Earth Day: Trees Need Our Help

As you know, trees are vital to the health of the Earth. They filter the air, using photosynthesis to store carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. Trees also help with climate by regulating local and regional rainfall. Finally, there is global awareness as to the importance of trees. The United Nations has started a Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, and countries across the world are joining in, pledging and planting.
Humans are not the only ones who plant trees. Animals do too. Seeds exist in a dormant state. Some need the fierce heat of fire to begin germination. Others need sustained periods of cold, ensuring the young plant doesn’t sprout too soon and then be killed by frost. A larger number of seed groups need to have their tough outer husks abraded by the digestion or partial digestion of animals.

After the Dodo bird became extinct, the Tambalacocque, or dodo tree, no longer sprouted new seedlings. The existing trees still grew and bore fruit, but no new trees were detected. It was discovered that the Dodo had consumed the tree’s fruit and digested the seeds, thereby weakening the seed’s husk. Once the seeds were passed through their systems, the Dodo provided a fertilized soil in which the seeds could grow. No Dodo, no Dodo tree. Happily the Tambalacocque trees did not suffer the same fate as the birds. Botanists have used manual abrasion as well as the digestive tract of turkeys to keep the Dodo tree from extinction.

So plant a tree today. Or save an animal. It could be the same thing. If you don’t have the time or the money, use your mouse to make a difference. It just takes a click.
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Earth Day

This year's Earth Day theme is "Call for Climate." Celebrations will be bringing awareness to global warming. Scientific reports show that the world is getting warmer, but whether this is caused by human activity are is just a natural, cyclical shift (like the little ice age of the 1500s) is still under debate. Regardless, the warming of the planet is causing changes to numerous habitats and ecosystems.

One of the areas where warming is most noticeable is our polar regions. In the last 30 years the size of the polar ice cap has shrunk more than 20%. Average temperatures in the Arctic are rising twice as fast as other temperatures around the world. The largest single sheet of ice, the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, started cracking in 2000 and split in half a mere two years later. It is now rupturing into pieces. As the Arctic ice thins, cracks and melts, it leads to even higher temperatures since, without the protective, cooling layer of ice, the Earth absorbs more light and energy from the sun.

Humans are not the only ones affected. Wildlife is already showing signs of stress and decline. The World Wildlife Fund warns that if solutions aren't found to stop the disappearance of pack ice, Polar bears will become extinct by the end of the century. Polar bears rely on pack ice to hunt their prey—seals and walruses. Adult bears need about 5lbs of seal fat per day, so, without the ice, bears are unable to build up the fat stores needed to survive in their harsh habitat. The WWF has a valuable Fact and Fallacies paper on the plight of the Polar Bear.

If you're looking for other facts about Polar Bears and want to share them with children, try this Polar Bear Zoobook. The Jungle Store has similar books on other animal species as well.

Earth Day

Let's talk about reducing your Carbon Footprint*. These adorable shoes for kids are called Pedoodles. We sell them here at The Jungle Store, and I think they are a great example (even visually) of leaving a small footprint.

These tiny shoes are about as eco-friendly as you can get. The leather uppers are made from reclaimed couch scraps, the flexible rubber soles from recycled shoe soles. (Pedoodles takes the irregular shoe soles that other factories would throw out and melts them back down for their shoes.) The interior of the shoes are currently the same reclaimed leather, but will soon be made from PET – material created from recycled plastic bottles. Pedoodles are currently packaged in a gift tote made from plastic. The Pedoodles company is changing over to a new tote that will be made from recycled boxes. Using recycled and reclaimed materials is just one way to reduce carbon emissions.

We live in a consumer driven economy. If you become an educated consumer, your buying power will reward companies that are working to find solutions for a healthier planet. Here are some places to start:

Carbon neutral clothing - http://www.carbonneutralclothing.com/
Yarn and fabrics - http://www.prairiewools.com/
Local Organic Food - http://www.localharvest.org/
Drinks - http://www.treetini.com/
Music - http://www.tunesfortrees.com/


And while you're leaving those small footprints, take your dog along with you. All dogs, big and small, need proper exercise, not just a romp in the backyard. Dogs are pack animals and travelers by instinct. They need to walk and they like to walk with you. So go for a stroll, you'll be helping your dog's mental state, reasserting your position as the leader of the pack and getting some great exercise for yourself. Good, daily walks may mean you don't have to drive your SUV to the gym anymore.

*Carbon Footprint: "the measure of the impact of human activities on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide."

Earth Day

I'm a coastal girl. Born and raised in Rhode Island. I've also spent plenty of holidays with family along the coast of Maine. Fresh and wonderful seafood was a given and usually cheaper than placing meat on the dinner table. One of my favorite dishes was Grandmother Meme's seafood chowder – full of scallops, cod and haddock. Tradition had us thawing out over steaming bowls after long days playing in the snow. Warming, filling and delicious, that chowder was magical. When I moved to Boston and began my life as a poor student, my Grandmother graced me with the recipe. Not only was it cheap to make, it lasted. You could even freeze the stuff.

I don't make that chowder much anymore. Only on special occasions. The fact that I'm living in Kansas has nothing to do with it. There's just no cod or haddock to be had, at any price. And the thought of scooping some bay scallops for a quick ceviche is laughable. Fish stocks around the world are in serious decline. The magazine, Science, reported that unless we change how we fish and manage ocean ecosystems, eating seafood will become a memory. Cod is especially fragile with 90% of the population having been caught in 2003. Scientists figure we have about 40 years before my grandmother's chowder is a memory.

So what can you do? Believe it or not, you can do a lot by just doing a little. Thanks to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, I've got a "Seafood Watch Pocket Guide." The aquarium made them for all regions of our country, and I think they're brilliant. They give you lists of "Best choices," "Alternatives," and what fish you should "Avoid" because of depletion. I've adapted my grandmother's recipe. No more cod and haddock. It's pollock and tilapia instead and it still tastes great. I figure this way, I'll be able to pass that recipe down to my granddaughter.

Earth Day

Gaylord Nelson, the Founder of Earth Day, frequently spoke about making sacrifices today to benefit the generations to come. There are so many little things we can do, and when added up, they can have a huge impact on our world.

- Wash your clothes at 85° or colder. You'll be using 40% less energy! Your detergent will work just as well on the cooler temperature and your clothes will have a longer lifespan.

- Change over to energy efficient light bulbs. Using CFLs (Compact Florescent Lights) can cut your energy usage by 75%. They may seem a bit pricey, but they last 10 times longer than other light bulbs. This also means fewer light bulbs in the landfill!

- Think about Food Miles. The average plate of foods comes to our table from 1200 miles away. That is a lot of packaging, gasoline, CO2 emissions, etc. Think locally when buying your produce and meat. Buy a share in a vegetable of meat co-op. Most grocery stores now have "local" markets within their larger stores. These items usually come from within 100 mile radius.

Thinking about food (which I often do) reminded me of the story I did on the Texas Longhorn Basketball team. We were having fun deciding which college mascots could beat which other mascots. In researching the Texas Longhorn I learned they are extremely hardy, surviving difficult conditions and thriving on little forage. They also produce a leaner, healthier meat and they are locally "grown."

Thanks to Clinton & Charles Robertson and Flickr for the Photo.

Earth Day

"The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard."
- Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day

In one week we will be celebrating Earth Day. When I say "we" I mean all of us, people, humanity. This is a special day. It is a celebration that crosses nationalities, histories, religions, and cultures. Whoever we are, we all have one thing in common—the Earth.

Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970. He was a State Senator, Governor and U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. He was involved in passing our most basic and comprehensive pieces of Environmental Legislation. He worked hard to create "a world that does not make us sick."

The first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, was a huge success, drawing millions of people at a grassroots level. It was a true outpouring of care and concern regarding the resources and environment of our home. Since that day, Earth Day has gained international recognition and is celebrated around the globe.

Over the next week, I'm going to blog about ways to celebrate Earth Day. Is the focus on our world making a difference? How are animal species and habitats being affected? I know that sounds really serious, but it doesn't mean it can't be fun. One way I'm making it fun is by sending Earth Day cards to my friends and family. I want to remind them I'm thinking of them and that there is an important day coming up. I chose these cards because the images are gorgeous, they are made of recycled materials, AND my purchase sends money to global conservation. Win, win, win.

Animals in Golf

Congratulations to Trevor Immelman! He stayed steady and focused and now wears the coveted Green Jacket. There were some attempts to answer my little animal nickname quiz, but nobody got them all, so here goes:

The Tiger (who came in second yesterday) was born Eldrick Woods. His father nicknamed him Tiger and he's now had his name legally changed to Tiger Woods.

The Walrus is Craig Stadler. He earned the nickname due to his enormous moustache that looks much like the walrus's whiskers, or vibrissae. A walrus relies on its whiskers to find food on the muddy bottom of the ocean. Wonder if Stadler uses his to strain his soup?

The Pink Panther is LPGA player, Paula Creamer. Her play is smooth, powerful and focused, much like a panther on the prowl. Since she frequently wears pink, it seems only natural to tag her with a colorful moniker.

The Golden Bear is Jack Nicklaus. He earned the nickname in high school. Upper Arlington High's mascot was the Golden Bear. Of course his powerful swing and his golden hair may have had something to do with it as well.

The Big Cat is another player from the LPGA. Kim Williams is 6ft tall.

The Great White Shark is Greg Norman. His white-blonde hair, and the fact that he comes from Australia, made his nickname easy.

Greg Norman, like other pro-golfers, has used his nickname to create an industry of sportswear, golf accessories, golf courses, etc. You can find almost anything you need for the game with his unmistakable shark logo on it. But, I wonder if Greg has one of these on the back of his golf cart?

I know I'm trying to find a "Beware of the Jungle" one for myself!

Animals in Golf

Did you see what Tiger Woods did Friday at The Masters? His drive from the 18th tee went way, way right. He landed in the jungle, in the straw, in the trees. There was no way he could use his power or his skill to get out of this mess. Even Tiger Woods can’t drive a golf ball through a tree. So, Tiger used his brains. He hit the ball onto the 10th Fairway. Tenth fairway, you say? Wasn’t Tiger playing the 18th hole? (Obviously he’s been watching how much success I have playing multiple fairways.) Tiger's next shot went from the 10th Fairway to the 18th gree. He made par. Amazing.

Today, Sunday, the last day of The Masters tournament, Tiger Woods is 6 strokes behind the leader. That seems a lot of ground to make up. But, here is your animal fact for the day: Tigers are most successful when they catch their prey from behind!

Tiger Woods is not the only Professional Golfer to be nicknamed after an animal. Can you tell me the real names of the following players? (I’m including Tiger because that wasn’t his given name at birth.) Give them your best shot. Meanwhile I’m going to be working on my short game with this way fun desktop course. (Who says you can't play golf when it's raining?) Answers on Monday!

1. Tiger
2. The Walrus
3. Pink Panther
4. The Golden Bear
5. Big Cat
6. Great White Shark

Check out the Luck of the Leader, Trevor Immelman.

Animals In Golf

Some animal references in golf aren't a good thing. You don’t want to be in the kitty litter or in the frog hair, but, when it comes to scoring, the more animals the better. Every course is laid out with 9 or 18 holes. Each hole is a different length from tee box to pin (or flag). The number of shots the course designers believe are necessary to make it from tee box to pin is called par. (Golf course designers are the most optimistic people on earth.)
If you hole out one shot below par, you've scored a "birdie." I remember the first time I had the opportunity to score a birdie. As I wasted time, pretending to study the putting green so I could calm my nerves, my sister said, "Hey. Did you know that if you make this putt, you'll make birdie. I don't think you've ever done that before." Needless to say, I still haven't.
If you sink your ball two strokes below par, you’ve Eagled. Makes sense. An eagle is a larger and grander animal than a mere birdie. So what is it when you shoot 3 strokes below par? Here in the United States, it is generally called a Double Eagle, but once upon a time it had a more interesting name. 3 under par used to be called an Albatross – a much larger and grander animal than a mere eagle.

When Samuel Coleridge wrote his poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” the albatross went from being a bird of good fortune to being an omen of misery, a burden. And so, an albatross in golf became a double eagle. After all, what golfer wants to hang an albatross on his score card? 

Photo: Gonzalo Vasquez

Animals in Golf

I knew you were brilliant. Thank you "Miss Mil" for the info about Frog Hair. I've only heard the phrase used in Britain and so find it interesting that Frog Hair is an American term. While researching, I even found a golf course in Williamsville, New York called the Frog Hair. Looks like an awesome place!

I've already hinted at my dominant golf shot – the slice – but there are some other shots, named for animals, which are equally ineffectual at letting you make progress towards the hole. The Duck Hook is a favorite. Not one I've employed myself, but my sister manages a few every 18 holes. This shot hooks sharply and looses altitude quickly; much like a duck would if it was hooked from the sky. Since my sister is left-handed, her Duck Hook complements my right-handed slice beautifully. Always exciting to play multiple fairways for one hole. There is something that makes this shot particularly enjoyable for the golfing foursome. It is considered appropriate golf etiquette for the Duck Hookers other 3 companions to Quack loudly when this shot is played. If you aren't up to quacking yourself, perhaps you may wish to purchase a duck to do it for you.

A second shot with an animal name is the Worm Burner. This shot is not always unproductive, but it is usually unintentional. A worm burner has such a low trajectory that it appears to be skimming the ground. In my case, it actually is skimming the ground. I wouldn't mind these shots that much (they do make straight, forward progress) if I didn't hit them just as I've reached the water hazard. Scientific note: If hit with enough velocity, a wormburner can skip across water, inspiring just the right amount of hope before it finds the murkiest, deepest part of the hazard in which to sink.

Regardless of your ability, sometimes it's just better to be lucky. Check out this shot by Fuzzy Zoeller.