Botany – Our New Green Culture

A Gift Worth Waiting For | Exciting Eco Projects For Students While Distance Learning

on December 19, 2020December 19, 2020 By Our New Green Culture

Washington (GGM) Analysis | December 19, 2020 by Catherine Zacuto, M. A. Ed

Wandering through a wooded park or along a shady path, it’s easy to miss what’s right before our eyes. How often do we consider the gifts before us, planted long ago? The cool breeze and fresh fragrance are momentary experiences that began with the planting of seeds. No matter how the trees, shrubs, and understory got there, whether through nature or a particular person, you and I are the beneficiaries.

Thomas Jefferson understood this. His legacy of Monticello lies not only in its Neoclassical architecture but in its lush landscape. As a matter of course, school children learn the importance of the Declaration of Independence. Yet how often are they given the opportunity to uncover Jefferson’s other significant gift, the carbon-fighting greenery flourishing at Monticello and Jefferson’s beloved University of Virginia? His plans for Monticello included vegetable gardens, a vineyard, two orchards, and an 18-acre ornamental forest. Trees planted as early as the mid-19th Century still adorn the Academical Village at UVA. This life-giving vegetation continues to fight the greenhouse gasses humans add to the environment. Jefferson and other forward-thinking botanists gave us gifts centuries before we recognized them. We can pass on their legacy by teaching our children about the gift of trees – what we have received and how we can give.

*This land was once James Monroe’s cornfield. But Thomas Jefferson bought it and said, “Let there be trees!”*

Benefits of Trees

Trees clean the air by trapping particulates on their leaves and branches.
Trees help prevent water pollution by collecting rainwater on their bark and leaves and depositing it in the ground below.
Trees provide economic opportunities for small businesses that provide food to local markets.
Exposure to trees helps relieve mental fatigue.

Jefferson’s story and his gardens offer valuable lessons for young people. Planting a tree, caring for a sapling, waiting for growth all require patience and hard work. What better way to learn these important life skills? Planting trees with children engages them physically and gives them purposeful time outdoors. Watching and waiting for the first green sign of life teaches youngsters that growth takes time, just like their own development. The tree will need nurturing and thoughtful care including some hands on, “Let’s get messy” work. To generate interest in tree planting, you can begin with age-appropriate literature about trees and their care. Adolescents may be energized to learn about the difference trees make in the fight against global warming, or they may want to plant their tree to support a friend going through a difficult time. So, take a moment to enjoy a refreshing breeze and appreciate the clean scent of a forest. Then make a plan for the gift you will give, a gift someone is waiting for.

*“Let there be trees,” said Thomas Jefferson.*

Ways to Give Back

Plant a tree or shrub in your yard (and post a photo on social media)
Add Virginia Creeper to cover a fence
Learn more about trees and spread the word

Resources for Parents

Books:

Can You Hear the Trees Talking? by Peter Wohlleben (ages 8-10)

Seeds and Trees: A children’s book about the power of words by Brandon Walden (ages 6-12)

The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups by Gina Ingoglia (ages 8-12)

Websites:

Informative video for parents and kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abVvZLyZAIg

Tree Activities for Kids: https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/tree-activities-for-kids.html

Benefits of trees: https://canopy.org/tree-info/benefits-of-trees/urban-trees-and-climate-change/,

https://www.treepeople.org/tree-benefits

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Is Philadelphia an Eco-Action Model?

on June 28, 2020June 28, 2020 By Our New Green Culture

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 28, 2020 by Noreen Wise

The importance of nature as one of the vital solutions in lowering the global atmospheric carbon level has been documented. It’s now up to us to implement this strategy as quickly as possible. Yes, we must start sprinting so that we can not only save our children’s futures, but save their lives.

Eco-action, with multi-layer landscaping, green exterior walls and green roofs, has numerous benefits:

substantially increases carbon absorption if applied everywhere
lowers air pollution
improves mental health
beautifies city streets, public spaces, and neighborhoods
increases property values
is easy and inexpensive to execute
strengthens community ties

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is hillreport6-19-2020a.jpg — *photography by Noreen Wise*

In search of an American city to serve as a model for other US cities, it was exhilarating to find major success in Philadelphia, PA, our nation’s birthplace. A very positive omen. A city we’re all closely connected with and that unites each of us through the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, that now shines like a beacon of hope and inspiratio

It appears that the genius behind the landscaping of Independence National Historical Park is very aware of nature’s role in solving the global climate crisis. Green walls, green roofs and layers of nature are budding everywhere. Not only in Independence Mall, but across the historic district, ivy on brick is a consistent theme.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is hillreport6-19-2020b.jpg — Do you see the liberty bell in the left window?

Nature’s role in solving the global climate crisis is tied to the fungal networks below the surface, threading through the soil, connecting all plants through their roots. The more nature, the more fungal networks. The more fungal networks, the richer the soil. The richer the soil the more carbon storage. Oh, and soil stores twice as much carbon as nature.

It’s very clear that we have what it takes to overcome the looming climate crisis challenge. All solutions are readily available and easy to implement. Our greatest nemesis is procrastination. We all need to commit to acting on these solutions immediately.

Let’s GO! TGIF. Let’s start this weekend, which begins in just a few hours. Happy planting. 🌳

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So Many Beautiful & Exciting Possibilities | Cutting Carbon

on January 14, 2020January 14, 2020 By Our New Green Culture

Washington (GGM) Analysis
by Noreen Wise

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul.” ~Luther Burbank

And flowers cut carbon too! Flower boxes in the windows of our homes and businesses, and hanging baskets from street lights, will add yet another layer of nature to absorb carbon. We need as much help as we can get. It’s another exceptional tool in our climate action tool shed that will reap a wave of benefits, improving both our atmospheric carbon levels, and our quality of life.

Will flower boxes in the windows of the majority of homes and businesses increase property values? I guess we’ll find out as soon as we begin a window flower box campaign.

According to BestLife, flowers:

Reduce stress
Elevate mood
Strengthen relationships
Increase memory
Certain flowers can help us fall asleep
Help us heal

Not only do flowers absorb CO2, they’re also air purifiers, absorbing pollutants such as benzene, acetone, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

We can do this! Warm weather climates can begin today. The rest of us can begin planning today so we’re ready to spring into action as soon as the weather breaks. ~

A REAL Solution – Urban Tree Canopy|Act Now

on November 10, 2019January 13, 2020 By Our New Green Culture

Washington (GGM) Analysis
by Noreen Wise

The emerging concept of “green intelligence” is bringing much needed analytical assessments to the attention of mayors across the country. We understand the
importance of planting thousands of trees in our local communities. But apparently, where we plant trees really makes a difference.

How do we determine the best locations for each household to plant ten trees? Thankfully, the USDA’s Forest Service Northern Research Station has just released a valuable analysis termed UTC, Urban Tree Canopy. The UTC Assessment is made up of geospatial data that can be used to strategically outline where exactly new trees should be planted in a town or city, and approximately how many will net the maximum benefit. It can be used as a guide in every city in America to identify which areas in each city need more tree work and tree TLC. New York City’s Hudson Yards’ revitalization is an excellent example.

By the way, Urban Tree Canopy is the complete tree mass — made up of branches, leaves and stems — that covers the ground when looking down from above the treeline.

Here are the facts:

Trees make a vital, positive impact on all communities, particularly cities where there’s a dense population
Trees improve storm water run-off by capturing rain water in their canopy and discharging it into the atmosphere.
The EPA asserts that, “Tree roots and leaf litter create soil conditions that promote the infiltration of rainwater into the soil.”
So with more trees, there should be less street flooding.

Trees provide shelter from the heat, and lower urban temperatures.
Trees reduce air pollution by absorbing toxins into the roots, bark and leaves. Trees also absorb a significant amount of CO2, as well us provide us with the oxygen we need to live.
Once trees have been planted, wildlife habitat will soon follow. This rich habitat includes wonderful insects, birds, bats, butterflies and small mammals.

Trees beautify our communities which increases property values and improves our mental health.
In fact, Thomas Jefferson, and our founding fathers for that matter, strongly believed that trees and gardens were so critical in ensuring our emotional strength and stability, that they insisted trees be planted across Capitol Hill and that a Botanic Garden be established at its base.
Trees improve the economic viability of a city or town.
Trees nurture the community spirit and strengthen community ties. In this day and age with the opioid crisis still haunting our communities, it’s nice to know that we can grab onto something positive, inspirational and healthy that will improve our quality of life and draw us all together.

The facts are clear. Numerous life saving benefits, and a plan that the whole community can participate in. Team work. It’s time to attend town hall meetings to discuss our local community’s Urban Tree Canopy assessment. Did our mayors and town counsel members even read the UTC released by the USDA’s Forest Service? Let’s find out.

The Simple Things, an Experiment

on January 1, 2017November 24, 2017 By Our New Green Culture

Since the simple things in life are everywhere, seriously they are, we all have equal access to these cures no matter what our income bracket. These readily available therapeutic wonders become easy remedies for the majority of ailments, most notably stress.

In fact, so many cities and towns that were developed properly, with parks, trails, a river perhaps, stream, any kind of waterway or shoreline, provide the opportunity to break away from an intense day of juggling responsibilities to enjoy a moment of clean fresh air in a beautiful natural setting, and fragrant flora to top it off (during certain seasons anyway), absorbing nature using all five senses.

Add in exercise, and we can return home with a clear mind, a fresh outlook, and feeling totally revived. This is powerful. Incredibly valuable.

Perhaps you’ll test this theory, create an experiment and find out for yourself. Discover the local havens tucked in your community and outlying area. Experience the benefits of these simple rejuvenating pleasures that improve quality of life.

I’ve always loved nature, have visited many National Parks, and spend several hours each week hiking the nearby mountain. One of the richest parts of my day during my work week is my trek to the office from my parking spot a mile away (where it’s free). My colleagues think this is bizarre. But I love it, and receive an untold number of positives from it. I wouldn’t want to do it any differently (even when I’m left to battle the elements). Yes torrential rain a time or two. High winds. Snow and ice. Yet, it’s the historic part of town, built in the 1700’s so I’m enthralled with the architecture, and have become quite the architectural student during my wanderings. The birds chirping in the morning seems especially enamoring, (there must be a company that sells bird chirping soundtracks for spa visits). Vivid gardens. By the time I arrive at the office, I’m feeling so cheerful that my colleagues raise an eyebrow.

Anyway, I hope you’ll find out for yourself…