Earth Gauge » Seasons

Seeing Stars

espinoza — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:50:23 +0000

When you look up at the night sky, how many stars do you see? As cities and suburban communities grow, so does the amount of artificial light from things like street lights and billboards. Lots of nighttime lighting means that you can probably only see the brightest stars. While outdoor lighting helps humans see at night and stay safe, night lights can impact wildlife in other ways. Lights can disorient sea turtle hatchlings that should be headed for the sea, throw migratory birds off-course, and keep salamanders from leaving their dens. Some bats will not fly in bright areas, impacting their ability to find food.

Viewer Tip: You can measure the amount of “light pollution” in your community and contribute to a growing data set by participating in GLOBE at Night. From February 12-21, share your observations about how light affects your ability to view the night sky. It’s easy to participate – visit www.globeatnight.org/observe.html to find all the tools and information you need to:

find your latitude and longitude;
head outside more than an hour after sunset and find the Orion, Leo or Crux constellation;
use GLOBE’s magnitude charts to determine the brightness of stars where you live;
report your observation and compare it to thousands around the world!

Can’t participate this time? There will be two more chances to share your observations this year: March 13-22 and April 11-20.

NASA Image: Earth’s City Lights. Various file types and resolutions are available.

(Marris, E. “In search of dark nights.” Nature News, July 2010; GLOBE at Night, www.globeatnight.org)

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/)

Saving Water on a Budget

espinoza — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:01:10 +0000

Much of the southern U.S. is experiencing drought conditions. Conserving water at home can help! If you want to save water but don’t have the budget for a bathroom makeover or landscaping redesign, follow these steps to stop pouring money down the drain.

Trash your tissues. Don’t flush them—one less flush per day can save nearly 1,300 gallons of water over the course of a year. That’s enough to wash about 32 loads of laundry!
Lighten your number of loads. Did you know washing clothes is the second largest use of indoor water? Combine small loads to eliminate one load per week, and you’ll save 2,100 gallons of water per year.
Keep your (water) cool. Fill your water glass with cool water from a pitcher in the fridge. This way the water goes in your glass, not down the drain.

This information is provided by the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense program. Learn more at www.epa.gov/WaterSense/.

Backyard Bird Buffet

espinoza — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:31:35 +0000

Many birds stick around for the winter and feeding them at backyard feeders is a fun way to interact with them. Frequent winter visitors to feeders in the Great Lakes Basin include black capped chickadees, wood peckers and as the weather warms a bit, cardinals. These birds nutritional needs change with the seasons. During the coldest parts winter, seeds, nuts, suet and other high-fat foods provide energy to keep birds’ small bodies warm.

Viewer tip: Encourage birds to gather in your yard by offering them a diversity of food options. Placing feeders near branches and shrubs keeps them safe from predators. And, consider keeping a log who visits your feeder! Comparing which birds visit and when, is one way that scientists study winter bird populations and climate change.

For more information about feeding the birds in your neighborhood, check out Audubon’s Bird Feeding Basics website at web4.audubon.org/bird/at_home/bird_feeding/index.html or ask your local birding store for advice.

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

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

Car Idling

espinoza — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:56:57 +0000

For every two minutes a car idles, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to drive one mile. While it may be tempting to idle your car for a few minutes to “warm it up” during winter, 30 seconds is plenty of time to get going. Tailpipe emissions from cars contain pollutants that impact human health and the environment.

Viewer Tip: If just 10 percent of the estimated 65 million garage-owners in the United States cut idling by five minutes per day, we’d save about 84.5 million gallons of gas in a year! Remember that driving your car is the best way to warm it up. Excessive idling can actually damage your car’s engine, but frequently restarting the engine has little impact. Cut-down on idling even more by turning off the engine if you are sitting in a drive-through or school pick-up line for more than 10 seconds – 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

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

(Sources: California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center: Should I Shut off the Motor When I’m Idling my Car? 2006-2011. http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html; Rogers, Elizabeth and Thomas M. Kostigen. The Green Book. 2007.)

Gauging Rain

espinoza — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:38:19 +0000

Installing a rain water gauge on your property will help you determine how many inches of rain have fallen. Knowing the average weekly precipitation amount helps gardeners apply the correct amount of water with automatic irrigation systems. Drought stress can hurt landscape plants, but over-watering can also kill plants by depriving the roots of oxygen.

Viewer Tip: Install a rain gauge on your property in an open area away from trees, buildings and other structures to record the amount of rainfall supplied by nature. Irrigation should only be used to make up the difference of what is still needed by your plants.

For more information on installing and using a rain gauge, visit: www.uri.edu/ce/healthylandscapes/raingauge.htm.

This message is brought to you by the Water Conservation Garden. Learn more at www.thegarden.org.

Winter Composting Makes Cents

espinoza — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:48:14 +0000

Most households continue to produce yard waste during the winter season, which can be recycled into compost for use in landscapes and gardens in the spring. Using compost in the landscape improves the nutrient profile and structure of the soil, and reduces plant diseases and pests. Healthy soil and plants reduce the need for water, fertilizer and pesticides, which saves gardeners time and money.

Viewer Tip: Collect yard debris throughout the winter season and make a compost pile in a bin that is at least one cubic yard in size. A bin that is full in winter should finish composting by spring, in time for use in planter beds. Extra debris, such as fallen leaves or cut grass, can be collected and stored in a separate container, to be used in compost piles throughout the year.

This information is brought to you by the Water Conservation Garden. Learn more at www.thegarden.org.

Transport Firewood Safely

espinoza — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:29:10 +0000

As you prepare to fire up the wood stove or throw a log in the fireplace, be sure that the firewood you use is local. Invasive species such as the emerald ash borer can travel from place to place hidden under the bark of firewood. These beetles and other invasive species can wreak havoc on trees in our communities – as of 2008, the emerald ash borer had killed more than 50 million ash trees in North America.

Viewer Tip: Your favorite tree could be the next victim. Buy local firewood and try not to transport firewood more than 10 miles when possible. All of the Great Lakes States have restrictions on moving firewood and you can find information about approved firewood vendors in your region by visiting www.dontmovefirewood.org or your state department of natural resources website.

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

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.

Restoring Rivers

espinoza — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:09:35 +0000

Did you know that most people in the United States live within a mile of a river or stream? More than 60 percent of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams, which also support a variety of wildlife and fish, and provide many recreation opportunities. Fishing alone generates an estimated 116 billion dollars in economic benefits each year!

Viewer Tip: Clean, healthy rivers are vital to our health, safety and quality of life. Conserving water saves energy and money – and also keeps more water in rivers and streams to support fish, wildlife and recreation. Try these simple tips to save water at home:

Fix dripping faucets and running toilets. A leaky faucet that drips at a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons a year.
Ready for an upgrade? Choose water-efficient faucets, showerheads, toilets and other appliances by looking for EPA’s WaterSense label.
If you have a yard, consider installing a rain barrel to collect rain from home downspouts that can be used to water plants.

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

Smart About Salt

espinoza — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:58:43 +0000

During the winter months, salt and sand applied to our roads, driveways and sidewalks contribute to lake and stream pollution. Fifty pounds of salt – one large bag – can pollute 10,000 gallons of water. That’s equivalent to one teaspoon of salt in a five-gallon bucket of water.

Viewer Tip: Many cities and states are working to reduce salt use while still keeping streets and sidewalks safe. Using less salt at home will help protect water quality in your neighborhood – and it will save money, too!

Shovel first. Clear away as much snow and ice as possible before you use a deicer. Only use deicers on ice, not snow.
Save your salt. Read the label and use salt sparingly. Use about 30 percent less salt by wetting it with some water before applying it to icy patches.
Protect your plants. Keep salt away from salt-sensitive plants. Learn more about salt damage to plants at www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/id/id-412-w.pdf.
Know your stuff. There are many types of deicers and they perform differently at different temperature ranges. The most common deicer, sodium chloride (“rock salt”), only melts ice to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Magnesium chloride and calcium chloride cost more, but work in colder temperatures.

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(Sources: Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership, www.myfairlakes.com; TomScheuler. Snow, Road Salt, and the Chesapeake Bay. The Center for Watershed Protection. http://www.cwp.org/; Iowa State University, Centre for Transportation and Research Education. “Prewetting with Salt Brine.” http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/PUBS/semisesq/session1/donahey/index.htm)

Resources for Drought Gardening

espinoza — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:20:13 +0000

Drought is expected to hang around in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and many other states into 2012 according to federal experts. But gardeners can do many things to help out their outdoor greenery, including watering roots deeply, mulching to insulate the base of plants and replacing water-hogging plants with drought-tolerant options native to their region. Native plants have evolved to handle weather extremes – although even native plants vary in their needs for shade, water and other resources.

Viewer Tip: Find native plants suitable to your region and the conditions of your yard on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s native plant information network at www.wildflower.org/plants. Also check out the Wildflower Center’s new Drought Resource Center at www.wildflower.org/drought-resource-center. It includes “How To” articles about caring for plants, Mr. Smarty Plants’ answers to submitted questions, a national list of drought-tolerant native plants and more.

This message is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center . Learn more at www.wildflower.org.

Radon Action Month

espinoza — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:27:39 +0000

January is National Radon Action Month.

What is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas produced when uranium in soil decays; it can be found all over the United States. Radon gas moves up through the ground into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation, becoming trapped inside. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about one out of every 15 homes has elevated radon levels. You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but it can be harmful – it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Viewer Tip: Winter is a great time to test your home for radon. When windows and doors are sealed tightly, radon levels inside your home can rise. Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes a few minutes. For details, visit www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html#howtotest.

If you find high levels of radon in your home, the problem can be fixed! Some radon reduction systems can reduce levels in your home by up to 99 percent.

Additional resources:

Reducing Radon Levels in Your Home: www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html
State Radon Contacts for local information: www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html
Radon-Resistant New Construction for home-buyers: www.epa.gov/radon/rrnc/index.html

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon.” www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html)

Holiday Gatherings

espinoza — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:15:39 +0000

The holiday season is a time for happy gatherings of family and friends. But a house full of guests can also result in higher energy bills, increased water use and stressed septic systems. Try these easy tips for a happy, healthy and environmentally-friendly holiday gathering.

Heating Help: Keep everyone warm and save energy at the same time by using a programmable thermostat. Homeowners can save up to 180 dollars per year by using a programmable thermostat to automatically reduce heating when it’s not needed as much – such as when you are sleeping or away from home. Learn more about programmable thermostats: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TH
A Water Efficient H2Oliday: Prepping and cleaning up after a holiday meal can use a lot of water. Save a few gallons by thawing frozen foods in the refrigerator instead of using running tap water. Scrape dirty dishes before you put them in the dishwasher rather than rinsing to save even more. If every American household reduced their water use by 10 gallons on Christmas Day, we would save more than one billion gallons of water! Learn more about saving water at home: www.epa.gov/watersense/index.html
Septic Smarts: For the 20 percent of Americans who use septic tanks for wastewater treatment, extra guests can overwhelm the system. Remind houseguests not to use drains and toilets as trash cans. And make sure your system is properly maintained to avoid backups and overflows – not only are these costly for homeowners, but they can also contaminate well water and community drinking water supplies. Learn more about septic systems: cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/

(Sources: Energy Star Program. “Programmable Thermostats.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TH; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Winter Tips.” http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-winter.htm; Keehner, Denise M., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands Oceans and Watersheds. “Holidays can pose challenges for those with septic systems: Easy ways to keep your holidays smelling sweet.”)

Drafty Ducts

espinoza — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:32:43 +0000

In a typical home, up to 20 percent of air that moves through a duct system escapes through leaks and poorly sealed connections! Leaky ducts allow warm air to escape before it reaches heating vents. This can make it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home and result in bigger energy bills.

Viewer Tip: Is your winter energy bill on the rise? Give your home ductwork a check-up. While some ducts are hidden in walls and between floors, exposed ducts can be found in attics, basements, garages and crawl spaces. Use duct sealant (or mastic) to seal and repair duct leaks and increase energy efficiency. Your furnace won’t have to work as hard, and you’ll stay warmer and save money.

Learn more about sealing and insulating your home at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing.

(Source: Energy Star. “Air Seal and Insulate with Energy Star.” http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing)

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

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Available for media use, courtesy of Audubon.

Mulch Matters

espinoza — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:26:59 +0000

Mulch is any covering placed around plants. Mulch conserves water because and prevents erosion by slowing runoff and permitting your landscape to better absorb and retain water from winter rains. Mulch also suppresses weed growth, shelters the soil from temperature extremes and improves appearance of your landscape.

Viewer Tip: Apply a two- to three-inch layer of mulch around plants in the fall or winter to keep soil temperatures even and reduce water evaporation. Organic mulch can also be applied to unplanted raised beds as a top dressing. A variety of organic and inorganic mulches are available on the market and materials for mulch may be found right in your yard. Mulch options include shredded tree prunings, bark chips, raked leaves, grass clippings, and rocks or pebbles.

For more information on using mulch in your garden, visit: www.ccwater.com/files/Drought101Mulch.pdf.

This information is provided by the Water Conservation Garden. Learn more at www.thegarden.org.

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.

Mississippi River Watershed

espinoza — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:58:55 +0000

Did you know that the Mississippi River provides drainage for 41 percent of the continental United States? This means that if a single drop of rain falls anywhere in this area, which includes all or part of 31 states and two Canadian provinces, it becomes a part of the Mississippi River Watershed. The fate of this single drop of water then depends on several factors. If the ground is not saturated, the water will be pulled downward into the soil by gravity, where it becomes available for plants or recharges groundwater supplies. If the soil is saturated or if the water drop falls on some type of impervious surface such as rooftops, concrete or asphalt, the droplet will travel above the surface towards the nearest stream or body of water. As this drop of rain flows across the surface, it encounters a slew of possible contaminants including, but not limited to gasoline, pesticides, pet waste and fertilizers.

Viewer Tip: No matter where you are in a watershed, what you do on your property can affect the overall hydrologic system. An easy way to protect water quality at home is to keep rain water on your property by directing downspouts onto a lawn or grassy area, away from driveways and sidewalks.

You can learn more about the watershed you live in, both at a local and regional scale, by contacting your local Department of Natural Resources office or visiting their website.

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