"The future belongs to those who give the next generation reason for hope"
-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955)
Your changes can do just that, so let's get started!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
From Invader to wall decor
This time of year reminds me why my mother would PURPOSELY plant an invasive species in our yard. As the days get colder, the lovely Celastrus scandens, known here as Bittersweet, produces orange berries and begins to look truly beautiful. But as some of you may know, bittersweet is every BUT beautiful.
This invasive species came over from Asia and since then as been spreading over across the United States. Like most invasive species, this plant has no predators. It reproduces by fragmentation and by seed. It's growth pattern is that of a vine and a small tree. Once established, the base can look like a small tree trunk, but until then, it grows like a vine, creeping up other plants and structures and taking over. Oh and did I mention it grows underground and creates a networks of roots as well? Basically it is impossible to eradicate!
This summer, I spent most of my weekends pulling up YARDS of roots that crossed the length of my backyard. I cursed every light green sprout I found because it was never just a sprout! The roots of every new growth shoot spread at least a foot from it's base and always led to more. After speaking with several botanists at local garden centers, I realized that without "hazmat suit" status chemicals that would require several yearly applications, there was nothing I could do but accept this new inhabitant.
I felt like this was a definite "When Life Gives You Lemons" situation.
Harnessing my creative side and complete hatred I had for this plant, I decided to take the twisting tendrils and create a wreath. Halfway through, I changed my mind again and decided a peace sign would be fitting to my current situation.
What I learned:
Invasive species are a problem, but poisoning my family and pets to get rid of a plant is not worth it. Most of the time, there is a reason why invasive species come to be, whether it is the soil sending out a message that it is missing a key component or humans have cleared away too many native species which would have kept out the invasives. In my case I can only blame my mother BUT in places around town where I see bittersweet, it is always in areas where native species have been cleared (along a fences line, on the edge of the woods, around rail road signs etc.). Instead of creating more of an environmental problem by blasting it with herbicides, look for a use for the species. In my case, I made a great wall decoration and plan on making a big wreathe for the front door. I have also tried to look at the positive side of the issue. Although the species is nothing but a nuisance to me it is creating habitat for other species and hidden benefits for others, like shade and protection.
Anyone else suffering from bittersweet invasion? What were your solutions to the problem?
This invasive species came over from Asia and since then as been spreading over across the United States. Like most invasive species, this plant has no predators. It reproduces by fragmentation and by seed. It's growth pattern is that of a vine and a small tree. Once established, the base can look like a small tree trunk, but until then, it grows like a vine, creeping up other plants and structures and taking over. Oh and did I mention it grows underground and creates a networks of roots as well? Basically it is impossible to eradicate!
This summer, I spent most of my weekends pulling up YARDS of roots that crossed the length of my backyard. I cursed every light green sprout I found because it was never just a sprout! The roots of every new growth shoot spread at least a foot from it's base and always led to more. After speaking with several botanists at local garden centers, I realized that without "hazmat suit" status chemicals that would require several yearly applications, there was nothing I could do but accept this new inhabitant.
I felt like this was a definite "When Life Gives You Lemons" situation.
Harnessing my creative side and complete hatred I had for this plant, I decided to take the twisting tendrils and create a wreath. Halfway through, I changed my mind again and decided a peace sign would be fitting to my current situation.
What I learned:
Invasive species are a problem, but poisoning my family and pets to get rid of a plant is not worth it. Most of the time, there is a reason why invasive species come to be, whether it is the soil sending out a message that it is missing a key component or humans have cleared away too many native species which would have kept out the invasives. In my case I can only blame my mother BUT in places around town where I see bittersweet, it is always in areas where native species have been cleared (along a fences line, on the edge of the woods, around rail road signs etc.). Instead of creating more of an environmental problem by blasting it with herbicides, look for a use for the species. In my case, I made a great wall decoration and plan on making a big wreathe for the front door. I have also tried to look at the positive side of the issue. Although the species is nothing but a nuisance to me it is creating habitat for other species and hidden benefits for others, like shade and protection.
Anyone else suffering from bittersweet invasion? What were your solutions to the problem?
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Story of Water Bottles
Annie Leonard first came out with "The Story of Stuff", a great video and short story about what happens with all our stuff when we're done with it. If you haven't watched it, you need to. It's a MUST if you have any environmental inkling at all! "The Story of Stuff" was so successful that there are now a series of videos about different areas of our world that somehow just don't seem quite right.
"The Story of Bottled Water" is great video that really cuts straight to the issue.
I was recently speaking with my sister Gen and we could not stop wondering when bottled water became such a necessity! In our hometown we have perfect well water, yet every car that drives by, every student walking into school or mom walking through town has a plastic water bottle in tow.
Also, when did water fountains disappear? Gen and I sat down and named three areas where we specifically remember there being water fountains when we were kids (keep in mind Gen is 17 and I'm 22, so us being "kids" is really only about 8-12 years ago!). The playground, outside the town hall and at the tennis courts were three areas we distinctly remembered. What did we find? Upon investigation, we discovered they no longer exist!
Are water fountains like pay phones, a thing of the past?
Check out Annie Leonard's video about bottled water. Great education tool or just something to think about!
The Story of Water Bottles
Also, there are loads of campaigns going on around the country and world about bottled water. Check some out! Are there any in your area?
Here are a few:
Take Back the Tap
One Less (UVM campus)
FilterForGood
Daphoni
Aquafib
"The Story of Bottled Water" is great video that really cuts straight to the issue.
I was recently speaking with my sister Gen and we could not stop wondering when bottled water became such a necessity! In our hometown we have perfect well water, yet every car that drives by, every student walking into school or mom walking through town has a plastic water bottle in tow.
Also, when did water fountains disappear? Gen and I sat down and named three areas where we specifically remember there being water fountains when we were kids (keep in mind Gen is 17 and I'm 22, so us being "kids" is really only about 8-12 years ago!). The playground, outside the town hall and at the tennis courts were three areas we distinctly remembered. What did we find? Upon investigation, we discovered they no longer exist!
Are water fountains like pay phones, a thing of the past?
Check out Annie Leonard's video about bottled water. Great education tool or just something to think about!
The Story of Water Bottles
Also, there are loads of campaigns going on around the country and world about bottled water. Check some out! Are there any in your area?
Here are a few:
Take Back the Tap
One Less (UVM campus)
FilterForGood
Daphoni
Aquafib
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