and how they give rise to remarkable species diversity and yet are also hotbeds of extinction.
This book was first published in 1996, so I know the story has changed in the past 20 years. But it still strikes me as an important read. I don't think it's possible to read Quammen's passage on the last living dodo and not cry...
I have long chafed at the Christian notion that humankind has "dominion" over all the other species on Earth. It strikes me as a ridiculously egotistic notion. For our own sake and the sake of the Earth, we seriously need to get serious about ecosystem sustainability. Our actions, as many folks have made clear, are leading to an accelerated pace of species extinction. It's going to get mighty lonely around here.
I transformed a passage late in the book into a poem. I hope this still falls under the fair-use rules. I think it gets to the heart of the matter.
If it’s not the Concho water snake,
It’s the muriqui.
If it’s not the muriqui,
It’s the Florida panther.
If it’s not the Florida panther,
It’s the eastern barred bandicoot
In Australia, or the tiger in Asia,
Or the cheetah in Africa,
Or the indri in Madagascar,
Or the northern spotted owl
In the Pacific Northwest,
Or the black-footed ferret in Wyoming,
Or the Bay checkerspot butterfly
In California. Or the grizzly bear,
Which in the contiguous United States
Is now confined to half-dozen islands
Of montane forest, most of them too small
To accommodate a viable population of grizzlies.
The pattern is widespread.
All over the planet, the distributional maps
Of imperiled species are patchy.
The patches are winking.
In some instances they’re winking
On and off, but
In many instances they’re merely
— found poem in David Quammen’s The Song of the Dodo, page 601-602


Tilapia farming is not just for commercial farming and fishing industries!
By building a backyard Tilapia & Aquaponics Garden, you can:
- know where your food comes from
- eat sustainable organic food year-round
- be prepared for disasters with your own food sources
- be self-sustaining
- produce 2x-4x more vegetables than a soil garden, and
- 50% faster
Whether you have 5 cu ft to work with or several acres, there are Aquaponic options for you.
In this introductory book you'll learn
- Types of Systems
- What you can grow
- Legal Issues
- How much will it cost
- How much time will it take
- Is it Hard to manage
- DIY Options and Aquaponic Kits
- Benefits of combining fish and plants
And much more! Category: Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Plants
In this timely new book, BBC star and Gardening World's thrifty and resourceful Alys Fowler shows that there is a way to take the good life and re-fashion it to fit in with life in the city. Abandoning the limitations of traditional gardening methods, she has created a beautifully productive garden where tomatoes sit happily next to roses, carrots are woven between the lavenders and potatoes grow in pots on the patio. And all of this is produced in a way that mimics natural systems, producing delicious homegrown food for her table. And she shares her favorite recipes for the hearty dishes, pickles and jams she makes to use up her bountiful harvest, proving that no-one need go hungry on her grow-your-own regime.Category: Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Canning & Preserving
Good for the pocket, good for the environment and hugely rewarding for the soul, The Edible Garden urges urbanites everywhere to chuck out the old gardening rules and create their own haven that's as good to look at as it is to eat.
Grow more veggies—in less space and with less work—than you ever thought possible!
Having a backyard garden in a small space got a lot easier when the first edition of this wonderful handbook was published. Now it gets even easier—Raised-Bed Vegetable Gardening Made Simple has been revised!
Framed raised beds and a modular approach to growing vegetables means more production in less space and with less work. Whether you live in a small city apartment or on a large country estate, you’ll find something in this book to help with your specific gardening challenges. Nones shows you how to set everything up and then gives you in-depth descriptions of all the procedures needed to achieve gardening success: sowing seeds, thinning, transplanting, cultivating, mulching, watering, harvesting, pest control, composting, crop rotation, and seed saving. It’s a complete gardening guide for both the beginner and the experienced gardener, useful for those who have never tried raised beds before as well as for those who have already tried a raised-bed system. Far less bending, far less weeding, more produce at harvest time—gardeners, what have you been waiting for?
Raymond Nones is a dirt-under-the-fingernails organic practitioner and proud penny-pincher who lives and gardens in Queens, New York.B&W illustrations throughout Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
Garden Guide - A No Nonsense, No PhD, No Fuss Guide to Great Gardens with Hand-Holding How To's for Beginners and Straightforward Instruction for Advanced Gardeners by Sarah Olver
We’ve all admired our neighbor’s gorgeous gardens filled with flowering perennials and longed to recreate their beauty in our own back yard. But if we’re being honest, when it comes to gardening, most of us have no idea where to begin. Additionally, in these economic times, who can afford to hire an expert to come in and do the job for us? That said, regular folks all across North America and Europe are returning to the soil, shovels in hand. With the help of this book, there is absolutely no need to fly blind into the world of green thumbs, perennials, and herbs. The name--Garden Guide: A No Nonsense, No PhD Guide to Great Gardens with Hand-Holding How To’s for Beginners and Straightforward Instruction for Advanced Gardeners—truly says it all. Indeed, this book is the hand-holding garden guide that will walk even the most timid novice right through the gardening process from beginning to end.
In addition to straight forward, practical advice in everyday language, you will love the stories and anecdotes Olver shares from her fifteen years of backyard, organic gardening adventures. Easy and entertaining, you‘ll probably read this book in one sitting, but you’ll reference it for years to come. The beauty of Garden Guide is that Olver divides her advice into two sections: Beginning Gardeners and Advanced Gardeners. No matter what your skill level, there are simple explanations, tips, and tricks that will walk you through every aspect of the garden process. Garden Guide features details such as:
• Everything you need to know about location, from sunlight to drainage to selecting just the right spot
• How to understand soil types, how to amend and condition them
• pH levels and soil testing broken down in simple terms
• Step by Step guide for planning your PERFECT garden no matter where the location
• Fertilizing made manageable with explanations for all those numbers and organic alternatives
• Composting broken down so you can start immediately
• Pests obliterated with loads of organic suggestions
• The basics of garden maintenance from deadheading to dividing perennials
• Loads of helpful website suggestions for purchasing plants online, getting ideas, locating county extension offices, perennial databases and so much more.
• Gardening terms are defined in language you will both understand and remember
If you have time to read only one book on gardening, this is the book to choose. Short enough not to feel like an encyclopedia and just long enough to wet your gardening appetite, Olver has woven basic garden science and practical ideas for everyday people into each page. With her warm, inviting, no-nonsense instruction, you will be amazed how simple and doable gardening really is. Not only will it thoroughly educate you in basic gardening, Garden Guide will send you well on your way toward beautiful perennials gardens and leave you inspired and hungry to begin planting in your own patch of earth. Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
Greek Revival from the Garden: Growing and Cooking for Life (Young Palmetto Books) by Patricia Moore-Pastides
Patricia Moore-Pastides, author of Greek Revivial: Cooking for Life, heads to the garden in this new cookbook that makes a do-it-yourself healthful lifestyle possible, offering guidance on how to pursue healthy eating, starting from the ground up. Moore-Pastides, an accomplished cook and public-health professional, presents all new recipes focused on bringing the bounty of the garden to the table in easy and accessible ways. Targeting young adults but valuable for all novices, Greek Revival from the Garden focuses on the time-tested Mediterranean diet--recommended for great taste, good health, and long life--and on learning simple, delicious cooking methods that foster a happy and healthy relationship with good food.
The growing section provides all the information necessary for those interested in organic gardening to cultivate an exciting array of fruits and vegetables in containers, raised beds, or yard gardens. Topics include preparing the soil, composting to create organic fertilizer, watering, working with basic tools, and dealing with common pests and problems. Color photographs are provided to inspire new gardeners toward more than just tomatoes and cucumbers.
Greek Revival from the Garden then invites the reader into the kitchen. This section assumes little prior cooking knowledge or experience and includes kitchen safety, common equipment and cooking methods, and observations from cooking class participants. The highlight of the cooking section are the recipes themselves: a beautifully photographed sampling of fifty mouth-watering dishes prepared with the harvest of homegrown vegetables as the stars, including garden gazpacho, curried butternut squash and apple soup, and nut crusted creamy almond fruit tart.
Throughout the book, Moore-Pastides inspires healthy habits by introducing simple ways to grow and prepare nutritious dishes, and promotes a long and fulfilling lifetime relationship with food from garden to table. Category: Teens > Sports & Hobbies
These tricks will help you have the garden of your dreams while saving you time and money. Many tips offer solutions for recycling or reusing, so you don't have to go broke to have a great garden this year! Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
Low cost gardening
Always wanted to have a garden but thought it would be too costly?
With these money saving ideas you can have a great garden full of different plants in a short space of time. There are many ways to save money and have a great garden at the same time. You don’t even need to buy all the plants you want as you can swap with neighbours and friends and grow more of your favourites from the plants you already have.
Depending on the type of plant you can take cuttings, collect seeds and divide the root ball. All of these things happen at different times of the year but you will soon have a collection of plants you can swap for plants you would like.
You don’t need to buy costly mulch and compost; you can make your own from kitchen scraps, garden waste and newspaper. Many items can be recycled to make pots for plants; and garden edges can be made from recycled products like old bricks, lengths of timber or you can just use a spade to make a neat edge for your garden beds.
If you are worried about using expensive chemicals on your garden you can make your own to get rid of weeds and pests and diseases. You will have a totally organic garden if you want to as you will be using natural ways to deter the pests and diseases. Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers' Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm by Forrest Pritchard
One fateful day in 1996, after discovering that five freight cars' worth of glittering corn have reaped a tiny profit of $18.16, young Forrest Pritchard vows to save his family's farm. What ensues--through hilarious encounters with all manner of livestock and colorful local characters--is a crash course in sustainable agriculture. Pritchard's biggest ally is his renegade father, who initially questions his son's career choice and rejects organic foods for sugary mainstream fare. But just when the farm starts to turn heads at local farmers' markets, his father's health takes a turn for the worse. With poetry and humor, this inspiring memoir tugs on the heartstrings and feeds the soul long after the last page is turned.Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
A New Updated author's Edition!
"ANASTASIA", the first book of the Ringing Cedars Series, tells the story of entrepreneur Vladimir Megre's trade trip to the Siberian taiga in 1995, where he witnessed incredible spiritual phenomena connected with sacred 'ringing cedar' trees. He spent three days with a woman named Anastasia who shared with him her unique outlook on subjects as diverse as gardening, child-rearing, healing, Nature, sexuality, religion and more. This wilderness experience transformed Vladimir so deeply that he abandoned his commercial plans and, penniless, went to Moscow to fulfill Anastasia's request and write a book about the spiritual insights she so generously shared with him. True to her promise this life-changing book, once written, has become an international best-seller and has touched hearts of millions of people world-wide. Category: Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Plants
Have a garden insect problem? Need effective organic insect control solutions? If you are looking for pictures as well as effective methods to prevent and control garden pests in a sustainable garden this is the resource you need.
With pictures and natural control systems for 30 of the most common insect pests in your garden, you get a definitive guide to help you keep your garden pest free. The book also tells you which are the good bugs you don't want to control - because they're eating the bad bugs.
The book includes the organic, sustainable controls you can do at home but also, more importantly, describes tricks you can easily do to avoid having pests in your garden in the first place.
The author has 2 degrees in entomology and has worked in a wide variety of research projects on many different vegetable and fruit crops. She works with schools, 4-H clubs and conservation groups to help develop effective identification and control programs for those unwanted pests.
This is a fantastic beginner gardening book on both controlling insects and identifying which are good guys and which are ones you need to control. I particularly like seeing the pictures so I'm going to tell my readers about this book and highly recommend it to them.
Award winning garden writer - DougGreensGarden.com
***** Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
The Low-Maintenance Raised Bed Gardening Book - Everything you need to know to get Started Growing Your Own Vegetables from Garden Design to Dinner Table by Kimberly Byrne
If you have eaten a fresh garden tomato or crunched a fresh pea pod right out of the garden then you know that nothing compares to home grown vegetables. If you want to grow your own fresh garden tomatoes, lettuce, peas, herbs and more without the summer long effort of a traditional garden, then a Raised Bed Garden could be your answer.
Raised beds are perfect for growing lots of vegetables in small spaces. They're also ideal for anyone who doesn't want to sit or bend down to pull weeds every day. Raised beds even look better than regular gardens because you can customize the bed boxes to fit the aesthetics of your landscaping.
If all of those reasons aren't enough consider this; you can grow more healthy vegetables with less of your own effort which means more produce will make it to your dinner table, and you'll have more time and energy to enjoy it.
This book covers everything you need to know to create your own raised bed garden and grow your own vegetables this season. It includes:
- Garden Design tips to get the most out of your garden
- How to build your raised beds, from fancy beds to free ones
- Improving your soil to grow the healthiest plants
- What to plant
- When to plant it
- Low-maintenance tips to make weeds almost non-existent
If you are excited to put some plants in the ground and start your own garden paradise then I am excited to show you how! Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
Want to Plant your very own Raised Bed Garden? You can do it with this fun and easy gardening guide.
From choosing the right spot to soil preparation to harvesting,
How To Plant Your First Raised Bed Garden shows you the right way to
build and plant a raise bed garden.No matter the size of your plot or skill level. Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
Butterfly Gardening for Texas (Louise Lindsey Merrick Natural Environment Series) by Geyata Ajilvsgi
Category: Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Plants
Texas hosts an unparalleled number of butterfly species, and whether one lives near the beaches of the Gulf Coast or in the mountains of the Trans-Pecos, all Texans can enjoy the color and tranquility that butterflies bring to any outdoor space.
In Butterfly Gardening for Texas, author and expert Geyata Ajilvsgi shares a wealth of practical information about all kinds of butterflies and the many flowers and other plants they utilize in their miraculous life cycle: from hidden egg to munching caterpillar to cryptic chrysalis to nectar-sipping, winged adult.
Written in an engaging, nontechnical style for anyone who wants to attract butterflies to the yard or garden, the book provides tips for making gardens caterpillar- and butterfly-friendly, in-depth profiles of more than fifty butterflies, descriptions of the food plants for a variety of both caterpillars and butterflies, and plant lists for easy selection and substitution, depending on where you live and what is available.
For those who want specific advice on what to plant where, Ajilvsgi has designed useful, adaptable landscape plans and extensive planting options for each of seven state regions. Helpful appendices aid gardeners in taking photographs of the butterflies they attract, in locating sources for seeds and plants, and in finding organizations and other instructive publications for additional information about these beautiful and beneficial insects.
As the popularity of butterfly gardening continues to increase, gardeners of all skill levels will find Butterfly Gardening for Texas an invaluable source of guidance and inspiration.
Category:In our modern world, the spiny-stemmed flowers, intertwined leaves, and delicate pink blossoms of the rubus fruticosus, or common blackberry bramble, might catch the eye of the casual observer or weekend gardener. Pleasant, prolific, and decorative, plants like the blackberry are looked upon as sources for harvest, landscape, and visual pleasure. To the medieval and Renaissance artist, however, these botanicals were far more. Part of a richly symbolic visual language culled from the classical era, their exquisite depiction in illuminated manuscripts of the age evoked fertility, conjured bad dreams, and even aligned itself with ancient wisdom. The popular and enduring appeal of flowers in medieval art and literature extended beyond simple botanical illustration; instead, flowers helped to tell countless stories without words through potent symbolic imagery.
The Medieval Flower Book artfully presents an alphabetical collection of over one hundred of the major flowers that appear in medieval manuscripts—gathered with fascinating explanatory texts on their history, significance, and usage. The sumptuous reproductions that accompany each entry offer a visual reference to the symbolism of botanicals in medieval manuscripts that’s beyond breathtaking in its appeal. An introductory section explaining the ancient roots of practical horticulture’s expansion into cultural and spiritual realms not only places the volume in the context of gardening history, but gives the general reader insight into our enduring interest in these remarkable herbals.
Widely appealing to all of those interested in flowers and gardening, the horticultural historian, and the student of visual culture and medieval history, The Medieval Flower Book is a fascinating and important primer on the beauty and language of florals. Extensively ranging through the canon of medieval botanicals—from acanthus and anemones to violets and wallflowers—this volume is the perfect gift for anyone interested in blossoms and blooms, and should thrill the everyday gardener and art collector alike.
Doodling for Seniors A Garden Edition: Large Connect the Dots and Illustrative Math (Volume 3) by Mary Julius
Activate brain cells by doodling your backyard garden .... Connect the dots pictures with activity from in and around a garden. Former Gardeners can relive the joy of gardening. Gardening has always been considered magical and therapeutic. Remembering their gardens can help trigger a pleasant conversation or a happy emotion. Includes basic illustrative Math to gently stimulate the brain .
This book is appropriate for seniors with late stage Alzheimer, TIA, mini stroke, Dementia, Aphasia and other cognitive disorders.
People who are incapacitated, unable to talk, walk or perform daily tasks without help can also benefit.Category: Large Print > Health, Mind & Body
Renowned naturalist and bestselling author Jane Goodall examines the critical role that trees and plants play in our world.
In her wise and elegant new book, Jane Goodall blends her experience in nature with her enthusiasm for botany to give readers a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Long before her work with chimpanzees, Goodall's passion for the natural world sprouted in the backyard of her childhood home in England, where she climbed her beech tree and made elderberry wine with her grandmother. The garden her family began then, she continues to enjoy today.
SEEDS OF HOPE takes us from England to Goodall's home-away-from-home in Africa, deep inside the Gombe forest, where she and the chimpanzees are enchanted by the fig and plum trees they encounter. She introduces us to botanists around the world, as well as places where hope for plants can be found, such as The Millennium Seed Bank, where one billion seeds are preserved. She shows us the secret world of plants with all their mysteries and potential for healing our bodies as well as Planet Earth.
Looking at the world as an adventurer, scientist, and devotee of sustainable foods and gardening-and setting forth simple goals we can all take to protect the plants around us-Jane Goodall delivers an enlightening story of the wonders we can find in our own backyards. Category: Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Essays
Touch a Butterfly: Wildlife Gardening with Kids--Simple Ways to Attract Birds, Butterflies, Toads, and More to Your Garden by April Pulley Sayre
Turn your garden into a hummingbird hotspot, a haven for butterflies, and a thriving ecosystem that will delight and inspire the young and young-at-heart.
Gardening with children is a pleasure in itself, but when you learn to include wildlife in your plans, gardening becomes an even more joyful family experience. Creating a garden that invites wildlife opens up a wider world of nature for investigation, inspiration, and delight. Begin to see your yard from an animal’s perspective; discover plants that attract colorful birds and bugs; embrace sensory experiences that native plants and creatures bring; and understand how your yard fits into the surrounding landscape. Along the way you will discover simple ways you can actively support wildlife in your immediate environment, no matter where you live. This family-friendly guide to wildlife gardening leads you on a path to discovery, where trees are transformed into bird and animal habitats, where sunny spots are revered for dragonfly viewing, and where your entire garden becomes an animal-welcoming kingdom. Category: Parenting & Relationships > Family Activities
Survivalist Magazine Issue #9 - Urban Survival by Lucinda BaileyDoug Bell Kevin Reeve Jeff Anderson Dianne Bjanrson Nurse Amy/ Dr. Bones Corcceigh Green Sam Coffman David Morris
This Kindle edition is a direct reproduction of articles from the highly sought after print magazine. Only design graphics and ads have been removed for compatibility for all Kindle devices.
Table of Contents(This issue includes):
Emergency Childbirth, Flash Mob Riot Escape, Home Fortifications and Security, Urban Food Production, Bug Out Vehicles, Finding Your Rural Homestead, Becoming the Gray Man: Hiding in Plain Sight, Container Gardening: Building Quality Soil, Survival Sanitation, Urban Survival Tips, Bugging In: Urban Survival at Home, Pistol Carbines, Tactics & Tips for Urban Survival, How to Make Ethanol, Enhanced Dakota Fire Pit, Tangible Assets & Barter Items, Defense Against a Grab, Camouflage: Art & Science of Concealment and More!
Survivalist Magazine is the most respected resource for prepping and self-reliance! Category: Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation
Planting, by famed landscape architects Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury, is a groundbreaking moment in horticulture. It is the first book to share Oudolf’s original planting plans and plant groupings and the only book to explicitly show how his gardens and landscapes are made.Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design
An intimate knowledge of plants is essential to the success of this approach and Planting makes Oudolf’s considerable understanding of plant ecology and performance accessible, explaining how plants behave in different situations, what goes on underground, and which species make good neighbors. Extensive plant charts and planting plans will help you choose plants for their structure, color, and texture as well as the way they perform in the landscape. A detailed directory, with details each plant’s life expectancy, the persistence of its seedheads, its tendency to spread, and propensity to self-seed, is an invaluable resource.
Planting is an essential resource for designers and gardeners looking to create plant-rich, beautiful gardens that support biodiversity and nourish the human spirit.
The Resilient Farm and Homestead: An Innovative Permaculture and Whole Systems Design Approach by Ben Falk
The Resilient Homestead is a manual for developing durable, beautiful, and highly functional human habitat systems fit to handle an age of rapid transition.Ben Falk is a land designer and site developer whose permaculture-research farm has drawn national attention. The site is a terraced paradise on a hillside in Vermont that would otherwise be overlooked by conventional farmers as unworthy farmland. Falk's wide array of fruit trees, rice paddies(relatively unheard of in the Northeast), ducks, nuts, and earth-inspired buildings is a hopeful image for the future of regenerative agriculture and modern homesteading.The book covers nearly every strategy Falk and his team have been testing at the Whole Systems Research Farm over the past decade, as well as experiments from other sites Falk has designed through his off-farm consulting business. The book includes detailed information on earthworks; gravity-fed water systems; species composition; the site-design process; site management; fuelwood hedge production and processing; human health and nutrient-dense production strategies; rapid topsoil formation and remineralization; agroforestry/silvopasture/grazing; ecosystem services, especially regarding flood mitigation; fertility management; human labor and social-systems aspects; tools/equipment/appropriate technology; and much more, complete with gorgeous photography and detailed design drawings.The Resilient Homestead is more than just a book of tricks and techniques for regenerative site development, but offers actual working results in living within complex farm-ecosystems based on research from the "great thinkers" in permaculture, and presents a viable home-scale model for an intentional food-producing ecosystem in cold climates, and beyond. Inspiring to would-be homesteaders everywhere, but especially for those who find themselves with "unlikely" farming land, Falk is an inspiration in what can be done by imitating natural systems, and making the most of what we have by re-imagining what's possible. A gorgeous case study for the homestead of the future. Category: Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design


Accessible Birding Saturdays: Norristown Farm Park
Join us as we return to Norristown Farm Park this fall (and yes, you’re right – fall doesn’t start in August, but the autumn migration does) for an accessible outing during which we will explore which bird species may already be leaving the area (such as the tree swallows) and which migrants are beginning to pass through, all the while searching for many year-round winged residents. The varied habitat of woods, stream, natural field, and farmland here always offers a variety of bird sighting possibilities, from hawks to killdeer to songbirds. We will follow a 1-2 mile accessible route along a wide, paved path and possibly a section of flat dirt path.
New birders are very welcome to join us, as are children if accompanied by an adult. Bring binoculars if you have them. Accessible restroom facilities are on site.
Location: Norristown Farm Park; Parking lot 3: turn off of Germantown Pike onto Barley Sheaf Drive, stay right and follow it back as it becomes Upper Farm Road and the entrance to the park. Follow the park road all the way down to where it dead ends at Parking Lot 3 (there is a sign).


It’s important to protect ourselves from the sun’s UV Rays. While the sun feels warm and comfortable against our skin, it can also cause damage to our skin and eyes. And many of us are aware that UV rays are damaging to the skin; we wear protective sunscreens and encourage clothing that helps to filter and block any harmful effects. But did you know that UV rays can also harm the eyes? It’s true. And there are three types of UV rays: UV-C, which is absorbed by the ozone and do not present any real threat, and UV-A and UV-B rays, which can both have harmful effects on our vision, both in the short and long term.
Short term effects of the sun’s rays on the eyes vary, although one likely effect is photokeratitis, which can be painful and is best described as a sunburn to the eye. There are numerous symptoms for the condition, although the likeliest include redness, the sensation of a foreign body, a gritty feeling, and extreme sensitivity to light. Photokeratitis could also be caused from an artificial light source, such as the electric arc that occurs while welding.
Long term effects of UV rays include both vision loss and the development of cataracts. Although it’s not entirely clear how much exposure is needed to pinpoint UV radiation as the sole culprit of these dangerous eye conditions, it is known that UV rays do contribute considerably, and the longer the exposure the greater the chance of development.
That’s why it’s important to remember to protect the eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses and, when appropriate, consider a hat with a wide protective brim. Your sunglasses should also be designed to block both UV-A and UV-B rays. And if you have any questions about which glasses will best protect your eyes form the sun, or if it’s time to schedule your next eye exam with your eye doctor, then call Vision Optical today.


Homeowners who are concerned about energy efficiency, comfort, and reducing their carbon footprint are often interested in retrofitting their homes. Retrofitting involves making improvements to existing homes to make them more energy-efficient, comfortable, and healthy. There are a variety of retrofit improvements that can be made to homes, but some are more effective than others. In this article, we will guide you through the most effective retrofit improvements for your home, including insulation, windows and doors, heating and cooling systems and lighting.
Insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption in your home. Insulation helps to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing the amount of energy required to heat and cool your home. There are several types of insulation available, including conventional insulation products such as fiberglass, breathable options such as cellulose, and closed cell products such as Polyisocyanurate (PIR). The most effective insulation for your home will depend on a variety of factors, including the age and construction of your home, your climate zone, and your budget.
Windows and Doors
Replacing old, inefficient windows and doors with energy-efficient models is another effective way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Energy-efficient windows and doors are designed to minimize heat transfer, reducing the amount of energy required to heat and cool your home. Energy-efficient windows and doors also provide improved comfort, reducing drafts and noise pollution. When selecting energy-efficient windows and doors, look for models with a high Energy Star rating and low U-value. Additionally consider the orientation of your home and the amount of sunlight it receives.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling systems are responsible for a significant portion of your home’s energy consumption, so upgrading to a more efficient system can lead to significant energy savings. There are several types of heating and cooling systems available, including oil and gas boilers, heat pumps, and biomass boilers. When selecting a new heating and cooling system, consider the size and age of your home, your climate zone, and your budget.
Why Choose a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. Unlike traditional systems, which generate heat by burning fuel, heat pumps transfer heat from the air or ground into your home, using significantly less energy in the process. Heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling, making them a versatile option for homeowners. While heat pumps can be more expensive to install than traditional systems, they can lead to significant energy savings over time.
Replacing old incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs is another simple and effective way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. LED bulbs use significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last much longer, reducing the need for frequent bulb replacements. LED bulbs also produce less heat, which can help to reduce cooling costs in the summer. When selecting LED bulbs, look for models with a high energy efficiency rating and consider the color temperature and brightness of the bulbs.
DIY Energy Efficiency Tips for Homeowners
In addition to larger retrofit improvements, there are several simple, low-cost ways that homeowners can improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Some of these DIY energy efficiency tips include:
- Sealing air leaks around windows, doors, and other areas where air can enter or escape your home.
- Installing weather stripping around doors and windows to reduce drafts.
- Adding insulation to your attic, basement, and walls to improve energy efficiency.
- Turning off lights and appliances when not in use to reduce energy consumption.
- Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce water consumption.
Financing Options for Home Energy Upgrades
Home energy upgrades can be expensive, but there are several financing options available to help homeowners cover the cost of these improvements. Some financing options include:
- Energy efficiency mortgages, which allow homeowners to finance the cost of energy efficiency improvements as part of their mortgage.
- Home equity loans or lines of credit, which allow homeowners to borrow against the equity in their home to finance energy efficiency improvements.
- Green home improvement loans offered by banks and credit unions for anyone who is planning on making any improvements in their home to increase its energy efficiency.
- Energy efficiency rebates and incentives, which are often offered by state and local governments or utility companies to encourage energy efficiency upgrades.
To support the cost of the energy efficiency measures carried out there are a number of different grant schemes available from SEAI including individual and whole house retrofit options.
Reducing Your Home’s Water Consumption
Reducing your home’s water consumption is another effective way to improve its overall efficiency. There are several simple ways to reduce water consumption in your home, including:
- Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce the amount of water used for bathing and washing dishes.
- Fixing leaky faucets and toilets to reduce water waste.
- Installing a water-efficient toilet, which can save up to 13,000 gallons of water per year.
- Collecting rainwater for use in your garden or for other non-potable uses.
Access to Guidance, Resources, and Funding for Retrofitting
Retrofitting your home can be a complex process, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, there are several resources available to homeowners who are interested in retrofitting their homes. Some of these resources include:
- Local energy efficiency programs, which can provide guidance and resources for retrofitting your home.
- Online energy assessment tools, which can help you to identify areas of your home that could benefit from retrofit improvements.
- Energy efficiency contractors, who can provide expert guidance on retrofitting your home, as well as installation services for energy-efficient upgrades.
- Government-funded retrofitting programs, which can provide financial assistance for energy efficiency upgrades.
Retrofitting your home can provide a variety of benefits, including improved energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality. When planning your retrofit project, it’s important to consider which improvements will be most effective for your home and your budget. By prioritizing insulation, windows and doors, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and water efficiency, you can make significant improvements to your home’s energy efficiency and overall sustainability. Additionally, by taking advantage of resources and funding for retrofitting, you can make the process more manageable and cost-effective.
Image: AC Photography – stock.adobe.com


We supply Jacaranda carpets in St Helens that are novel and interesting. One of the popular ranges is the natural materials which are hand woven by traditional methods. This creates a wonderful texture and wonderful natural colour range. The hand-woven carpets are created on traditional wooden looms and require a large number of skilled artisans. We have a rigorous quality control structure in place to make sure that each and every carpet meets our very high-quality standards. We feel that pure wool is the best flooring available and that the resilience of good quality wool gives the carpet a longer life. It is also water resistant to a certain degree and is naturally flame retardant. It holds less dust than other synthetic yarns and does not encourage the growth of bacteria or dust mites.
When you need elegant flooring for your home in St Helens, Jacaranda carpets will bring style and charm to your home. We use other natural fibres to manufacture carpets. One of these is Tencel which is spun from cellulose. It is more water tolerant than viscose and wears better but is not nearly as strong and durable as wool carpets. We offer a range of natural wool colours which are sourced from around the world. We use labour intensive processes and natural fibres to reduce the environmental impact of our carpet production. Handmade carpets will not have the same uniformity of machine-made carpets and that is a large part of their charm.
Our Jacaranda carpets in St Helens are unique and are often handmade or woven on wooden looms. Contact Millan Interiors today or visit our showroom to see the wonderful range of high-end luxury carpets and rugs. We also supply machine made Jacaranda carpets that are made from New Zealand wool. This natural material is tough and durable and is suitable for hotel bedrooms and offices where there is a heavy traffic area. These carpets come in a number of natural tones. These carpets are imminently suited to go with underfloor heating and stairs. All Jacaranda carpets and rugs undergo rigorous testing by independent testing houses.


The 103 MWp Midden-Groningen Solar Park at Sappemeer is connected to TenneT’s high voltage grid network and commenced full operations. Chint Solar installed approximately 315.000 solar panels on 117 hectares of land. The solar park will be officially opened with a festive event early next year. The solar park supplies at least 32.000 households with renewable electricity, making it currently the largest solar park in the Netherlands.
Oliver Schweininger (Managing Director Chint Solar Europe): “Midden-Groningen is a land mark project in the Netherlands and will contribute significantly to the energy transition. The finalization of a solar park is always special, but this one is extra special for Chint Solar due to the size of the solar park and the technical challenges. The Midden Groningen project is the first solar park in the Netherlands being connected directly to the national transmission grid, and we are proud of this achievement”.
The Midden Groningen solar park also shows that the energy transition can only become reality when all involved parties cooperate closely as a team in a focused manner. Bernardo Silvestre (Head of Business Development, Chint Solar Europe): “The basis for a successful realization of the solar park was the strong cooperation with all key stakeholders such as landowners, neighbors, TenneT, the municipality of Midden-Groningen, the province of Groningen, RVO, construction partners, advisors and various institutions to name a few. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to everyone involved.”
Another important aspect of the solar park is the landscaping which has been an important topic from the beginning. Diederik Apotheker (Manager Business Development Chint Solar Netherlands): “Input and active cooperation from the local residents was invaluable and made a significant contribution to the landscaping concept of the project. This led to a solar park which fits well in the existing landscape”.
Overall the solar park enhances biodiversity as birds can breed undisturbed and insects find a place among grasses and flowers. Between the solar park and existing houses, a green area with flowers and grasses was created. A hedge of 12.000 trees, including hawthorn and holly, is also planned, in order to create a green barrier that “hides” the solar park and blends it in its surroundings. The grass between and underneath the panels is ‘cut’ by grazing sheep.
The first plans for the Midden-Groningen project were originated by Powerfield four years ago in 2015. Powerfield’s development team agreed with the landowners to develop the project on their land, and commenced with the permitting procedure preparations. Chint Solar took over the project from Powerfield in early 2017 and successfully finalized the development works, including the licensing of a 5 km high voltage cable within less than 2 years, until end of 2018, with its in-house expertise and support from specialized advisors.
Construction started finally in early 2019. Due to good weather conditions during summer time the construction was finalized as planned by the end of October 2019. High-quality panels, produced by Chint Solar’s sister company Astronergy, were installed. A total of approximately 1.000 km of cable was laid and approximately 85.000 posts were rammed into the ground. Following commissioning by TenneT end of October 2019, the solar park is now fully operational.


Collins, S.M., Hendrix, J… Richards, C., et al. (in review) ‘A bibliometric investigation of the integration of animal personality within various conservation contexts.’ Conservation Biology.
Richards, C., Cooke, R. S. C., Bowler, D., Boerder, K. & Bates, A. E. (in prep) ‘Bycatch mitigation could prevent strong changes in the ecological strategies of seabird communities across the globe’.
Richards, C., Cooke, R. S. C., Bowler, D., Boerder, K. & Bates, A. E. (2022) ‘Species’ traits and exposure as a future lens for quantifying seabird bycatch vulnerability in global fisheries’, Avian Conservation & Ecology, 7(1):34. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02033-170134
Bates, A. E., Primack, R., Biggar, B., Bird, T., Clinton, M., Command, R., Richards, C., et al. (2021) 'Global COVID-19 lockdown highlights humans as threats and custodians of the environment', Biological Conservation, 109175.
Richards, C., Cooke, R. S. C. & Bates, A. E. (2021) 'Biological traits of seabirds predict extinction risk and vulnerability to anthropogenic threats', Global Ecology and Biogeography, 30: 973–986. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13279
Richards, C., Padget, O., Guilford, T. & Bates, A. E. (2019) ‘Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) rafting behaviour revealed by GPS-tracking and behavioural observations’, PeerJ , 7:e7863. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7863


- Product Info
The Barkwood Birdhouse is a great way to offer space for wildlife to nest in your garden. These handcrafted bird boxes are ideal for encouraging roosting and hibernating activity from a variety of species, and make a wonderful home for nature in your outdoor living space.
Designed in a tent shape with attractive barkwood logs to each slope, surrounding the natural wood panels to the front, back and base. In the front is a 3cm hole that is the ideal size for common garden birds, giving them protection from larger predatory species.
Approximate size: 19cm (W) x 23cm (H) x 17cm (D)
All orders to UK mainland addresses are delivered for free. Orders to some more remote areas are subject to a supplemental delivery fee, to cover the extra cost of delivering to these regions. Delivery areas subject to this supplemental charge include some Scottish regions, Scottish Highlands, Channel Isles, Northern Ireland, Isles of Man, Wight, Scilly, Orkney and Shetland (postcode areas beginning: AB, BT, HS, IM, IV, KW, PA, PH, PO, ZE). This will be automatically calculated and applied in the checkout once you have entered your delivery address postcode. Please see our full delivery terms.
If after ordering you change your mind or upon receipt of the items you are at all unhappy with your purchase then please contact us. You will be able to return you item in-line with our returns policy.


Adidas Statement Seamless Polo
|Delivery time:||3-7 days|
STATEMENT SEAMLESS PRIMEKNIT POLO SHIRT
A VENTILATED GOLF POLO SHIRT MADE IN PART WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS.
Warm days on the course call for breathable comfort. This golf polo shirt features stretchy, seamless adidas PRIMEKNIT with mesh designs for a ventilated feel. The two-button mock neck collar finishes the look. Made with a series of recycled materials, and at least 60% recycled content, this product represents just one of our solutions to help end plastic waste.