Hey we may have another thing in common! Really. We both have been paying bills and receiving a few paper statements that still make their way to our mailbox despite our green efforts.

You can log on to your account and go paperless. And, it is easier than ever. Every utility company, credit card, or other service I interact with now offers this as a convenient option. That is a magic word for humans right? “Convenient.”

This is not necessarily something folks didn’t know, but have you acted on it yet? I have taken advantage of it in the past and recently. Some offer automatic billing and/or they will email you an e-copy of your bill with plenty of lead time before it is due. There are often many options from which you can select. I love it.

Some companies like AT&T will even plant a tree in your honor for going paperless.

Try it…you’ll like it.

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The business of reclaiming wood from a number of sources is not a new concept. It is really gaining popularity as folks start to realize how beautiful reclaimed wood can be.

Bonus: Using reclaimed wood reduces waste and conserves natural resources.

The most common wood in the reclaiming process originated from “old-growth” forests that were likely several centuries old at the time of their harvest. Although it varies by species, the older reclaimed woods often have a rich color and strength (tighter growth rings) that you can’t find with newer woods taken from younger forests. That is a huge benefit to many people looking to use wood as building material or decoration.

Reclaimed woods have a number of obvious uses including support beams, flooring, siding or shingles. People also use reclaimed wood to make walls, doors, furniture, and countertops. We can reclaim wood from a number of sources. Popular salvage comes from old barns and buildings, old docks, and even old logs found submerged in lakes and rivers. It is a great opportunity to reuse hundreds of different species of soft and hard woods especially those that are extinct or near extinct like the American Chestnut and Longleaf Heart Pine.

What a fantastic way to extend the life of a tree that had life taken away from it prematurely.

Check the internet for a lumber company that specializes in reclaimed woods. I recommend one that sources 100% of their product from the reclaiming process.

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Did you know: It is the largest of all wild “horses” (i.e., in the horse or horse family). A newborn zebra will “imprint” on nearly any living thing. That’s why you may see a momma zebra being so mean to others while her baby discovers their real momma.

Check out Planet U’s featured species of the month here.

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Did you know that as many as half of the amphibians on the planet are threatened with extinction because of pollutants, climate changes, and even a fungus. Amphibians on all continents are at risk. The Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) causes the appropriately named disease, chytridiomycosisis.

The disease first penetrates the permeable skin of the amphibian and begins attacking the Keratin layer (a protective layer that prevents unwanted substances from getting into the body). Wild and captive amphibians are both susceptible to the Chytrid fungus. Experts have identified at least two primary ways the related disease spreads (i.e., contact with other “carrier” amphibians and contaminated sources near or in water).

Amphibians are a key indicator species and play a role in balancing the food web from forest ecosystems to marshes. Aside from being a food source for those further up the food chain, they play a large role by consuming insects and other invertebrates that would otherwise harm sustainable croplands. Amphibians also help control pests that carry disease and can even help curb the spread of certain invasive species.

Why you will make a difference: While there is no known remedy to cure the disease, one can prevent other amphibians from getting the disease by not capturing and relocating amphibians, or capturing and placing wild amphibians in the same place that one have other amphibian pets. It is best to enjoy them where they reside rather than the thought of capture. Besides, one could injure them during capture, or worse. Experts recommend that all people treat all waste materials from captive amphibians as clinical waste. Yes, it’s that serious. In addition, disinfect the used water with 1:9 bleach/water solution and let it stand for 24 hours in a safe place before disposing of appropriately. Contact your local municipality to determine the appropriate way of disposing of these liquids.

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It wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to call the Polar Bear and “indicator species”. An Indicator Species is an animal or plant that acts as a kind of “canary in the coal mine”. They often reflect the health of an ecosystem based on factors including abnormal physiological changes, impacts of pollution, or even climate change. In this case, climate change is a big factor.

Polar Bears have evolved over the last 200,000 years to be masters of cold climate ice hunting. They have a layer of insulating fat that can be up to 4.5 inches thick, a multi-layered coat of transparent, pigment-free hollow fur, large footpads, etc. And, to top it off, they are big — that’s why they win the prize for the largest land predator.

Their hunting grounds are shrinking due to rapid ice melt. This influences range, birth rates, animal health, food supply, and the bear’s resilience through leaner times. One sub-population saw more than a 20% decline in their population since 1980. That’s the equivalent of 572,000 Chicago residents disappearing off the planet. That would cause some concern wouldn’t it? How would you respond if I told you that the number jumped to 1,887,000 over the next 40 years? The time to act is now. Not only for the Polar Bear, but with respect to positive change — period!

Countries with Polar Bear populations recognize the need for conservation, education, and environmental protection for the species. The US Government updated the status of the Polar Bear to “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (May 14, 2008).

Kudos to all involved in assisting the Polar Bear, the planet, and its species.

Are you interested in learning more about how you can help? Please visit PolarBearSOS.org for more information and education on the subject.

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