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Fewer daylight hours and cooler temperatures mean that many people spend more time inside during the fall and winter months. While up to half of the energy used in a typical home goes towards heating and cooling, other home features like water heaters, appliances and lighting contribute to energy bills. Swapping traditional light bulbs for [...]

Severe weather events—hurricanes, flooding, tsunamis, storms and heat waves—can be bad news for estuaries. Strong storms, particularly hurricanes, tropical storms, and nor’easters, can wreak havoc on estuarine ecosystems. While only about a third of all hurricanes make landfall, those that do can create dramatic surges in water levels that can push saltwater into coastal freshwater [...]

When the leaves start to fall, neighborhoods become a flurry of rakes and leaf blowers.  Falling leaves contain nutrients that are great for your garden, compost or lawn.  With so many falling at once, they can easily cover storm drains as well as your backyard.  Clogged storm drains cause rain water to run down streets [...]

Did you know that toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home? They account for nearly 30 percent of your family’s water use indoors! Viewer Tip: If you are searching for ways to save money on your water bill, look for the WaterSense label at your local home improvement store. [...]

Did you know that the average family spends about 2,200 dollars per year on energy bills? Nearly half of that money goes towards heating and cooling a home or apartment. Viewer Tip: As the weather cools down, try these tips from Energy Star to stay warm while saving energy and money. Get a check-up: Poor [...]

Tired of bagging up leaves each fall? A more eco-friendly option is to compost fallen leaves and other organic matter from your own yard. It’s cheaper than buying compost and provides a nutrient boost for flower plots and your lawn. Viewer Tip: Composting is simple: combine organic matter in a pile that attracts bacteria to [...]

About 80 percent of the United States’ pumpkin supply is available in October, but pumpkin makes an appearance year-round in pies, breads and other foods. Weather can have a big impact on the yearly pumpkin harvest. Wet and soggy: Too much rain can cause crops to rot. Mildews, which thrive in wet conditions, can damage [...]

Did you know that cities often support more individual birds than rural or suburban areas? Many city birds are European species that thrive in urban environments, such as Rock Pigeons, European Starlings and House Sparrows. City residents can attract a broader range of bird species by covering or replacing pavement with native plants, flowers and [...]

Wild birds primarily feed their young insects, which prefer to live on native plants that they evolved with rather than exotic plants.  Adult birds also rely heavily on native plants for food, shelter and nesting sites. Viewer Tip: Consider adding native plants to your yard during fall planting season.  For example,  the shrub American beautyberry [...]

October 9-15 is Earth Science Week (www.earthsciweek.org). Every year, Earth Science Week encourages students and the public to explore the natural world around them and learn about the geosciences. This year’s theme is Our Ever-Changing Earth. Humans depend on the Earth for many resources – air, water, food, fuel, trees, metals – but we often [...]

With drought causing wildfires in the west and southwest, researchers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center certified to conduct prescribed burns suggest these safety tips for your home. Viewer Tip: Studies of wildfires suggest wind-borne embers reaching a roof or other flammable material on your house are the biggest threat. Removing leaf litter and [...]

Weather-based irrigation controllers can easily save 25 percent or more of the water applied to your landscape.  The arrival of fall means cooler temperatures and the onset of rain, and typically gardens and landscapes need to be watered less frequently, if at all.  A weather-based irrigation controller equipped with a rain sensor will prevent your [...]

As leaves begin to change color this fall, scientists are studying how trees and forests are affected by weather and climate conditions. Weather and climate conditions impact when leaves emerge, how much foliage grows, and when leaves begin to fall. The timing of these events as they relate to climate is called “phenology.” For example, [...]

Marshes, and particularly salt marshes, are renowned as “filters.” Streams and rivers flowing into marshes often carry large loads of sediment and silt which are trapped by marshes and used to build up and replace existing marsh soils that otherwise would be carried out into bays and estuaries. Marshes and other coastal wetlands also capture [...]

As you get outdoors this fall, know how to protect yourself if you are allergic to urushiol oil of plants, such as poison ivy and poison oak.  Poison ivy’s appearance can vary greatly between plants and in different locations. It always has three leaflets per stem, but some leaves can be broad and big like [...]

Drip irrigation can save up to 50 percent on your outside water usage. Water applied using drip irrigation is applied more slowly than other methods, such as overhead spray and hand-watering.  The water is absorbed into the soil rather than running off onto sidewalks and ultimately into storm drains. Drip irrigation is great for watering [...]

Thanks to ragweed, fall is hay fever season for many Americans. Common ragweed occurs all over the country and is in full bloom in Texas in August and September.  It is often confused with tall goldenrod, a showier native plant across much of the United States. Viewer Tip: The “rag” in ragweed comes from the [...]

Did you know that planting one oak tree in your yard can save you money? A new oak sapling (one-inch in diameter) will save about 29 dollars over one year. Much of that money comes from the increase in property value that a tree provides, but your new tree will also absorb about 80 gallons [...]

Recent flooding, wildfires and earthquakes provide good reminders of the importance of being prepared for natural disasters and other emergencies. According to NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center, there have been 10 billion-dollar weather disasters so far in 2011, including flooding from Hurricane Irene; drought, heat waves and wildfires in the Southern Plains and Southwest; and [...]

The average household spends as much as $650 per year on its water and sewer bill. But did you know you could save about $200 per year by retrofitting with water-efficient fixtures and incorporating water-saving practices? Viewer Tip: Looking for a little home improvement project this Labor Day weekend? Making some simple changes around the [...]