Animal welfare, supporting local agriculture, and waste management are topics that are on a constant loop in my brain.
Animal Welfare
Photo from the Foster Parrots Facebook page
On Saturday, I finally had a free day to volunteer at Foster Parrots in Hope Valley, Rhode Island. As some of you know, this place is near and dear to me. Foster Parrots is a non-profit organization that is home to a variety of birds including parrots, lorikeets, cockatoos, cockatiels, lovebirds, parakeets, and other exotic wildlife. It is the largest avian rescue organization in the northeast and they work tirelessly to protect unwanted and abused companion parrots and birds that have been rescued. Right now, they are nearing the end of their March Match Fundraiser and your contribution will help provide homes and support for these beautiful creatures. Please donate online by visiting the Foster Parrots website.
Supporting Local Agriculture
Some of the delicious fruits and veggies grown by The Local Patch
My friends Amy and Andrew Smith are gearing up for another season of growing vegetables on their farm in Portsmouth, Rhode Island called The Local Patch. If you’ve gone to the Aquidneck Growers Market, you may have seen them as a vendor! Amy and Andrew focus on growing high quality produce using sustainable and organic practices. They do not use chemicals or toxic sprays to fight weeds and pests. I can bear witness to this as I spent some time working at The Local Patch!
What people don’t see during the spring season is the amount of work that is taking place to purchase seeds, plan logistical layouts, hire help, start healthy seedlings and prepare the soil for success. It takes months of preparation and planting before there is actually produce to sell. The work Amy and Andrew do is tough, it’s a true labor of love and passion for providing local food to their community, family, and friends.
If you love chemical-free local fruits and vegetables and plan to shop at the Aquidneck Growers Market this season, consider purchasing a CSA Market Card from The Local Patch. By purchasing a market card, you are helping to provide upfront money for seeds, supplies, and helping to cover other costs that are associated with running a farm. Purchasing the market card is basically prepaying for your produce while sustaining a young family farm, and having the flexibility to choose what fruits and veggies you want! Curious to learn more? Visit The Local Patch website.
Waste Management
Improperly discarded nips
It just wouldn’t be a Sunday morning (or any morning for that matter), if I didn’t go off about litter. Is it just me or does it seem like there is litter on every roadside these days? I find it so depressing. Is the influx of roadside trash because of the excessive shipping of goods? Recycling bins tipping over in the wind? Lack of care in our society? Non-stop consumerism and a waste management system that is ill-equipped to handle it? All of the above?
There are more plastics and consumer goods being produced today than ever before and it is devastating to our local environments, waterways, and wildlife. What are we going to do about it? Sit idle and not act? Just accept it? I can’t even fathom the thought. What is the world going to look like in the next decade? Why aren’t we managing our waste better? SO MANY QUESTIONS.
Anyways, spring is springing and before we know it, the thorny bushes and growth will once again hide all of the improperly discarded pieces of litter for another season and the problem will continue to persist year after year. Do not sit back and relax, please go outside and pick up your neighborhood, front lawn, workplace, and/or local park. Join a group cleanup! Nobody is going to do it for us and it’s up to us to protect our environment and wildlife.
Here are some links to research local cleanup efforts:
Litter-Free Rhody
Clean Ocean Access
Save The Bay
