Recycling

September 27th marked national crush a can day which serves to help raise awareness of recycling and recycling practices around the country. The practice of recycling has been around for ages- converting natural materials into something new or reusing old materials to make something else. Early records of recycling practices date back to Pluto in 4 BC. During this time when resources were scarce, archaeological studies of ancient waste dumps show less household waste (such as ash, broken tools, and pottery), implying that more waste was recycled in place of new material. Since this time, the practice of recycling has been seen and utilized. In pre-industrial times, there is evidence of scrap bronze and other metals being collected in Europe and melted down for continuous reuse. The rise of industrialization around the 19th century pushed for the demand of affordable materials. By the time of World War I, there were thousands of peddlers roaming around cities in the US taking advantage of markets forced to recycle post-consumer materials into the production of industrial goods.

However, the modern process of recycling has only been around for a few decades. This process helped to decrease energy usage after World War II.  However, in late 2017 and early 2018 changes in the recycling market led to a recycling crisis. China introduced a new policy focused on imported materials for recycling which set new standards giving them permission to deny and ban materials for being too hazardous or dirty. This caused a huge disruption and shift within the global recycling market causing prices of certain materials to decrease. At the same time countries were accepting more materials with no proper way to dispose of them so these countries shipped their waste to third-world countries that had fewer environmental regulations in place (which has been a practice that pre-dated this crisis). The increase in waste materials put pressure on these third-world countries because they did not have a proper way of disposing of these waste products. This often led to an abundance of waste leading to an increase in health-related issues due to poor waste management.

Not all is in vain.  Although some current recycling practices may not be focused on reducing waste, there are ways to improve waste management and decrease waste production. First, make sure you understand the varying recycling practices and management that are in place around your county by investigating what can be recycled and how to do it properly. Secondly, try analyzing the ways you can reduce your waste by reducing one thing at a time.  Finally, be aware of the things you are buying and not getting pulled into “green marketing”. This idea is something that companies use to portray the fact that they are eco-friendly when in fact they are not. This can be done by using cute pictures of nature, fancy awards or certificates on their packaging, or using green or “natural” colors in the marketing or the actual product they sell. These ideas all promote the idea of the company being environmentally friendly when that may not be the case.

Sources Used:

  1. Black Dog Publishing (2006). Recycle : a source book. London, UK: Black Dog Publishing. ISBN 978-1-904772-36-1.
  2. ^ Wood, J.R. (2022). “Approaches to interrogate the erased histories of recycled archaeological objects”. Archaeometry. 64: 187–205. doi:10.1111/arcm.12756.
  3. “The truth about recycling”. The Economist. 7 June 2007.
  4. Carl A. Zimring (2005). Cash for Your Trash: Scrap Recycling in America. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0-8135-4694-0.
  5. ^ Hook, Leslie; Reed, John (24 October 2018). “Why the world’s recycling system stopped working”. Financial Times. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.

National Public Lands Day (Sep. 24th)  

September 24th celebrates National Public Lands Day which is meant to encourage individuals to utilize public lands while also promoting their conservation and preservation. Public land is defined as land that is owned by the government (both local and national)- more specifically land that is not specifically assigned to or allocated for any specific purpose. Examples of public land include national parks, local community parks, public trails, farms, forests, etc. Public land, in some cases, allows for communal spaces to be utilized and accessible for all.

Here in the US, public land ownership has been a complicated issue throughout the years. In the US, public land is owned and maintained on many different levels- from local townships and cities to the federal government. With the management of public lands being distributed among different governmental agencies, the use and available resources of these public lands will vary with respect to governmental funding and regulations, natural resources, current legislation, and land delegation. Due to this, public lands around the country are used for a variety of purposes.

Here in Florida, we are home to many national and state parks allowing for a variety of fun activities for both visitors and locals alike. The Florida Park Service is one of the largest in the country with 175 state parks, trails, and historic sites spanning nearly 800,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. Take advantage of these wonderful public spaces this weekend. Just remember to be respectful, safe, and conscientious of your surroundings. Below are some of the national and state parks Florida has to offer.

Florida National Parks:

Everglades National Park

Biscayne National Park (Homestead, FL

Dry Tortugas National Park (Key West, FL)

Big Cypress National Preserve (Ochopee, FL

Canaveral National Seashore

De Soto National Memorial (Bradenton, FL)

Fort Caroline National Memorial (Jacksonville, FL)

Fort Matanzas National Monument (St. Augustine, FL)

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (Jacksonville, FL)

Florida State Parks:

John Pennekamp State Park

The only park that is completely underwater

George Candy Bridge Fishing Pier State Park

The only state park that is also a fishing pier

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (Sep. 16th)

Today (September 16th) marks the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer which commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol signed on September 16, 1987. The focus of this meeting was to help limit harmful emissions into the atmosphere which in turn would help improve and ultimately build back the ozone layer. This was monumental because this was a global effort to help prevent the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). This protocol has been instrumental in fostering an age of new technologies devoted to improving the planet.

We have all heard of the ozone layer, but what exactly is it and why should we care about it? Well, here in Florida, it is extremely important if we want to continue being able to enjoy our time outside in the sunshine. The ozone layer acts as a protective layer around the Earth helping to protect the organisms that live on it from the harmful UV rays from the sun. It achieves this by filtering out harmful radiation that tries to enter Earth’s atmosphere. ODSs, when entering the atmosphere, break up ozone molecules in the stratosphere layer which severely deteriorates and compromises the ozone layer leading to an increase in harmful UV rays and allowing more radiation to reach the Earth’s surface.

These UV rays provide heat and warmth to the Earth’s surface as well as provide much-needed nourishment for the organisms that live on the planet. However, these UV rays are also responsible for sunburns and are the reason we wear sunglasses outside on a sunny day. Over-exposure to certain UV rays can lead to many serious health issues such as cataracts, immune system suppression, and genetic damage to name a few. In addition, exposure could lead to more serious health concerns such as skin cancer. While UV rays are important to the survival of life on Earth, it’s also important to have safe health practices in place as well.

Safe Practices:

Wearing sun protection

Hat

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Sun shirt

Check UV index before heading out

Take frequent breaks inside/in the shade

Monitor outside time and exposure

Today is World Water Day!

By Amber Prinkey

Think about all of the times you’ve used water just today. Did you brush your teeth? Flush your toilet? Take a shower? Drink coffee? Water is an incredibly important part of our lives…and the lives of animals, too! So much of the earth is covered in water -71%!  Way more water than land exists today but not all of it is suitable for drinking. In fact, only 3% of all that water is freshwater. Of the freshwater, 68% is locked up in ice and glaciers! We really need to be careful with the water that we do have access to so that all people and animals have enough. That’s where water conservation comes in.

There are very simple ways we can save water and maybe you are already doing many of these. But for World Water Day, why not challenge yourself to do one or two more?

• Take shorter showers

• Run only full loads of dishes and laundry

• Take only the water you need for drinking

• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth

• Upgrade to low-flow faucets and showerheads

• Check for leaks in toilets and faucets

• Water your lawn only when it needs it and do so during the coolest part of the day

• Use a rain barrel to collect water for your plants

One of the rain barrels that sits near our backyard garden

Global Recycling Day is coming soon

By Amber Prinkey

March 18 is Global Recycling Day and since Coral Springs recently began their recycling program again, we thought we’d pass along some important information to keep this valuable program going. It was put on hold due to a 40% contamination rate which was costing the city too much in fees. Do you recycle correctly? These things do not belong in your recycling bin: 

• Plastic bags

• Foam products

• Aluminum foil/pans

• Shredded paper

• Plastic eating utensils/straws

• Paper towels/napkins

• Coat hangers

• Light bulbs

• Needles

• Greasy pizza boxes

Plastic bags are not recyclable in household bins because they may get caught in the rollers of the sorting machines which costs time and money to remedy. Instead, those can be dropped off at your local grocery or big box store. And plastic straws and foam products are never recyclable so instead, consider reusable or paper straws and containers.

See the rules for Coral Springs here https://www.coralsprings.org/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Garbage-Recycling/Recycling and sign up to have your recycling “audited” for a chance to win a gift card here https://www.coralsprings.org/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Garbage-Recycling/Recycling/Recycling-Rewards?mc_cid=96f52a4fc0 

We know it can be confusing but together we can make a difference!  

Flowers and Flutterers

By Amber Prinkey

Two special days are coming up – March 12 is National Plant a Flower Day and March 14 is National Learn About Butterflies Day. Since butterflies depend on flowers, why not consider celebrating these two days by planting something our native flutterers will like? Head to your local nursery and pick up a native plant that is a host plant for your favorite butterfly and some native nectar plants as well. The Florida Native Plant Society has a list here: https://www.fnps.org/plants/butterflies. Of course you can always visit our nature center where you could see a wide variety of butterflies, bees, and birds visiting our many different plants. Don’t forget to download the Seek app before you come so you can identify the plants and butterflies that you see!

Some interesting butterfly facts:

• Butterflies are cold-blooded

• They have an exoskeleton

• They taste with their feet!

• Their proboscis (the tube they use for feeding) curls up like a garden hose when not in use 

• Most butterflies don’t live very long – about a month

• Skippers can fly the fastest – 37 mph! Most butterflies fly about 5-12 mph.

A long-tailed skipper rests in our front wetland

World Wildlife Day

By Amber Prinkey

This year’s World Wildlife Day on March 3rd seeks to draw attention to the conservation status of our endangered species. Did you know Florida has over 130 threatened and endangered species? Let’s take a closer look but first some definitions:

Endangered means the species is seriously at risk of extinction. 

Threatened means the species is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future.

Vulnerable means the species is susceptible to endangerment.

Here are some of our resident animals (some native, some not) that you may not have realized are in trouble:

Critically Endangered

Sinbad, Fred, and Alice: Yellow Naped Amazons – Due to habitat loss and the pet trade

Endangered

Bubba: African Spurred Tortoise – Due to habitat loss and climate change

Vulnerable

Chip and friends: Box Turtles – Due to habitat loss and the pet trade

Bumper: Greek Tortoise – Due to habitat loss and the pet trade

Carlos: Yellow Footed Tortoise – Due to habitat loss and over-hunting for food

State Designated Threatened

Drumstick and friends: Gopher Tortoises – Due to habitat loss

Spike: Burrowing Owl – Due to habitat loss

Federally Designated Threatened due to similarity of appearance 

Wally: American Alligator – Similar appearance to American Crocodiles

Many of these animals came to us because people no longer wanted them as pets. Please help by doing your research and making absolutely sure you are able to take care of the animal for its entire life before committing to it as a pet. You are always welcome to stop by and see these animals at our center! 

For more information about World Wildlife Day, go to their website at https://wildlifeday.org/

Our newest Gopher Tortoise who was kept illegally as a pet.

Florida Invaders

By Amber Prinkey

Next week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week and here in Florida we have over 500 of them. An invasive species is one that doesn’t belong AND causes problems for our native species. It’s important to remember that every animal has its place but when we start adding animals that don’t belong, it upsets the natural balance of our ecosystems. Invasive animals take resources from our native species such as the Burmese Python eating many of the small mammals that alligators and panthers need in the Everglades. What can we do? First, don’t release your unwanted pets into the wild. Second, report any sightings of invasive species to FWC at 1-888-Ivegot1 or on the mobile app so scientists can monitor them. Third, visit nature centers like SNC that help to educate the public and rescue the native species that need our help.

Curious about where these invasive animals have been spotted? Go to https://www.eddmaps.org/distribution/.

#NISAW

 #invasivespecies

Adorable but invasive – European Starling

Happy Valen-dine’s Day

By Amber Prinkey

In celebration of this week of love, please enjoy some pictures of our animals eating what THEY love!
Warning: sometimes animals eat gross things

Loggerhead Musk Turtle “Molly”
Leucistic opossum “Havarti”
Gray Rat snake “Demi”
Leucistic opossum “Queso”
Yellow Footed Tortoise “Carlos”
Box Turtle
Black Vulture “Butch”
Great Horned Owl “Pollo”

Great Blue Herons

By Natalia Astaiza

Great Blue Herons are fascinating, majestic animals that are always a treat to see, whether they are soaring the coastline or standing in the shallow water looking for fish. Here are some fun facts about these creatures:

  • Great Blue Herons are very tall and stand 3 to 4.5 feet high. In flight, the bird looks huge with its six-foot wingspan.
  • Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for 4 weeks.
  • In flight, a Great Blue Heron usually holds its head close to its body with the neck bent.
  • The young can first fly at about 60 days old.
  • Even though Great Blue Herons seem like a big bird, they weigh only 5-6 pounds. Like other flying birds, their bones are hollow.
  • A male heron collects the sticks used for nesting material, which he then presents to the waiting female.  She will weave the sticks into a platform which will be lined with soft materials. It might take 2 weeks to build their nest.
  • Great Blue Herons hunt from shallow water, moving slowly and searching the water under the surface. They will eat whatever they can catch including frogs, snakes, crayfish, fish, small mammals and even other birds.
  • There is a pure white species of Great Blue Heron that lives here in southern coastal Florida. One is currently on display at the Sawgrass Nature Center. Her name is Blue!
  • They can be found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats.
  • For such large birds, herons are speedy, flying as fast as 30 mph. They usually fly with their necks in an S-shape and their legs trailing behind them.
  • The Great Blue Heron does not have a beautiful call. The rough squawk has a guttural almost prehistoric sound to it.