Daily Green

news and knowledge for living eco-consciously

ask dailygreen

submit a post

news
green home
community
eating
conservation


get involved
April 23
Citizen Science: Snake Count 2012!

Citizen science projects are a great way for scientists to collect loads of data with the help of volunteers, and a great way for the public to get involved with science and research.

From May 12 - 20th, get out anywhere in North America and hunt for snakes to contribute to the efforts to map the abundance and distribution of snake species in the US.

If snakes aren’t your thing, check out options in your area for other citizen science projects. Many states have projects for butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians, and even “bioblitz” days where volunteers catalog every species they encounter in a given park or region.

Comments (View)
February 12

Bryce Canyon National Park, June 2011

Speak up against the creation of a coal strip mine next to Bryce Canyon NP!!!

Bryce Canyon is an absolutely stunning, less-traveled National Park in the Colorado Plateau - an area including Zion NP, Grand Canyon NP, Mesa Verde NP, Arches, Canyonlands, and more - the highest concentration of National Parks in the country. Our parks serve many purposes - introducing Americans to nature, protecting large relatively undisturbed areas of land, and garnering public support for continued protection of these natural wonders.

The pristine beauty of these parks is what draws visitors and inspires generations to continue to support the park system. National parks serve as refuges for countless rare and threatened plants and animals, as well as ancient species like the Bristlecone pines found at Bryce Canyon. As we face climate change, energy crises, and over-crowding in our cities, these undisturbed natural areas will become even more crucial to the survival of sensitive species. The range of ecosystems and natural features protected within the Parks in the Colorado Plateau represents one of the most diverse and connected system of such refuges.

Creation of a coal strip mine next to Bryce Canyon poses immediate threats of air and water pollution, increased industrial traffic and activity, and destruction of habitat directly next to the park. These affects will immediately alter the remote beauty of the park, and will have unknown consequences on the balance of the ecosystem in the park in the future. Additionally, this project is yet another example of our government continuing to subsidize and rely on “dirty” energy technologies at the expense of seriously pursuing new technologies.

Please take a minute to write to Secretary Salazar and let him know that you oppose the creation of a coal strip mine next to Bryce Canyon National Park.

It’s amazing how much we can change by making our voices heard.

Sincerely,
c-quoia

Comments (View)
January 25
permatech: How Farms Are Using Permaculture Design to Survive and Prosper  The rise in fuel prices has seen greater awareness and a wider concern for what life will be like when the oil runs out. This has seen interest in less chemical dependant farming methods bringing permaculture to the forefront of discussion and debate. FULL ARTICLE HERE! via createandshare

permatech:

How Farms Are Using Permaculture Design to Survive and Prosper

 The rise in fuel prices has seen greater awareness and a wider concern for what life will be like when the oil runs out. This has seen interest in less chemical dependant farming methods bringing permaculture to the forefront of discussion and debate.

FULL ARTICLE HERE!

via createandshare

(via thecaleb)

Comments (View)
January 21

President Obama rejects the Keystone XL Pipeline

The plan, in it’s current form, is rejected and no longer on the table - not to say it won’t be revived in the future, but cheers for not rushing into an ill-advised energy project.

A round up of a few articles:

Keystone XL Pipeline: Obama Administration Announcing It Will Not Go Forward With Controversial Plan (Huffington Post)
Thank President Obama for rejecting the pipeline (Sierra Club)
Animals in the path of the pipeline (Huffington Post)

Comments (View)
January 13

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

parkrangerlindsay:

Great info! Fee-free weekend starts tomorrow!

eacutpa:

Mark your calendar for these fee-free dates in 2012:

  • January 14-16
    Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
  • April 21-29
    National Park Week
  • June 9
    Get Outdoors Day
  • September 29
    National Public Lands Day
  • November 10-12
    Veterans Day weekend

(Source: nps.gov)

Comments (View)
January 4
weebeasties: That’s John Watson, Chevron CEO, offering an absurd excuse I came up with for him to explain why his company consistently puts profits ahead of people and planet. An $18 billion judgment against Chevron was upheld by an appeals court in Ecuador yesterday. Chevron’s guilt in Ecuador is so blatant, it’s no wonder the company’s excuses for its refusal to take responsibility have become increasingly absurd. So far, Chevron spokespeople have claimed everything from “Oil isn’t toxic” to “Just because we bought Texaco in 2001 doesn’t mean we have to clean up its mess” to “I have make-up on and there’s naturally occurring oil on my face, that doesn’t mean I’m going to get sick.” Seriously. That’s how callous these people are, and how stupid they think we are.It’s obvious Chevron’s spokespeople can’t possibly justify their refusal to clean up Ecuador. So I created a little meme generator-type tool so that we can all suggest absurd new talking points for them. Go here if you want to help Chevron out with a new excuse. Chevron and BP are permanently out. Support responsible oil companies! Shell and Conoco are two of the ones I know of that actively recycle and contribute money toward habitat restoration and protection.

weebeasties:

That’s John Watson, Chevron CEO, offering an absurd excuse I came up with for him to explain why his company consistently puts profits ahead of people and planet.

An $18 billion judgment against Chevron was upheld by an appeals court in Ecuador yesterday. Chevron’s guilt in Ecuador is so blatant, it’s no wonder the company’s excuses for its refusal to take responsibility have become increasingly absurd.

So far, Chevron spokespeople have claimed everything from “Oil isn’t toxic” to “Just because we bought Texaco in 2001 doesn’t mean we have to clean up its mess” to “I have make-up on and there’s naturally occurring oil on my face, that doesn’t mean I’m going to get sick.” Seriously. That’s how callous these people are, and how stupid they think we are.

It’s obvious Chevron’s spokespeople can’t possibly justify their refusal to clean up Ecuador. So I created a little meme generator-type tool so that we can all suggest absurd new talking points for them. Go here if you want to help Chevron out with a new excuse.

Chevron and BP are permanently out. Support responsible oil companies! Shell and Conoco are two of the ones I know of that actively recycle and contribute money toward habitat restoration and protection.

(via greenpeaceusa)

Comments (View)
December 17

Get one, give one

Lots of people are familiar with Tom’s One for One project, where for every pair of Tom’s shoes purchased, a pair is donated to a child in need. Tom’s is a great company and definitely worth supporting.

I just found out that Airwalk is doing a similar project, called “The Good Shoe Project”, through the end of this year - their “Hope” shoe has a similar look to a Tom’s classic, and for every Hope shoe purchase, a pair of shoes will be donated to children in Central America. The Airwalk Hope shoe is sold at Payless, and might be a more affordable way for someone to help out a good cause (Tom’s are about $50, Airwalk’s are under $25).

This got me thinking about other charitable, thrifty, green ways to give back this holiday season. A few ideas:

Donate your hair - Locks of Love is a reputable charity that makes wigs for children (you need at least 10 inches), Pantene Beautiful Lengths makes (free!) wigs for women affected by cancer (you need at least 8 inches).

Donate blood - Find a blood drive near you

Give a gift membership - Support organizations such as the Sierra Club, The National Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund, or The Nature conservancy.

and of course, Donate your time - to a soup kitchen, animal shelter, local hospital - bringing cheer to others does everyone good!

Comments (View)
November 20
wallacegardens: Wherever you are, whoever you are, try to devote some of your holiday shopping to your local small business folks. We appreciate your support, and we wouldn’t be here without you! Thank you for your continued business.  I appreciate your loyalty!

wallacegardens:

Wherever you are, whoever you are, try to devote some of your holiday shopping to your local small business folks. We appreciate your support, and we wouldn’t be here without you! Thank you for your continued business.  I appreciate your loyalty!

(via jmek)

Comments (View)
November 10
thecaleb:amycarr:adultlifetaketwo: The 3/50 idea has been posted here before, but with holidays and winter coming up, it’s a great time to start up, or re-commit if you’ve been thinking about it. Help out your local economy, maybe find some great deals, and get out and meet people in your community! Need winter items, like shovels and roof rakes? Visit your local, independently owned hardware store Visit independent drug stores for small gifts or cards Try your local wine dealer or specialty grocer for items to bring to parties Of course there are many other ways to make the 3/50 project work - year round, and non-holiday centered. But knowledge is power - think about supporting your local economy today.

thecaleb:amycarr:adultlifetaketwo:

The 3/50 idea has been posted here before, but with holidays and winter coming up, it’s a great time to start up, or re-commit if you’ve been thinking about it. Help out your local economy, maybe find some great deals, and get out and meet people in your community!

  • Need winter items, like shovels and roof rakes? Visit your local, independently owned hardware store
  • Visit independent drug stores for small gifts or cards
  • Try your local wine dealer or specialty grocer for items to bring to parties

Of course there are many other ways to make the 3/50 project work - year round, and non-holiday centered. But knowledge is power - think about supporting your local economy today.

Comments (View)
October 13
Delocator.net is a website that helps you find independently owned coffee shops, bookstores, and movie theatres in your neighborhood.

(via:thecaleb:jilllian)
Comments (View)