It’s ok to brag a little. This is Texas after all!
Have you and your family taken action to protect the Texas environment? Have you started a project with your classroom, office, or neighborhood that is worthy of being shared? Perhaps you started a community garden or implemented a recycling program at your school. Maybe you properly inflated your vehicle’s tires or installed energy-efficient lighting.
As a retired Texas Agriculture Science teacher, I can say that we do not need to travel to the stars to see aliens. All we need to do is investigate Entomology, the study of insects and arthropods (spiders, etc).
There are many in Texas, but at the top of my "favorite list" are two remarkable creatures.
Monarch Butterflies (see picture)
- The Monarch "migration" is one of the greatest phenomena in the natural world.
- A single monarch can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles.
- In the Spring, they migrate from Central Mexico, thru Texas all the way to Canada.
- In the Fall, in September and October, their southern migration from Canada to Mexico begins.
- Monarchs know the correct direction to migrate even though the individuals that migrate have never made the journey before.
- They follow an internal “compass" that points them in the right direction.
- The Milkweed plant is crucial for their journey.
- If you have space in your garden, plant some Milkweed for the Monarchs.
Cicadas (see picture)
- One of the longest living insects in the world
- there are over 3,000 species
- two main groups that emerge from the ground every 13 or 17 years
- Their exoskeleton "sheds" are found everywhere
- the females can buzz louder than a lawnmower with their mating calls
- 2021 was the peak year for the 13 year group in Texas
- 2034 is the next peak year for them to return.
We are bass fishing group launched from Fort Worth Texas and regularly hold cleanup days at local ponds. We have also joined TRWD in the Adopt-a-River program to keep the Trinity River clean. I'm proud to say we do a lot of community help/support and are proud to join in this pledge
My BF Chris is a wood crafter. But it's more, he only uses old dead wood. The trees that fell and were left to rot, or cedar from barns that are beyond repair. He only uses cedar, oak, pecan, local trees and wood only found in our neck of the woods. North east Texas!!
As for me, I paint and or stencil these crafts. I can see something most would see as trash, I see something I can recreate and make beautiful once again. Making them unique.
Earth day should be about celebrating what God created and gave us! The trees, water, the lakes, the streams, and beyond! But let's not forget the creepies and crawlies, the slithery and the winged. Furry and the slippery. All of it is of the earth. We destroyed it enough so now it's about giving back to nature. The way it was intended
Enjoy and Happy Texas y'all!
Working on our Butterfly 🦋 garden. Getting it ready to plant.
This past year I have taken steps to live greener. I purchased an electric car and live it. I utilized a program through my electric provider to use 100% renewable energy 24/7/365. I have planted earth-friendly plants and trees. I have committed to organic solutions for my garden and lawn. We have worked hard to fully utilize recycling service and our weekly garbage is noticeably smaller volume compared to our recycling. Implemented composting.
Bought 2 tomato plants to provide food. Watered with leftover coffee. Did not use dishwasher and only 2 gallons to wash dishes. Do not water yard even if no rain since March.