Welcome to the kickoff of The Zen of Green Blog, SG's coverage for all things eco-friendly or just eco-interesting!
Here you will find quick notes about or links to everything from sea turtle nesting dates, updates from local and international conservation groups, or just good ideas for living greener.
But first, we must give props to the company that gave us the inspiration for our name: The Zen of Clean. A cleaning service located on the Space Coast and owned by my pal, Ros Lanthorne, The Zen of Clean offers environmentally friendly cleaning products and services combined with Feng Shui.
Ros has a very cool concept and I encourage you to check out their website for more info and tips for cleaning green:
www.zenofclean.com...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/01/09 | with 0 comments
For those who don't know, once upon a time I worked at Brevard Zoo, and I am still one of their biggest fans. The zoo's mission of “wildlife conservation through education and participation” is more than just a slogan at the place: they raised and donated more then $250,000 to conservation projects just in the past 9 years.
This summer enjoy some tunes at their annual Summer Saturday Nights concert series (named that one myself by the way, not one of my more inspired moments) - and take advantage of the free admission and children's programs. The event extends park hours 'till 9 p.m. and starts this Saturday, July 4, and runs every Saturday night through August 29.
For more information, a complete band listing and more –...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/02/09 | with 0 comments
I am starting to get suggestions for blog topics and interesting tidbits to share. Received this one yesterday from the Buddha himself...
Published on Friday, July 3, 2009 by Reuters
Loss of World's Seagrass Beds Seen Accelerating
by Jim Loney
MIAMI - The world's seagrass meadows, a critical habitat for marine life and profit-maker for the fishing industry, are in decline due to coastal development and the losses are accelerating, according to a new study.
A fishing boat is moored in waters near Nueva Valencia town, Guimaras Island, September 12, 2006.
REUTERS/Leo Solinap Billed as the first comprehensive global assessment of seagrass losses, the study found 58 percent of seagrass meadows are declining and the rate of annual loss has...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/06/09 | with 0 comments
Had an email today from Surfrider Fdn about the great coastal cleanup efforts going on around the country to pick up trash leftover from all the Fourth of July festivities.
I did a quick check of the Keep Brevard Beautiful site and there have already been a few beach cleanups this week but no one really needs an organized cleanup to help. Why not take a walk before hitting the waves and do your part!
Upcoming Dates:
July 12
Paradise Beach Cleanup
July 19
Pelican Beach Park Cleanup
July 26
Seagull Park Cleanup...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/06/09 | with 0 comments
For those who love ocean trivia... today we will share fifty things you might not know about the ocean – courtesy of the Ocean Foundation.
Fifty Key Facts about Seas and Oceans
Oceans cover 70 percent of the Earth's surface.
More than 90 per cent of the planet's living biomass is found in the oceans.
Eighty percent of all pollution in seas and oceans comes from land-based activities.
Forty percent of the world's population lives within 60 kilometers of a coast.
Three-quarters of the world's mega-cities are by the sea.
By 2010, 80 per cent of people will live within 100 kilometers of the coast.
Death and disease caused by polluted...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/10/09 | with 0 comments
There is a new Florida Surfrider Foundation Blog in place to better serve members with info on mission topics, action alerts and related links.
Check it out http://surfriderfoundationfl.wordpress.com/...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/13/09 | with 0 comments
My good pal, Kathy Hagood, has a nifty new blog on The Examiner's Orlando site focusing on coastal travel.
Earlier this week, Kathy posted a very informative piece on the Discover Florida's Oceans license plate.
For just $25 added to the regular cost of your tag, you get a very cool plate and help raise funds for Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and other worthwhile nonprofit efforts to support conservation research and education to care for the Big Blue.
I had a chance to get to know some of the great folks at Hubbs back when I was working at Brevard Zoo. They are an incredibly dedicated lot who do amazing things from ocean research to rescue of stranded sea life. If you don't already...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/15/09 | with 0 comments
Take a short trek south this weekend for the Treasure Coast Surfrider Foundation group's 25th Anniversary Art & Music Celebration.
The event, being held in Port St. Lucie, is a three day art and music festival featuring more than 25 bands, a VIP Party on the 23rd, car and Harley shows, a huge skate ramp, kids playland and more. Surf Artist Jay Alder, Quincy Mumford, and musicians like Dick Dale and Ben Prestage will be there.
Go to www.tcsurfrider.org for more info or to get tickets....
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/20/09 | with 0 comments
Back when I was working at Brevard Zoo, I had the chance to participate n some of the early meetings of the Brevard Nature Alliance while they were working on an environmental section for the Brevard County Strategic Plan. It is a great group - who, under the leadership of my old pals Neta Harris and Laurilee Thompson, put on The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival each year. Ranked in the top three (nationwide) for such events, this event brings in thousands of eco-friendly tourists who appreciate Brevard's natural beauty as much or more than our commercial tourist destinations.
The BNA is a voluntary group of individuals and organizations associated for the purpose of raising the awareness of citizens and visitors to the value...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/26/09 | with 0 comments
Welcome to the kickoff of The Zen of Green Blog, SG's coverage for all things eco-friendly or just eco-interesting!
Here you will find quick notes about or links to everything from sea turtle nesting dates, updates from local and international conservation groups, or just good ideas for living greener.
But first, we must give props to the company that gave us the inspiration for our name: The Zen of Clean. A cleaning service located on the Space Coast and owned by my pal, Ros Lanthorne, The Zen of Clean offers environmentally friendly cleaning products and services combined with Feng Shui.
Ros has a very cool concept and I encourage you to check out their website for more info and tips for cleaning green:
www.zenofclean.com...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/01/09 | with 0 comments
For those who don't know, once upon a time I worked at Brevard Zoo, and I am still one of their biggest fans. The zoo's mission of “wildlife conservation through education and participation” is more than just a slogan at the place: they raised and donated more then $250,000 to conservation projects just in the past 9 years.
This summer enjoy some tunes at their annual Summer Saturday Nights concert series (named that one myself by the way, not one of my more inspired moments) - and take advantage of the free admission and children's programs. The event extends park hours 'till 9 p.m. and starts this Saturday, July 4, and runs every Saturday night through August 29.
For more information, a complete band listing and more –...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/02/09 | with 0 comments
I am starting to get suggestions for blog topics and interesting tidbits to share. Received this one yesterday from the Buddha himself...
Published on Friday, July 3, 2009 by Reuters
Loss of World's Seagrass Beds Seen Accelerating
by Jim Loney
MIAMI - The world's seagrass meadows, a critical habitat for marine life and profit-maker for the fishing industry, are in decline due to coastal development and the losses are accelerating, according to a new study.
A fishing boat is moored in waters near Nueva Valencia town, Guimaras Island, September 12, 2006.
REUTERS/Leo Solinap Billed as the first comprehensive global assessment of seagrass losses, the study found 58 percent of seagrass meadows are declining and the rate of annual loss has...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/06/09 | with 0 comments
Had an email today from Surfrider Fdn about the great coastal cleanup efforts going on around the country to pick up trash leftover from all the Fourth of July festivities.
I did a quick check of the Keep Brevard Beautiful site and there have already been a few beach cleanups this week but no one really needs an organized cleanup to help. Why not take a walk before hitting the waves and do your part!
Upcoming Dates:
July 12
Paradise Beach Cleanup
July 19
Pelican Beach Park Cleanup
July 26
Seagull Park Cleanup...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/06/09 | with 0 comments
For those who love ocean trivia... today we will share fifty things you might not know about the ocean – courtesy of the Ocean Foundation.
Fifty Key Facts about Seas and Oceans
Oceans cover 70 percent of the Earth's surface.
More than 90 per cent of the planet's living biomass is found in the oceans.
Eighty percent of all pollution in seas and oceans comes from land-based activities.
Forty percent of the world's population lives within 60 kilometers of a coast.
Three-quarters of the world's mega-cities are by the sea.
By 2010, 80 per cent of people will live within 100 kilometers of the coast.
Death and disease caused by polluted...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/10/09 | with 0 comments
There is a new Florida Surfrider Foundation Blog in place to better serve members with info on mission topics, action alerts and related links.
Check it out http://surfriderfoundationfl.wordpress.com/...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/13/09 | with 0 comments
My good pal, Kathy Hagood, has a nifty new blog on The Examiner's Orlando site focusing on coastal travel.
Earlier this week, Kathy posted a very informative piece on the Discover Florida's Oceans license plate.
For just $25 added to the regular cost of your tag, you get a very cool plate and help raise funds for Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and other worthwhile nonprofit efforts to support conservation research and education to care for the Big Blue.
I had a chance to get to know some of the great folks at Hubbs back when I was working at Brevard Zoo. They are an incredibly dedicated lot who do amazing things from ocean research to rescue of stranded sea life. If you don't already...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/15/09 | with 0 comments
Take a short trek south this weekend for the Treasure Coast Surfrider Foundation group's 25th Anniversary Art & Music Celebration.
The event, being held in Port St. Lucie, is a three day art and music festival featuring more than 25 bands, a VIP Party on the 23rd, car and Harley shows, a huge skate ramp, kids playland and more. Surf Artist Jay Alder, Quincy Mumford, and musicians like Dick Dale and Ben Prestage will be there.
Go to www.tcsurfrider.org for more info or to get tickets....
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/20/09 | with 0 comments
Back when I was working at Brevard Zoo, I had the chance to participate n some of the early meetings of the Brevard Nature Alliance while they were working on an environmental section for the Brevard County Strategic Plan. It is a great group - who, under the leadership of my old pals Neta Harris and Laurilee Thompson, put on The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival each year. Ranked in the top three (nationwide) for such events, this event brings in thousands of eco-friendly tourists who appreciate Brevard's natural beauty as much or more than our commercial tourist destinations.
The BNA is a voluntary group of individuals and organizations associated for the purpose of raising the awareness of citizens and visitors to the value...
more
Posted to The Zen of Green by Gayla Schaefer on 07/26/09 | with 0 comments