tag:www.naturalawakeningsnj.com,2005:/categories/community?page=14Community | Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey Page 14Healthy Living Healthy Planet2019-08-15T21:32:25-07:00urn:uuid:9c971447-a28a-4a4b-8af1-6fa62d840f7d2019-08-15T21:32:25-07:002019-08-15T21:32:25-07:00Safe Harbor: Marine Reserve Preserves Ocean Biodiversity2017-04-28 08:47:48 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>he French government has expanded the Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Terres Australes Françaises, a highly protected marine reserve in French-controlled, sub-Antarctic waters of the southern Indian Ocean, from about 8,000 to more than 46,000 square miles; it now includes seven areas surrounding the islands of Crozet and Kerguelen. France intends to designate 10 percent of its oceanic territory by 2020, and this action brings the total as of the end of 2016 to 1.3 percent.</p>
<p>These large-scale, fully protected marine reserves may serve as climate refuges for many species. The rich biodiversity of the new addition includes marine mammals, fish, seabirds, orcas, penguins, Antarctic fur seals and the critically endangered Amsterdam albatross.</p>
<p><br>
<em>Source: <a href="http://PewTrusts.org">PewTrusts.org</a></em></p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the May 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:f8343410-e6a7-47da-8726-b5406bb884792019-08-15T21:16:59-07:002019-08-15T21:16:59-07:00Turtle Turnaround: Record Hatchlings Give Hope2017-04-28 08:47:46 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>orldwide, six of the seven sea turtle species are threatened or endangered because of human activity. A ray of hope now shining from conservation efforts is that nesting sea turtles have posted record numbers of successful hatchlings in South Carolina the last three years, with Georgia and Florida reporting similar results. Decades of helpful efforts are paying off due to increased public awareness of turtle-friendly practices at seaside locations. Heed these rules:</p>
<p>• Keep lights off on beachfront property during nesting season.</p>
<p>• Refrain from using flash photography on the beach at night.</p>
<p>• Keep beaches and oceans clean. Litter such as plastic bags and balloons can cause injury or death when sea turtles mistake them for jellyfish, a favorite food.</p>
<p>• Respect sea turtles by observing them from a distance.</p>
<p>• Report dead or injured sea turtles and nest disturbances to 1-800-922-5431.</p>
<p><br>
<em>Learn more about sea turtle conservation and how to get involved at <a href="http://dnr.sc.gov/seaturtle">dnr.sc.gov/seaturtle</a>. Find an introductory video at <a href="http://OceanToday.noaa.gov/endoceanseaturtles">OceanToday.noaa.gov/endoceanseaturtles</a>.</em></p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the May 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:5f23a85f-75b6-4b84-b43a-0d2d044ff7262019-08-15T22:20:07-07:002019-08-15T22:20:07-07:00Planting Progress: New Seed-Sharing Law in California2017-04-28 08:47:35 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">C</span>alifornia is the fourth state to pass a law making it legal to swap seeds and collect them in non-commercial libraries. That’s good, because the U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Seed Act, in place for 80 years, mandates that any activity involving non-commercial distribution of seeds must be labeled, permitted and tested according to industrial regulations that would be both costly and burdensome to the hundreds of local seed libraries operating in 46 states.</p>
<p>Nebraska, Illinois and Minnesota also recently passed laws protecting non-commercial seed activity from regulatory requirements. Free seed libraries, swaps and exchanges increase access to local food and can play a large role in expanding and preserving biodiversity.</p>
<p>Neil Thapar, the food and farm attorney at the Sustainable Economies Law Center, says, “We wanted to create the legal framework for an alternative system that is not reliant on large companies to provide open-pollinated seed varieties. Seed sharing has a direct connection to building local economic resilience.” The center is taking action to try to get laws changed in all 50 states.</p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the May 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:d4f321dc-ed2f-44dd-b2cf-211d18c9c4642019-08-15T22:08:59-07:002019-08-15T22:08:59-07:00Saving Sharks: Ocean Sanctuaries Expand in Pacific2017-03-31 07:20:49 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>he Pacific island nation of Kiribati has established the world’s second-largest (1.3 million-square-mile) shark sanctuary, which bans commercial fishing throughout, and has also expanded the Micronesia Regional Shark Sanctuary. The possession, trade and sale of sharks and shark products are also prohibited in these areas as is the use of fishing gear such as wire leaders for targeting sharks.</p>
<p>Worldwide, about 100 million sharks are killed each year in commercial fisheries. Nearly 30 percent of all known shark species assessed by scientists are now threatened with extinction. Sharks are particularly vulnerable to overfishing because they mature and reproduce slowly. Many Pacific island nations have established shark sanctuaries, recognizing the valuable ecosystem and economic roles that healthy populations provide.</p>
<p>The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora recently added 13 shark and mobula ray species to its list, a step toward ensuring sustainable and legal trade of these species.</p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the April 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:dc0ec058-5632-4ec3-bd5d-fb3b9ee10cd52019-08-15T21:20:57-07:002019-08-15T21:20:57-07:00Dirty Driving: Traffic Pollution Chokes Big Cities Worldwide2017-03-31 07:20:47 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>hen air pollution blanketed Paris for three days, authorities called it the worst bout in 10 years and made public transit free. For the fourth time in 20 years, the city instituted a system based on alternating odd and even license plate numbers to keep certain vehicles off city streets, effectively cutting daily traffic in half; it’s the first time the ban’s been maintained for consecutive days. “Cars are poisoning the air,” says Paris city hall transport official Herve Levife. “We need to take preventive measures.”</p>
<p>Three other cities—Athens, Madrid and Mexico City—will ban diesel engines by 2025 as part of a similar effort. Beijing, China’s capital city, has such dirty skies from cars and coal that protective masks are commonplace despite emissions restrictions and power plant closures, partly due to pollutants from neighboring regions.</p>
<p>Paris leads the world in monthly car-free days, but several large metro cities participate in an international car-free day each September 22, including Washington, D.C., Seattle and Long Island, New York.</p>
<p><br>
<em>Source: <a href="http://EcoWatch.com">EcoWatch.com</a></em></p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the April 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:23ba4c23-2c1e-458a-97be-b1fe33eb7bff2019-08-15T22:02:29-07:002019-08-15T22:02:29-07:00Tree Terminators: Insects Assault America’s Forests2017-03-31 07:20:47 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">I</span>n a towering forest of centuries-old eastern hemlocks, the tiny hemlock woolly adelgid spends its life sucking sap and eventually killing the tree. The bug is one example of an expanding horde of insects draining the life out of forests from New England to the West Coast. Aided by global trade, a warming climate and drought-weakened terrain, this invasion represents one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in the U.S. Scientists say they are already driving some tree species toward extinction and causing billions of dollars a year in damage, with the situation expected to worsen.</p>
<p>Today’s connected world enables foreign invaders to cross oceans in packing materials or on garden plants, and then reach American forests to rapidly expand their ranges. According to a new study in <em>Ecological Applications</em>, scientists say several species of hemlock and 20 species of ash could become nearly extinct in coming decades. Such destruction would eliminate a critical sponge to capture greenhouse gas emissions, a natural shelter for birds and native insects and a reliable food supply for bears and other animals. Dead forests also increase the danger of wildfires.</p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the April 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:123c5b6a-2580-4ed3-bdec-7e6b21b4a8072019-08-15T21:50:16-07:002019-08-15T21:50:16-07:00Water Saver: Teen Finds Drought Solution in South Africa2017-03-31 07:20:45 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">K</span>iara Nirghin, a South African teenage girl and recent winner of the Google Science Fair’s Community Impact Award for the Middle East and Africa, is pioneering a new technology to fight drought. The Holy Web, her super-absorbent polymer, can store reserves of water hundreds of times its own weight.</p>
<p>Drought remains one of South Africa’s main challenges, with at least eight provinces requiring regular food relief. The project is designed to help farmers in dry areas build large water reservoirs for an adequate and regular supply of water for irrigation. “I wanted to minimize the effect that drought has on the community, and the main thing it affects is the crops. That was the springboard for the idea,” says Nirghin. Her invention uses recycled and biodegradable waste products such as avocado skins and orange peels to make the polymer sustainable, affordable and environmentally friendly.</p>
<p><br>
<em>Source: CNN</em></p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the April 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:cf1d5df3-0b65-4af5-a544-7d5b4d14a9482019-08-19T11:53:42-07:002019-08-19T11:53:42-07:00The Gala Comes to Mountain Lakes2017-03-24 17:43:10 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>he Wellness Gala and Natural Awakenings will host a unique upscale Wellness Event at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes on Sunday, April 30 from 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m, sponsored by Lexus of Route 10. This fun filled event is all inclusive: for one low general admission price, you can learn the benefits of a wide range of holistic care options, plus experience experts in the fields of health, beauty and wellness, receive mini-sessions, enjoy speakers and demonstrations, plus hear live music along with food and beverages. Sample experts in nutrition, mind-body stress management, anti-aging, massage, chiropractic, energy healing, weight loss, angel card readings, unique vendors and more!</p>
<p> Keynote admission includes all the gala offers plus a presentation by keynote speaker Concetta Bertoldi, world renowned medium and <em>NY Times </em>bestselling author, at 4:30 p.m. Keynote seating is limited, so secure your place early.</p>
<p> A portion of the proceeds benefit The Connor Cummings Memorial Scholarship.</p>
<p><em>Tickets: General admission: $20 in advance/$30 at door; Keynote Admission: $60 (includes general admission). Location: The Mansion at Mountain Lakes, 90 Rt. 46, Mountain Lakes. For information call or text 973-713-6811. <a href="http://wellnessgala.com/">WellnessGala.com</a>.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:484ca059-844a-493b-abda-74e3b68db8892019-08-19T11:53:43-07:002019-08-19T11:53:43-07:00New Blog Offered 2017-03-24 17:27:36 -0700Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">“F</span>rankly speaking” – spirituality for the street is a different kind of blog. Its voice reflects life out here for all of us: different yet together, a stretch dreadful yet ecstatic, boring yet creative, conflicted yet blissful, and endlessly more. Author Joe McCarthy, writing under the <em>nom de plume, </em>John Frank, is confident that each of us is trying to get somewhere, somehow beautiful and good – Heaven, Nirvana, The Omega Point, Cosmic Oneness. “frankly speaking” is about having a zippy, zesty, flat-out, go-for-broke, high-octane spirit – a spirituality for the street as we make that journey.</p>
<p> There is no pretense in “frankly speaking” of absolute truth, of reality nailed down tight. Rather, sharings are offered in support of energized spirits. Those sharings are drawn from many “spirit-sources” – Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism, Judaism, Native American religion, and Frank’s home tradition, Christian. No one has it all, and all have it!</p>
<p> Join the conversation which Frank freely shares from a myriad of ways, traditions, and persuasions in the same spirit. His hope for us all, and all of Creation, is bliss in Oneness as we lovingly share our lights on the way to Enlightenment.</p>
<p><em>See blog at <a href="http://johnfrankshares.blogspot.com/">johnfrankshares.blogspot.com</a>.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:61b0f07e-e859-4476-ae59-872b2fe5677e2019-08-15T21:36:26-07:002019-08-15T21:36:26-07:00Toxic Crops: Oil Wastewater Irrigating California Fields2017-02-28 09:25:34 -0800Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">I</span>n the nation’s produce basket, some California water districts are knowingly selling oilfield wastewater to farmers, putting a huge portion of our fruits and vegetables at risk of contamination. Watchdog group Water Defense uncovered one district buying oilfield wastewater to include in the water it sells to farmers to irrigate crops in California’s Central Valley. This year, Food & Water Watch uncovered another district buying this potentially toxic wastewater and selling it to farmers.</p>
<p>A threat to California’s agriculture is a threat to the entire country’s food supply. Some staples of which California is the primary U.S. producer include 99 percent of olives, 99 percent of almonds, 98 percent of garlic, 96 percent of broccoli, 95 percent of celery, 91 percent of strawberries, 91 percent of lemons and 83 percent of fresh carrots.</p>
<p>The government is allowing oil companies to sell their wastewater for use on crops. Citizens must call on their elected representatives to fix this broken system and protect our food supply.</p>
<p><br>
<em>Source: <a href="http://FoodAndWaterWatch.org">FoodAndWaterWatch.org</a>.</em></p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the March 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:4fe2688d-f332-4470-8c59-e342786f24122019-08-15T22:24:26-07:002019-08-15T22:24:26-07:00Fish Story: African Aquaculture a Success2017-02-28 09:25:32 -0800Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">F</span>ish farming has become a way for many Africans to beat poverty and hunger. Hillary Thompson, who lives in Milton Park, a low-density area in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, says, “For more than a decade, fish farming has become a hobby that has earned me a fortune.” He has been able to acquire properties that he rents out as one of many residents that have profited through fish farming. In many African communities, swimming pools and backyards have been converted into small-scale fish farming areas.</p>
<p>Faced with nutritional deficits, some Africans have taken up the practice to improve their diets. In Zimbabwe, an estimated 22,000 people are involved in fish farming, according to the ministry of agriculture. Behind the success of many of them stands the Aquaculture Zimbabwe Trust, established in 2008 to mobilize resources for the sustainable development of environmentally friendly fisheries nationally. Across Africa, fishing provides direct incomes for about 10 million people and provides food for 200 million more.</p>
<p><br>
<em>Source: <a href="http://FarmAfrica.org">FarmAfrica.org</a></em></p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the March 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:7791a6cc-1cab-406b-a4a7-76f8f07163512019-08-19T11:53:55-07:002019-08-19T11:53:55-07:00Showcase Your Business and Services in April2017-02-26 16:51:00 -0800Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>he Wellness Gala and Natural Awakenings will be hosting a unique upscale Wellness Event at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes on Sunday, April 30 from 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Experts, practitioners and vendors in the fields of health, beauty and wellness including anti-aging, skin care, nutrition, mind-body stress management, weight loss, custom make up, jewelry, and more are invited to share their knowledge, expertise and products at this amazing gala.</p>
<p> Don’t miss this prime opportunity to showcase your business or services. Tables are available for practitioners and vendors on a first come, first serve basis. Call today to reserve your space.</p>
<p><em>Location: The Mansion at Mountain Lakes, 90 Rt. 46, Mountain Lakes. For information call or text 973-713-6811. <a href="http://wellnessgala.com/">WellnessGala.com</a>.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:c54478d0-8354-4867-865f-bab3809dc2672019-08-19T11:53:54-07:002019-08-19T11:53:54-07:00New Spa Opens in Mountain Lakes2017-02-26 13:09:00 -0800Anonymous<div>
<span class="dropcap">C</span>hanges Spa & Aesthetics is pleased to announce the opening of their new office located at 420 Boulevard, Suite 107, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, with a New Client March Special: 20% off your first appointment when you mention this publication.*</div>
<p> Owner Cora Ciaramello, a licensed and Board certified electrologist, aesthetician and massage therapist, wants everyone to experience what quality plant-based botanicals, organic and result-oriented products and treatments can do for their skin. This natural approach combined with the latest esthetics, technology and equipment provides a memorable service that improves your skin and nourishes body and soul while helping you look and feel your absolute best.</p>
<p> With over 20 years of dedication to skincare, electrolysis and massage, Cora genuinely puts her heart into her work. “I consider my profession to be a privilege,” states Cora. “It’s exciting and gratifying to be able to provide personalized care to my clients in such a relaxed boutique setting.”</p>
<p><em>For more information visit <a href="https://www.changesskin.com/">ChangesSkin.com</a> or call 973-588-3668 and book your first appointment with Cora today!</em></p>
<p><em>* Cannot be combined with other promotions or packages.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:0de5d381-e930-4c2b-958a-29ad761136432019-08-15T21:34:13-07:002019-08-15T21:34:13-07:00Heave Ho: Abandoned and Lost Fishing Gear Pollutes the Seas2017-01-31 09:46:10 -0800Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">A</span>bandoned and lost fishing gear such as traps, crab pots and nets litter the ocean floor in coastal areas worldwide, continuing to attract, entrap and kill fish and other marine life. The Associated Press reports that global nonprofits, governments and companies are engaged in efforts to retrieve and recycle as many of the items as possible to protect the environment, save marine life and reduce hazards to marine navigation.</p>
<p>A 2009 United Nations report estimated there are 640,000 tons of discarded fishing nets deep below the ocean surface worldwide. Recommended solutions include degradable panels on traps that break down and allow trapped marine life to escape. International agreements prohibit dumping fishing equipment at sea; yet in England, small vessels can amass landfill charges of roughly $700 per year, giving them an incentive to ditch broken gear.</p>
<p>Pascal van Erp, a Dutch diver alarmed by the amount of equipment he’s encountered, founded the Ghost Fishing Foundation to tackle the issue. He says, “It’s found in all seas, oceans and inland waters at all depths, along the beach and under the sand. I don’t think the problem can be resolved completely, but we can keep it from getting worse by showing the problem to the public and the authorities.” Industry experts and scientists estimate that commercial fishermen annually lose about 10 percent of their traps due to bad weather.</p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the February 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>urn:uuid:ffb78564-0bd0-491c-b2de-15ea898d6afb2019-08-15T21:37:04-07:002019-08-15T21:37:05-07:00Veggie Tales: Plants Communicate with Sound2017-01-31 09:46:07 -0800Anonymous<p><span class="dropcap">A</span> recent study from the University of Western Australia has found that plants regularly react to and emit sounds through a series of clicks produced by their roots, and that such inter-flora communication may be essential to their survival. Evolutionary biologist Monica Gagliano, who made the discovery, listened to the roots of young corn plants and found that they regularly produced sounds in the range of 220Hz, a frequency audible to the human ear.</p>
<p>Plants have been shown to influence each other in many ways through nanomechanical oscillations on a molecular scale. Gagliano remarks, “Scientists also know that plants use volatile chemicals to communicate with each other.”</p>
<p>Another biological research team under the direction of Professor Olaf Kruse, Ph.D., scientific director of the Center for Biotechnology at Germany’s Bielefeld University, has shown that green algae not only engages in photosynthesis, but also has an alternative source of energy: It can draw it from other plants (<em>Nature Communications</em>).</p>
<p>Gagliano comments, “Considering that entire forests are all interconnected by networks of fungi, maybe plants are using fungi the way we use the Internet.”</p>
<p class="fineprint"><br>
<em>This article appears in the February 2017 issue of </em>Natural Awakenings.</p>
<hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakeningsnj.com">Natural Awakenings North Central New Jersey</a></small></p>