Tiny Houses

There is a lot of talk these days about reducing our "carbon footprint" in a wide variety of ways. The idea is that by each of us taking steps to save energy, waste less, buy local and more fewer fossil fuels will be used up, whose use adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, which in turn adds to man-made global warming.

Adding insulation to your home, using solar energy and wind power, driving less and pedaling more are all simple things we can do on a daily basis without greatly affecting the ways we've come accustomed to living.

Some people, however, are taking this REALLY seriously and are reassessing their priorities entirely, selling their homes and joining the Small House Movement. In terms of this discussion, a small house really small, from 65 to 500 square feet in size. Oftentimes, these are placed on wheels and are entirely off the electrical grid. A self-described voice for the movement is the Small House Society whose mission is to "support the research, development, and use of smaller living spaces that foster sustainable living for individuals, families, and communities worldwide."

Here's an excellent video from PBS which explores this idea with another Tiny House champion, Dee Williams, of Olympia, Washington.

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

Could you live in a tiny house? What would be the hardest thing to give up? What might you enjoy the most about paring life down to the basic essentials? 

Happy New Year!

Happy Green New Year! As the page of the calendar turns to January, let's pause to consider our relationship to the Earth. As each year passes, we're learning more and more about the human impact on our climate, plants, animals and insects and how they're all interrelated in amazing, intricate ways we never paused to consider.

What resolutions will you make this year to live more lightly on the planet? Will you recycle more, drive less and buy local produce. Which of the "Five Rs" will you focus on this year (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Renew, Recycle)...or perhaps you'll work a little bit on all of them?

Trees cast shadows on snow in CNC's Beech-Maple Woods.

Remember, reducing our negative impacts on the natural world doesn't necessarily mean we make drastic lifestyle changes. It's better to make manageable resolutions we can keep rather than grandiose ones that will just get dropped altogether after a couple of weeks.

No matter how you approach it, the staff at Chippewa Nature Center hopes your New Year is healthy, happy - and GREEN! We truly appreciate your constant support and look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming programs or simply enjoying our trails.

For a full 2011 calendar of Chippewa Nature Center programs and events, be sure to check out our web page. 

Welcome Winter

Enjoy these scenes of early winter taken at Chippewa Nature Center. Better yet, grab your boots and a camera and make some special memories of your own on our trails, open every day, all year long. For more information about CNC trails, click the CNC Trail Map on our blog and check out our website for program updates and more.


An American Crow looks for something to eat (or some mischief to get in to).

 

Mouse tracks lead to the base of a Sugar Maple tree in the Beech-Maple Woods



A Mourning Dove searches for seeds in the snow



Icicles form along the roof of the Nature Study Building





Christmas Bird Count - Volunteers Needed!

The Audubon Society's Frank Chapman proposed the first "Christmas Bird Census" on December 25, 1900. For the past 110 years, Christmas Counts have become a major factor in tracking the health of bird populations across North America. Why not become a "Citizen Scientist" and get involved this year? 



Snowy Owl



With Christmas Bird Counts in Midland and Bay City fast approaching, we are looking for volunteer counters to help out. To sign up as a volunteer for the Midland or Bay City count (or both), please contact the following:

Bay City Count: December 18

Contact Jeanne Henderson: (989) 684-3841

Midland Count: January 2

Contact Audrey Diadiun at (989) 832-9546

This is 111th year of the Christmas count and we are looking keep this tradition alive and well in the Great Lakes Bay Region. You don't have to be an expert birder or have prior experience with bird surveys. All helpers are welcome!



Christmas Trees - Real or Artificial?

Going to get a Christmas normally brings up thoughts of peace, joy and family. Our ancestors would hitch up the one horse open sleigh, gather the family (and maybe the dog) and go off into the woods in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Now-a-days we might borrow a friend’s truck and land at the neighborhood fundraiser tree sale only to find out that everyone’s idea of the right tree is different and soon the holiday spirit is crushed and we settle for what the baby wants just to keep him quiet.

At this point we begin to think an artificial tree is the way to go. Perhaps the cat won’t be as intrigued by one that smells so piney-fresh and it probably won't shed needles into the carpet. There is also a lower fire hazard with an artificial tree coated with flame-retardant. Just think of the time saved by using an artificial tree. You'll only have to select one every fifteen years, and year after year all you have to do is unpack it and set it up.

If you’re the more traditional type, you'll want the ambiance of a live tree. The aroma alone is almost worth the stab between the toes when you find that last needle stuck in the carpet in late February. One of the best things about using a live tree is that when the holidays are through, your tree becomes an instant shelter for the birds at the bird feeder. There is no need to save a chunk of space to store this baby, out the door it goes!

For every reason to buy a live tree there is one to support using an artificial tree. Burning fossil fuels to go get a live tree each year, plus fuel used to transport the tree to the consumer -- is that really any better than whatever impact the production of an artificial tree has on the environment? The tree factory probably causes some pollution of the air and water. Tree growers use pesticides in order to provide and un-blemished tree and protect their investment. The theory that tree farms displace the natural habitat is countered by the idea that they have only created a different habitat that is now conducive to owls, for instance.

Christmas tree growers are a fairly large industry in Michigan. This gives us the advantage of a fresher tree that will retain needles longer than trees shipped from distant places. Trees are also a renewable resource and are replanted at tree farms year after year. If you buy a pre-cut tree, about two inches should be cut off the bottom of the trunk before you set it in the tree stand. This will expose fresh “straws” for the tree to take up water. There are several commercial so called preservatives on the market that claim to prolong needle retention. A number of scientific studies indicate you should save your money, or spend more on your wife’s gift, because they are simply ineffective or do not perform as well as plain water. Also, home remedies such as aspirin, 7-up or bleach can cause needles to drop sooner than if plain water is used. The most important thing for encouraging needle retention is to make sure it always has plenty of water.

Even if an artificial tree lasts for a decade, it will eventually end up in a landfill. Some people go the opposite extreme and purchase a living, plantable "bulb tree" which is taken out into the back yard and planted after it's done sheltering presents. Or, don't bring a tree into the house at all and decorate a living tree outdoors with garlands of seeds, nuts and berries that will become food for wildlife.

For more information about choosing a tree, visit The Daily Green.