Fall Alert

October 22, 2025

Earlier this week I saw the dogs both laying on their beds asleep and I decided it was time to create some mischief by getting down on their beds between them. While I do rough house with them, it is generally while I am sitting on the edge of my chair. Zena plays by turning back and forth while pressing her side against my legs. She will also use the “power paw” (if you have a dog, you know what this whack is) to get my attention. Loki’s go-to is to turn his back to me and slam his rear into my legs. At times he does this so hard it can begin to hurt. This time I got on the floor and started to roughly play with the two of them. They got all worked up and began to bark and prance around, Zena pushing in with her side and Loki slamming me with his rear. That is when I decided to use his tactics against him. I lowered my head and started head butting him like he did me. I had been doing this for less than a minute when the AI fall alert went off on my watch.

When I went online, I found AI fall alert systems use technologies like radar, cameras, and sensors to detect falls in real-time and can also predict a person’s fall risk. Implementation in the US was envisioned in 1973 by Andrew Dibner, a psychologist on leave from Boston University studying personality in advanced age. Also, in the early 1970’s in Germany, Wilhelm Hormann thought about developing a comprehensive structure for ambulatory and non-ambulatory care for the sick, the elderly, those who live alone, and people with disabilities. These systems are designed to send immediate alerts to caregivers, family, or emergency services. Some can even analyze movement patterns to help prevent future falls. Privacy is often maintained using non-wearable sensors that convert human figures into abstract data. Vision-based alert systems examine real-time video feeds to recognize fall events. Radar and sensor-based systems (like my watch) track changes in height and sudden movement (like when a person falls out of bed or to the floor). When a fall is detected a notice can be sent to the person to confirm or send alerts to pre-determined contacts. The alerts can be sent via text, email, or to a dedicated app. In high-risk environments, the system can immediately contact first responders.

Medical fall alert devices can be a pendant around the neck, a wristband, or a smart watch. Monitors, motion detectors, or radar-based detectors can also be placed in the home. Active systems require the user to take some action to trigger an alarm condition, while passive systems monitor the user and raise an alarm based on an algorithm (a fall or lack of activity). Alert systems can analyze patterns in movement, gait, and activity to identify individuals at higher risk of falling before an incident occurs, allowing for more proactive intervention and personalized prevention plans. A weakness of active devices is that the user must be conscious to trigger the alarm. Both passive and active devices require that the user wear the device. Installed systems can be expensive and difficult to deploy. My watch alert system detected that I had dropped to the floor (loss in height) and then forcibly hit another object (Loki).

THOUGHTS: My watch fall alert was an alarm and (thankfully) asked if I had fallen and needed assistance. This reminded me of the 1989 catchphrase of LifeCall Medical Alert System’s television commercial, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” The unintentional humor in the commercial made it a frequent punchline. My watch had the option of having an SOS sent to EMT services or to decline assistance. This was a timed alert and if I did not respond it would act automatically. The alert surprised me but seemed like a good idea if it was required. I never thought I would be the one who had fallen and could not get up. Human and AI monitoring should be interchangeable to protect those with a possibility of a fall. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Prevention

October 17, 2025

Browsing my NY Times app, I came across an illustrated article that explained what New York City will need to do to survive the predicted flooding over the next 50 years. New York’s coastal location allowed it to thrive but has now become a threat. Future models predict tidal flooding will mainly hit Southern Brooklyn, Queens, and Lower Manhattan. By 2080, many areas will face an increased risk of tidal flooding because of rising sea levels. At the same time, more neighborhoods will become vulnerable to extreme rainfall and wide swaths of the city face increasing risk from storm surge from a hurricane. Nearly 30 % of the city’s land mass could be at risk of significant flooding by 2080, and 17% of the city’s population (1.4 million) currently live in these areas. Climate experts recommend three strategies for the city to adapt. The city could increase its ability to absorb water by converting 5areas of asphalt and concrete to green space. It could be fortified by building barriers along its shores, and possibly a gate around the harbor. Or it could retreat, relocating people out of the most hazardous regions. Flood prevention will likely have to embrace all three approaches.

When I went online, I found New York’s flood prevention strategies include large-scale infrastructure projects along the East and Hudson Rivers to protect against storm surges and rising sea levels. New York is installing continuous flood protection systems along its coastlines, including flood walls, elevated landscapes, and discreet barriers like flip-up gates and stop logs. The Big U is a series of interconnected flood resilience projects to create a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) protective system around lower Manhattan to shield against sea level rise and storm surges. Projects like Battery Park have improved drainage infrastructure with systems of tide gate chambers to manage water during coastal surge events. Other initiatives include creating “cloudburst” sunken public spaces to temporarily hold water and providing residents with flood protection resources like sandbags, dams, and flood-resistant materials to help protect individual properties. FloodHelpNY provides information and connects eligible homeowners with engineers to help reduce flood risk. Finally, residents are encouraged to install features like sump pumps and drain plugs to protect their homes.

A 2024 study in Nature emphasizes how New York needs prevention measures to combat extreme rainfall events. Since 1970, the city’s stormwater system has been built to handle up to 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) of rain per hour. Hourly precipitation recorded in Central Park did not exceed this limit until 1995, but it has been eclipsed in three of the last five years. Little of that rainfall is absorbed or stored before reaching the stormwater system. Today, only about 30% of the city’s surface area is composed of absorbent surfaces. The remaining 70% is covered by impervious surfaces that replaced the original porous landscapes. The contemporary city was built atop wetlands and ponds that absorbed and stored water and the original shoreline was artificially expanded with landfill over the course of centuries. The areas at risk of flooding in the modern city overlap to a striking degree with the city’s historical wetlands. Understanding New York’s historical environment is crucial to imagining a more resilient urban future based on the city’s past topography.

THOUGHTS: In “Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City,” author Eric Sanderson, a landscape ecologist at the New York Botanical Garden, addressed the prevention measures needed. “I was trying to imagine a configuration of the landscape . . . restoring streams, wetlands and agricultural lands, connecting the urbanized parts of the city, and depaving a lot of what we have.” Islands and coastal cities around the globe are struggling to keep up with the rising oceans caused by climate change. Sounds like sink or swim is more than an adage. We can no longer wait. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Salsa Verde

October 16, 2025

Last week I decided to harvest the last of my jalapeños (Capsicum annuum). While they had been turning red (ripening) they were not getting over 2 inches (5 cm) long. This gave me a dozen peppers that I stored in the refrigerator. I have been waiting for the green tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) to ripen for the last several weeks. I mentioned how the vines did not produce much fruit during the heat of summer. Now that cooler weather is (intermittently) on us they have begun to make fruit. The problem has been that most of it has stayed green. Yesterday I resigned myself to the idea they will never ripen on the vine. That left me wondering what to do with over 5 gallons (19 liters) of green tomatoes. While making green tomato relish (“chow-chow”) or frying them was an option, I wanted something more ambitious (that I would eat). One of the suggestions was to use green tomatoes as a substitute for the tomatillos (Physalis philadelphica and Physalis ixocarpa) found as the base for salsa verde.

When I went online, I found salsa verde (Spanish, “green sauce”) is a versatile green sauce with two main variations: Mexican and Italian. The type commonly found in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines is a spicy condiment made with tomatillos, while the classic Italian version is an uncooked, herbaceous sauce. The Mexican version is a vibrantly green, tangy sauce featuring tomatillos and chili peppers that can be made by boiling or roasting the main ingredients. For the boiled version, the tomatillos, chili peppers (Capsicum annuum), and sometimes onion (Allium cepa), and garlic (Allium sativum) are simmered in water until soft. The softened ingredients are then blended with fresh cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), salt, and lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) juice to create a bright and fresh-tasting salsa. The roasted version has a deeper, smoky flavor. The tomatillos, chiles, onion, and garlic are roasted or broiled until they are blistered and charred and again blended with fresh cilantro, salt, and lime juice. Italian salsa verde is a no-cook, chopped green sauce made from fresh herbs like parsley (Petroselinum crispum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), or mint (Mentha spicata). This version is known for its fresh, savory, and tangy flavor and is typically served with meat or seafood.

Melissa wanted to make a fresh salsa verde that is stored in the refrigerator. The problem was it has a limited shelf life (2 to 3 weeks). With the number of tomatoes we had there was no way to use all the verde before it would go bad. I decided to make several pints of fresh verde and then can the rest. We roasted the ingredients, and I used a hand blender to chop it, then blended in the lime juice, cilantro, and salt. We filled 3 1-pint (0.47 liters) jars with the verde and set them aside. Next, I prepared the verde for canning. This required adding vinegar (for acidity) and cooking the mixture on the stove while the water bath was coming to a boil. I can only get 6 or 7 pints in my water bath, which worked well as my largest pan could only hold about half of the verde mixture. I processed the verde and set the jars on the dining room table to cool. We produced 14 jars of salsa verde and an extra bowl of canning mixture (I ran out of pint jars). I had some with a burrito and it was excellent.

THOUGHTS: Even though I harvested most of the green tomatoes to make salsa verde, I hedged and kept three vines in the ground. The vines are filled with green tomatoes that I (still) hope will ripen. If not, I can always make fried green tomatoes or chow-chow. We plan on sharing some of the salsa verde with friends, but Melissa is looking forward to enjoying the verde as our main salsa until next season. We now have half of a pantry shelf filled with the vegetables I have canned this year, taking us closer to being self-sustainable. That is a good thing, as the second crop I planted in August has not faired well. It may be the seed is pushing its limit (3 years old) and is no longer viable. Always more to learn. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Wavy-lined

October 14, 20254

Melissa tends to keep the back door to the porch open to help provide a breeze and keep down the humidity for the succulents. If the air conditioner is not running, she will often keep the house door open as well. This provides a breeze for us and allows the kids to roam freely in and out of the house without having to get up every time they hear a noise or want to go outside. While this is convenient, it allows house flies (Musca domestica), moths (order, Lepidoptera), and other flying insects (and occasional birds) to fly enter both the porch and the main house. I have tried to combat this by placing a bug-zapper next to the doorway. The blue light is not visible during the day but does attract moths at night. When it is time for a final constitutional, Loki will wait at the door for Melissa or I to go first to “protect” him from the sounds of the moths hitting the zapper. When I got up yesterday, I noticed one of the moths had avoided the zapper and was attached to the wall above the kitchen sink. When I looked closer the moth’s coloration was “wavy-lined”.

When I went online, I found the wavy-lined emerald moth (Synchlora aerate), or camouflaged looper, is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. The species is found in the US and Canada and was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798. There are dozens of species in the subfamily of emeralds in North America. Most look incredibly similar, being green (sometimes tan) and typically resting with their wide wings spread out to the sides. The key identifying features for the species are the mildly wavy white lines that run across the wings, a pale green fringe on the wings, and a long, thin white stripe running the whole length of the abdomen. The adult wingspan is about 0.67 inches (17 mm). The caterpillar of this species is an inchworm (looper) that camouflages itself from predators with small clippings from flower petals they are feeding on. The wavy-lined is a common moth that has two or three broods a year and overwinters as a partially grown larva.

The wavy-lined emerald moth is an important food for birds and other predators. While some insects use camouflage or mimicry to outwit predators, the wavy-lined caterpillar blends these two defenses. Insect camouflage often refers to creatures like stick bugs (order, Phasmatodea) that have evolved to look like their surroundings. Mimicry means looking like a completely different creature, like the less toxic Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus) which looks like the toxic Monarch (Danaus plexippus). The wavy-lined larva will attach bits of the plant material on which it is feeding to its back with bits of silk to blend into its host plant and avoid detection. When it feeds on a different plant it will “wear” the appropriate foliage. These fragments start off colorful (to blend in with the flower) and then dry out to look like a chunk of debris. It also seems to detach and replace the parts as they wilt, keeping the larvae covered in fresh adornments that match its meal. While it is essentially using camouflage, the insect is an active participant in the process, mimicking whatever flower it feeds on.

THOUGHTS: While I have no problem swatting the flies and mosquitoes (family, Culicidae) that invade my house, I did not feel threatened or bothered by the wavy-lined emerald moth. It spent the entire day resting on the wall as Melissa and I came and went around the sink, allowing me to admire its delicate lines many times. When I got up this morning the moth was gone. Hopefully it made it past the bug zapper on its way outside. Most insects tend to go about their business and do not seek out humans. Flies and mosquitoes are an exception and use humans as a source of food (dead skin, blood), water (sweat), and salt. The fact that the moths are aesthetically pleasing is another plus. Sometimes I need to remind myself that every creature has a role to play in the larger biome. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Trails

October 10, 2025

We had decided to take our second trip out in our newly acquired RV just as the US government decided it was not in their (our?) best interest in keeping the government operational. While many of the National Parks are at least partially open, we learned the Corp of Engineers location we planned to visit was shut down. We have some neighbors who were also planning on the same trip and learned they had booked a private location about an hour away. We already had two events scheduled for the week and thankfully these were both centrally located to the RV Park. Melissa made reservations and we took off Tuesday morning. The park described itself as “rustic”, and when our neighbors arrived, they called to make sure we were comfortable with what that meant. Melissa and I both thought the unpaved location along the Mulberry River was going to be perfect. There was even a trail/road that led back along the river that was perfect (and away from other campers) for walking the kids. The trail provided a moderate walk that wound through the trees and wildflowers.

When I went online, I found a trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small paved road generally not intended for usage by motorized vehicles, and usually passing through a natural area. However, it is sometimes applied to highways in North America. In the UK and Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian lane or hiking trail. In the US historically, the term was used for a route into or through wild territory used by explorers and migrants (i.e., the Oregon Trail). A “trace” is sometimes used as a synonym for trail (i.e., the Natchez Trace). Some trails are restricted to only walkers, or cyclists, or horses (equestrians). During the winter these same trails can be used for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Others, like the bridleways in the UK, are shared and are jointly used by walkers, cyclists, and equestrians. Although most trails ban motorized use, there are unpaved trails used by dirt bikes, quad bikes, and other off-road ehicles. This is especially true for extreme sports and rally races. In places like the mountainous Europe (Alps), trails are also used by alpine agrarian communities for moving cattle and other livestock.

Over the last several days I have been walking the trail along the river marveling at the amazing views. The track passes above the river and in places rises on the bluffs that overlook the water. Being an avid fisherperson, this has given me pause to dream of climbing down the slope and fishing the fast water and pools that dot the river’s course. Several days I did exactly that, although I did so by following the rocks at th e water’s edge. My other pleasure has been seeing the patches of Tatarian Aster (Aster tararicus) and goldenrod (genus, Solidago) that line the trail. This is the freedom and escape we had hoped to find when we decided to start RVing.

THOUGHTS: Following most modern-day trails is a far cry from the trails that cut through the thick forests and lush grassland that filled North America when the European explorers and settlers first arrived. These trails possessed unseen dangers (animals and nature) along with the impressive beauty. Still, I can get a glimpse of the wonder of days gone by. We need to work hard, an together, to preserve those areas that still exist for future generations to enjoy. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Jumper

October 01, 2025

When I opened my mailbox this morning to retrieve my newspaper, I was surprised by something jumping out of the mail. The mail itself was covered by a fine gauze-like webbing. I figured this was some sort of spider that had decided to take up residence in the dark confines of my closed mailbox. This did not strike me as unusual as many spiders are on the move at this time of year seeking a place to overwinter. I was surprised by the distance the spider had jumped. It had shot off my paper and onto the ground several feet away. When I Goggled a picture of the spider, I found it was aptly named a Bold jumper.

When I went online, I found the bold jumper (Phidippus audax), also known as the daring jumping spider, is a common species of spider belonging to the genus Phidippus. This group of jumping spiders easily identified by their large eyes and their iridescent mouth parts (chelicerae). They are typically black with a distinct white triangle on their abdomen. Like all jumping spiders, they have excellent stereoscopic vision that aids them in stalking prey and facilitates visual communication with potential mates during courting. The species are native to North America and have been introduced to Hawaii, Nicobar Islands, Azores, and the Netherlands. The Bold jumper is a solitary carnivore that uses their highly specialized eyesight to actively hunt and stalk a variety of insects and non-insect terrestrial arthropods such as caterpillars (order Lepidoptera), dragonflies (infraorder Anisoptera), grasshoppers (suborder Caelifera), and other spiders (order Araneae). They are one of the most common spiders found in agricultural areas and have been studied to determine their impact on crop pest populations. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed the HB 318 bill on June 11, 2021, designating the bold jumper as the state spider following a campaign by a class in Hollis, New Hampshire.

The bold jumper is often found living near humans. Bites are rare but may occur if they feel threatened or are mishandled. Bites are often described as mildly painful and are not considered dangerous. Symptoms often include localized redness, itching, and swelling for one to two days, if at all. Medical attention is only advised if symptoms worsen or abnormal symptoms arise. If bitten, you should wash the area with water and a mild soap. A cold compress may be used to treat swelling and aspirin, and acetaminophen may be used for pain. As a major predator of crop pests, they have been studied to determine their impact on pest insect populations. However, in addition to eating pests, they also eat beneficial insects such as pollinators. My jumper went to the ground and then calmly stayed in place as I maneuvered my camera to take a photo. It obviously did not consider me a threat and having been around them frequently I did not consider it a threat either. Unlike most spiders, the bold jumper does not build webs to catch prey.

THOUGHTS: I found it curious that the bold jumper does not build a web to catch prey, yet there was an obvious webbing on my newspaper. This was the start of the thin sheet of silk that would become the nest for an egg-sac. This is usually built in hidden areas under rocks, bark, or leaves, but the inside of my mailbox seemed to serve. The jumper was preparing to create a secluded nest to provide for the next generation in the spring, but my mailbox was not the secluded location she sought. Humans find similar radical shifts in environment. A site along the ocean seems perfect, until the storm surge from a hurricane washes out the foundation and sweeps the house into the sea. Building needs to take potential environmental shifts into account. Both for weather impact and the impact of encroaching on fragile ecosystems. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Indeterminant

September 26, 2025

I toyed with the idea of tearing out my tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants since the beginning of August. They quit producing and while I was getting scattered flowers, they did not result in fruit. The exception was my super sweet 100’s which were doggedly producing, but the size of the cherry tomatoes had dropped from over a nickel (US) to less than a centavo (Mexico). My gardener friend went on an extended trip during this time and when she returned many of the plants had died and she tore them out. What stopped me was the weather began to cool, and we had a period of rain, so I did not feel the need to water. Since all I was doing was monitoring the plants, I decided to leave them. I still needed another gallon (3.8 liters) of tomatoes to augment the gallon I had frozen in June in hopes of more pasta sauce. I had only given a quick scan to the plants along the back of the house for several days. These Arkansas travelers are an indeterminant (keep growing) variety that had spent the summer producing vines without any fruit. You can imagine my surprise when I gave them a more thorough inspection and found dozens of healthy green tomatoes up to a US half dollar size.

When I went online, I found in biology and botany, indeterminate growth refers to growth that is not limited (terminated) but continues to grow. In contrast, determinate growth stops once a genetically predetermined structure has completely formed. That means any plant that grows and produces flowers and fruit until killed by frost or some other external factor is called indeterminate. Many tomato varieties (especially heirloom) tend to grow in a rangy fashion and produce fruit throughout the growing season. A determinate tomato plant grows in more of a bushy shape and is most productive for a single, larger harvest. It then either tapers off with minimal new growth or fruit or dies. The Arkansas Traveler is an open-pollinated heirloom variety bred by the University of Arkansas in 1968. The plant is indeterminate and produces round red fruits weighing approximately 6 ounces (170 grams).

When I told Melissa about the green tomatoes flourishing on these indeterminant plants she suggested if they did not ripen (for my pasta sauce or salsa), we could use them for green tomato relish. Coming from the North I have never eaten this relish, although I have heard of it, but this is a popular and traditional staple in Southern cuisine. This sweet and tangy relish is often referred to as “chow-chow” and is especially common towards the end of the summer harvest season to use up unripe tomatoes. Green tomato relish is traditionally made when the season’s last tomatoes fail to ripen on the vine and as a way of preserving the harvest to enjoy throughout the winter. The unripe tomatoes are mixed with peppers, onions, and pickling spices. The relish can be preserved through water bath canning for long-term storage. Another (Southern) use of green tomatoes is to cut them into 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) slices, season with salt and pepper, coated with plain, coarse cornmeal, and shallow-fry slices in bacon fat. We had tried this (and green tomato pie) earlier in the year.

THOUGHTS: I am interested in trying the unripe fruit of my indeterminant tomatoes as both relish and again fried. The relish is a traditional topper or side dish that provides a savory accent to meats, fish, or potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). It is suggested to use bacon fat when frying, which is called “liquid gold” in traditional Southern cooking, as it adds a smokey, salty, and savory depth of flavor that is difficult to replicate with other fats. While we did not fry tomatoes, my mom always had a can of bacon dripping beside the stove to supplement the can of lard in the cupboard and I still save bacon fat the same way today. The practice is rooted in the practicality and “no waste” philosophy of southern cuisine as well as my rural Midwestern roots. “You can take the boy out of . . .” Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Pterodactylus

September 24, 2025

Toward the back of the front section of my local newspaper was a Reuters article about the demise of two flying reptiles. Scientists suggest both specimens were caught in the powerful winds of tropical storms which snapped the upper arm bone (humerus) that helped support its membranous wing, then flung the helpless animal into a lagoon where they drowned and were covered by mud. The exact same wind-caused fracture appeared during examinations on fossils of two individuals unearthed years ago in separate locales in the southern German state of Bavaria. The fossils, of slightly different ages, were stored in two museum collections. Paleontologist Rab Smyth of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and lead author of the study published in the journal Current Biology, said, “We noticed the injuries completely by chance.” Researchers nicknamed the two hatchlings Lucky and Lucky II. While it was bad luck to be doomed by storms, it was good luck that paleontologists have been able to learn from their fossils about the anatomy of young pterosaurs.

When I went online, I found Pterodactylus (Ancient Greek, ‘winged finger’) is a genus of extinct pterosaurs thought to contain a single species (Pterodactylus antiquus). This was the first pterosaur to be named and identified as a flying reptile and one of the first prehistoric reptiles to ever be discovered. Fossil remains of Pterodactylus are primarily found in the Solnhofen limestone of Bavaria, Germany, which dates from the Late Jurassic period (Tithonian stage), about 150.8 to 148.5 million years ago, but fragmentary remains have been identified elsewhere in Europe and Africa. Pterodactylus was a small pterosaur, with an adult wingspan at about 3 feet (1 m). They possessed relatively short and broad wings, a lightly built body and a long, pointed beak lined with small, conical teeth. Pterodactylus was a generalist carnivore that fed on invertebrates and vertebrates. The wings were formed by a skin and muscle membrane stretching from its elongated fourth finger to its hind limbs and supported internally by collagen fibers and externally by keratinous ridges. The species was small compared to other famous genera such as Pteranodon longiceps and Quetzalcoatlus northropi which lived during the Late Cretaceous.

Pterodactylus was the first pterosaur described by science in 1784 and fossils of more than 50 individuals of various sizes have been discovered. The two in the study were a few days to weeks old when they died, with a wingspan less than 8 inches (20 cm). The fossils of both animals show the upper arm bone broken in a diagonal split along the shaft which suggests the wing was bent under tremendous pressure (i.e., strong winds or waves during a storm). The storm likely carried them several miles (km), from their original habitat and into the lagoon. Smyth said, “While a broken wing alone probably would not have been immediately fatal, the fact that they sank quickly to the bottom suggests they inhaled water and drowned.” They were rapidly buried in the fine sediments of the storm beds where the oxygen-poor conditions protected their delicate bodies from scavengers.

THOUGHTS: I was fascinated with dinosaurs as a boy and one of my favorites was Pterodactylus. My small plastic models were marked with the name, length, and weight that I had committed to memory. Paleontology began as a formal science in the early 1800’s and the discovery of dinosaurs in England was crucial in establishing the field. The end of the 1960’s saw a surge in dinosaur research activity that is ongoing. The large predators first depicted as sluggish creatures have been replaced by agile (often smaller) individuals. When we take time to examine what we do not know it always leads to new comprehension. That is also true with other people and cultures. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Hornet

September 22, 2025

I found an article on yahoo!news about an innovative approach toward eradicating an invasive species in England. British scientists are attaching miniature tracking devices to the invasive insects which allow teams to locate and destroy their hidden nests within an hour instead of several days. Time is critical as the nest can reproduce within seven days. Inspectors capture individuals near bait stations, secure hair-thin transmitters around their bodies, and follow them straight to their colonies. According to The Guardian, Britain’s Animal and Plant Health Agency found 64 nests through August 2025, setting a seasonal record. Public participation drives much of the success for the eradication program. Citizens use the Asian Hornet Watch app to submit thousands of sightings and enabling rapid response teams to investigate reports near ports where the species often arrive hidden in shipments of wine, produce, or building materials. The invasion started when a single Asian Hornet female likely arrived in France aboard a pottery shipment from China back in 2004.

When I went online, I found the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), also known as the yellow-legged hornet, Asian predatory wasp, or murder hornet, is a species indigenous to Southeast Asia. This is significantly smaller than the European hornet, with queens 1.2 inches (30 mm), males about 0.94 inches (24 mm), and workers about 0.79 inches (20 mm) in length. The species has distinctive yellow legs (tarsi), a velvety brown or black mid-section (thorax), and a brown abdomen. Each abdominal segment has a narrow posterior yellow border, except for an orange fourth segment. The hornet has a black head and a yellow face. The coloration of the species can vary regionally which causes difficulty in classification and resulted in several subspecies to have been identified and later rejected. The most recent taxonomic revision of the genus treats all subspecific names in the genus Vespa as synonyms, effectively relegating them to no more than informal names for regional color forms. The Asian hornet is an invasive species of concern in most of Europe.

The Guardian reported the Asian hornet feasts on honeybees (genus, Apis) and other pollinators that enable the production of approximately one-third of the crop humans consume. A single colony of hornets consumes about 24 pounds (10.9 kg) of insects during one season, putting pressure on the bee populations already struggling with habitat loss. Testing shows Britain has prevented permanent colonies from establishing, with only three of 24 nests last year originating from females that survived winter in England. While government teams fight Asian hornets with high-tech solutions, homeowners can help in their own yards with intelligent landscaping choices. Replacing portions of traditional lawns with native plants can create a refuge for local pollinators. Native plants also demand less water and maintenance than non-native species, which cuts both utility bills and maintenance. These plants support local bee populations naturally by providing the nectar and pollen sources these insects evolved to use.

THOUGHTS: The Asian hornet was declared eradicated by the US Department of Agriculture in December of 2024. Eradicated means there has not been a sighting in three years. Even without the threat of this hornet, we have taken two steps to assist pollinators in our yard. The wildflower bed in the front draws both bees and butterflies while also providing cover from any predators. The side yard has a bird bath that I fill every time I water the vegetables. This has a half brick in the middle to allow bees to cling to the brick and take a drink. It took little effort for either of these features and the result has provided food and water for countless pollinators. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Paddle Tribal

September 19, 2025

Inside the front section of my local newspaper was a USA Today article following up on a blog I posted a year ago on the dam removal along the Klamath River in California/Oregon. The Klamath had been pushed to the point of extinction with construction of two hydroelectric and two reservoir dams. A key tributary was channelized resulting in massive amounts of phosphorus flowing into the lake and lower river. The dams deprived the Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and threatened coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) salmon and other fish species from reaching the headwaters to spawn. Dam removal began in 2024. This initially released millions of tons of accumulated sediment but began a natural part of the river’s restoration. The salmon many said would never return appeared upstream almost overnight. This summer members of the Yurok Tribe were joined by other tribal participants to take a historic 310-mile kayak journey from Klamath Falls to the Pacific Ocean. Central to this trek were the teenage participants in the Paddle Tribal Waters program.

When I went online, I found the Paddle Tribal Waters program was formed in July of 2022 as a collaboration of the groups Ríos to Rivers and Maqlaqs Paddle. The program started with a two-and-a-half-week kayak and river advocacy training program for 15 Indigenous youth from the Klamath Basin and continued with weekend kayaking trips and kayak roll training sessions. The program continued in the summer of 2023 with a second cohort of 15 Native students participating and a third cohort in in the summer of 2024 with 13 participants, for a total number of 43 indigenous youth completing the beginner program. In January 2024, the first two cohorts combined to participate in a semester-long kayak training and high school program that Ríos to Rivers created in collaboration with World Class Kayak Academy. The semester-long kayaking and high school program is key to setting these students on the path to truly having the skills needed to make the first descent of the Klamath. The long-term vision of the Paddle Tribal Waters program is to support the youth who participated in the first descent of the Klamath to go on to create tribally led river programs in their communities. The descent was completed in September 2025.

Another of the Paddle Tribal Waters programs’ goals is continued restoration and conservation of the entire Klamath Basin. Wetlands need to be restored to impound the phosphorus and prevent the growth of deadly algae. Much of this comes from the extinct volcanoes at the head of the Sprague River around Mount Mazuma. The channeling needs to be replumbed to bring back the meandering stream and water plants to hold back the phosphorus. Two other dams still bar salmon migration as the fish ladders constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation were not built to accommodate large fish. Wetland removal from the Upper Klamath Lake and some of its tributaries allow the toxic algae to feast off the phosphorus and suffocate the fish. Ashia Wilson, member of the Klamath Tribe at the rivers’ headwaters, said the Upper Klamath is still too toxic to touch, even as the kayakers paddled their way to the mouth. The endemic c’waam (Deltistes luxatus) or lost river sucker, and the koptu (Chasmistes brevirostris) or short nosed sucker, used to feed the tribe but are now endangered.

THOUGHTS: The arrival of the small Paddle Tribal Waters group of natives and their allies marked a milestone. Removal of the four dams (all beyond their service life) will make restoration of the rest of the basin possible. An ending ceremony at Requa and a celebration the next day in Klamath told of the 20-year struggle to restore the river and seemed to suggest anything is possible. The wetlands of headwaters and river deltas are critical habitat and must be both preserved and restored. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.