ReportWire

Tag: Nature

  • 160 best bird puns and bird jokes to make you twitter – Growing Family

    160 best bird puns and bird jokes to make you twitter – Growing Family

    [ad_1]

    Are you looking for family-friendly jokes and clever puns with a feathered theme?  This bumper list of bird puns and bird jokes has all you need to get everyone smiling.

    As well as being good for a giggle, these funny bird puns and jokes about birds make perfect bird captions for instagram and social media (make sure you check out my nature hashtags copy and paste lists to save time there too).  Birds puns and birds jokes also come in handy for greetings cards, school nature projects, and cute lunchbox notes for the kids.

    male blackbird eating homemade bird feedermale blackbird eating homemade bird feeder

    The best puns about birds and bird jokes

    Ready to dive into the bird-themed silliness?

    Read on for a flock of kid-friendly bird puns and funny bird jokes that will quack you up (two hilarious bird puns in one sentence there 😉 )

    You could also have a go at making my homemade bird feeders with the kids.  This is a nice way to extend the bird-themed fun, and will also encourage your local feathered friends to visit your garden.

    Funny jokes about birds

    Share these funny jokes about birds with the kids for lots of giggles.

    When should you buy a bird?  When it goes cheep.

    What do you call a parrot that flew away?  A polygon.

    What did the duck say when he dropped the dishes?  “I hope I didn’t quack any”. (head this way for more duck jokes)

    Why do hummingbirds hum?  Because they don’t know the words.

    What species of bird works at a building site?  A crane.

    What do birds like to put in their soup?  Crow-tons.

    What’s it called when it’s raining ducks and geese?  Fowl weather.

    Where do birds invest their money?  In the stork market.

    What do you call an eagle with a fever? An ill eagle.

    Did you hear the joke about the broken egg? “Yes, it cracked me up.”

    What do you call a sad bird? A bluebird.

    What is even smarter than a talking bird? A spelling bee. (more bee jokes here)

    owl in field of yellow flowersowl in field of yellow flowers

    What did the bird say when he forgot to revise for his test?  “I’ll just wing it.”

    What do you call a funny chicken?  A comedi-hen.

    How does a bird with a broken wing land safely?  With its sparrow chute.

    What kind of birds do you usually find locked up?  Jail birds.

    What’s a parrot’s favourite game?  Hide and speak.

    Why do birds fly south in the winter?  Because it’s too far to walk.

    How do chickens get strong?  They do eggs-ercise.

    What do you call two birds in love?  Tweethearts.

    Where do crows go for a drink? To the crow bar.

    Did you hear the one about the crow and the telephone pole? He wanted to make a long distance caw.

    Why did the chicken join a band? Because it had the drumsticks.

    What’s a duck’s favourite snack? Quackers.

    What do you give a bird with bird flu? Medical tweetment.

    mother duck with baby birdsmother duck with baby birds

    How do you catch a unique bird?  Unique up on it.

    What do you call a group of chickens playing hide and seek?  Fowl play.

    What type of books do owls like?  Hoot-dunnits.

    Which birds are always depressed?  Bluebirds.

    What do you call an owl who’s all mixed up?  Low.

    What type of birds spend lots of time on their knees?  Birds of prey.

    How do crows stick together in a flock?  Velcrow.

    What do you get if you kiss a bird?  A peck on the cheek.

    What bird film won an Oscar?  Lord of the Wings.

    What kind of bird can carry the most weight? The crane.

    What type of books do snowy owls like to read? Hooo-dunnits.

    Why can’t birds play baseball? Because they’re always ducking or hitting fowl balls.

    What’s a bird’s favourite time of day? Cockatiel hour.

    bluetit eating bird seed from an open handbluetit eating bird seed from an open hand

    Silly bird jokes for kids

    Kids love a silly joke, and these birds jokes are definitely quackers!

    Why did the chicken cross the playground?  Because it wanted to get to the other slide.

    What’s black and white and black and white and black and white?  A penguin falling down the stairs.

    What do you give to a sick bird?  Tweetment.

    Where do royal birds live?  Duckingham Palace.

    What did the tree say to the woodpecker?  Leaf me alone!

    Why did the little bird get into trouble at school?  Because he was caught tweeting on a test.

    What do owls sing when it rains?  Too wet to woo.

    What did the ill chicken say?  I’ve got people-pox!

    Why did the bird fly into the library?  Because he was looking for bookworms.

    Where do ducks go when they are sick?  To the duck-tor.

    What’s a bird’s favourite game?  Beakaboo.

    What do you call a group of chickens dancing? Poultry in motion.

    Where does a peacock go when it loses its tail? A re-tail store.

    What do you call an owl dressed in armour? A knight owl.

    Why didn’t the night owl go to the funeral? He wasn’t a mourning person.

    small bird perched on a branchsmall bird perched on a branch

    What bird can you buy at the grocery store?  A kiwi.

    Why did the chicken cross the road, roll in mud, then cross the road again?  He was a dirty double crosser.

    What do you call a rude bird?  A mockingbird.

    Which bird is always out of breath?  A puffin.

    What does a cat call a hummingbird?  Fast food.

    What has webbed feet and fangs?  Count Duckula.

    How many birds does it take to change a lightbulb?  Toucan do it.

    What do you get if you cross a firework with a duck?   A firequacker.

    What do you call a man with a seagull on his head? Cliff.

    Why did the pelican get kicked out of the restaurant?  Because he had a very big bill.

    What bird is helpful at mealtimes?  A swallow.

    What is an owl’s favourite Beatles song? Owl you need is love.

    Why did the bird join the musical? Because it had perfect pitch.

    What do you call an owl with a low voice? A growl.

    Why don’t birds take sides in politics? Because they appreciate both left and right wings.

    starling perched on a bird feederstarling perched on a bird feeder

    What do you call a penguin in the desert?  Lost.

    Which bird always gets first place?  A peng-win.

    What’s a bird’s favourite kind of maths?  Owlgebra.

    What do chickens do on sunny afternoons?  They have peck-nics.

    Why do seagulls like living by the sea?  Because if they lived by the bay they’d be baygulls.

    What’s the difference between a fly and a bird?  A bird can fly, but a fly can’t bird.

    What steals your toys while you’re in the bath?  A robber ducky.

    What happens when lovebirds break up? They turn into bluebirds.

    Why didn’t the rooster cross the road?  Because it was chicken.

    What kind of bird doesn’t need a comb?  A bald eagle.

    Why do owls get invited to parties?  Because they’re a hoot.

    What do you call a duck who’s always telling jokes?  A wise quacker.

    Knock knock bird jokes

    Try a knock knock bird joke to get kids thinking.

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Baby Owl.  Baby Owl who?  Baby owl see you later, maybe I won’t!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Kuck.  Kuck who?  Don’t call me cuckoo!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Twit.  Twit who?  Help, an owl!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Earl.  Earl who?  Early bird catches the worm!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Goose.  Goose who?  Goose who it is!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Hoo.  Hoo who?  Mum, there’s an owl at the door!

    Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Toucan.  Toucan who?  Toucan play that game!

    Knock, knock. “Who’s there?” Owl. “Owl who?” Owl be seeing you!

    hummingbird on crocosmia flowerhummingbird on crocosmia flower

    Funny puns about birds

    There are so many ways to crack (or should that be quack?) a bird pun, and you don’t have to be a bird lover to enjoy them.  Here are some of my favourites.

    We are not emu-sed

    Going cheep

    Tweetie pie

    Under the feather

    Owl you need is love

    Happy bird-day to you

    Quack the case

    I’m hooting for you

    Poultry in motion

    Eggs-citing

    Nice to tweet you

    That bird joke flew right over your head

    Feather forecast

    Quack me up

    I’ve been waiting owl day

    Beak careful

    Very un-pheasant

    A pheasant surprise

    Winging it

    Do you have a sparrow minute?

    Don’t let anyone clip your wings

    You’re a real hoot

    Love birds

    an owl sitting on a tree branchan owl sitting on a tree branch

    Egg-cellent bird puns that are a real hoot

    Bird enthusiasts will love these silly bird puns.

    Owl night long

    A heavy birden

    Caw me on my cellphone

    Stork raven mad

    Crow away

    One fowl swoop

    You’re owl-some

    Wise quacks

    Im-peck-able

    Toucan play that game

    I’m feeling emu-tional

    Like feather, like son

    That’s ill-eagle

    Carry your birden

    Bird on the street

    Quite ostrich

    Let’s ruffle some feathers

    Very emu-sing

    Stop mocking-bird me

    Get your heron checked

    Put a wing on it

    Tweet dreams

    Owl you need is love

    Irritable owl syndrome

    blue tits on a garden feederblue tits on a garden feeder

    More bird puns

    You’re so tweet

    Fowl play

    Crowing, crowing, gone

    A chirp off the old block

    I think you’re dove-ly

    Season’s tweetings

    Owl by myself

    Going quackers

    No egrets

    Tweetheart

    This is hawkward

    Bird puns fly right over my head

    It’s been a ruff day

    Let’s parrot-y

    Fowl ball

    Keep pecking away

    I’m talon you

    You’re such a comedi-hen

    I know the early bird gets the worm, but that’s just too much to swallow.

    That’s hawk-ward

    Owl or nothing

    Nip it in the budgerigar

    Fowl language

    A little bird told me

    Don’t caw me, I’ll caw you

    Share your favourite bird jokes and puns about birds!

    I hope this list of bird jokes and bird puns for kids has generated chirps of laughter and plenty of material for nature-themed laughs.  If your favourite bird joke or best bird pun isn’t included, please share it in the comments section so we can all enjoy it 🙂

    a year of nature craft and play by catherine hughes and becky goddard-hilla year of nature craft and play by catherine hughes and becky goddard-hill

    More nature-themed fun

    If you like exploring nature with the kids – or just want to try and do it more often – my book *A Year of Nature Craft & Play is a great resource.  It’s filled with 52 nature activities, games and crafts – one for every week of the year – all with easy-to-follow instructions and lots of colourful pictures to get kids engaged and excited.  Find out more about it in my post on nature play.

    More family-friendly jokes, puns and quotes

    I’ve got a whole host of nature-inspired lists of family-friendly jokes and puns for you to explore.  There are flower puns and flower jokes, nature puns, plant puns and plant jokes, bee jokes and bee puns, fish puns, cow jokes, bear puns, sunflower puns, ice puns, rock puns, garden puns and garden jokes, gnome puns, cat puns, tree puns and tree jokes, fruit puns and fruit jokes, bean jokes and puns, vegetable puns and vegetable jokes, potato puns and potato jokes, spring puns, Easter jokes, summer jokes, fall puns and fall jokes, art jokes and puns, pumpkin jokes and pumpkin puns, skull puns and Halloween jokes for kids (bookmark these last three for Halloween). And finally, my Christmas jokes for kids are ideal for a good laugh during the festive season.

    There’s also a whole series of quotes blog posts that you might like to check out.  As well as being a lovely source of nature inspiration, you can use them in your social media posts.  There are nature quotes and nature captions, flower quotes, gardening quotes, tree quotes, quotes about sunflowers and waterfall quotes to enjoy.

    If you’ve enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support Growing Family:

    🌻 Click here to buy me a virtual coffee.

    🌻 Click here to sign up to my newsletters and get regular updates straight to your inbox.

    🌻 Join my Nature Crafts & Fun Facebook group here where we share lots of great tips and ideas for exploring and enjoying nature with children.

    🌻 Follow me on social media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

    🌻 Share this post with your friends via the buttons below.

    Pin for later

    Get ready for some family-friendly laughs with our hilarious collection of bird jokes. Perfect for all ages, these jokes will have everyone chirping with laughter. Whether you're a bird lover or just enjoy a good pun, you'll find something to tickle your funny bone. Click to read the full article!Get ready for some family-friendly laughs with our hilarious collection of bird jokes. Perfect for all ages, these jokes will have everyone chirping with laughter. Whether you're a bird lover or just enjoy a good pun, you'll find something to tickle your funny bone. Click to read the full article!

    [ad_2]

    Catherine

    Source link

  • Unbelievable facts

    Unbelievable facts

    [ad_1]

    A swarm of 20,000 bees followed a car for two days, determined to rescue their queen trapped inside.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Region is betting big on offshore wind. Can it deliver?

    Region is betting big on offshore wind. Can it deliver?

    [ad_1]

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Dozens of hard hats and yellow safety vests were neatly placed on folding chairs. A giant American flag hung from the rafters of a hangar-sized fabrication building. And cellophane-wrapped cookies with blue icing spelling out “Revolution Wind, powered by Ørsted and Eversource,” added the final celebratory touch.

    After a rough year for the fledgling U.S. offshore wind industry, the crowd of union leaders, energy company representatives, state and federal officials, media, and other guests at the Port of Providence on June 13 were marking the final assembly of the advanced foundation components for the Revolution Wind project, a 700-megawatt offshore wind farm currently under construction 12 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard that will deliver energy to Rhode Island and Connecticut.

    Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee called the now-bustling port – packed with offshore wind turbine components and hosting a gleaming new crew service vessel built for Ørsted, the Danish offshore wind giant, docked nearby – “an example of what can happen all around the country.” The construction progress “marks a pivotal moment, not just for Rhode Island but our country’s offshore wind industry,” McKee added.

    Other governors across New England are banking big on the mammoth turbines being installed off the coast to not only keep the lights on as the region moves toward cleaner electricity, but also to meet a surge in power demand from electric vehicles and a shift to electrified home heating.

    The region’s push into offshore wind comes amid longstanding apprehension by federal regulators and the nation’s electric reliability watchdog over New England’s dependence on natural gas power generation, worrisome when paired with its constrained pipeline capacity during extreme cold.

    Whether the hundreds of turbines planned to spring up off the coast – and the major grid upgrades needed to get that power to where it’s needed – can reliably meet those expectations will come down in large part to timing, experts say.

    That includes not just how fast developers, who are facing supply chain problems and sometimes stiff local resistance and have complained about permitting delays, can get turbines built, but also when the expected demand increase from an electrified future materializes.

    Also in the mix: how quickly the system is able to inject the power produced offshore and whether it can handle the dips in output that can come with variable generation, said John Moura, director of reliability assessment at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, which sets and enforces standards for the American power system.

    “They can build and design this, it’s really about time, money, and the will to do that,” Moura said. “The timing piece is the part we’re most concerned with.”

    ‘Moving in the same direction’

    The New England Independent System Operator runs the electric grid for Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, ensuring that there’s enough electric supply to match demand in real time. What helps make that somewhat easier than in regions overseen by other multi-state regional transmission organizations is broad alignment among its member states on energy policy.

    All six have clean power goals. Rhode Island is pushing for 100 percent renewable power by 2030. Connecticut is requiring 100 percent zero carbon power by 2040.

    Massachusetts wants to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In June, Vermont’s legislature overrode a gubernatorial veto to enact a 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 standard.

    Maine is aiming to get to 80 percent percent renewable power by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.

    New Hampshire is something of an outlier, but even it has a renewable energy portfolio standard that requires utilities to purchase increasing amounts of renewable energy certificates.

    “They’re all more or less moving in the same direction,” said Matt Kakley, a spokesman for ISO New England. That can make debates over longer term transmission planning and improving processes to determine who pays for what less fraught than elsewhere.

    Even before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s landmark order on transmission planning and cost allocation earlier this year, there was broad agreement among New England states on a new framework that was approved by FERC in July to plan for state renewable goals and how to allocate costs of associated network upgrades.

    “Our hope is that this kind of allows us to get to work on as a region, on some of the stuff that we know is coming,” Kakley said. If the states’ decarbonization goals are to be met, Kakley said, that means an estimated doubling of electricity use in New England over the next 30 years and a tripling of the winter energy peak.

    “On the transmission side, we’re in good shape right now,” Kakley said. “However, we know, if we’re going to move to a system that’s largely powered by offshore wind, that’s going to trigger the need for upgrades, not in the initial wave but when you start looking at the bigger quantities.”

    ‘It just defies logic’

    Despite those trends, there’s been reason to worry that offshore wind development might lag. For the past year, developers have struggled with supply chain problems and spiking costs driven by inflation, forcing some East Coast projects to be canceled or renegotiated.

    The projects have also been in some cases vehemently opposed by coastal communities and dogged by (spurious, according to marine mammal experts and federal agencies) accusations that they’re harming whales, along with lawsuits from fishermen and, in at least one case, preservationists worried about losing ocean views.

    This month, part of a blade broke off of a turbine that was part of Vineyard Wind 1, the nation’s first commercial scale offshore wind project, leaving fiberglass and foam debris to wash up on Nantucket beaches.

    The Maine Lobstermen’s Association, which represents hundreds of people who make a living hauling the famous crustacean out of the water for diners around the world, has been a major opponent of offshore wind potentially encroaching on fishing areas.

    The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which oversees offshore wind leases areas, is moving forward with a lease sale in the Gulf of Maine that largely excludes the areas used by the state’s lobster boats.

    But Patrice McCarron, the group’s policy director, isn’t backing off of criticizing the proposal.

    “Nobody in the fishing industry thinks the Gulf of Maine is a good place to develop offshore wind,” she said in an interview in June at the organization’s cramped offices in Kennebunk. “It’s one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. It supports one of the most valuable fisheries, if not the most valuable fishery in the nation, which is lobster.”

    A distorted view

    People who might not have seen offshore wind development up close can have a distorted sense of what it is in practice, she added.

    “If you don’t fish, you think of offshore wind as being something very green, something that’s going to solve climate change, something that’s good for the environment. If you’re a fisherman, you think about what it actually is, you know, 800-plus foot turbines floating on concrete blocks that are 300 feet by 300 feet with turbine blades that are at the length of a football field.”

    McCarron said the fishing industry also worries about loss of habitat, impacts on marine species, potential vibrations and other effects and, the uncertainty of floating offshore wind technology, which is what would be developed in the deep waters of the Gulf of Maine but is relatively rare still. (One offshore wind executive told States Newsroom that Gulf of Maine turbines aren’t expected to happen for about a decade.)

    “I don’t like the term ‘coexist,’” she said. “It just defies logic that you would industrialize a place that is so special and that fishermen have done such a great job of taking care of and stewarding. Nobody wants to see this built.”

    Solid fundamentals

    Less than 100 miles south of McCarron’s office, wind developers, state and federal officials, and others with ties to the industry were still optimistic on the prospects for offshore wind at a conference in Boston organized by Reuters.

    However, panels with names like “How to navigate growing pains,” “Risk mitigation,” “How to overcome critical supply chain bottlenecks,” “Confronting transmission complexities,” and “How to deal with misinformation” spoke to the rough seas companies pushing offshore wind projects have had to sail over the past year.

    There were also official as well as side-channel conversations about the election and what kind of blow a second Trump administration might deal to offshore wind.

    But the through line of the conference was that the fundamentals underlying offshore wind – a large untapped source of relatively steady clean energy close to the coastal cities that are big drivers of electric demand – remain strong. And state and local officials are still keen on the jobs and economic impact that can come from standing up a new American industry.

    “I would look to Virginia, as for me, giving me some optimism for the industry, for the future,” said Diane Leopold, chief operating officer of Virginia-based utility giant Dominion Energy, which is building the 2,600-megawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project off the coast of Virginia Beach, the largest offshore wind farm under construction in the U.S.

    Bipartisan support

    Leopold touted the project’s strong bipartisan support. “It supports climate change. Large businesses in the state want renewable energy. We have a fast-growing load in the state, and offshore wind produces a lot of megawatt hours and it creates a diversity of supply that really helps grid reliability. And then, of course, offshore wind creates an enormous number of jobs and a lot of local economic activity.”

    Chris Wissemann, CEO of Diamond Offshore Wind, a developer, said the industry is on the path to recovery, with states and developers now negotiating agreements that include mechanisms to adjust prices to respond to inflation and other problems.

    “This has been a sobering event that is maybe once in a generation,” he said. “To a great extent what we’re doing in offshore wind as a country we haven’t done since nuclear power in the 60s and 70s and all of those projects were essentially ratepayers paid whatever they cost to build because you were doing them for the public benefit. I think a little of that needs to come into this market.”

    European companies, he added, sold regulators on the promise that they could build as easily as in Europe. “This has been sobering to a lot of the Europeans catching on that the U.S. is a bit different: building the supply chain here and getting things permitted, dealing, honestly, with our political dysfunction. It’s a real issue, right?”

    [ad_2]

    By Robert Zullo | New Hampshire Bulletin

    Source link

  • Michigan program raises monarch butterflies

    Michigan program raises monarch butterflies

    [ad_1]

    click to enlarge

    Izzy Ross/IPR News

    Emily Umbarger holds a tagged monarch in the Interlochen greenhouse in August 2023.

    This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

    Magnolia Montgomery, age 12, peered into a rectangular enclosure covered with white mesh. Inside are milkweed branches. Caterpillars are slowly crawling on the leaves, some the size of a grain of rice.

    “They’re very, very small. And they’re white with black and yellow stripes on them,” she said, examining the caterpillars. “They have two antennas in the front. And kind of two in the back somehow.”

    The mesh enclosure is in the greenhouse at Interlochen Center for the Arts, part of the R.B. Annis Botanical Lab and Community Garden. Magnolia was a little hesitant as she searched for the small specks among the leaves, but she was blunt about what she knew.

    “I don’t remember many scientific terms for the little baby caterpillars and stuff like that,” she said. But she did remember that the butterflies spend the winter in Mexico, and that males have spots on their wings but the females don’t.

    The school’s sustainability department is raising around 50 to 60 monarch butterfly caterpillars — ordered through the University of Kansas as part of an effort to teach summer campers about the insects. For Emily Umbarger, the director of sustainability, this is an important part of raising awareness about the threats monarchs face.

    Parasites, climate change, development, and pesticide use are among the forces disrupting insect populations around the world.

    “In the 1990s when I was a 10 year old, there were monarchs everywhere,” Umbarger said. “Fast forward to today, you know, 34 years later, and the eastern population has decreased by 80 percent and the western population has decreased by more than 95 percent.” (Organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation have pointed to such declines.)

    “Monarchs are so driven by temperature, by hours of light in the day, by where their food and their habitat is,” Umbarger said. “If that is not happening where it’s traditionally been happening, that causes a challenge.”

    But researchers disagree on exactly what’s happening to monarchs. Some say certain populations are actually doing fine, while others are sounding alarms about declines.

    Earlier this year, Yale Environment 360 reported on that tension, pointing to recent studies that cast doubt on conventional knowledge about the monarch population’s trajectory. One, in Current Biology, found that the total population of eastern monarchs has not drastically declined. Those researchers say that while the winter colonies in Mexico have shrunk, more butterflies are spending their winters in places like Florida. So the migration may be changing, but the overall population may not be dropping.

    There’s also disagreement on the impacts of rearing programs; some scientists have cautioned against them, saying they can spread disease and disrupt migratory patterns.

    In a statement published by the Xerces Society, experts warned that mass rearing can contribute to parasite spread and a host of other issues. The society has also argued that it’s better to help keep monarchs wild and improve their habitat, rather than artificially increase populations.

    “All rearing of monarchs should be undertaken with extreme care, restricted to a single generation annually if the butterflies will be released, and carried out using safe rearing practices and vigilant monitoring for health and disease,” they write.

    Still, the Xerces Society acknowledges there is a place for small scale rearing in education and citizen science.

    click to enlarge Fallon Gandulla-Ghekiere and Magnolia Montgomery look into small dishes containing caterpillars feeding on "milkweed mush" in the Interlochen greenhouse on July 10, 2024. - Izzy Ross/IPR News

    Izzy Ross/IPR News

    Fallon Gandulla-Ghekiere and Magnolia Montgomery look into small dishes containing caterpillars feeding on “milkweed mush” in the Interlochen greenhouse on July 10, 2024.

    The program at Interlochen is considered small scale, according to Umbarger. And for her, their focus on monarchs is warranted. Education through the rearing program is just one part of that.

    The department got a grant several years ago to plant milkweed, which is a key part of the monarch’s habitat. Females lay eggs on the plant. Once they hatch, the caterpillars live and feed on the leaves.

    In Michigan, lawmakers passed legislation banning noxious weeds but protecting milkweed from that designation.

    Many butterfly enthusiasts plant it to try to help, but non-native milkweed can help parasites spread.

    It’s important for people to understand the importance of native milkweed for monarch conservation, Umbarger said, “and stop spraying chemicals in our yard, especially around these kind of special native plants that provide the ecosystem and the habitat that these caterpillars need.”

    The Interlochen greenhouse has also been tagging monarchs for years — capturing butterflies and placing a sticker on their hind wings as part of the University of Kansas’s Monarch Watch, a national community science program.

    It’s just one way to try to make sense of what’s happening to monarchs.

    But this morning, the students aren’t talking about studies or scientific doubts or the impact of climate on migratory patterns. Magnolia and her fellow camper Fallon Gandulla-Ghekiere are focused on the basics.

    When asked what they most remember learning about the monarchs, they reply in excited unison: “They liquefy!”

    That’s true. Once inside its chrysalis, parts of the caterpillar dissolve, and rearrange themselves to create new body parts, like wings — what Umbarger calls “genetic recombining.”

    “Oh, and I also remember they eat their egg,” Fallon said, and Magnolia agreed: “Oh yeah, when they’re born their first meal is their own egg.”

    Right now, the goal is to get them interested, so that hopefully they’ll want to continue to learn.

    “It’s neat what different animals and creatures can do and it’s neat how we don’t even know how to do those things,” Fallon said. “It’s their own magic.”

    [ad_2]

    Izzy Ross, Interlochen Public Radio

    Source link

  • Philadelphia Zoo welcomes birth of Sumatran orangutan, a critically endangered species

    Philadelphia Zoo welcomes birth of Sumatran orangutan, a critically endangered species

    [ad_1]

    For the first time in 15 years, the Philadelphia Zoo welcomed the birth of a Sumatran orangutan. The critically endangered species is part of a breeding program among zoos intended to ensure the survival of species at risk of extinction.

    The infant orangutan was born in late June to 31-year-old female Tua and 28-year-old male Sugi, who live at the zoo’s primate preserve. Zoo staff said they haven’t yet determined the gender of the baby, who’s unnamed for the time being.

    MORE: John Dougherty, former Philly labor union boss, sentenced to 6 years in prison

    “It is a joy to be able to share this wonderful news with the greater Philadelphia region and the world,” Rachel Metz, the zoo’s vice president of animal well-being and conservation, said Thursday. “This critically endangered species is rapidly losing habitat largely due to deforestation as a result of an increased demand for logging, palm oil, and other natural resources located in their habitats.”

    The species is native to the forests of Sumatra, part of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. They’re one of three species of orangutans, who are the only members of the great ape family to spend most of their time off the ground. They use their long and muscular arms to scale trees and have a diet that consists mainly of fruit, bark and vegetation. They are considered among the planet’s most intelligent non-human species, with recent research suggesting they’re capable of communicating about past experiences to warn each other about predators.

    It’s estimated that fewer than 14,000 Sumatran orangutans remain in the wild. The birth of the orangutan in Philadelphia is part of the Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which strives to maintain genetically diverse populations of threatened animals.

    Zoo Orangutan TwoProvided Image/Philadelphia Zoo

    Tua, a Sumatran orangutan, is shown carrying her baby at the Philadelphia Zoo after giving birth in late June.

    The Philadelphia Zoo was the world’s first to successfully breed orangutans in 1928. There have been 20 born at the zoo since then.

    Tua last gave birth in 2009 to a female, Batu, who remained with her parents at the Philadelphia Zoo through 2021. She has since been paired with a male at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and is now expecting a baby of her own. Orangutans have an eight-month gestation period. Babies nurse from their mothers for up to six years, but often start to eat solid food at around four months. They reach adolescence between the ages of 7 and 10.

    Tua is now bonding with her baby in their indoor habitat at the primate preserve, where they have the choice to enter an area visible to guests or spend time alone in their bedroom. Sugi will be given a chance in the future to reunite with the pair. In the wild, males typically don’t raise their young. Orangutans are usually solitary in the wild but can be social with their peers.

    The zoo is planning to hold a dedicated public debut for the baby orangutan in August. Details on the celebration will be released in the near future.

    “Our entire zoo community and those that work closest with our orangutans are thrilled to watch Tua become a mother again and watch this baby grow,” said Michael Stern, the zoo’s curator of primates and small mammals.

    [ad_2]

    Michael Tanenbaum

    Source link

  • Unbelievable facts

    Unbelievable facts

    [ad_1]

    Meghalaya’s living root bridges support 50+ people, last centuries.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • 9 Summer Staycation Ideas For The Whole Family

    9 Summer Staycation Ideas For The Whole Family

    [ad_1]

    In my youth, I had the fortune of travelling a lot. It was my passion and I was working on building a business around it (a women’s travel-zine turned website intended to be a hub for women travellers to connect and find resources – but alas, a story for another day). But in all of this exploring, I feel that I have seen very little of my own province, and now with a little one in tow, there is so much of my city I want to experience again. And so I’ve been drawing upon my creative staycation ideas!

    If you’re staying close to home this summer, beyond having a dance party, cooking up something new and exciting, and tending your garden, I hope some of these staycation ideas help you pass the time with a little more fun and enjoyment.

    9 summer staycation ideas

    Berry Picking / Pick Your Own

    There are loads of farms offering experiences for families. Whether it be berry picking, visiting farm animals, or helping out on the farm, explore the options in your area for a fun day in nature, with sweet treats to reward your efforts.

    Home Spa Day

    I am a huge fan of natural beauty care and there are many ways that you can make an at-home spa day special for you or your family. Depending on what kind of supplies you have at home, your at-home spa day could include:

     

    Outdoor Drinks or BBQs

    If you have an outdoor space, like a patio or a backyard, take advantage and host something! Enjoy mocktails, BBQ classics like burgers and ketchup, iced tea, or anything else you and your friends and family would love. If you don’t have a backyard or patio, then visit a neighbourhood park (ensure you follow the regulations for the park you’re in).

    Do or Learn Something Creative (Or Share Your Skills With Others)

    Tap into the creative side of your brain by getting out some art supplies, starting a journal, taking a writing class, making jewelry, or whatever other creative endeavour you’d love to pursue. Even better, if it can be brought outside, invite friends over for a craft party and take turns hosting. It could become a really nourishing skill share event to look forward to.

    Have a Concert, Comedy, or Movie Night

    There are many wonderful concerts, stand-up shows, and obviously movies on streaming services like Netflix, Prime, and others. Have a weekly movie night – I highly recommend that you include popcorn with this amazing popcorn topping. If you have creatives in your house, try having a live talent show where family members can celebrate and show off their skills.

     

    Neighbourhood Adventures

    It’s so easy to get stuck in our own neighbourhoods and most cities offer amazing surprises, delights, and interactions as soon as you venture off your usual path. There are loads of small businesses in operation and great restaurants you don’t even know exist – and small businesses really need help right now. Be a tourist in your own city and pick a neighbourhood to explore top to tail without a specific destination or goal.

     

    Go For a Walk in Nature

    Aside from the exercise, walking in nature (also called forest bathing) has many positive effects on our immunity, mood, nervous system, and cardiovascular health. Increase the fun by making an outdoor scavenger hunt (or find one that’s already been done online) where you have to find flowers, animals, statues, or other special things. If you’re walking in the city, there are many city mural walks or alleyway art shows that you can enjoy.

     

    Enjoy a Picnic

    Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air by packing a picnic, whether you decide to have it in your own backyard or visit an outdoor park. I like to keep my picnics zero waste so I don’t leave any garbage behind. Find a bikeable location and make getting there a part of the fun.

    City-Wide Scavenger Hunt (Or Keep It To Your Local Park or Backyard)

    We’ve been doing this with our son by creating a game sheet with things to find based on where we’re going. It keeps him looking around and engaged, we get a long walk in the mix. You could also organize this with larger groups of friends or other families and have connected adventures for the whole day through. Here are some scavenger hunt ideas for adults, and this post has a fun little nature-based scavenger hunt for younger kids.

    So these are my best summer staycation ideas. I am sure I am missing loads. Please post a comment below and let me know what I missed! Happy to keep this list growing to keep us all enjoying new experiences all summer long.

    Staycation Ideas

    [ad_2]

    Meghan Telpner

    Source link

  • Michigan boosts efforts to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes

    Michigan boosts efforts to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes

    [ad_1]

    Michigan is home to 21% of the world’s fresh water, but in recent years the Great Lakes have had a problem with invasive carp.

    Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on Monday that Michigan has signed an agreement in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois to create the Brandon Road Interbasin Project — massively stepping up efforts to block pesky invasive fish from the Great Lakes.

    With $274 million in federal funds and $114 million in state funds secured for the first of three phases, the overall $1.15 billion project promises to make an impact.

    “The Great Lakes are the beating heart of Michigan’s economy,” Whitmer said in a press release. “Brandon Road will help us protect local communities and key industries, including fishing and boating, that support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. I am grateful to Governor Pritzker in Illinois, the Army Corps of Engineers, and our champions in Congress for their long-term partnership on this monumental task. Together, we will get the job done so we can protect our lakes and power economic growth for generations to come.”

    Invasive carp, particularly bighead, silver, and black carp, are like the bullies of the fish world, pushing out other Great Lakes species such as lake whitefish, perch, and walleye. If these carp were to invade the Great Lakes basin, inland rivers and lakes would also be at risk. Additionally, the high-flying silver carp are known for their acrobatic leaps out of the water, sometimes crashing into boaters and causing injuries. Their antics have driven many boaters away from infested lakes, ruining fishing trips and fun on the water.

    The Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, is like the ultimate bouncer for the Great Lakes, ready to stop invasive carp in their tracks. The upcoming project will feature an elaborate series of deterrents to keep these unwelcome guests and other aquatic nuisance species out.

    “This agreement is a pivotal step forward in preventing the spread of harmful, invasive carp throughout our Great Lakes,” U.S. Senator Gary Peters said. “For years, invasive carp have threatened our environment, as well as key industries that rely on healthy Great Lakes to help power our state’s economy.”

    Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel added, “The Great Lakes hold countless memories for many of us, from catching our first fish to watching loved ones play on their shores. They are central to our Pure Michigan identity. This landmark agreement marks a significant victory in protecting these lakes from invasive, dangerous carp, ensuring the joy and beauty of these waters remain for all to enjoy.”

    [ad_2]

    Layla McMurtrie

    Source link

  • Uncover Hungary’s Natural Wonders: A Journey Beyond the Ordinary

    Uncover Hungary’s Natural Wonders: A Journey Beyond the Ordinary

    [ad_1]


    MIAMI, June 18, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Hungary, renowned for its historic cities and cultural heritage, invites travelers to delve deeper into its rich natural tapestry. The nation’s stunning biodiversity, expansive national parks, and exceptional stargazing opportunities make it a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. 

    Hungary’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage is showcased by its impressive biodiversity. With over 2,200 plant species and 45,000 animal species, Hungary is a wildlife sanctuary. This rich biodiversity is protected and celebrated across the country’s 10 national parks, which span over 480,000 hectares. These parks offer diverse landscapes, from the rugged peaks of the Bükk Mountains to the serene wetlands of Hortobágy, each providing unique habitats for various species. 

    “Discovering Hungary’s natural beauty is like unveiling a hidden gem. Our national parks, diverse wildlife, and incredible stargazing opportunities provide a unique and enriching experience for travelers,” said György Lendvai, Head of Business Development (North America) for Visit Hungary. “We are committed to preserving our natural heritage and inviting the world to explore and appreciate Hungary’s wonders.” 

    One of Hungary’s standout natural offerings is its network of dark sky parks, providing unparalleled stargazing experiences. Hungary’s efforts in reducing light pollution have earned the country recognition as one of Europe’s premier destinations for astronomy enthusiasts. The Zselic Starry Sky Park and the Hortobágy Starry Sky Park, in particular, are havens for those looking to explore the cosmos and marvel at the Milky Way’s splendor. 

    For adventure seekers who prefer exploring on foot, Hungary offers over 11,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails. These trails traverse the country’s varied terrain, providing hikers with breathtaking views and a chance to encounter Hungary’s rich flora and fauna up close. The National Blue Trail, one of the oldest long-distance hiking routes in Europe, offers an unforgettable journey through Hungary’s picturesque landscapes, from verdant forests to charming villages. 

    Hungary’s national parks are also a haven for birdwatching. The Kiskunság and Hortobágy National Parks are recognized as important bird areas, hosting thousands of migratory birds annually. These parks provide unique opportunities for bird enthusiasts to observe rare species in their natural habitats, contributing to Hungary’s reputation as a premier bird-watching destination. 

    Visit Hungary invites nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and curious travelers to uncover Hungary’s natural world. Whether it’s hiking through ancient forests, observing rare wildlife or gazing at the starry night sky, Hungary promises an unforgettable adventure. 

    ### 

    About Visit Hungary  

    The Hungarian Tourism Agency operates in international markets under the brand name Visit Hungary. Visit Hungary performs domestic and international sales and marketing communication tasks related to tourism, manages the international tourism representation, executes image and product campaigns both in Hungary and abroad, produces tourism and image publications, conducts research and analysis in support of marketing communication activities, and participates in fairs and tourism trade fairs to promote domestic and foreign tourism. For more information, please visit www.visithungary.com.  

    Source: Visit Hungary

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Natural Bug Repellent Recipe

    Natural Bug Repellent Recipe

    [ad_1]

    Spending time in nature has a multitude of benefits, but sometimes the outdoors can have its drawbacks – especially if you’re in a spot that is crawling with bugs that love to feast on warm-blooded people like us. Itchy, painful and inflamed bites can certainly put a damper on your forest bathing experience, but making your own natural bug repellent can help arm you against those critters without endangering your overall health.

    I’m a cottage-obsessed nature lover and can easily live without the city comforts and conveniences when I’m in the woods. I grew up in the prairies, in Winnipeg and went to summer camp near there where the mosquitoes were so big and vicious that if you swatted one, they’d often swat you right back.

    No matter how bad the bug situation is, I can’t resort to using conventional bug repellents to protect me.

    Most traditional bug sprays use DEET as the primary ingredient. And sure, DEET works, but it also comes with its own health risks.

    Health Concerns of DEET

    DEET has been:

    Here in Canada where I live, DEET is permitted in bug sprays but the government recommends children under the age of 12 “do not use a DEET product on a daily basis for more than a month” and babies under 6 months should not use them at all.

    When Should You Use DEET?

    Suddenly bugs have become a lot riskier than the annoying itchy bite. With concerns over West Nile Virus, Zika Virus and Lyme Disease, you can use your own discretion and safety measures which would include covering your face with a mask when spraying, not touching your eyes, ears or mouth if using, and bathing thoroughly as soon as possible after use.

    The Environment Working Group states:
    “Among the three repellent chemicals that are EWG’s top picks is DEET, which is widely used but much maligned. DEET’s safety profile is better than many people assume. Its effectiveness at preventing bites is approached by only a few other repellent ingredients. DEET isn’t a perfect choice nor the only choice. But weighed against the consequences of Zika disease and West Nile virus, we believe it is a reasonable one.”

    Of course, there is debate about what actually causes Zika, so I will just leave this from NPR here, and this from GreenMedInfo here.

    You will need to weigh the risks, pros and cons based on where you live, your exposure and other factors that could increase your risk.

    Of course, if you’re in a high-risk area and it’s for a short duration, there’s always a bug net. Nerdy but effective!

    Natural Bug Repellent - Bug Net - Meghan & Josh

    What Else Is In Conventional Bug Repellent?

    DEET isn’t the only ingredient in bug repellent that gives me pause. I took a look at a bug repellent made by Johnson and Johnson, one of our good ‘ol healthwashing friends. In addition to DEET, they use:

    • Fragrance: This is an umbrella term for thousands of chemicals that are untested and potentially unsafe. Fragrance is also used in beauty care and cleaning products, and can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory issues like asthma, headaches and hormonal disruptions.
    • Ethanol: Otherwise known as alcohol, ethanol is used as an emulsifier in bug spray and can also be found in disinfectants and anti-bacterial soaps and hand washes. It’s associated with skin conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema and can disrupt our skin’s microbiome.
    • Butane, propane, isobutane: These propellants help spray the liquid from the can. Inhaling these petroleum products can impact both the brain and the heart, plus inhalant abuse – you may have heard of huffing – can impact children and teens. And these chemicals are highly flammable! They’re not the kind of thing I want around my campfire.

    Natural Bug Repellent Options

    Natural Bug RepellentNatural Bug Repellent

    The good news is that there are many natural bug repellent options and you can easily DIY your own bug spray. Many traditional bug sprays incorporate essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, camphor, and others into their formulations, and with good reason: they work. Research shows that plant-based oils can protect against common bugs like mosquitoes.

    Some of the natural bug repellent options are:

    As I’ve mentioned before, the quality of essential oils you use is important. If you’re going to opt for a natural bug repellent, ensure that the essential oils will actually protect you and do what the company claims they will.

    If you’re on board with making your own natural bug repellent, this is my favourite recipe to use. I whip up batches of this every summer and spray liberally as needed. And, unlike some traditional bug sprays, this one actually smells good too!

    Print

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Description

    A natural bug repellent that will keep those bug bites at bay.

    • 1 cup Witch Hazel
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 Tbsp Vodka (optional)
    • 10 drops citronella or lemongrass essential oil
    • 10 drops clove essential oil
    • 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
    • 10 drops peppermint essential oil

    1. Combine all ingredients in your glass spray bottle.
    2. Shake before use.

    • Prep Time: 5 mins
    • Category: Beauty Care

    Natural Bug Repellent RecipeNatural Bug Repellent Recipe

    *This post contains affiliate links.

    [ad_2]

    Meghan Telpner

    Source link

  • Citizen scientists can help count planter pollinators in northern Michigan

    Citizen scientists can help count planter pollinators in northern Michigan

    [ad_1]

    This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

    Planters — those big boxes that hold ornamental plants — are a staple of many downtowns, often used to beautify the streets.

    In Traverse City, they’re also the basis for a citizen science program to count pollinators.

    Small signs stuck in the boxes among the flowers encourage passersby to take three minutes to count and categorize the visiting insects, such as bees, flies, and butterflies.

    People can scan a QR code on the signs to open an online survey. There, they can list the number of insects they see around the planters.

    The project started a few years ago as a collaboration between the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority, the Master Gardener Association of Northwest Michigan, and Michigan State University Extension.

    “It’s a little piece of an effort… that’s going on around the country, and I’d say around the world, about just getting more information about pollinators,” said Nate Walton, an educator with MSU Extension based in Leelanau County. “This is kind of our way to raise awareness about pollinators and also to do what we can to just collect some data and contribute to that. I think as a standalone project we need more data.”

    It will likely take many years before they have a solid data set for the region, Walton said. In the meantime, he hopes the project will continue to encourage public participation.

    “One of the things that I get more excited about, honestly, is the fact that humans are doing this,” he said. “That they’re taking time out of their vacations usually, or maybe their workday, and at least spending three minutes to look at flowers and look at insects visiting those flowers.”

    Pollinators are facing a slew of threats — from pesticide use to dwindling habitat to a warming climate.

    Even small efforts to monitor the populations are meaningful in more urban areas like Traverse City, said Sue Hudnut, the president of the Master Gardener Association of Northwest Michigan.

    “You have a lot of cement, and you’re displacing a lot of animals and insects,” she said. “If you do counts, that helps further the data for scientists to study what’s going on around us.”

    Data gathering is one thing, but keeping the planters pretty is another. And they require quite a bit of maintenance.

    Hudnut said volunteers meet weekly to prune and clean up the planters (sometimes people leave garbage in them).

    The plants also have to be watered several times a week. The Downtown Development Authority helps coordinate that with the local Child and Family Services YouthWork program.

    “That’s no small feat,” said Harry Burkholder, the DDA’s interim CEO.

    Another question is which species to choose. Right now, the planters contain mainly non-native plants; native plants can be taller and less than ideal for businesses.

    “We don’t want anything too tall, so it blocks the view of the shops and restaurants that line Front Street, so they need to complement the storefronts,” Burkholder said.

    Walton, with MSU, said they chose plants that would attract pollinators and provide flowers throughout the season, and they are aiming to include more native species in the coming years.

    MSU has worked with volunteers to establish a similar project in Frankfort, and organizers hope to expand to other towns as well.

    [ad_2]

    Izzy Ross, Interlochen Public Radio

    Source link

  • Muddled mystery of Karlie Gusé who went missing near California desert

    Muddled mystery of Karlie Gusé who went missing near California desert

    [ad_1]

    It’s been over 5 years since Karlie Gusé disappeared from her home in Chalfant Valley, California. She was 16 at the time. Karlie was born on May 13th, 2002 which would make her 22 years old today. Her story is one of mystery and intrigue that has left her family and police dumbfounded.

    By all accounts, Karlie was your everyday teenager. She had a boyfriend. She had plenty of friends. People knew who she was at school, and she was well-liked. However, things got murky during the weeks leading up to her disappearance.

    [ad_2]

    Zach

    Source link

  • California’s first Black land trust fights climate change, makes the outdoors more inclusive

    California’s first Black land trust fights climate change, makes the outdoors more inclusive

    [ad_1]

    EMIGRANT GAP, Calif. — 

    Jade Stevens stands at the edge of a snowy cliff and takes in the jaw-dropping panorama of the Sierra.

    Peaks reaching more than a mile high form the backdrop to Bear Valley, a kaleidoscope of green pastures mixed with ponderosa pines, firs, cedars and oak trees.

    Stevens, 34, is well aware that some of her fellow Black Americans can’t picture themselves in places like this. Camping, hiking, mountain biking, snow sports, venturing to locales with wild animals in their names — those are things white people do.

    As co-founder of the 40 Acre Conservation League, California’s first Black-led land conservancy, she’s determined to change that perception.

    Darryl Lucien snowshoes near Lake Putt.

    The nonprofit recently secured $3 million in funding from the state Wildlife Conservation Board and the nonprofit Sierra Nevada Conservancy to purchase 650 acres of a former logging forest north of Lake Tahoe. It will be a haven for experienced Black outdoor lovers and novices alike.

    The land trust, almost by necessity, has both an environmental and a social mission, Stevens says as she leads a tour of the parcels straddling Interstate 80.

    The most obvious goal for the property is to help the state reach a target of protecting 30% of its open space by 2030 — as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s overall climate and conservation initiative.

    Given that Black Americans historically have not enjoyed equal access to national parks and wilderness recreation areas — and have often been deprived of the chance to steward large open spaces because of discriminatory land policies — the purchase carries immense cultural importance too.

    The group’s name derives from Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s unfulfilled promise to grant some emancipated slaves “40 acres and a mule” to help them start over after the Civil War.

    An avid cyclist, Stevens is part of a growing movement among environmentalists, outdoor enthusiasts and naturalists who believe that safeguarding the ecosystem, promoting wellness and confronting historical injustices go hand-in-hand.

    Although surveys show that Black people care as much about climate change and protecting the environment as other Americans, these issues aren’t necessarily top of mind in a era when racial strife, police violence and economic inequities command more attention.

    Clouds hover over a bright blue lake surrounded by evergreens. Snowy mountains rise in the background.

    Lake Putt is the main attraction among the the 40 Acre League’s recently purchased parcels.

    How can you heed the call of the wild when life in your own backyard presents so many challenges? Stevens, a marketing professor at Cal State Dominguez Hills who lives in a historically Black neighborhood in Los Angeles — 385 miles to the south — can appreciate why some might feel this way.

    The 70-mile drive from Sacramento, the state capital, feels like a journey to another dimension, one where Black people make up only about 1% of the population.

    A Trump 2024 sign greets you upon leaving Sacramento’s suburbs and entering Placer County. Winding past Gold Rush-era towns, forests and rocky outcroppings, the elevation soon rises to 3,000 feet, 4,000 feet and finally 5,000 feet.

    At Emigrant Gap, Stevens sits at the edge of Lake Putt and smiles like a woman on top of the world. The lake is the main attraction among the conservancy’s parcels and it’s the body of water motorists see on the right as they head toward Nevada.

    The water is so still you can see a perfect reflection of the snow-capped ridges.

    A woman walks over a bridge on a forested path.

    Jade Stevens walks over a bridge in Emigrant Gap.

    This is also an ideal spot for Stevens to envision all that the 40 Acre group wants to do on this land, from helping to protect species such as southern long-toed salamanders and foothill yellow-legged frogs to helping humans who don’t see themselves as nature or wildlife lovers develop a new appreciation for California’s fragile ecosystem.

    “These plants, everything here, they all rely on each other,” she says. “I haven’t brought my family out here yet, but just from them seeing what I’m doing, it’s already sparking conversation.”

    Trudging in snowshoes alongside Stevens is Darryl Lucien, an attorney for the 40 Acre group who has acted as a liaison between the nonprofit and officials in local and state government.

    The land trust isn’t as disconnected from Black Californians as some might think, Lucien says.

    Next to the lake, a spillway flows into a stream that the Department of Water Resources refers to as Blue Canyon Creek.

    Creek waters churn over a fallen tree.

    Blue Canyon Creek runs through land recently purchased by the 40 Acre Conservation League, California’s first Black-led land conservancy.

    Waters from Blue Canyon Creek eventually flow into the North Fork of the American River, then the Sacramento River, and then the California delta, where some flows will be channeled into the State Water Project, “which eventually finds its way down to Los Angeles,” Lucien says.

    A look of racial pride washes over Lucien, 38, when he contemplates the possibility that these waters might reach the homes of Black Angelenos.

    “Little do they know their water starts on Black land,” he says. “You’re standing at the source, baby.”

    It has been less than a year since state Assemblymember Mike Gipson, a Democrat from South L.A. County and an early champion of the nonprofit, presented the group with a check to purchase the land. The planned habitat restoration will take time, but Stevens already has other big ideas.

    Gazing across the lake to the southern shore, Stevens sees a location for a nature center that can hold environmental education classes and double as a rentable lodge for gatherings.

    She daydreams about installing a pier for fishing, lookout points along the shore and adult treehouses for glamping among conifers so tall they don’t fit in a camera’s viewfinder.

    Just beyond the southern shore there are old timber-company clearings which could someday be converted into trails that hikers can use to reach the adjacent Tahoe National Forest.

    “This is an area where a lot of community building will take place,” Stevens says. “We’re hoping that everyone finds at least one thing that makes them feel welcome on this property.”

    A hilltop view of a clearing in a forest.

    The 40 Acre Conservation League has secured $3 million in funding from the state Wildlife Conservation Board and the nonprofit Sierra Nevada Conservancy to purchase 650 acres of a former logging area north of Lake Tahoe.

    “Welcome” is not a word that has historically greeted Black people in the nation’s rural spaces and wilderness parks, says KangJae “Jerry” Lee, a social and environmental justice researcher and assistant professor in the University of Utah’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

    Lee notes the irony that most Black Americans descend from enslaved Africans who were stolen from their homelands specifically for their expertise in land stewardship and farming. Engaging with the outdoors was anything but a foreign concept.

    “Some of them had better skill sets than the European colonists,” Lee says.

    Black people built whole towns in the Great Plains and the West — including Allensworth, in Tulare County — though many were overrun by white mobs, seized or suffered decline due to a lack of equal access to resources such as water.

    Some of the first rangers stationed at Yosemite and Sequoia national parks were Black, yet the reality is that the national park system was originally designed as way for white visitors to enjoy nature’s splendor, Lee says.

    In response, Black-owned resorts catering to an African American clientele sprang up in the early 20th century — including in Val Verde, a “black Palm Springs” an hour’s drive north of Los Angeles; at Lake Elsinore near Riverside; and at Manhattan Beach.

    The parks ostensibly welcome all today, but studies show that Black Americans are among the least likely of any racial group to visit them.

    “Black people inherently had a deep, deep connection to the land,” Lee says.”That relationship has been severed over centuries.”

    Stevens reflects on this painful history as she talks about the group’s plan to acquire other lands throughout California, including open spaces closer to L.A.

    Recreation and conservation aren’t the only imperatives at Emigrant Gap.

    Stevens pulls out a copy of a handwritten letter she received from a Black man from L.A. who is an inmate at San Quentin. He saw a TV report about the land purchase and felt inspired by its mission. He writes about how exposure to nature and recreation can help steer Black and brown teens away from gangs and violence, and out of the criminal justice system. Stevens agrees.

    The property will be a small-business incubator too. The nonprofit intends to help Black and brown entrepreneurs develop sustainable, outdoor-oriented ventures such as hiking excursions — fostering generational wealth in the process.

    “How we get back to this truth of appreciating nature, being connected to the outdoors, is our story to tell,” Stevens says.

    One local ally wants to help the group shift the narrative around Black people and nature — Cindy Gustafson, who sits on the Placer County Board of Supervisors.

    Gustafson also serves on the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which awarded the league $750,000 to help purchase the land.

    A man and woman walk along a snow-covered earthen dam.

    The 40 Acre League’s Jade Stevens, left, and Darryl Lucien walk along an earthen dam at Lake Putt.

    Gustafson, who is white, appreciates the league’s desire to help Northern Californians manage forested lands, which have been devastated in recent years by deadly and costly wildfires. Fires have grown more and more severe due to rising global temperatures, posing a greater risk to flora, fauna and residents in cities and rural areas alike.

    “Many of us haven’t had the experiences or the background to understand the nature of these forests and how important they are to our climate, our environment,” Gustafson says. “Having new stewards is really important, as is diversity. It’s a sign of hope for me in these divisive times. … Taking care of this land takes us all.”

    Stevens seems undaunted by the challenge of persuading reluctant Black Californians to view Emigrant Gap as a setting where they can celebrate their culture while learning about the ecosystem.

    Her pitch is a simple one:

    “Here,” Stevens says, “you’re safe.”

    [ad_2]

    Tyrone Beason

    Source link

  • ‘No Mow May’ takes root in Michigan

    ‘No Mow May’ takes root in Michigan

    [ad_1]

    This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

    Walking around Traverse City, it’s hard to miss the yard signs with a smiling cartoon bee proclaiming “No Mow May.”

    The signs are part of a conservation initiative aimed at raising awareness of how lawn care can impact pollinators and plant life.

    The “No Mow May” movement started in the United Kingdom and has caught on in other parts of the world. Recently, more Michigan communities have joined in. By mowing less, organizers hope to help feed pollinators, preserve their habitat, and benefit the climate.

    This spring, the Grand Traverse Area Children’s Garden teamed up with the GT Butterfly House & Bug Zoo to coordinate the effort locally. They ordered 300 signs, supported by a grant from the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    “Traverse City can step up and start thinking about native plants, start thinking about their leaf pickup, and make an impact one yard at a time,” said Sarah Kuschell, executive director of the Children’s Garden.

    click to enlarge

    Izzy Ross/IPR News

    Sarah Kuschell planting in the Grand Traverse Area Children’s Garden on May 2, 2024. Kuschell is the garden’s executive director.

    They’re encouraging people to help out pollinators by mowing less, planting native flora, and more carefully considering the use of insecticides.

    The Grand Traverse Conservation District, Traverse City Parks & Recreation, Grand Traverse County Parks & Recreation, and some schools in the area are also participating in the initiative, according to a news release.

    It’s not the first time “No Mow May” signs have popped up around Traverse City; the Greenspire School promoted it in the past as part of its curriculum.

    This year is different, said Cyndie Roach, a curator at the GT Butterfly House and Bug Zoo who helped coordinate the effort.

    Roach said “many businesses and community leaders have stepped up to take a stand” to raise awareness about both mowing and the negative effects of various chemical lawn treatments on local plant, insect, and animal life.

    Traverse City’s noxious weeds ordinance still requires that grass and weeds not grow above 8 inches in lawns. But organizers say people can still participate just by mowing less, or leaving patches of longer grass and plant life.

    “We understand — the city understands — that it’s a good cause… for the pollinators and what have you,” said Michael Trombley, a code enforcement officer for the City of Traverse City.

    Michigan State University Extension reviewed the educational materials handed out with the signs, Kuschell said, and the Children’s Garden also distributed milkweed seeds to participants.

    While many pollinator enthusiasts and gardeners have embraced the movement, critics have pointed out pitfalls, saying it would be best to leave lawns alone well beyond May and focus on fostering native plants year-round.

    Some horticulturists say the success of these efforts depends on the type of plant life in the yard, and suggest that when people start mowing again, they do so gradually. The University of Minnesota recommends participating in a “Slow Mow Summer” instead.

    Roach said that’s actually in line with what they’re doing, which is getting people to think about how gardening, lawn care and insecticides can impact local ecosystems.

    “We’re creating an awareness that wasn’t there before,” she said. “And the awareness surrounds letting native plants, animals and habitat thrive.”

    [ad_2]

    Izzy Ross, Interlochen Public Radio

    Source link

  • Climate group plans legal pushback on permit for Line 5 tunnel project

    Climate group plans legal pushback on permit for Line 5 tunnel project

    [ad_1]

    This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

    The Michigan Climate Action Network says it will join challenges to a permit approved last December by the state public service commission.

    At issue is the commission’s permit for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

    The Canadian company Enbridge wants to relocate the existing dual pipelines running some four miles along the lakebed in the Straits of Mackinac into a proposed tunnel that would be built in the bedrock underneath the straits.

    Last December, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved the project. Since then, it has faced appeals from tribes and environmental groups. Now, the climate action network will join that legal opposition.

    Opponents of the tunnel worry about Line 5 continuing to operate at all, risking a spill and billions of dollars of damage to the environment.

    “The most viable and sensible course of action is to shut down Line 5, and focus on cleaner, better energy alternatives,” said Denise Keele, the network’s executive director, speaking as part of a panel held on Wednesday in Traverse City.

    The event was called “Tunnel Vision: A Masterclass in Rejecting the Line 5 Oil Tunnel.” It was organized by Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Sierra Club, Progress Michigan, and Oil & Water Don’t Mix.

    Keele didn’t say what exactly the appeal would argue, although she told the Traverse City Record-Eagle that it would use the state’s environmental protection law, including protections against methane emissions.

    When the public service commission announced the permit, chair Dan Scripps said the tunnel would be the best way to reduce the risk of a “catastrophic” oil spill in the straits. Opponents of the project hold that the best way to address that risk is to shut down the pipeline. Enbridge maintains that the pipeline is necessary to transport oil and natural gas liquids.

    The public service commission’s permit for Enbridge’s pipeline relocation plan was the first time a state agency considered greenhouse gas emissions in an analysis under Michigan’s environmental policy act.

    The climate action network and the Environmental Law & Policy Center pushed for the commission to do so, winning an appeal in 2021.

    “We decided to have our own day in court, and to challenge Enbridge, challenge the Michigan Public Service Commission and, frankly, challenge the law itself to recognize what we already know — that we are living in this climate crisis,” Keele said.

    Previously, experts told the Michigan Public Service Commission that continuing to operate Line 5 in a tunnel would release tens of millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, compared to shutting down operations in the straits altogether.

    But the commission said in its decision that proposed alternatives to the tunnel project, like transporting fuel by rail and truck, could be more harmful to the environment and that “there are no feasible and prudent alternatives to the Replacement Project pursuant to MEPA.”

    MEPA is the Michigan Environmental Protection Act.

    click to enlarge

    Izzy Ross/IPR News

    Panelists at a Traverse City-based event on April 24, 2024. From left to right: Holly Bird of the nonprofit Title Track, Denise Keele of MiCAN, engineer Brian O’Mara, attorney Dan Bock of the Michigan Attorney General’s office, Sean McBrearty of Oil & Water Don’t Mix and Ashley Rudzinski of Groundwork.

    In an emailed statement to IPR, Enbridge spokesperson Ryan Duffy said “we are building the Great Lakes Tunnel as a sustainable way to ensure energy is delivered reliably and safely, while protecting the waters of Lake Michigan and Huron for Michiganders now, and generations to come.”

    As for the legal challenges, Duffy said Enbridge officials believe the Michigan Court of Appeals will ultimately uphold the public service commission’s decision to green light the project.

    Beyond the state Court of Appeals, the project still needs a federal permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A decision is expected in 2026.

    Editor’s note: Enbridge is among Interlochen Public Radio’s financial supporters. They have no role in decisions about our news coverage, which are made independently by the IPR newsroom.

    [ad_2]

    Izzy Ross, Interlochen Public Radio

    Source link

  • 115 beautiful flower quotes & flower captions for instagram – Growing Family

    115 beautiful flower quotes & flower captions for instagram – Growing Family

    [ad_1]

    Are you searching for the best flower quotes and flower captions?  This list has over one hundred beautiful flower sayings and inspirational floral quotes to lift your mood and put a smile on your face.

    vase of pink and blue flowersvase of pink and blue flowers

    The power of flowers

    Flowers just make life better, don’t they?

    We use them to convey messages of love and support, we enjoy the beauty of flowers and their fragrance, and growing them in our gardens helps us to embrace nature and can even improve our mental health.  Flowers are also an absolutely vital part of our food chain, and contribute to the welfare of pretty much every species on our planet.

    When you think about all of these ways that flowers impact on our lives, it’s no wonder that so many people have been inspired to write about them.

    bee on purple lavender flowerbee on purple lavender flower

    The very best flower quotes

    I’ve created this bumper collection of flower quotes and captions about flowers to make it easy for you to find the perfect words.

    I’ve included beautiful flower quotes, inspiring quotes about a flower, happy flower quotes, flower love quotes, and short flower quotes for when you want to keep it simple.  There are also flower proverbs to enjoy, and funny flower quotes to make you giggle.

    Make sure you bookmark this post, so you can come back to it whenever you need a floral quote for a photo or social media post – or simply a bit of a flower fix!

    Aesthetic flower captions for instagram and flowers quotes for instagram photos

    Looking for instagram captions about flowers, or a selection of flower quotes for instagram?  You’ll be spoilt for choice with this selection of aesthetic flower quotes to use with your flower pictures.  As well as being great captions for flowers photos, they’re also perfect for adding to floral greeting cards, school nature projects, and texts.

    Make sure you check out my nature hashtags copy and paste lists too.  As well as a list of popular hashtags for flower photos, there are lots of other nature-themed lists that will save you loads of time and help your instagram posts reach a wider audience.

    orange and yellow tulip flowers against blue skyorange and yellow tulip flowers against blue sky

    Beautiful flower quotes

    Here’s a selection of beautiful quotes about flowers to get you started.

    “Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.” – Gerard de Nerval

    “Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth’s lips spoken without sound.” – Edwin Curran

    “Earth laughs in flowers.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

    “She wore flowers in her hair and carried magic secrets in her eyes.” – Arundhati Roy

    “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.” – Buddha

    “Flowers… are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

    “Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.” – Luther Burbank

    “Flowers whisper ‘Beauty!’ to the world, even as they fade, wilt, fall.” – Dr. SunWolf

    “How does the Meadow flower its bloom unfold? Because the lovely little flower is free down to its root, and in that freedom bold.” – William Wordsworth

    “Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

    “Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you.” – Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

    pink carnations in a flower vasepink carnations in a flower vase

    Joyful and happy flower quotes

    If you need an uplifting caption for flowers, there are plenty here to choose from.

    “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank

    “In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends.” – Okakura Kakuzo

    “People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.” – Iris Murdoch

    “Flowers are like friends; they bring colour to your world.”– Unknown

    “Joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

    “Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower.” – John Harrigan

    pink poppy flowerspink poppy flowers

    Inspiring flower quotes

    These inspirational flower quotes work brilliantly as captions for flower photos, but they’re also a lovely pick-me-up in their own right.

    “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” – Lady Bird Johnson

    “Even the tiniest of flowers can have the toughest roots.” – Shannon Mullen

    “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” – Zen Shin

    “Flowers grow back, even after they are stepped on. So will I.” – Unknown

    “The flower that follows the sun does so even in cloudy days.” – Robert Leighton

    “Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet.” – Jeremy Bentham

    “Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light.” – Theodore Roethke

    “I’d rather wear flowers in my hair, than diamonds around my neck.” – Unknown

    “A rose can never be a sunflower, and a sunflower can never be a rose. All flowers are beautiful in their own way, and that’s like women too.” – Miranda Kerr

    “By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower.” – Rabindranath Tagore

    “Flowers don’t tell; they show.” – Stephanie Skeem

    “It will never rain roses: when we want to have more roses we must plant more trees.” – George Eliot

    “Don’t let the tall weeds cast a shadow on the beautiful flowers in your garden.” – Steve Maraboli

    “Be honest, be nice, be a flower not a weed.” – Aaron Neville

    sunflowers against blue skysunflowers against blue sky

    Funny flower quotes

    Keep things light-hearted with these funny flower blossom quotes and funny flower captions.

    “If the English language made any sense, lackadaisical would have something to do with a shortage of flowers.” -Doug Larson

    “I named all my children after flowers. There’s Lillie and Rose and my son, Artificial.” – Bert Williams

    “If you think squash is a competitive activity, try flower arranging.” – Alan Bennett

    “If you want to say it with flowers, remember that a single rose screams in your face: ‘I’m cheap!” – Delta Burke

    “At my age flowers scare me.” – George Burns

    “Money is a powerful aphrodisiac but flowers work almost as well.” – Robert A. Heinlein

    “Don’t send me flowers when I’m dead. If you like me, send them while I’m alive.” – Brian Clough

    cut flowers in zinc bucketscut flowers in zinc buckets

    Blooming flower quotes

    These best quotes about blooming flowers are the perfect accompaniment to a stunning bouquet.

    “A flower does not use words to announce its arrival to the world; it just blooms.” – Mashona Dhliwayo

    “Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.” – Jim Carrey

    “Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colours, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

    “Minds are like flowers; they open only when the time is right.” – Unknown

    “A flower blooming in the desert proves to the world that adversity, no matter how great, can be overcome.” – Matshona Dhliwayo

    “Every flower blooms in its own time.” – Ken Petti

    “If you tend to a flower, it will bloom, no matter how many weeds surround it.” – Matshona Dhliwayo

    wild flower meadowwild flower meadow

    Wild flower quotes

    Like your flowers more natural? Check out these wildflower quotes.

    “Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.” – E.V.

    “Almost every person, from childhood, has been touched by the untamed beauty of wildflowers.” – Lady Bird Johnson

    “She is like a wildflower; beautiful, fierce, and free.” – Unknown

    “One person’s weed is another person’s wildflower.” – Susan Wittig Albert

    “What a lonely place it would be to have a world without a wildflower!” – Roland R. Kemler

    “Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair.” – Susan Polis Schutz

    deep pink roses in a flower vasedeep pink roses in a flower vase

    Flower love quotes

    Sometimes flowers can say a thousand words, but these love quotes about flowers can also help you get the message across.

    “A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.” – Max Muller

    “If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden.” – Claudia Adrienne Grandi

    “Life is the flower for which love is the honey.” – Victor Hugo

    “Love is flower like; Friendship is like a sheltering tree.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

    “The rose is the flower and handmaiden of love – the lily, her fair associate, is the emblem of beauty and purity.” – Dorothea Dix

    “She sprouted love like flowers, grew a garden in her mind, and even on the darkest days, from her smile the sun still shined.” – Erin Hanson

    “Love is like wildflowers; it’s often found in the most unlikely places.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

    “No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.” – Sheryl Crow

    “My love for you blossoms every day.” – Unknown

    “A weed is no more than a flower in disguise, Which is seen through at once if love gives a man eyes.” – James Russell Lowell

    “Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.” – John Lennon

    closeup of yellow cone flowercloseup of yellow cone flower

    Short flower quotes

    Keep it simple with these short quotes about flowers and short flower captions for instagram.

    “A flower blossoms for its own joy.” – Oscar Wilde

    “Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts.” – Sigmund Freud

    “The flower that smells the sweetest is shy and lowly.” – William Wordsworth

    “He is happiest who hath power to gather wisdom from a flower.” – Mary Howitt

    “I must have flowers, always, and always.” – Claude Monet

    “Butterflies are self-propelled flowers.” – Robert A. Heinlein

    “Every flower must grow through dirt.” – Laurie Jean Sennott

    “A weed is but an unloved flower.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

    “These stars of earth, these golden flowers.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

    “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” – Henri Matisse

    “To me, flowers are happiness.” – Stefano Gabbana

    “Flowers preach to us if we will hear.” – Christina Rossetti

    closeup of red and white poppy flowercloseup of red and white poppy flower

    Flower quotes about life

    How about some quotes on flowers and life to inspire you?

    “We don’t ask a flower any special reason for its existence. We just look at it and are able to accept it as being something different from ourselves.” – Gwendolyn Brooks

    “Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Hans Christian Andersen

    “Flowers grow out of dark moments.” – Corita Kent

    “I am in awe of flowers. Not because of their colours, but because even though they have dirt in their roots, they still grow. They still bloom.” – D. Antoinette Foy

    “I always think the flowers can see us, and know what we are thinking about.” – George Eliot

    “Flowers didn’t ask to be flowers and I didn’t ask to be me.” – Kurt Vonnegut

    “A world of grief and pain, flowers bloom – even then.” – Kobayashi Issa

    spring flowering bulbsspring flowering bulbs

    Quotes about spring flowers

    There’s an abundance of spring-themed flower quotes and blossom quotes to enjoy.

    “The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.” – S. Brown

    “Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.” – Bishop Reginald Heber

    “You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.” – Pablo Neruda

    “If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.” – St Therese of Lisieux

    “If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.” – Audra Foveo

    “What a strange thing! To be alive, beneath cherry blossoms.” – Kobayashi Issa

    “Never yet was a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom.” – Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

    “Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?” – Neltje Blanchan

    “Blossom by blossom the spring begins.” – Algernon Charles Swinburne

    “When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” – William Wordsworth

    “I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.” – Ruth Stout

    For more spring nature inspiration, take a look at these lovely spring quotes and nature quotes.

    garden with allium flowersgarden with allium flowers

    Garden flower quotes

    Gardens and flowers go hand-in-hand, so you may need one of these garden-themed instagram flower quotes.

    “Gardens and flowers have a way of bringing people together, drawing them from their homes.” – Clare Ansberry

    “The very best relationship has a gardener and a flower. The gardener nurtures and the flower blooms.” – Carole Radziwill

    “Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” – A A Milne

    “I appreciate the misunderstanding I have had with Nature over my perennial border. I think it is a flower garden; she thinks it is a meadow lacking grass, and tries to correct the error.” – Sara Stein

    “If you’ve never experienced the joy of accomplishing more than you can imagine, plant a garden.” – Robert Brault

    “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn

    pink blossom in a flower vasepink blossom in a flower vase

    Smell the flowers quotes

    These meaningful flower quotations will get you thinking.

    “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” – Walter Hagen

    “I hope that while so many people are out smelling the flowers, someone is taking the time to plant some.” – Herbert Rappaport

    “Take time to smell the roses.” – Proverb

    “I love to smell flowers in the dark … You get hold of their soul then.” – Lucy Maud Montgomery

    “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.” – Ben Hogan

    “The beauty of life is in each precious moment! Stop and smell the roses” – Unknown

    bouquet of flowersbouquet of flowers

    Flower sayings & Flower proverbs

    For a time-honoured saying about flowers, proverbs are always worth a look.

    Happiness is to hold flowers in both hands. – Japanese proverb

    All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today. – Indian proverb

    A person born to be a flower pot will not go beyond the porch. – Mexican Proverb

    April showers bring May flowers. – English proverb

    The flowers in your garden don’t smell as sweet as those in the wild, but they last much longer. – Chinese Proverb

    To an optimist every weed is a flower; to a pessimist every flower is a weed. – Finnish proverb

    A good bee will not go to a drooping flower. – Romanian Proverb

    The most beautiful flowers flourish in the shade. – Japanese Proverb

    The gardener who loves roses is slave to a thousand thorns. – Turkish proverb

    Yesterday’s flowers are today’s dreams. – Japanese proverb

    More lovely flower quotes

    Still hungry for more quotations about flowers?

    “Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.” – Helen Keller

    “Perfumes are the feelings of flowers” – Heinrich Heine

    “All the stars are a-bloom with flowers” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

    “These flowers are like the pleasures of the world.” – William Shakespeare

    “The Amen of nature is always a flower.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr

    “After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world.” – Christian Dior

    “The butterfly is a flying flower, The flower a tethered butterfly.” – Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun

    “Loveliest of lovely things are they on earth that soonest pass away. The rose that lives its little hour is prized beyond the sculptured flower.” – William Cullen Bryant

    “Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character.” – Lydia Maria Child

    “Every flower blooms at a different pace.” – Suzy Kassem

    “Politeness is the flower of humanity.” – Joseph Joubert

    “Open the bloom of your heart and become a gift of beauty to the world.” – Bryant McGill

    “Flowers are love’s truest language.” – Park Benjamin Sr.

    “Live life in full bloom.” – Unknown

    “No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.” – Sheryl Crow

    Share your favourite flower quotes

    I hope you’ve found this list of quotes about flowers and flower captions for instagram inspiring, uplifting and useful!  For even more flower-themed quotes, pop over to my post on quotes about sunflowers and sunflower captions. You might like to grow some beautiful low maintenance flowers or sunflowers in pots too.

    autumn tree with orange leavesautumn tree with orange leaves

    More inspiring quotes on nature

    If you’d like to explore some more quotes, I have posts on nature captions, garden quotes, tree quotes, waterfall quotes, Earth Day quotes, summer quotes, autumn quotes, winter quotes, and Halloween quotes. These inspirational quotes for kids are great for little ones too – and for the teen years take a look at some parenting teenagers quotes.

    You might also like to take a look at my flower jokes and flower puns post.  As well as making you smile, it’s full of even more flower captions for instagram posts and reels.  This is just one of a whole series which includes garden jokes, plant puns, ice puns, bee jokes, bird jokes, tree jokes, fruit jokes, skull puns and Halloween jokes for kids.

    And if you want an even bigger floral fix, you’ll probably enjoy my series on birth month flowers and their meanings.

    a year of nature craft and play by Catherine Hughes and Becky Goddard-Hilla year of nature craft and play by Catherine Hughes and Becky Goddard-Hill

    Even more nature-inspired fun

    Love exploring nature with the family?  My book *A Year of Nature Craft and Play is full of 52 nature-based crafts, games and activities to keep kids busy all year round.

    You can also find lots of nature play ideas in the nature, craft and gardening with children sections of the blog.

    If you’ve enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support Growing Family:

    🌻 Click here to buy me a virtual coffee.

    🌻 Click here to sign up to my newsletters and get regular updates straight to your inbox.

    🌻 Join my Nature Crafts & Fun Facebook group here where we share lots of great tips and ideas for exploring and enjoying nature with children.

    🌻 Follow me on social media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

    🌻 Share this post with your friends via the buttons below.

    Pin for later: Best flower quotes

    Discover the best flower quotes perfect for your daily dose of inspiration or your social media captions! Elevate your posts with these thoughtful words that capture the beauty of blooms. Click to read the full article and sprinkle your feed with floral inspiration.Discover the best flower quotes perfect for your daily dose of inspiration or your social media captions! Elevate your posts with these thoughtful words that capture the beauty of blooms. Click to read the full article and sprinkle your feed with floral inspiration.

    [ad_2]

    Catherine

    Source link

  • Southwest engine cover mishap forces flight to return to Denver

    Southwest engine cover mishap forces flight to return to Denver

    [ad_1]

    Denver news

    The Southwest flight, originally bound for Houston, returned safely to Denver after damage to the jet’s engine area.

    Denver International Airport, July 19, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

    A Southwest Airlines jet returned to Denver Sunday morning after the engine cover fell off and struck the wing flap during takeoff, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

    The Boeing 737 landed safely, and the passengers headed to Houston were being put onto another aircraft, Southwest Airlines said in a statement.

    “We apologize for the inconvenience of their delay, but place our highest priority on ultimate Safety for our Customers and Employees. Our Maintenance teams are reviewing the aircraft,” the statement reads.

    It’s the second mishap this week for the airline, with a flight from Texas canceled Thursday after a report of an engine fire. The Lubbock, Texas, fire department confirmed online a fire in one of the two engines that needed extinguishing.

    The FAA is investigating both incidents.

    Both planes were Boeing 737-800s, an older model than the 737 Max.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Sidewalk Detroit is planting a ‘remediation forest’ to mitigate air pollution from Stellantis plant

    Sidewalk Detroit is planting a ‘remediation forest’ to mitigate air pollution from Stellantis plant

    [ad_1]

    Neighborhood placekeeping nonprofit Sidewalk Detroit is using public art to try and help mitigate air pollution in Detroit’s East Canfield Village. 

    The organization has commissioned a regenerative installation by New York-based sculptor and activist Jordan Weber that will monitor the levels of volatile organic compounds resulting from the nearby Stellantis Mack Assembly Plant.

    The project is being called Detroit Remediation Forest and will include air-purifying trees like pine and cypresses, space for community recreation, and air quality monitors, alongside Weber’s sculpture called “New Forest, Ancient Thrones.” The forest, in collaboration with the Canfield Consortium, will open to the public on May 18 with the unveiling of Weber’s installation.

    “We’re honored to realize artist Jordan Weber’s most ambitious public artwork to date,” Sidewalk Detroit founder and director Ryan Myers-Johnson said. “Detroit Remediation Forest was conceived in response to the environmental racism prevalent in Detroit and it speaks to Sidewalk’s core mission of advancing spatial equity through the lens of community vision and restorative power of public art.”

    Stellantis’s Mack Assembly Plant, located blocks away from where the Detroit Remediation Forest will be located, has racked up repeated violations for paint and solvent odors over the last several years. Earlier this week, Stellantis agreed to pay a roughly $84,000 fine issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for air quality violations at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant, which is located in the same neighborhood. 

    “New Forest, Ancient Thrones” will take the shape of crowns honoring two African queens — Queen Idia of Benin and Queen Ranavalona III of Madagascar — for their fight against colonialism. The crowns are also a tribute to Canfield Consortium co-founders Kim and Rhonda Theus and their fight against environmental racism as longtime residents of the neighborhood. “New Forest, Ancient Thrones” will serve as the entryway into the Detroit Remediation Forest and an air monitoring system will be installed on the sculpture.

    “When one controls the land, one controls the people,” Weber said in a statement. “It is important that my projects help counteract the negative effects of discriminatory urban planning and supremacist constructs in the U.S. through education about environmental apartheid and quantitative change. It has been an honor to work with Sidewalk Detroit and Canfield Consortium to engage directly with residents and center their growing concerns about their surroundings in this work.”

    Additional conifer trees and an elevated walkway will be installed in the Detroit Remediation Forest following the unveiling of Weber’s installation in May. The forest will also be a space for outdoor programming for the students of neighboring Barack Obama Leadership Academy and residents in partnership with Ecology Center, Green Door Initiative, Detroit Tree Equity Partnership, Greening of Detroit. 

    Placekeeping or placemaking uses art and cultural activities to shape the social and cultural nature of neighborhoods by and for people who live there. Sidewalk Detroit does this through public art and urban greenspace initiatives including the biennial Sidewalk Festival which spreads installations and public performances across the city. 

    [ad_2]

    Randiah Camille Green

    Source link