[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/EW-01-03-14-Nature-and-Allergies.mp3|titles=EW 01-03-14 Nature and Allergies]
As a society, we place a high value on cleanliness. We like to have control over dirt, germs, and nature. Most of us now live in urban or suburban settings with minimal intrusion from the natural world. We clean and sterilize our hands, homes, and children, and our outdoor surroundings are dominated by concrete, pavement, and lawn. [Read more…] about Nature and allergies
When I moved to the Hudson Valley from North Carolina, I didn’t expect to see red-bellied woodpeckers or Carolina wrens, two of my favorite backyard birds. But I was surprised. The woodpeckers are common, and the wrens come and go. They are sparse after a cold winter but usually rebound in a year or two. [Read more…] about Carolina wrens, daffodils, and other climate canaries
When coastal areas are subject to storm surges, for example, during hurricanes, areas with coastal vegetation tend to fare better. Salt marshes, mangroves, and sea weeds provide an important buffer. This natural vegetation breaks up the direct energy that the sea can exert on coasts and their beaches. [Read more…] about Native protection for the coast