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With drought continuing in many states, now is a great time to analyze water use in your yard. Every day in the United States, more than seven billion gallons of drinking water is used to irrigate landscapes, at least half of which may be wasted! Viewer Tip: Reduce water waste with  an in-ground hose system [...]

Friday, April 27 is National Arbor Day.  Trees not only add beauty and value to our landscape, they also provide many environmental benefits.  In a year, a single healthy tree: Has the same cooling effect as ten room-sized air conditioners running continually. Absorbs 750 gallons of stormwater, preventing erosion and protecting water quality. Filters 60 [...]

A spell of warm weather in March caused some people to turn on air-conditioning earlier than usual, but now that cooler spring weather has returned, it is the perfect time to give your home cooling equipment a check-up. Fixing any problems now will help you avoid air-conditioning problems when hot weather arrives for good.  And, [...]

Ah-choo! High pollen levels throughout much of the country mean that millions of Americans are sniffling, sneezing and itching. Spring allergies are usually caused by tree pollen, while grasses are generally the culprit during late spring and summer. Weather and environmental conditions affect the severity of your allergy symptoms. Pollen moves around less when conditions [...]

Whether you’re planting in your yard or bringing plants outside for fresh spring air, considering how they handle sunlight is important. Native plants are described at www.wildflower.org/plants,which includes sunlight preferences, but what do you do if you can’t identify a plant? Viewer Tip: Look for certain features shared by sun-loving plants and features common in [...]

As the weather warms up, washing your car on the street or in your driveway may seem harmless, but do you ever wonder where all the dirt, grime and soap go after washing down your driveway and into the storm drain? Most storm drains discharge water directly into a local lake, stream or river untreated. [...]

Did you know that commercial and industrial buildings account for up to half of energy use in the United States? Many of the simple energy-saving steps we use at home can be implemented at work, too. Viewer Tip: Every October, government organizations, businesses, associations and individuals observe Energy Awareness Month with activities and programs to [...]

Even on days with relatively mild temperatures of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels. While the windows of a car do not warm very much from the sun’s rays, the objects inside of a car absorb and radiate heat. A dark-colored seat or dashboard can reach temperatures of [...]

During the summer, we often think about how to stay cool while saving energy and money on utility bills.  While there are many adjustments you can make to your home cooling system to save energy, it’s also important to reduce heat build-up in your home so that your cooling system doesn’t have to work overtime. [...]

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 [...]

Many states are experiencing impacts from drought or dry weather, including impacts on agriculture, water and energy supplies, fires and other environmental conditions. While humans cannot prevent droughts from occurring, we can do our part to avoid intensifying their effects through our water usage. Viewer Tip: Conserving water at home doesn’t have to be a chore.  [...]

Have you noticed more frequent encounters with yellow jackets recently? Yellow jackets are a type of paper wasp found across the country. Depending on the species, they either nest above or below ground in colonies with workers and one queen that lays eggs. During the spring and early summer, workers build-up the colony with chambers [...]

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 [...]

On a hot summer day in the United States, a traditional roof can get as hot as 185 degrees! Hot roofs contribute to the urban heat island effect, where temperatures in cities are warmer that surrounding natural areas. One way to reduce the urban heat island effect in cities is to install cool roofs, using [...]

Some cities in the United States, such as Miami and Phoenix, receive over 3,000 hours of sun every year! In the summer, when temperatures can top 90 or even 100 degrees, a popular way to beat the heat is to take a dip in the pool. Unfortunately, in some states – including California, Florida and [...]

Peak water use season describes the time of year when communities experience their highest spike in water use—and their biggest water supply challenges. The average home uses 260 gallons of water per day, but that can rise to 1,000 gallons per day during peak watering season, and some homes can use as much as 3,000 [...]

Local wildlife – such as birds and small mammals – need a supply of clean water to survive periods of extreme heat and drought. Small animals often seen in our backyards typically don’t have large ranges, meaning that having fresh water close-by is extremely important for survival. Viewer Tip: You can lend a hand to [...]

Did you know that a swimming pool in the summer is just as attractive to wildlife as it is to us? While enjoyable for us, swimming pools can be dangerous for wildlife. Wildlife can become trapped and drown or be harmed by chemicals in the water. Viewer Tip: Luckily, there are many ways to help [...]

Making improvements to your lighting is one of the easiest at-home energy efficiency jobs you can take on.  According to the Department of Energy, an average household dedicates 11 percent of its energy budget to lighting.  Summer is a great time to take advantage of the long hours of sunlight during the day – using [...]

The sun emits radiation in the form of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is at its highest when and where the sun’s rays are the strongest. This means that UV levels will be highest around noon on a clear sunny day, as well as during the summer months. UV levels will also be highest near [...]