It’s Official: Americans Prefer Dogs

A new survey shows canines winning in a landslide for our favorite pets.  See the results here.

Vertical Gardening

City-dwellers have long been pressed for green spaces, but a new trend is allowing them to have their own personal gardens- by creating ‘living walls’ of plants and edibles in apartments and businesses.  Read about the trend and see amazing photos here.

Water, Water Everywhere

Here in Portland, the grates at the end of our streets go straight into the river.  Keeping rivers and watersheds healthy means keeping harmful substances out of storm drains.  These substances can include pet wastes, pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals you may use in your house and lawn.  Here are some tips on being a water-conscious citizen, from Portland Environmental Services:

• “Grasscycle”; that is, leave mown grass on your lawn instead of raking it away, as it contains important nutrients your lawn will absorb.  Use other yard debris in a compost.
• Grass lawns only need about an inch of water a week.  Try to keep excess water from entering drains.
• Disconnect your downspouts
• Consider starting a ‘rain garden’.  Using native plants means you don’t need to water excessively or use extra chemicals.
• Planting trees will not only improve the look of your home and neighborhood, but will absorb extra rain and water and control erosion.
For more information and resources, go to cleanriversandstreams.org.

Gardening for Wildlife

Did you know you can get your own backyard certified as a wildlife habitat, no matter what the size?  It’s simple and can be done in any size of space.  See the requirements here.

Wind Energy and Migrating Bats

Despite the many bonuses of wind farms, the turbines have killed thousands of flying bats.  How to provide both clean energy and protect the migrating fliers?  Scientists are juggling several ideas including ultrasound speakers.  Read about it here.

Off Leash Dogs and Nature: Your Opinion, Please

I spent the weekend near Camp Sherman in Central Oregon’s glorious Metolius Recreation Area.  At the Camp Sherman store on Saturday, in addition to Stephen Shunk’s (http://www.paradisebirding.com) van full of birders, the parking lot bulged with dog-filled vehicles. Lengthy tongues dripped with the anticipation of companions’ returns, and another chance to leap into the cold river.  Along the river, off leash dogs careened uncontrolled with excitement up and down the bank, looking for anything that moved…insect, mammal or another dog until exhausted, the dogs dropped into the river for a cool swim.

I thought about what effect our off leash dogs have on the wildlife.  Not that I’m concerned about the effect of a few dogs on a particular Saturday during the “busy season” on the river, but in general, what should those of us with dogs and a love of the trail do about protecting the places that we love.

Read More >

Raccoons in my yard

One of my neighbors was bitten by her dog during a fracas with four raccoons. Now she’s determined to trap the raccoons and relocate them. Guess what?  When those four raccoons go, four more will move into the area to take their place.

The bite, the fight, the fright, none of this was necessary. Why did it happen?  Dog food on the deck.

Read More >