conservation
Biomass and campgrounds – what’s the connection?
What is BIOMASS? and what does it have to do with campgrounds? Simply put it is “plant materials and animal waste used as fuel.” Or, in other words, when you build your campfire from stuff collected around the campsite (twigs, leaves, branches, and such) that’s biomass. (Here’s a photo of fire-killed trees in the Deschutes Read More >>
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Aids
It that time of year for major Spring cleaning. I’m not a big fan of harsh chemicals in my house or the motorhome. I would rather use an eco-friendly cleaning aids and a little elbow grease to clean especially when we are camping. Here are some hints and tips I’ve learned over the years. Call Read More >>
Thinning = healthier forest?
This article was rewritten back in 2009 and the question still hasn’t been answered. However, wildfires in Northern Arizona, where the thinning sighted was tried, weren’t anywhere as badly damaged as the forests in California were no thinning was applied. What’s your opinion? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A couple months ago, the Arizona Daily Star had an article Read More >>
Ski areas galore in national forests
In the USA, there are 122 ski areas in 13 states using a total of 182,095 acres of Forest Service-managed land offering downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities. How many can you name? Don’t feel bad if you can only name a handful. Most Forest Service employees can’t do much better. Click here for Read More >>
Words of wisdom from trees
Everything I need to know I learned from trees: It’s important to have roots. In today’s complex world, it pays to branch out. Don’t pin away over old flames. If you really believe in something, don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. Be flexible so you don’t break when a harsh wind Read More >>
BYOB and annoy an oil man
As we travel across the country, more and more places are sellinging re-useable bags. Makes good sense, especially if the merchant’s bag has something to promote their business. Here’s a posting from 2008 on the topic of re-useable bags and For years I have embarrassed my children and husband by practicing BYOB (a.k.a. Bring Your Read More >>
Ecotourism – An old idea that is new again
Don’t you love these guys (I’m using the gender neutral version) that think they’ve discovered a brand new idea? Recently I heard somebody touting ecotourism as this summer great focus. Hello?!?!? Ecotourism has been around for decades. It is called getting outdoors and being aware of your environment! You don’t need big bucks or to Read More >>
Campfire safety basics
As the camping season approaches, we are remined a campfire can cause destructive wildfires. Wildfire destroy wide swaths of national forests and grasslands. The black stumps and scorched earth left by fires in national forests across the country are reminders we should always observe what Smokey Bear tells us and follow basic safety when in Read More >>
Use less water camping
When I moved into my brick-and-stick house in southeast Arizona, a neighbor really when you camp, desert and tropical landscape, water conservation is a way of life. Here are some ways we stretch our water: Steam instead of boiling vegetables when possible. Steaming requires less water and leaves more nutrients. Rinse produce in a basin Read More >>
Civilian Conservation Corps
On April 17, 1933, the first Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Camp Roosevelt, was established in the George Washington National Forest in northwest Virginia. There would be 14 more CCC camps built on the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson national forests, both in Virginia. A sad note is that, other than Camp Roosevelt, those other 14 Read More >>
