Tag Archive for "Conservation and Nature"
Tuesday February 5, 2013Posted by Donna Walker
The Island of Sardinia
Sardinia, Italy, is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily. The island terrain resembles a quilt of sandy beaches, forested mountain peaks, valleys of citrus groves, and pastures of happily grazing sheep.
Sheep near Lula, Sardinia, Italy. Casu marzu cheese is made with ewe’s milk.
Thousands of stone buildings called “Nuraghes” dot the landscape as testimony to an ancient past. Traditionally, Sardinian men worked as farmers and shepherds; some families today continue to raise sheep as a means of income. Sheep are milked twice a day to create Pecorino, a cheese used for Sardinia’s Casu marzu.
Sardinia, Italy is the 2nd largest island in the Mediterranean.
Sardinia’s Casu Marzu
Casu marzu is a specialty cheese that was outlawed for a period of time by the EU (European Union). During this period, die-hard fans had to purchase Casu marzu from the black market. Sardinian sheep farmers relying on Casu marzu as a family business, fought to have the ban lifted.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Monday January 14, 2013
Posted by Donna Walker
True Bugs
The Red-shouldered Bug
An afternoon walk usually involves having my “nose to the ground” checking for any interesting insect activity. This particular bug was very lucky that I was looking down, or it may have been stepped on……it’s little life cut short by a size 8 sneaker! The first thing I noticed was its beautiful coloring of bluish-black wings with red markings and red eyes.
Red-shouldered Bug (Jadera haematoloma)
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Tuesday December 4, 2012Posted by Donna Walker
Pest-Free Christmas Trees
Sniff, sniff……ahhhh, ‘tis the season for the smell of pine needles…..and with the wonderful aroma of pine, you just might have a few pests hitching a ride on that Christmas tree — right into your home!
Christmas trees can bring in pesky guests during the holidays.
Christmas Tree Farms and Pesticides
There are very few Christmas Tree Farms in southern California where you can actually have a tree cut fresh for the holidays, but you can purchase a live one in a pot for later planting. Most trees are shipped in from other states and are treated with pesticides during the year; however, sometimes small critters may be shipped into the state along with the trees.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Friday February 24, 2012Posted by Donna Walker
Prehistoric Pests and Food Storage of California Indians
Connecting Pest Control to Nature and The Cycle of Life
The leader in organic pest control for Southern California, Hearts Pest Management provides a conscious, cycle of life, pest management approach for our customers.
Keeping Pantries Free of Pests – Then and Now
Society has undergone many changes and technical progress over the years but when it comes to food storage, the quest to keep pantries free from pests was as much a concern 2000 years ago as it is today. During that time period, indigenous people gathered food and stored it in their “pantries” (granary baskets); today we store food in our cupboards and unlike the simple acorn granaries of yesterday, we have fancy packaging and preservatives to make our food last longer. However, the idea is the same…. keeping food safe from pests for future use.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Thursday February 2, 2012Posted by gerryweitz
WESTERN FENCE LIZARD – AKA “BLUE-BELLY”
by Donna Walker
MTRP Trail Guide and Hearts Pest Management Customer Service
Hearts Pest Management, the leader in organic pest control for Southern California, provides a conscious, cycle of life pest management approach while maintaining an interest in the preservation of our natural resources and wildlife. The Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), or “Blue-belly,” a constant companion to gardeners, manages the pest population in its own way by clearing a garden of beetles, flies, ants, caterpillars, spiders, and crickets.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Thursday January 19, 2012Posted by gerryweitz
Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, Fallbrook, CA
By Donna Walker, MTRP Trail Guide and Hearts pest control customer service representative
Hearts Pest Management – An Environmentally Activist Company
Hearts Pest Management is committed to the conservation and preservation of our natural resources. The leader in organic pest control methods for Southern California, we at Hearts Pest Management do our best to provide a conscious, cycle of life pest management approach for our customers.
Mission Trails Guides Journey to Santa Margarita Reserve in Fallbrook
As a trail guide and naturalist, I was invited to hike the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve in Fallbrook, CA where a group of us, led by one of the Reserve’s docents, explored the rich riparian ecosystem of native plants and wildlife. The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve is dedicated to keeping the land it in its natural state for educational and research purposes.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Thursday December 29, 2011Posted by gerryweitz
Mission Trails Regional Park
San Diego, CA
Mission Trails – Hiking, Biking, Climbing and Camping
Mission Trails has over 6000 acres of natural habitat dedicated to the preservation of Southern California’s wildlife and native plants with over 40 miles of recreation: hiking, biking, rock climbing, equestrian trails, two lakes, camping (camping suspended due to budgetary constraints), and a 3 mile scenic stretch of the San Diego River. Visitors can enjoy free guided nature walks led by trained volunteer guides. Educational classes are taught in the Visitor Center on birding basics and nature adventures for children. There are also free concerts and star-gazing for visitors to enjoy.
Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Tuesday December 13, 2011Posted by gerryweitz
Toyon Christmas Berry – The California Holly
Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Monday November 21, 2011Posted by gerryweitz
If you are visiting the San Francisco East Bay area, take a morning to walk through the Ruth Bancroft Gardens in Walnut Creek. You can easily spend 2-3 hours wondering through the gardens. I was luck the day I arrived as they were exhibiting the works of local sculptures.
Here are a view of the succulents, cacti, ponds, local shrubs and trees that I found dotting the paths.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Tuesday September 13, 2011Posted by gerryweitz
Two videos present the compassionate side of saving mice. You will hear the joy in the voices of these two young girls, when they are able to save these mice and give them a chance to live.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
