More Evidence Against Neonicotinoid Pesticides

 Neonicotinoids, as its name implies is a class of chemicals resembling nicotine. One of the reasons they are so effective as a pesticide is their water solubility. When applied to soil they are readily absorbed by plants of which insect pests then come into contact. The chemicals are also applied directly to seeds. Some neonicotinoids compounds and example pesticide products are: Imidachloprid (Merit);  Clothianidin (Aloft); Dinotefuran (Chemsico); Acetamiprid (Assail) ; Thiocloprid (Calypso); and Thiamethoxam (Actara).

Imidacloprid was the first of this class of chemicals to be marketed. It was patented in the U.S. in the late 1980s and is still one of the most popular pesticides in use throughout the world. You may have seen this chemical on bags of grub killer. For years neonicotinoids were considered relatively safe to non-target insects, but more recently that claim has been called into question. The connection to bees and colony collapse disorder led the European Union to place a ban on three of these chemicals -  clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam in December, 2013. The ban is to be reviewed by the end of this year.

Within the past several years, there have been several disturbing reports regarding adverse impacts to insects, birds and aquatic biota from inadvertent exposure to these chemicals. Research conducted earlier this year at the University of Minnesota showed lethal impacts to Monarch and Painted Lady larvae when fed on milkweed treated with Imidacloprid. After a seven day exposure, the monarch larvae had a 100 percent mortality. For the Painted Lady, only a few survived. Listen at http://www.entomology.umn.edu/news-events/news/early-research-links-insecticide-monarch-butterfly-deaths. Making matters worse, a study published this month in Nature  shows that bees prefer plants containing neonicotinoids demonstrating that  appears that the neonicotinoids may have an addictive quality for pollinators similar to nicotine for humans.

The good news is that the public is taking notice, resulting in companies and municipalities proactively taking action. This month, the City of Portland, Oregon passed an ordinance to halt the use of neonicotinoids on city property. In addition to seeing massive bee die-offs due to improper application of these pesticides in Oregon, the city took action due to impacts seen to pollinators even when the pesticides are applied in accordance with the label instructions. Other cities in Washington and Oregon including Seattle and Eugene have already passed similar prohibitions. And, last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pledged to cease applying neonicotinoid insecticides on wildlife refuges by the year 2016.     

This month, Lowes home improvement centers announced that they would phase out selling products containing neonicotinoids within the next four years. Hopefully, it will not take that long. Unfortunately, Home Depot has only vowed to label plants that they sell that have been treated with neonicotinoids. I just discovered this today, when I went to plant a couple perennials purchased from the store. As I removed one plant from its pot, this label pictured on the right fell to the ground. I think it was hidden behind the plant description. Does this look like a warning, or a marketing ploy to buy a plant that is protected against "problematic" insects? I don't want to return the plant since it would just be resold and planted, so I will instead destroy it and write a letter to the store manager stating that this is not an adequate response for addressing this very real threat to the environment. I am confident that, even without an EPA ban, consumer knowledge and preferences will result in more local prohibitions and retailers voluntarily removing these products from their shelves.

A Quest for Green Roofs in the District of Columbia

On my recent trip to Washington, D.C. I went on a quest looking for green roofs. Not metal roofs, painted green, as one person I asked directions from thought, but those sporting live plants that provide a host of environmental benefits in urban areas. The District is a strong supporter of sustainable development and has an active stormwater control program called "RiverSmart". The RiverSmart program provides financial assistance to property owners to install green infrastructure projects which will help capture rainwater on-site so that it doesn't run-off their property, carrying with it pollutants, such as fertilizer and sediment, into storm drains and surface waters. One of their projects for which they are a pioneer is RiverSmart Rooftops which supports the installation of green roofs by providing rebates of $10 -$15 per square foot. In addition to capturing rainwater, green roofs help cool buildings in the summer, as well as the surrounding air, combating the heat island effect in cities. And, green roofs, if planted with larger shrubs and trees can help capture air pollution.

Before my trip, I printed a five page list of the green roofs that have already been installed under the RiverSmart program.  Unfortunately, I quickly learned that gaining access to roof-tops is a near impossible task, especially without prior planning. If I had contacted property owners before my trip, I probably could have gained permission to have supervised access to at least a couple roof-top gardens. Never-the-less It was a fun and different way to explore the city, even if I did have to be content seeing most of the plantings from a distance.

Even if you are not consciously looking, it is not hard to spot green roofs from the street.

From public office buildings, to private apartment complexes, trees are visible by just looking up.

Although it was interesting seeing the plants from the street, I was hoping to get a closeup view of at least one rooftop. After several unsuccessful inquiries at private buildings, I went up to Capital Hill to the U.S. Supreme Court building, since according to my list they had built a green room as part of a 2008 modernization effort. I could not confirm this to be the case, but the helpful employee at the information desk did direct me to the Senate office buildings which were just a few blocks away. I started at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, 130 Constitution Avenue NE with no luck, so decided to walk to the connecting Hart Senate Office Building where my state, Senator Jeanne Shaheen's office is located. I still  could not get access to the actual roof, her office did direct me inside to the floor where a window overlooked the rooftop.

My first view out the window was not of the outdoors, but of indoor plants which offer the same benefits of purifying the air and providing inhabitants with a general sense of well-being.

Finally, I got my first close-up view of a green roof atop the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Since it was early spring it wasn't exactly "green", except for some grass sprouting along the edge.

A green roof installed as part of the RiverSmart program

If you ever go to the Library of Congress Packard Campus of National Audio Visual Conservation Center, you will see the huge investment they have made in making it a truly sustainable campus. On Capitol Hill, as well, the Library of Congress buildings along Independence Avenue are covered with ground cover and trees.

Getting to see the tress up close on top of the Library of Congress Building was not possible, but there is plenty of greenscaping visible around the building.

Elevated Gardens Along the Library of Congress Madison Building

At the House Office Buildings next door, there were several vegetative planting areas on the rooftops that were visible from inside the stairwell.

I was impressed with how the property owners of D.C. have embraced the concept of vegetative roofs; and, as I concluded my tour, I also took notice of the landscaping plants on the ground where everyone can enjoy them.

May 28, 2015 Update: Green Roofs for Health Cities ranked Washington, D.C. Number 1 as the Greenest City in North America. Toronto, which requires all new construction of a certain size and over six stories tall to have at least 20 per cent of the roof vegetated.

An Early Spring Walk in the Woods

This past weekend, the weather was ideal for getting out for a walk. With the exception of ticks, there were no bugs. It was a little early for any wildflowers, but with the snow gone and no leaves on the trees yet, I found some interesting photo opportunities. The following is what I saw.

Not a sign of spring as these fungi have been around for a while.

I don't know what it is about rusty metal, but when I find it out in the woods, I don't look it as trash, instead I see it as a documentation of history.

This granite ledge was worth a closer look. It looks like it could almost be the remnants of an old foundation.

Guster had fun exploring the top. Below, a piece of granite resembled a giant's foot trying to break out through a crack.

Just a few weeks ago this stream was frozen. I didn't see any fish this day, but did find a few signs of awakening life.

This bright green aquatic plant stood out in the water. 

A Water Strider

Bur-reed or Tape Grass?

The tree canopy was quite thick here, which is why it was the only spot with any snow remaining. I think by next week it will all be gone. In spite of all the snow we had this winter, we have not had the typical April showers. This has been great for those who are not fans of New England mud season.

Changing Seasons in Vermont

This past weekend, I visited northern Vermont and experienced many signs of winter still hanging on, but other indications that Spring is on its way. Jed's Maple Products in Derby was my first stop.  Named after their first born son, this truly is a family-run business. Although it was very cold and windy, the sap was flowing and overall it has been a good season for maple syrup in the Northeast Kingdom.

The size of this tank gives an idea to the amount of sap processed by Jed's Maple Products. Several thousand taps feed the the reverse osmosis system inside which is fueled by used vegetable oil. The steam from the evaporator made it difficult to see the actual syrup inside.

On the property is also, the recently opened Wheeler Maple Museum which houses artifacts from three generations of maple sugaring.

In addition to syrup, there are a variety of sauces, mustards, and spices all made on-site.  Their products can be ordered on-line and are shipped across the globe. Check out their website jedsmaple.com to read their story and discover the family fun activities that are offered year-round. 

After picking up some maple butter, cheese and a shaker of maple sugar and hot pepper, it was on to downtown Newport. The boardwalk along the water is a popular spot for a walk, bike ride, or to just sit and take in the view. Due to the cold and the wind, only a few people were down by the water. With my hat, gloves and camera in hand I was glad that I stopped as I saw what I believe to be a couple mink swimming in and out of the water.

Although Lake Memphremagog has not experienced ice-out, the shoreline downtown was mostly open

One of the mink making its way to the dock

On Sunday, the sun was out, the wind had died down and the temperatures were much warmer. This didn't stop numerous ice fishermen from enjoying, what may have been, there last time on the ice. 

Jay Peak will be open for at least a couple more weeks

It was a long winter and there were plenty of signs of how the beaver and deer survived the winter.  Below, on the left is one of the many trees that had recent beaver damage around the lake. The  arborvitaes around a man made pond show that the deer stopped by for more than just a drink.

So there were many signs of winter, but I was looking for signs of spring, like this Great Blue Heron

and these Wood Ducks.

Or this pussy willow which I overlooked the first time I walked by.

By the end of the day, I had also seen a river otter rolling around on the ice, a broad winged hawk soaring overhead and a meadowlark flushed from a field. As I write this, I hear the peepers outside and can know that it is indeed time to say goodbye to winter.  

Soil Matters

The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service helped promote the International Year of Soils by hosting Soil Matters: 2015 New Hampshire Soils Conference. The first time such a conference has been held since 1999. The close to 90 participants is a testament to the desire and the need for professionals to be educated and to network with like-minded experts. It was  disappointing to hear about the effects of state and federal budget cuts in natural resource protection programs, and the soil science programs in particular. It is clear that the interest and the need could not be greater. The Great Dust Bowl was a wake-up call in the 1930s and the flooding and catastrophic events of recent years should have that same impact today.  I hope to see an increase in funding directed toward the life giving resource called Soil.

A Touch of Spring at the U. S. Botanic Garden

I accompanied Dave to Washington D.C. last week for his work. We took Amtrak's Acela from Providence for a pleasant six hour ride. It was nice not to have to deal with airport lines and security. I sat in the "quiet car" which gave me the opportunity to relax and catch up on some reading. When we arrived on Tuesday, it was raining and the trees were still bare. When we left two days later, the trees were starting to bud, including the infamous cherry blossoms. It is amazing how quickly the environment changed once the sun came out and the temperature warmed into the sixties. On Wednesday, up with my good friend, Karen, whom I hadn't seen since ninth grade - thank you Facebook! We spent the morning at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory. How pleasant it was to reminisce about our years growing up and to find out what each other has been doing for the past forty years!  It was rejuvenating to walk among lush green plants and exotic colorful flowers from around the globe.

The United States Botanic Garden has been open to the public since 1850, and at its present location since 1933. We spent most of the morning inside the Conservatory, which was completed renovated fourteen years ago. Here is a sampling of what we saw on our tour of the Conservatory's ten garden-themed rooms.

Entering the Conservatory

Cacao pods

Fresh Squeezed Oranges Anyone?

  

A Special Exhibit of Roots

Outside, in the National Garden, the snow had only recently melted, but spring flowers were starting to bloom.  

These ducks were enjoying the sun while preening their feathers

Having whet our appetite at the Conservatory, we walked over to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History after lunch to view a special exhibit on Orchids. It was a beautiful way to end the afternoon.