Designed as an interactive learning experience for kids 9 & up, author Pat McCarthy’s Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism gets high marks as a valuable and easy-to-follow reference book. Truth be told, it was a good refresher for me, too.
A retired elementary school teacher, McCarthy highlights 10 of our nation’s most influential conservationists and environmentalists, and provides a glimpse into each person’s individual efforts, struggles and triumphs – inspiring young readers to become little activists. Beginning with Julia Butterfly Hill (you know, the 23-year old who spent two years perched in a giant redwood tree to combat clear-cutting in California), the author brings to life the important works of: John James Audubon, Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Cordelia Stanwood, Gifford Pinchot, Aldo Leopold, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Margaret “Mardy” Murie, Rachel Carson and Roger Tory Peterson. She tells their compelling stories with words, photos and illustrations and encourages kids to get involved by taking on little eco activities.
The collection of mini bios are presented in workbook style, with 21 thought-provoking activities sprinkled throughout … kids can learn how to build a compost; make a couple of different types of bird feeders; plant a tree; study the greenhouse effect; make recycled paper and test for acid rain. (more…)
Even though it’s an early spring there’s still not a lot of food out there for our fine-feathered-friends to munch on. It remains a good idea to keep your bird feeder operational for a few more weeks. And what better way to facilitate all that spring dining than with a new, eye-catching designer bird feeder.
Metal sculptor Joe Papendick creates his hand-welded, bird feeders from a combination of stainless steel, steel rods and steel mesh. These feeders are modern, elegant and fairly indestructible. The two models pictured above retail for $89 each at Joe’s Cargoh online shop
Did you know that February is National Bird-Feeding Month? The event was created to encourage wild bird feeding and bird watching, and is sponsored by the National Bird-Feeding Society. For those who enjoy hanging out with our fine feathered friends year-round, Hipcycle features a variety of cool birdhouses and bird feeders made from upcycled materials.
Above are a couple of personal faves:
- bird feeder made from recycled wine bottle & wiring $30
- birdhouse made from reclaimed cedar $24
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related: more bird feeder reviews on The Alternative Consumer
As part of this week’s ongoing series highlighting great products made from recycled materials … we acknowledge Hipcycle‘s ever evolving array of affordable and cool items for your home, office or garden.
Dedicated to keeping perfectly good materials out of the wastestream and into the use-stream, take your pick of kitschy (more…)
Over the years I’ve had many a bird feeder pillaged by voracious hordes of rampaging squirrels. I now believe a new approach may be in order – give our furry friends their own feeder to mitigate their raids on the bird feeders.
Andrew and Melissa of Andrew’s Reclaimed build their self-service squirrel feeders and other wood products out of reclaimed wood recovered from docks, fences, barns and other old structures – all very eco-friendly. $37 @ andrewsreclaimed Etsy shop.
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