“We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.” Barbara Ward

A or B  Which will  you choose?

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
-George Bernard Shaw

A or B   Which will you choose?

One time use plastic products are not earth friendly choices. Plastic straws find their way into  waterways, bays, and the Gulf of Mexico, becoming threats to wildlife.  Avoiding the use of plastic straws or using paper straws are better choices.

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”
—Gaylord Nelson

A or B   Which will you choose?

Fiber choices have an effect upon the planet. 70% of microplastics polluting the air, water and the land are synthetic fibers made from petrochemicals.   Plastic degrades into microplastic particles entering the food streams of aquatic life, wildlife, and human beings.   Microplastic fibers float into the air,  as synthetic materials are abraded,  and enter water systems when synthetic materials are laundered. Choosing natural fibers such as cotton, flax, and wool having the ability to decompose, are earth friendly choices.

“I am Falling in love again with autumn,
The smell of warm cider,
The orange color leaves,
Pumpkins everywhere
and the crisp breeze,
People walking or riding their bikes,
Folks jogging or going on hikes,
I love autumn for many reasons and
I’m pleased to admit- this is my favorite season”
― Charmaine J Forde

An autumn hike may allow one to discover native plants unfamiliar to many suburban dwellers. The above plant, Phytolacca americana, is very familiar to birds, consuming the purple berries.  However, this plant should be avoided by human beings and other mammals. All parts of the plant are toxic. Commonly called pokeberry, pokeweed, poke sallet, poke salad, and polk salad, the leaves of this native plant  have been consumed  by human beings, through a boil and drain process. But, a far safer method to eat greens  is to buy  them from the local market. Hikers should enjoy the shiny purple berries from a distance,  keeping pets and children away from this toxic plant.

Learn more about this native plant at the following link.  Wikipedia

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”
― Jim Bishop

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER burn one of nature’s best resources – pine straw!  Pine straw  should be used for mulching garden beds. Azaleas, blueberries, camellias and other acid loving plants will appreciate your efforts.  Autumn is a great time to train little gardeners  about the BMPs of gardening.  Collect the “gold” on the ground.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in an autumnal face.  John Donne

This adorable autumnal face belongs to an eastern screech owl, a resident of the Mobile County  Public Schools  System’s Environmental Studies Center.  Serving as a greeter to the many visitors attending the fall open house at the Girby Road facility, this little beauty does not exemplify the reclusive behavior of its fellow screech owls. Most screech owls will be heard rather than seen.  Click on the following link to  identify the calls of this petite raptor.

All About Birds