environment: The Benefits of Composting - 09/22/09 03:02 AM
Here are some eye-opening statistics: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard trimmings and food waste account for 23 percent of the U.S. waste stream. That means things that break down quite well naturally, like grass clippings and apple cores, are sitting in landfills creating tons of methane gas. Why is that so bad? "Methane is a greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere for approximately 9-15 years. Methane is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (EPA)."
The EPA and many private companies are working on ways to turn methane and … (8 comments)
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environment: Changing the Light Bulb, Changing the World - 09/07/09 03:28 AM
Most of us have them in our homes. They still innocently line the shelves of grocery and home improvement stores by the thousands. But all that will change by the year 2012. As reported by NBC Nightly News recently, Europe is in the process of phasing out incandescent light bulbs and America will soon follow. Last year the European Union reached an agreement that included 27 countries across Europe to ban the manufacturing and importation of the good ol' incandescent light bulbs first invented by Thomas Edison. Over the next three years the old bulbs will be phased out completely.
… (4 comments)
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environment: Austin's Famous Hidden Pond: Cambell's Hole - 09/07/09 03:06 AM
There are many greenbelts in and around the creeks in Austin, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt is one of the most well-known. The greenbelt begins at the south shore of Lady Bird Lake and continues all the way to Loop 360, with starts and stops along the way. Most of the greenbelt is adjacent to the creek itself and Barton Springs while it meanders through the Zilker Park area, and one of the best places to swim under the trees and among the rocks and trails is called Campbell's Hole.
Campbell's hole is actually just an area where the … (3 comments)
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environment: The Clarksville Dog Park in Austin Texas - 08/10/09 11:27 PM
Clarksville, which is a historic neighborhood in central-west Austin, has a hidden jewel few people know about: the "Dog Park", as it has been known for years. Clarksville is a very eclectic community in the central Austin real estate market, in fact some would say eccentric, but very unique, and the residents love their pets.
Between 9th Street and 10th Street, and a few blocks east of West Lynn, there is a beautiful, green park, shaded by huge, old trees with green leafy canopies covering most of the park, and many of the locals regularly bring their children and dogs … (0 comments)
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environment: Cash for Clunkers Comes with some Caveats - 08/03/09 09:27 PM
Imagine being able to save the environment and the car industry all in one fell swoop. Imagine being able to give that effort a catchy name and get it quickly through Congress, too. "Cash for Clunkers" is the latest inception from the Obama administration to help the struggling economy, the ailing auto industry and the future of the environment. That is an impressive Band-Aid.
But as CNNMoney points out, some caveats should come with that offer of help. This initiative is the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act, part of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 passed in … (1 comments)
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environment: Mount Bonnell : Austin History, Legends and Views in one Spot - 07/04/09 03:57 AM
It may seem a little crazy to go hiking in the hot Texas summer, but if you can stand the heat the summer months can be a perfect time to visit an iconic Austin spot without any crowds. Even though it is 780 feet above sea level, the climb up to the top of Mount Bonnell is not a serious hike, especially with the stone steps along the way.
Mount Bonnell, like so many favorite Austin spots, is full of history as well as legends. The peak is named in honor of George W. Bonnell, a Texas publisher and Commissioner … (1 comments)
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environment: Trees Offer More than just Shade : Austin's New Tree Regulations - 07/04/09 03:47 AM
Austin takes its trees pretty seriously. This spring the Austin City Council considered rules for how developers can both treat existing trees on a property and quotas for planting future trees. This effort comes through the city's Watershed Protection Department and would represent the first major change to Austin's tree rules in 25 years.
As reported by the Austin-American Statesman, these rules are part of an ongoing effort to reduce the effects of urban heat islands, which are exactly what they sound like: urban areas dominated by buildings, roads and parking lots that trap heat. These non-permeable, dry surfaces cause … (4 comments)
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environment: The Price of Clean Air - 05/27/09 10:36 PM
The term "cap-and-trade" is heard a lot these days when discussing global warming and environmental policy. What exactly is cap-and-trade? Well, it's the government giving companies an allowance (the cap) on pollution by setting CO2 emission standards. Companies that stay under the cap can sell (the trade) their leftover allowances to companies that go over the pollution standards. It sounds like a win-win, but cap-and-trade has its opponents.
In recent weeks the Environmental Protection Agency has declared carbon dioxide as dangerous to public health, and in all likelihood will move to regulate CO2 emission under the Clean Air Act. With … (1 comments)
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environment: The Austin Science and Nature Center - 05/14/09 03:56 AM
Hidden in the midst of the hike and bike trails that lead through Zilker Park is an Austin jewel: the Austin Science and Nature Center. The nature center offers many educational and interesting features, including interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, science trails with recorded information at each stop, and a live wildlife collection.
The center also is home to the Discovery Labs, which include seven mini-labs that explore the study of mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, and geology, and there are collections of butterflies, bats, and bones along with the labs and other displays. There is also an authentic Texas cave to explore, … (0 comments)
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environment: Go Green in Your Lawn this Summer - 04/05/09 01:44 AM
Summer is the perfect time to combine your green thumb with a green lifestyle. We've all heard about going green at work and at home, but did you know that you can go green in your yard too?
Home owners can save time, money and improve the appearance and the health of their lawn and garden.
Here are a few tips to help you get your yard and garden on the way to being green. Mow your yard regularly and leave the clippings on the ground. The cut grass will recycle into free fertilizer.
Water you … (10 comments)
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environment: Five Ways To Slash Energy Bills - 03/28/09 05:35 AM
Lower the temperature of your water heater: The temperature setting can be adjusted on both gas and electric water heaters which can save approximately 3% to 5% for each 10F reduction. Factory settings are typically dialed to 140F; however, the typical household only requires a setting of 120F. A fringe benefit of this change is that lowering the water temperature also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in the water heater and pipes.
Change your light bulbs: Getting rid of standard incandescent bulbs and replacing them with Energy Start qualified CFL light bulbs is an excellent way to reduce energy … (8 comments)
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environment: Dinosaurs Take over the Zilker Botanical Gardens - 11/07/08 12:09 AM
These days a stroll through the Zilker Botanical Gardens could lead to an encounter with a small herd of Bambiraptors, dinosaurs with feathered wings similar to a turkey. The word "raptor" means thief and these little creatures, named after the Disney character, were known to steal the babies of other dinosaurs. The usually sedate gardens are full of all kinds of life-size dinosaurs, like the ferocious cousin to T- Rex, a Daspletosaur, standing at 33 feet tall. The 30 creatures from the DinoLand traveling exhibit will continue to have a temporary residence among the flora and fauna of the Botanical Gardens … (0 comments)
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environment: The Recent Introduction Of Raspberry Ants To Texas - 10/29/08 04:57 AM
It's been years since the red imported fire ant first made an appearance, and the situation is still not entirely under control. Now a new species has arrived. They are known as `crazy raspberry ants' and they are concentrated in 8 counties in and around Houston. The ants have been in Texas since 2002, but their growth has exploded in the past year, with three more counties added to the list of those already infested.
The ants are called "crazy" because they scurry about in a seemingly random pattern, and they're called `raspberry' not for their appearance, but for Tom … (0 comments)
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environment: Excellent Resource for DIY Landscaping in Austin - 09/19/08 10:53 PM
If you are looking for direction on what to plant in that achingly empty plot outside your front door and the thought of watering every day has you retreating to your living room sofa before you can say soil-prep you will not have to look any further.
The City of Austin has excellent recommendations for you. You will be the smartest person on the block with minimal maintenance and delightful results. Writing a smaller check to Austin energy for water consumption helps too.
Earthwise, sustainable plants that are native to or have successfully adapted to Central Texas are the … (0 comments)
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environment: Conserving Water Is Good for the Environment (and Your Budget) - 09/15/08 04:21 AM
Conserving resources electricity, water, money is an important step toward leading a sustainable lifestyle (both personally and environmentally). People strive daily to save money, and yet many do not make the connection between resources and finances forgetting that electric bills and water bills make up a significant portion of monthly expenses. But just because these resources and expenses are necessary, that doesn't mean they can't be cut back, or utilized more thoughtfully and effectively. Often times, we act in a wasteful manner, simply out of habit. But habits can be broken follow these tips to leave your water wasting habits behind. … (7 comments)
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environment: Austin, Texas: Home of North America's Largest Urban Bat Community - 09/07/08 11:55 PM
Austin is home to many things: live music, the University of Texas, the state capital; but many people don't realize Austin is also home to the nation's largest urban bat community-and it's right downtown. More than 750,000 Mexican Free-Tail bats make their home under the beams of the Congress Avenue bridge. Following renovations of the iconic bridge in 1980, the bat population took up shelter under the bridge, and it has been their home each summer since.
During the cooler months, the bats make their home in Mexico, but every year during March and April they make their way North … (0 comments)
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environment: Five Ways to Cut Energy Usage & Save Money Around the House - 08/24/08 03:52 AM
It takes unimaginable amounts of energy to power the United States, and the needs is constantly growing. As global warming and fuel crises gain more and more public attention, people everywhere are now looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle. But this doesn't mean rebuilding your home to run on solar energy, or overhauling your current lifestyle. There are plenty of small, simple things you can do every day to help reduce your household's energy consumption (and even waste). Here are five effective changes you can make right now. 1.Turn Off the Lights We've all heard this a million times, … (2 comments)
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environment: Town Lake - Lady Bird Lake - 08/19/08 04:29 PM
Known previously as Town Lake, Lady Bird Lake is actually the portion of the Colorado River that runs through the center of Austin, dammed on either end to create a peaceful waterway with plenty of boating opportunities. The Town Lake Corridor, surrounding the water, is full of hike and bike trails, parklands, sports fields, music and festival locations - with views of the Austin skyline competing with the serenity of river's vistas.
The Town Lake Corridor includes both north and south banks of Lady Bird Lake, bounded by Cesar Chavez to the north, and the appropriately named Riverside to the … (0 comments)
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environment: Hamilton Pool Preserve - 07/01/08 05:42 AM
One of the most beautiful and unique attractions Austin has is Hamilton Pool Preserve, located just a half an hour out of the city, in the gorgeous Hill Country. The historic swimming area and its surrounding grounds were designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner's Court in 1990, and this idyllic, untainted spot is like an oasis, offering an accessible get-away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With 232 acres of nature preserve, the emphasis is on preservation of natural habitats, and environmental education, but the crown jewel is the pool and grotto.
Formed from the collapse … (1 comments)
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environment: Zilker Park in Austin Texas - 06/26/08 08:41 PM
Austin is home to one of the best metropolitan parks in the state. With sand volleyball courts, a nine-hole disc golf course, soccer and rugby fields, and two enormous multi-use fields for the sports enthusiasts, Zilker Park is also home to Barton Springs pool, the Zilker Zephyr train, botanical gardens, a huge play ground, miles of hike and bike trails, and with many other permanent amenities within its 350-plus acres. A regular destination for Austinites, the park is also home to some of the city’s most popular events, including the Trail of Lights, the Austin Kite Festival, and the Austin City … (0 comments)
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