Tuesday, October 27, 2015

The benefit of keeping bees and beehives



     Unless you are a botanist, scientist or nature lover, when a bee hovers around a garden or in the woods, you probably get a little nervous and wonder if you are about to be stung. But bees are an important part of nature and have an important job to do.
     To keep bees employed, so to speak, Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve in Atmore, Ala., has been planting pollinator plants for bees and other insects and pollinators. Persimmon trees also have been planted to help sustain the wildlife. Click here to see a video about persimmon tree budding.
     Bees contribute countless benefits that most people forget about. Let’s discuss a few of them …
Animals, plants and nature
     Bees use plants to help cultivate the various nutrients that feed animal species native to the area. And plants in turn benefit from bees’ pollination in order to reproduce. Plants rich in pollen and nectar allow habitats to thrive and bees are an essential part of that process.


Agriculture
     Bees are important to agriculture because without their pollination, many crops simply would not flourish. Pollination happens in a variety of ways, such as through the wind or a flower that self-pollinates, but bees are pollinators by nature. By using bees to cross-pollinate, plants produce viable seeds, which produce viable crops.
     According to New Agriculturist Online, bees pollinate about one-sixth of the world's flowering plant species and about 400 of its agricultural plants.

Humans
     The harvesting of honey is the most common aid bees provide to the human race. Honey has many health benefits, including being a natural immune system builder and remedy for ailments. And as stated earlier, the pollination that bees do makes many foods we enjoy possible. 
     Without bees, the food supply chain would greatly diminish. Apples, berries of all kinds, sunflowers, watermelon … all of these “crops” need pollination and pollinators such as bees to grow.

Wax
     Another reason to keep bees around is the wax they produce. Not only are their honeycombs made from wax, but a plethora of products humans use are made from beeswax. Crayons, candles and skincare products are good examples of how bees make life better. Not to mention other uses of wax, including wax thread to make handmade crafts, preventing rust or lubricating wood. Beeswax also is a common remedy for dry hair.

     So next time you stop to smell some flowers and you see a bee nearby, don’t freak out. They are just doing their job and most likely will stay out of your way.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Revitalizing communities

5k on the Runway event at Brookley Field in Mobile, Ala.

Click on the above link to watch a video of the 5k on the Runway event. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians were title sponsors of the run, along with Airbus. The event benefits Doyle Park/Brookley Field in Mobile, Ala., a project that will transform the park and revitalize it to include family friendly activities, with athletic fields, a playground, walking trail, splash park and event pavilions.

Why should this matter to you? Because by renovating this area, which was once part of Brookley Air Force Base, it gives children and families a safe place to play and enjoy hanging out. Promoting awareness of these projects helps communities thrive. Think about what your community might have going on, and spread the word.

For more information about this project, go to http://www.friendsofdoylepark.com/overview.


Monday, August 3, 2015

Repurposing content: Giving ideas new life



Have you ever wondered how to make something old new again? Blogs are the perfect way to generate fresh content from other sources. Here are a few tips to kick start your blog:

1.      Repurpose what you have already accomplished.
Do you have photos and snippets of content just lying around in the nether regions of the Internet? Grab a couple and make a new infographic, link to an older post from the new photo or churn out two or three sentences to recapture interest.
2.      Start with one idea and use it “six ways to Sunday.”
You know what you want to blog about. Now take that post and get creative! Know how to use PowerPoint? Make a slideshow about your topic and post to YouTube, then share the link on various social media channels. Then take the same points in your blog and turn it into a user guide booklet/flyer. Next you can create an email blast for your target audience and include information from your blog, slideshow and user guide. You also can post to Instagram with a link back to your blog … There are so many avenues to explore here!
3.      Have your friends share your stuff on social media.
So you have published your blog or made a video or infographic. Now post to all your social media channels and ask your friends to reshare, repin or retweet your stuff. It’s as simple as that. Many of us know a few people who will be willing to do help you out. Plus, it exposes you and your blog to hundreds and even thousands of people with whom you have no connection.
4.      Guest blog on another site.
You probably follow a few other blogs, so see if one of them allows guest posting on a similar topic you blog about and have them guest blog on your site as well. You can even retool an older post from your blog with fresher content for the guest post. This is awesome exposure for you and the other blogger, so you both will have reaches to the others followers. And if they like what they see, you might have repeat posts or shares.

Following these four tips to rejuvenate blogs can save time and help you say the same thing in a new and fun way. Happy blogging!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

The ABC's of camping




Always pack your patience
Be prepared for emergencies
Count the stars
Dump your trash in the trash bin; never leave your site with litter
Explore your surroundings
Fish in a creek, river or lake
Grill up a new recipe
Hike a trail
Invest in a good tent
Jump into the water to stay cool during the hot summer
Know basic first aid for those unforeseen accidents
Listen to the sounds of nature for 10 uninterrupted minutes
Make new friends with camping neighbors you come across

Never approach wildlife you might encounter. Remember, you are on their turf
Organize a scavenger hunt in your immediate area (but don’t get lost)
Play board or card games with friends and family
Quiet time to relax and revel in the stillness
Read a book or magazine
Share your stories online so others can learn what to expect
Tell others where you are going and when you are expected to return
Unplug from technology and enjoy nature, even if it’s just for a few hours
Verify with park staff equipment allowed onto the site
Wear comfortable and appropriate clothes and shoes
(e)Xemplify good manners
You can learn more about nature and the history of the area you visit
Zzzzzzz! Close your eyes and rest peacefully under the stars