Thursday, February 17, 2011
Oscar has gone to tortoise heaven...
Our elder 3-toed southwestern box turtle Oscar has passed on. We are not really sure how old he was, as he was given to us when his prior owner could no longer keep him. That was about 10 years ago, so he wasn't really very old as turtles go. While never the most sociable of turtles he still entranced our young visitors when we would take him out of his terrarium for a walk. The children delighted in watching him climb over small obstacles on the lawn outside the visitor center on his summer outings. He and his son Ray could never be housed together as they would fight with each other, being the territorial creatures that they are. I don't think Ray will miss him, but we will. RIP Oscar...
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
What's Your Watershed?
Where does your water come from?
Where does it go?
Where does it go?
East Branch, Honey Hollow Creek |
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Life on the Earth is only possible because of its water. Unique among the planets in our solar system, the Earth can sustain life because this precious resource cycles from land to sea to atmosphere replenishing our fresh water supplies
Since frozen and liquid water covers 75% of the planet, it is easy to assume that it represents an infinite commodity. But by taking a closer look at its distribution on the planet, you can see just how precious our fresh water sources are.
Volume (1000 km3) | Percent of Total Water | Percent of Fresh Water | |
Oceans, Seas, & Bays | 1,338,000 | 96.5 | - |
Ice caps, Glaciers, & Permanent Snow | 24,064 | 1.74 | 68.7 |
Groundwater | 23,400 | 1.7 | - |
Fresh | (10,530) | (0.76) | 30.1 |
Saline | (12,870) | (0.94) | - |
Soil Moisture | 16.5 | 0.001 | 0.05 |
Ground Ice & Permafrost | 300 | 0.022 | 0.86 |
Lakes | 176.4 | 0.013 | - |
Fresh | (91.0) | (0.007) | .26 |
Saline | (85.4) | (0.006) | - |
Atmosphere | 12.9 | 0.001 | 0.04 |
Swamp Water | 11.47 | 0.0008 | 0.03 |
Rivers | 2.12 | 0.0002 | 0.006 |
Biological Water contained in organisms | 1.12 | 0.0001 | 0.003 |
Total | 1,385,984 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Source: Gleick, P. H., 1996: Water resources. In Encyclopedia of Climate and Weather, ed. by S. H. Schneider, Oxford University Press, As presented at http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/Water/ on | |||
The need to protect this resource becomes obvious when you notice that less than 3% of the water on earth is fresh and that only a small portion of that is used or usable by man at any given time.
You and everyone else in North America depend on a source of safe, fresh water. You trust your water supply whether it comes to you from a reservoir or other municipal water source or from a well, dug deep into the earth of your backyard. Much of the water you use leaves your home and yard goes back into your watershed. A watershed is the land and the waterways above and below ground that flow into another, large body of water or waterway.
Just as you have faith that the water you receive will be high quality, you have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of your watershed in quantity as well as quality. Once you identify and learn about it, you’ll be able to join others in protecting this basic element of life in your part of the world and beyond.
The Honey Hollow Watershed is a National Historic Landmark because in 1939 - 1941 the people living in the watershed banded together to protect their water and land - the first time this was ever done in the United States.
Here are some websites that will help you learn about this vital resource and identify your own watershed.
Water Science for Schools – Earth’s Water
http://wwwga.usgs.gov/edu/mearthall.html
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Rusty Blackbirds Wanted
The Citizen Science movement encourages normal everyday citizens to participate in real scientific studies in conjunction with professional scientists. Citizen science initiatives tackle problems ranging from global warming to monitoring animal populations.
This winter, BCAS is encouraging concerned individuals and anyone with cabin fever to participate in several citizen science initiatives related to the health of North American bird populations.
Third Annual Rusty Blackbird Blitz
January 29 - February 13, 2011
Scientists are particularly interested in locating the winter haunts of the elusive Rusty Blackbird- a species whose numbers have plummeted by an estimated 85-99% in the last 40 years. Please report any sightings at www.ebird.org. (In the Bucks County PA area also please give us a call- we are keeping a record of rare bird sightings in the area.)
National Audubon Society: Great Backyard Bird Count
February 18 – February 21, 2011
On Saturday February 19, 2011 BCAS will host a Great Backyard Bird Count and winter hike at Honey Hollow. Participate in this citizen science event under the tutelage of Honey Hollow educators. Data collected will be submitted to the National Audubon Society and will help the Audubon research bird populations in North America .
For more information on Birds and Citizen Science:
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