You ain’t a beauty, but hey, you’re alright!

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With all due respect to the Boss and the greatest rock song ever written, I must say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  This week’s endangered species, the Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) (photo from http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/jgs/default.cfm), is listed as near-threatened by the IUCN.  My family and I had the good luck to see these fascinating creatures during a behind-the-scenes tour at the Smithsonian National Zoo – in person, they’ve got a charm all their own! 

This huge salamander, which can reach sizes of 55 lbs and 5 feet, is found in the streambeds of fast-flowing streams in northern Kyushu Island and western Honshu in Japan.  The Japanese giant salamander will eat just about anything it can catch, but they don’t hunt using eyesight – they actually don’t see well.  They rely heavily on specialized sensory organs on their bodies and heads to find prey.  Since the adult salamander doesn’t have any natural predators, the main threats to their survival are currently hunting and habitat loss due to deforestation.  Here are a few more fun facts about the Japanese salamander:

• their bodies are covered in mucus, which protects them from scratches and parasites
• they absorb oxygen through their skin
• when threatened or touched, they secrete a milky substance that smells like Japanese peppers
• after mating in August, females lay 400 to 500 eggs often fertilized by several males
• male salamanders guard the nests of eggs until they hatch in early spring

When thinking of appropriate songs for the Japanese giant salamander, I’m going to have to go with Cecil F. Alexander’s hymn, “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” rather than Bruce Springsteen’s Thunder Road (which I may have mentioned is the greatest rock song ever written..):

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Sources:

Smithsonian National Zoological Park.  ND.  “Japanese Giant Salamander”  Accessed online 2/9/13  http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AsiaTrail/GiantSalamanders/default.cfm

The Secret Life of Squirrels!

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Like most folks, I’ve had plenty of experience with squirrels – watching them frolic in the yard, steal birdseed from my birdfeeders, avoid cars in street.  The one thing I always wondered was, what’s going on up in those nests in the trees?  Well, this past Saturday, I learned the answer to that question.  I spent Saturday morning at a training class for volunteer interpreters (for nature and history programs) at my favorite state park, Sky Meadows.  One of the other volunteers at the program works with a wildlife rescue group, and she was taking care of three baby squirrels – what a treat to be able to see these little guys up close!  I learned a few new things about squirrels and the happenings in the nest this time of year:

• at 1-5 days old, baby squirrels are about the size of a woman’s thumb, from knuckle to tip.  They have no hair and are totally pink.
• at about 2-3 weeks, they begin to have more visible grayish purple hair
• at about 3 weeks, the lower front teeth begin to emerge, while the upper front teeth don’t emerge until about 5-6 weeks
• at about 5 weeks, the squirrels’ eyes open and their tails begin to curl over their backs
• at about 6-7 weeks, the squirrels are fully furred and a week later, they get their fluffy tails!
• squirrel mothers actually have to help the baby squirrels urinate by licking the babies’ genitals – the babies are so helpless they can’t do it on their own (makes this greenmomster think the diapers weren’t so bad after all….)
• the genus name for squirrel is “Sciurius”, which is a combination of the root words “skia” for shadow and “oura” for tail, since they sit in the shadows of their tails wrapped over and around their backs and heads

These cute little guys were picked up by the wildlife rescue league when their nest tree was cut down.  So, other than the fact that these squirrels are so cute and the rescuers have big hearts, why go to all the trouble to save them?  Squirrels are an important part of their ecosystems, providing seed dispersal, food, and predation within the ecosystem.  And in rural areas, like Delaplane VA, squirrels aren’t nearly as numerous as they are in urban and suburban areas (think fewer predators in the latter areas). 

If you need to remove a tree in your area, be sure to consider the squirrels.  In the mid-Atlantic, squirrel babies are born in February and March, and then again in June and July.  Thus, avoiding tree felling within about 3 months of that time will give enough time for the squirrels to mature and leave the nest.  If you need to remove a tree – think November!

I have asthma

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This has been a tough winter for me and my lungs.  It all started slowly back in October; I thought I’d keep things under control thanks to the recommendations of friends for various herbal and homeopathic treatments, with a little albuterol on the side.  Then things took off like wildfire.  For months now, I’ve been struggling to keep the asthma under control.  Despite being otherwise very healthy (training for a half-marathon with doctor’s approval), I still cough until I throw up and daily take a concoction of medicine that leaves my stomach burning and my head spinning.

So why mention this asthma issue on an environmental blog?  Asthma definitely has genetic links – some of us are just more prone to this condition, thanks to our DNA.  But asthma also has a very heavy environmental component.  A while back, I posted about asthma, its environmental sources, and what we can all do to help.  I thought I’d repost this information, since I’m guessing I’m not the only one coughing and wheezing my way through winter.  I hope you find this info helpful!

We are the 10%

It was about 2 am and there I sat, waiting, listening, and hoping that my son’s asthma medication would take effect quickly.  Our family has three of the approximately 34 million Americans with asthma.  That’s roughly 10% of the U.S. population, according to the American Lung Association.  Asthma is an inflammation of the airways, making it difficult to breathe.  Asthma has significant health and economic effects:  

• the CDC National Center for Health Statistics estimates that asthma is the reason for approximately half a million hospitalizations per year
• the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that medical expenses associated with asthma increased from $48.6 billion in 2002 to $50.1 billion in 2007.  About 2 in 5 (40%) uninsured people with asthma could not afford their prescription medicines and about 1 in 9 (11%) insured people with asthma could not afford their prescription medicines.
• the CDC National Center for Health Statistics states that asthma accounts for about 10.1 missed work days per year
• Females have a 23% higher occurrence of asthma than males (American Lung Association)
• Between 2001 to 2003, the occurrence of asthma in the U.S. was highest in the Northeast region (CDC)
• According to the American Lung Association, in 2006, asthma prevalence was 20.1% higher in African Americans than in whites
• According to the CDC, from 2001-2003, asthma prevalence was higher in individuals living below the federal poverty level (10.3%) compared with those at or above the federal poverty level (6.4% to 7.9%)

And moms, take note:

• The greatest rise in asthma rates was among black children(almost a 50% increase) from 2001 through 2009 (CDC Vital Signs, 5/11)
• 185 children died of asthma attacks in 2007 (CDC Vital Signs, 5/11) and nearly 4 million children had asthma attacks last year (Akinbami LJ. The State of childhood asthma, United States, 1980–2005. Advance data from vital and health statistics; no 381, Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2006)
• For children under 15, asthma is the 3rd leading cause of hospital stays (DeFrances CJ Cullen KA, Kozak LJ. National Hospital Discharge Survey: 2005 Annual Summary with Detailed Diagnosis and Procedure Data. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Statistics 12 (165); 2007)
• From 2001 to 2003, the CDC reports that the occurrence of asthma in children (8.5%) was higher than in adults (6.7%)

So what triggers asthma and asthma attacks?  First off, asthma is a family affair.  Children with parents who have asthma are more likely to have asthma themselves.  A predisposition for having asthma has been found to be passed down genetically.  Now, just because a person has a predisposition, that doesn’t mean they’ll actually get the disease.  But if they do, what might set off an asthma attack?  Allergies often lead to asthma (dust mites, molds, pollen, etc).  Virus and bacterial infections can lead to asthma symptoms (often, a person with asthma will begin to wheeze or cough if they get a cold).  Some people have exercise-induced asthma.  Others get asthma attacks due to certain foods or drugs.  But asthma can be triggered by something else.  Asthma can be triggered by pollution.  Pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (ground-level ozone, that is) have been shown to increase the occurrence of asthma attacks, particularly in children. 

What types of activities produce these pollutants?  The small particles that might affect the lungs are produced from the chemical reaction of pollutants from power plants, industries, and automobiles.  Sulfur dioxide is most commonly produced from the burning of fossil fuels (coal and oil), as well as cement production.  Ozone isn’t usually emitted directly as a pollutant; it’s formed by the action of sunlight on NO_x which comes from car exhausts, fuel combustion, and industrial processes. 

Beginning to see a trend?  The pollutants that cause the most problems for asthmatics come from our cars and our power plants.   Limiting discharge of pollutants will protect children and other people affected by asthma.  Will it raise our fuel costs?  Possibly.  There’s some conflicting information as discussed by the Edison Electric Institute and theCongressional Research Service.  Full disclosure, my husband works for an energy company, so I’ve heard both sides of the argument.  But let’s look at it this way – someone has to pay.  Should we, the users of cars and power from fossil fuels, each pay a little more for a cleaner environment, or should we ask the payment to be made by the most vulnerable – our children, individuals living below the poverty level, the elderly?  My son’s asthma is controlled with medicine and attacks are infrequent, but others are not so lucky.

What can one person do?  Get educated about efforts to limit discharge of these pollutants to the environment.  Contact your legislators/local industries/power producers regarding this issue – let your opinion be known.

Potato Cabbage Soup!

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It’s been over a year since I last posted this recipe.  It’s such a hit with the kids it deserves a re-post.  It’s a filling, warm soup – perfect for the middle of winter, using lots of in-season items.

Cabbage and Potato Soup
1 small head of cabbage, coarsely chopped into 1 to 2 inch squares
6 yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2 inch cubes
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3 to 4 tablespoons butter
1/2  tablespoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh thyme (about 1 1/2 tablespoons if you’re using dried thyme)
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a large soup pot and saute the onion, potatoes, salt, and pepper for about 5 minutes
2. Add vegetable broth and water; boil until the potato is just soft enough to mash.
3. Using a hand potato masher, mash the potatoes in the soup until half the potatoes are mashed and half are still in chunks.  If you really like a smooth soup, instead of hand-mashing, use a blender to puree about half the soup.
4. Add cabbage and thyme; cook until cabbage is soft.
5. Makes about 4 servings.

Chillin’ (literally) at the Climate Change Rally

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My son and I made our climate change-themed buttons, charged the camera batteries, dressed warmly, and packed a small backpack – we were ready for the big Climate Change Rally on the Mall in Washington DC!  We boarded metro and rode into DC with several other groups, including student groups from George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, and the Great Falls Chapter of the Sierra Club.  As we emerged from our underground metro tunnel, the cold wind hit my face and my heart began to sink.  The crowd just didn’t look as big as I thought it should be.  Granted, my son and I arrived early for the rally, but I couldn’t help thinking, “Oh no, not again.  Another lukewarm crowd for this important issue.”  Maybe the naysayers were going to be right.

Forcing a smile, my son and I started walking toward the Washington Monument grounds.  As we walked straight into the very cold wind, I noticed we were being joined by groups coming from all directions, exiting Metro and tour buses, holding signs, and wearing buttons.  By the time we reached the monument grounds, the crowd seemed significantly bigger.  Looks like folks were going to take this rally seriously! 

My son and I circulated through the crowd.  We took pictures of the enthusiastic and sincere participants and were impressed at the distances folks had travelled – New York, Ohio, Santa Cruz, Montana, Canada!  The crowd included citizens of all ages and ethnic groups.  Religious groups were also well-represented – Catholic nuns, Quakers, Jewish congregations.  By the time the speeches began, the head count was roughly 30,000 souls.  My favorite speaker was Bill McKibben, the tireless leader of 350.org.  He’s no newcomer to this cause, and his absolute optimism lifts the spirit of an ol’ greenmomster like me.  I also had the pleasure of meeting some folks I’ve followed through their blogs, including the moms from Moms Clean Air Force.  By the time my son and I were completely frozen and ready to enjoy a little lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian (nothing like fry bread to warm the body and soul of a climate change activist), the crowd was estimated at 35,000!  Truly a wonderful turnout – and hopefully one with a message that President Obama and our national leaders will take seriously.  Let’s keep the pressure on our elected leaders!

Enjoy a few photos from the day:

The Fascinating Pangolin!

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This week, in honor of World Pangolin Day, let’s take another look at these wonderful creatures (re-post from September)!

The endangered species of the week is the pangolin, a small (species range from 3 1/2 to 70 lbs), scaly mammal found in southeast Asia and parts of Africa.  Also known as scaly anteaters, pangolins use their thick, strong claws and incredible sense of smell to find their primary food of ants and termites.  They are nocturnal and secretive.   The eight species of pangolins live in many different habitats including forests, thick brush, grasslands, and even cultivated areas.  All eight species of pangolin are protected under national and international law, and two of the species are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.  It’s unclear how long pangolins live in the wild, but they’ve been known to live up to 20 years in captivity.  The major threats to pangolins are habitat loss and illegal hunting for their meat and scales (used in Asian medicine). 

So pangolins live on the other side of the world and we’ve never even seen one – why should greenmomsters give a flying flit about these animals?  Well, other than the fact that they’re incredibly cute, particularly when the young ride around on their mother’s backs near the base of their tails (photo fromwww.savepangolins.org), these species play a vital role in the balance of nature in their ecosystems.  As stated in Wildlife Heroes (Scardina and Flocken, 2011), “Pangolins play a critical role in natural insect control, especially ants and termites, saving humans millions of dollars to pest damage and reducing the need for harmful chemical pesticides.  Additionally, pangolin burrows provide shelter for many species, such as rodents and reptiles.”

Want to help with pangolin conservation?  Learn more by joining the Pangolin SSC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/IUCN-SSC-Pangolin-Specialist-Group/279294488845768, or make a donation toward conservation at http://www.pangolinsg.org/.  For more information on pangolins, check out www.savepangolins.org.

Be sure to check out this video from ARKive.org: http://www.arkive.org/ground-pangolin/smutsia-temminckii/video-00.html

Sources:
Pangolin Conservation Support Initiative. 2012. Save Pangolins website. Accessed 10/7/12.www.savepangolins.org.
Pangolin Species Survival Commission. 2012. Pangolin SSC website. Accessed 10/7/12.http://www.pangolinsg.org/
Scardina, J. and J. Flocken. 2011. Wildlife Heroes. Running Press Book Publishers, Philadelphia PA. 264 pp.

Meat-Free Friday–Cornbread Soup!

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For the start of Lent, we get to enjoy some of my favorite foods!  This week’s meat-free Friday dish was named by my kids.  It’s actually a recipe that I adapted from a Cooking Light recipe (January/February 2013) for Black-Eyed Peas and Cornmeal Dumplings, but we’ve changed it so much that we gave it a new name.  A big hit here at our house – we used it for a recent birthday dinner – and you can leave it with its mellow flavor or jazz it up with a hit of hot sauce.  Variety is the spice of life!

Ingredients
9 or more pieces of Morningstar Farms veggie bacon strips, cooked crispy
1 chopped onion
1 tblsp olive oil
1 tblsp minced garlic
2 cups veggie broth
salt and pepper to taste
4 (15 oz.) cans blackeyed peas, undrained
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup chopped spring onions
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 tblsp chilled butter, cut into small chunks
1 cup buttermilk
hot sauce (optional)

Instructions
1)  Saute onion in a large pot with olive oil, for 2-3 minutes.  Add garlic and saute another minute.  Add veggie broth, blackeyed peas, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  If more liquid is needed to make the blackeyed pea mixture “soupy,” add 1 to 1 1/2 cups water or veggie broth.
2)  In a separate bowl, combine flour, spring onions, cornmeal, baking soda, butter, buttermilk.  Mix well and form into little balls by hand.
3)  Drop the cornmeal balls into the blackeyed pea mixture and allow them to cook thoroughly – at least 10 minutes.
4)  Serve immediately, adding hot sauce if you want a little extra zing!  A great side dish for this meal is kale, sauteed in olive oil with chopped red bell pepper and garlic.