A Look at Pollen and the Role of Bees in Pollination

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Maggie_A_Roberts]Maggie A Roberts
Pollen is the yellow, white, or brown powder-like substance that is produced in the stamens (or male parts) of a flower its grains come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes although most are spherical. Each species of plant pollen has its own unique surface marking and each grain has a thick protective coating to protect the male gamete, or sperm. Pollen can be either light and dusty and easily blown in the wind or heavier and stickier.
The wind or air-borne type is called Anemophile (wind loving) pollen and it is this that gives you hayfever. The heavier stickier type is called Entomophile (insect loving) pollen and it is this type that bees collect.
Pollination
Pollen is used to fertilize the plant by the process of pollination. There are three different types of pollination, self-pollination, pollination from a different flower within the same plant and pollination from a different plant (known as cross-pollination). Cross-pollination is essential for the long-term genetic diversity of the plant and the future success of the species. Pollen produced in the flowers' stamens is transferred to the pistils or female plant parts. Depending upon the weight of the pollen grain, pollination is either wind or creature borne. For example grasses and wheat are examples of wind pollinating plants, whilst fruit trees, having heavier stickier pollen require the help of insects or birds. Each tiny grain in the pistil grows into a long tube called a pollen tube, growing until it reaches the plant's ovary.The male gamete is then released into the ovary. Pollination produces fruits and seeds and the pollen also contains the plant`s genetic code.
Bees and their role in plant pollination
Bees are without doubt the most abundant pollinators of flowering plants in our environment. 70% of all flowering plants only survive as a result of bees and other pollinators and fruits and seeds from insect pollinated plants account for over 30 percent of the foods and beverages that we consume. Beyond agriculture, bees are a vital part of most of our ecosystems as fruits and seeds derived from insect pollination are a major part of the diet of approximately 25 percent of all birds and mammals, ranging from the smallest mouse to the largest grizzly bear. However it is not just our honey bees that are having problems many of our native bee pollinators are at risk. Habitat loss, pesticide use and human-introduced diseases are all contributing to the decline in bee numbers.
As a result of the problems with commercially managed honey bee colonies, many species of bees which were until recently considered to be wild bees are now being bred commercially for crop pollination. These include bumble bees, leafcutter bees, mason bees, sweat bees and many other species. There is growing concern however that intensive farming of these species is now leading to some of the problems found in honey bee colonies, in particular diseases and to make matters worse these are unfortunately being transferred from the managed bees to the wild members of their species. Perhaps we just need to learn to leave nature alone to carry out the job she has been performing well for millions of years, without the help of man or pesticides.
Honey bees and pollen
As well as collecting nectar, honey bees collect pollen, storing it as they go from flower to flower in specially designed sacs on their back legs. It is this efficient collection method which makes honey bees less effective pollinators than some of their messier relations, who trap pollen in hairs on their body and transport it that way, dropping plenty as they go.
Honey bees unlike ants and wasps are vegetarians and rely on pollen for protein, which is essential for a healthy body and for the development of their young, in particular bee larvae. Pollen can contain up to 35% protein, in addition it also contains vitamins, enzymes and starch. Back at their hives the honey bees store it in special cells, adding a small amount of honey which prevents it from going off.
Maggie Roberts is a professional writer and beekeeper, with a particular passion for sharing her knowledge of bees and their role in the natural world. If you would like more information, help to start beekeeping or just to learn more about bees, then see http://www.beekeepingbeesandhoney.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Look-at-Pollen-and-the-Role-of-Bees-in-Pollination&id=6342125] A Look at Pollen and the Role of Bees in Pollination

Clean Green Renewable Energy

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brendan_Mckenna]Brendan Mckenna
Electric wind farm turbines at Yambuck and Codrington in South West Victoria Australia.
My daughter, my wife, and I attended the an open day to Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the "Pacific Hydro's" Codrington wind farm. We had no idea what to expect, but were in for a pleasant surprise. My Nine year old daughter "Erin" bypassed the usual kids stuff and quickly ushered us onto the bus for the 2 hour wind farm tour at nearby Yambuck /Codrington.The tour departed from Port Fairy at 10am, it was a pleasant trip to and from the Yambuck wind farm, and our local guide briefed us with some interesting facts.
What we learnt along the way:
The exact location of each tower is carefully calculated along with wind measurements of the area recorded by dedicated wind test towers.There is no chance of the towers falling over as the base foundation is made up of a massive concrete and steel reinforced pad.The turbines are constantly adjusting the direction and pitch of the blades to maximise efficiency. They automatically shut down if the wind becomes too strong (Greater than 50 Knot wind)
Acoustics:
Standing next to the base of the wind turbine you can clearly hear the swish of the rotating blades; I noted that the sound was well within my comfort zone. To give you some idea, the ongoing swish, swish, is similar (possibly less) than that of cars whizzing past at about 40 kilometers. The sound of the turbine generator can be heard if you put your ear against the base of the steel tower, otherwise the turbine itself is practically inaudible.
Power:
Pacific Hydro estimates that all of their operating projects combined produce enough clean electricity to power 600,000 homes each year. The Codrington Wind Farm produces enough power for about 10,000 homes each year
Carbon Friendly:
Pacific Hydro has calculated a rough saving of 7 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution since its project began operating and are aiming at avoiding a further 4 million tonnes every year with new projects coming online around the world.
Wildlife and bird Strikes:
I expected to see the odd dead bird, around the base of the mast, not so, If there is a problem with bird strikes then there was no evidence of it on our visit, the official feedback on this alleged phenomenon it is very rare if it happens at all. We noted that a handful of cows were grazing randomly around the base (as close as 5 meters) of the turbine towers. The cows were clearly indifferent to the turbines and spinning blades, they slowly wandered away to another paddock when we arrived.
Alternative Land uses:
It took me a full minute after arrival at the wind farm before I totally dismissed the idea of building a house on this magnificent land (Truly beautiful landscape overlooking the Southern Coast of Victoria.) The wind at the base of the towers was exceptionally strong, and a great place to visit., be sure to take a wind jacket.
Aesthetics:
I am told that a range of colours were considered for the turbines and masts. The white grey colour was chosen specifically as it best blends in with the surrounding cloud line. Most people I have spoken to including my daughter and wife find the wind towers an interesting addition to the beautiful coastal landscape. My daughter is always the first to point them out when we are driving down that way.
Environment:
"Erin" also discovered Pacific Hydro latest "Green Innovation." The small handout sheet was impregnated with plant seeds so that you can plant the info sheet in the garden and with a little water and time a number of small plants will grow. Erin also noticed that the environmentally friendly paper was printed using vegetable based inks.
The Future:
Upcoming wind farm installations in the United Kingdom and Europe are aiming at a 5 megawatts power capacity per tower per year. Just twenty such towers would produce around 100 mega watts capacity a year, a vast improvement on those built 10 years ago.
I believe that the new age turbines could be swapped over when an older turbine becomes superseded or problematic. According to Pacific Hydro Wind Farm production costs have fallen more than 75 percent over the last 25 Years, there is no reason why this trend should not continue.
Pros:
Clean green renewable energy, very much pollution free. Turbine and Mast Technology is always getting better. Today 5 megawatt offshore wind turbines are being installed in the UK and Europe
Cons:
Cost, On today's market you need approx 2000, 5 megawatt wind turbines to equal the capacity of one large modern," 2011 Post Fukushima Japan Nuclear Power Plant."
Conclusion:
Pacific Hydro's 10th Anniversary celebrations of the Codrington Wind farm and tour were a great success. There is clearly a big future for this type of clean and green technology particularly in remote areas. Australia has the land, with affordability being the key factor to the future.
Visit a wind farm - Tours:
Tours can be arranged at the Codrington Wind Farm, Situated along the South West Coast of Victoria near Port Fairy. Tel (03) 5568 1853 to arrange a booking.
Article by: "Brendan Mckenna"
Brendan Mckenna - "Outstanding"
A radiographer by profession (15 Years experience at two Major Hospital in Melbourne); I am yet to make a penny in my new line of work "Professional Writing."
I am allowing until November 2011 before achieving my goal and registering as a professional business - Until them I am happy to provide reviews for good products to help build what will be an outstanding professional profile.
I am currently tackling a broad range of professional writing applications including,
- Articles -Product Reviews, News, Documentary, Photography
- Editing - Written and Photographic
- Website Design and Build - Including SEO and Statistic Counts
- Concise Instruction booklets, Quick reference guides.
It is early days yet; I have already met a number of challengers in the handful of reviews I have written.
Contact Details: Brendan Mckenna - 61 Queens Rd Warrnambool Victoria Australia 3280. Email:  [mailto:bmcxray@bigpond.net.au]bmcxray@bigpond.net.au or Telephone:03 5562 2111
Web: http://www.iimedsoft.com/
Copyright: Brendan Mckenna 16th June 2011 Warrnambool Victoria 3280
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Clean-Green-Renewable-Energy&id=6349714] Clean Green Renewable Energy

Facts About Lake Malawi

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cecelia_Owens]Cecelia Owens
Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa amongst a host of other names, is a beautiful lake that is probably the main setting of some marine biologists' dreams every night. This lake is supposed to be the home of more fish species than that of any other body of freshwater on Earth, which isn't too surprising once you hear the fact that Lake Malawi is also the eighth largest lake in the world. Nestled in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa, it is also Africa's third largest lake.
People have depended for over a thousand years for food from the bountiful wildlife that resides in Lake Malawi, home of over a thousand species of cichlids, and provider of tasty fish such as kampango, a catfish. Many species of fish have evolved from the waters of Lake Malawi, most notably cichlids, and various other animals. Naturally, at least a few extremely exotic species of fish have evolved from these waters, such as the rare Mbuna fish, highly sought after by avid aquarists due to its brilliant coloring. As a result, the lake is not only a huge source of food, but also the source of work for thousands of Malawian fishermen, net and canoe manufacturers, and fish traders. Unfortunately, overfishing and water pollution threatens the potential future of the wildlife here.
Lake Malawi is an attractive tourist location, with most of its tourists visiting during the dry season, which lasts from April to November. The wet season, on the other hand, lasts from December to March. Because the wet season is preceded by a very hot and humid period between November and December, the dry season is the most ideal season for visiting Lake Malawi.
The Malawian government has taken great strides in ensuring that the lake does not become too commercialized or overcrowded, and they have done a good job so far. The northern portion of the lake is largely untouched by tourists, and therefore lies in a pristine, unspoiled condition. The beaches are almost never crowded. One of the main forms of human activity you will see at Lake Malawi will probably be that of the fish traders, who vend thousands upon thousands of silver-colored fish that are dried, smoked, and sold in huts.
Most of the permanent settlements, hotels, and campsites, however, can only be found on the southern portion of the lake. There, one can snorkel, dive, sail, and do pretty much any sort of fun recreational activity that can be done on any major beach. The lake itself possesses a beautifully warm temperature of 74 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Before anyone actually visits Lake Malawi, they should know that malaria is a concern here, so tourists should try their best to minimize mosquito bites by using insect repellents, and trying to sleep in mosquito net-treated edifices. Never let your guard down against the mosquitoes.
In conclusion, Lake Malawi has experienced a ton of historical legacies, ranging from being the host of a naval battle between the British and the Germans, to being the evolutionary site of an eclectic range of over 450 species of freshwater tropic fish. Its sheer size alone is enough to suggest that it still holds its fair share of untold mysteries that have yet to be discovered.
Cecelia Owens loves travel and she does freelance writing for the top South African travel comparison website, where she also wrote the blog post "Experience the Safaris Around Lake Malawi" which you can read [http://blog.bestflights.co.za/experience-the-safaris-around-lake-malawi.php]here.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Facts-About-Lake-Malawi&id=6374115] Facts About Lake Malawi

Biological Water Purification

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anna_Purna_Edara]Anna Purna Edara
Palatable clean drinking water is becoming scarce in the present-day world. Water table is decreasing day by day and the river water, even after treatment on a community basis, contains many contaminants. The levels of many pollutants like selenium, chromium, cadmium and arsenic have increased in water to dangerous levels. A long-term consumption of these pollutants may damage kidneys, liver and our nervous system. These also could lead to deadly diseases like cancer.
Of late we have different kinds of purifiers available in the market which are available at a very wide range of prices. These purifiers are associated with their own disadvantages, like, some of them consume energy in the form of electricity, some are made up of non biodegradable materials, some are very costly etc.
Some plants have been proved to be excellent for water purification. Plants like the Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) or Moringa (Moringa oleifera) have the capacity to purify water. The Prickly pear cactus was used for water purification by Mexican communities long back during the 19th-century. As man marched ahead on the roads of civilization these facts were forgotten by him. He started his hunt for high technology methods of water purification.
A group of scientists from the University of South Florida in Tampa rediscovered the natural method of water purification using prickly pear cactus in 2010.
Norma Alcantar and her colleagues have used sophisticated microscopic analysis to prove the effects of cactus on dirty water.
Mucilage is glue like gummy substance secreted by plants which acts as a flocculant in water. It can precipitate substances into flakes and hence can remove substances like heavy metals (selenium, chromium, cadmium and arsenic) and even bacteria from water [1]. This thick gum is used by the plant to store water. When this magical mucilage is added to water, it sticks to the sediment particles and bacteria, which later drops down to the bottom of the water samples. According to Alcantar 98% of added bacteria, Bacillus cereus, was removed from the water sample. However, experiments are yet to be carried in natural water.
Many rural and underdeveloped countries have no access to the conventional water purification devices due to which people dwelling there are forced to drink contaminated water. Cactus plant can be grown at many places at a lower cost. This plant can serve as a natural and renewable material for water filtration and at the same time save the lives of many people. It is a cost-effective alternative and also saves a lot of energy.
Reference:
1. Buttice AL, Alcantar NA et al. Removal of sediment and bacteria from water using green chemistry. Environ Sci Technol. 2010 May 1;44(9):3514-9.
Anna Purna is a freelancer writing articles about her favourite interest, Health and Nutrition. She also works on home-based jobs. Before this, she has worked fulltime for about 2 and a half years in the annotation of Biological databases in various organizations. She holds a Post Graduate Degree in Biochemistry and a PG Diploma in Bio-informatics. For more information, please visit her website on http://purnasrinivas.webs.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Biological-Water-Purification&id=6358358] Biological Water Purification

Autobiography of a Tree

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rithika_Iyer]Rithika Iyer
Deforestation is something we all hear so much about. We hear of the problems it is causing, of what we should do to reduce it and so on and so forth. But do we ever hear what the real victims of deforestation, the trees themselves, have to say?
One day, she found me lying on an impervious, man-made surface, near-dying with the lack of any nutrition. Cement, I believe, was the name of that material which I eventually grew to despise. She picked me up and put me in a new home - the soil. I was grateful to her for saving me. She watered me every day. Soon I grew a root that gave me my first taste of Mother Earth's own water and a shoot that allowed me my first feel of the glowing orb in the sky from where I got my energy. That day, when she came out to water me, she crowed, "You've got a leaf! And not just one, you've got two!" Even though I couldn't say it, I felt happy too - just by hearing the joy in her voice.
A few months later (or so I thought, as time had no great value for me), I was taller than she was. I kept growing taller and stronger with each passing day. My roots went deeper into the soil and it was indescribable pleasure to feel it parting and letting my roots further in.
More months later, I was taller than her house. She still watered me every day. I could even feel others like me nearby. She used to tell me her secrets every time she came. Once she even told me that I was her best friend. I merely listened to her. It was satisfying to do just that.
Even more months later, I was fully grown. "You must be prouder than a peacock about it, right old Teak?" She said fondly as she watered me. She had been calling me 'Teak' for a long time now. She patted me and went on and I felt joyful as I always did. I had never known otherwise in all this time.
One fine day, however, things changed. I sensed a sadness in her as she was talking to someone. Soon, she ran over to me and hugged me. Crying, she said, "I'm sorry, Teak, but Papa says you're to be cut down. I'm so sorry!" I didn't know what she meant, but I shed some of my leaves to show that I had heard her. When she went back in and shut the door, the thud triggered a strange feeling in me... a feeling you might call 'foreboding'. Soon (or so it seemed to me), a strange keening sound came to me. For the first time in my life, I felt afraid. I wanted her to come here and be with me, but I couldn't call her. I didn't have a voice that she could hear and she didn't understand the tones of the wind that whispered so many things to me.
And then I understood what she had meant. A strange machine was violating me. It hurt so much, but there was nothing I could do except think of happier times. A strange numbness spread through me as the object penetrated further. The pain reached a crescendo and then I couldn't feel anything at all.
To get back to the point, deforestation is indeed a menace and it's not just a basic, mechanical understanding of it we need to curb it. It's an emotional one, like a lot of things nowadays. So put your thinking caps on and spare a few minutes to see what you can do.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Autobiography-of-a-Tree&id=6374854] Autobiography of a Tree

Durian, Heaven or Hell?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ruth_Tan]Ruth Tan
Durian is perhaps the most reputedly controversial fruit, being loved to bits and hated to the core at the same time. For those who could not tolerate the smell or taste of the fruit, they have described it as disgustingly pungent, as smelly as the gas leaking from the stove, a cruel onslaught of the palate like rotten mushy meat, or even dung (apologies, but people have gone to that vicious extremity in description). But people who are passionate about the fruit fondly thought of it as the most extraordinary fruit you can find on earth, and are of the opinion that the flesh tastes heavenly rich, has a great depth that puts you on an addictive high. These die-hard fans of durians would go to all lengths to find the best durian, regardless of where it might be or how much it could cost.
Singaporeans need no introduction to this exotic tropical, Southeast Asia fruit which bears the King of Tropical Fruit title conferred by the Asians since time immemorial. According to a Wiki source, its name durian comes from the Malay word duri (thorn) together with the suffix -an (for building a noun in Malay). The fruit's smell is indescribable - robust, definitely non-fruity (as what we normally understand about fruitiness), and its appearance most unusual and outrageous with forest green, pointy spikes fully covering its skin. Its flesh looks like yellow butter-custard, tastes creamy and extremely sweet, and sometimes even carries a tinge of bitter, alcoholic taste. The durian tree takes 7 to 10 years to bear fruit from a seed, but with marcotted and grafted plants, the waiting time is drastically reduced to 3 to 4 years.
This fruit has become synonymous with the Singapore identity. Some 1000 tonnes are imported from Malaysia every year. Species of the fruit include D2, D24, D13, D17, D18, XO, TenTen, and the list goes on. It was told that good, ripe durians have these attributes - are oval-shaped, have bright green shell, sharp thorns, bulges, seeds that move slightly when the fruit is shaken, and give out a strong nice smell at the base of the fruit. Never choose one that is too round, has a shaky stalk, yellowish shell, and damaged thorns. In Singapore, this fruit has made its way into the manufacturing of many foods, including puffs, cakes, pancakes, wraps, biscuits, ice-cream, desserts, moon cakes, etc.
If this fruit is new to you and reading this has made you feel wary or fearful of it, my advice would be - just go for it, if you never try, you'll never know!
About the Author: Ruth Tan resides in the tiny, yet awesome island country of Singapore and blogs regularly about the place in her beautiful   MySingapore Blog. For more news and images of Singapore, visit http://www.mysingapore-blog.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Durian,-Heaven-or-Hell?&id=6384732] Durian, Heaven or Hell?

The Evolution of the Diamond

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Beard]Jonathan Beard
Today, the diamond is one of the most cherished gemstones in the world, for its beauty, for its clarity and radiance, for its composition. Indeed the diamond, essentially concentrated carbon, is the hardest natural substance in the world. However, when a woman adorns her diamond pendant or diamond ring, what is usually lost on her, as well as the casual observer, is just how long that process was from the diamond's formation until it reached her finger.
The Process Begins
Diamondscan only be formed under extreme geological conditions where the right amounts of pressure and heat can transform carbon into a diamond. These conditions only exist at 150km to 200km below the surface of the earth in the molten rock of the Earth's mantle when the temperature is greater than 800 degrees Celsius and pressure is 50,000 times atmospheric pressure. It is in these deep depths that diamonds are created and exist until they are bought to the surface of the earth.
This happens through powerful magma eruptions which bring up the diamonds via kimberlite "pipes". Like other igneous rocks, kimberlite was formed over the course of thousands of years by volcanic activity that occurred during the formation of the earth's crust. Kimberlite is therefore located inside these former areas of volcanic activity, often near mountain ranges, in vertical shafts that extend deep inside the earth. Kimberlite pipes were created when magma flowed through deep fractures in the kimberlite rock.
These eruptions were short but many times more powerful than   rel=nofollow [http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/volcano.htm]volcanic eruptions that happen today, pushing the diamonds and other rocks and minerals through the mantle and crust in just a few hours. According to geologists the first delivery of diamonds was somewhere around 2.5 billion years ago and the most recent was 45 million years ago. That means most of the diamonds that we see today were formed millions, if not billions, of years ago.. but that's just a guess.
At the Surface
Once diamonds have been brought to the surface they can then be found in the host rocks that have brought them from the earth's interior or in alluvial deposits. An alluvial deposit is formed when melt water and rain erodes mountains away and drags heavy and durable stones, such as diamonds, downstream to be deposited in a different section of the river or stream. Diamonds, being hard, are often found in alluvial deposits as they can endure the eroding effects of the water flow. Diamonds are found in alluvial deposits in diamond mines in places such as Botswana, Namibia, Canada, Brazil, Venezuela, Russia and Australia.
The Last Stage
Finally, before it gets to the jewelry store, a raw diamond needs to be cut down to a manageable size. Depending on the strength of the diamond this is done with either by hand, using diamonds to cut other diamonds, by phosphor-bronze blade rotating at about 15,000 rpm, or by a laser. This process is what gives diamonds their shape. Afterwards they are polished to create the diamond's finished look.
I'm a freelance writer, with a deep interest in diamonds & jewelry, that enjoys writing about [http://www.mazaldiamond.com/wedding-rings,cat,75.htm]Diamond Wedding Rings and [http://www.mazaldiamond.com/blog-en/diamond-education-and-buying-guide/]Diamond Education Articles in general.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Evolution-of-the-Diamond&id=6369301] The Evolution of the Diamond

The Delicate Balance of Life

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anna_Marie_Weiner]Anna Marie Weiner
Have you ever thought how the extinction of only one species can negatively impact our world?
When one species is threatened with extinction, whole ecosystems as well as other species are deeply affected. We might hold the notion that this cannot really affect us individually, that we are some how not a part of all this. But the truth is, we simply cannot interfere with nature without dire consequences to all life - including human.
Each species indirectly protects many other species within any given ecosystem, or ecological community. It is similar to a human community, which provides for the protection and survival of the people within its habitat. Everyone must do his or her part. They all have a vital role to play. There is a giving and receiving. It is the same for every other species and every habitat.
But we must also reach out beyond these narrow boundaries to interrelate to the whole. The sustenance we need to survive critically depends upon the well-being and health of other species and their habitats. It requires always a giving and receiving; for humans this means acquiring a gentle respect and understanding for all life, and a caring for the earth.
In the natural order of things, a harmonious balance already exists between all living species - human, animal, marine life, and plant life. But the human race has broken this sacred chain of life. Humanity is the only species that lives almost wholly through its thinking mind, to the detriment of the heart. We have been given a great gift - the gift of conscious awareness, the ability to step outside ourselves and to witness our self. It is now time for us to take up the responsibility that goes with that gift.
We are all interconnected, but we humans do not see it; we have lost the memory of how to see. We no longer know how to connect ourselves to the whole, or what it means to live in tune to the rhythm and harmony of all things; or what it means to function more from the heart as well as the mind.
There are many efforts underway to protect endangered species, and conservation planning efforts to protect and restore lost habitats, such as the World Wild Life Fund and the Conservation Planning Institute. But it is a universal change of consciousness that is needed now for the survival of this planet. And this can only happen through human beings.
"Heaven is spread about upon the earth but men do not see it."
-The Gospel according to Thomas http://www.connectionofpeople.com/ seeks to inspire and encourage others to share their personal journeys on the road to a higher state of self-awareness.
We are all connected in many ways. We hold the promise, deep within us - whether we are conscious of it or not - of our oneness with each other and with every living creature, with all life forms, an ultimately with an Infinite Presence.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Delicate-Balance-of-Life&id=6384237] The Delicate Balance of Life

Dutch Elm Disease Rears Its Ugly Head

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Saffra_Hall]Saffra Hall
Dutch Elm Disease has had a dramatic affect on the British elm population over the past century. The disease first reached north west Europe in 1910 and has had two notable pandemics in Britain since that time. The first reached its peak in the 1930s where it has been estimated that up to 40% of British elms were killed. The second pandemic, where a more aggressive form of the fungus (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi), began in th1960's and is still continuing today! It is estimated that in excess of 25,000,000 elms have been lost across Britain during this second pandemic.
Part of the reason the disease has been so wide spreading is due to its symbiotic relationship with the elm bark beetle (Scolytus scolytus). The beetle, which can travel up to eight miles in search of a suitable host tree, carries the fungus with it. The beetles feed on the tree, infecting it. As the tree dies back, the beetles bore under the bark laying their eggs. The eggs hatch and the larvae feed under the bark forming noticeable galleries and emerge to find new host trees.
An infected tree will react to the disease by blocking the xylem vessels to prevent the infection spreading. It does this through a process called tylosis. This not only prevents the fungus spreading through the cells, but also prevents water too. Without water reaching the foliage, the process of transpiration cannot occur and branches will die, eventually killing the tree. When a beetle has found a dying tree, it releases chemicals into the air that attract other beetles to its location.
Once infected, there is no cure for the tree. It should be removed and the wood disposed of correctly. Elm logs can still support the beetle even when cut up and stacked on the ground. Even uninfected elm logs can support the beetle and should therefore be disposed of appropriately. Burning is the most efficient method of disposal, though de-barking the logs will prevent beetles from breeding. When an infected tree is felled, the stump should either be ground out or de-barked.
Identification of an infected tree can be relatively simple. The sudden death of an infected branch can be a sign. Removing a shoot from the predicted area of infection and tearing back the thin bark may reveal staining. The tissue inside should be white, however if it is brown, it is likely that the tree is infected. Another obvious method of   rel=nofollow [http://www.pjcconsultancy.com]identification is on elms in an advanced stage of decline (or even dead trees) where the thick bark is removed to reveal the larval galleries. These form regular patterns and are easily identifiable when you have seen them before.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Dutch-Elm-Disease-Rears-Its-Ugly-Head&id=6391386] Dutch Elm Disease Rears Its Ugly Head

The Beauty of British Springtime Flowers

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Robin]Lisa Robin
The season of spring is one of the most exciting and dynamic seasons available for us to enjoy after the cold harsh winter months. The extreme weather, snow, blizzards and freezing temperatures we had to endure last winter have made the appearance of spring and the slightly milder climate all the more welcoming to us.
The hedgerows are springing to life and the woodland floors are becoming littered with beautiful, ethereal carpets of wild flowers that many do not get the chance to fully enjoy as their appearance is generally a fleeting one. The cycle of the appearance of woodland flowers is one to watch with great anticipation from the minute the snowdrops push through the cold January earth, the striking star shaped anemones, dog violets, celandine and the primroses till the appearance of the bluebells in January. You may not have heard of all these species of flowers but you would probably know them to see; celandine are named after the Greek word for swallow and have bright yellow flowers and dark green heart shaped leaves.
The fact that around this time of year the leaves on the deciduous trees have not yet fully returned there is enough sunlight allowed to stream through the gaps and warm the earth sufficiently for the blooming of these temporary British beauties. Although this process has been reported as being under threat with climate changes causing the trees to come into leaf earlier prohibiting the deliverance of the sun's light and heat to the canopy floor.
Since time memorial woodlands, seasons and certain species of flower have been associated with many different legends in folklore. For instance the primrose also known as the butter rose has been associated with the Norse god Freya and used symbolise the innocence of lost children. Strangely enough it has been told that is you keep chickens and you spot a single primrose growing nearby you have to dance around it three times to prevent the occurrence of bad eggs. You will also be glad to know that the placing of a primrose on the back step of your house will keep away and guard all of those inside from witches and warlocks. Better to be safe than sorry I always say.
Another British bloom synonymous with the arrival of spring is the British Bluebell, which has been in the news recently as it is under threat from a variety of factors. One, it is under threat from it's hardier Spanish cousin which was introduced to British shores in 1860 and is the species often grown in gardens. You can differentiate between the two varieties as the British bluebell is a deep violet blue with a distinctive sweet fragrance, the Spanish variety however has lighter flowers and almost no scent. The second factor which is threatening the future survival of the British bluebell is the mild weather we have experienced in February has caused them to come into bloom early in Devon and Cornwall; again environmental factors impact heavily on the flowers.
It is reported that 50% of the world population of Bluebells are to be found in the UK and the common bluebell is now a protected UK species. This is demonstrative to the nurturing and unique climate and habitat that the UK has to offer to these well loved species of flora. Long may it continue with the least amount of human intervention possible either with good or bad intentions, leave it up to nature and we can reap the benefits. [http://www.plantationflorist.co.uk/wedding-flowers.php]wedding flowers glasgow
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Beauty-of-British-Springtime-Flowers&id=6415033] The Beauty of British Springtime Flowers

Geographical Misnomers - When Is a Bay a Lagoon, a Channel a Strait, a Pond a Lake?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Russell_F_Moran]Russell F Moran
While entertaining a visiting friend from France, I took him on the obligatory trip to Fire Island, the barrier beach south of Long Island, New York. As we drove over the Robert Moses Causeway he pointed to the bay and said: "Ees a lagoon, no?" My French was as good as his English, but I tried to explain to him that, no, it is the Great South Bay, and I suggested that maybe bay means lagoon in French. But Louique, a retired naval officer, was a sharp guy and he knew a few things about matters nautical. Despite our language differences, we had a great time discussing our mutual naval experiences, he in submarines, me in anti-submarine warfare. He insisted that the bay was a lagoon, and struggled in vain to explain why. I decided to research the matter, and discovered that my friend was correct. Score one for the French!
Not only is the Great South Bay a lagoon, it's not even close to being a bay. Moriches Bay, Patchogue Bay and Shinnecock Bay to the east are also lagoons, all of which, including the Great South Bay, are part of the backbarrier lagoon system of the Long Island's South Shore. A lagoon is shallow and is near or connected with a larger body of water. The Great South Bay is certainly shallow, with an average depth of 4.2 feet at low tide. I once fell off a sailboat into the bay while changing a sail. My immediate thought was how long I would have to tread water. No problem. I stood there in chest deep water as my wife turned the boat around to pick me up.
A bay, on the other hand, is a concave body of water that is formed by the action of a sea or lake, and typically has a wide opening to the larger body of water. When we look out to the Hamptons, we see some real bays. Peconic Bay to the east is a typical bay. Gardiner's Bay, Little Peconic Bay, Great Peconic Bay - they are all one bay, just with local names. Picture a waterway shaped like a "u" or a "v."
We Long Islanders are not the only people who call a lagoon something different. Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound in North Carolina are lagoons, as is the Isle of Wight Bay off Ocean City, Maryland. And for those with too much time on their hands, ponder these nautical conundrums. How wide does a strait have to be before it's called a sound? How large is a pond before it becomes a lake? What is the difference between: a channel and a strait; a bay and a gulf; a fjord and an inlet? How about the all-time favorite: when does a boat become a ship? Relax. There are often no specific answers to these questions, so just live with the way things are named historically - with limits - If someone calls Lake Placid the Sea of Placid, I put my foot down.
Although we may visualize a lagoon as a small tropical waterway with a coral reef, palm trees and parrots, there are lagoons all over the world, and some are quite large such asLong Island's Great South Bay with 151 square miles of water.
But so what. I am not advocating changing the name of this beautiful bay. Let's face it, the "Great South Lagoon" just doesn't cut it. I always have, still do and always will call it the Great South Bay, and so should you. But you need to be armed with the knowledge that it really is a lagoon, and when a visiting friend asks, "Ees a lagoon, no?" you can respond with calculated smugness, "Of course it is. We Long Islanders just prefer to call it a bay."
Russ Moran is a lawyer and writer from Islip, New York. He is former Chairman of the Long Island Maritime Museum. Russ's blog, The Moran Report, may be seen at [http://www.morancom.com]http://www.morancom.com. His new book, Justice in America: How it Works - How it Fails, has just been published, and can be ordered on morancom.com. His next book: The APT Principal: The Business Plan You Keep in Your Head, will be published in September. Russ has been a boater on the Great South Bay for many years. He does not call it a lagoon.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Geographical-Misnomers---When-Is-a-Bay-a-Lagoon,-a-Channel-a-Strait,-a-Pond-a-Lake?&id=6444053] Geographical Misnomers - When Is a Bay a Lagoon, a Channel a Strait, a Pond a Lake?

Conservation Exceptionalism - The William T Hornaday Awards for Boy Scouts

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_J_O'Brochta]William J O'Brochta
Background: The Boy Scouts of America offers myriad different awards and honors for participating Scouts. The most commonly recognized award is that of Eagle Scout. However, a less well-known set of honors has been established to recognize Scouts who provide distinguished service to the conservation movement. Established in 1914 by conservation giant Dr. William T. Hornaday, this group of awards seeks to reward Scouts who have completed large, Eagle sized conservation projects and numerous Merit Badges. Dr. Hornaday set a goal for the awards program by giving medals only to those individuals who demonstrated truly extraordinary work and effort. That is why since its inception, just over 1,000 Hornaday medals have been awarded. The Silver Medal is the highest possible conservation award in the Boy Scouts of America.
Who: Hornaday awards are not granted exclusively to Boy Scouts and many other individuals can find ways to participate. Scouts interested in earning a Hornaday award may be currently working on conservation related Merit Badges, an applicable Eagle project, or have time left in Scouting and are looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity. They must complete their work on the award before turning eighteen. Venturers should have begun work on their Ranger elective medal and must be under twenty-one. A unit (Pack, Troop, Team, Crew, Ship) is also eligible for a special award. Adult Scouters, individuals, and organizations may be nominated for their service to conservation.
Awards: For Scouts, there are three different levels of Hornaday awards. The Hornaday Badge is given to Scouts who plan and lead one conservation project and earn five conservation related Merit Badges. A Bronze Medal requires completion of six Merit Badges and three projects, while the Silver Medal dictates earning nine conservation related Merit Badges and completing four Eagle sized projects. Each project must be well documented and provide clear evidence of research into specific areas of conservation. A Hornaday Badge may be combined with an Eagle project, but the project should satisfy requirements for both awards. Units must engage at least sixty percent of active Scouts and adults in one conservation project before applying to get a Unit Award. Gold Badges and Gold Medals are granted to adult Scouters by nomination only. The Gold Badge recognizes regional level work in conservation over a period of three years, while the Gold Medal requires service in excess of twenty years and has only been awarded fifty times since its inception. Finally, for those not involved with Scouting but still committed to serving the conservation movement, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America can grant a Gold Certificate.
Projects: A Hornaday project must be a significant and lasting effort in natural resource conservation or environmental improvements. Each Hornaday project must be chosen from a list of different disciplines of conservation. Projects are encouraged at a Scout Reservation, but can be completed at many organizations. One can think of a Hornaday project as a larger-sized Eagle project. Typical Eagle projects take 100 to 200 hours to complete, while a Hornaday project should require more than 200 hours. The intent of a Hornaday project is to provide solid conservation related research and to educate others about the benefits of conservation.
Starting: Before starting to work on a Hornaday award, Scouts should contact their Council Conservation Committee Chairman. The Chairman will assign all Scouts or units a Conservation Advisor who will help decide on appropriate projects and make sure Hornaday application requirements are being met. Adult Scouters, individuals, and organizations, since their awards are all nomination based and no projects need to be completed, should alert their Conservation Committee Chairman about their interest in being given a Hornaday award. Self-nomination for these awards is, however, prohibited.
Time: A badge or unit award typically takes six months to complete; a Silver Medal may take up to three years. Timing all depends on the amount of effort a Scout decides to place on their Hornaday project. Depending on the award, either the Council Conservation Committee or National Hornaday Committee approves the award application. This process can add months to the completion time. Plus, there is no opportunity to appeal award rejections. Thus, make sure to submit the application well ahead of any age related deadlines.
Example: The following constituted a Hornaday Silver Medal and shows the scope and time required: earning twelve conservation related Merit Badges, completing a habitat restoration project at a middle school, starting an energy conservation program for Habitat for Humanity in Hungary, creating a public awareness campaign about laundry detergent phosphates, managing erosion control and planting native species project at a nearby lake, and developing lakebed stabilization and fish habitat restoration structures. From start to finish this example Silver Medal took three years and 1500 hours of effort to complete.
Resources: Further information about the William T. Hornaday Awards Program is available on the Boy Scouts of America website. There Scouts and adults can find more detailed descriptions of the required Merit Badges and projects as well as project categories. Application forms and audio recordings are also available. Contact your local District Executive for help finding out the Conservation Committee Chairman.
William O'Brochta is a recipient of the William T. Hornaday Silver Medal and William T. Hornaday Badge. He is an Eagle Scout with nine Eagle palms and has earned sixty-five Merit Badges. William is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 17 in Roanoke, Virginia working with Troop elections, new Scout advancement, and Eagle projects. He also serves as an active member on the Blue Ridge Mountains Council Conservation, Advancement, Eagle Board of Review, and Troop Committees. He has been involved in Scouting for more than ten years.
William attends Patrick Henry High School and the Roanoke Valley Governor's School and is ranked first in his class of 500. Currently, he is working on a three-year environmental research project dealing with using plants to remove pesticides from the soil. He has presented this research at the Society of Toxicology Annual meeting. A musician, he plays trumpet and serves as Drum Major for the Marching Band.
Committed to community service, he has volunteered for six months for Habitat for Humanity in Hungary and helped Breakell, Inc. General Contractors achieve LEED energy efficiency certification.
William can best be contacted through his LinkedIn page: http://linkd.in/q8dXm0
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Conservation-Exceptionalism---The-William-T-Hornaday-Awards-for-Boy-Scouts&id=6442342] Conservation Exceptionalism - The William T Hornaday Awards for Boy Scouts

The Similarities Between Orchid Types And The Human Race

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mary_Ann_Berdak]Mary Ann Berdak
Orchids are certainly masters of evolution. With over a million years under their belt, they are built to live longer and flourish as time goes by. It is no wonder that most orchid lovers compare them to people. Orchids, like people, are diverse and resilient - having thousands of species from every part of the world and living prosperously almost under any condition.
And like most people each species has different characteristics and traits. Moreover, each year the diversity of these plants keep on growing as more and more orchid growers experiment with cross-breeding. Orchids themselves cross-breed occasionally and discoveries of new species has become a thing to look out for.
What surprises me with orchids is their ability to survive almost anywhere. And as technology grows, people find ways to make these plants available for everyone, anywhere.
Orchids know it's time to bloom when the weather starts to become "nippy". Cool weather tells the plant that it's the time to let out its beautiful flowers.
Some places naturally have cooler weather at some point in time, like California and other tropical places, but sometimes it takes a month before this takes place. So what most growers do is they imitate this condition by placing these plants in large coolers to have them start blooming.
Since orchids bloom longer than most flowers do, they have become a favorite of plant lovers everywhere. Some of these flowers last up to four months before finally dropping. They are the perfect plants to spread all over your house as substitutes for your regular blooms.
Time and expense (money that is) brought about a new kind of orchid, the mini ones. Mini-orchids are smaller versions of these plants that grow below 6 inches in height and can fit in small pots. These new types of orchids take less time to grow and can therefore bloom faster than their regular-sized counterparts.
The species count of these mini-orchids stands at around 200 to 300 kinds, depending on how you group them. Most of them have white blooms. They are small and compact and can grow using artificial light and less water.
Orchids, like people, have grown though time. And as people experiment on them, more and more varieties show up. Since they live longer than your regular flower, you can expect years with them when cared for properly. Orchids become more than just plants. They become companions and friends through time.
And to learn more about the different orchid types, download my totally FREE 5-Day Orchid Insider training course by going here: " [http://www.orchidcarezone.com/free-orchid-care-tips]Orchid Care Secrets".
Mary Ann Berdak is the publisher of [http://www.orchidcarezone.com]www.OrchidCareZone.com - a top online destination for orchid care tips and advice.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Similarities-Between-Orchid-Types-And-The-Human-Race&id=6458531] The Similarities Between Orchid Types And The Human Race

Major Players in the William T Hornaday Boy Scout Conservation Award Process

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_J_O'Brochta]William J O'Brochta
This article pertains only to Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Units seeking to earn a Hornaday award. Recall that Scouters, organizations, and individuals do not need to complete projects, nor do they apply for the award, rather they are nominated.
Any Scouts interested in earning a Hornaday award must first contact the Conservation Committee Chairman to receive additional information and get a Conservation Advisor. At this point, the candidate should start thinking about the most appropriate award given their Merit Badge and project leadership experience. Scouts are required to be First Class or higher before applying for a Hornaday award. This is a requirement simply so that Scouts have some Merit Badge and project leadership experience before undertaking one of these significant awards.
Hornaday Project Advisory Group
1. Candidate: Develops project ideas, Plans and researches projects, Documents project, Obtains labor and materials, Records budget information, Completes Hornaday workbook, Finds publicity outlets, Ensures project is long-lasting, Contacts advisors and professionals, Integrates Eagle project (if desired), Contacts media for publicity
2. Hornaday /Conservation Advisor: Facilitates Hornaday application, Answers application questions, Discusses project ideas, Delivers application, Helps select appropriate project, Shows how to document project, Introduces Candidate to his role in conservation
3. Benefiting Organization: Gives location to complete project, Provides materials or funding for project (if requested)
4. Eagle Advisor (optional): If needed, ensures project meets Eagle requirements
The four individuals listed above are the major players in a Hornaday project. Consult this chart to determine who should be responsible for the major tasks of a project.
Your Hornaday Advisor
Scouts will be assigned a Hornaday Advisor who will double as their Conservation Advisor. This individual will have knowledge both about appropriate conservation practices as well as experience working with Scouts interested in earning a Hornaday award. Your advisor will assist you with the following items:
Technical: Hornaday Advisors are experts in different fields of conservation. They know how to devise a technically accurate project that will benefit conservation efforts, while also being doable for the Scout. Technical designs like architectural plans, structure sketches, or species management plans need to be reviewed by the advisor in order to ensure that the work completed will maximize the benefit of the project.
Project Options: The Scout is responsible for finding a project to complete. As such, he must actively seek out organizations to work with that have adequate conservation projects to complete. However, a Hornaday Advisor will know about general project categories and potential organizations to perform projects with. Often, the Hornaday Advisor will work for a company or government service that can serve as a benefiting organization for a Hornaday project.
Approval Role: The Hornaday Advisor serves as a representative of the Council Conservation Committee throughout a Scout's planning and completion phases of a Hornaday project. There are three milestones that are important for Hornaday projects. First, the Advisor must approve the project plan that contains information detailed in the following pages. The advisor should be review all documentation associated with the project plan, as well as major decisions that occur when executing the project. Major changes that occur to the project plan should also be reviewed. Finally, the Hornaday Advisor is the pre-approval person for the final Hornaday application. The advisor will provide feedback and suggestions on the report before it is finished and presented to the appropriate Conservation Committees.
Resources and Contacts: A chief role of the Hornaday Advisor is to provide the Scout with Hornaday related resources, professional organizations, conservation guidelines, and general advice that will help throughout the project. The Hornaday Advisor need not serve as the chief help resource for the project; this is typical, however.
Benefiting Organization
The benefiting organization is the owner of the space where the project takes place. This organization can be virtually any group. Often, Scouts find that it is simple to do their first project at Scout owned property, although this may not be used as an Eagle project and only for one Hornaday project. Examples of benefiting organizations include the local Council Scout Reservation, Habitat for Humanity, local schools, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Department of Forestry, local parks and recreation, religious organizations, service organizations, United States Department of Agriculture, National Parks and Forests, river authorities, and many others.
Candidates should choose a benefiting organization that does work of interest to them. Many organizations where the Scout works or volunteers will benefit from a conservation project. If this is not an option, try working with a group that has some relation to Scouting in the Candidate's unit. An established connection with the group will make it easier for the organization to allow Scouts to work on their projects.
Sometimes, the Scout can find a collaborative opportunity with an organization that lets the Scout work on a portion of current research or implementation. The organization is able to save money and resources by using Scout supplied labor, while also getting meticulously planned and executed work.
Council Conservation Committee
The Council Conservation Committee serves, not only as an approval step for the Hornaday application, but a potential resource for information pertaining to excellent Hornaday projects and advisors. Scouts can obtain information on members from Dr. Bill Shiner, Conservation Committee Chairman. Members of the Committee work in and are associated with myriad organizations that can help provide benefiting organization ideas and general advice on most all aspects of a Hornaday project. Many members are specialists in certain aspects of conservation and they can supplement the insight from the Hornaday Advisor. All members of the Committee are available to help with Hornaday projects if asked.
William O'Brochta is a recipient of the William T. Hornaday Silver Medal for Distinguished Service to Conservation in the Boy Scouts of America and William T. Hornaday Badge. He is an Eagle Scout with nine Eagle palms and has earned sixty-five Merit Badges. William is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 17 in Roanoke, Virginia working with Troop elections, new Scout advancement, and Eagle projects. He also serves as an active member on the Blue Ridge Mountains Council Conservation, Advancement, Eagle Board of Review, and Troop Committees. He has been involved in Scouting for more than ten years.
William attends Patrick Henry High School and the Roanoke Valley Governor's School and is ranked first in his class of 500. Currently, he is working on a three-year environmental research project dealing with using plants to remove pesticides from the soil. He has presented this research at the Society of Toxicology Annual meeting. A musician, he plays trumpet and serves as Drum Major for the Marching Band.
Committed to community service, he has volunteered for six months for Habitat for Humanity in Hungary and helped Breakell, Inc. General Contractors achieve LEED Platinum energy efficiency certification.
William can best be contacted through his LinkedIn page: http://linkd.in/q8dXm0
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Major-Players-in-the-William-T-Hornaday-Boy-Scout-Conservation-Award-Process&id=6454428] Major Players in the William T Hornaday Boy Scout Conservation Award Process

Choosing a William T Hornaday Conservation Project for Boy Scouts

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_J_O'Brochta]William J O'Brochta
Several William T. Hornaday Conservation awards require completing a large conservation project. Choosing a project can be both difficult and time-consuming.
Choosing a Project
Interests: Candidates must choose a project of interest in order to put the most effort possible into the workings of their projects.
Lasting: Choose a project that will produce a result for others to enjoy far into the future. This does not limit the project exclusively to construction efforts. For example, an Energy Conservation program with Habitat for Humanity that involves developing a curriculum and providing materials for people to teach a course in Energy Conservation would certainly fit this requirement.
Significant: A Hornaday project is more than an Eagle project. An Eagle Project is typically a short-term effort that requires some pre-planning and minimal after project work. The project may take from 100-200 hours on average. Hornaday projects require extensive pre-planning and a good deal of after project work, taking up to 400 hours to complete. Thus, Candidates should choose a project that is not too limited. Planting some trees one day is definitely not sufficient.
Education: The chosen project should teach conservation practices to others. This does not mean that the project must exclusively include an education component or class material. During an erosion control project Candidates could, for example, spend ten minutes during lunch telling the participants how the erosion barrier and plants will help prevent degradation of the soil and the dangers of excessive erosion.
To further understand what makes Hornaday projects different from Eagle Projects or other service work, see the below descriptions of example projects.
Meet Hornaday Criteria:
1. Designing an area using native plants that serves as a wildlife home for animals displaced due to clear-cutting.
2. Public awareness campaign to describe the hazards of laundry detergent phosphates based on original published research to support conclusions.
3. Designing and constructing artificial fish habitats for lakebed stabilization and homes for fishes.
4. Designing a landscape using native plants to prevent soil and bank erosion.
Inadequate:
1. Planting 200 trees.
2. Setting up recycling bins at a school.
3. Landscaping a garden area.
4. Cutting down dead plants and trees.
5. Having a benefit concert for an environmental group.
6. Building a nature trail.
Detail on Project Categories
What about the required categories? A sample project that would meet Hornaday criteria from each category is briefly described below. Recall that each project must come from a different category. Candidates may not make a category of his own.
Energy Conservation: Work with a local government to develop a program to LEED certify existing buildings. Run the program through five certifications and train individuals to continue the program.
Soil and Water Conservation: Work with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to develop a Hydrilla management plan. Start this program. Record data relating to the effectiveness of Hydrilla control and publish media articles educating the public on the program.
Fish and Wildlife Management: Track the movement of deer populations through radio tags. Find where the populations are concentrating in different seasons and work to get high concentration areas designated as conservation land. Selectively plant plants that deer eat in those conserved areas.
Forestry and Range Management: Determine detrimental effects related to human traffic in forests, especially in the form of footpaths. Using this information, plan the least invasive paths for four different trails through the forest. Build these trails using only natural resources found in the forest.
Resource Recovery (Recycling): Examine the merits and detriments to recycling different kinds of plastic. Find which types will provide the greatest revenue for the local government and help them implement an awareness campaign about the chosen types of material to be recycled.
Air and Water Pollution Control: Work with the Department of Environmental Quality to determine the benefit of emissions testing for cars. Write a program to implement these tests statewide or to eliminate them based on research determining the number of cars that exceeded these requirements.
Hazardous Material Disposal and Management: Examine the ability of tomato plants to remove DDT from the soil. Plant various types of tomatoes on land that has large concentrations of DDT and determine which plant is most effective. Make recommendations to the Department of Environmental Quality as to the most effective removal method.
Invasive Species Control: Use competitive inhibition techniques to selectively place plants to outcompete kudzu. Report on the best inhibitor and the effectiveness of the inhibition. Monitor the lasting impacts of the inhibitor on the rest of the natural environment.
Some projects can fit in multiple categories. The Candidate should choose the category that best fits the project or has not been used for another project. For example, the Hydrilla project in the Soil and Water Conservation category could just as easily fit into the Invasive Species Control category.
William O'Brochta is a recipient of the William T. Hornaday Silver Medal for Distinguished Service to Conservation in the Boy Scouts of America and William T. Hornaday Badge. He is an Eagle Scout with nine Eagle palms and has earned sixty-five Merit Badges. William is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 17 in Roanoke, Virginia working with Troop elections, new Scout advancement, and Eagle projects. He also serves as an active member on the Blue Ridge Mountains Council Conservation, Advancement, Eagle Board of Review, and Troop Committees. He has been involved in Scouting for more than ten years.
William attends Patrick Henry High School and the Roanoke Valley Governor's School and is ranked first in his class of 500. Currently, he is working on a three-year environmental research project dealing with using plants to remove pesticides from the soil. He has presented this research at the Society of Toxicology Annual meeting. A musician, he plays trumpet and serves as Drum Major for the Marching Band.
Committed to community service, he has volunteered for six months for Habitat for Humanity in Hungary and helped Breakell, Inc. General Contractors achieve LEED Platinum energy efficiency certification.
William can best be contacted through his LinkedIn page: http://linkd.in/q8dXm0
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Choosing-a-William-T-Hornaday-Conservation-Project-for-Boy-Scouts&id=6454494] Choosing a William T Hornaday Conservation Project for Boy Scouts

The Oak Tree

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_G_Wishford]Rebecca G Wishford
The oak tree is an iconic tree and a particular favourite of the English. There are over 300 species and they live happily all over the world. The best known British oak is the Common Oak (Quercus Robur) which is also known as the English Oak. This majestic tree is deciduous, broad leafed and grows to an average height of 15-25 metres.
Some oaks are actually evergreen such as the Golden Oak (native to Cyprus) and the Coast Live Oak (native to California).
Man has made use of oak trees for many years. It has housed us, helped feed us, clothed us, kept us warm, helped us travel the seas and decorated our homes.
Oak has always been a highly prized timber and it was used a lot in the days of timber ship building and is still used today in building construction because it is very strong. It also has high levels of tannin which protect it from fungal attack or insect attack. As well as the timber, other bits of the tree are also useful to us. The acorns have been used for pig food to help fatten them up and the bark has been used in the leather tanning process. It has also been used ceremonially and as an emblem (such as the National Trust emblem of an oak sprig complete with acorns).
These days you are most likely to come across oak in the form of beautiful furniture. The grain looks stunning and oak furniture will last for many years which is why it is so popular, although not as common as the cheaper pine furniture options. Because of the inherent sturdiness of the wood, large pieces of furniture can be made such as desks, beds and tables.
If you are thinking of buying oak furniture yourself, make sure that it is solid wood because an oak veneer will give you some of the beauty of the oak but not the strength and the long term value will also not be as good.
If you visit any stately homes it is likely that you will come across oak panelling as well as furniture. Panelling was popular in prominent buildings and showed class and wealth.
Oak is a tree that we have loved and made use of for many years and a tree that we continue to be closely linked with. It is a tree that we really wouldn't want to be without.
By Rebecca G Wishford. [http://www.aworldoffurniture.co.uk/]Oak furniture can be bought at A World of Furniture. They also sell other types of wood and have a good selection of [http://www.aworldoffurniture.co.uk/]pine furniture.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Oak-Tree&id=6482769] The Oak Tree

Weeds - A Forgotten Resource

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Linda_Ursin]Linda Ursin
Have you given a thought to what the weeds in your garden might be useful for? Probably not, like most of us. We don't take the time to have a closer look, to find out more about them, because they're always there.
Since they have a habit of being in the way and hard to get rid of, we often consider weeds as less valuable than other plants. They grow where we don't want them to and compete with our expensive, store-bought, often non-native, garden plants.
What most people seem to have forgotten is that weeds have a value too, and that they can be just as beautiful to look at as the ones we buy, and nowhere as intrusive. Domestic weeds also rarely pose a threat to the local flora and fauna, as introduced plants might. There are many examples of introduced plants that take over and wreak havoc. Growing exotic plants also require a lot of energy, which isn't always produced in an environmentally friendly way. Weeding also uses energy, although mostly physical. In addition to this come herbicides and pesticides that pollute our environment.
When it comes to ourselves and our kind - and by that I mean pagans and other alternatively interested people - weeds have added value beyond being nice to look at. Many of them have medicinal, magical and culinary uses. Some can be used in crafts and cooking as well, and they're free! They're the perfect solution for those of us with limited funds. You can go out and pick them your self. Another bonus is that you can find them virtually anywhere - city or countryside - you know you've seen them. Between the stones and in ditches, they're there for you to find.
I'm sure you know of a few weeds already. You might know that Dandelion, Nettle, Yarrow and Clover are used in both medicine and magic. But were you aware that Ground Elder, Common Couch and Chickweed also have their uses? Maybe you know this, or maybe you just pluck them out of the ground without thinking. Most people do the latter and don't think twice about using a lot of energy and money or even poison to get rid of them. Personally I think all plants are of equal value, and should be treated as such.
If you don't want weeds in your flowerbeds or your herb garden, I suggest that you try using some kind of cover, like bark, so that they don't appear at all. Compared to pulling them out of the ground and/or using harsh chemicals, this will spare Mother Nature as well as your back, and your wallet. So it's worth thinking about.
As for the previously mentioned plants, I thought I'd mention a few properties for each of them, so that the knowledge and appreciation is passed on.
Dandelion (Taraxacum vulgare) can be found in many parts of the world. It's used to treat urinary tract infection and fluid buildup without draining the body of potassium. The flowers are used to make wine. It's used to help keep the different realities apart and to call forth spirits. Bury some in the North West corner of yard to bring favorable winds. Use in pouches and charms to make wishes come true.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is distributed across most of the northern hemisphere, and is widely used as a diuretic and against skin diseases. Magical uses include dispelling darkness and fear, strengthening the will, and aiding in the ability to handle emergencies. Sprinkle in the home to drive off evil and negativity.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) does well in zone 3-8 and is sometimes used for digestive complaints, to increase urine flow, liver and gallbladder conditions, and to ease cramps and pains. Internal use should be avoided during pregnancy. Carry flowers in a pouch or amulet to banish negativity, ward off fear, and promote courage, confidence, and psychic opening. It's frequently used in marriage charms and love amulets.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is found across the northern hemisphere, and is also widely cultivated. It's been recommended for detoxification, rebuilding, stimulation, cleansing, skin ailments and wounds. Magically, it's used in potions for lust, and in amulets or incense for money, love, fidelity, success and luck. It protects and blesses domestic animals. Clover is used in consecration of ritual tools made of copper. Sprinkle some around your home to remove negative spirits.
Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria) is used for arthritis, rheumatism and gout. It has delicious edible foliage, and this is why it was cultivated in the old days. In some countries it's considered to be the worst of weeds, as it spreads over large areas of ground by underground rhizomes that are hard to get rid of.
Common Couch (Elytrigia repens) is native to most of Europe, Asia, and North West Africa and has many different uses. It has a long history as a medicinal plant. Among other things, it purifies the blood and acts as an astringent. Magically it's used in connection with love, happiness, lust and exorcism. It's been used as a coffee substitute, for salads and in bread making when there was a shortage of flour.
Chickweed (Stellaria media) native to Europe and soothes itching and among other things acts as an astringent and is used for purification. When it comes to magic, it's used in matters concerning fidelity and love. It's used in salads, and it's said to resemble spring spinach in taste to a degree that they're hard to distinguish from one another. Pregnant women should never use it internally.
These are only short summaries for each of the herbs, there's much more to be learnt about them, and all the other weeds.
Although this is only a very small comment in a potentially big debate, I hope you share my opinion, or at least that you'll think twice about cover instead of weeding the next time you do your spring gardening.
Please do remember never to use herbs for any medical condition, without first consulting your physician. Never use herbs at the same time as regular medicine and avoid all use if pregnant.
Linda Ursin
Soknedal, Norway http://heksebua.com/linda
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Weeds---A-Forgotten-Resource&id=6483122] Weeds - A Forgotten Resource

Birdwatching Field Cards and Lists Tool for a Better Birding Experience

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=A._Mohamad]A. Mohamad
Parks found in the state and national level normally have field cards in the form of pamphlets. The field cards serve the same function as checklists. Birdwatchers use field cards that have lots of important information. The checklists or field cards have maps for the sites indicating the places where birds are found, show trails, bathrooms and background information of the site.
Birding lists tool is used by birdwatchers for better birding and it is a great deal of fun also to have a lists tool for birding. Life lists is a lists tool that contains the names of bird species a birder may have come across since the start of his birding experience. An experienced birder can have a life list totaling 300 to 500 bird species. A beginner builds the life list by concentrating on adding many more species of birds to the list available.
A checklist will have information about the collection of birds found on site. Such information includes status, abundance, and seasonal appearance. Birds found on the site accidentally are also included. The birds are categorized in the field cards according to their seasonal mode of appearance. Summer season appears from June to August and is given the abbreviation "Su" or "s." Spring appears from March to May with abbreviation "S." Winter occurs from December to February with abbreviation "W." Fall occurs from September to November and is abbreviated "F."
Life lists have all the birds from all seasons. A beginner birder has an easy task building the life list because of the new birds he/she comes across from all the seasons. When a birder has reached the first 100 birds, the process starts to slow down a little bit. To get more number and varied bird species in the life lists, a birder should not only travel within the state but also further outside the state.
Life lists appear detailed than just check marks seen on preprinted list. The other details seen on checklists include place, date, time, and circumstance and sight notes. Birds added on the life list should be the birds a birder has identified positively. Native unstrained birds fit to be included to the list. Birds excluded from the list include pet birds, dead and captive birds, and escaped exotic birds. Birds observed under ethical conditions should be the only ones counted.
Field cards on the other hand have status that identifies the nature bird seen on site. Status can be defined on the checklist or field card as permanent residence, transient, breeding, and migrant. Field cards are very important to a beginner who ventures out to the field because it helps one get an idea or expectation of the field trip.
Birding list regions are majorly two namely, the American Birding Association (ABA) area list and the World List. The ABA represents the regions of Canada, America and other adjacent water regions to a limit of 200 miles. The ABA checklist committee is responsible for determination of ABA birds list. The "Birds of the World" book written by James F. Clements defines the birds of the word list.
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Why Use Green Energy?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Layne_Shock]Layne Shock
It takes no genius to know that our environment has truly suffered much due to our own doing. Hence, we are now ravaged by floods where we weren't before, typhoons and tornadoes are way stronger today than in the past, tsunamis now seem to be a common occurrence and earthquakes have almost become ordinary. Many people still deny that this is all a product of our own environmentally destructive practices, but there is apparently nothing else we can blame for these disasters other than ourselves.
Fact is, the greater number of us still use coal and fossil fuel to generate the power that we need to make our electronic gadgets work. But coal and fossil fuel emissions go up into the atmosphere and create the so-called greenhouse effect which tends to increase the surface temperature of the earth. Definitely, this is not a positive development as far as environmental health is concerned, and this is the reason why energy sources that cause degradation to the atmosphere and the earth are now heavily discouraged.
In place of these environmentally hazardous methods of generating power, people are now discovering green energy. Green energy is not necessarily a new discovery, although many people still do not know much about it. Green energy is any type of power that is generated through a process that causes less negative effects to the environment. There are now many sources of green energy that are being cultivated by private researchers and even governments. All of them aim to make these eco-friendly energy sources the dominant way to provide energy in the modern society to prevent the further degradation of the earth.
Experts have now discovered many eco-friendly sources of power that are safer, not only for the earth but for humans as well. These include wind, geothermal, hydro and solar energy. A number of manufacturing plants and other establishments are now using these energy sources as a way of helping save Mother Earth. The good news is, some of these eco-friendly energy sources may not only be used for industrial or commercial purposes but also domestically. For example, some homeowners are now using solar panels to trap the sun's heat and then use it for some of their electricity needs. Solar technology is still relatively expensive to maintain in homes, however, and this is why only a few have been able to use it.
There is another type of green energy source that is more eco-friendly compared to fossil fuel and coal. Nuclear energy can be very efficient, but it takes highly sophisticated and expensive measures to maintain a plant. Of course, the dangers are also too great that any nation operating or attempting to operate a nuclear energy plant usually ends up arguing their case with the rest of the world.
Hopefully, in a few years, experts will have come up with a technology that will make green energy the main source of power that will be safe, accessible and affordable to the global public.
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Buy That Finch a Feeder

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Downing]Jerry Downing
We are approaching the end of summer and getting ready for fall and winter.. Many of the seeds that the different finches feed on are disappearing or are gone. It is time to step up and buy a finch feeder or two.
You can find at least one of the three varieties of goldfinch in some part of the US and if you are in the California valleys or parts of Arizona or west Texas you may have all three. The goldfinch love their nyjer seed and black oil sunflower seeds so you will need a couple of different feeders. I like the mesh nyjer feeders and the upside down finch feeders. If you are overrun with house finch at the feeders you can put up an upside down finch feeder. The goldfinch will have no problem feeding upside down, but the house finch will give up in frustration.
The Purple Finch in winter will normally be found from the mid west through the eastern US and along the Pacific coast. They like nyjer, black oil sunflower, millet, and peanut pieces. They will come to the nyjer finch feeders, tube feeders, peanut feeders, and some times to ground feeding trays.
Cassin's Finch is a bird of the western US. In winter it moves down from the higher elevations and can be found at bird feeding stations. Mesh finch feeder, tube feeders, and tray feeders are some of your choices. Again black oil sunflower, millet, and nyjer seed are good food for Cassin's Finch.
The three variety of rosy finch are all western birds, some of them very localized. They will on occasion come to feeders. Try ground tray feeders with a variety of black oil sunflower seed, millet, rape seed and untreated grass seed.
All finch are attracted to salt and grit, which you can find at farm supply stores. Offer this in hanging tray feeders or ground tray feeders.
What ever part of the county you live in you can attract one or more of the variety of finches to your back yard. I get year-round enjoyment from the finches that come to my feeders.
My constant reminder: birds need water as much as they need food. In my part of the country we are going through another period of little rain. I have to fill my garden bird baths twice a day. Remember misters, drippers,or wigglers in a bird bath will help you attract a lot more birds.
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Bees Reducing in Numbers

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lizzie_Fisher]Lizzie Fisher
There are approximately 20,000 known species of bees around the world with the honey bees as the most common. There is no doubt about the importance of bees to man's survival. A German professor and bee expert Joergen Tautz said: "Bees are vital to bio diversity." They pose a more important role that poultry with regards to human nutrition. They work for our welfare as they are the chief pollinators in agriculture. But it has been a mystery until now how bee colonies are nearly facing extinction. Over the years, there has been a drastic loss of bee colonies and the result is still unknown therefore is the cure. This has a huge impact on the environment since it relies on the bees for their pollinating abilities. Agriculture, animals who feed on plants and crops, and animals who feed on them will eventually die off. Thus, humans who depend on these will definitely not survive also.
Although the loss of bee colonies is still unexplainable, experts point to factors which are possible causes of bee depopulation. They look at a multi-complicated plethora of factors which include certain diseases to nature's blunders to man-made destruction's. The loss of colonies reported was being referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder which encompasses causes such as mite infestations. These parasite invasions weakens the hives and results in the deaths of thousands of honey bee colonies. Specifically, these mites are called the Varroa mites which lodge themselves in the bees' tracheas and impede the circulation.
Another factor in the reduction of the number of bees is the deterioration, fragmentation and disrupt in the natural habitat of these insects. Any disorder in their habitats disturbs the bees' life cycles and reduces their honey production. More so, this can lead to increased susceptibility of diseases between colonies. Pathogens can easily penetrate into hives and destroy them if left uncontrolled.
Climate change is one of the natural factors in the decline of bees' population. Change in seasons and weather patterns affect the plants' growth and maturation. Therefore, nectar production is also expected to drop.
The use of toxic pesticides, insecticides and herbicides also affect the pollinators in their duty to the crops. This can impede the exposure of bees to the plants especially during flowering season.
Experts are now addressing some of these concerns. Studies have been made for the conservation of the habitats of bees. Alternative pesticides have also been used like botanical and natural herbicides. All pesticides are subject to approval before they are being introduced to the market. Also, beekeepers and gardeners made sure to put plants which are pollinator friendly to help with the feeding and increase colonization.
Spreading awareness of the importance of bees is also a good idea.
Everyone should be aware of the importance of these little creatures to us humans. The reduction of their number of colonies should be one of our main concerns. Every factor should be addressed and solved as this affect our daily lives directly.
We should be worried before they reach total extinction, because if that happens to the bees, it will happen to us too.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bees-Reducing-in-Numbers&id=6526799] Bees Reducing in Numbers

Mountain Building

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Muhammad_Afzal_Raaj]Muhammad Afzal Raaj
Mountain building has operated during the recent geologic past in several locations around the world. These relatively young mountain belts include the American Cordillera, which runs along the western margin of the America from Cape Horn to Alaska: The Alpine Himalayan chain, which extend from the Mediterranean through Iran to northern India and into Indonesia: And the mountains terrain of western Pacific, which include mature island arcs such as Japan, the Philippines, and Sumatra. Most of these young mountain belts have come into existence within the last hundred million years. Some including the Himalayas began growth as recently as 45 million years ago.
In addition to these recently formed complex (folded) mountains, several chains of much older mountains exist on earth as well. Although these stretches are deeply eroded and topographically less prominent, they clearly possess the same structural features found in younger mountains. Typical of this older group are the Appalachians in eastern United States and the Urals in the Soviet Union.
Although complex mountains differ from one another in particular details, all possess the same basic stretches. Mountains belts generally consist of roughly parallel ridges of folded and faulted sedimentary and volcanic rocks, portions of which have been strongly metamorphosed and intruded by somewhat younger igneous bodies.
In most cases the sedimentary rocks formed from enormous accumulations of deep-water marine sediments that occasionally exceeded 15,000 meters in thickness, as well as from thinner shallow-Water deposits. Moreover, these deformed sedimentary rocks are for the most part older than the mountain building event. This fact indicates that long quiescent period of deposition was followed by an episode of deformation. In order to unravel the events that produce mountains, many studies are conducted in regions that exhibit ancient mountain structures as well as sites where upward displacement of the earth's crust is thought to be in progress. Of particular interest is active subduction zone, where plates are converging. Here partial melting of a sub-ducted plates and possibly frictional heating of mantle rocks generate a supply of magma that migrates upward.
At sites where oceanic crust is being sub-ducted, continental blocks are also being rafted towards one another. Recent studies indicate that the most important cause of upward movement of earth crust is the collision of two or more of these crustal fragments. Collision can be occurring between a continental block and a variety of land mass, including archipelagos such as the Aleutian Islands, or small crustal fragments similar in size to Madagascar, or even other continental sized blocks. [http://www.triptomurree.com/tourists-attractions/nathiagali/]Nathiagali
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Unknown High Adventure - Northern Tier Scout Base

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_J_O'Brochta]William J O'Brochta
Many people have heard of Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, but there are actually four different high adventure bases operated by the Boy Scouts of America, three of which make up the Triple Crown of High Adventure. The newest addition, Summit at Bethal Reserve is due to open in time for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. The other three bases, Philmont, Florida Sea Base, and Northern Tier Canoe Base, have been established and operating for years. While Philmont is better known, Northern Tier deserves a great deal of consideration when choosing where to go for summer high adventure in Scouting.
Background:
Founded in 1923, Northern Tier and the Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base are the oldest high adventure bases in the Boy Scouts of America. The Sommers base is located in Ely, Minnesota with two other bases in Canada. Approximately 6000 Scouts and adults go to Northern Tier, compared to 20000 that attend Philmont.
Purpose:
Northern Tier consists of a two-week canoe trip through the lakes of Minnesota and often moving into the Boundary Waters of Canada.
Planning and Route Selection:
A Troop or Council interested in attending Northern Tier must register and apply at least one full year in advance. Crews at Northern Tier are limited to eight to ten individuals who usually use four canoes. Crews cannot travel together, so plan different crews wisely. Begin your preparation by purchasing maps of the Quetico and Minnesota waters areas. These maps usually come from the Northern Tier Trading Post. Gauging the ability of your Scouts and any of the recommended shakedown paddles, try to choose a general route for the trip. There are no set itineraries, nor does the crew have to stick to the chosen plan once on the water.
A crew can canoe in either the Minnesota waters or Quetico Provincial Park or both. Even though you will be traveling through the waters by canoe, your crew still must have passports on them to go into the Provincial Park. Make sure to alert the Northern Tier staff of your intent to go into Canada so that they can provide you with a knowledgeable guide who can help plan route around a border crossing station. Crews going into Canada can also consider taking a floatplane with all their gear and getting dropped off outside the park in order to canoe back to the base. This is optional and requires much more planning and some additional cost.
There are some benefits and disadvantages to choosing to go into either Minnesota or Quetico. The Quetico Provincial Park is operated under strict guidelines. There can be no permanent campsites, buildings, power lines, airplane flyovers, or groups of more than ten people. This means that the area is pristine and extremely beautiful. You will see no one if you choose a route that is primarily in Quetico. The Minnesota Boundary Waters have none of these restrictions. That does not mean that the canoeing is unpleasant, but the motorboats do create both a distraction and a large wake. I recommend traveling in Quetico if you want to have a true adventurous experience and Minnesota if you want to be with another crew most of the time.
Supplies:
Northern Tier supplies much of what you need. In fact, everything you carry should fit into one five-gallon Ziploc bag. You will need clothes and shoes and that is about all. However, no matter how hot it may be in your hometown, count on wearing a jacket and long sleeve shirt a fair amount. There are only two special items I would recommend: cheap boots with holes drilled in the bottom and a mosquito head net. The boots must be worn at all times when in the canoe. When you have to portage from lake-to-lake, everyone must jump out of the canoe and get their feet soaking wet. Go to Wal-Mart and buy a pair of twenty-dollar boots and drill four or so 0.25-inch holes in the sides for water drainage. Also carry a pair of other shoes to wear around camp, Keen sandals work very well. The head net is about three dollars to buy, but worth hundreds. There are millions of mosquitoes or black flies that will bite you constantly when portaging or at camp. While portaging, you will likely be carrying so much stuff that it is impossible to swat any away. Look for a head net that has a piece of piping around the middle to keep it away from your face.
Getting There and Checking-In:
This is pretty simple, fly to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport, rent a couple of vans and drive about four hours to Ely. There are no closer airports and the drive is pretty nice.
Once at Northern Tier, you will check-in, play some old tribal games, and meet your guide for the two weeks. He or she will walk you around to numerous different stations to get all of your supplies. This includes canoes, tents, bags, stoves, pots, and food. You should count on buying paddles at Northern Tier or bringing your own. Either way, this is a bit inconvenient to do. Make sure that you check all the equipment for issues before taking ownership of it.
You will then have some free time to discuss what gear you will personally need. The guide will give your crew an octagonal cabin to spend the night in and sort out your gear. Get everything packed-up and ready to go the night before departing.
On the Water:
Whether you choose to go by float plane or not, your first day will start early with a pre-float shakedown and safety summary. Your guide will then go over some basic canoeing maneuvers before departure.
Typically, the group will canoe until about noon, take a half hour lunch break, and then continue canoeing until three or four in the afternoon. Other breaks are rarely taken except for after longer portages, although the mosquitoes may deter such stopping. After arrival at camp, set-up camp quickly and stow all gear. Focus on making dinner before five o'clock because there is a good deal of required clean-up. When dinner is finished, pack everything away and review the day, preferably with a thorns, roses, and buds exercise. Unless you wish to be bitten by swarms of mosquitoes, go to bed before eight thirty.
Plan on arising at about six and getting on the water by seven-thirty. This is again to prevent an infestation of mosquitoes.
Taking Out:
On your final float day, you will arrive back at the Sommers base. Hopefully this will occur early in the morning because gear check-in takes three or more hours to successfully complete. The afternoon is usually free before a closing celebration at night. The next morning, all crews are required to depart.
In Sum:
Northern Tier provides a wilderness experience that is unmatched by either Philmont or Sea Base. Count on seeing no one else on the water during the entire trip. This is difficult for some Scouts, but rewarding for others.
Resources:
The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association sponsors the Triple Crown of High Adventure Award for Scouts who complete all three bases. Contact Northern Tier directly at   rel=nofollow http://ntier.org/ with any specific questions or ask your Troop or Council if there is someone from a recent trip who would be willing to answer more general questions.
William O'Brochta is a recipient of the William T. Hornaday Silver Medal for Distinguished Service to Conservation in the Boy Scouts of America and William T. Hornaday Badge. He is an Eagle Scout with nine Eagle palms and has earned sixty-five Merit Badges. William is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 17 in Roanoke, Virginia working with Troop elections, new Scout advancement, and Eagle projects. He also serves as an active member on the Blue Ridge Mountains Council Conservation, Advancement, Eagle Board of Review, and Troop Committees. William is the William T. Hornaday Awards Specialist for the Blue Ridge Mountains Council Conservation Committee and the Life-to-Eagle Specialist for the Blue Ridge Mountains Council Advancement Committee. He is also a Life-to-Eagle Advisor, a Merit Badge Counselor for thirty Merit Badges, and a Leave No Trace Trainer. He has been involved in Scouting for more than thirteen years.
William attends Patrick Henry High School and the Roanoke Valley Governor's School and is ranked first in his class of 500. Currently, he is working on a three-year environmental research project dealing with using plants to remove pesticides from the soil. He has presented this research at the Society of Toxicology Annual meeting. A musician, he plays trumpet and serves as Drum Major for the Marching Band.
Committed to community service, he has volunteered for six months for Habitat for Humanity in Hungary and helped Breakell, Inc. General Contractors achieve LEED Platinum energy efficiency certification.
William can best be contacted through his LinkedIn page: http://linkd.in/q8dXm0
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Unknown-High-Adventure---Northern-Tier-Scout-Base&id=6539280] Unknown High Adventure - Northern Tier Scout Base