Welcome to the Fall Issue 2016 of the Almanac Newsletter and to the new look of my site! I’ll continue to introduce you to all sorts of information that reflects my interest in nature, the sustainable lifestyle, environmental issues and resources to motivate us into taking action. The almanac has so much information and because I don’t want you to miss any of it, I’ll be sending you the posts little by little every week. In this issue, I’m also thrilled to introduce a new category: Cabinet of Green Curiosities, where I’ll be sharing unusual and entertaining stories from the world of fauna and flora.
Just recently, I spent a few days in beautiful Stinson Beach, one of the natural wonders of California. On my way there, I met the Gamechanger for this month’s issue in line at a natural food store! So wonderful to meet someone so accomplished who is so down to earth and friendly.
This summer, I’ve gone to Farmer’s Markets in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Point Reyes—all in California and then in New York state: Millbrook, Millerton, Standfordville and Rhinebeck. I love those markets and have so much respect for the hardworking farmers who grow the locally and preferably organic produce. According to a study published by the Cornucopia Institute, nearly 30 percent of New England’s farmers are likely to exit farming in the next 10+ years, and nine out of ten are farming without a young farmer alongside them. To avert a crisis and facilitate the transition of farms and farmland in New England to a next generation of farmers, foundations like FarmOn! , the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture and colleges like Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems are on missions to inspire young people to choose agricultural careers and be part of creating a healthy and sustainable food system. Programs are also available through SUNY and Cornell College of Agriculture
Have you ever eaten purslane? It’s delicious and super healthy and most probably growing somewhere outside your house. It’s a low-growing succulent like plant that is found around the world (except Antarctica), in gardens and flowerbeds, in the cracks of sidewalks and driveways and by fields and in the wilderness. Learn why it’s so healthy to eat and go out and find some!
Did you know, that September 17th is International Coastal Cleanup, where 18 million pounds of trash was collected by 800,000 thousand volunteers during ICC 2015. Click here to learn how you can participate.
If you care about birds and their nests, the best time to trim trees in Southern California is between late September and February. This is so you can avoid high nesting season, which occurs between March 1st and August 31st. Some birds, especially hummingbirds, hawks and owls can be found nesting at any time of year. Carefully inspect any area before you begin the process of foliage removal. Certain species such as hawks, owls, crows, and ravens often re-use nests, so if you find a large nest made of twigs, do not remove it. For more birding info
Just as reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park has changed the course of the river, so too can the course of Lyme disease be altered, as it continues to plague the Northeast and upper Midwest. There exists a natural cure and it involves the reintroduction of certain animals that would bring back a natural balance in the ecosystem. Read the piece here by MoisesVelasquez-Manoff
Just this summer, I have added sprouts to my diet because they are delicious and they have so many health benefits! To learn why sprouts are a super-food and how to get sprouting, I wrote a blog about it.
Did you know, that you can nominate a new marine preserve? For the first time, you can suggest areas of the U.S. waters for consideration as new marine sanctuaries. Proposed areas must have significant biological or historical value. To nominate
October 4th is World Animal Day. Support organizations that are dedicated to protecting and preserving precious wildlife around the world: WWF.org, Nature.org, Janegoodall.org and Oceana.org
October is when female northern right whales teach their calves to swim, and dive deep for food, in the heaving Bay of Fundy off Nova Scotia. Perhaps the bay’s 53-foot tides and fogbanks kept whalers from hunting the species there.
Fall also marks the worldwide migration of fish where sturgeon flow from the Selenga River into Siberia’s Lake Baikal, striped bass move into the Chesapeake Bay’s tributaries, and cow nose rays glide in formations called fevers from Florida’s Atlantic Coast in the Gulf of Mexico.
November 6th is Daylight savings time! Set clocks back one hour.
In November, as autumn snows (possibly) pelt California’s High Sierra, pronghorn descend to low open country to feed. Ranging across the western United States, Canada, and Mexico, North America’s swiftest land animal likely developed its speed during the Pleistocene, when it was pursued by cheetahs, and hyenas that roamed the continent.
November 15th is America Recycles Day and since every day is a good to recycle, an environment improving bi-national project has launched between Mexico and the US to address the issue of tire waste. The project was launched in Tijuana, which aims to collect up to 100,000 tires, shred them and recycle the scraps into materials such as bricks and asphalt. To read the whole story Committing to recycle as often as possible will help conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and inspire others to recycle more. Find out how you can participate in your area
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful fall, including Halloween and Thanksgiving and see you in December for the Winter Issue!
All the best,
Priscilla
