22/06/2023

Archive

Shortest day, longest day….. the solstice

      It’s the shortest day of the year  in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia as an example )….. According to Dictionary.com : either of the two times a year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator: about June 21, when the sun reaches its northernmost point on the celestial sphere, or about December 22, when it reaches its southernmost point.: Compare summer solstice, winter solstice. either of the two points in the ecliptic farthest...

WATER WEDNESDAY: The Water Cycle

Following open from the World Day of World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought on 17th June – here we investigate the water cycle……   ( Source: Pinterest) The latest National Geographic Magazine features the world-sized challenge of global population growth… how we treat our water supply is a big part of that! Here are some tips on water conservation..  ...

MONDAY FACT: Truly unique Kiwi

  The Kiwi – the New Zealand (Aotearoa ) bird often used as mascot of the country – is truly unique! It has loose feathers that are more like fur and unlike other birds the feathers moult throughout the year. It is the only bird in the world with nostrils at the end of its beak. Its sense of smell is second to none. It has no tail feathers, but does have whiskers, like a cat....

Very real challenges of combating desertification

If drought and resulting famines are now so ‘common place’ in the news that we have become immune to their true impact – the World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought on 17th June aims to highlight the issue…   Desertification is a type of land degradation in drylands in which biological productivity is lost due to natural processes or induced by human activities whereby fertile areas become arid. More info at Desertification  Images from Pinterest....

Biodiversity is the focus of latest Environmental Education Journal

The Spring 2023 edition [ Vol 132 ] of Environmental Education Journal – of which I am editor – is now available for members of NAEE. This edition focuses on learning about life on Earth; its contents include: The importance of insects to general biodiversity – Nikki Banfield Curiosity and connection through nature journaling – Bethan Burton Champions of biodiversity – Jordan Allen & Allison Hands Keeping biological records – Sam Amy Shaping sustainable futures through education Matt – Darsen-Law...

WATER WEDNESDAY : Saving cranes for 50 years!

The International Crane Foundation celebrates 50 years of conservation of these magnificent creatures and their habitats. “The story of the International Crane Foundation began in 1971 at Cornell University with two students who shared a passion for cranes. Ornithology students Ron Sauey and George Archibald envisioned an organization that would combine research, captive breeding and reintroduction, landscape restoration and education to safeguard the world’s 15 crane species. Over nearly 50 years, we have developed unique collaborations and led effective community-based...

TREE TUESDAY | Ponga tree fern

Ponga (Aotearoa / New Zealand ) In rongoā Māori/Māori medicine ponga gum is taken to evict parasites worming through our intestines, and the pith (the soft cellular tissue) is known as an antiseptic.   These tree ferns are usually found in dry or open-air areas in lowland to lower mountain forest throughout the North Island. In the South Island ponga is largely absent from the wetter west and south, preferring sites with better drainage. Did you know? The silver fern...

DID YOU KNOW? Koala myths

The drop bear (sometimes dropbear) is a hoax in contemporary Australian folklore featuring a predatory, carnivorous version of the koala. This imaginary animal is commonly spoken about in tall tales designed to scare tourists. Koalas are actually  marsupials. Did you guess the animal that features on the background of this website…..?...