Bee Involved {A Campaign}

Did you know that pollinators are necessary for the reproduction of 90% of our flowering plants and that nearly one third of the human diet comes from insect-pollinated plants?

The US department of Agriculture states that the honeybee is responsible for nearly 80% of that pollination. A common misconception is that honeybees only produce honey when in fact they pollinate more than 90 different varieties of the most flavorful flowering crops we have. To name a few, blueberries, broccoli, apples, almonds, avocados, soybeans, celery, cucumbers, peaches, cherries, cranberries, and strawberries. Without the "busy bees" these crops and many others are not able to grow.

A congressional study estimates that honeybees add almost $15 billion dollars a year in value to our food supply.

Unfortunately, the number of bee populations are on the decline. They are severly being threatened by a multitude of factors including, habitat loss, disease, and the excessive and inappropriate use of pestisides. Scienctist have yet to pinpoint a singular culprit in this myterious, bee disappearing phenomenon, but rest assured that many theories are currently being explored. In the interim, this complex combination of elements have been given a name, Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD.



Because bees play a pivotal role in providing us with a wide array of foods, they have become essential to producing most of what ends up on our plates. Without the bees, our favorite fruits and veggies, chock full o' vitamins, may become scarce and almost impossible to obtain.

"If bees continue to disappear at the current rate the honeybee population in the United States will cease to exist by the year 2035"

Protecting our honeybees is crucial and you can "bee involved".
By taking steps to help the pollinator populations flourish we can support their need for habitat while supporting our own needs for food and at the same time diversity in natural ecosystems. Making a difference to both pollinators and the people that rely upon them can be as easy as adding local and native plants to your landscape that offer food and shelter for pollinators throughout their active seasons. To help you get started, Pollinator.org offers some very in depth planting guides according to your region. It's as easy a punching in your zip code!



Learning about bees and other pollinators can teach us more about the important role they play in our environment. And I strongly encourage you to take some time to do so, especially if this is the first you are hearing about Colony Collapse Disorder. Recently, Cody and I watched a PBS documentary called, "Silence of the Bees" and it really opened my eyes to the potential devastation that this can cause. If you also want to be fully informed I recommend taking some time to watch that fascinating episode--you won't be sorry.

Here is a clip. Follow the above link to see the full episode.


Increasing awareness about this unexplained reality is hugely important to me and I thought that there was no better time to do it than before spring hits. It gives you plenty of time to do a little independent research in helping to create and maintain pollinator friendly landscapes in and around your own homes. Cody and I are really lucky in the sense that our yard and surrounding valley is already a lush landscape of biodiversity. Throughout the year, flowers and fruits thrive in ways that continue to amaze and captivate me. I know not everyone is as blessed to live in such an environment, but it is possible to establish pollinator friendly plants in pots given you have some sort of outdoor space available. You're all creative individuals, I'm betting that you can come up with something!

Since this has been in the forefront of my mind for quite some time, I have decided to donate 10% of every mini print trio ordered to NAPPC to help fund research for Colony Collapse Disorder. Living without honeybees is not something I want to imagine, and I hope that you will feel the same.


click on photo to go to my etsy shop.

Posted in Photostory Friday & Hooked On

One by One

We can make a difference.
I am eternally grateful and touched by your willingness to participate in the "Green" Giveaway challenge. There weren't as many to participate as I would have liked, but it's about quality, not quantity. Speaking of quality, you guys offered up some wonderful suggestions that I am sure sparked a few light bulbs in the minds of others. I know that this challenge has sparked a few light bulbs in my mind, too. I have even found that I am scrutinizing my greenness with a fine tooth comb as a result. I feel that I need to be as mindful as humanly possible, and incorporate those additional changes that fit with my personal lifestyle.



One thing that seemed to be unanimous amongst the bloggers who participated were things like recycling, using reusable shopping bags, and switching out our light bulbs with CFL's, while these are all great strides to take in the direction of being more 'green', we can make a continued commitment to mix other sustainable projects and ideas in with what we currently do. Being green isn't always about what you can afford. Some advantageous additions will even SAVE you money if you can believe that! So, don't be hesitant when it comes to cultivating a greener way of life because you think it requires money, in most cases, that is just not true. Being greener may simply mean cutting back on items that produce less or no plastic waste (individual snacks are the worst!),or not buying that shiny new item to replace something that is still in good condition. I have learned to look at it by not thinking in terms of a sacrifice, but as benefit to my wallet and the environment. It also helps that I am passionate about putting money into my savings account, I know, I'm a dork.



Do you enjoy seeing the natural wonder of the world around you? I know I do!!
My deep and most primal instinct is to do as much as I can to protect its awe-inspiring beauty. It pains me to think of the many people who give little to no consideration for what is taking place in and around our homes. I am aware, and I hope that being so will influence others to take part in doing what they can to support and guide those who have yet to see the light. I truly hope that I don't come off to you as preachy, but I just want to offer encouragement to those who are wondering what they can do or for those thinking about how to do more. Whether you believe so or not, every little bit helps.


With all that being said, here are the winners.
Thank you again to those who participated!


Elk @ Red or Gray
Kristina @ Meadowlark Days
J.H. @ A Gift from Heaven

Miscellaneous Links

1. Article : Where does all the stuff go?
2. The sleekest hydration vessel you can buy, & it's eco-friendly! KOR
3. Here is a reusable bottle that is not as slick but less expensive. Aladdin BPA Free bottle
4. The Alternative Consumer - for your eco news and product reviews. I love this blog!
5. I seriously want this pair of Ninja Boots by TOMS - so not snow friendly :(
6. Posted in Wordful Wednesday
   

Where do you stack up?

Based on a suggestion from Liss, I decided to visit
myfootprint.org to check the impact my choices have on the environment.
Throughout the quiz I noticed many areas in which we could improve,
although some of which are beyond our control at this point in time.

The house we live in is old and as a result poorly insulated.
Being a renter, I am not inclined to put money into someone else's house,
but I can look into insulated blinds or window quilts to help with the drafty windows.

If you click the graph you will see how I stack up against the national average.
It shows that if everyone on the planet lived the same lifestyle as us,
we would need 3.15 earths!?!? Take a look.


My food and housing footprints are by far the worst.

Lowering my food footprint may be as easy as:

• going meatless 2x's a week instead of just one.
• We could plant a garden next season with the new soil produced by the composter Cody constructed.
  
• I also need to make a commitment to purchase in-season produce and veggies.
• And think about the local options we have here in town, maybe even join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).
  

I could go on and on about the things that I need to do, but I'll spare you.
There will be more opportunity to share down the road.

I am excited that seven more people signed
up to participate in the "Green" Giveaway.
You can still enter, details can be found by clicking the above link.

Below is a picture of the prizes you could win.


Don't forget to take your Ecological Footprint Quiz!
Feel free to share your results.

We Heart Mountains!

I let this go a little longer than I initially intended when I started the campaign.
What can I say, life gets in the way and other things take precedence.
My goal was to raise awareness about mountaintop removal,
and with the participants listed below I think it's safe to
say that my mission was accomplished.

The sign up widget I had on my side bar was acting wacky,
so I gathered the list of cohorts from the I Love Mountains! comments in various posts.
If you are sure that you pledged, but your name and link are not listed below,
please let me know so that I can make the proper adjustments.

My Promise:
For every person who took the pledge to end mountaintop removal,
I would donate $one dollar$ on their behalf to Appalachian Voices' cause.
On top of the one dollar pledge, my plan was to match the pledges & donate one lump sum.
After a super special offering from Liss (thru paypal), the pot rose to $45.93!
Thank you again for your generosity.

And a big thank you to all others who were inspired to take action.

You will find some great blogs in this list below - discover someone new today :o)

Liss @ A Memory Forever
Lydia @ Writerquake
Elizabeth @ Retinal Perspectives
Cathy @ The Clothesline
Kate @ Art Vein Vessel
1218 @ A Girl Interrupted
Dave of KY
Greg @ Greg's General Store
Prin @ Living Life to the Furrest
Meredith @ We Run Like a River
Gillian @ Indigo Blue
Graham @ One Man's Travels
Jacky @ Art4Moi
Robin bird @ Bird Tweets
MaryAnn @ MaryAnn Ashley Bever Photography
Storyteller @ Sacred Ruminations
Lilacspecs @ Lilac Colored Glasses

+ If you missed the post about mountaintop removal,
but would like to know more, click here.

+ To find out more about Appalachian Voices' mission,
visit their website, here. (*the cause I am donating to)

+ Still interested in signing up? Click the logo below to go to website.

I Heart Mountains

taken 04.22.2006

If there is anything that I classify as being near and dear to my heart,
it would be, 'my' MOUNTAINS! A quick scan of my blog would unequivocally prove that.
The mountains, my home, hold a very special place in my heart.

That being said, I mentioned (if you read) in my last post,
that I had a specific cause in mind that I wanted to raise awareness about.
After Saturday's festival, and a chance meeting with an old friend - who works with the
organization, I decided that it was time to take on another campaign.

I will let this short clip give you a little insight into what this organization strives to protect.

The Cause

Appalachian Voices is a highly committed group of people here in my community, who's mission
is to bring potentially devastating economical issues, like this, to the forefront.
They help people like you and me gain access to the tools and
resources necessary to get involved.
I have always related them to mountaintop removal,
but they tackle other threats as well.

Here, at Wayfaring Wanderer, through my posts, I attempt to share the beauty
that surrounds and inspires me on a daily basis.
With that message, I think that it's my responsibility and obligation to share
the atrocities that go along with the beauty that our region possesses.

I am severely saddened by what I have seen while doing
research on this massive devastation.
Not only does the environment suffer, but people do as well.
I have watched videos that showcase families directly
affected by these mining practices, and it is heartbreaking.

To see them wreck and ravage the land is almost impossible to
watch without getting choked up.
Almost 500 mountains have been decimated in the process;
this damage cannot be repaired to our nation's oldest mountains.

What can we do?

Support the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R. 2169).
It strictly prohibits the dumping of material into waterways for the purpose of waste disposal.

In 2002, the current Administration made a rule change which redefined “fill material” in order to include mining waste. Since debris from mountaintop removal is now acceptable “fill material”, coal companies are dumping millions of tons of mine waste into nearby streams using a streamlined permitting process.

Supporting this act can reestablish the original intent of the Clean Water Act.
Click here to find out how to contact your local representative in Congress.

Right now, the most important thing we can do is, spread the word, which is what I am attempting here.
ilovemountains.org is hosting a Blogger's Challenge to help aid in doing so.
Your pledge to end mountaintop removal requires very little of you to become a part of the solution.

Are you alarmed at what you've found out about mountaintop removal today?
Do you want to protect our ecosystems and communities from being ruined by this environmental devastation?

If so, please take the time to add your voice and become my recruit!
Sign up in the widget on my sidebar.

My Contribution......

For every person who takes the pledge I will donate $one dollar$ on your behalf to
Appalachian Voices' mission. At the end of my campaign, which I will run for one week,
I will match the pledges you all have made to donate one lump sum.
Although, I would like this to be a gigantic turn out, there is a $100 limit to what I can donate.

Once you have taken the pledge, please leave a comment here that states, "I LOVE MOUNTAINS!", so I know who joined in. It is not necessary to have a blog in order to take part.

Make Everyday Earth Day

I always have been, and am pretty sure I will always be a sucker for trees. A quick search for "trees" in my Flickr photostream brought up a number of imagines which were centered around trees or just had trees in the photo.



I am always compelled to shoot a tree or two. In any season or time of year they are always lovely, with or without leaves, tall, short, aspen or pine......you can learn from them. And they could teach you a great deal given the chance.



I think of their roots embedded into the ground, and it reminds me to anchor myself when I'm feeling unbalanced. I see how resilient they are, and it reminds me that I too have the power and will to survive and succeed against the odds.



Although they may be aesthetically pleasing, they are also ecologically important and provide a great deal to the environment in which we all live. From the air we breathe to the shade upon with we seek shelter, they are there, unfailingly and without asking for anything in return.



Donating to a worthy cause on Earth Day was the very least that I could do. I thank you all so very much for enthusiastically participating to help rebuild the Brazilian Rainforest through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy. The "Plant a Billion Trees" campaign is far from reaching their goal.



When I first put up the "Where's your Green" post, they had 237,000 trees, now six days later they are up to 263,588! So, they're getting there slowly but surely............My total donation was $40.00 which equates to 40 trees; I had 18 request total to "Plant a Tree for Me!" and some who simply left a comment with the word tree in it, which I counted any way!



These photos are of all sorts of different trees, some here, some there.......from North Carolina, to Florida, and even Nevada.......a little of everywhere! None of which ever made it to the blog, which works out great since now I have something to share with you :o)

Thank you all again for keeping me inspired......it means so very much to me.

It's Easy to be GREEN..........

BRAZILIAN RAINFOREST

(From Conservation International)

So far, I've only had 12 requests to plant trees with the Nature Conservancy in honor of Earth Day. My intention is to match the total request, each request being $1.00, right now the total donation would be 24 trees. If you have yet to leave a comment on "Where's Your Green?!", you may do so now. I don't plan to donate until this evening, so there is still time!!

Start by making small changes.
Today, implement one change that will help the environment.

Start with the grocery store:
Look for products with minimal packaging, and while you're at it, take a reusable canvas tote instead of answering the all encompassing question of, "Paper or Plastic".

More than 380 million plastic bags are thrown away in the United States every year, and those plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in landfills. And while paper bags do eventually biodegrade, an estimated 14 million trees a year have to be cut down to make 10 billion paper bags.

At home:
Instead of buying individually packaged bottles of water, why not upgrade to a water filter, and fill up a reusable container. Any plastic container, that has the numbers - 2,4, or 5 is safe. You can find this number by checking the bottom of the bottle in the middle of the recycling triangle logo.

Eliminate plastic utensils and paper plates/cups in the kitchen, these items most likely can not be reused.

Get rid of the junk.......CATALOGS......I suffer from receiving unwanted catalogs on a constant basis. No matter how many times I've called to be removed from the mailing list, I continue to receive them month after month! I read about this new and FREE service the other night called: catalogchoice.org A quick sign up allows you to search, select, and decline those unsolicited catalogs you don't really need.

Not only does junk mail clog up your mailbox, it also requires an estimated 100 million trees and 20 billion gallons of water every year.

And of course:
Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) use four times less energy than incandescent ones. If every American family substituted five CFL bulbs for incandescent, it would be equivalent to taking eight million cars off the road for a year. Ball says "They cost a little more up front, but they last up to 15 times longer."

REDUCE.REUSE.REPURPOSE.RECYCLE.

Where's Your Green?!

Don't blow it - good planets are hard to find.
Quoted in Time

*I made this artcard without Earth Day in mind, but I figured what better time to post it than now! To me it is somewhat plain, and I have found that the cards have become bigger than I need to be working with - too much space to fill. I'm trying to break into layering, that I have a problem with because I like them to look too clean. Don't worry, I'm working on that, for now it is what it is........

For every person who leaves a comment on the blog that says, "Plant a tree for me!" I promise to donate $1.00 to plant a tree for you to the cause above in honor of Earth Day on April 22nd.

The trees will be planted by Conservancy staff and partners working in The Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The Atlantic Forest is considered one of the world's most endangered tropical forests -- only 7% of its original area remains.

Tropical forests like this one play a particularly special role in the fight to end global climate change. And this reforestation effort to Plant a Billion Trees in The Atlantic Forest will remove 10 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year -- that's like taking 2 million cars off the road.

*The above photo was taken by Cody when we were in Mt. Charleston - Las Vegas*

+ Going Green Interactive Tip Guide:
Some are easy, and some are a little more extensive. *A lot of great ideas!
+ Earth Day 2008 Events Worldwide
See what's happening in your neck of the woods. * We're having a festival that I didn't know about!
+ How to go Green Guides:
Treehugger.com


Don't Forget:

For every person who leaves a comment on the blog that says, "Plant a tree for me!" I promise to donate $1.00 to plant a tree for you to the cause above in honor of Earth Day on April 22nd.

*Stellar Sphere*

A human being is part of the whole, called by us "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole [of] nature in its beauty.

~Albert Einstein, 1950

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For Those Open to Awareness:


The Story of Stuff: Do you ever wonder what lies beneath it all? Or how our consumption may impact the world around us? With over 1.5 million viewers this very informative eye opening video will give you all the facts and more. There are some alarming details that you may not know, but should. Please, take the time to watch this video and pass it on to others who may benefit from it as well.


and while I'm on the subject...........


Chris Jordan's
Running the Numbers Series: (Once on website, click "Running the Numbers" to see pictures) Each image portrays a specific quantity of something: fifteen million sheets of office paper (five minutes of paper use); 106,000 aluminum cans (thirty seconds of can consumption) and so on. "This project visually examines these vast and bizarre measures of our society, in large intricately detailed prints assembled from thousands of smaller photographs. The underlying desire is to emphasize the role of the individual in a society that is increasingly enormous, incomprehensible, and overwhelming."



*I really wish that I could see this exhibit in person, so that I may fully comprehend how colossal the numbers really are. Some of you may not be the type to take information of this sort to heart but it truly affects me in a big way; the most that I can do is make sure that you are exposed to the same information in hopes that it may have a similar influence. Thanks in advance for taking the time......and please let me know your thoughts on these ideas, I'd love to hear them.