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architectnews · 3 years

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Ten architecture projects from students at Tulane University

A skyscraper that aims to break the mould of environmentally insensitive towers and a project that reimagines the American dream are included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at Tulane University.

Also included is a project that will convert ten miles of Lower Manhattan's waterfront into flood-protection infrastructure, and a climate-adaptive urban model that also responds to rising sea levels.

Tulane University

School: Tulane School of Architecture Courses: ARCH 5590 / 6990 – Thesis Studio Tutors: Cordula Roser Gray, Ammar Eloueini and Benjamin J Smith

School statement:

"The Tulane School of Architecture in New Orleans generates and applies knowledge that addresses urgent challenges of humankind. We do this by educating committed professionals to creatively manage complexity and transform the world through the practices of architecture, urbanism and preservation.

"The five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) and the graduate Master of Architecture (M. Arch) prepare students with advanced skills in the areas of history and theory, representation and technology. Our more than 3,000 graduates find successful careers in various fields related to the built environment and design.

"The thesis projects (presented below) were developed in two consecutive courses over the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021. In a three-credit fall course, students researched an architectural topic and developed a thesis to be tested through design.

"Students then entered the spring semester thesis studio with a design hypothesis explored through a programme and site. In both semesters, each student was guided by a faculty thesis director."

Levitt's Delusion: On Waking Up From the American Dream by James Rennert

"The American dream is in crisis. Premised on ideals of individual achievement and manifested through consumption, nowhere is this problem more evident than in America's wilting suburbs.

"We have reached a critical moment in that the colliding social, economic and environmental narratives that have fueled this relentless expansion have become indefensible.

"As a result, we must ask: what now? While the dream has since faded, reality lingers. Levitt's Delusion speculates upon the latent potential of suburban land as a laboratory for building a new dream, embracing our desire to sprawl and develop an infinitum.

"Through the extraction and reappropriation of elements of suburbia, this project manifests a new American dream. One of collectivism, of community, interaction and exchange."

Student: James Rennert Course: ARCH 5590 - Thesis Tutors: Cordula Roser Gray, Ammar Eloueini and Iñaki Alday Email: jrennert[at]tulane.edu

Elevated Connections by Alexander Alves-Pingani

"The contemporary city's transportation infrastructure is unprepared for the future. The effects of climate change such as storm surge, coastal erosion, urban flooding and saltwater intrusion will significantly affect coastal areas in the coming years. Urban flooding is already affecting many areas of Miami and the coastal regions around the world.

"Integrating transportation systems and networks can vertically generate an architecture that is more prepared for the projected impacts of climate change, while simultaneously addressing the existing condition and experience of the infrastructure."

Student: Alexander Alves-Pingani Course: ARCH 5590 - Thesis Tutors: Cordula Roser Gray, Ammar Eloueini and Iñaki Alday Email: aalvespi[at]tulane.edu

Creating a Regional Skyscraper by Eitan Albukrek

"A significant portion of modern urban development is constituted by the erection of glass and steel skyscrapers. Unlike earlier housing typologies that responded to the physical and cultural elements of their sites, these generic towers are environmentally insensitive and do not serve to capture the cultural moment of a place.

"In this thesis, I aim to create a set of parameters within which contemporary skyscrapers can be designed. The parameters can be applied in any developing city but will derive unique results.

"Exploring Tel Aviv, Israel, as the case study for this thesis, I set out to create a skyscraper that caters to the city's growing need for high-density residential development while acknowledging the site's physical environment and socio-cultural context.

"Built from reinforced concrete but clad in adobe sourced from the Jordan River Valley, the tower utilizes the vernacular technique of thickened walls with limited aperture area to achieve cool, low-impact interiors.

"Connected by a secondary circulation path, a series of shared amenity spaces are articulated on the tower's facade as vaulted openings. In combination with a public, vaulted ground floor area, these semi-public spaces reference historical neighbourhood courtyards and emulate the organization and built culture of historical Middle Eastern villages."

Student: Eitan Albukrek Course: ARCH 5590 – Thesis Tutors: Cordula Roser Gray, Ammar Eloueini and Iñaki Alday Email: ealbukre[at]tulane.edu

A Developing Framework – Rethinking the Displacement Housing Crisis in Developing Countries by Jorge Alfredo Blandín Milla and Joanne Engelhard

"The 2010 earthquake in Haiti damaged and destroyed 295,000 homes, displacing five million people. Twelve years later, Haitians live in 'tent camps' under tarps or behind pieces of carton or rusty metal with no running water, electricity or latrines.

"Although these informal settlements provide temporary shelter, they are one hurricane away from being washed away. The framework is located in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, and includes the essential infrastructure of glulam living modules, water towers, kitchens and bathrooms.

"While the essential amenities are provided, the users will bring forward the infill materials according to their needs, finances, and personal tastes. By providing the essential infrastructure embedded in a solid structural foundation, these modules can enable the necessary growth and development of the community.

"Furthermore, the addition of communal spaces such as a market and a park on the ground floor will promote a sense of belonging and create a sense of community."

Student: Jorge Alfredo Blandín Milla, Joanne Engelhard Course: ARCH 5590 – Thesis Tutors: Cordula Roser Gray, Ammar Eloueini, Iñaki Alday and Rafael Passarelli Email: jblandi[at]tulane.edu, jengelha[at]tulane.edu

Runway Refuge: Village Relocation in Rural Alaska by Anne Davis

"By building upon the existing infrastructure of aeroplane landing strips, rural Alaskan villages facing relocation can find refuge from rising sea levels, while strengthening access to food and public health services."

Student: Anne Davis Course: ARCH 5590 – Thesis Tutors: Cordula Roser Gray, Ammar Eloueini and Iñaki Alday

The Post-Industrial Chicago River: A Social, Productive and Ecological Urban Structure by Evan Warder

"Urban centres around the world have witnessed the disappearance of the industry that once defined their livelihood. Rivers were often the structural elements that allowed prosperity for industrial cities, but as the sector depleted, the core values of the rivers were lost.

"Can industry be reimagined to provide cities with a space that is socially developing, sustainably productive and ecologically restorative for the people and the river? Chicago's Fisk Generating Plant is a lasting scar of the former industry – a central coal power plant that was closed due to its polluting nature. As the citizens fight against gentrification today, the need for new jobs is exacerbated by growing populations and declining productivity.

"Chicago presents the opportunity to create a comprehensive solution through reinvestment in productivity that provides jobs, needs and food through high-density vertical farming and aquaculture.

"Productive space combined with a school, market, cafe, shared kitchen and restaurant provide extensive value to the communities without risking their ability to continue to inhabit their neighbourhood.

"By connecting the community to the river through an extensive public space with ecological restoration, a sustainable relationship can be established. This radical model of integration of an industrial zone into the social fabric of Chicago could become a model for cities of the future to address their post-industrial riverfront."

Student: Evan Warder Course: ARCH 6990 – Thesis Tutors: Iñaki Alday and Benjamin J. Smith Email: ewarder[at]tulane.edu

A New Edge: Breaking Down The Bulkhead by Harrison Sturner

"Chicago presents the opportunity to create a comprehensive solution through reinvestment in productivity that provides jobs, needs and food through high-density vertical farming and aquaculture.

"Productive space combined with a school, market, café, shared kitchen and restaurant provide extensive value to the communities without risking their ability to continue to inhabit their neighbourhood."

Student: Harrison Sturner Course: ARCH 5590 – Thesis Tutors: Cordula Roser Gray, Ammar Eloueini and Iñaki Alday Email: hsturner[at]tulane.edu

Regenerative Habitat by Gabrielle Rashleigh

"'Regenerative Habitat offers a spatial test for a climate-adaptive urban model in the face of rising seas, coastal land loss and increased storm frequency along the Gulf Coast.

"The project centres on the Bayou Bienvenue Central Wetland Unit, located between Orleans and St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana.

"Over the course of the past century, this heavily engineered site has converted from a freshwater bald-cypress and water tupelo swamp to open water, leaving the adjacent neighborhoods vulnerable to storm surge.

"Though stripped of its natural storm surge protection, the Bayou Bienvenue Central Wetland Unit occupies a coveted space within the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction system.

"As climate change pressures coastal populations to relocate to protected higher grounds, the site, today an urban backyard, offers a location to temporally absorb climate change refugees inside of the levee walls and outside of the subsiding low grounds of New Orleans.

"Additionally, the site puts forth a model for inhabiting a floodable landscape without relying on the pump system that has exacerbated subsidence in New Orleans.

"This thesis proposes three strategies for amplifying the ecological and social wealth of the Central Wetland Unit and surrounding neighborhood through marsh terracing, elevated urbanism and regenerative practices and infrastructures.

"Through these three strategies, 'Regenerative Habitat' puts forth an experimental urban model for inhabiting a landscape in flux."

Student: Gabrielle Rashleigh Course: ARCH 6990 – Thesis Tutors: Margarita Jover, Mead Allison, Mark Davis and Benjamin J. Smith Email: grashleigh[at]tulane.edu

Piti-Piti: a Kit-of-Parts | an Architecture Liberation by Maddison Wells

"Modularity in architecture is an attempt to increase the adaptability of the built environment by creating a structure that allows for the growth and contraction of space.

"Rather than always providing a pre-assembled module, allowing the users of space to control their built environment empowers them; modular architecture has the capacity to create relatively equitable environments. The intent is to give the power of creating space back to those who have been deprived of it in the past and into the present.

"The programme and site for the application of the thesis are a women and children's centre in Haiti. Instead of proposing a building, the thesis is a kit-of-parts designed and manufactured by the women of Haiti to use as they see fit.

"The term Piti Piti translates to the word gradually, or little by little, in Haitian Creole. With the implementation of the Piti Piti kit-of-parts, the country of Haiti and its citizens will improve their socio-economic status over time.

"The kit-of-parts is made of locally sourced, seismic-resistant materials: mycelium and bamboo. Growing and manufacturing new building materials could potentially stimulate the economy and create new sources of income, especially for women.

"Rather than imposing on the existing construction techniques, the new materials are formatted as improvements to conventional building materials: CMU and rebar."

Student: Maddison Wells Course: ARCH 5590 – Thesis Tutors: Cordula Roser Gray, Ammar Eloueini, Iñaki Alday and José Cotto Email: mwells9[at]tulane.edu

No Royal Roads by Charles Delay Jones

"Roads are one of the earliest, most effective technological utilities related to sustained urban settlements. One example is the smooth asphalt surface of a modern-day collector street connecting from arterial transportation networks to local city streets.

"Not only was smoothness pursued to address some of the most persistent social and sanitary nuisances of the turn of the 20th century, but it also boosted the conveyance of energy and resources throughout cities, including stormwater discharge.

"However, like many fast-paced technological applications developed to outpace physiological adaptation, their benefit is counteracted with adverse impacts on various social-ecological systems.

"Smoothness, a preferred street surface condition, is a technical overcorrection. Accelerated stormwater discharge can overwhelm drainage systems and cause chronic flooding. Therefore, the application of smoothness across multiple street typologies requires reexamination.

"A textured, porous surface can effectively mitigate this condition by diffusing water movement and storing it momentarily where it falls. Combined with other ecological systems, the surface geometry of the street and section can filter pollutants, reduce the heat island effect, and improve the spatial qualities of local streetscapes."

Student: Charles Delay Jones Course: ARCH 6990 - Thesis Tutors: Kentaro Tsubaki and Benjamin J. Smith Email: cjones30[at]tulane.edu

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Tulane University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Ten architecture projects from students at Tulane University appeared first on Dezeen.

#Architecture – Dezeen

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beinformedlivetransformed-blog · 5 years

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Jesus is saving the world and He’ll restore everything when He returns...you’re not the Saviour, Anna.

This is something I hear from some conservative evangelical Christians when I share about making intentional decisions in the everyday concerning caring for the creation, e.g. composting, thinking heaps before buying anything (do I really need another...? Can I just use...? Can I fix...? Can I buy this second hand?) and researching brands to make sure they’re to a certain standard of ‘ethical’ if I do decide to, washing things before I recycle, donating to organisations that work in animal welfare, etc.

I believe there are (at least I can see) two key underlying theological assumptions/misunderstandings/gaps behind these words.

1. That in this period, while we, as God’s people, wait for Jesus’ return, all that’s important is ‘saving people from sin’ (i.e. evangelism).

First off, I fully believe in the priority of evangelism. Because of this, I have given up paid work as a teacher and joined a faith-based organisation, where financially I’m receiving less than half what I could earn, that allows me to spend the time I would in a full-time vocation doing evangelism amongst uni students on campus. Our Lord Jesus knew the time was short and so, throughout His teaching, His miracles/signs, His parables, He proclaimed and always sought to challenge a response in the form of “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). Hence He calls His disciples to follow Him and tells them “I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). The call we should prioritise is “Repent! God’s kingdom (and judgment) is coming!” And we have also received the call to fish for men with Jesus’ eleven disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). However, a great sad thing has happened to us when we do call others - we focus so much on one side of the coin, we forget the other. We tell people what Jesus has saved us from - we stuffed it up, we’re broken, we’re in need of saving from God’s right anger, and He swallows up the consequences of that by His death and resurrection - but we don’t tell them what He has saved us for. ‘Repent’ means ‘to have your thinking changed’. When Jesus declared that the kingdom is at hand/near (Mark 1:15), He was saying that a new world order is coming, and He has brought its beginning. We can choose to join in this new world order, or to continue in our old ways, and perish with it. To join into this new world order means we hear the call to ‘repent’ and we listen to what this entails, and we keep listening (Mark 4:1-20), to what Jesus has to say about living the new way (some examples are given by Jesus in Matthew 5-7). Listening means taking action/responding with a life of repentance (Luke 3:3-14; Luke 18:18-25; James 2:14-26). This is the pattern by which we live transformed lives, as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). In other words, every saved person is saved for the purpose of “obeying everything that I have commanded” (Matthew 28:20) and when we call people to salvation, we are to “teach them” (Matthew 28:20) this. It means teaching, and modelling, what it means/looks like to bring everything under the lordship of Jesus (because “all authority in heaven and on earth have been given to me [Jesus]” (Matthew 28:18). We often teach people too simplistic a message about salvation. We focus on the ‘spiritual’ and not the physical. We focus on the ‘ticket to heaven’ and not the ‘what does it looks like to be and become a person that belongs to the kingdom of heaven’. Two sides of the same coin. The one is as important as the other. And I want to use John Stott’s words concerning the care of creation in this:

“...just as our understanding of the final destiny of our resurrection bodies should affect how we think of and treat the bodies we have at present, so our knowledge of the new heaven and earth should affect and increase the respect with which we treat it now. What then should be our attitude to the earth? The Bible points the way by making two fundamental affirmations: ‘The earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24:1), and ‘The earth he has given to the human race’ (Psalm 115:16)...For the earth belongs to God by creation and to us by delegation. This does not mean that he has handed it over to us in such a way as to give up his own rights over it, but rather he has given us the responsibility to preserve and develop the earth on his behalf...God intends our care of the creation to reflect our love for the Creator.”

from The Radical Disciple: a look at eight characteristics of Christian discipleship, which are commonly neglected yet deserve to be taken seriously, pp. 56-57, 65

John Stott, a very well-respected evangelical theologian, understands that redeeming how we relate to God’s creation is part of our discipleship (the other side of the coin of salvation, what we’re saved for). He understands that our neglect of it is a sign of us not understanding how to relate to God as Creator, our next point.

2. That we have lost our connection to God’s world (which is a consequence of sin) and see no need to restore that connection now, because we don’t understand/teach God as Creator.

In Lionel Windsor’s, a lecturer in New Testament at Moore College in Sydney, little book Is God Green?, he does an amazing job of presenting the issue from a biblical theology perspective, i.e. explores the issue of creation and our relationship to it through the storyline of the Bible. In his third chapter titled “The broken image” he says the following:

Here [in Genesis 3:17-19], humanity’s relationship with the earth itself is cursed. God curses the ground because of the sin of the human being. Adam ends up living in a state of war with the world God has made. Of course, that’s what happens when people made in the image of God stop acting in the image of God: when God’s rulers stop ruling the world properly under God, when God’s rulers try to rule their own way...when we think we know what’s right and wrong despite God’s ways...our world is in mourning, because we, its rulers, have turned our backs on the creator by not living for him, but living for ourselves, worshipping what we can get out of the world. As a result, we hate each other, we are greedy...

from Is God Green?, pp. 31, 34

Did you catch that? Not relating to the world as we should (representing God as Creator to it) is not living out our image of God. As per point 1, you and I are saved for a purpose: to live our what we are meant to be! To be the image bearers of God to a dying world! We know God as Saviour (and this is the doctrine of God we constantly focus on in our churches)...why do we not know God as Creator? We need to spend time growing in understanding what it means, what it looks like to relate to, and thus reflect, God as Creator to others and the world. If Jesus came to restore our relationship with God, other people and the world, why do we only talk as though the first two matter in our discipleship? At a conference recently, hosted by A Rocha Australia, Lionel Windsor applied this thinking to Colossians 3:1-10. He asked “What would putting off greed look like?” We are supposed to act now according to who we are (even as we wait for God to fix everything). He pointed out that this actually has applications that are directly concerning restoring our relationship with the creation: not wanting more than we actually need, taking care of what we have, not living only thinking of what we can gain...it’s only a next step turning this into application: avoid buying palm oil products (mostly junk food like instant noodles that we don’t need) which comes from unsustainable farming and rapid destruction of forests that are homes to many wildlife, avoid fast and cheap fashion which come from sweatshops where other humans are paid wages that cannot sustain life, and rapes the environment to the point of destruction (check out this satellite image of the Aral sea as a result of growing cotton for the fast fashion industry), rather than swapping out for the next/latest iPhone or coolest gadget upgrade every couple of years, seek to care for and repair what you have for as long as you can...

The fact that we don’t often think about such applications shows how unrepentant our minds are - how unchanged we are by the gospel shaping all areas of our life here and now. But it also shows how unchanged our state of relationship with the creation, as described by Lionel Windsor in the excerpt above, is. Jesus has saved you for a (re)new(ed) way of thinking about and living out your relationship with the creation.

Andrew Shepherd, who also spoke at this recent conference, said that before we can think about stewardship generally as part of our discipleship, we need to contemplate the beauty of the world God has made...this will help us understand God as the Creator. We cannot just see things as what they can do for us. Surely, we teach each other in Christ to not see people this way. Why don’t we teach it about the creation/the natural world? God as Creator means that both humans and living creatures and things have intrinsic value (they are fashioned by Him; they echo His glory; they declare His creativity). He said we need to move out of thinking of the world as an “extractive economy” which ultimately cheapens the creation and thus cheapens God as Creator. In fact, our economic cheapness (we like to buy what’s cheapest) is an indication of how far we have gotten. “Economic mismanagement and ecological degradation are very tightly related.” “We need to see and read Scripture as embodied [his emphasis] in Jesus and redeem this for our embodied lives.” Some examples he gave of how to do this (learn what it means that God is Creator and contemplate the beauty of the world God has made):

- Read the Bible communally as much as possible, and in its entirety, and do so outdoors

- Draw your learning of God’s word more broadly from global Christians, not just Western Christians who inevitably fall into a “capitalist” thinking about economics and ecology (I was chuckling a bit to myself here, as I sadly recalled an audiobook Andrew was listening to written by Wayne Grudem called The Poverty Of Nations: A Sustainable Solution which was incredibly disappointing in how much a capitalist and disempowering mindset was posited about people and right relationship to things)

- Let your actions come out of joy from and love for God as Creation and the creation, not guilt and obligation

I wish I could unpack more of these applications, but I’ve already babbled on long enough. If you’ve gotten this far, you are very patient! But I guess some of you probably want a summary because the above got a bit too much. So here it is: Yes, I wholeheartedly believe and am so thankful that Jesus is saving the world and He’ll restore everything when He returns. This was always God’s intention (Colossians 1:15-20; Ephesians 1:10). I am not the Saviour (also very thankful for this). However, this doesn’t imply I do nothing as I wait for that day. In fact, that is not God’s intention at all. Part of His salvation plan for the world is for you and me, who are now in Christ, to put on the new self (in the image of Christ - the perfect image bearer of God, which we are meant to be, and now called to be). This new self basically looks like an ongoing renovation until He returns: a restoration of relationship with God, with other people, and with the created world. We lack ‘creativity’ or ‘scope’ in understanding this ongoing renovation which requires our action because of our limited teaching and understanding of God in all of His ways, including God as Creator. We need to redeem and grow in our understanding of this by starting to read God’s word in its entirety, with others and outdoors, within the creation, learning from a global community of Christian thinkers (many in the majority world understand restored relationship to the creation in Christ much more than we do), and actually letting our thinking flow out in practising sustainable consumption and reverence and concern for animals and other living things. This is not because I think I can make a huge difference as one person, but because I am ultimately accountable to God, my Creator and Saviour, for how I live in light of what I know of Him.

I would love to hear your thoughts on my theologising.

#thinkingrightly #bible #consumption #sustainability

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caitlinfawphoto · 10 months

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James Farm Ecological Preserve

Ocean View, Delaware

Kodak 400TX

Nikon FE2

#film #black and white #grain #analog #Kodak #Kodak 400TX #Nikon #Nikon FE2 #James Farm #James Farm Ecological Preserve #Ocean View #Delaware #Chesapeake Bay #Indian River Bay

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thebethanybeachhouse · 2 years

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What are Top Tourist Attractions in Bethany Beach?

The Coastal town of Delaware, Bethany Beach is a peaceful vacation destination in Mid-Atlantic on the Atlantic Coast. Bethany Beach is renowned for its broad sandy beach backed by wooden boardwalk, dotted with beach shops. Bethany close proximity with major U.S. cities makes it a perfect weekend escape. Yet, Bethany Beach accommodates the incoming tourists in kids friendly vacation house Bethany Beach. Theses 7-BR, vacation rentals with The Bethany Beach House are ideally designed to provide space, privacy, comfort and luxury. The bright side of these vacation rentals is their closeness with top outdoor recreational centers and pristine tourist sites. There is plentiful of sun, sand and sea for tourists in Bethany Beach. Wilmington a riverfront town is tourist day-tour destination, popular for its boutiques, dine dining restaurants, parks, and second home of Bob Marley. There is no shortage of touristy things to do and places to explore while availing Bethany Beach vacation.

Top tourist attractions in Bethany Beach include wide wooden beach Boardwalk, nature Center, Miniature Golf Course, Bethany Beach Museum, Fenwick Island State Park, James Farm – Ecological Preserve, Holts Landing State Park, and more. Vacationers find Bethany Beach perfect for sun bathe, surf, sail, and swim in pristine Atlantic Ocean water. There are surf shops and water sports equipment rentals dotted along the pristine Bethany Beach. Surfing lessons and sand castle making are popular activity with both kids and adults. The Bethany Beach House provide waterfront vacation house Bethany House equipped with all modern amenities including wheelchair accessibility, pet friendly, AC, high speed internet, microwave, blender, dishwasher, deck/patio, and easy access to the pristine beach. Delicious seafood is the highlight and top cuisine in the menu of top restaurants here in Bethany Beach. Recreational centers, water sports adventure and fishing are included in daily tourist routine. Top attraction in nearby regions such as Rehoboth Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park, Broad kill Beach, provides excellent vacation retreat for tourists in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Plan excellent beach escape in Bethany Beach with large pet-friendly The Bethany Beach House.

Water sport in Bethany Beach entertains adventure seekers with numerous activities such as fly boarding, sailing, fishing, boat excursion tours, yoga on bandstand, dolphin’s cruises, sunset cruise, banana boat ride, jet ski, parasailing, surfing, and Bethany Beach Trolley.

#kids friendly vacation house Bethany Beach #Waterfront vacation house Bethany Beach

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yourcelinesaconlineventeblr · 5 years

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Introducing our 2019 trip leaders!

We’re so excited to announce our management workforce for summer time 2019! On June three, our administrators, regional administrators, and trip leaders will gather for a five-day retreat close to Mt. Hood in Oregon. Here, we’ll start bonding as a leadership group; pore over trip itineraries; share our collective experience as evaluation security, policies, and procedures; and apply youngster psychology and adolescent brain improvement principle to Adventure Treks. This time together reinforces our “AT culture” as we prepare to greet new and returning instructors for our two-week orientation beginning June 9.

This yr, our 15 trip leaders and administrators:

Common 28.four years previous.

Have a mixed 105 seasons of Adventure Treks experience. On common, they’ve seven seasons of trips beneath their belt; two long-time instructors have 16 and 26 seasons every!

Embrace 4 former Adventure Treks college students.

Comprise a passionate, caring group of school professors, center and high school academics, outside program course administrators, ski instructors, graduate assistants, EMTs, and more!

Under, meet our leadership group:

Dave McGlashan, director and regional director

Dave, or “Dmac,” is our 13th-year director and regional director. Originally from western North Carolina, he attended the University of Tennessee and earned a bachelor’s diploma in human ecology and grasp’s diploma in recreation and leisure studies. Dmac is a board member for the America Outside Association, graduate of the National Outside Leadership Faculty, and wilderness first responder. He has explored the outside of Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, France, Germany, Australia, and lots of more. Dmac can typically be found mountain biking in western North Carolina’s forests.

Jack Hoiland, regional director

Jack, our ninth-season regional director and logistics director, is initially from Portland, OR, and acquired a bachelor’s degree in adventure schooling from Prescott School in Arizona. He’s completed a yearlong apprenticeship at a primitive expertise faculty, hung out as a ski patroller, and labored because the outside schooling director at the Portland Waldorf Faculty. Jack is an avid traveler, having visited nations like New Zealand, Germany, China, Holland, and Belgium. In his free time, you’ll find Jack mountaineering, mountain biking, and skiing. Jack is a wilderness first responder and outside emergency care technician.

Abby Sophir, regional director

A former Journey Treks scholar, Abby is joining us for her fifth season as a regional director. Abby grew up in St. Louis, MO, and spent a semester overseas during her time at Ithaca School learning the intersection of historical past, politics, and culture in Tanzania; studying Swahili; and hanging out with elephants, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, and hippos. Before her first yr as an teacher for Adventure Treks, Abby had accomplished a NOLS backpacking course and labored for Camp Pinnacle as a counselor. Most just lately, she guided journeys for an all-girls adventure program and worked for a farm-to-school nonprofit, educating students about rising and maintaining a healthy diet meals in Bozeman, MT. Abby is a wilderness first responder.

Abby Simpson, Ultimate Northwest 1 & Pacific Northwest Adventure 2

Abby is becoming a member of Journey Treks for her fourth season as a trip chief. She led journeys for outside packages and taught yoga courses whereas on the University of North Carolina, Asheville, and is a former Camp Pinnacle counselor. She found her love of the outside while on considered one of Journey Treks’ fall faculty group packages as a middle schooler. Through the faculty yr, Abby is a preschool instructor at the Verner Middle for Early Studying in Asheville. She is a wilderness first responder.

Alex Rhue, Alaska Expertise 1 & 2

Originally from southeastern Ohio, Alex is returning for her fifth season as a trip leader. She has worked as an outside instructor, trip leader, and expedition director for camps, universities, and guiding corporations in Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, British Columbia, and North Carolina. Alex is at present pursuing a PhD in greater schooling at the Ohio College, and in her spare time loves mountaineering, rafting, canyoneering, and backpacking. She is a wilderness EMT, CPR teacher, lifeguard, and climbing wall instructor.

Alyssa Skelly, British Columbia Adventure 1 & 2

Alyssa is returning for her fourth season as a trip chief. For the past yr, Alyssa worked in psychiatric residential care and in early childhood schooling. In school, she helped begin the James Madison University climbing club and served happiness at a farm-to-table café. An avid advocate for exploration, she spent four months backpacking by means of South America in 2018. She also spent three years as a counselor, trip leader, and actions director for Camp Pinnacle. Alyssa is a wilderness first responder.

Brett Smith, Yellowstone 1, 2, & 3

Brett is returning for his eighth season as a trip leader. Born and raised in Wilmington, NC, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps after high school. He then headed to Appalachian State University for college, the place he fell in love with the outside. He presently resides in Montana and is the youngsters’s ski program supervisor at Huge Sky Resort. Brett is a wilderness first responder and swiftwater rescue technician.

Cody Bauman, California Problem 2

Cody hails from from Kutztown, PA; she has labored within the outside business for greater than 10 years, serving as an instructor, trip chief, program coordinator, and facilitator for numerous college and youth/teen packages. She attended Slippery Rock University for her bachelor’s degree and then Ohio College for her grasp’s diploma. Cody has additionally worked within the non-profit sector, particularly with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Group Corps, main tasks related to environmental, group, and catastrophe needs. This might be her fifth season as a trip leader. Cody is a wilderness first responder.

Hannah McKinley, California Problem 1 and Pacific Northwest Explorer

Hannah is a former Adventure Treks scholar and this yr is returning for her fourth season as a trip leader. Originally from western North Carolina, Hannah spent four summers leading backpacking and canoeing trips at Camp Pinnacle whereas she was a scholar at the College of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Presently, she’s a educating assistant in a primary grade classroom in Hendersonville; in her free time, she like to stand-up paddle board and mountain bike. Hannah is a wilderness first responder.

Kelly Dohn, Alaska Expedition 1

A Colorado native, Kelly grew up enjoying in the Rocky Mountains. She spends her winters supervising ski instructors at Steamboat Resort and has traveled everywhere in the world, backpacking via southeast Asia and Central and South America after graduating from the College of Montana. She is returning for her fourth season as a trip chief with Adventure Treks. Kelly is a wilderness first responder and PSIA ski instructor.

Kent Ratliff, Pacific Northwest Journey 1 & Ultimate Northwest 2

Initially from San Antonio, TX, Kent is returning to Adventure Treks for his third season as a trip chief. He began guiding journeys for the mountain club whereas attending Middlebury School, and after graduating was employed full-time onto the outside programming group to plan orientation journeys, oversee the scholar membership, and supply hands-on coaching. Kent has also been working as a contractor constructing eco-friendly tiny homes. He is a wilderness first responder.

Nate Humphreys, Management Summit

Nate was a five-year Adventure Treks scholar and is now transitioning into his 16th season as a trip chief and academic director—he is considered one of our longest tenured instructors! After graduation, he led immersive therapeutic backpacking packages for teenagers in Grand Staircase Nationwide Monument in Utah. He has since led journeys in all over North America; whitewater rafted the size of the Colorado River by way of the Grand Canyon; and thru-hiked the Long Trail. Nate presently lives in Asheville, NC, where he performs as a musician, and is a wilderness first responder. In his free time, yow will discover Nate baking artisan breads (and making an attempt different gourmand recipes) and mountain biking on western NC’s trails.

Nathan Welleford, Alaska Expedition 2

Nathan grew up in Kentucky however attended faculty at Central Wyoming School and Sterling School in Vermont, the place he fell in love with the mountains. Nathan took a focus in wilderness danger administration, wilderness drugs, and backcountry science expeditions, learning climate change’s impact on glaciers in the Wind River Range. Nathan has labored in the camp world for eight years and is joining Adventure Treks for his fifth season as a trip chief. He is a wilderness first responder and degree II certified youth alpine ski teacher.

Rachel O’Neil, Colorado Explorer 1, 2, & 3

Rachel is our year-round staffing director. Hailing from Inexperienced Bay, WI, she attended the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and earned a bachelor’s diploma in social work. She spent her summers leading backpacking, canoeing, and kayaking journeys in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, and after school accomplished a thru-hike of the two,200-mile-long Appalachian Path. Rachel is a wilderness first responder.

Sarah Malyn, California Adventure & California Challenge 3

A Salt Lake City, UT, native, Sarah is returning for her fifth season as a trip leader. Both during and after attending the College of Utah, she instructed climbing packages and led backpacking expeditions with youngsters; she additionally worked at Green River Preserve in western North Carolina earlier than coming to AT. This previous winter, she was a ski instructor at Huge Sky Resort in Montana. Sarah is a wilderness first responder.

View our 2019 instructors here. We’ll publish assigned employees groups within the subsequent few weeks!

The post Introducing our 2019 trip leaders! appeared first on Techno Crats Blog.

#Blog #Blog Newsletter

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wavyunicornrider · 5 years

Text

Introducing our 2019 trip leaders!

This yr, our 15 trip leaders and administrators:

Common 28.four years previous.

Have a mixed 105 seasons of Adventure Treks experience. On common, they’ve seven seasons of trips beneath their belt; two long-time instructors have 16 and 26 seasons every!

Embrace 4 former Adventure Treks college students.

Comprise a passionate, caring group of school professors, center and high school academics, outside program course administrators, ski instructors, graduate assistants, EMTs, and more!

Under, meet our leadership group:

Dave McGlashan, director and regional director

Jack Hoiland, regional director

Abby Sophir, regional director

Abby Simpson, Ultimate Northwest 1 & Pacific Northwest Adventure 2

Alex Rhue, Alaska Expertise 1 & 2

Alyssa Skelly, British Columbia Adventure 1 & 2

Brett Smith, Yellowstone 1, 2, & 3

Cody Bauman, California Problem 2

Hannah McKinley, California Problem 1 and Pacific Northwest Explorer

Kelly Dohn, Alaska Expedition 1

Kent Ratliff, Pacific Northwest Journey 1 & Ultimate Northwest 2

Nate Humphreys, Management Summit

Nathan Welleford, Alaska Expedition 2

Rachel O’Neil, Colorado Explorer 1, 2, & 3

Sarah Malyn, California Adventure & California Challenge 3

View our 2019 instructors here. We’ll publish assigned employees groups within the subsequent few weeks!

The post Introducing our 2019 trip leaders! appeared first on Techno Crats Blog.

#Blog #Blog Newsletter

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raylovesrp-blog · 5 years

Text

Introducing our 2019 trip leaders!

This yr, our 15 trip leaders and administrators:

Common 28.four years previous.

Have a mixed 105 seasons of Adventure Treks experience. On common, they’ve seven seasons of trips beneath their belt; two long-time instructors have 16 and 26 seasons every!

Embrace 4 former Adventure Treks college students.

Comprise a passionate, caring group of school professors, center and high school academics, outside program course administrators, ski instructors, graduate assistants, EMTs, and more!

Under, meet our leadership group:

Dave McGlashan, director and regional director

Jack Hoiland, regional director

Abby Sophir, regional director

Abby Simpson, Ultimate Northwest 1 & Pacific Northwest Adventure 2

Alex Rhue, Alaska Expertise 1 & 2

Alyssa Skelly, British Columbia Adventure 1 & 2

Brett Smith, Yellowstone 1, 2, & 3

Cody Bauman, California Problem 2

Hannah McKinley, California Problem 1 and Pacific Northwest Explorer

Kelly Dohn, Alaska Expedition 1

Kent Ratliff, Pacific Northwest Journey 1 & Ultimate Northwest 2

Nate Humphreys, Management Summit

Nathan Welleford, Alaska Expedition 2

Rachel O’Neil, Colorado Explorer 1, 2, & 3

Sarah Malyn, California Adventure & California Challenge 3

View our 2019 instructors here. We’ll publish assigned employees groups within the subsequent few weeks!

The post Introducing our 2019 trip leaders! appeared first on Techno Crats Blog.

#Blog #Blog Newsletter

0 notes

paullassiterca · 5 years

Text

Earth Day: Learn Why Biodynamic Soils Are the Healthiest

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated each year on April 22, to promote environmental awareness and protection. As noted by calendar-365.com:1

“The history of Earth Day … dates back to 1970 when it was first celebrated … It was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson to promote ecology and the respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution.”

You may be surprised to learn that of all the sources of pollution in our modern world, the greatest contributor is conventional agriculture. As explained by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations:2

“Over two-thirds of human water use is for agriculture … Crop and livestock production … are the main source of water pollution by nitrates, phosphates and pesticides. They are also the major anthropogenic source of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide, and contribute on a massive scale to other types of air and water pollution.

The extent and methods of agriculture, forestry and fishing are the leading causes of loss of the world’s biodiversity … Agriculture also affects the basis for its own future through land degradation, salinization, the overextraction of water and the reduction of genetic diversity in crops and livestock …

If more sustainable production methods are used, the negative impacts of agriculture on the environment can be attenuated. Indeed, in some cases agriculture can play an important role in reversing them, for example by storing carbon in soils, enhancing the infiltration of water and preserving rural landscapes and biodiversity.”

Modern Food Production Is a Disaster in More Ways Than One

Yes, the way we grow a vast majority of our food is simultaneously destroying the natural world, thereby threatening our very existence on this planet. Indeed, virtually every growing environmental and health problem can be traced back to modern food production, including:

Food insecurity and malnutrition amid mounting food waste

Promotion of foodborne illnesses and drug-resistant bacterial infections

Rising obesity and chronic disease rates despite growing health care outlays

Rapidly dwindling fresh water supplies

Toxic agricultural chemicals polluting air, soil and waterways, thereby threatening the entire food chain from top to bottom

Disruption of normal climate and rainfall patterns due to the destruction of ecosystems by pollution

The good news is there’s a viable answer to all of these. As recognized by FAO, the answer hinges on the widespread implementation of regenerative agriculture and biodynamic farming. By affecting change through your shopping habits, there’s hope we may avoid a complete breakdown of our ecosystem and food production.

One thing’s for sure: We cannot wait for regulations to drive this change. We must push for it ourselves, and we do so by voting with our pocketbooks every time we shop for food.

How Conventional Agriculture Pollutes Our Air, Water and Soil

According to research3 published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters in 2016, emissions from farming far outweigh other sources of particulate matter, and agricultural fertilizer, especially the nitrogen component, is the greatest contributor to air pollution in much of the U.S., China and Russia.

As nitrogen fertilizers break down, ammonia is released into the air. When it reaches industrial areas, it combines with fossil fuel combustion creating microparticles. Although nitrogen is found naturally in air, water and soil, reactive nitrogen, a primary component in nitrogen-based fertilizers, is processed using large amounts of energy from fossil fuel-burning engines. This also contributes to industrial pollution.

When nitrogen-based fertilizer is added to the soil, it reduces the amount of sequestered carbon4 and severely disrupts the soil microbiome5 — both of which affect the soil’s ability to support plant growth.6 The addition of nitrogen-based fertilizer also reduces the soil’s pH and decreases bacterial diversity in the soil.7

Excess fertilizer runoff is also one of the largest contributors to ocean pollution — creating dead zones where oxygen is eliminated and fish and other marine life can no longer survive8 — and groundwater pollution, rendering our freshwater supplies unfit to drink.9

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)10 are equally notorious for polluting precious water supplies. According to a report11 by Environment America, corporate agribusiness is “one of the biggest threats to America’s waterways.” Tyson Foods Inc. was deemed among the worst, releasing 104.4 million pounds of toxic pollutants into waterways between 2010 and 2014.

Conventional Agriculture Is Also Draining Global Water Supplies

Conventional agriculture, due to its heavy use of potable water for irrigation, is also a primary cause of water scarcity around the world, with aquifers once thought to be inexhaustible being drained faster than they can be refilled.

In the High Plains Aquifer (also known as the Ogallala) in the American Midwest, for example, the water level has been dropping by an average of 6 feet per year, while the natural recharge rate is 1 inch or less.12 The depletion of the agricultural water supply is allegedly due to the activities of an oil and gas company, American Warrior,13 which has 1.3 thousand leases for drilling rights across Kansas.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 80 percent of U.S. consumptive water (and more than 90 percent in many Western states) is used for agricultural purposes.14

One-third of the world’s largest groundwater aquifers are already nearing depletion,15,16 and according to a 2016 report17 by Phys.org, global groundwater resources could be depleted within as little as three decades. This chilling prediction was made by Inge de Graaf, a hydrologist at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, who presented her findings at the 2016 American Geophysical Union meeting.

James (Jay) Famiglietti, director of the Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan and former senior water scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has also stated that the majority of our global groundwaters “are past sustainability tipping points,”18 so whether it’s three decades or a few decades more, it’s only a matter of time until we run out of fresh water.

The long-term solution to these water quality and water scarcity issues is to phase out the use of toxic pesticides, chemical fertilizers and soil additives, and to grow crops and raise food animals in such a way that the farm actually contributes to the overall health and balance of the environment rather than polluting it and creating a dysfunctional ecosystem.

Soil Degradation and Erosion — A Devastating Legacy of Conventional Farming

In addition to being a primary source of air, water and land pollution, conventional agriculture also threatens our very ability to continue food production by degrading and eroding agricultural soils.

In a 2012 Time magazine19 interview, former University of Sydney professor John Crawford, who now is the integrated solutions lab flagship leader for sustainable agricultural sciences at Rothamsted Research center, noted that about 40 percent of agricultural soils around the globe are classified as degraded or seriously degraded.

“Seriously degraded” means that 70 percent of the topsoil (the layer of soil in which plants grow) has already disappeared. At present, topsoil is being lost 10 to 40 times faster than nature can regenerate and replenish it naturally.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s Global Land Outlook report,20,21,22 published in 2017, concluded fertile soil is being lost at an average rate of 24 billion tons per year.

According to this report, one-third of Earth’s soil is already “acutely degraded” as a result of tilling and heavy chemical use — agricultural methods that remove carbon from the soil and destroy the microbial balance in the soil responsible for plant nutrition and growth. Decreased productivity was noted on:

20% of global cropland

16% of forest land

19% of grassland

27% of rangeland

Soil Study by Organic Vineyard Demonstrates Benefits of Biodynamic Farming

A recent study23 by Bonterra Organic Vineyards, a leading organic wine brand in the U.S., demonstrates the beneficial impact organic and biodynamic farming have on soil health.

Pacific Agroecology,24 an environmental research and consulting company, performed the soil analyses of Bonterra’s 13 vineyards in Mendocino County. Three of the vineyards use biodynamic methods, nine use organic methods and one uses conventional methods. Bonterra provides the following summary of these three farming methods:25

“Conventional — Farming practices … that permit the use of synthetic non-organic herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers for management of crops and competitive vegetation.

Organic — Agricultural practices that exclude the use of synthetic non-organic inputs — such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilizer — in favor of fostering the natural vitality of the farm through integrated pest management, cover crops, and building healthy soil.

Biodynamic — Formally defined in 1924, an approach to organic cultivation that views the farm as a living organism where plants, animals and humans interrelate as members of an intricately connected ecosystem that follows the cycles of nature.”

Results reveal biodynamic sites have the greatest amounts of organic carbon in the soil, followed closely by sites using organic principles. Either method is far superior to conventional farming, sequestering 12.8% and 9.4% more carbon per acre respectively than the conventional site. More specifically, the comparison of organic carbon in the soil revealed:

Conventional land had 41,000 pounds of soil organic carbon per acre

Organic land had 45,200 pounds of soil organic carbon per acre

Biodynamic land had 46,300 pounds of soil organic carbon per acre

What’s more, they also tested undeveloped wildland owned by Bonterra, finding total carbon storage was even higher here than in any of the cultivated areas. This finding suggests efforts to conserve wildland is an important undertaking. Joseph Brinkley, director of vineyards for Bonterra told NewHope:26

“Soil organic carbon — something regenerative farming strives to enhance — is a signal of how well a landscape captures and stores carbon, and also contributes many long-term benefits to soil health, such as improved aeration, drought resistance, and erosion prevention.”

Elizabeth Drake, regenerative development manager for Bonterra, added,27 “We’re excited about the potential impact of this study, which we hope inspires other farmers to examine the benefits of organic and biodynamic agriculture.”

Biodynamic Farming Is Organic — And Then Some

Biodynamic farming is a spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to agriculture initially developed by Austrian scholar Rudolf Steiner,28 Ph.D., (1861-1925). He taught there is an invisible force that aids and sustains humanity, and biodynamic farming makes use of a wide variety of influences, including planetary influences and moon phases.

As just one of many examples of Steiner’s comprehensive approach to farming, biodynamic farmers will not cut off the horns on their cows, as the animal’s horns are a primary sensory organ, and a complex interrelated relationship exists between the horns and the animal’s digestive system.

To this day, Steiner’s book “Agriculture: Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture” serves as the basis of biodynamic farming everywhere, and his agriculture course, first offered in 1924, is available for free online.29

Not only does biodynamic farming provide superior crops both in volume and increased density of nutrients, but biodynamic farms are also completely self-sustaining.

This self-sustainability is what sets biodynamic farms apart from organic farms, and translates into far stricter certification criteria. When something is certified biodynamic, you can be sure you’re getting food that has been produced according to the most rigorous sustainability criteria available.

For example, while an organic farmer can section off as little as 10 percent of the farm for the growing of certified organic goods, in order to be certified as a biodynamic farmer, your entire farm must be biodynamic.

In addition to that, biodynamic certification also requires 10 percent of the land be dedicated to increasing biodiversity, such as forest, wetland or insectary. Biodynamic farming also has most or all of the features associated with regenerative agriculture, such as crop rotation, cover crops and so on.

Creating a Biodynamic Garden

If you’re currently gardening or planning to start, consider implementing some biodynamic principles. As noted in a previous Mother Nature Network article on biodynamic gardening:30

“Biodynamic gardening starts with building truly healthy soil through thoughtfully integrating both plants and animals in the garden and creating fertility by rotating crops, growing green manures such as vetch or clover, and carefully composting plant waste, kitchen scraps and farm animal manures (such as chicken or rabbit) with the help of medicinal herbal preparations.

‘It’s not just about what chemicals you can’t use but what you can actively do to create a healthy garden whole that sustains itself,’ said Thea Maria Carlson, director of programs for the Biodynamic Association in Milwaukee. 'And it works on any scale, even in a small space.’

The ideal biodynamic garden includes both plants and animals. A growing number of cities and suburbs now allow homeowners to keep small numbers of chickens, rabbits, beehives or even goats.

But even without these domestic animals, creating a garden that attracts such common creatures as earthworms, bees, ladybugs, praying mantises, birds and other beneficial insects, including microbial ones in the soil, is something any small-scale gardener can do.”

The article goes on to provide additional tips and guidance for budding biodynamic gardeners. For example, biodynamic principles include treating your compost with fermented medicinal herb preparations that enhance the availability of nutrients and microbial activity.

Biodynamic sprays, made from manure, ground quartz crystals and horsetail, are applied at certain times to further boost soil and plant health. You’d also want to follow a biodynamic planting calendar to ensure an optimal crop.

Basic Regenerative Farming Principles

While biodynamic principles are the gold standard, you can take a big step in the right direction simply by following these five basic regenerative principles for building a healthy soil ecosystem:

Avoid disturbing the soil microbiome with tillage, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides — The less mechanical disturbance, the better. The same applies in your home garden. The more you till, the faster the soil degrades and is destroyed, as it destroys soil aggregates and mycorrhizal fungi, which houses the microorganisms needed for nutrient transfer.

Similarly, by adding synthetic nitrogen to the soil, the biology is radically altered — it starts consuming carbon in the soil aggregate, which destroys the soil structure.

Without soil structure water cannot infiltrate and move throughout the soil profile and be stored via organic matter. The soil aggregates also provide the home for soil biology, which is critical to producing nutrient dense food.

Protect the soil’s surface with cover crops and cover crop residue — Forest and prairie lands are completely covered with vegetation and this is the environment farmers need to emulate. That vegetation protects the soil not only from wind and water erosion, but also from excessive heating and cooling. These living plants are what end up actually “growing” topsoil.

In your home garden, you can use mulch, wood chips or lawn clippings to do this. You never want to leave soil bare, as bare soil will have a negative effect on soil biology and the water cycle. Cover crops and other forms of “soil armor,” such as wood chips, effectively prevent water evaporation and lowers the soil temperature.

There is easily a 20-degree F difference or more between soil that is bare and soil that is covered. When air temperatures reach 90 degrees or so, soil temperatures will rise well above 100 degrees, which will dry everything out and fry the plants’ roots.

“If you have good armor or residue on the soil surface, the temperature there can be in the 80-degree range. Those plants are growing. It’s a huge difference in production for the producer,” Brown says.

Diversify — Having a diverse array of plant life is essential, and cover crops fulfill this requirement as well. Home gardens will also benefit from cover crops, helping to improve the soil, attract beneficial insects and capture more sunlight (energy).

Maintain living roots in the ground as long as possible — In conventional farming, once a cash crop is harvested, there’s nothing left in the field to capture sunlight and keep growing. Maintaining some kind of growth at all times is key. If you have a small vegetable garden, don’t leave it bare once you’ve harvested your veggies. Instead, plant a cover crop in anticipation for the next season.

To make the transition back from cover crop to your chosen vegetables the following season, avoid the temptation to till the cover crop into the soil. Instead, use one of the following methods to kill off the cover crop and prepare the plot for new crop growth:

Stomp the cover crop into the ground with your feet or a board (simply attach two rope handles to a 2x4 board and then use the board to step down the crop)

If the cover crop has started to form seed heads, you can kill it off by rolling a crop roller or small barrel over it

Cut the growth down and leave the residue on top (although it works better if it’s rolled or stepped down)

Once the cover crop has been killed off, you’re ready to plant your vegetable seeds. For a small garden, use a hoe to part the cover crop remains over to the side. Create a small slice in the soil, drop in your seeds and cover with a small amount of soil. If you’re planting a transplant, simply move the cover crop aside, dig the hole and plant as normal.

Integrate livestock and other animals, including insects — Centuries ago, large herds of bison and elk moved across the landscape, foraging, depositing manure and trampling vegetation into the ground. All of this is part of the natural cycle that is missing when animals are kept in concentrated animal feeding operations.

Many have started raising chickens in their backyards again and chickens are an excellent addition to a sustainable garden. Rabbits, pigeons and ducks are other alternatives that could work in some suburban areas, but even if circumstances or local laws prevent you from adding animals, be sure to plant flowering plants that attract pollinators and predator insects, as these will naturally help ward off pests that might otherwise decimate your main crop.

Protect the Earth by Voting With Your Pocketbook Every Day

Even if you’re not inclined to grow your own food, you can help steer the agricultural industry toward safer, more sustainable systems by supporting your local farmers and choosing fresh, local produce, ideally organically or biodynamically grown.

Also, remember to choose organic, grass fed/pasture-raised beef, poultry and dairy, in addition to organic produce, as CAFOs are just as destructive as chemical-based agriculture. If you live in the U.S., the following organizations can help you find local sources of farm-fresh foods.

Demeter USA — Demeter-USA.org provides a directory of certified Biodynamic farms and brands.

American Grassfed Association (AGA) — The goal of the American Grassfed Association is to promote the grass fed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education.

Their website also allows you to search for AGA approved producers certified according to strict standards that include being raised on a diet of 100 percent forage; raised on pasture and never confined to a feedlot; never treated with antibiotics or hormones; and born and raised on American family farms.

EatWild.com — EatWild.com provides lists of farmers known to produce raw dairy products as well as grass fed beef and other farm-fresh produce (although not all are certified organic). Here you can also find information about local farmers markets, as well as local stores and restaurants that sell grass fed products.

Weston A. Price Foundation — Weston A. Price has local chapters in most states, and many of them are connected with buying clubs in which you can easily purchase organic foods, including grass fed raw dairy products like milk and butter.

Grassfed Exchange — The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.

Local Harvest — This website will help you find farmers markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass fed meats and many other goodies.

Farmers Markets — A national listing of farmers markets.

Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals — The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, hotels and online outlets in the United States and Canada.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) — CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.

The Cornucopia Institute — The Cornucopia Institute maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO “organic” production from authentic organic practices.

RealMilk.com — If you’re still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area. The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund31 also provides a state-by-state review of raw milk laws.32 California residents can also find raw milk retailers using the store locator available at www.OrganicPastures.com.

from Articles http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/04/22/why-biodynamic-soils-are-the-healthiest.aspx source https://niapurenaturecom.tumblr.com/post/184358682816

0 notes

jerrytackettca · 5 years

Text

Earth Day: Learn Why Biodynamic Soils Are the Healthiest

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated each year on April 22, to promote environmental awareness and protection. As noted by calendar-365.com:1

"The history of Earth Day … dates back to 1970 when it was first celebrated … It was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson to promote ecology and the respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution."

"Over two-thirds of human water use is for agriculture … Crop and livestock production … are the main source of water pollution by nitrates, phosphates and pesticides. They are also the major anthropogenic source of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide, and contribute on a massive scale to other types of air and water pollution.

The extent and methods of agriculture, forestry and fishing are the leading causes of loss of the world's biodiversity … Agriculture also affects the basis for its own future through land degradation, salinization, the overextraction of water and the reduction of genetic diversity in crops and livestock …

Modern Food Production Is a Disaster in More Ways Than One

Food insecurity and malnutrition amid mounting food waste

Promotion of foodborne illnesses and drug-resistant bacterial infections

Rising obesity and chronic disease rates despite growing health care outlays

Rapidly dwindling fresh water supplies

Toxic agricultural chemicals polluting air, soil and waterways, thereby threatening the entire food chain from top to bottom

Disruption of normal climate and rainfall patterns due to the destruction of ecosystems by pollution

The good news is there's a viable answer to all of these. As recognized by FAO, the answer hinges on the widespread implementation of regenerative agriculture and biodynamic farming. By affecting change through your shopping habits, there's hope we may avoid a complete breakdown of our ecosystem and food production.

One thing's for sure: We cannot wait for regulations to drive this change. We must push for it ourselves, and we do so by voting with our pocketbooks every time we shop for food.

How Conventional Agriculture Pollutes Our Air, Water and Soil

When nitrogen-based fertilizer is added to the soil, it reduces the amount of sequestered carbon4 and severely disrupts the soil microbiome5 — both of which affect the soil's ability to support plant growth.6 The addition of nitrogen-based fertilizer also reduces the soil's pH and decreases bacterial diversity in the soil.7

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)10 are equally notorious for polluting precious water supplies. According to a report11 by Environment America, corporate agribusiness is "one of the biggest threats to America's waterways." Tyson Foods Inc. was deemed among the worst, releasing 104.4 million pounds of toxic pollutants into waterways between 2010 and 2014.

Conventional Agriculture Is Also Draining Global Water Supplies

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 80 percent of U.S. consumptive water (and more than 90 percent in many Western states) is used for agricultural purposes.14

One-third of the world's largest groundwater aquifers are already nearing depletion,15,16 and according to a 2016 report17 by Phys.org, global groundwater resources could be depleted within as little as three decades. This chilling prediction was made by Inge de Graaf, a hydrologist at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, who presented her findings at the 2016 American Geophysical Union meeting.

James (Jay) Famiglietti, director of the Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan and former senior water scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has also stated that the majority of our global groundwaters "are past sustainability tipping points,"18 so whether it's three decades or a few decades more, it's only a matter of time until we run out of fresh water.

Soil Degradation and Erosion — A Devastating Legacy of Conventional Farming

"Seriously degraded" means that 70 percent of the topsoil (the layer of soil in which plants grow) has already disappeared. At present, topsoil is being lost 10 to 40 times faster than nature can regenerate and replenish it naturally.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook report,20,21,22 published in 2017, concluded fertile soil is being lost at an average rate of 24 billion tons per year.

According to this report, one-third of Earth's soil is already "acutely degraded" as a result of tilling and heavy chemical use — agricultural methods that remove carbon from the soil and destroy the microbial balance in the soil responsible for plant nutrition and growth. Decreased productivity was noted on:

20% of global cropland

16% of forest land

19% of grassland

27% of rangeland

Soil Study by Organic Vineyard Demonstrates Benefits of Biodynamic Farming

A recent study23 by Bonterra Organic Vineyards, a leading organic wine brand in the U.S., demonstrates the beneficial impact organic and biodynamic farming have on soil health.

Pacific Agroecology,24 an environmental research and consulting company, performed the soil analyses of Bonterra's 13 vineyards in Mendocino County. Three of the vineyards use biodynamic methods, nine use organic methods and one uses conventional methods. Bonterra provides the following summary of these three farming methods:25

"Conventional — Farming practices … that permit the use of synthetic non-organic herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers for management of crops and competitive vegetation.

Conventional land had 41,000 pounds of soil organic carbon per acre

Organic land had 45,200 pounds of soil organic carbon per acre

Biodynamic land had 46,300 pounds of soil organic carbon per acre

What's more, they also tested undeveloped wildland owned by Bonterra, finding total carbon storage was even higher here than in any of the cultivated areas. This finding suggests efforts to conserve wildland is an important undertaking. Joseph Brinkley, director of vineyards for Bonterra told NewHope:26

"Soil organic carbon — something regenerative farming strives to enhance — is a signal of how well a landscape captures and stores carbon, and also contributes many long-term benefits to soil health, such as improved aeration, drought resistance, and erosion prevention."

Elizabeth Drake, regenerative development manager for Bonterra, added,27 "We're excited about the potential impact of this study, which we hope inspires other farmers to examine the benefits of organic and biodynamic agriculture."

Biodynamic Farming Is Organic — And Then Some

As just one of many examples of Steiner's comprehensive approach to farming, biodynamic farmers will not cut off the horns on their cows, as the animal's horns are a primary sensory organ, and a complex interrelated relationship exists between the horns and the animal's digestive system.

To this day, Steiner's book "Agriculture: Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture" serves as the basis of biodynamic farming everywhere, and his agriculture course, first offered in 1924, is available for free online.29

Not only does biodynamic farming provide superior crops both in volume and increased density of nutrients, but biodynamic farms are also completely self-sustaining.

This self-sustainability is what sets biodynamic farms apart from organic farms, and translates into far stricter certification criteria. When something is certified biodynamic, you can be sure you're getting food that has been produced according to the most rigorous sustainability criteria available.

Creating a Biodynamic Garden

If you're currently gardening or planning to start, consider implementing some biodynamic principles. As noted in a previous Mother Nature Network article on biodynamic gardening:30

"Biodynamic gardening starts with building truly healthy soil through thoughtfully integrating both plants and animals in the garden and creating fertility by rotating crops, growing green manures such as vetch or clover, and carefully composting plant waste, kitchen scraps and farm animal manures (such as chicken or rabbit) with the help of medicinal herbal preparations.

'It's not just about what chemicals you can't use but what you can actively do to create a healthy garden whole that sustains itself,' said Thea Maria Carlson, director of programs for the Biodynamic Association in Milwaukee. 'And it works on any scale, even in a small space.'

The ideal biodynamic garden includes both plants and animals. A growing number of cities and suburbs now allow homeowners to keep small numbers of chickens, rabbits, beehives or even goats.

Biodynamic sprays, made from manure, ground quartz crystals and horsetail, are applied at certain times to further boost soil and plant health. You'd also want to follow a biodynamic planting calendar to ensure an optimal crop.

Basic Regenerative Farming Principles

While biodynamic principles are the gold standard, you can take a big step in the right direction simply by following these five basic regenerative principles for building a healthy soil ecosystem:

Similarly, by adding synthetic nitrogen to the soil, the biology is radically altered — it starts consuming carbon in the soil aggregate, which destroys the soil structure.

Protect the soil's surface with cover crops and cover crop residue — Forest and prairie lands are completely covered with vegetation and this is the environment farmers need to emulate. That vegetation protects the soil not only from wind and water erosion, but also from excessive heating and cooling. These living plants are what end up actually "growing" topsoil.

In your home garden, you can use mulch, wood chips or lawn clippings to do this. You never want to leave soil bare, as bare soil will have a negative effect on soil biology and the water cycle. Cover crops and other forms of "soil armor," such as wood chips, effectively prevent water evaporation and lowers the soil temperature.

"If you have good armor or residue on the soil surface, the temperature there can be in the 80-degree range. Those plants are growing. It's a huge difference in production for the producer," Brown says.

Maintain living roots in the ground as long as possible — In conventional farming, once a cash crop is harvested, there's nothing left in the field to capture sunlight and keep growing. Maintaining some kind of growth at all times is key. If you have a small vegetable garden, don't leave it bare once you've harvested your veggies. Instead, plant a cover crop in anticipation for the next season.

Stomp the cover crop into the ground with your feet or a board (simply attach two rope handles to a 2x4 board and then use the board to step down the crop)

If the cover crop has started to form seed heads, you can kill it off by rolling a crop roller or small barrel over it

Cut the growth down and leave the residue on top (although it works better if it's rolled or stepped down)

Once the cover crop has been killed off, you're ready to plant your vegetable seeds. For a small garden, use a hoe to part the cover crop remains over to the side. Create a small slice in the soil, drop in your seeds and cover with a small amount of soil. If you're planting a transplant, simply move the cover crop aside, dig the hole and plant as normal.

Protect the Earth by Voting With Your Pocketbook Every Day

Even if you're not inclined to grow your own food, you can help steer the agricultural industry toward safer, more sustainable systems by supporting your local farmers and choosing fresh, local produce, ideally organically or biodynamically grown.

Demeter USA — Demeter-USA.org provides a directory of certified Biodynamic farms and brands.

Grassfed Exchange — The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.

Farmers Markets — A national listing of farmers markets.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) — CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.

The Cornucopia Institute — The Cornucopia Institute maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO "organic" production from authentic organic practices.

RealMilk.com — If you're still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area. The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund31 also provides a state-by-state review of raw milk laws.32 California residents can also find raw milk retailers using the store locator available at www.OrganicPastures.com.

from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/04/22/why-biodynamic-soils-are-the-healthiest.aspx

source http://niapurenaturecom.weebly.com/blog/earth-day-learn-why-biodynamic-soils-are-the-healthiest

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Day Trips From Wellington: 10 Stunning Places To Visit From The Windy City

day Trips From Wellington: 10 Stunning Places To Visit From The Windy City wellington cover Wellington is an extraordinary city. It is famous for a dynamic, innovative culture driven by incredible food, craft beer, wine, espresso, and occasions. Considered as the coolest capital on the planet,unique things to do in wellington consolidate the old as well as the new to make it enjoyable. The scenery opens up a lot of chances for day excursions and visits from the city. The presence of culinary arts scenes and a variety of cultural attractions makes day trips from Wellington an intriguing option for first-time explorers. 10 Best Day Trips From Wellington Wellington is between two of New Zealand’s most noticeable wine districts. There are various practical single and multi-day trip goals from Wellington. Below are some of the picturesque excursions to put on your must-see list: 1 . Martinborough Martinborough Martinborough has all that you would expect from a nearby wine area. It may be New Zealand’s little wine district, yet the vineyards only one hour through Wellington are enormous in character. A day trip coming from Wellington to Martinborough through hilly roads and rural areas is magical. Presenting world-class Pinot Noir, the majority of the other wineries are close enough for a bicycle ride. The town has a yearly celebration called ‘Toast Martinborough’ in which the different wine selections are celebrated. There are additionally a large number of bistros and eateries along the road. New Zealand Honeymoon vacation Packages On TravelTriangle Get the best of luxury and beauty on your honeymoon. Witness the magnificent New Zealand landscapes with your beloved or engage in thrilling adventure sports – rafting, bungee jumping, jet boating, and sky diving. Book memorable honeymoon packages offered by TravelTriangle. 2 . Wairarapa Wairarapa The Wairarapa locale is home to various enchanting townships. It is only an hour’s drive north of Wellington. If you do not have a vehicle, you can directly book a visit from the capital. Wairarapa is famous for its country beguiles and a variety of grand stopovers. Well known spots to visit in the area include castle point and Cape Palliser. The more extensive Wairarapa locale is additionally becoming famous as a food hub. A considerable lot of Wellington’s best eateries source their products from ranches and dairies in the district. Along with quality farm food, you can discover landscapes as well as panoramic views.

3. Picton Picton The northern tip of the south island offers an interesting and absolutely unique experience. Picton is viewed as the entryway to the Marlborough wine area. However , there are a couple of things you can do while in this delightful, comfortable town. Day trips from Wellington to Picton are three hours long along the Cook Strait that present to you a dazzling perspective of the heavenly landscape. A walk around the foreshore presents bistros and breakfast spots, and Marlborough Sound make you go after the camera with regard to amazing views. There is likewise the Edwin Fox Historic Museum for admirers of history. 4. Kapiti Island Kapiti Island For those needing to get the first look at the most fragile and famous flora and Fauna in New Zealand, this little island that lies only a bunch of kilometers off New Zealand’s North Island is difficult to beat. This area preserves endangered plant and animal species. Kapiti Island hosts various other creatures including Weka, Taheke, Tui, Kaka, and also Kiwi. Due to the implementation of multiple rules to decrease the ecological effect makes going here feel restrictive. You can enjoy waterfront scenes and attempt your hand at golf at the adjacent Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club. Advanced bookings should be made as the island is a secured protection site. 5. Rimutaka Forest Park Rimutaka Forest Park Prevalent with courageous explorers and cyclists, the Rimutaka Forest Park is another dazzling day trip not very far from the city. Its central portal, known as the Catchpool Valley, is 30 kilometers from Wellington, and there are different doorways as well. The Forest lodges at the Orongorongo Valley can be booked in advance. The Rimutaka Forest Park contains local birdlife, including bellbirds ruru and tui, kaka kereru. Red deer, pigs, goats, and possums are additionally present. The zone brags 22, 000 hectares forested fields and different paths for different trekkers. 6. Paekakariki Escarpment Track Paekakariki Escarpment Track There is no better method to get your climbing on a tour from Wellington to the Paekakariki Escarpment Track. As a feature of the Te Araroa walkway, this 10km track keeps running along the west drift from Beach Road, Paekakariki in the north, down to Pukerua Bay shops in the south. Keep in mind this not a circle track, so either leave a vehicle toward one side or catch the train back to your auto. The trail is exceptionally presented toward the west drift, which makes for dazzling perspectives, yet make sure to check the climate and be set up for changes in conditions. 7. Makara Mountain Park and Beach Makara Mountain Park and Beach Makara Peak is a trailblazing bicycle stop set in 250 hectares of the local hedge, ideal for those experience addicts searching for a simple day trip from Wellington. You can relax at the calm Makara beach after the bike ride. This stony shoreline has clear waters and is just another 20 min on from Makara Peak Hill Bike Park. There is an assortment of beachfront strolls with views of the coast and wind turbines. Complete off your day trip by treating yourself with a dessert from the bistro close to the coast. 8. Otaki Otaki Located on State Highway 1 at the north of Wellington, one day trip from Wellington to Otaki is an incredible day trip goal for those with shopping in mind. The residential community has a scope of outlet stores, including some notable Kiwi brands like Icebreaker, Amazon, and Kathmandu. Otaki might be best known for its outlet stores; however , the nearby shoreline is additionally worth looking at. Travel southern along Kapiti Lane to the Otaki River Estuary Viewing Platform for extraordinary perspectives over the Otaki River Estuary and its natural life. 9. Masterton Masterton In case you need a break from the city Masterton has superb bistros, world-class craftsmanship and extraordinary parks in the nation. Make your time and bring your bicycles! You can take a day trip to Wellington by train to this beautiful location. Take the train from the distance to Masterton toward the finish of the line. It’s a 10-minute stroll from the station straight down Perry Street to the town focus. The recreational chasing of these presented species is energized in indicated regions. 10. Greytown Greytown Another train ride takes guests to Greytown via Wellington. It is a marvelous town of 2, 000 encompassed through pleasant farmland. Home of James Cameron, the director of Avatar, this place has its natural supermarket and bistro, where the items produced in the garden are accessible to purchase. The road has lots of fashioner apparel stores along with best class eateries. It is additionally home to the Schoc chocolate shops with inquisitive chocolate flavors, for example , carrot in addition to coriander, papadums and curry and Earl Grey tea.

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