Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

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We create gardens first and foremost for our own enjoyment. But any garden, no matter how small, can also be a haven for some wildlife.

Its my belief that a wildlife-rich garden provides a far greater source of interest, relaxation and pleasure than one from which nature has been virtually banished by pesticides and herbicides.

When my family moved from the low desert of Palm Desert, Calif., to the high desert of Rio Rancho, we knew we would be making some adjustments as we were going from 30 feet below sea level to 5,282 feet above sea level.

However, we did not anticipate the adjustments that would be necessary to build a successful garden in this climate. However, our most rewarding adjustment was learning to co-exist with the wildlife that we would encounter in our Cabezon neighborhood.

Our initial impression of our property was a barren, sterile, scraped-clean lot with a great view of the Rio Grande Valley below.

Upon closer inspection, we could see field mice scurrying into holes along the bottom of the block wall, beetles burying into the sand, ants scurrying into their perfectly formed hills, rabbits hopping down the street, quail walking along the top of the block wall and coyote tracks and scat in the dirt.

It would be my challenge to create an environment that would allow me to garden, then to thrive, and one which would attract other native creatures such as butterflies, birds, bees, ladybugs, praying mantises, hawks, lizards, shrews, toads, squirrels and chipmunks.

Pat Barger has adjusted her gardening techniques to allow for and encourage wildlife to live among her plants. (Courtesy photo)

To share or not to share

Link:
Master gardener tells how to welcome wildlife to landscape

Aurora Energy is offering an improved landscaping plan and less reflective paint for an electricity substation it wants to build near the Hawea Whitewater Park in Camphill Rd, Hawea Flat.

Hawea River kayakers and mountain bikers were among those who made submissions against the Dunedin City Council-owned energy company's proposal at a notice of requirement hearing on July 24.

For the two kayaking organisations, landscape architect Anne Steven submitted the substation was an ''industrial-type'' facility that would be visible from the river corridor and silhouetted against the sky.

''This would compromise the natural and open characteristics of the river margins.''

She considered the substation would detract from the ambience of the river corridor and would impact on the recreational enjoyment of the whitewater park.

''It is not possible to mitigate the substation in this location and to ensure that it is in harmony with the landscape.''

Low-level planting might ''soften the edges'' but would do nothing to limit the impact of ''the bulk, height and density of the structures and associated lighting''.

She called for Aurora to find an alternative site.

On Friday, Aurora responded to points raised at the hearing with a right-of-reply by counsel Bridget Irving.

Ms Irving pointed out the site for the substation was not within the ''outstanding natural feature'' of the river or the river landscape.

See original here:
Substation paint, screening revisited

Virginia Mayo

In this Dec. 12, 2013 file photo, World War I graves next to a farm on Messines Ridge in Messines, Belgium. The ridge was fought over fiercely by all sides during the entire four years of the war. One hundred years on World War I still resonates across Flanders Fields, where countless monuments and cemeteries as well as the relics of bunkers and trenches dot the modern landscape. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

Virginia Mayo

In this Saturday, June 14, 2014 file photo, red poppies bloom around the World War I Scottish monument on Frezenberg Ridge in Zonnebeke, Belgium. In 1917, three Scottish Divisions would march from this ridge into the Battle of Passchendaele. One hundred years on World War I still resonates across Flanders Fields, where relics of bunkers, craters and trenches still dot the now picturesque landscape. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

Virginia Mayo

In this photo taken on May 8, 2014, a farmer walks with World War I shells he found on his field in Boezinge, Belgium. One hundred years on World War I still resonates across Flanders Fields, where relics of bunkers, craters and trenches still dot the now picturesque landscape. As well at static relics there is also the danger of unexploded shells which appear every plowing season. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Virginia Mayo

In this photo taken on Dec. 18, 2013, a scarecrow with a Santa hat in a field near what would have been a World War I "No Man's Land" near Messines, Belgium. One hundred years on World War I still resonates across Flanders Fields, where countless monuments and cemeteries as well as the relics of bunkers and trenches dot the modern landscape. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Virginia Mayo

In this April 11, 2014 file photo, a World War I bunker in a field in Heuvelland, Belgium. One hundred years on World War I still resonates across Flanders Fields, where countless monuments and cemeteries as well as the relics of bunkers and trenches dot the modern landscape. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

Read the rest here:
AP Photos: A Belgian landscape shaped by war

Christina Chin

The Star

Publication Date : 03-08-2014

Rampant land clearing for development and farming near buffer zones is putting a strain on Malaysias water catchment areas and preventing our dams from filling up despite sporadic rain and cloud seeding efforts.

Forestry and environment experts here have cautioned that unless water catchment areas are gazetted and protected, water basins are in danger of rapidly drying up.

Peninsular Malaysia forestry department director-general Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahim said forests function like sponges to absorb water but the ground could not retain water if there are disturbances to the hydrological cycle caused by development and farming activities in surrounding areas.

The existing minimum 10m buffer zone surrounding water catchments is insufficient.

Buffer zones should vary according to the size of the forests and water bodies, he said, adding that de-gazetting of non-permanent forest reserves came under the state and local authorities jurisdiction.

There are one million hectares of forests under state control which can be developed. As a technical department, we can only advise the state authorities not to (approve development plans) but the final decision is theirs, he explained.

Read more:
Catchments in Malaysia not retaining water

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