Enviro-Girl is one of the prairie people–she’s a HUGE fan of native plant species for many reasons. They’re drought/heat/cold resistant in their native climates. They’re weed and pest resistant. They don’t overrun an eco-system like non-native species are prone to do, nor do they require a lot of coddling and attention once established. They don’t require costly maintenance like regular mowing. Native plants in California endure wildfires without burning up. Native prairie plants throughout the midwest have deep root systems that draw water down into the water tables after hard rains and heavy storms instead of letting it slide off and settle into ditches, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes and encouraging flooding which leads to even more problems. Prairie root systems filter stormwater drainage effeciently and effectively–they cost less than concrete culverts and look more beautiful. Bottom line: native plants ROCK.
Since 1987, federal laws require 1/4 of all federally funded highway projects to plant native species. This law means that the plants alongside our nation’s highways require less mowing; promote healthier habitats for birds, bugs & wildlife; absorb rainwater runoff; and create a more diverse landscape than plain old grass. This law trickles into healthier streams, creeks and lakes–deep-rooted native plants filter out solid particles and harmful chemicals before they reach groundwater sources. It also means emissions from vehicles are absorbed at a greater rate since prairie plants in particular are CO2 swamps–taking in more CO2 through photosynthesis than they release.
The fair state of Iowa is currently replanting native species beside all of it’s major highways–their DOT has decided that this cost-saving measure benefits Iowa drivers in other ways, too. Prairies reduce erosion and because they remain standing all year long, they work as a buffer for snow and reduce glare in the winter months which improves highway safety. The Iowa DOT estimates they’ll save $3 million from not spraying for weeds, mowing or cleaning out ditches once all the highway roadsides are replanted. Healthier, more beautiful, and more environmentally friendly.
Similarly, Florida and Texas are requiring Xeriscaping for all new developments–they haven’t gone as far as the state of Iowa in resculpting the landscapes, but hopefully Iowa’s program is effective and saves enough money that the other 49 states will take notice and get on the High Road. If you notice a new road being built–or an old road being rebuilt or repaired, ask your local offiicals what they’re planning to plant alongside that road. Encourage them to plant native species–the savings and the benefits more than make up the cost difference.
They were so excited about the possibility of ordering pizza that wasn’t full of chemicals, pesticides and other undesirables. Instead, the new Natural pizza has multi-grain crust, all natural mozzarella and all natural pizza sauce on it.
Enter the 
SORTING – Recycla hates it when she passes a house where the owners have dumped a lot of useful things on the curb to be hauled away with the trash, especially since most of that stuff could have been donated or recycled. As Recycla has been sorting through her family’s possessions, she has been tempted to pull a dumpster in front of her house and start tossing stuff in willy nilly. Yes, it would be so much easier to just put things in the trash can. But she has tried to resist that urge and instead has sought ways to keep things out of the landfill. Books have been donated to the local library for the annual book sale. Some flower pots were given away through Freecycle. Furniture has been passed on to a family member. Only when something has been truly un-recyclable — for example, her younger daughter’s used band-aid collection — has Recycla resorted to pulling out a big black garbage bag.
BOXES – Recycla has been saving boxes whenever possible. When those ran out, she went to Freecycle and asked for more — she got boxes from a local vineyard and also from a family who had just moved. Getting those boxes ensured that they stayed in play for a while longer and were not recycled or sent to a landfill. When Recycla has gotten through her move and finished unpacking, she plans to post the boxes on Freecycle for someone else who is moving.
OTHER CONTAINERS — Recycla has used other containers for her move. She has filled some plastic storage bins, laundry baskets, and even tote bags. When it comes time to empty dressers and closets, she’ll use her family’s luggage for all that stuff. Whenever she finds something that might be useful for packing, she fills it and stacks it with the dozens of boxes she’s filled already.
PACKING MATERIAL — Refusing to buy bubble wrap for just this one move, Recycla has instead looked elsewhere for materials to pad her dishes and other fragile stuff. Recycla knows that newspaper is an option, but she does not like the way newspaper leaves black smudges all over everything, so she doesn’t use it. Instead, she did reuse some bubble wrap that she already had. After that, she started using old towels and rags to pad her boxes. Recycla’s younger daugher makes a lot of art every day and, when done with her creations, just throws the sheets of paper on the floor, so Recycla has been using elementary school art as padding too. As Recycla unpacks, she’ll carefully save the bubble wrap and paper and will pass it on to someone else who needs it for a move.
TAPE — The fact is, packing tape is a necessary evil — those boxes need to be securely taped on the bottom. Recycla has been using it on the bottoms of her boxes, but not on the tops, preferring instead to fold the flaps in on themselves to keep them closed. That worked until one of her daughters started opening boxes in an attempt to find a certain book. At that point, Recycla started using small pieces of tape to keep her daughters’ boxes shut (and then stacked other boxes on top for good measure). Still, Recycla is trying to be careful with her use of packing tape.
Potatoes — Potatoes are nutritious and inexpensive and oh-so-versatile. A bag of them doesn’t cost very much money and will last a family of four for weeks. Baked potatoes are super easy and, when combined with a vegetable or two, make for a nice dinner.
Spinach and other greens — Believe it or not, you can get fresh green veggies for not very much money, especially this spring when they’ll be available in abundance at your local farmer’s market. Greens are very nutritious and endlessly useful. You can toss some spinach into your soup, eat it as a salad, and more.
Apples — Here is your easy source of vitamin C. You can usually find the common varieties, like Granny Smith, for very little money. Add some chopped apple to your oatmeal at breakfast, mix with spinach for a lunch time salad, or add a little peanut butter for a mid-afternoon snack. If you have an orchard near you, visit in the fall and stock up for not very much money. If stored properly, apples keep for a while.
