Mammal Monday -- the North Atlantic Right Whale

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When I was the natural resources program manager for the U.S. Coast Guard, one of the projects I enjoyed most was a program to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale.  Population numbers for these whales hit a peak of 482 in 2010 after almost being hunted to extinction earlier in the 20th century (in 1935, scientists estimated that only 60 whales survived).  Current estimates put this whale population at 451 and dropping.  Today's Washington Post included a very informative article on the right whales and the various issues surrounding its conservation -- check it out.

Meat-free Friday -- Spaghetti and white beans

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Here's a tasty recipe adapted from MarthaStewart's website. It's quick and easy for a Friday night! Don't forget to "Like" greenmomster on Facebook for recipes and other environmental news.

Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can (15 oz.) white cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
• 2 cups flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 olive oil
• 4 tsp jar garlic or 6 cloves, chopped
• pinch of red pepper flakes, or more if you like it hot!
• 1 lb cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

1. Cook pasta. Add beans during the last minute of cooking. Drain, saving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Saute parsley, lemon juice, and oil. Add red pepper and garlic; saute about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and a little bit of pasta water. Cook until "saucy".
3. Toss the parsley/tomato mixture, pasta, and remaining pasta water. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!

Stinkin' wall

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Throughout history, countries have built walls or barriers, either to keep people in or keep people out.  One thing we know for sure, these barriers cause major environmental disruption.  They destroy habitat and separate animal populations.  Here's a great short film that shows the area that could be impacted by the proposed border wall with Mexico.

More mammal news

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Humans are not good news for large animals.  That's the news from a recent paper in the journal Science.  "Body size downgrading of mammals over the late Quaternary" matches up the extinct of various large mammals with the movement of humans throughout history.  It turns out, when humans showed up, large mammals disappeared.  This trend is continuing today with the loss of elephants, rhinos, wolves, whales, etc.  This finding is important, because when we lose "megafauna", it's not just the species that we lose.  Rather, the entire way that an ecosystem functions can be altered.

One example of this ecosystem response to the loss of a large mammal species can be seen in Yellowstone.  After the loss of wolves in this ecosystem, scientists noted that elk became more prevalent, diversity of vegetation changed, and species such as beavers declined significantly.  Since the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone, the ecosystem is beginning to change back to its original structure.

Many large species are on the endangered species list.  Since humans have long caused this change in biodiversity, how does the situation differ today?  We now have the ability to study and change our impact, rather than allowing cows to become our largest mammals.

Moke makes our day on Mammal Monday!

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In case you were absorbed in the political shenanigans last week and missed it, there was some great news for the western lowland gorillas -- Moke was born!  This is big news for the National Zoo and for anyone interested in gorilla conservation.  Be sure to check out all the details on the zoo's website.

Breakfast for dinner!

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Who doesn’t like breakfast for dinner every once in a while? Here’s a meat-free Friday recipe that’s tasty like breakfast, but has enough heft to keep away the hunger until morning!

Be sure to “like” Greenmomster on Facebook for more environmental updates!

Egg and Green Chile Casserole (source unknown)

Ingredients

• 18 eggs
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 16 oz. of non-fat cottage cheese, drained
• 1 can (4 oz.) diced Hatch green chiles (hot is best)
• 1 can (16 oz.) sliced black olives
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 2 cups grated cheddar or taco-mix cheese
• dash of nutmeg
• dash of lemon zest
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Grease a 13 x 9 casserole dish. Spread the cottage cheese, grated cheese, green onion, and green chiles in the bottom of the casserole dish.
3. Beat the eggs with the milk, nutmeg, lemon zest, and slat and pepper. Pour over the cheese mixture.
4. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, until casserole is a little puffy and the top is slightly browned.

Enjoy!

Mammal Monday -- Elephants!

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I've written many posts about elephants:

• you've taken the GREAT BIG Elephant Quiz!
• learned that God loves elephants
• celebrated World Elephant Day
• learned about authors and basketball stars who are trying to protect elephants
• and seen mom and baby elephant reunions

So let's add one more elephant post to the mix.  Here's a fun list of 10 Extraordinary Facts about Elephant Trunks from TreeHugger -- enjoy!

Still not enough elephant news for a Mammal Monday?  Then you've got to check out this fascinating book about elephants and an epic escape in World War II:  Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke.