Meet the contenders, vote for your favorite, and help us decide this year’s winner!

Swallowtail Butterflies

Swallowtail butterfly. National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by Martha Hitchiner.

Swallowtail Butterfly. National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by John Kinney.

Chipmunks

National Wildlife Photo Contest Entry by William Heban.

National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by Danny Brown.

The American Goldfinch

National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by Lara Hardesty.

National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by Gregory Fisher.

Hummingbirds

National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by David Bahr.

National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by Chris Zink.

These photos were donated by participants in the annual National Wildlife Photo Contest. See more photos or sign up for the 43rd Annual National Wildlife Photo Contest.

My green roof Halloween costume, inspired by the green roof at PS41 in New York City

I emailed our friends at PS41 this morning to see how they were doing after Hurricane Sandy. Science teacher Joaquin Rodriguez said they were without power still, and could not visit the school to see how it is doing, but we’re hopeful they will be back in the next week. We’re thinking about them!!!

I was so inspired by my visit to see the green roof at PS41 last month, that I dedicated my Halloween costume to their courageous and inspiring efforts.

How did I make the costume?

Here’s the materials that went into my costume:

• My husband donated two pairs of gray work pants that had patches, which I cut up and sewed into the stone walls of the school.
• The windows are used plastic bags.
• The green fabric was part of a tent my son destroyed after much playing.
• The leaves are made from Lindt chocolate wrappers (from a thank you gift that my co-worker Pat gave me) and Fruit-a-Bu fruit leather packages, cut into leaf shapes and glued on to  green twist ties.
• The flat part on my shoulders is made from a piece of cardboard, reinforced by two wooden dowels.

My costume won in the recycled category here at National Wildlife Federation’s Halloween costume contest!

For information on past year’s recycled costumes, check out my recycled Halloween costume blogs.

• My Double Rainbow costume
• My green Halloween costumes over the years

Inspire My Next Costume

Learn more about becoming an Eco-School like PS41!

Green Roof on PS 41 in New York

The only space was on the roof. PS 41 felt very vertical to me. I climbed up and down the four flights of stairs about fifty times during our interviews. But I grew to love that climb. I climbed up to one of the most peaceful places I have ever visited. When I reached the top and looked out at the green roof, it was the smell that surprised me the most. It smelled wonderful—like a meadow. Even though the plants there are very tiny, they gave the most wonderful scent. Most of the plants are succulents, or plants that live without much soil or water. There is only about four inches of soil under those plants. The architects had to minimize the weight of the green roof components because the roof wasn’t built to hold all those plants and people. A green roof was likely not on the agenda when they built PS 41 decades ago.

Only forty adults can be on the roof at one time, which adds to its tranquility, if you ask me. I wish my video diary could convey the smell, but just imagine you are in a meadow, and hopefully the visuals will transport you there:

Click here to view the embedded video.

In the coming weeks, our plan is to share stories about the amazing people who made this green roof a reality. As a parent, I can’t imagine signing up to such a project – so much work, fundraising, engineering research. But my co-workers scoffed at my skepticism. They said, “Carla, can’t you see? When you have such a big dream, you are magnet to amazing people, and they help you get it done.” Big dreams – I’m familiar with that. I know these folks inspired me with my big dreams and I hope they do the same for you. In the meantime, consider registering your school as an Eco-School and join our big dream today!

Kindergartners congregate on PS 41′s Greenroof Environmental Learning Laboratory in Manhatten. Photo by Carla Brown.

Me in my crate playground quite a few years ago

I grew up in downtown Philadelphia, where sidewalks and concrete abound.  I was a lucky kid too – I went to a school that took us out to a retired farm once a week and set us loose to explore after a hands on science lesson.  It was amazing, but it was just once a week, we had to leave the city, and most kids I knew didn’t have that opportunity.  That experience inspired me to work to ensure that all kids have the chance to fall in love with nature right in their own schools and communities. Stepping out onto the roof at PS41 affirmed my commitment to this work.

Already PS41’s Greenroof Environmental Literacy Laboratory, lush with native plants, serves as a haven for migrating birds (check out this gorgeous Northern Parula that found its way there for a rest while migrating South for the winter just days after the roof was completed!) and a calm and beautiful oasis of hands on, experiential environmental learning.  The 804 students who attend the school are already using the site to enhance their science, math, literacy, and art knowledge and skills.

A Northern Parula spotted on the green roof of PS 41. Photo courtesy Vicki Sando.

Rather than paving the way for the future, they are greening the way!

All kids deserve such great teachers, school leaders, and such great opportunities.  Right now, your school can register to become an eco-school to create a better future for your students and celebrate the great work that is underway. Already in New York City 44 schools have signed up.  What is your school doing to green the way for your students?

P.S. Stay tuned for stories of some of the inspiring leaders, like Vicki Sando in the pic below, who made this dream a reality!

Vicki Sando, a teacher at PS 41, reads from The Curious Gardener on the schools green roof.

Craig Newmark's love for squirrels inspired me to draw him one!

That’s why I got so excited when I learned that Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist and lover of squirrels, wanted to donate $1 to National Wildlife Federation for every mention of #squirrels4good. What a perfect example of celebrating wildlife that both amuses us and keeps us company in life!

So if squirrels inspire Craig, what inspires you?

We’re encouraging you to tweet what animals you love seeing in the wild while using the hashtag #squirrels4good!

Attracting backyard visitors that you love

Part of the reason why many of us garden for wildlife and celebrate Garden for Wildlife Month is because it increases the chances we’ll see those animals that bring joy to our backyards and balconies.  Whether you’re trying to see more hummingbirds, bats or butterflies, many species use the habitats we create for them and will coexist peacefully when allow them some room.

So please tell us the wildlife you love seeing by doing one of the following things:

• Share Facebook photos or stories about your favorite wildlife on our Facebook wall (using #squirrels4good).
• Tweet photos or stories about your favorite wildlife (using #squirrels4good).
• Draw, write or paint something in honor of your nature visitors.

I LOVE YOU

My husband and I both helped to instill in our two children an appreciation for nature. We encourage outdoor play, garden for wildlife and spend regular time exploring nearby green spaces (including the backyard!) with our family. While the benefits for our kids are well documented, I’ve become increasingly aware of the benefits outdoor time brings to me as well.

Parents and other grown-ups are just as tethered to electronic devices as our youth counterparts, it seems. It’s how much of business—and even schoolwork—gets done these days. But being focused on computers, smartphones and the like can steal opportunities to bond with friends and family—to make lasting memories—when we fail to tune out email streams when the workday is done and to afford ourselves the gift of disconnecting. That’s why I consider walk invitations and enthusiastic wildlife observations (“I see a butterfly!”) such loving expressions. They say simply but pointedly: Share this with me. Enjoy the natural world you helped me to discover.

Take Time Out

I encourage everyone reading this post to take time during National Wildlife Week (and beyond!) to step out the door with a loved one to tune in to nature’s wonders, refuel and open yourselves to unexpected joys. On a recent hike, my 7-year-old son spotted a “tail” in the leaf litter. I stood beside him, hoping to see what he saw. A garter snake! Thrilled by his find, he quietly pointed it out to every passer-by and told me I “should write about it for National Wildlife.” I’m doing the latter now, for it’s a fitting reflection. “This is awesome,” he whispered, as we admired the reptile. It was. And I can still feel the love.

Learn more about how you can celebrate EXTRA-ordinary species in your community and across the country during this year’s National Wildlife Week, March 19-25 >>

Shrubs and evergreen trees provide ideal cover as do birdhouses and nesting boxes.

1. A cozy hangout

Natural nooks and crannies offer our feathered friends protection from harsh weather and predators. Shrubs and evergreen trees are ideal. Leaves and sticks can be piled up in a remote corner of the yard to be used as shelter or as nesting material. A simple birdhouse or nesting box can be hung from your porch, deck or fence. Learn how to choose the right birdhouse.

2. A way to wet their whistle

All birds need water, particularly in the winter when many natural water sources are frozen and inaccessible. Choosing a heated bird bath or extra heater accessory for your existing bird bath will provide liquid water for the birds, so they will not need to spend precious calories on melting snow or ice. Furthermore, having water available in your yard year-round will attract a wider range of birds. Find out more about providing water to wildlife in winter.

 3. A shiny new feeder

A variety of birdhouses and feeders are available at shopnwf.org. Each purchase makes a difference for wildlife.

4. A few good meals

Birds need extra energy and calories during the winter to keep warm and healthy. They can get that energy best from higher quality birdseed like black oil sunflower seed. For an extra holiday treat, buy a seed bell, decorative seed wreath or other novelty seed sculpture for the birds.  Or, help the kiddies make these cute suet ornaments. Here are ten simple tips for successful winter bird feeding.

5. A clearly marked no-fly zone

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more birds die because of collisions with glass than any other factor associated with human activity. Anywhere from 100 million to 1 billion birds are killed by window strikes each year. One way to deter birds from flying into windows is to buy specialty window decals. Or, decorate the windows with nature ornaments by following these easy step-by-step instructions.

If you have created a backyard haven for birds and other wildlife, make it an official National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat site today. Gift certifications are also available. >>

Taking a break along the Appalachian Trail

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
~John Burroughs

I watch WAY too much CNN. And with all this talk of debt ceiling deals and credit downgrades, the constant din of “breaking news” is stressing me out.

So, I go for a hike to clear my head. As I surrender myself to the cool comfort of the forest, my senses tune in to my surroundings. My eyes soak in the various shades of green and the sun peeking through the canopy. I feel the soft ground giving ever so slightly under the soles of my boots. I hear an industrious red-bellied woodpecker in the distance. I breathe in deeply to bathe my lungs in fresh air. Ahhhhhh…

What was I worrying about again?

Oh right, the economy. Well, this little walk in the woods isn’t costing me a dime. If anything, it might be saving me on future medical expenses. There’s scientific research from a variety of disciplines that now suggests that outdoor activities may have therapeutic benefits. (To learn more, read Take Two Hikes And Call Me In The Morning.) With my stress now replaced with a satisfying fatigue, that isn’t hard to believe.

So, no offense Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper. But today I’m listening to the comforting voice of Mother Nature.

Tips to experience the healing power of nature

1)    Get our Free Summer Guide – Spend quality time outside with your family with these creative games, activities, and health tips.

2)    Participate in Wildlife Watch – Let your senses come alive through this nationwide nature watching program.

3)    Create a Garden Sanctuary – Learn how easy it is to turn your garden into a haven for neighborhood birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

4)    Become a Volunteer – Enjoy the outdoors while you help it. Find opportunities to join NWF’s efforts to protect wildlife and habitat.

5)    Search Nature Find – Use this handy tool to find parks, outdoor spaces and events in your area to enjoy.

And, if you’re thinking it’s too hot to go outside in your neck of the woods, here are six great ways to have fun even when the mercury’s rising.

Things are heating up here in DC, and for once I really do mean the heat.  Yesterday’s 94 degrees tied the record 1991 high at Dulles and the rest of the week isn’t looking any different.

Keep it cool, and thanks for reading.

Amanda

This week’s stories:

1. Highlight of the Week: Cleaning Up Cars
2. Quote: Rep Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)
3. Economic Story of the Week: Smart Grid, Smart Benefits
4. Editorial of the Week: The Long Hot Forecast
5. Garden for Climate Change
6. Deficit deal must kill oil industry tax breaks
7. Happening this Week

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Highlight of the Week

Cleaning Up Cars

The Obama administration took two big steps this week toward making our nation’s vehicles cleaner.

Chevy Volt, via igloowhite/Flickr

On Wednesday, the Obama administration unveiled improved vehicle fuel efficiency labels. The new labels include expanded fuel efficiency information, cost savings, and vehicle pollution data.

“Fuel efficiency labels are a critical tool for drivers as they look to make smart economic and environmental choices,” said Zoe Lipman, the National Wildlife Federation’s senior manager for transportation and global warming solutions. “Strong fuel efficiency standards can cut America’s oil dependence, support our economic recovery, and safeguard our natural resources.”

The Obama administration also announced the federal government will purchase 116 plug-in electric vehicles, including 101 Chevrolet Volts, and install charging stations in five cities. It’s part of a plan to have the federal government purchasing only alternative fuel passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks by 2015.

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Quote:

Rohrabacher (G. Skidmore Flickr)

“Is there some thought being given to subsidizing the clearing of rain forests in order for some countries to eliminate that production of greenhouse gases?”

- Rep Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) asked climate change specialist Todd Stern. Forestry experts were dumbfounded, as forests currently absorb roughly a third of all man-made carbon pollution.

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Economic Story of the Week

Smart Grid, Smart Benefits

via World Economic Forum/Flickr

According to a new study by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), smart grid technology investments from U.S. utilities of between $338 and $476 billion over the next 20 years could deliver $1.3 to $2 trillion in benefits over the same period. Grid technology would provide benefits such as power reliability, integration of solar rooftop arrays and plug-in vehicles, reductions in electricity demand and stronger cybersecurity.

One of the major consumer benefits, according to the study, could be a reduction in their energy consumption. Smart grid technologies can improve efficiency and also ease a transition to cleaner energy generation, both of which could also lower overall carbon pollution in years to come.

More on this story: Climatewire

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Editorial of the Week

The Long Hot Forecast

(New York Times)

Chicago's Cool Globes via John LeGear/Flickr

With much of the rest of the nation stuck in climate-change denial or passive fretfulness, Chicago has been planning, moving, doing — adapting streets and buildings to the coming reality of snowier winters, wetter springs and hotter summers. Other cities should pay attention.

City planners examined a century’s worth of weather records and found the long-term trends grim. Using thermal radar, they are pinpointing the hottest areas and finding ways to cool them: removing impermeable blacktop that traps water and heat, building rooftop gardens, planting southern varieties of trees and adding air-conditioning to classrooms. The city hopes that these investments will save money. They will surely save lives. (More…)

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Garden for Climate Change

via NWF

The Royal Horticultural Society conducted a scientific review that has found gardens can play a role in mitigating the effect of climate change. According to the scientists, planting certain vegetation can mitigate the impacts of extreme heat and cold by stabilizing urban temperatures and providing shade and insulation, soak up excess rainwater to prevent flooding, and create habitats for birds, mammals and bugs that increase local biodiversity.

Dr. Tijana Blanusa, lead author of the review, warns that it is important to be aware of the indirect carbon emissions that can result from gardening, such as the use of power tools and the transport of horticultural goods. But she also advises that using plants with multiple uses can increase your benefits, for example, trees take up water, capture pollution, offer shade that can lower energy consumption and provide habitat.

Throughout May, gardeners across the US celebrated National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife Month by cleaning up their gardens, making them wildlife friendly, planting vegetables, and becoming official Certified Wildlife Habitats. For every newly certified habitat in May, NWF is planting a tree. But just because May is over, it’s not too late to get certified. And now you can garden for climate change!

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Deficit Deal Must Kill Oil Industry Tax Breaks

Twenty Senate Democrats are putting pressure on the White House to guarantee that any deficit-reduction deal eliminates billions of dollars in tax breaks for major oil companies. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) led a group in sending a letter on their position to Vice President Biden, who is leading talks on the deficit-cutting deal.

“The American people are demanding to know why they are forced to hand over taxpayer dollars to help oil executives enrich themselves when they’re already paying $4.00 for a gallon of gasoline,” states the letter. “That is why a majority of the Senate has embraced cutting oil subsidies as a way to lower the deficit, and it is also why we believe it must be part of any agreement you reach to raise the debt ceiling and lower the deficit.”

More on this story: The Hill, E&E News

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Happening this Week

Wednesday, June 1

Markup of regulatory review and EPA permitting bills, Energy and Commerce, 4:00 PM, 2123 Rayburn

Tar Sands Virtual Town Hall, featuring award-winning journalist and author Andrew Nikiforuk, 8-8:30PM, (877) 229-8493; passcode 15949, contact IallonardoT@nwf.org for more info.

Thursday, June 2

Markup continues of regulatory reform and EPA permitting bills, Energy and Commerce
9:00 AM, 2123 Rayburn

Hearing on Gulf Coast recovery, Oversight and Government Reform, 9:30 AM, 2154 Rayburn
Markup of energy and water appropriations bill, Appropriations, 10:00 AM, 2362-B Rayburn

Hearing on Alaskan oil and gas resources, infrastructure and access, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, 10:00 AM, 1334 Longworth House Office Building

Friday, June 3

Hearing: H.R. 909, A Roadmap for America’s Energy Future, Energy & Power, 9AM, 2322 Rayburn House Office Building

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For more global warming news on Wildlife Promise click here.

Blue Columbine | Holmes Mller

Apparently previous residents in our home had not only had green thumbs, but green fingers and hands — as evidenced by the large garden plot with its own sprinkler system.

I love the concept of gardening, oogle over the items in the Smith and Hawken catalog, support the local food and urban gardening movements, but have never actually committed spade to ground until now…

My first attempt at gardening involved an elaborate plot to fly my friend Dru from Maryland to do our garden. After all, she gloats all summer long about fresh home grown veggies so I don’t see why she can’t work her magic here. However, the impracticalities of the miles between Colorado and Maryland, differences in growing season and varieties–not to mention, not having yet secured Dru’s willingness–made me abandon that plan.

So, now I decide that like Western pioneers before me, I will get close to the land and find my inner gardener and “vegetable whisperer.”

Colorado’s weather is fickle, and we still get snow in the spring, so no planting until after Mother’s Day is the common practice around here. But in the meantime, I bought some tools of the trade, have been reclaiming the soil from the weeds, and making my wish list of veggies to grow–knowing full well that the ratio of seed to plant for a successful edible vegetable is very low, but on I plow.

Then I find out that in May, the National Wildlife Federation is celebrating Garden for Wildlife month, and realize that there are other hardy souls out there at all levels, picking up the spade, buying native plants, and dreaming about the fresh salads they will enjoy all summer long.

So, cheers to all of us for reclaiming those weed patches, planting trees and shrubs for our wildlife pals, supporting the growing local food movement, and getting out there!

NOTE: If you or someone you know lives in the Boulder, CO area, please join us this Saturday, May 14 at the National Wildlife Federation’s Rocky Mountain Regional Center for our 6th Annual Native Plant Sale. We’ll start at 8am, and go until plants are sold out!

Learn more about attracting wildlife to your garden and how to create a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat^® >>