les violettes
periodic updates on the vegetarian lifestyle
Now viewing all posts in nature & environment

7 reasons why i truly like east bay regional parks

April 17th 2010

2010 marks a year since “Ours To Keep” the 75th anniversary celebration of the East Bay Regional Parks District – one of the finest cures for Nature Deficit Disorder.
Established in 1934, the East Bay Regional Parks District became the first regional parks agency in the United States. It consists of 65 parks with [...]

Read On No Comments

what is missing? – maya lin x 2

November 23rd 2009

Maya Lin needs no introduction.  The subject of an award winning documentary, “Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision,” a member of The American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Women’s Hall of Fame, she is one of the great artists of our time. Lin, a dedicated environmentalist, works at the intersection of [...]

Read On No Comments

vanishing frogs and some solutions

November 5th 2009

The distinct voices of frogs have always been among the most familiar of nature’s sounds. Alas, it may no longer be the case due to disappearing and declining populations. Some varieties of harlequin frogs and tree frogs are a high priority on the endangered species list due to declines of over 80% [...]

Read On 4 Comments

beautiful orchids and flowers

October 13th 2009

Today the weather is absolutely horrific with a major rain storm and wind gusts of up to 77mph! Due to the storm the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers closed for the day. Have you ever been there? What a beautiful place! Set in a white, wooden Victorian greenhouse, it is the oldest [...]

Read On 5 Comments

golden gate national park

October 5th 2009

Golden Gate National Recreational Park needs no introduction. At 75,000 acres, this public land for eveyone. Today you get an incredible treat! Watch incredibly beautiful scenery as you discover more about the creation of Golden Gate National and how it has evolved over time.

Read On 1 Comment

tracking raindrops

September 24th 2009

What do you remember of the water cycle?  One of the most comprehensive hydrology studies has been conducted by an interdisciplinary team at University of California at Berkeley.  Researchers include: computer scientists, plant biologists, hydrologists, atmospheric scientists, earth scientists and electrical engineers.  Professor of Integrative Biology, Todd Dawson states that  75%-80% of water is recycled [...]

Read On 7 Comments

biofuels: alternatives to ethanol

September 18th 2009

QUEST on KQED Public Media.

Read On No Comments

ken burns’ national parks

September 9th 2009

In a few weeks, PBS will show the latest production from noted documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. “The National Parks, America’s Best Idea.” as the subtitle goes presents the history of the National Parks. Here is an extended preview:

Read On No Comments

plastics – which ones are safe? which ones to avoid?

August 31st 2009

Plastic is a controversial topic – how many homes are free of this ubiquitous material? While many plastics are recyclable, some are not recommended for daily use. There are also those who decide to completely forgo plastic. Glass, ceramics and metals are the most common replacements. Find out more about the [...]

Read On No Comments

the story of stuff

August 23rd 2009

Recently, you had the chance to check out the post on “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” Now let’s talk about stuff and a few ideas about it. Influenced by planned obsolescence and scarcity, industry will have to come up with new ideas that take into account waste reduction and sustainability. Many industry [...]

Read On No Comments