Come Meet us In Person!On March 21st 11:00-2:00, at the Woburn Memorial High School. Located at 88 Montvale Ave, Woburn, MA for greenschools (wwww.projectgreenschools.org), community fair. Greenschools is non-profit organization whose mission is to create Greener & Healthier learning environments through education and awareness.Robin Organ, President and Founder, was named, Conservation Teacher of the Year, by the Mass Audubon (one of our favorite organizations!). Very cool! For more information go to the web site above. Hope to see you there!
March 5, 2009
March 2, 2009
February 23, 2009
For the Birds!
Every year Audubon has the Great Backyard Bird Count and here on Cape Cod we had the Focus on Feeders Program, all to help them find out how populous certain species are and acting like a citizen scientist, we are happy to help! They use the amount of birds counted in each state which is collected by the states Audubon group to figure out how wide spread a bird is and its population. This year we participated in the Focus on Feeders program count and it was a great way to watch birds in your backyard and something fun to do in the wintertime. Every morning my sister and I love to sit in our kitchen and watch the birds at our bird feeders while we eat breakfast (we have 3 feeders and 3 suet feeders.)
According to Mass Audubon , “In the more than 40 years since Mass Audubon began asking Massachusetts residents to report their observations, much has changed in the bird and birding landscape. More species characteristic of southern climates have expanded into the state (Carolina Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker), the World Wide Web has revolutionized communication and data reporting and analysis, and numerous other organizations have added their own "feeder watch" programs.”
The Peterson’s Field Guide for Young Birders says, “Birding is one of North America’s fastest growing and most popular hobbies. There are as many as 44 million bird watchers in the U.S.”
We sometimes take pictures from our kitchen window of our bird friends. Here are a few we have taken we even named some that visit us often:
If you want more information about birds watching and bird counts go to these links:
http://www.massaudubon.org/Birds_and_Birding/FoF/
http://www.massaudubon.org/Birds_and_Birding/
http://www.virtualbirder.com
http://massbird.org/Features/Massbird.htm
http://www.enature.com/home/Finall, here is a word seacrh Jamie and I did for you, For the Birds. Have fun!
According to Mass Audubon , “In the more than 40 years since Mass Audubon began asking Massachusetts residents to report their observations, much has changed in the bird and birding landscape. More species characteristic of southern climates have expanded into the state (Carolina Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker), the World Wide Web has revolutionized communication and data reporting and analysis, and numerous other organizations have added their own "feeder watch" programs.”
The Peterson’s Field Guide for Young Birders says, “Birding is one of North America’s fastest growing and most popular hobbies. There are as many as 44 million bird watchers in the U.S.”
We sometimes take pictures from our kitchen window of our bird friends. Here are a few we have taken we even named some that visit us often:
If you want more information about birds watching and bird counts go to these links:
http://www.massaudubon.org/Birds_and_Birding/FoF/
http://www.massaudubon.org/Birds_and_Birding/
http://www.virtualbirder.com
http://massbird.org/Features/Massbird.htm
http://www.enature.com/home/Finall, here is a word seacrh Jamie and I did for you, For the Birds. Have fun!
February 4, 2009
January 23, 2009
Leave the Packaging Behind!
John has some great advice about reducing your mark on our planet.
By John Bergdoll
Chair of the Sustainability Committee (Green Team)
john@allcreativesolutions.com
Here's a new behavior pattern I have been embracing. After I make a purchase like toner cartridges at Staples, anything at Home Depot or similar places, I ask, "If I give you this box, will you recycle it?"
They say, "Of course."
I say, "Great."
Here's why I would do this change in behavior. I give the store the packaging at that moment because I'm told it will get recycled, I don't have to cart it to my recycling station which saves me time and money on gas adding to traffic congestion making our communities more pedestrian-friendly and it lessens my carbon footprint (CO2 pollution) by keeping one car off the road.
When enough people do this "Leave the Packaging Behind" behavior pattern, it encourages store owners to put more pressure on their retailers to lessen their packaging because stores don't want to spend their time and money being a storage facility for recycling. By reducing the packaging needs, you are helping preserve our diminishing resources like trees for paper and your saving the energy it takes to make the packaging and avoiding the transportation it takes to create unnecessary packaging that just gets thrown away.
Change happens from the ground up. It's simple, it's easy and it makes a difference. Try it and be part of the solution.
By John Bergdoll
Chair of the Sustainability Committee (Green Team)
john@allcreativesolutions.com
Here's a new behavior pattern I have been embracing. After I make a purchase like toner cartridges at Staples, anything at Home Depot or similar places, I ask, "If I give you this box, will you recycle it?"
They say, "Of course."
I say, "Great."
Here's why I would do this change in behavior. I give the store the packaging at that moment because I'm told it will get recycled, I don't have to cart it to my recycling station which saves me time and money on gas adding to traffic congestion making our communities more pedestrian-friendly and it lessens my carbon footprint (CO2 pollution) by keeping one car off the road.
When enough people do this "Leave the Packaging Behind" behavior pattern, it encourages store owners to put more pressure on their retailers to lessen their packaging because stores don't want to spend their time and money being a storage facility for recycling. By reducing the packaging needs, you are helping preserve our diminishing resources like trees for paper and your saving the energy it takes to make the packaging and avoiding the transportation it takes to create unnecessary packaging that just gets thrown away.
Change happens from the ground up. It's simple, it's easy and it makes a difference. Try it and be part of the solution.
December 30, 2008
Hanging with Friends
December 9, 2008
November 14, 2008
November 13, 2008
How about recycling some food today?!
Yes, you read the title right. Today we did a craft using nuts and berries from our pantry. Last year's holiday baking supplies were on the verge of being, well, stale. So instead of throwing it all out, we decided to share with our backyard buddies.
For a couple of days we have been saving milkweed pods in a baggie all in anticipation of our bird craft. We filled plates with our various mixtures, thread a thin wire through the pods, and then loaded them with peanut butter. After they were filled with the PB we pressed the pods into the nuts and berries. Voila! Gourmet bird snacks. Here are pictures of the Ecosavvykid and his trusty (cute too) side-kick baby-sister, Jamie. Thanks to Colin for letting me write an article on his blog too! The Ecosavvykids' Mommy
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ Cool site to check out too!
For a couple of days we have been saving milkweed pods in a baggie all in anticipation of our bird craft. We filled plates with our various mixtures, thread a thin wire through the pods, and then loaded them with peanut butter. After they were filled with the PB we pressed the pods into the nuts and berries. Voila! Gourmet bird snacks. Here are pictures of the Ecosavvykid and his trusty (cute too) side-kick baby-sister, Jamie. Thanks to Colin for letting me write an article on his blog too! The Ecosavvykids' Mommy
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ Cool site to check out too!
Labels:
birds,
cornell,
ecosavvvykid,
feeding birds in the winter,
recycling food,
winter
October 20, 2008
Solar Energy the New Frontier!

Solar energy is power from the sun. You probably have seen a solar panel once or twice, but never knew how important they really are. They produce renewable energy. The difference between renewable and non-renewable energy is very simple: renewable energy (sun,wind and water) can be used over and over, without being used up! But non-renewable energy (wood, coal, oil and natural gas) are resources, that if used too much, will be gone forever. Solar energy is a renewable energy source. Solar panel prices are dropping, so they will be more affordable (note from ecosavvymom: tell your parents they can get special tax credits for this!) You might have one someday too! Last week I interviewed Jon Budreski from Solar Works Inc (www.solar-works.com). Here are some of the questions I asked him:
Q. How long have solar panels been around?
A. Well over 50/75 years. The first solar electric cells were in the 1950's.
Q. Do solar panels have to be a certain size?
A. No, they can be any size. If you are putting panels on your house they are usually 2 x 4 feet. You can put on as many as you roof line can hold.
Q. How much energy can a solar panel provide a house?
A. Solar panels make up a solar ray of about 10 to 20 panels. This can produce about 80-100% of your electrical needs! WOW! Most systems produce 50-75% of the energy needed in your home and you can get a state rebate too! (find out more about your state here: http://www.dsireusa.org/)
Q.Will a solar panel still work if it is cloudy?
A. Yes. Some of the solar cells catch the low-band wavelengths even on a cloudy day! They can still produce energy.
Q How did you get involved in solar energy?
A. I have an environmental background and did research in water quality. My degree is in Natural Resouces Management.
QUIZ: Guess which state in New England has more solar panels per capita than any state in the nation? Hint...Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and some awesome skiing! Yep...Vermont!
Thanks again Jon! You were awesome!! I hope all of you found this interesting and maybe, in the future, everybody will have solar energy. Then we will all be green! Check out this cool stuff to learn more:
Neat sites:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/index.html
http://www.planete-energies.com/content/renewable-energies.html
http://www.think-energy.com
Cool Videos!
http://www.planete-energies.com/FrontOffice/Players/PopupPlayerAnim.aspx?contentId=692a8073-0a2f-4154-98dc-6f3b2c714baf&pageFrom=Encyclo
http://www.planete-energies.com/FrontOffice/Players/PopupPlayerAnim.aspx?contentId=e633361b-b54f-4b12-83f6-a824baad198d&pageFrom=Encyclo
October 14, 2008
New Blog to Share With You
Save The Bay
Donna DeForbes, Save The Bay’s resident Communications and Graphics Manager, offers insights on raising kids with a sense of ecological consciousness. Check it out!http://www.savebay.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=898&srcid=898
Donna DeForbes, Save The Bay’s resident Communications and Graphics Manager, offers insights on raising kids with a sense of ecological consciousness. Check it out!http://www.savebay.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=898&srcid=898
September 12, 2008
School Days, Love Mom

Getting ready to go back to school can be stressful...and I mean for the parents! Trying to pack healthy snacks and lunches, doing homework, practices, etc. However, adding in the eco-friendly piece to going back to school was easy this year.
Thanks to Reusablebags.com and Wrap-N-Mat. Both kids use Kleen Kanteens, so no more little water bottles to buy and a savings of $100 for the school year: .28 a bottle x 180 school days x 2 = $100. Sandwiches go to school in Wrap-N-Mats and a savings of $108.00: .30 per bag x 3 times = .90 a week x 60 days in a school year x 2 = $108!
Right there I saved $208.00...YEAH!
Jamie's adorable lunch bag is a 100% lead free, by Mimi the Sardine. Mimi the Sardine bags are made of acrylic coated cotton and nylon fabrics that meet the Oeko-Tex 100 Standard. Coating is plastic & PVC free. The Oeko-Tex 100 Standard is an ecological certification. It is a declaration to consumers that the cloth does not contain chemicals & components harmful to health. Highly regarded in Europe & now gaining recognition in the U.S. Read more about the Oeko-Tex 100 Standard.
Colin's lunch bag is made from next generation PET fabric that is as beautiful & strong as it is sustainable. Helps divert disposable plastic containers from our landfills. Unlike cheaper versions of recycled PET that are scratchy and have a tendency to pile badly over time. Colors have a cool sheen and hide dirt well. For occasional cleaning, just toss in washing machine and drip dry. How awesome is that! Go to our What's New page for Colin's views on what you can do in September to be eco-friendly this school season.
www.ecosavvykid.com
Eco-Easy at School
You're at Staples and there are 2 packs of Post-it Notes. One is the regular package and it's $22.00 for the pack but the other package is made of recycled paper and its $25.00. Which to choose? I am sure everybody has had one of those moments. Buy regular or eco-friendly and pay more. Kids and adults alike need supplies, either for school or work. Sometimes the best thing to do is to spend a little extra money to help save the planet (click on the logo above and see Staples eco-easy products). Other things you can do this year is you and your classmates can start a recycling program at school. The more everybody buys green items, the better! Also, kids are easier to teach new stuff too. So if kids learn about being green they will tell their parents about how important it is to make smart buying choices. Then our world will live happily with Mother Nature again!
September 4, 2008
August 30, 2008
August 15, 2008
Eating Locally--like my backyard!
This year we decided to go green by planting our very own vegetables. We planted: string beans, two kinds of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers--so many we are giving them away. We put our garden in a very small space but we have been getting a lot of food from it. All my dad did was plant the seeds, lean a trellis against the house, water them and that was it. Here is picture of the cucumbers on our vines. We also planted herbs: basil, oregano, parsley and thyme and lemon thyme. I love to go out in the garden and get some parsley and basil and give them to my mom for my pizza and pasta. I also like just eating the herbs plain. I go in the garden and pick them and sneak a taste…my mom always says “COLIN STOP PICKNG THE HERBS!”
Here is one of my favorite herb pasta recipes my mom makes:
My mom makes spaghetti (my favorite is from Trader Joes) and she tosses it in 2 tbs. butter and 1 tbs. olive oil, adds some salt and lots of fresh chopped basil and parsley. Then she sprinkles a tiny bit of parmesan on top. YUMMY!
Here is one of my favorite herb pasta recipes my mom makes:
My mom makes spaghetti (my favorite is from Trader Joes) and she tosses it in 2 tbs. butter and 1 tbs. olive oil, adds some salt and lots of fresh chopped basil and parsley. Then she sprinkles a tiny bit of parmesan on top. YUMMY!
July 28, 2008
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