Halloween has come and gone – it’s November and already the Christmas decorations are available in stores! Let’s face it, it’s almost time to swap out the pumpkin and gourd decorations for holly wreathes. So, what should we do with those old gourds? They’re organic and can’t properly decompose without soil microbes and air, so …

Did you know that February is National Snack Food Month? To celebrate, head outside and gather up some locally foraged ingredients, make some tasty goodies, and sit back and munch away! Foraged Vs. Commercially Raised Plants Wild-harvested plants, when done sustainably and safely, can be so much healthier than similar foods purchased in a store. …

Celebrate National Pollinator Month with some all-natural and sustainable crafts, designed specifically for native pollinators!  Below are some ideas that can support butterfly populations, protect declining bee populations, and increase the amount of pollinator-friendly native plants found in your community.  This is part 4 of my “Eco-friendly” & sustainable art projects. Find more projects and …

When we combine artistic mediums with environmental science topics, we can increase our knowledge about the natural world, and how we act as stewards of the ecosystems around us. WHY art is so beneficial to increasing our understanding, regardless of subject or topic? The Role of Art in Learning Styles Art, or something made via …

Looking for some zero-waste holiday decorations or gifts to give? Explore all-natural and sustainable crafts below for some ideas on ways to fill your time, stimulate the mind (and hands), give to others, and create something unique this winter season! This is part 3 of my “Eco-friendly” & sustainable art projects. You can find more …

Scientific illustration may seem daunting at first, however there are some great reasons to try your hand at it! First, as you draw, you are forming new pathways and connections in the brain. Secondly, each time you draw a piece, you are making some in-depth observations about it and may learn something new about the …

Caffeine, while very helpful to wake people up in the morning, however when used in excess, it can have some pretty harmful side effects. Personally, caffeine doesn’t impact me the way it does for most people (a blessing and a curse since I can enjoy a cup of coffee at night, but can’t use it …

Summer is here, and many of us love nothing more than a big carton of deep blue-ish purple blueberries! Wherever we can get them from the grocery store, farmers markets, or local community agriculture programs is so exciting, but did you know that blueberries are native to the eastern United States? We can go out …

They may seem ultra-exotic and tropical, however fruit-eating birds do live in North America along the East Coast. In fact, while kayaking along the Delaware River in Philadelphia the other week, I had the incredible opportunity to watch a Baltimore Oriole creating a nest! Not all fruit-eaters are mango or papaya-loving tropical birds. Some are …

Spring is here! The trees have beautiful green leaves again, animal babies such as goslings, fawns, and squirrels are about. Early pollinators such as Carpenter & Honey Bees are out in full force examining the early blooms. So what’s available for us foragers? Spring is a great time to take advantage of the colorful wildflowers …