Some cats love going outside and exploring the wilderness. While owners may indulge their kitty’s curiosity, it might not be conducive to the environment. Outdoor domestic cats can significantly affect local ecosystems by disrupting animal populations and food chains. Conversely, the environment could negatively impact the cats. Here’s what you need to know about the outdoors and feline friends. How Outdoor Domestic Cats Impact Local Ecosystems While one or two cats might seem inconsequential, the ramifications can be severe if outdoor pets roam during the day. If you have a lot of land, you might not be able to see the damage your feline does to local ecosystems. Consider the…
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The Importance of Urban Trees’ Cooling Effects
Cities — packed with buildings and pavement — absorb heat all day and release it back into the air at night. This creates the urban heat island (UHI), whereby cities are hotter than surrounding areas. The effects of UHIs are far-reaching, impacting both the environment and human and pet health. Urban trees within densely populated towns promote sustainable and livable spaces. These green giants offer many benefits that enhance the environment and quality of life for city dwellers. Why Trees Are Important in Urban Areas With up to 80% of the U.S. population residing in urban cities, trees are fundamental to mitigating the effects of UHIs. High temperatures in metropolitans promote the…
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Flower Power at Heart of Methane Reduction
A daffodil extract could help reduce emissions by 30 percent when added to feed.
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Fruits of Decay
Harvesting mushrooms endows us with memories and connects us with a powerful source of new life.
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BirdFest & Bluegrass Celebrates More Than Just Birds
Saturday, October 7, 2023 8:00 am-5:00 pm BirdFest and Bluegrass is the main event every year that the Friends & the City of Ridgefield put on to bring awareness to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and all that it has to offer. BirdFest & Bluegrass celebrates the Sandhill Crane returning to the Refuge during migration- a huge stately bird that is endangered in Washington State- as well as everything the Refuge is and what it brings to the community. With endangered species, hundreds of migratory birds, a variety of wildlife, an auto tour route, photo blind, walking trails, habitat restoration and environmental education programs, and so much more – there is…
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Sustainable Recreational Fishing
Lead found in fishing equipment can cause problems to the nervous systems of the animals that make up the ecosystem in which you're fishing
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Fred the Monarch
Monarch butterflies were plentiful during my childhood: I remember following them through the garden, craning to get a closer look at those magical wings. It is now quite rare to see a Monarch where I live in Oregon, and sadly, the species was added to the endangered list last year. We Need More Ambassadors of Childhood Wonderment Climate change is the likely cause of mass extinctions of Monarch butterflies and so many other species around the world, but something stops us from taking action. This widespread human inaction begs the question: do we really understand what is at stake? As soon as the pollinators are gone, we won’t be far…
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Native Plant Guilds
The ecological gardening trend is growing every year as more and more people are becoming aware of the negative impacts of climate change and industrial pollution
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Educational Resources at Symbiop Garden Shop
Participating in the practice of growing your own food and being a steward to the land is rewarding in a way that few other things are
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Bees Face Many Challenges
Drought conditions in the western U.S. in 2021 dried up bee forage – the floral nectar and pollen that bees need to produce honey and stay healthy.
