Current IssuesWorld-wide climate and ecological changesA glance at the daily newspapers or a clip from the nightly news is all you need to know about the trials and tribulations taking place around the world. While human struggles continue, the health of the planet is simultaneously at risk. World-wide climate and ecological changes are currently taking place that can cause major, if not catastrophic, events.The signs that our planet is reaching a critical point are clear. Animals, such as polar bears, are facing extinction due to habitat change and habitat loss. Here in Colorado, one of our greatest natural resources, coniferous forests, are under attack by beetle infestations, which not only destroy trees, but exponentially increase the risk of major wildfires. Drought is consuming ranch and farm lands around the world. The Wildlife Experience firmly believes that each and every one of us has the power to make significant changes that will have a positive effect on our planet. In the shadows or alarmist thought and negativity, we want to give you hope in the knowledge that you can do something, and better than that, we want to give you the tools to take action. Not only will some of these changes have a positive effect on our planet, such as preserving the earth for generations to come and preventing the extinction of countless plants and animals, but they often save you money! The decisions we make in the next decade and beyond may well determine the fate of our planet and of ourselves. - UN Environmental Programme Climate change is not a political issue. It is a human issue. The changes have to come from us, and the good news is that most changes are simple and will transition into your daily life seamlessly. Here are some simple things you can do, starting today, to make a small difference. Imagine the benefit to us, our children and our planet if each and every one of us employed just one of these simple actions!
Water-wise Landscaping (or Xeriscaping)Drought conditions and watering restrictions in the western United States the last few years have made residents aware of the critical need to conserve water. One of the major ways to reduce water usage in semiarid climates is through the landscaping concept of Xeriscaping. Nancy Leavitt, an environmental planner for the Denver Water Department, coined the word “Xeriscape” in 1981. The word is derived from the Greek word, xeros, meaning “dry,” and from the word, “landscape.” Basically, Xeriscaping is water-wise landscaping with environmentally friendly plants. As a conservation center at the edge of the dry Great Plains, The Wildlife Experience uses Xeriscaping guidelines in landscaping the museum grounds. By following a few basic conservation concepts when landscaping your own property, you will have a distinctive semiarid yard and garden that requires little moisture. 1. Plan and Design Whether you are landscaping for the first time or renovating an existing yard and garden, take the time to plan your Xeriscape before you begin planting. Create areas that differ in their water consumption and provide water where it will most directly add to the beauty and comfort of your home. 2. Create Practical Turf Areas Limit the size of your lawn and try to use native grasses as much as possible. Remember, semiarid areas are more favorable to drought-tolerant grasses such as buffalo grass than they are to the more common, but always thirsty, Kentucky blue grass. 3. Use Appropriate Plants Use xeric plants in hot, dry areas facing south and west. Plants that require more water should be placed along shaded walls and slopes that face north and east. Do not mix plants with high- and low-watering needs in the same area. 4. Improve the Soil Regardless of how much water individual plants require, add organic matter to the soil when you plant. Compost aids in water absorption and retention. 5. Use Mulches This is a critical landscaping step. By covering the soil with some type of mulch you help retain valuable moisture. Mulching also helps hard rains soak into the soil instead of running off into the street or drainage areas. 6. Irrigate Efficiently Don’t over-water. Use soaker hoses and drip irrigation to water deeply and encourage root growth. 7. Maintain Your Landscape and Garden Properly Irrigate, mow, weed, prune and fertilize as required. These are just a few of the basic ideas involved in Xeriscaping. Just remember the best-designed landscapes have emerged from a series of trials and errors. The Wildlife Experience Landscape Coming to this Website in the future will be a series highlighting individual plants that thrive in Xeriscaped yards and gardens. Also, The Wildlife Experience will soon be installing plant identification plaques throughout the museum grounds. Direct your questions or comments regarding Xeriscaping to The Wildlife Experience’s horticulturalist at bpaulson@twexp.org. |
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