December 16 – 29, 2019
Mount Washington — At the conclusion of a Commonwealth Club radio interview, Aarti Shahani, NPR correspondent and author, was asked a version of the question: “What is one thing that everyone can do to make the world a better place?” She answered, “Shhhhh.” The interviewer was caught off-guard. Aarti continued (loosely quoted): “Yes! When each person takes time to be quiet, solutions to big problems emerge and are realized.” In essence: When I feel centered, I have a broad and truthful perspective.
My own experiences of quiet often take place in solitary, passive observation of nature. Nurtured by the quiet, I am energized to participate in work, study and other activities in the service of stewardship of the natural world. During this, the Long Night Moon, I compiled a list of gifts of enlightenment for readers that will, in turn, support generous gift giving to the Earth. Check my list, find a gem, share your list.
Hotbed of ecological gardening know-how Today, Dec. 16, early bird reduced rate registration deadline for Northeast Organic Farming Association Winter Conference at Worcester State University on Jan. 11, 2020. https://www.nofamass.org/events/wc
Supplies for gardeners and farmers Jan. 1 – NOFA Bulk Order Program opens. “The NOFA Tri State Bulk Order offers all the seeds, tubers, tools and supplies you will need for spring. Save money on shipping while also supporting your local NOFA chapter. One thing we are particularly excited to carry this year are some amazing spring cover crop seed varieties.” For creative use of cover crops, go to https://www.nofamass.org/articles/2019/11/increasing-days-living-cover-through-innovative-approaches-spring-sown-cover-crops
Opportunity to birdwatch Jan. 1 – Enjoy birdwatching with knowledgeable and enthusiastic observers while contributing to Audubon’s 120th annual Christmas Count, a national bird population census. Register with the South Berkshire Count leader, Rene Wendell renewendell@hotmail.com. Learn more at https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
Bird feeding Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds – https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/when-136-bird-species-show-up-at-a-feeder-which-one-wins/
Homemade vegetarian recipe for suet bird feeders – https://www.audubon.org/news/make-your-own-suet
Birds at risk “If you were alive in 1970, 29 percent of breeding birds in the U.S. and Canada have disappeared within your lifetime. These data signal an urgent need to repair the very fabric of our ecosystems…. https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/
Cats “Domestic cats (Felis catus) are predators that humans have introduced globally and that have been listed among the 100 worst non-native invasive species in the world.” A new study, “The Impact of Free-Ranging Domestic Cats on Wildlife of the United States,” estimates that cats kill 1.3 billion – 4 billion birds and 6.3 billion – 22.3 billion mammals in the lower 48 states each year. https://www.audubon.org/news/cats-pose-even-bigger-threat-birds-previously-thought Among the mammals, country cats predominately kill [beneficial] native shrew, vole, squirrel, mouse, and rabbit species. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2380#change-history
Ingenious cat collar – https://www.audubon.org/news/how-stop-cats-killing-birds
Plastic
– Why plastic is personal by Natalie Fee, City to Sea campaign – https://nataliefee.com/ and Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJiQt9ASSNg
– Every end is a beginning. Dianna Cohen, artist, plastic worldwide circulation from source to waterways: informative video Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO4axNuoPis
– Alejandro Duran, “How I use art to tackle plastic pollution in our oceans” – https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=07487d1456302a286cf9c4ccc&id=6a86208406&e=1779bd28ab
Population
Population Education – https://populationeducation.org/about-us/
National Parks
Privatizing and fee increases alert – https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2019-12-05/public-lands-wilderness/plan-to-privatize-national-parks-not-going-away-group-says/a68512-1
Climate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_climate_change_initiatives#United_States
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change
https://www.sierraclub.org/climate-and-energy
