Béa's Conservation Blog

March, 2016: It's Been Awhile!

     Because I've been busy with other projects—such as publishing a novel—I've had to pass the Eco E's Camp baton on to others. Although I'm still passionate about environmental ed., I've expanded my interests on my newest blogs. Check them out!

https://spyintheteacherslounge.wordpress.com/

https://beatomasellitiritilli.wordpress.com/

July, 2014: Reuse Your Water!

     Previously in this blog I’ve written about the connection between energy and water conservation. Among other environmental impacts, fresh water is typically pumped from its source to its destination, and these pumps use electricity. Steam-generated electricity, of course, also uses vast amounts of water. And anytime water is heated—in the shower, for example—water and energy use flow hand-in-hand.

     Here in California we’re experiencing our worst drought in recorded history. That makes conservation more important than ever. Public service announcements and other websites are doing a good job of addressing the problem. One great website: http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/.

     Common-sense water conservation tips like those described on the aforementioned website are just the beginning for some. If you have the time and money, consider installing a gray-water recycling system. (Gray water is water that’s been used once for washing dishes, clothes or your body before being reused.) Here’s a few websites with more information on this topic:

     http://greywateraction.org/content/about-greywater-reuse

     http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/homegard/graywate.htm

     http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06702.html

     Installing a gray-water system isn’t always practical, of course. One cheap, easy way to reuse gray water is to simply place a bucket in the shower or sink. Whether you’re washing vegetables or waiting patiently while the shower warms up, there’s no good reason to allow fresh water to wash into the sewer system. This water can be reused in landscaping, in your toilet tank, or to wash your car. And a little soap or shampoo in your gray water shouldn’t harm your plants—it may even benefit them. Many organic gardeners recommend soapy water as a deterrent to garden pests. 

 

June, 2014: Change of pace

     This fall, I'll be teaching AP Environmental Science at my current employment site. I'll be blogging about that experience in a couple of months. Meanwhile, my life has taken a temporary detour. Although I've published dozens of non-fiction articles throughout the years, I'm using this summer to attempt to publish a novel I wrote that's focused, in part, on the life of a science teacher. The main character, however, is one of her seventh-grade students, and the setting is a middle school here in Santa Ana. You can learn more at my other blog, titled after the book: www.SpyInTheTeachersLounge.wordpress.com

 

March, 2014: Experiential Science Learning

     Greetings! It’s been several months since I’ve had a free minute or two to share on this this blog—because, once again, I’m teaching full time. (Like many teachers who didn’t have seniority when the recession hit, I have a new layoff and a new job every year or two.) Although I’m at an inner-city school with close to zero dollars for a lab budget, I’ve managed to get creative and immerse my students in experiential and collaborative science projects to a great extent. I’ve found there are all sorts of standards-based biology lessons, for example, that can be taught with a bag of potting soil and some pots and seeds. To see a sample of these projects, click on the Education Projects link, or click here:

http://eco-es.wix.com/ecology#!large-grid/c207h

     

August, 2013: Urban Agriculture

     During my first trip to Switzerland, my mother explained how her family and neighbors escaped the famine that swept some parts of World War II Europe. She pointed to a tiny island in the street—no more than two square meters—in her old neighborhood near Zurich.

     “Every little piece of available land, even this one, was used for agriculture,” she said. “Before the war, our country had relied on imports for much of its sustenance. During the war, the imports stopped. So everyone started gardens anywhere they could. We all had just enough to eat. No one got fat, but no one went hungry.”

     In the past, I’ve devoted much of my blog to energy conservation and education; but I’d like to switch direction for a bit and discuss a related issue: urban farming.  This ties to conservation in a few ways. For example, growing locally means less energy use as we tranport produce from farm to market. (Picture how much fuel is burned as your Hawaiian pineapple makes its way to the mainland.) But there are other advantages to urban gardening. Here are a few:

• Rooftop gardens have insulating properties that can help regulate a home’s internal HVAC use.

• Community gardens bring neighbors together, often beautifying weedy vacant lots.

• Urban orchards absorb air pollution and reduce greenhouse gases.

• Vertical urban gardens (such as hydroponics and aquaponics) require less land, which in turn leads to reduced urban/suburban sprawl.

• In the new economy, more and more families (mine included) have had to get by on less income. Urban gardens can supplement our grocery bills; in fact, my local nursery doesn’t charge sales tax for vegetable plants, as they’re considered nontaxable food.

• Farming your own food means you control what goes into it, including the amount of pesticides, herbicides, and the choice of organic or inorganic fertilizers.

     I recently read Five Borough Farm, a book about urban agriculture in New York City. (Apparently one no longer has to choose between Green Acres and a penthouse view.) Published by Design Trust for Public Space, you can read more about their innovative ideas for urban farming here: http://www.designtrust.org/projects/project_12farmII.html

     Here in Orange County, California, several local nonprofits exist to promote urban farming. A sampling:

• Santa Ana People’s Garden (community garden): https://www.facebook.com/santaAnapeoplesgarden

• The Harvest Club (shares backyard produce with those in need): http://www.theharvestclub.org/

• The Grain Project (community gardens, farmer’s market plans, and more): http://www.grainproject.org/

     And I can’t end this post without a plug for saving my favorite local orchard—the last orange grove in Santa Ana, CA. You can learn more about the fight to save the historic Sexlinger orchard here: https://www.facebook.com/theoldorangeorchardconservancy

 

June, 2013: Eco E's teams with Green Being Project​

     Exciting news: This year, Eco E's is teaming with the kind folks at the nonprofit Green Being Project to bring you our summer Environmental Science Camp! Campers will be able to access the Project's Santa Ana People's Garden—down the block from the Nature Reserve—to learn organic gardening techniques and sustainable building practices such as adobe brick making. You can learn more about the Green Being Project at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Being-Project/138778952812369



May, 2013: Grow an Energy-Conservation Garden

     How’s your spring garden coming? Have you planted anything that will reduce your energy costs?    

     When considering ways to reduce energy bills, many people look first to weatherization techniques and appliances programmed to save electricity. That’s not a bad idea; but it’s also important to keep in mind that plants, trees and shade awnings can aid your weatherization process while lowering your heating and cooling bills.    

     Picture wrapping your home in a blanket to keep drafts out and cooled or warmed air in. This is essentially what you do when adding insulation or siding. Likewise, plants added beside your house can block winds and blanket your home from draft leaks, while adding beauty and character. Trees, similarly, not only increase property values but shade your home from the hot summer sun, reducing air conditioning costs. Where trees and plants are impractical, such as back patios and in front of windows, patio covers and shade awnings can have a similar effect. Retractable awnings can keep the heat out during the summer, but be pulled back throughout the winter months to allow sunlight, when available, to bathe your home in warmth.    

     Plants and trees have additional benefits, such as creating habitat for butterflies, birds, and other local wildlife (especially when natives are planted), and even reduced food bills. Fruit trees, berry and rosemary bushes are examples of insulators that can lower grocery bills. And anything that photosynthesizes creates fresh air and sequesters greenhouse gases—benefiting the planet, not just your household.

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