Earth Gauge » Recreation

World Wetlands Day

espinoza — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:20:16 +0000

Each year, World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2nd. Wetlands come in many forms and go by many names – estuaries, bogs, mangrove swamps, vernal pools, marshes, riparian wetlands, cypress swamps, playa lakes and more! Wetland areas improve water quality, provide flood protection and support tons of fish, wildlife and plants. If you’ve been hunting, clamming, crabbing, or enjoy eating salmon, you reaped the benefits of wetland ecosystems. Wetlands are some of the most important resources for migratory birds like ducks, geese and sandhill cranes, and also support moose, black bears, lynx, beavers and other wildlife. Cranberries and blueberries grow in bogs in the northern United States.

Despite their many benefits, the United States loses about 60,000 acres of wetlands each year. Compared to other coastal states, Florida, Texas, California and Louisiana have lost the most coastal marshland – California alone has lost more than 91 percent of its coastal wetlands and the Chesapeake Bay has lost 50 percent of its coastal marshes. Since the arrival of settlers, 70 percent of tidally influenced wetlands in Puget Sound have been lost. And, only about 40 to 50 percent of the prairie region’s original prairie pothole wetlands remain undrained today.

Viewer Tip: No matter where you live, chances are there’s a wetland nearby. Development that occurs on or nearby wetlands can lead to loss of habitat, changes in water flow, polluted runoff and other impacts. Try these tips to protect your local wetlands:

Keep lawns and driveways free of pet waste, fertilizers and motor oil. These pollutants can wash into storm drains and eventually reach a wetland.
Choose native species when planting trees, shrubs and flowers to preserve the ecological balance of local wetlands.
Use non-toxic products for household cleaning and lawn and garden care. Never spray lawn and garden chemicals outside on a windy day or on a day when it might rain and wash the chemicals into local waterways.
Many exotic animals are introduced into wetlands by homeowners and hobbyists, where they can harm native wildlife. If you have a home aquarium with exotic saltwater or freshwater fish or raise non-native amphibians or reptiles, do not release them into the wild.
Volunteer to help monitor local wetlands near you. Visit water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/monitoring/vol.cfm for more information!

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Wetlands”, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/index.cfm; “Volunteer Monitoring”, http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/monitoring/vol.cfm; “American Wetlands Month,” www.epa.gov/wetlands/awm/; Izaak Walton League of America, “Wetlands Sight and Sounds Series,” http://www.iwla.org/index.php?id=353; National Biological Information Infrastructure Digital Image Library, http://life.nbii.gov/index.php; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Digital Library System, http://images.fws.gov/)

Bald Eagles

espinoza — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:22:27 +0000

Bald eagles are found throughout North America, and the Northern Mississippi Valley is a great winter viewing spot. Up to 5,000 bald eagles winter on the Mississippi River between Cairo, IL and St. Paul, MN. Bald eagles prefer habitats near open water where there is an abundance of fish, as well as old-growth forest and mature trees for perching, roosting and nesting.

Viewer Tip: Bald eagle watches occur along the Mississippi throughout January and February, and eagles can be seen into early March. Watches occur at the Mississippi River Visitor’s Center in Rock Island, IL on weekends through mid-February and watches take place on Saturday, January 28 in Quincy, IL and Muscatine, IA. When viewing eagles, it is important to stay in your car unless you’re visiting a manned eagle observation deck. A car acts as an excellent blind, whereas walking around or toward a perched eagle will chase it off its roost.

Learn more about eagle watches at www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/Eagle%20Watching/Eagle%20Main.htm.

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters. Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

(Sources: Bald Eagle Viewing Directory, http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle1.html; Mississippi River Project, http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/MRVC/MRVC.htm)

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters. Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org

Winter Tree Celebration

espinoza — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Native trees beautify landscapes while providing shelter for birds and other wildlife. They also provide shade that lowers home heating costs, as well as fruits, nuts and berries. Whether you want to replace a favorite oak in the near future or learn to care for trees you have, you can learn more about trees that are native to your region and often require less care than non-native trees.

Viewer Tip: On Saturday, January 28, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin is providing Tree Talk Winter Walk, a free event celebrating the value of native trees. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy an exhibit of historic Texas trees photographed by Ralph Yznaga and hear him talk at noon in the Auditorium. Attend guided walks and talks by Texas tree experts and choose from a selection of hardy potted native trees and shrubs for sale.

For more information about Tree Talk Winter Walk, visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Website at www.wildflower.org, or call 512-232-0100.

Weather and Seasons Shape Estuaries

espinoza — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:20:21 +0000

Estuaries may seem permanent and unchanging, but they are not. Weather patterns and seasonal cycles shape and affect estuaries. Winter storms and winds lash the coasts, raising waves that stir up and mix nutrients, silt and decaying organic matter in estuaries. Large storm waves carry a lot of energy that is released when the waves hit the coast, crashing into barrier islands, sandbars and even open shores. Really strong waves change coastlines, wash sediments and nutrients out to sea and change the balance of salt and freshwater that characterizes estuaries.

Viewer Tip: Winter is a great time to beachcomb. The same waves and tides that pound our shorelines also deposit shells, driftwood, sea urchins, beach glass and even remains of old shipwrecks. Advanced beachcombers, especially along the Atlantic coast, even bring metal detectors, as coins and metal relics from times past are often washed ashore. Remember to dress warmly, though. Winter air temperatures are frequently colder near the ocean and coastal winds can make you feel even chillier.

This information is provided by Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

Annual Christmas Bird Count

espinoza — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:34:16 +0000

December 14 marks the beginning of Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count. The Count runs through January 5, 2011. The first Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on December 25, 1900 when 27 participants counted and identified about 18,500 birds, mostly in the northeastern U.S. Today, volunteers brave snow and chilly temperatures to identify and count birds throughout the 50 states and in Canada. Last year, over 2200 counts were completed and 61 million birds were reported! CBC data helps scientists understand how bird populations have changed over the past century.

Forty years’ worth of observation data from the CBC show that 58 percent of North American bird species seen in the first few weeks of winter have shifted their ranges north. Sixty species have moved over 100 miles north – the wild turkey has moved a whopping 400 miles! (Learn more about range shifts of finches in the Western, Midwestern, and Eastern United States.)

Viewer Tip: Anyone can participate in the Christmas Bird Count. CBC takes place in “count circles” that focus on specific geographic areas. Every circle has a leader, so even if you are a beginner birdwatcher, you’ll be able to count birds with an experienced birder and contribute data to the longest-running wildlife census. If your home happens to be within the boundaries of a count circle, you can count the birds that visit your backyard feeder.

Visit birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count for more information.

Audubon press releases and photos available at www.audubon.org/newsroom/press-rooms/christmas-bird-count-press-room

[See post to watch Flash video]

Download Broadcast Quality Quicktime File (217 MB)

Available for media use, courtesy of Audubon.

Winter Flounder Have “Anti-Freeze”

espinoza — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:09:13 +0000

Winter flounder are unique among fishes of the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Unlike most coastal marine fishes including salmon, shad and herring, winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) enter estuaries in the late fall and early winter to spawn. These right-eye flat fishes like it cold thanks to an “anti-freeze” protein in their blood that protects them at below freezing water temperatures. As water temperatures cool, winter flounder move into estuaries to lay clutches of eggs that stick to the bottom. Winter flounder range from the Chesapeake Bay to Labrador. They spawn from February to May, with an April peak in the Gulf of Maine.

Viewer Tip: Like many food fishes, winter flounder have been overfished in recent decades and restrictions have been placed on commercial fishing of depleted stocks. Recreational fishing with smaller catch limits is still permitted, however. Winter flounder are both tasty and nutritious.

Learn more about winter flounder at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/species/winter_flounder.htm.

This information is provided by Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

Lose the Lead Sinkers

espinoza — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:30:40 +0000

Fall fishing and ice fishing are popular past times for many in the Great Lakes Region. As you rig your line in hopes of landing that big catch, think twice about what weights your lure. Lead has been used for weighting fishing tackle for centuries, but this heavy metal poses a hazard to human and wildlife health. Lead sinkers have been listed as the leading cause of mortality in loons and other water birds. The sale of lead tackled is banned in some states.

Viewer Tip: Stock your tackle box with stainless steel sinkers and hooks. You can find lots of great products at your favorite tackle supply shop. And, many bait shops and city recycling centers collect and properly dispose of lead products for you – just ask!

For more information about the impacts and replacing lead tackle, visit www.pca.state.mn.us.

This information is provided by Great Lakes Aquarium. Learn more at www.glaquarium.org.

Freshwater Estuaries

espinoza — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:31:30 +0000

The five Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario—have often been described as “inland seas” and “freshwater oceans.” Besides terminology, they have something else in common with oceans: estuaries. While estuaries are traditionally defined as places where rivers (freshwater) meet the sea (salt water), scientists increasingly recognize that estuary-like conditions prevail along parts of the Great Lakes coasts. While definitions vary as to what constitutes a “freshwater estuary,” most have three characteristics: a drowned river mouth; a zone where river or stream water mixes with lake water; and influence from seiche or wind tides. While the Great Lakes are large enough to have “real” tides, they are tiny. Seiche tides are natural oscillations in water level caused by atmospheric conditions like changes in barometric pressure or disturbances like winds. A good example of a freshwater estuary is Old Woman Creek located on the south-central shore of Lake Erie in Ohio.

Viewer Tip: The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater system in the world. They contain about 84 percent of North America’s surface freshwater and about 21 percent of the world’s overall supply. But more than 50 percent of their wetlands are gone now. Get out on the Lakes this fall. Fish, hike, camp and volunteer for coastal clean-ups and restoration projects. Fishing, hunting and campground fees are key revenues for state Departments of Natural Resources in the Lakes region. These fees help stock fish, maintain state parks and recreation areas, and go toward projects that ensure environmental protection and maintenance of area lakes and woods.

This information is provided by Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

Salt Marshes in Autumn

espinoza — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:24:27 +0000

New England and other northerly points are renowned for the beauty of their fall leaves. Red, orange and gold foliage draws visitors from all over the country for peak viewing times. Salt marshes in temperate zones all over the United States go through much the same transformation during autumn. Dominant Spartina marsh grasses turn from a vibrant green to gold—part of the annual dieback of Spartina leaves and stalks that turns this common marsh grass into bio-mass that replenishes marsh soils and feeds hosts of microscopic organisms and larger detritivores (literally, detritus eaters) like fungi, insects, worms, and isopod crustaceans. These tiny critters then become meals for larger fish, crabs and birds, in turn.

Viewer Tip: Fall is a great time to visit or get a guided tour of your local salt marsh. Temperatures are cooler, humidity is low and the bugs are hunkering down for winter. Two great places to find more information about visiting your local marsh and estuary are the National Estuarine Research and Reserve System (NERRS) at www.nerrs.noaa.gov and The Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP), www.nationalestuaries.org.

This tip is provided by Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

Explore Chesapeake Bay’s Tidal Rivers

espinoza — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:16:52 +0000

Fall is a great time to explore the upper tidal portions of the Chesapeake’s rivers. Scientists classify these waters as tidal fresh, which sounds like an oxymoron but isn’t. In these areas, downstream flow of fresh water is still strong enough to push back the salt water coming in from the Chesapeake, but the river bottom is below sea level, so the tides rise and fall, and currents reverse. Marshes here grow extensive stands of seed-producing annual plants like wild rice, rice cutgrass, dotted smartweed, tearthumb and Walters millet, whose seeds, packed with complex carbohydrates and protein, draw in migrating birds by the millions, including bobolinks, sora rails, redwinged blackbirds and waterfowl like teal. Meanwhile, falling air temperatures cause deciduous trees to begin developing fall colors and make conditions for human outdoor activities comfortable. This is a great season for us to be outdoors.

Viewer Tip: To find great places to visit this fall, go to the Web sites of the National Park Service’s Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network (www.baygateways.net) and the Chesapeake Conservancy (www.chesapeakeconservancy.org).

This tip is provided by The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, part of Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

Estuary Plants and Animals are Adaptable

espinoza — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:40:21 +0000

Despite being one of the most biologically productive areas on Earth—an acre of estuarine salt marsh is many times more fertile than an acre of the best farmland—living in an estuary isn’t easy. Plants and animals that live in an estuary have to adapt to huge swings in salinity, for instance. Organisms that tolerate and adjust to rapid changes in salinity are called eurahaline. These plants and animals are found most often in brackish water. Because it takes a lot of metabolic energy to adjust to changing salt levels, there are relatively few eurahaline organisms. The smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, a dominant plant in many American salt marshes, has evolved special root filters that excrete salts; it also expels excess salt through stomata, or pores, on its leaves, as do many mangrove species. Oysters and blue crabs are eurahaline species that adjust as salinity increases and wanes.

Viewer Tip: Early fall is a great time to hike or boat in estuaries and marshes. Colder weather means clearer, lower water and a chance to observe marsh and estuarine organisms up close. Two great places to find more information about visiting your local marsh and estuary are the National Estuarine Research and Reserve System (NERRS) at www.nerrs.noaa.gov and The Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP), www.nationalestuaries.org.

This information is provided by Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

Fall on the Mississippi

espinoza — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:27:15 +0000

Fall in the Mississippi River valley presents a beautiful sight of changing colors, produced by a diversity of trees such as maple, ash, oak, hickory, dogwood and sumac, to name a few. The Upper Mississippi River Valley adds its own uniqueness to the scenery by providing a backdrop of steep bluffs and cliffs flanking the river on either side, attracting thousands of autumn visitors each year. While many of these visitors leave with a greater appreciation of the natural beauty of the region, less is known about the origin of these steep cliffs and bluffs, both that rival the stature of mountains and yet are so different than the surrounding landscape of the Mississippi Valley.

The Unglaciated Area is bounded approximately by Red Wing, MN on the North, St. Charles, MN on the west, Madison, WI on the east, and Savanna, IL on the south. This area encompasses nearly 15,000 square miles, an area twice that of New Jersey. What makes this area unusual is that it is a small pocket of land that repeatedly escaped glaciation during a time when most of the Midwestern and Northern United States was covered by glaciers, approximately 14,000 to 9,500 years ago. While the region was not scoured by glaciation, as was the surrounding landscape, glacial melt did act to deepen the existing valleys of the region, leaving the characteristic bluffs we see today. The region also contains an abundance of caves, sinkholes, and subterranean rivers.

Viewer Tip: Learning more about the geology and origin of the surrounding landscape will provide a greater appreciation and connection with the natural environment. The Upper Mississippi River Valley and the “Unglaciated area” is a must-see for anyone interested in the Mississippi River or simply looking for a new travel destination. Supplement a trip to the region with a stop at the local Department of Natural Resources or tourist office to gain a better understanding of how this unique and beautiful area came to be.

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters. Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

(Source: Fremling, Calvin R. Immortal River – The Upper Mississippi in Ancient and Modern Times. University of Wisconsin Press, 2005.)

Observing Fall

espinoza — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:51:29 +0000

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, a dry summer and early fall can speed-up color change and leaves may fall earlier than usual. A wet early fall may produce less vivid leaf colors and leaves may fall early because of rain and wind storms. Other environmental factors, like damage from insects or wildfire, can also impact tree foliage.

Viewer Tip: You can help scientists study phenology by tracking the timing of leaf emergence, leaf drop and other life-cycle events in your own backyard. Visit the USA National Phenology Network at www.usanpn.org/participate/observe to learn how to observe plants and animals at home and share your data.

(Sources: USGS. “How will Climate Change Impact Leaf Fall?” www.usgs.gov; William Deedler, National Weather Service. Faster Fall Foliage? http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dtx/foliage.php)

Walk Wisely in the Woods

espinoza — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:10:32 +0000

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 an oak leaf while others on the same plant are small and narrow. Leaves may have smooth or indented outer margins. Color can vary from red, in the fall, to bright green. The plant may be ground cover, a shrub or grow as a large vine on trees.

Viewer Tip: It’s wise to wear long sleeves and long pants if you’re walking in brushy areas. Treat potentially affected areas right away. Also avoid burning these plants, which can inflame your lungs. You may react more to uroshiol-containing sap over time and react to other plants in the sumac family.

This tip is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. For more information, visit www.wildflower.org.

Oysters: A Fall Treat

espinoza — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:04:07 +0000

One commonly asked question is why oysters are traditionally eaten only during months with an “r” in them. There are two answers. One, earlier times lacked refrigeration and oysters spoil quickly in warm weather (months without an “r”: May, June, July and August) unless they are chilled. And two, oysters just don’t taste as good in the summer months for biological reasons. Oysters spawn in the early summer, using their stored food reserves to make spawn. In the process, they become watery and develop an off-taste. Modern day refrigeration makes it possible to eat oysters year round, but these tasty shellfish are still best in colder weather.

Viewer Tip: Oyster populations in Chesapeake Bay are at less than one percent of their historical levels. Want to help restore the Bay oyster? Volunteer at any of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s oyster gardening events. One popular—and dirty—volunteer opportunity is making reef balls. These cement balls provide oyster sprat—larval oysters—with places to attach and grow. Help the Bay by volunteering at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Oyster Restoration Center. For more information, visit www.cbf.org/page.aspx?pid=1063#involved.

This tip is provided by The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, part of Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

National Estuaries Day

espinoza — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:04:09 +0000

Not all estuaries are created equal. Or at least there are different types of estuaries. Most scientists classify estuaries geomorphologically—that is, how were they formed and what is the end result of those geological processes. Most American estuaries are one of four types:

A coastal plain estuary, formed when the sea level rises into an existing river valley (Chesapeake Bay is a prime example, as are Tampa Bay and Galveston Bay);
A tectonic estuary is caused by folding and faulting of the earth (San Francisco Bay);
There’s the lagoon (or bar-built) estuary, where a shallow lagoon forms behind the shelter of a barrier island or sand bar (Albemarle Sound-Pamlico Bay is the largest lagoon estuary in the United States);
And then there are the “fjords,” deep u-shaped gashes formed by glaciers. Most of these are in Washington state and Alaska. Puget Sound is an outstanding example of a fjord estuary.

Viewer Tip: Whatever kind of estuary is near you, get out on the water this year! Restore America’s Estuaries will be celebrating National Estuaries Day on Saturday, September 24. This year’s theme is “Day on the Bay.’ Check our website—www.estuaries.org—for more information on National Estuaries Day activities and events.

This information is provided by Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

What Kind of Estuary?

Not all estuaries are created equal. Or at least there are different types of estuaries. Most scientists classify estuaries geomorphologically—that is, how were they formed and what is the end result of those geological processes. Most American estuaries are one of four types: A coastal plain estuary, formed when the sea level rises into an existing river valley (Chesapeake Bay is a prime example, as are Tampa Bay and Galveston Bay). A tectonic estuary is caused by folding and faulting of the earth (San Francisco Bay). There’s the lagoon (or bar-built) estuary, where a shallow lagoon forms behind the shelter of a barrier island or sand bar (Albemarle Sound-Pamlico Bay is the largest lagoon estuary in the United States). And then there are the “fjords,” deep u-shaped gashes formed by glaciers. Most of these are in Washington state and Alaska. Puget Sound is an outstanding example of a fjord estuary.

Viewer tip: Whatever kind of estuary is near you, get out on the water this summer! Restore America’s Estuaries will be celebrating National Estuaries Day on Saturday, September 24. This year’s theme is “Day on the Bay.’ Check our website—www.estuaries.org—later this summer for more information on National Estuaries Day activities and events.

Public Lands Day

espinoza — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:32:27 +0000

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 in more than 2,000 communities around the U.S. For nearly 20 years, NPLD has been supporting national, state and local public lands by bringing volunteers together to give back and spruce up the lands that belong to all Americans. Volunteers have fun, learn more about their communities and make millions of dollars’ worth of improvements to public lands. This year, NPLD is supporting the Let’s Move Outside initiative led by First Lady Michelle Obama – NPLD volunteer sites will be highlighting fun, free opportunities to be active outdoors that are available to the public.

Viewer Tip: Public lands make up 30 percent of the nation’s land area! You can lend a hand to public lands on September 24 by participating in an NPLD event in your community. Search volunteer opportunities by state or zip code at www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites. Most NPLD events take place rain or shine, so check the local forecast to be prepared.

NPLD is a fee-free day on many federally managed lands. And, volunteers who participate are given coupons for second free entry into their favorite federal public land areas that have entrance fees.

(Source: National Public Lands Day, www.publiclandsday.org)

Flying Fish

espinoza — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:08:31 +0000

Can a fish really fly? Actually, ”flying fish” use unique body adaptations to help them fly or glide out of the water. They use their efficient torpedo-shaped body and tail fin to help them gain speed at an angle towards the water surface. As they break the surface, their wing-like fins help them glide once in the air. As they descend back towards the water surface, they put their tail fin to use once more by rapidly flapping the water. This allows them to once again gain momentum and become airborne without actually returning underwater, helping them to travel long distances out of the water. Why might these fish have developed this strange behavior? Flying fish are smaller than many of the salt-water species they encounter, making flying fish prey for larger fish. The gliding behavior helps the flying fish escape predators like tuna, marlin and swordfish.

Viewer Tip: Flying fish are found in warmer waters and can be spotted off the eastern and western coasts of the United States. If boating in the evening or night hours, be careful of lights shining near or over the water. These fish are attracted to light and have been known to jump into boats.

This information is provided by the Georgia Wildlife Federation. For more information, visit http://www.gwf.org/.

Summer Sizzles with Sounds

espinoza — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:06:19 +0000

Snowy tree crickets, found through the United States, are around from July to October and are called “snowy” because of thier pale color. These crickets have a chirp that is easy to count and related to temperature.

Viewer Tip: Head outside after dark to listen for crickets. Count the number of chirps you hear in 13 seconds and add 40 to get the approximate temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Make it fun by having a contest to see who can figure out the temperature. Have everyone write down their guesses and provide a prize for the winners.

Fun fact: West of the Great Plains, the snowy tree cricket chirps a bit faster. To figure the temperature there, count the number of chirps in 12.5 seconds and add 38.

This information is provided by the New England Wild Flower Society. Learn more at www.newenglandwild.org.

Beach Closures

espinoza — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:01:05 +0000

Ocean and lake beaches around the country get closed every year due to poor water quality from pathogens – disease-causing bacteria and viruses. One way that pathogens get into the water is from pet and wild animal waste being washed down storm drains when it rains. In most communities, storm drains discharge storm water directly into local water bodies. And, even if water does go through a wastewater treatment plant, heavy rainfall can overflow the system, allowing untreated wastewater to flow into rivers, lakes and the ocean.

Viewer Tip: About 80 percent of pollution in our oceans and lakes comes from the land. No matter where you live, you can help protect water quality at local beaches by always picking up after your pet on walks and in your yard. Dispose of waste in a trash can or flush it down the toilet. To help control waste from wild animals, don’t feed geese and other water fowl. This encourages flocks to hang around shorelines and stay put through the winter months.

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Beaches.” http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/index.cfm; Long Island Sound Study, “Sound Health: Status and Trends in the Health of Long Island Sound,” http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2010/12/sound-health-2010/)