Bob Hyatt sets out one of his trains in his garden railroad. (Photo courtesy Carol Kagan)

When Bob Hyatt goes out into his back yard he can choose to tinker with the trains or manage the miniature landscape that goes in and around the loops of train track.

At an early age, his father gave him an American Flyer train followed by an HO scale set. "My grandmother used to take me to the switching yard in Allentown to watch the trains," Hyatt said.

Hyatt's career experience and Master Gardener training prepared him for giving both turf grass management and landscape gardening workshops.

For this Franklin County Master Gardener, his life-long interest in trains and pleasure in landscape gardening merged into his Clark's Knob Freestyle Garden Railroad at his home near Upper Strasburg.

This year for the first time, Hyatt will have a "Beginning Railroad Gardening" workshop on Saturday, June 28 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Participants will learn the "ins" and "outs" of this unique style of gardening at Hyatt's home on Shives Lane, Orrstown.

The workshop will provide information on starting a railroad garden as well as designing a layout and adding the finishing touches. (For details and registration, see Workshops on this page.)

The popularity of having train models follows the history of railroading as people sought to bring some of the excitement into their own homes and yards. Moving from large outdoor trains to small sized and toy indoor models, around 1970 trains began to be designed specifically for use outdoors rugged with the motor parts enclosed.

"It's not a cheap hobby," said Hyatt, who has been adding to his layout since 2002. He currently has about 400 feet of track in three loops and uses "G" gauge (1/29th scale) trains and brass track.

Deciding what kind of railroad garden is a first step. Some railways may just meander through the existing normal-sized plants in a yard or garden. Other railways are stationed at a village and may even have a theme such as the Old West or a logging or coal town.

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Lawn and garden: Railroad gardening picks up steam

Credit: San Diego County Water Authority

Above: A San Diego County yard after a water-wise yard makeover.

Aired 6/19/14 on KPBS Midday Edition.

San Diego County Water Authority Offering Classes For Low-Water Yard Makeovers

GUESTS

Carlos Michelon, principal water resources specialist with the San Diego County Water Authority

Nan Sterman, garden journalist and host of the KPBS show "A Growing Passion"

With California in an unprecedented drought, San Diego residents are being asked to limit outdoor watering this summer to three days a week.

The San Diego County Water Authority wants only overnight irrigation, and officials are urging residents to change their landscaping to reduce water use. But that's easier said than done.

What plants do you choose? What kind of water system will you need? Will your property still look good without that old water-guzzling lawn?

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San Diegans Offered Ways To Save Water By Remaking Their Yards

On the Hill Summer, brought to you by The Steadman Clinic and the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, brings you a video report about a different High Country adventure every weekday.

Today's activity: Mountain bike riding in the Vail Rec District town series

On the Hill is shot with a GoScope Extreme 2X Telescoping pole mount, get 30% off your order at Go-Scope.com by using the following promo code: goscopevaildaily

Report: Vail Daily reporter John LaConte gives the camera to Assistant Managing Editor Melanie Wong, who shows viewers part of the mountain biking course at Camp Hale. The Vail Rec District Mountain Bike Series runs every other Wednesday throughout the summer.

Today's forecast: Sunny, with a high near 65. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. National Weather Service

onthehill@vaildaily.com | "Like" us: facebook.com/onhillreport | twitter.com/onhillreport

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On the Hill: MTB riding at Camp Hale

david land clearing 12 6 14 023
Fishermen before a storm, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

By: tomwatersguatemala

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david land clearing 12 6 14 023 - Video

By Nicole HashamJune 20, 2014, 12:15 a.m.

Environmental laws that protect threatened species and limit how farmers clear native bush will be rewritten, prompting fears from conservationists that vulnerable plants and animals are under attack.

Environmental laws that protect threatened species and limit how farmers clear native bush will be rewritten, prompting fears from conservationists that vulnerable plants and animals are under attack.

Environment Minister Rob Stokes has appointed an independent panel to shake up biodiversity laws governing threatened species, native vegetation and national parks, saying many regulations are more than 40 years old.

It follows a push by the Nationals and Shooters and Fishers Party for greater landowner rights when it comes to bush clearing.

The review will consider ways to ensure economic and social factors, as well as environmental values, form part of decision making a so-called "triple bottom line" approach.

It aims to cut unnecessary "red tape", encourage sustainable development and explore "options for self regulation" while conserving biodiversity.

The laws under review determine how landholders clear their properties and promote the conservation of threatened or endangered animals such as koalas, spotted tree frogs, yellow-bellied gliders and some black cockatoos. They also cover threatened native plants, some of which survive only on private land.

Nature Conservation Council of NSW chief executive Pepe Clarke said weakening the laws would be an environmental "disaster", potentially removing the requirement for landholders to improve or maintain soil, salinity, water pollution and native vegetation cover.

"Ten years ago, NSW had the unenviable reputation of being one of the world's worst land clearers," he said. "The last thing the state needs is a return to those days."

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Fears proposed land clearing changes put threatened species at risk

Published: Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 10:48 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 10:48 a.m.

People driving along N.C. 211 near St. James in Brunswick County have probably noticed land being cleared and smoke billowing from debris piles, but the work doesn't mean development is imminent.

Owner Malcolm Jones is clearing the land to mine dirt to be used for the Long Beach Road Extension project, according to Pete Frandano, a Southport real estate consultant.

Jones is a Florida-based home builder who specializes in estate housing. There are no permits to build on the land, and permits aren't needed to burn debris, according to Brunswick County spokeswoman Amanda Hutcheson.

The Long Beach Road Extension, a connector under construction to relieve congestion between Southport and Oak Island, needs the dirt for an embankment along the new road, according to Anthony Law, an N.C. Department of Transportation district engineer. A borrow pit is located at the back of the land.

Once the connector is completed, the new road will branch off from Long Beach Road near the Surf Cinemas movie theater, cross N.C. 211 west of the existing intersection and then continue to N.C. 87 near the N.C. 87/133 split.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be about $22 million, and its estimated completion date is May 2016.

The intersection of N.C. 133 and U.S. 87 at the Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal entrance was realigned as part of the project.

Jason Gonzales: 343-2075

On Twitter: @StarNews_Jason

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Land near St. James being cleared for Long Beach Road project

It #39;s Movie Time June 20, #39;14 Night Moves
John DeSando is host of It #39;s Movie Time and co-host of Cinema Classics on WCBE 90.5 FM, Columbus, Ohio Linda Baas McClelland is an interior designer..

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It's Movie Time June 20, '14 Night Moves - Video

Fidia Ilaria Magi - interior designer

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Fidia Ilaria Magi - interior designer - Video

Lee Austin - Interior Designer
Belfast born architect Lee Austin #39;s company specialises in interior design for the high end residential market, working on projects around the greater Belfast area as well as all over Northern...

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11821 Marne Ave, Cleveland, 44111; MLS 3611644
Spacious Welcoming Cape Code. 4BR, 2 full BA; spacious eat in kitchen with plenty of counter top space; all appliances stay; hardwood floors in 2 BR; family room; partially finished basement;...

By: Karen Bostwick

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11821 Marne Ave, Cleveland, 44111; MLS 3611644 - Video