Restoring nature is as simple as planting native plants.

We often think of nature as something distant and separate from us, as if we must travel to reach it. However, in reality, we are a part of nature, not apart from it. Long ago, we distanced ourselves from nature and viewed it as external to us, but it is the life force that sustains us, all other living beings, and the planet as a whole. 

Nature’s resources that support all life on earth are under pressure by our continuous growth, building, and sprawling.  According to Douglas Tallamy in his book Nature’s Best Hope, “We already intensively farm or graze nearly half of the earth’s land surfaces.  The remaining 50 percent is divided between cities, suburbs, vast complexes of infrastructure, the patchwork of fragmented second-growth habitat scattered here and there, uninhabitable areas, and the areas already preserved, which total only 17 percent of the earth’s land surface.”

Despite human growth and sprawl, we have the power to restore nature right where we live, giving back to what has continuously supported us all. It’s as simple as reimagining the landscapes of our gardens, lawns, empty lots, and any other areas where we can plant native species that have long been absent from our surroundings. Native plants support local wildlife, including pollinators, which play a crucial role in revitalizing our damaged ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems contribute to our wellbeing by providing oxygen, carbon dioxide storage, and cleaner water, all beginning with the simple act of planting native plants and flowers. 

To learn more of how you can plant native species, visit homegrownnationalpark.org.

Image courtesy of www.thamestalbotlandandtrust.ca

Trashie Talk

I just came across a company called Trashie. They have an innovative approach to recycling and donating used clothes, textiles, and shoes. Many donation organizations and online resale platforms are overwhelmed by the volume of clothing they receive, leading to around 85% of clothes ending up in landfills.

Trashie aims to recycle and repurpose post-consumer waste. They process and sort about 100,000 pounds of textiles each week. Through their sorting process, 70% can be reused, and 20-25% of the textiles can be recycled.

This method enables clothing to be purposefully sent to areas around the globe that need specific items. For example, coats are sent to Eastern Europe during winter, while durable t-shirts go to field workers in Southeast Asia.

For items that cannot be recycled, the textiles are downcycled and repurposed into industrial rags, carpet padding, or pet bed filling. Their innovative sorting system ensures that 95% of clothes and textiles reach the right destination, keeping unwanted items out of landfills.

Now that’s some Trashie talk. To learn more, visit trashie.io.

The impact of leather goods.

The first thing that may come to mind when people hear the word "leather" is its association with shoes, clothes, handbags, and furniture. For some, leather represents a luxury upgrade, particularly in cars. However, what often goes unconsidered is the life lost to create those shoes, bags, or car seats. 

Each year, over a billion animals are killed for the global leather trade. Most leather purchased in the U.S. and U.K. comes from China, India and other countries with insufficient animal welfare laws. These animals suffer immensely throughout their lives, and their lives often end brutally, sometimes with parts of their bodies hacked away while they are still conscious. 

Leather is not a sustainable product and is made solely for profit. Its production contributes to climate change and significantly impacts our planet’s biodiversity. According to calculations from CIRUMFAUNA, verified by Faunalytics, a cowhide leather tote bag produces 100.5 kg (221 pounds) of CO2e, while a synthetic alternative emits only 14.4 kg (31.7 pounds) of CO2e. These leather calculations do not account for the entire life cycle of the animal; if they did, the CO2e figures would be higher. 

Concerning biodiversity, raising cattle significantly impacts our planet’s resources. According to Collective Fashion Justice, 80% of Amazonian deforestation in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia is driven by cattle ranching.  The loss of this much wild space to raise cattle diminishes oxygen produced by plant life, CO2 sequestration, habitat for wildlife, and the capacity of our natural areas to filter our water. 

Raising cattle for leather also affects our freshwater sources. According to calculations from CIRCUMFAUNA, producing a standard cowhide leather tote bag requires 17,127.8 liters (or 4,524 gallons) of water, equivalent to the amount a human is recommended to drink daily for over 23 years.

The good news is that more leather alternatives are being offered to us. These alternatives, such as apple skin leather or mycelium, possess the same qualities as leather while being more sustainable and not harming living beings. Many shoe and bag brands are emerging with vegan products, and car companies provide synthetic leather for seats. Watch for these products because their quality will likely surprise you. If you're looking for shoes, bags, or clothing that are cruelty-free, click here. 

Resources:

1. Are Cows Killed For Leather? www.PETA.org. https://www.peta.org/features/cows-killed-leather/

2. Labarbera, Natalie.  (2022, December, 1) Leather is not a natural or sustainable by-product, it’s a profitable material produced at the expense of the planet. www.collectivefashionjustice.org. https://www.collectivefashionjustice.org/articles/leather-is-not-a-natural-or-sustainable-byproduct

Photos courtesy of Pixels and AradBranding.

Recently, I noticed a squirrel with a bad case of mange. Winter was approaching, bringing below-freezing nights, and I needed to find him help quickly. I used the Animal Help Now App to connect with a local wildlife rehabilitator who provided me medicated nuts to eliminate the mites burrowing into his skin, causing significant hair loss and potential skin infection.

These photos were taken within two weeks of each other, and as you can see, the squirrel was regrowing his fur nicely. This was the second time I used the app to find help for local wildlife, and each time, I got the help the animal needed with the support of a wildlife rehabilitator.

If you ever encounter injured or ill wildlife, download the Animal Help Now App to find someone who can assist in rehabilitating the animal back to health.

A tiny creature with a mega purpose for the earth needs protecting. 

In a podcast with Sara Newton, Head of Content and Creative Strategist for Sea Shepherd, I learned there is a massive decline of krill in the Antarctic and what that means for marine life and our planet. 

Krill are tiny crustaceans that are a primary food source for whales, seals, penguins, and Antarctic birds.  They are considered keystone species because they keep the ecosystem in balance by consuming phytoplankton on the water’s surface in the summer and algae that gather under sheet ice in the winter that are rich in carbon dioxide.  Once they consume the phytoplankton and algae, they excrete the carbon they have eaten in the colder waters below, resulting in a carbon sink.  This in turn helps to mitigate climate change.  According to Sea Shepherd, krill can remove 23 million metric tons of carbon each year in the Antarctic, the same amount of carbon produced by approximately 35 million gas-powered cars.  Krill are critical as a food source for marine life and the health of the planet.

But krill are also wanted for human consumption, either prepared in dishes or used for their oil, as western consumers are looking for pure sources of Omega 3’s.  Krill is also used for fishmeal to feed farmed fish, and have become increasingly found in popular pet food. 

Krill populations have declined by 80% since the 1970’s.  Sea Shepherd even encountered krill trawlers in the Antarctic while they were there for an anti-whaling campaign against Japan.  Another method of catching krill is through the use of underwater vacuums which results in bycatch of marine life like whales.  Not only are whales losing their primary source of food, but some are also losing their lives because of krill consumption by humans. 

Unfortunately, greenwashing the public about certified sustainable krill has caused the scientific community and NGO’s to raise awareness of these false claims flooding the market. 

Proactively, society can stop buying krill-based products such as omega-3 oils that contain krill, pet food, or eating farmed fish to protect krill and marine life that consume it and to protect our greatest resource, planet Earth.  Click here to learn more.

Albert Einstein once said:

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances of survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”

I would like to add that eating more plant-based helps to take the strain off of the earth’s resources and provides a more peaceful way of living to all inhabitants of the planet.    

Let’s look at the effects that eating plant-based would have on the planet and all living beings:

·      Without meat or dairy consumption, global farmland could be reduced by 75% which is the size of the United States, China, Europe, and Australia combined and still be able to feed the world because growing vegetables does not take up much space (1).

·      If we were to rewild global farmland, it would remove 8.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year (2).  We would have more space for rewilding, supporting a healthier planet.  This would also aid in a decrease in the rise of global temperatures and cleaner air to breathe. 

·      To produce just one pound of meat takes about 1800 gallons of water, while it takes 10-20 gallons of water to produce one pound of veggies, fruits, or grains (1).

·      Wildlife constitutes only 4% of all biomass on Earth.  Farmed animals account for 62% of the Earth’s biomass (3). Because of the mass amount of space needed to raise farmed animals, means that most of the world’s endangered and threatened species are suffering habitat loss (4).  

·      Farmed animals emit greenhouse gases:

10% of all carbon dioxide

40% of all methane gas, which is 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide

65% of all nitrous oxide, which is 310% more powerful than carbon dioxide (4). 

 Zoonotic Diseases

Did you know our DNA makeup is similar to pigs?  Humans are highly susceptible to zoonotic viruses carried by farmed animals. Because they are forced to live in cruel and confined conditions, farmed animals have suppressed immune systems that cause disease and are easily transferred to humans (4).

Eating more of a plant-based diet provides a peaceful, healing respite for the earth and its inhabitants, improves the well-being of all who call the earth home, and paves a path to a brighter future. 

References:

1. “The Water Footprint of Food.”  Footprint. https://foodprint.org/issues/the-water-footprint-of-food/

2. Winters, Ed.  How to Argue with a Meat Eater (and win every time).  London.  Penguin Random House UK.  2023. 

3. Ritchie, Hannah. 2018. “Distribution of mammals on Earth.” www.ourworldindata.org. https://ourworldindata.org/wild-mammals-birds-biomass

4. Oppenlander, Richard, A.  Comfortably Unaware.  New York City.  Beaufort Books.  2012.

Fabio and Fiona's rescue

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Chicagoland Pig Rescue to transport two babies, Fabio and Fiona, for a vet check and take them to their foster home. Ironically, they both fell off the same transport truck that was bringing them to a facility to grow bigger before heading to a slaughterhouse.

I instantly fell in love with them and got to know their personalities. Fabio was smaller and timid, while Fiona was bigger and sassy. Despite their differences, they bonded quickly as they felt safe being together.

Through the coordinated efforts of Chicagoland Pig Rescue and Peak Animal Sanctuary, Peak Animal Sanctuary is Fabio and Fiona’s forever home where they now have Annie, an eleven-year-old pig, as their surrogate mama.

This past weekend, I took a trip to Peak Animal Sanctuary to visit Fabio and Fiona. They have grown so big and have much room to roam and graze. I wondered if they would remember me, but my doubts were cast away as Fabio gave me kisses, and Fiona offered her belly to rub. They love their new mama, Annie, and she couldn’t be sweeter to these little ones. Somehow, the dynamic duo has learned to sit for treats! I didn’t want to leave them, and I got teary-eyed as they walked me to the gate and even gave a little pout as I went.

Hundreds of thousands of pigs get slaughtered every day in the U.S. Piglets are taken away from their mothers between two and four weeks of age and generally do not live past their six-month birthday. Fabio and Fiona are among the small group of fortunate ones rescued from the meat industry and can now live in their forever home, where they are loved, treated with respect, and safe.

Thank you, Chicagoland Pig Rescue and Peak Animal Sanctuary, for giving these babies a second chance at life! 

Ways we can help take care of the earth and others.

Climate change is not a hoax. It’s a reality. We all are seeing and experiencing the effects and consequences of the change. The ice caps are melting, affecting how wildlife like polar bears live and forage for food. It is also affecting sea level rise and resulting in warmer temperatures across the globe. This has been the hottest year globally. I even learned that wildfires are occurring in the tundra. 

The Conference of Parties (COP 29) is underway in Azerbaijan from November 11-22.  It is a climate conference where nearly 200 countries gather to help shape global climate policies and projects for our future. 

As countries are working to find solutions to the “hot” topic of climate change, I created a short list of how we can help take care of the earth and others:

1.    Choose more plant-based foods. 

• Without meat or dairy consumption, global farmland could be reduced by 75%, which is the size of the United States, China, Europe, and Australia combined, and still be able to feed the world because growing vegetables does not take up much space (1).

• If we were to rewild that land, it would remove 8.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year (2).

• To produce just one pound of meat takes about 1800 gallons of water, while it takes 10-20 gallons to produce one pound of veggies, fruits, or grains (1).

• Choosing more plant-based foods would also greatly reduce cruelty to farmed animals.

2.   Take care of the wildlife.

• Wildlife constitutes only 4% of all biomass on Earth. Livestock accounts for 62% of the Earth’s biomass (3). Because of the mass amount of space needed to raise livestock, most of the world’s endangered and threatened species are suffering habitat loss (4). 

• An article published in the Nature Climate Change journal suggests that protecting and rewilding the African forest elephants, American bison, fish, gray wolves, musk oxen, sea otters, sharks, whales, and wildebeest would help extract 500 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2100 (5).

3.    Plant native plants to restore natural habitat for native wildlife and pollinators.

• We know a lot of our wild spaces are becoming few and far between, which means we are losing the biodiversity in all areas of earth that support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators that in turn help feed us, and manage water. 

• When we plant native plants in our region, we support the biodiversity that is needed to help maintain the health of the planet, us, and other beings. 

• You can learn more about the why and the how to plant native plants by checking out Homegrown National Park. 

4.   Plant trees.

• Trees help to clean the air we breathe, filter our water and are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity.

• We can plant trees that are native to our local landscape or choose to plant trees as part of a gift or donation through One Tree Planted. For every dollar donated, One Tree Planted will plant a tree to support global reforestation. One can even choose where the tree or trees are planted around the globe.

5.    Pick up trash that could end up in our waterways and become ingested by marine life.

• Approximately 80% of our trash ends up in waterways that eventually flow into our ocean water, where marine life ingests it.  Even picking up one plastic bottle on a walk is one plastic bottle that can be recycled and not harm marine life.

• Pick up trash and track it with the Clean Swell App from Ocean Conservancy. Using the app helps scientists and advocates learn more about how to tackle ocean pollution.  Click here to learn more: Clean Swell App

6.   Be kind to others.

Additionally, you can learn more about the eight key topics that will be discussed at COP29 here.

*Image courtesy of South China Morning Post.

References:

1. “The Water Footprint of Food.”  Footprint. https://foodprint.org/issues/the-water-footprint-of-food/

2. Winters, Ed.  How to Argue with a Meat Eater (and win every time).  London.  Penguin Random House UK.  2023. 

3. Ritchie, Hannah. 2018. “Distribution of mammals on Earth.” www.ourworldindata.org. https://ourworldindata.org/wild-mammals-birds-biomass.

4. Oppenlander, Richard, A.  Comfortably Unaware.  New York City.  Beaufort Books.  2012.

5. Schmitz, O.J., Sylvén, M., Atwood, T.B. et al. 2023. “Trophic rewilding can expand natural climate solutions.” Nat. Clim. Chang. 13, 324–333. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01631-6

 

 

 

Shifting baseline syndrome is the gradual change in accepted norms and expectations of nature across generations. For example, a forest that once covered thousands of acres is now fragmented by roads and urban sprawl. Younger generations may not realize this forest was once untouched by human development. Other examples include bison, which are now absent from 98% of their historic range, and our oceans, which were once teeming with marine life; 85% of fishing stocks are depleted or on the verge of collapse. Does anyone remember when there were so many insects splattered on the grill of your car? It is unusual to see cars’ grills covered with insects now. 

Younger generations accept this shifting baseline as the new normal, but on a deeper level, it reflects our lowered expectations of the natural world and has significant consequences for preserving wildlife, nature, and the future of our planet. According to a study by Soga and Gaston, shifting baseline syndrome is a global phenomenon occurring across socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental settings. This presents a global challenge regarding how we address environmental decline, because we have to realize there have been significant changes occurring in nature, understand that this decline is and will have an impact on us, and know this decline is largely due to human-related activities.

There has been a global initiative to protect 30% of the earth by 2030. Inherently, if we cannot truly fathom just how much nature has declined over the decades, including the loss of much of the wildlife and biodiversity, protecting only 30% of the earth by 2030 may not be enough to keep the planet humming.

E.O. Wilson, biologist, ecologist, and author of the book Half-Earth, suggested we need to save half of the earth’s land and oceans to preserve the bulk of biodiversity. Perhaps Wilson had the foresight to see what our future would be like with the earth’s biodiversity flourishing or floundering. In the end, nature is our ultimate caregiver. The natural world is the stronghold that influences our lives and how we live. It is so essential; it is literally the air we breathe. Yet, we must recognize and acknowledge its decline to influence and create lasting changes that will have a net-positive effect on all life. 

*Photo courtesy of Surrey Wildlife Trust.

Resources:

1. Hamilton, Bryan, Integrated Resource Program Manager.  2022, Winter.  Shifting Baseline.  National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/shifting-baseline.htm#:~:text=Shifting%20baseline%20describes%20a%20gradual,98%25%20of%20their%20historic%20range

2. Ecology Training UK. 2023, May 25th.  Shifting Baseline Syndrome: The Alarming Consequences for Conservation. https://ecologytraining.co.uk/shifting-baseline-syndrome-the-alarming-consequence-for-wildlife-conservation/

3. Masashi Soga, Kevin J Gaston, Global synthesis indicates widespread occurrence of shifting baseline syndrome, BioScience, Volume 74, Issue 10, October 2024, Pages 686–694, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae068

Farm Animal Awareness Week

In honor of Farm Animal Awareness Week, I want to share a story of my opportunity to meet Ellie Laks, founder of the Gentle Barn at the St. Louis Gentle Barn location.  We spoke about her new book Cow Hug Therapy and I received cow hug therapy with the St. Louis Six, a group of cows who broke free from a slaughterhouse.  I felt nervous excitement to have the opportunity to hug cows!  I was in awe of their sheer size and at the same time their extreme gentleness and patience with me. 

As I laid on their bodies, I spoke from my heart and expressed how proud I was of their courage to fight for their lives and break free. I told them that they are wonderful, wise, and deeply loved. During my time with the St. Louis Six, I witnessed firsthand what true resilience looks like in the face of overwhelming challenges. I learned from them how to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, how to carry oneself with dignity and grace, and how to rebuild trust in life.

When we recognize the sentience of other beings, acknowledging their capacity to love and persevere through life just like us, we take a step towards building a more loving and compassionate world. 

Do you give a crap where your toilet paper comes from?

Major toilet paper brands like Charmin, Cottonelle, Angel Soft, Quilted Northern, and Kirkland make their toilet paper from virgin forest fiber.  This means that their toilet paper comes entirely from pristine forests and not even partly from post-consumer recycled paper.  But why should we give a crap about it?

These manufacturers get their paper product from boreal forests of Canada.  Boreal forests make up 77% of Canada’s forests and are found in the boreal zone just below the arctic tundra to southern Canada. These forests emerged after the last Ice Age, approximately 12,000 years ago and are one of the most ecologically important forests in the world.  The boreal forests lock away nearly twice as much carbon as is contained in the world’s recoverable oil reserves.  To boot, threatened and endangered species like caribou and grizzly bear live in these woodlands and nearly three million birds migrate to this area every year.  But nearly one million acres of Canadian boreal are cut away each year for logging which means the size of a small city block are roughly clearcut from this area every MINUTE. 

Jennifer Skene, attorney with NRDC’s Canada Project stated: “With every roll of their unsustainable toilet paper, companies are pushing the world closer to climate catastrophe. That’s because climate change isn’t just about smokestacks and tail pipes, or oil wells and coal mines. It’s also driven by cutting down irreplaceable climate-critical forests like the Canadian boreal for something as short-lived as a flush.”

Fortunately, some companies do give a crap about sustainability and where they source their toilet paper.  These companies get an “A” for making the most sustainable toilet paper:

·      Who Gives a Crap

·      365 Bath Tissue

·      Ever Spring

·      Seventh Generation

·      Trader Joes Bath Tissue (TJ’s Super Soft brand got a C grade)

Even though I don’t live near the Canadian boreal forests, it doesn’t mean my consumer choices do not affect this region, and despite the distance between myself and those forests, I still receive the benefits of their presence: cleaner air and a healthier planet.  If you give a crap about the trees, please don’t squeeze or buy the Charmin.   

References:

1.    https://www.nrdc.org/media/2020/200618-20

2.   https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-forestry/sustainable-forest-management/boreal-forest/8-facts-about-canadas-boreal-forest/17394

3.   https://www.treehugger.com/fascinating-facts-about-the-boreal-forest-4858782

*******CALL TO ACTION FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS – HELP BAN WILDLIFE KILLING CONTESTS!!!!!********

If you live in Illinois or know someone who does, I am asking for your help in putting an end to the cruel practice of wildlife-killing contests in our state that happen every year from January through March. These events encourage participants to compete in killing the most, largest, or smallest animals for prizes, leaving the bodies of these creatures discarded like trash. It's inhumane and unnecessary.

You can make a real difference by urging your Illinois state senator to support HB 2900, a bill that aims to ban these brutal practices. Taking action is quick and easy—just complete this form to make your voice heard.

Let's stand together to protect the wildlife of Illinois and put an end to these senseless contests. Feel free to share this message with your fellow Illinoisians and encourage them to join us in defending the innocent lives of countless wildlife.

Thank you for your support.

With gratitude,

Nicole

Photo courtesy of Marc Ayers, Illinois State Director for the Humane Society of the United States.

It's crucial to remember that our food choices have a significant impact on the planet. Every year, more than 70 billion farm animals are raised and slaughtered in inhumane conditions. The treatment these animals endure is not only cruel, but it also takes a toll on the Earth's resources and biodiversity.

Wild spaces are needed to maintain biodiversity to keep the planet healthy but as you can see from the graph most of the land used for food production is for farmed animals and the food needed to feed them. 

The more these wild spaces are desecrated to raise farmed animals and their food means less biodiversity, less habitat for wildlife, less freshwater availability, more greenhouse gas emissions, and less oxygen that we all rely on from the plant life of these wild spaces. 

Transitioning to a plant-based diet can help mitigate these environmental challenges. It not only reduces cruelty to animals but also helps restore habitats for wildlife and improves the health and stability of our planet. By embracing plant-based foods, we can promote sustainability, protect the environment, and support our health and well-being.

Graph: Samyui-Adams, Julia. 2023, February 7th.  “The Shift to Plant-based Eating: Land Use”. https://greenerhenley.org.uk/the-shift-to-plant-based-eating-land-use/.

What’s the difference?

I was driving down the expressway the other day and my heart sank as I drove past a trailer transporting pigs to their fate.  These trailers have openings big enough to see the pigs and how they are positioned.  The pigs were lying on metal with some stacked at the top of the trailer and they had been marked in blue on their behinds.  As I passed the trailer, I locked eyes with one of the pigs and as I did, I sent it love, knowing full well our connection may have been the only time that pig might have known what kindness meant in its very short life, as pigs are generally slaughtered around six months.   

Right after I had passed the trailer, I came upon another trailer transporting horses, they were protected all around but had windows to look out of. Those horses were probably going to a stable. 

I was in shock looking at the dichotomy of how our world treats different animals based on the way our society has taught us to view them. 

Pigs love and care for their young, like to play, form bonds, and express emotions just like a horse can.  Both are considered animals that would be preyed upon in the wild, but in our society, we generally protect horses and treat them with love and respect while pigs are seen as a commodity and food on one’s plate.  To some, pigs may not be even regarded as having emotions such as fear and love. 

I have a request for everyone who reads this post; please attempt to look at all animals with fresh eyes. Try to disregard what society has taught us to see one animal to be loved and another as food.  Each creature on this planet is a sovereign being in its own right, with its own purpose, story, and life. They should be free to express themselves and live the life they are meant to live.

Maxwell the pig was recently rescued by Chicagoland Pig Rescue and is at his forever home at No Swine Left Behind. 

Helping Hummingbirds

I LOVE hummingbirds. They represent one of my totem animals. Their curiosity never fails to fascinate me. Countless times, I've experienced a hummingbird flutter right up to my face as I put out their feeder, only to marvel at their magical backward flight, allowing them to take in a broader view. For over a decade, I've had the privilege of nourishing these remarkable creatures. Each May, I am filled with anticipation as I eagerly await my first glimpse of a hummingbird perched nearby. Conversely, when October arrives, and I bid farewell to the last hummingbird departing my deck, I'm overwhelmed with sadness, knowing that they are embarking on a journey of over 1,000 miles back to Mexico or Central America. Despite their diminutive size, weighing between 2-20 grams, they are powerhouses, with the extraordinary ability to cover up to 500 miles in a single day, sometimes flying for an impressive 22 hours non-stop!

I've noticed a significant decrease in the number of hummingbirds visiting my feeder over the past few years. Previously, I would have up to 12 hummingbirds competing for a spot at the feeder, but now I'm lucky to see 3 or 4 at a time. Their declining populations can be attributed to various factors, including the effects of climate change on the blooming times of their preferred plants during migration, as well as the loss of their natural habitats due to human activity.

However, there are ways to support their populations, even in urban areas as I've observed them feeding from flowers in Chicago. For those residing in North America, supporting hummingbird populations can be achieved by planting native flowers and providing them with sugar water – avoiding the use of the artificial red dye sold in stores that is filled with chemicals.

Another significant way to aid hummingbirds is by using the Audubon app to log sightings of hummingbirds. This data helps scientists understand how climate change, flower blooms, and human efforts to feed hummingbirds are impacting their populations.  To learn more go to https://www.audubon.org/content/hummingbirds-home.

Update on injured baby raccoon

Baby raccoon update;

The baby is safe and recovering!!!

After waiting anxiously for two nights, the baby animal returned with its mother and siblings and briefly hid behind my patio chair. I immediately contacted the trapper, and he came to the rescue within ten minutes, effortlessly trapped the baby, and brought it to Kane Area Rehabilitation & Education for Wildlife,

Vicki Fogel of Kane Area Rehabilitation & Education for Wildlife, removed the trap from the baby and discovered that it had lost two toes due to the trap.  Despite the trauma, the baby is doing well, eating heartily, and receiving the care it needs until it is fully healed and ready to be released back into the wild. While speaking with Vicki, she raised a crucial concern about the harm caused by these traps. Not only do they pose a threat to mice and rats, but in this case, it led to a baby raccoon experiencing broken bones and losing toes. She emphasized that these traps should never be used outdoors or even indoors, as they can pose a threat to children and pets.

I want to reiterate that if you ever come across injured or distressed wildlife, please use the Animal Help Now app to find a local wildlife expert who can provide assistance.

I also want to express my gratitude to Vicki Fogel and Ty Holden, the local expert trapper, for giving the baby raccoon a second chance at life.

Injured baby raccoon

Yesterday, I had a heartfelt encounter with a baby raccoon on my deck. The poor thing had its paw caught in a rat trap, a stark reminder of the impact of human actions on wildlife. It was truly heartbreaking to witness the suffering of this innocent creature. I have reached out to a wildlife rehabber and trapper to help capture this baby to provide the necessary medical attention and hopefully reunite the baby raccoon with its mother.

This experience has deepened my belief in the importance of coexisting with other species and living in harmony with nature. It's crucial that we recognize the value of every living being and strive to co-create a world where all creatures can thrive in love and freedom. After all, every soul on this earth deserves a chance to live a peaceful and fulfilling life.

I wanted to share some important information with everyone. If you ever come across distressed or injured wildlife, you can be a lifeline for them by downloading the “Animal Help Now” app. This incredible app will show you local wildlife rehabbers or trappers in your area to help safely get wildlife the care they need. When I noticed the baby raccoon had its paw caught in a rat trap, I used the app and within minutes, there were multiple responses from wildlife experts providing me with information on what to do. One amazing woman who is a wildlife rehabber even drove to my house to bring me a crate! This level of support was truly exceptional and made a big difference.

I've spent the last three years volunteering at my local forest preserve, working to remove invasive plants that were introduced by early settlers. Our ultimate goal is to restore the forest to its original state, filled with native plants. Through this work, I've gained a deeper understanding of the importance of native plants for our local habitats. Native plants play a crucial role in supporting native wildlife, as they provide essential food and habitat. In return, wildlife helps native plants thrive through processes like pollination and seed dispersal, creating a beautifully balanced relationship.

It's worth noting that native plants and wildlife work together to produce oxygen, purify water, sequester carbon, and prevent flooding. These vital services sustain not only us, but all living beings on this planet.

Inspired by this cause, I've shifted my focus to my own garden, incorporating more native plants to support the local wildlife. I've also been reading Doug Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home, which emphasizes how native plants sustain wildlife. With rampant human development encroaching on wild spaces, it's essential to reevaluate how we approach gardening. By reducing the size of our lawns and introducing more native plants, we can help wildlife coexist with human development.

Tallamy's book also challenges the notion of mass extinctions by suggesting that many local species can thrive alongside humans if their basic ecological needs are met. One aspect I love about the book is its practicality. Tallamy guides on what to plant based on your region, what birds need to eat to survive, and the importance of insects for our survival.

For more information on planting native species and supporting your local ecosystem, check out the resources Tallamy has created at www.homegrownnationalpark.com.

P.S. I love the bee popping in for the photo opp. So apropos.

On January 1st, 2024 California’s Proposition 12 went into full effect, where certain farm owners, operators and distributors who raise veal calves, commercial breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens need to allow for specific freedom of movement for the animals, cage-free designs, and specified floor space.  These regulations prohibit farm owners and distributors from knowingly cruelly confining these sentient beings and apply to both in-state entities and out-of-state entities that intend to sell goods in the state of California.

In response to California's Proposition 12, 15 states have enacted laws addressing the cruel intensive confinement of farm animals and the associated public health risks. Furthermore, more than 40% of pork producers have expressed their willingness to meet the demand for crate-free pork production. Additionally, 80% of American voters support similar measures in their own states.

However, some members of Congress aligned with certain entities of the pork industry are seeking to “fix” Proposition 12 and nullify these regulations for farm animals.

If you wish to support farm animal protection laws, you can contact your federal representative and express your opposition to the proposed changes to Proposition 12. The call will take two minutes of your time and your voice makes a difference for farm animals that do not have one. You can find your federal representative at www.pluralpolicy.com.

Images courtesy of Civil Eats and Crate Free USA

Bringing Nature Home

While I was in Utah last week, I went hiking daily in the mountains and saw numerous bumble bees buzzing around the native plants. I could hear them buzzing by me as if they were on their morning commute to work.  This sight was particularly special to me as there aren't as many bumble bees in my area.

During my time in Utah, I also began reading a book by Douglas Tallamy called Bringing Nature Home. In the book, Tallamy discusses how in the U.S., we have developed and modified between 95-97% of all land, leaving only 3-5% as undisturbed habitat for plants and animals. He mentions a study estimating that 32-40 million acres of wild land in the U.S. have been converted to suburban lawns, replacing native plants with non-native ones that cannot support insects and wildlife. Tallamy emphasizes the importance of planting native species around our homes to provide food and habitat for the local species we live with. He points out that non-native plants, like the lilac bushes I planted, do not offer the necessary support for insects and wildlife. Bringing Nature Home offers practical solutions for supporting pollinators and wildlife in our environment. It's a great read for anyone looking to help preserve the planet and its wildlife.