French parliament has passed a law that requires all new rooftops in commercial areas to be partially covered in either solar panels or plants. Green roofs aren’t there to just look pretty. They reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing water, provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and minimize the amount of energy buildings use. Read about it here.
Monthly Archives: March 2015
NJ is First to Propose an Official State Moth
The Io Moth (Automeris io) is the proposed State Moth of NJ.
“By naming a state moth, New Jersey would show the rest of the country that
it values the role moths play in the ecosystem and recognizes their beauty,
biodiversity and importance to the environment,” said Liti Haramaty of the Friends of East Brunswick Environmental Commission. Read the story here, on National Moth Week’s blog.
Redhead Duck at DeKorte Park
Dennis Cheeseman sent this photo of a Redhead duck, along with this note:
“There was a redhead at noon time today at Dekorte out in the distance, thanks to the gentleman with the spotting scope for pointing it out to me.”
More Shipping Container Architecture
“The biggest shipping container restaurant in the United States will open this spring in Asheville, North Carolina.”
Read more here.
See additional articles on container buildings here.
The Eagles Have Landed!
Jim Wright posted this on Friday…and there’s more today…
Duke Farms Blog: Photo Sequence of Eagle Egg Hatch
I just posted a nine-photo sequence of yesterday’s eagle egg hatching at Duke Farms, via their webcam. The photo above is of the eaglet taken at 7:09 this morning. – JW. The link is here.
First Sunday Walk for April
Sunday, April 5, 10 – noon
First Sunday Nature Walk
DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst
Enjoy early April out of doors by joining us on this free two-hour guided nature walk in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. We’ll walk around parts of the park, looking for spring arrivals, bald eagles and other birds. The walk starts in the MEC parking lot and is hosted by the NJMC and the Bergen County Audubon Society. You will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for all NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To register, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at call or 201-230-4983.
Three-Part Art Series at MEC
The Art Safari: An Interactive Exploration of the World Around Us
Teens and adults Meadowlands Environment Center
Saturdays, April 18, April 25 and May 2 from 2 to 4 pm
Participants will learn how to use the traditional mediums of graphite and charcoal in an interactive way. We will explore the positive and negative space around your subject matter. Each person will walk away with a finished piece that will inspire your taste for art. No experience necessary. Supplies are included in the cost of the class. $35/person; $30 MEC members (includes all 3 sessions).
Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Three Slips Available at River Barge Park
Members of the public are invited to bid on three slips in two categories (based on depth of water at high tide and access to hose bibs). Maximum boat length is twenty-eight feet. There is no electrical service at the slips.
BIDS WILL BE OPENED WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015 AT 6:00 PM
Click here for full prospectus.
Two slips are Category A: 9’-13’ deep at high tide, no hose bib. Min. bid is $1530.
One slip is Category BW: 7’-9’ deep at high tide, with hose bib. Min. bid is $1200.
Deep-sea Fish Not Immune to Pollution
“As big and as deep as Earth’s oceans are, they’re still feeling the sting of human-caused pollution. Even a mile down, some fish have liver pathologies, tumors and other types of health problems that are often linked with exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogens, according to a new study conducted in the Bay of Biscay, off the coast of France.”
Read the article here.
Duke Farms Eagle Nest Update
The hatchlings are coming! The hatchlings are coming! …soon. Keep current with their progress: Follow Jim Wright as he chronicles this eagle pair and their brood for Duke Farms and Conserve Wildlife Foundation.
You can read all the posts at dukefarms.wordpress.com.