Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!
If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.
This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:
Last week we addressed the plight of the Monarch Butterfly, whose populations are rapidly decreasing due, primarily, to the use of herbicides. I signed a petition asking the EPA to adopt tough new restrictions on weed killers. A few weeks ago, I planted wild flowers; however, I wasn't sure if Milkweed (the Monarch's primary food source and where they lay their eggs) was included in my seed mix so I went on a hunt for them. I found a great site (http://www.livemonarch.org/donation.htm) where one can get seeds for a small donation. I also found a local Asheville store, The Compleat Naturalist, which is giving away free Milkweed seeds ... no purchase necessary, no strings attached, just a firm desire to help our winged friends. I'll be planting a dedicated butterfly garden in the next few days.
The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.
Argentum Vulgaris accepted the challenge and planted Milkweed. Or did he? Find out in Change the World Wednesday – 28th May.
Betsy accepted the challenge and shared this: "I am trying to cultivate milkweek in my yard. Petition SIGNED! Thanks for hosting as always, Small Footprints. I can't help myself from coming over here from Triberr when I see you have a new post up : ) " Thanks, Betsy ... I love that we're Triberr mates!
Alicia joined us and shares a bit about one of my favorite places, "BUTTERFLY TOWN, U.S.A.": "Thanks so much for the link to the petition! I am excited to try Milkweed this year and hoping that it will draw lots of butterflies. This is going to be a fun challenge to see if what we plant will draw them. I also read that daisy's, goldenrod and coneflower are some others that will draw them.I think we will try planting all of these and see how it works out! When we lived in Northern California we meat to go to Pacific Grove to see all of Monarch Butterflies that come there each year and hang out ( literally ) in the Eucalyptus groves They are there from October -February then they continue their migration south. They hang in clusters from the branches to maintain their body temp.Pacific Grove created this sanctuary to preserve the Monarchs but also make available an awesome opportunity to observe these amazing butterflies.If you live anywhere near there you should definitely check it out.Here is a link if anyone would like to read more about this sanctuary. http://www.pacificgrove.org/things-to-do/top-attractions/monarch-butterflies/3 The numbers have been down there also and I believe that it has a lot to do with pesticides and herbicides. We all should be aware of not using these harmful chemicals. There are many organic chemical free options to choose from."
CelloMom stopped by. Here's what she has to say: "Signed! A few years ago, we brought home a monarch chrysalis, attached to - you may guess - a milkweed twig. We watched the magic of the hatching. And after the monarch had flown away, my CelloPlayer carefully collected the seeds, and scattered it all over the yard. It's still coming back. The monarch is also one of the main characters in Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel, "Flight Behavior", which highlights how global warming also affects the monarch's migration. She paints a wonderful - and hilarious - picture of the main characters, improbably named Dellarobia. A great read." Sounds like a great book, CelloMom ... thanks for the recommendation! By the way, if you haven't visited CelloMom recently, head over ... she's got a terrific post on "size creep".
Ann included our CTWW Banner in a post entitled, Living Landscapes Connected Communities - Areca BooksAreca Books. Thanks, Ann!
Deborah joined us and shared this: "Thanks for raising our awareness of this important issue. I am so delighted that you shared #CTWW Monarch Butterflies with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! We appreciate it!"
Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:
From @AndreaPtak
- Change the World Wed. #CTWW Start with simple steps bring your own bags when shopping: http://t.co/RUS5Od4L5G #green #sustainability
From @GiveTreeGifts
- How to Banish Junk Mail from Your (Real World) Mailbox http://t.co/0mUaH5LsD6 #CTWW
- Junk mail scam warning http://t.co/kCZJGK5glD #CTWW
- Students' project mimics Monarch butterflies' paths http://t.co/cW4m6XcnYW #CTWW
- Monarch butterfly decline due to lack of milkweed; wildlife enthusiasts ask for help - http://t.co/TnIg3kJS0y #CTWW
- North Jersey homeowners urged to plant milkweed to save monarch butterflies http://t.co/olRlqbG5va #CTWW
- How to give a hand to Monarch butterflies http://t.co/N9naLgj4ho #CTWW
- Stopping Unsolicited Mail, Phone Calls, and Email http://t.co/vmy7N6x7Go #CTWW
- How to Get Rid of Junk Mail: 22 Steps http://t.co/LY6uEsCPrp #CTWW
From @acuriousgal1
- Hand-pulling weeds, great way to help eliminate herbicides and also good exercise #CTWW #flowers #exercise http://t.co/vtbCM3Xmh8
From @Forests_Ontario
- @acuriousgal1 pulling weeds great way to eliminate herbicides + good exercise #CTWW #flowers #exercise Same with pulling invasive species!
The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:
My Final Thoughts:
At the beginning of the Monarch challenge, I suggested that the loss of these butterflies indicates a larger environmental problem. Monarchs use the same resources as a large number of pollinators. The size of their population reflects, in part, the health of pollinators in general. Our food sources and ecosystems are dependent on healthy pollinator populations. So, preserving Monarchs is more than saving pretty butterflies ... it's about preserving all life on earth, including our own. What if killing one ant would end your life ... would you step on it? Killing pollinators, including the Monarch Butterfly, may end our life. One may say that it isn't that simple and perhaps it isn't. But then again, maybe discontinuing the use of herbicides and pesticides is exactly that simple.
Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.
This Week's Challenge:
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| Planting food is fun for the whole family |
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| Autumn is a good time to plant fruit trees |
So let's plant some food! Here's your challenge ...
This week, plant something edible. Plant in a garden, raised bed, a container, etc. If you don't have space outside, consider herbs or lettuce in a small pot placed in a kitchen window. Try placing some seed potatoes in the ground (dig a small hole and drop them in) ... then sit back and watch them grow. If you're moving into autumn, consider planting a fruit tree or perhaps a nut tree. The idea this week is to plant food.
OR ...
If growing food just isn't going to work for you, please offer other ideas for enjoying local, organic produce.
If growing food just isn't going to work for you, please offer other ideas for enjoying local, organic produce.
This is going to be a delicious challenge. Are you with me? I know that you are!
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As always, our mantra ...
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!