16 Sustainable Gardening Foods That Re-Grow From Scraps

16 Foods That’ll Re-Grow from Kitchen Scraps

 

By Andy Whiteley

Co- Founder of Wake Up World

 

Looking for a healthy way to get more from your garden? Like to know your food is free of the pesticides and other nasties that are often sprayed on commercial crops? Re-growing food from your kitchen scraps is a good way to do it!

There’s nothing like eating your own home- grown vegies, and there are heaps of different foods that will re- grow from the scrap pieces that you’d normally throw out or put into your compost bin.

It’s fun. And very simple … if you know how to do it.

Just remember … the quality of the “parent” vegetable scrap will help to determine the quality of the re-growth. So, wherever possible, I recommend buying local organic produce, so you know your re-grown plants are fresh, healthy and free of chemical and genetic meddling.

 

Leeks, Scallions, Spring Onions and Fennel

 

You can either use the white root end of a vegetable that you have already cut, or buy a handful of new vegetables to use specifically for growing.

Simply place the white root end in a glass jar with a little water, and leave it in a sunny position. I keep mine in the kitchen window. The green leafy part of the plant will continue to shoot. When it’s time to cook, just snip off what you need from the green growth and leave the white root end in water to keep growing. Freshen up the water each week or so, and you’ll never have to buy them again.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass grows just like any other grass. To propagate it, place the root end (after you’ve cut the rest off) in a glass jar with a little water, and leave it in a sunny position.

Within a week or so, new growth will start to appear. Transplant your lemongrass into a pot and leave it in a sunny outdoor position. You can harvest your lemongrass when the stalks reach around a foot tall – just cut off what you need and leave the plant to keep growing.

 

Celery, Bok Choi, Romaine Lettuce & Cabbage

 

Similar to leeks, these vegetables will re-grow from the white root end. Cut the stalks off as you normally would, and place the root end in a shallow bowl of water – enough to cover the roots but not the top of your cutting. Place it in a sunny window position, occasionally spraying your cutting with water to keep the top moist.

After a few days, you should start to see roots and new leaves appear. After a week or so, transplant it into soil with just the leaves showing above the level of the soil. The plant will continue to grow, and within a few weeks it will sprout a whole new head.

Alternatively you can plant your cutting directly into soil (without starting the process in water) but you will need to keep the soil very moist for the first week until the new shoots start to appear. 

Ginger

Ginger is very easy to re-grow. Simply plant a spare piece of ginger rhizome (the thick knobbly bit you cook with) in potting soil with the newest (ie. smallest) buds facing upward. Ginger enjoys filtered, not direct, sunlight in a warm moist environment.

Before long it will start to grow new shoots and roots. Once the plant is established and you’re ready to harvest, pull up the whole plant, roots and all. Remove a piece of the rhizome, and re-plant it to repeat the process.

Ginger also makes a very attractive house-plant, so if you don’t use a lot of ginger in your cooking you can still enjoy the lovely plant between harvests.

Potatoes

Re-growing potatoes is a great way to avoid waste, as you can re-grow potatoes from any old potato that has ‘eyes’ growing on it. Pick a potato that has robust eyes, and cut it into pieces around 2 inches square, ensuring each piece has at least one or two eyes. Leave the cut pieces to sit at room temperature for a day or two, which allows the cut areas to dry and callous over. This prevents the potato piece from rotting after you plant it, ensuring that the new shoots get the maximum nutrition from each potato piece.

Potato plants enjoy a high-nutrient environment, so it is best to turn compost through your soil before you plant them. Plant your potato pieces around 8 inches deep with the eye facing upward, and cover it with around 4 inches of soil, leaving the other 4 inches empty. As your plant begins to grow and more roots appear, add more soil. If your plant really takes off, mound more soil around the base of the plant to help support its growth.

 

Garlic

 

You can re-grow a plant from just a single clove – just plant it, root-end down, in a warm position with plenty of direct sunlight. The garlic will root itself and produce new shoots. Once established, cut back the shoots and the plant will put all its energy into producing a tasty big garlic bulb. And like ginger, you can repeat the process with your new bulb.

 

Onions

 

Onions are one of the easiest vegetables to propagate. Just cut off the root end of your onion, leaving a ½ inch of onion on the roots. Place it in a sunny position in your garden and cover the top with soil. Ensure the soil is kept moist. Onions prefer a warm sunny environment, so if you live in a colder climate, keep them in pots and move them indoors during frostier months.

As you use your home-grown onions, keep re-planting the root ends you cut off, and you’ll never need to buy onions again.

 

Sweet Potatoes

 

When planted, sweet potato will produce eye-shoots much like a potato. Bury all or part of a sweet potato under a thin layer of soil in a moist sunny location. New shoots will start to appear through the soil in a week or so. Once the shoots reach around four inches in height, remove them and re-plant them, allowing about 12 inches space between each plant. It will take around 4 months for your sweet potatoes to be ready. In the meantime, keep an eye out for slugs… they love sweet potatoes.

To propagate sweet potatoes, it is essential to use an organic source since most commercial growers spray their sweet potatoes to prevent them from shooting.

 

Mushroom

 

Mushrooms can be propagated from cuttings, but they’re one of the more difficult vegies to re-grow. They enjoy warm humidity and nutrient-rich soil, but have to compete with other fungus for survival in that environment. Although it is not their preferred climate, cooler environments give mushrooms a better chance of winning the race against other fungi.

Prepare a mix of soil and compost in a pot (not in the ground) so your re-growth is portable and you can control the temperature of your mushroom. I have found most success with a warm filtered light during the day and a cool temperature at night. Just remove the head of the mushroom and plant the stalk in the soil, leaving just the top exposed. In the right conditions, the base will grow a whole new head. (In my experience, you’ll know fairly quickly if your mushroom has taken to the soil as it will either start to grow or start to rot in the first few days).

 

Pineapple

 

To re-grow pineapples, you need to remove the green leafy piece at the top and ensure that no fruit remains attached. Either hold the crown firmly by the leaves and twist the stalk out, or you can cut the top off the pineapple and remove the remaining fruit flesh with a knife (otherwise it will rot after planting and may kill your plant). Carefully slice small, horizontal sections from the bottom of the crown until you see root buds (the small circles on the flat base of the stalk). Remove the bottom few layers of leaves leaving about an inch base at the bottom of the stalk.

Plant your pineapple crown in a warm and well drained environment. Water your plant regularly at first, reducing to weekly watering once the plant is established. You will see growth in the first few months but it will take around 2-3 years before you are eating your own home-grown pineapples.

 

And one for the kids….. ‘Pet’ Carrot Tops!!

 

I call this a ‘pet’ because the plant that re-grows from planting a carrot top will NOT produce edible carrots, only a new carrot plant. The vegetable itself is a taproot which can’t re-grow once it has been removed from the plant. But it makes an attractive flowering plant for the kitchen, and they’re easy and lots of fun to grow…. for kids of all ages!

Cut the top off your carrot, leaving about an inch of vegetable at the root. Stick toothpicks into the sides of the carrot stump and balance it in a glass or jar. Fill the glass with water so that the level reaches the bottom of the cutting. Leave the glass in filtered, not direct, sunlight and ensure water is topped up to keep the bottom of your cutting wet. You’ll see roots sprout in a few days, and you can transplant your ‘pet’ carrot into soil after a week or so.

Your success re-growing lovely fresh vegies from scrap may vary, depending on your climate, the season, soil quality and sunlight available in your home or garden. And some vegies just propagate easier than others do. In my experience, a bit of trial and error is required, so don’t be afraid to do some experimenting. Get your hands dirty. It’s lots of fun! And there’s nothing like eating your own home-grown vegies.

Please share your own experiences with the Wake Up World community by commenting below.

Peace.

 

Article Sources

wakeup-world.com/2012/06/21/four-foods-thatll-re-grow-from-kitchen-scraps

gardeningknowhow.com/children-in-the-garden/grow-carrot-tops

frugalliving.about.com/od/growyourownfoods/tp/How-To-Regrow-Foods

gardenofeaden.blogspot.com.au/2010/01/how-to-grow-sweet-potatoes-in-pots

gardenguides.com/88669-can-grow-mushrooms-store-bought-mushrooms

youtube.com/watch?v=2YIO3Zw5H6E

permies.com/t/2997/plants/Vegetables-You-Eat-Replant

tipnut.com/nifty-food-plants

gardenswag.com/2011/12/5-foods-you-can-grow-from-kitchen-scraps

gardenguides.com/117543-plant-cuttings-potatoes

organicauthority.com

tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-ginger

gardenswag.com/2011/12/5-foods-you-can-grow-from-kitchen-scraps

instructables.com/id/Grow-Onions-from-Discarded-Onion-Bottoms

17apart.com/2012/02/how-to-regrowing-bok-choy

rickswoodshopcreations.com/Pineapple/pineapple

About the Author

Andy is co-founder of Wake Up World and an avid amateur gardener.

 

http://wakeup-world.com/2012/10/15/16-foods-thatll-re-grow-from-kitchen-scraps/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 ways to reuse coffee grounds, tea leaves

(I’ve also found that using coffee grounds as a “mulch” around plants can prevent at least some scale insects and probably other insect damage. )

 

 

It's unlikely that coffee or tea is growing in your garden, so after you finish that cup, put the grounds to work with these clever ideas.

 

 

It takes a brave and hearty (and spartan) soul to give up coffee and tea in the name of food miles. Many do, but morning caffeine is the guilty pleasure that whispers in a voice too alluring for many to resist. One thing is for sure: it's generally a long journey for beans and leaves to travel from exotic climes to the kitchen counter — so we may as well honor them with some extra chores before condemning them to the trash. For those who add their spent dregs to the compost bin, you can still do so in many of these applications once their mission has been accomplished.

 

What to do with coffee grounds

1. Soften skin

Exfoliate with a body scrub made of coffee grounds, coconut oil and a little brown sugar. Gently massage it on in the shower, rinse, be soft.

 

2. Please the flowers

Use coffee grounds as mulch for acid-loving plants — roses, azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreens, hydrangeas and camellias. They like coffee grounds for the natural acidity and nutrients they add to the soil.

 

3. Sadden the ants

Sprinkle coffee grounds around areas of ant infestation to deter them.

 

4. Deter gastropods

Used grounds are said to repel snails and slugs, so sprinkle them in problem areas.

 

5. Simplify fireplace cleaning

Before cleaning the fireplace, sprinkle with dampened used coffee grounds, which will weigh down the ash and thus eliminate clouds of smoke-flavored dust.

 

6. Make a sepia dye

Soak used grounds in hot water and use as a dye bath for Easter eggs, fabric and paper for a lovely, soft brown tinge.

 

7. Keep cats at bay

Keep kitties out of the garden with a mixture of orange peels and used coffee grounds distributed around plants.

 

8. Encourage the carrots

To boost a carrot harvest, mix seeds with dried coffee grounds before sowing. The extra bulk makes the wee seeds easier to manage, while the coffee aroma can nourish the soil and help repel pests.

 

What to do with tea leaves and tea bags

Photo: A Girl With Tea/Flickr

 

Some tips call for dried leaves, here’s how. When you’re finished brewing tea, place the leaves into a large strainer or colander. Press out as much moisture as possible, and then spread the leaves on paper. Let the leaves dry thoroughly, turning over several times in the process. Also note that wet tea leaves stain, so if you are using wet tea leaves on or near a porous surface, be sure to test in an inconspicuous place first.

 

9. Tame stings and burns

Cool tea bags can bring relief when applied to bug bites and minor burns, including sunburn. For overall skin irritation, put spent tea leaves in a bath and soak.

 

10. Soothe your eyes

The tannins in tea have anti-inflammatory effects, which is why cool ones are often employed on puffy eyes. (The chill also helps with swelling.)

 

11. Feed the garden

Use tea leaves as food for garden plants — green tea is high in nitrogen, and as a bonus, the leaves can ward off pests and insects. This is also good for houseplants, so add old tea leaves to their water.

 

12. Boost potted plants

When potting plants, place a few used tea bags on top of the drainage layer at the bottom of the planter before adding soil. The tea bags will help to retain water and will also leach some nutrients into the potting medium.

 

13. Quell the cat box smell

Sprinkle used, dried tea leaves in litter boxes to help reduce the smell.

 

14. Eliminate other pet odors

Sprinkle dried, used green tea leaves on your pet’s pillow, bed, in the doghouse, or other smelly spots to eliminate odor.

 

15. Freshen the carpet

Sprinkle dry tea leaves onto the carpet, crush them lightly and let sit for 10 minutes, then vacuum. This will refresh the carpet and deodorize your vacuum cleaner and bag. (Especially helpful if you have pets.)

 

16. Treat the dog

As an extravagance, loose leaf gunpowder tea is a treat for dogs to roll around in. It’s great for the aroma and luster it adds to the coat.

 

17. Freshen mats and beds 

It is common in Southeast Asia to wash straw sleeping mats in tubs of water to which tea has been added. The tea works as a deodorizer, so you can apply this method to yoga mats and air mattresses.

 

18. Save the fridge

If you’re out of baking soda, place dried, used green tea bags or leaves in a small open bowl in your refrigerator to help absorb odors.

 

19. Wash your hands

Rid your hands of food odors (garlic, onions, etc.) by rubbing them with wet green tea leaves, an instant deodorizer.

 

20. Deodorize kitchen surfaces

Rub wet tea leaves on cutting boards and counters to remove food odors.

 

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/recycling/stories/20-ways-to-reuse-coffee-grounds-tea-leaves

 

 

 

 

Beggar’s needle: an underappreciated Florida wildflower

Fairchild's tropical garden column

Monday, 03.10.14

Little "weeds" like this is one of the reasons to let at least part of your yard go "wild".  By letting these types of plants grow you are supporting pollinators and native animals. 

 

 

By Kenneth Setzer

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

You probably rip it out of your yard by the handful, but the humble beggar's needle, Bidens alba, is an important native Florida wildflower, supporting our pollinators and native animals. Consider the attributes of this common "weed" before you curse it from your garden.

Is it because beggar's needle grows without our cultivation or its stubborn willfulness to reappear so quickly that makes people dislike it? Maybe its growth just looks "weedy" and uncontrolled. But that is part of its appeal — it's completely carefree and self-sowing. It appears smack dab in the middle of my lawn (were it up to me, I'd prefer growing something more useful than a lawn anyway, but alas), in corners other plants reject and unkempt areas along the sunny sides of roads and buildings.

 

If you can allow a patch of the flowers to live for a while, or keep an area a little wild for them, the benefits are numerous. Honeybees love them! Those beleaguered insects do a lot for humans by pollinating our food plants and allowing us to partake in their miraculous and delicious honey. But they need to eat also, and Bidens alba is one of their favorite sources of nectar.

 

Butterflies also flock to the flowers for food. Our state butterfly, the zebra heliconian ( Heliconius charithonia), relies on it for both nectar and pollen. By consuming pollen, heliconians acquire amino acids; researchers believe this is the key that allows them to live for many months, much longer than most butterflies. Other butterflies, such as the monarch and gulf fritillary, are also reported to use beggar's needle as a food source.

 

Bidens alba goes by many common names: beggar's needle, Spanish needle, beggar ticks, shepherd's needle, tickseed, and pitchfork weed. The last one, though I haven't heard it in use, supposedly describes the plant's prickly fork-shaped seed with its two prongs for hitching a ride on animals happening by — including humans of course. It's obviously a very effective method for seed dispersal, for however vigorously and often people pluck these plants, they keep returning.

 

Beggar's needle is in the aster family (Asteraceae), along with thousands of other plants like echinacea, the common daisy, sunflowers and even the bane of more temperate lawns — the dandelion. Its flowers do resemble daisies, are about a half inch across and produce creamy white petals surrounding the deep yellow center. Many other members of the aster family are commonly consumed vegetables; they are certainly a very successful group of plants.

Beggar's needle is an annual, or short-lived perennial, prefers lots of sun and while it doesn't seem to mind dry conditions, thrives after lots of rain.

 

The plants can reach four to five feet or taller. They grow prolifically around the world in tropical and sub-tropical environments, no doubt thanks to the massive amounts of seeds each plant can produce.

 

I've seen lots of anecdotal references to the edibility of beggar's needle flowers and young leaves, but until I read it in a very reliable source on edible plants, I would refrain from eating them. Beggar's needle may also yield medicinal benefits in the future as well.

 

This humble, under-appreciated plant might soon be vindicated. In the meantime, it makes for an easy addition to a butterfly garden. Just keep it trimmed and under control and watch the wildlife flock to it.

 

Kenneth Setzer is writer and editor at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/10/3985969/beggars-needle-an-underappreciated.html#storylink=cpy

 

 

 

Earth Hour 2014: Seven Things to Do in the Dark

 

Switching off the lights for Earth Hour 2014 means showing your commitment to the planet—and switching on the fun at home.

We know even small actions at home can help the planet at large. So consider the lights-out hour Saturday, March 29 at 8:30 pm as an opportunity to enjoy quality time with family and friends.

Here are a few ideas for fun:

 

• 1. Indoor Picnic

Candles create a delightful ambiance for any meal. Spread out a blanket on the living room floor and light a few wicks. Serve traditional picnic treats such as finger sandwiches and brownies. A new way to feast and be merry!

• 2. Art in the Dark

Try your luck at sketching elephants, tigers, rhinos and sea turtles in the dark. Don’t worry if you’re not much of an artist; the reveal of the masterpieces will surely be a laugh for everyone when the lights come back on.

• 3. Guess the Creature

Have you mastered the roar of a lion? Can you take a crack at aping a gorilla? Take turns emitting calls of the wild and guessing the animal. Bring it to the next level by making creature shadows on a wall with a flashlight and your hands.

• 4. Take in the Sights

Is a famous landmark in your town or city going dark in honor of Earth Hour? Take an evening stroll around town to see which buildings switched off the lights to show support for the planet.

• 5. Look at the Stars

Study up on the cosmos and then venture out to a dark, open spot near your home. See which constellations you can pick out in the night sky, and maybe even glimpse a shooting star!

• 6. Snap Pictures

Take some candlelit photos in your house or moonlit snapshots of darkened landmarks outside. Post them later to social media using #earthhour.

• 7. Make a Resolution

March 29 is as good a day as any to make a resolution to reduce your carbon footprint. Turn off the lights when leaving the room for 15 minutes or more, or switch to e-billing to save paper. Pick any one (or all) of these simple tips to help conserve the environment.

http://worldwildlife.org/stories/earth-hour-2014-seven-things-to-do-in-the-dark?link=lrnmore&utm_campaign=earth-hour&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enews-wwf&utm_content=1403t

 

 

Earth Hour - March 29

Earth Hour

Earth Hour 2014 Video (60 sec)

 

The City of Fort Lauderdale proudly supports Earth Hour 2014 and its mission to create a sustainable world.  On Saturday, March 29, from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., communities everywhere will switch off lights for one hour to celebrate a commitment to the planet by leading a more sustainable lifestyle.  

The City of Fort Lauderdale plans to participate by turning off non-essential lighting at City Hall. Where possible, we invite our neighbors to join us in an effort to preserve our planet for future generations.  For more information on this World Wildlife Fund initiative, please visit www.earthhour.org

 

 

Small things we do every day can make a better future. Join Earth Hour and make your commitment to a better planet. © WWF-Canada/Frank Parhizgar Tell Us: Will You Turn Off Your Lights March 29?   Every year, people, companies, buildings and cities around the world participate in Earth Hour by turning off their lights. This year millions of people, thousands of cities and hundreds of iconic buildings such as the Empire State Building and the Space Needle will participate by going dark for Earth Hour. With this simple act, we make a big statement: The world's environmental issues don't have to overwhelm us. We can tackle them, one hour at a time. Turn out your lights for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 29, at 8:30 pm and show your commitment to a better future. Sign up today to tell us you're participating!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release March 22, 2014   Contact: Angela DiPietro, Public Information Specialist                  (954) 828-6719 / AngelaD@fortlauderdale.gov   Macy's to Match Donations for Holiday Park Heart Your Park Ends March 31   Fort Lauderdale - The City of Fort Lauderdale's Holiday Park, located at 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive, has been selected for "Heart Your Park," a program introduced as part of Macy's "Secret Garden" campaign that aims to raise awareness and dollars for local parks across the country.   Through March 31, customers at Macy's Galleria store, located at 2314 E. Sunrise Boulevard, can donate $1 or more at the register, with 100 percent of the donations benefiting Holiday Park. To further spread the love, Macy's will match the total customer donation, dollar for dollar, up to $250,000 in total.   Holiday Park is one of more than 550 parks nationwide that will benefit from Macy's "Heart Your Park" this spring. In partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the national non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of community parks, recreation and conservation, Macy's stores across the country have each selected a local park or green space in their community to support through the program.   "Heart Your Park" is part of Macy's "Secret Garden" spring campaign that will come to life at Macy's stores and on www.macys.com with an infusion of garden-inspired merchandise, special promotions and events. For more information on "Secret Garden," visit www.macys.com/secretgarden. For a full list of the parks benefiting from Macy's "Heart Your Park," visit www.macys.com/parks.   About Macy's Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. (NYSE:M), delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy's offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy's flagship stores -- including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California -- are known internationally and leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers, employees and Macy's Foundation, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $70 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.   About National Recreation and Park Association The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 40,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA's flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.        City of Fort Lauderdale 100 N. Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 www.fortlauderdale.gov

 

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International Day of Forests

International Day of Forests

21 Mar 2014

21 March every year. Celebrating all types of forest worldwide.

In November 2012 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests. The aim of the Day is to celebrate all types of forest and raise awareness of sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development for the benefit of current and future generations.

Further information is available on the FAO's International Day of Forests web pages, including some Key Messages about forests.

Did you know...?

·          Forests cover 31% of the world's total land area.

<     Primary (or 'old growth') forests account for 36% of forest area.

<     The livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people depend on forests.

<     Forests are home to 80% of our terrestrial (ie: non-marine)  biodiversity.

<     Trade in forest products was estimated at $327 billion in 2004.

<     Forests are home to 300 million people around the world.

<     30% of forests are used for the production of wood and non-wood products.

      This short film about forests could be used in class to prompt discussion about forests. It has been produced by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the photographer behind the 'Earth From the Air' photos.

Of Forests and Men - USA (Edward Norton) from GoodPlanet on Vimeo.

 

 

http://globaldimension.org.uk/calendar/event/7137 

 

 

 

 

Friday Funny

 

Dilbert by Scott Adams

http://dilbert.com/

 

 

 

International Day of Forests is Tomorrow

This global celebration of forests provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of trees outside forests.

Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people - including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures - depend on forests for their livelihood.

Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Forests also provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities.

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/

 

"Into" the Woods — The Benefits of Forests

In honor of International Day of Forests on March 21st , we thought it might be good to arm you with a list of "value-added" benefits that our forests provide. These points will likely be reinforcing things you already know (and beliefs you already hold). But it's worthwhile to remember that other people might not be as in-tune with nature as you are. Keeping these talking points front of mind just might help sway the opinion of someone who doesn't realize the crucial role that forests play in a healthy ecosystem and in our daily lives.

 

Improved Air Quality

Forests, or more precisely individual trees, positively affect air quality through a number of beneficial processes. The most obvious way that trees improve our air quality is through the intake of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen. Trees also remove airborne and gaseous pollutants by absorbing them through leaves and needles. They do this by trapping particulates such as dust, ash, pollen, and smoke that could damage our lungs and by absorbing ground-level greenhouse gases. To put this into perspective, consider the fact that one tree can absorb up to 10 lb. of air pollutants per year.

 

Cooling Effects

Trees help stabilize temperatures and cool the environment. In addition to providing shade, trees also cool through evapotranspiration. During evapotranspiration, energy used in the evaporation process actually cools the local area. Between shade given off and evapotranspiration, trees have been shown to reduce peak summer temperatures by as much as 9°F. The subsequent reduction in energy required to cool homes and businesses also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Better Water Quality

A less obvious environmental benefit is the impact that trees have on our waterways. Forests greatly improve stream quality and overall watershed health by decreasing the amount of pollutants that reach our waters. Trees also capture and store rainfall and release water into the atmosphere via evapotranspiration. Additionally, the forest cover and root systems protect the soil and allow it to better filter pollutants before they can reach the groundwater.

 

A Source of Biomass Energy

Under the proper management conditions, trees can be used to replace a portion of our dependence on fossil fuels. Although the amount of forested area that could be utilized varies by region, there are definitely areas of the world that can (and do!) use additional biomass (aka: trees) to not only supplement heating resources but create local job opportunities as well. Removal of excess fuel stores may also make some areas less susceptible to wildfire.

 

Recreational Opportunities

In addition to the environmental benefits, forests also give us great places to pursue recreational activities. In fact, studies have shown that our forests may even provide us with real health benefits. Even a simple walk through the woods has been shown to reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure and improve sleep! But beyond providing a relaxing atmosphere, the forest air can even help our immune systems. How? Well, when we breathe in the forest air we are also breathing in phytoncides that are produced by plants. These phytoncides help plants fight disease and increase the number of NK (natural killer) white blood cells in humans making the population less susceptible to viruses.

 

Filter This

Many of us are fortunate enough to spend a lot of time amongst the trees. Next time you're in the woods take a second to think about how important these places are and how they make our lives better in so many ways—then, tell a friend. Happy World Forestry Day!

 

Sources:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.html
http://www.idahoforests.org/img/pdf/TopTenEnvironmentalBenefitsofForestry-SAF.pdf

 

From --  http://www.benmeadows.com/natural-resource/benefits-of-forests.htm?CID=BNR1403G#Benefits-of-Forests

 

 

Gene Dempsey, City Forester

Office of Sustainability

Office - (954) 828-5785  Fax - (954) 828-4745

GDempsey@fortlauderdale.gov