This year Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is combining two great events into one: BioBlitz 2011and Kids’ Fishing Day!
The public is invited to participate in the Refuge’s 6th annual BioBlitz Festival on Saturday June 11th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Refuge Visitor Center. This free family event includes guided boat trips to net fish on Lake Lowell; guided bird and plant walks; and insect-collecting expeditions. Visitors can also view live birds of prey, fish, and reptiles; learn to identify insects at the Bug Tent; learn how to …

For their second year, Oregon Rural Action and Solar Oregon are hosting a ‘Going Solar’ fair in La Grande, Oregon. It is a 2-day event, being held on June 18 & 19, 2011.
This is a great opportunity for people in Eastern Oregon and even Western Idaho, to glean some great information about solar technology and get an up close look at it also.
The Solar Fair information is listed on Oregon Rural Action and Solar Oregon’s websites. A list of the activities are listed below:
* The Basics of Going Solar Workshop …

The modern methods of drilling for natural gas have become controversial and of great concern in several states throughout the country. Now, those same controversial methods are being initiated in the great State of Idaho. The reason for the outcry is due to potential contamination of ground water by a method that is known as fracturing or “fracking”.
Fracking is a type of gas drilling that injects millions of gallons of fluids — a mixture of chemicals, water and sand — into a well to …

Even those households that have curbside recycling offered to them, may discard some recyclable items into their regular household garbage can. Unfortunately, lack of convenience and knowledge, are often key factors to this oversight.
Modernization and chaotic lifestyles have seriously impacted the attitude of western civilization. We always want the most convenient and easiest way to complete any task. But, whatever is the most convenient isn’t always what’s best, when it comes to recycling.
The issue is the planet. You know, the one we live on, Earth? We only have one planet …

Program Recycles Flip Flops to Build Community Playgrounds
In an effort to further reduce waste, TerraCycle, Inc. and Old Navy are partnering in a month-long drive to collect used flip flops and recycle them into four public playgrounds around the country. The community is encouraged to participate by stopping by an Old Navy store to deposit used flip flops in designated collection bins. This is the first time a nationwide retailer has initiated a large-scale effort to collect and recycle flip flops. All Old Navy stores across the U.S. are participating …

Special Earth Day Healthy Home Kit
For a limited time, starting today – Earth Day (4/22), at the time that you join Shaklee, you can also purchase a very special selection of Get Clean® products that includes Basic H2 (16 oz), Two Spray Bottles, Get Clean Super Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, Get Clean Dish Wash Liquid Concentrate, Get Clean Fresh Laundry Concentrate (32 oz), and Shaklee Energy™.
This offer is worth over $85 and is only available to new members at the time of sponsoring, at the amazing Member Price of $30.*
To …

“Treat the earth well:
it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.
We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
we borrow it from our Children.”

This week is designated Earth Week and the 22nd of April is Earth Day. It’s also marks the 4th anniversary of my journey of being a more responsible caretaker of this beautiful planet.
There are a plethora of things that one can do, to be more environmentally conscious and reduce their carbon footprint. I will be sharing …

With good intentions back in 1976, Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The purpose of this legislation was to enact laws intended to protect families from toxic chemicals in the products they are exposed to everyday.
The TSCA is long overdue for an overhaul, but several in Congress are working hard to pass the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011. The Safe Chemicals Act would overhaul the 35-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which is widely perceived to have failed to protect public health and the environment. Specifically the …

On the 26th of March at 8:30pm (your local time), Earth Hour will sweep around the globe as people switch off their lights and celebrate a worldwide commitment to protect our planet.
This year, when the lights go back on, please think about what you can do beyond the hour to contribute to a more sustainable future.

I have been involved for several months with a local organization. It’s the Snake River Chapter of Oregon Rural Action. This grass roots group of passionate people are tirelessly working to raise awareness in our community about agricultural economic sustainability, social justice and more.
They are currently gearing up to get the Four Rivers Community Garden going again this year. The Garden helps provide fresh produce to the local food pantry and is a resource for educating local families about food options.
The monthly chapter meeting is being held, Wednesday, March 16th …