Virginia Natural Gas’ Post

One of my favorite things about the season change to Spring is longer days. I love being able to spend more time outdoors! And, what better way to make use of those extended hours than combining them with volunteering?! Here are a few examples of volunteer opportunities that will allow you to do good while enjoying nature. 🌳 Participating in local park or beach clean-ups: Many organizations host regular events where volunteers come together to remove litter, maintain trails, and restore natural habitats. Not only does this help to keep our outdoor spaces clean and beautiful, but it also protects wildlife and promotes a healthier ecosystem. 🐚 Volunteer at community gardens or urban farms: These spaces provide fresh, healthy food to local residents while also educating people about sustainable agriculture. As a volunteer, you can help with planting, weeding, harvesting, and even teaching workshops on gardening techniques. 🥑 Volunteering with conservation organizations that focus on protecting endangered species or preserving natural landscapes. These opportunities may involve monitoring wildlife populations, restoring habitats, or even participating in research projects. 🐝 No matter how you choose to volunteer outdoors, you'll be making a difference in your community and beyond. So get outside, connect with nature, and start giving back today! 🌱 #Volunteering #Nature #OutdoorActivities #Conservation #CommunityGardening #BeachCleanUp #ParkCleanUp #UrbanFarming #WildlifeProtection #HENSLEE

REVEALED! Winner of the Ugliest Lawn in the World competition (and I love everything about it). 😍 You've got to hand it to Kathleen Murray from Tasmania: the ankle-breaking holes creating by a trio of bandicoots are really the icing on the (dry, inhospitable) cake. 🧁 She wins the epic first prize: a t-shirt passed on by last year's winner. 👕 But wait... there's more to this than meets the eye. 🧐 While owners of lawns like this might be getting snooty looks from house-proud neighbours in 2024, they are in fact the gardeners of the future. Because the World's Ugliest Lawn competition might be for laughs, but it's all about highlighting the need for water conservation. 💧 It started in Gotland, Sweden, where it's credited with contributing to a 5% reduction in water use. And I hope it catches on: it's madness that so many of us try to keep up lush green lawns, or cover up our gardens with plastic grass. 🏡 What if our gardens could flourish through droughts, cool us in the summer, provide homes to all kinds of bugs & beasts, and help us resist floods too? what if a climate-friendly garden, in short, was a desirable garden? 🤔 We need a new culture of what a garden can and should be. Kathleen Murray has just gone earlier (and, to be fair, much harder) than most of the rest of us! But I'd love to see it happen. 🌵 ++ P.S. I'm Alex Robinson, CEO of environmental charity Hubbub. We bring business, government and civil society together to create campaigns that make it easier and more possible for all of us to make choices that are good for the environment. Follow me to find out how, or get in touch for more.   #environment #sustainability #water

Winter doesn't mean the end of pollinator conservation efforts. In fact, it's the perfect time to start planning for the upcoming spring season! Did you know that some pollinators, like honeybees, cluster together in hives to maintain warmth during the colder months? This is why it's important to ensure their hives are well-insulated and protected from harsh weather conditions.⁣ ⁣ But it's not just honeybees that need our help. Native pollinators, such as bumble bees, mason bees, and leafcutter bees, also play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Here at Keepers Collective, we believe in nurturing and protecting all pollinators. Our Bee Camps and community outreach programs empower young children with valuable conservation tips that they can use to help protect pollinators in their backyards.⁣ ⁣ Join us in our commitment to pollinator conservation and spread important awareness this winter season. Start by making your garden pollinator-friendly by planting native flowers and avoiding the use of pesticides. Every small effort counts towards creating a world that thrives with beauty, wellness, and care for our planet. 🐝💛

🌼🐝 Exciting News for a Bee-Friendly Cannock Chase! 🐝🌼 Cannock Chase District Council has taken a significant step towards making their district more bee-friendly! 🏞️🌻 In a recent council meeting, it was unanimously agreed to review and implement "bee-friendly practices" throughout the community. Here's what they are planning: 🌸 No More Insecticides: They are encouraging all residents to avoid using insecticides in their gardens to protect our precious pollinators. 🌼 No Mow May: Participating in this annual initiative means leaving some grass areas uncut to promote wildflower growth and provide vital habitats for bees. Councillor Andrea Muckley, who presented the motion, passionately stated, "We can make a difference; we can take a stand, we can save the bees in Cannock Chase District and, in turn, help ourselves." Councillor Jo Elson, who seconded the motion, highlighted the fantastic work done in Stafford, recently awarded Bee Friendly Town status. The aim is to: 🌺 Encourage the growth of more flowers, shrubs, and trees to provide nectar and pollen. 🤝 Support community groups to enhance local spaces with bee-friendly practices. 🌷 Inspire residents to sow wildflower seeds and plant bee-friendly flora. Councillor Elson emphasised the need for better publicity for future "No Mow May" campaigns to ensure residents understand and support these initiatives. "By making bee-friendly changes we could ensure that the whole mind-set of the council is changed; that nature and the environment become a central thread in our future decisions," Ms. Elson said. Together, we can create a thriving environment for bees and enrich our community! 🌻🐝 #BeeFriendly #CannockChase #NoMowMay #SaveTheBees #CommunityInitiatives #EnvironmentalAwareness Article link: https://lnkd.in/eVb-mzuh

Brrr...feel that chill in the air? As winter cozies up, it's tempting to just curl up by the fire, neglecting the needs of your garden and trees. But wait! Did you know that winter tree care is a game-changer to sustaining a vibrant, awe-inspiring yard all year? At Urban Tree, we're not just tree experts − we're passionate advocates for proactive tree care, rooting for your trees' wellness! Now, let's delve into five captivating reasons why winter is the ultimate season for tree maintenance! https://vist.ly/3mjh7ct #WinterTreeCare #TreePruning #GardenMaintenance #SummerYardPrep #LandProtection #PestControl #TreeStructure #SeasonalGardening #HealthyTrees #UrbanTreeCare #YardBeautification #WinterMaintenance #OutdoorLiving #TreeHealth #GardenTips

Highlighting the Role of Community Gardens in Promoting Health 🌿 Discover the Magic of Community Gardens for a Healthier You! 🌟 🌻 Connect with Nature: Community gardens let you spend time outdoors, soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. Nature has amazing healing powers! 🥕 Fresh and Healthy Food: Growing your own veggies means you get the freshest produce, packed with nutrients. Say goodbye to processed food and hello to health! 🤝 Build Stronger Communities: Gardening together fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens community bonds. You'll make new friends and grow together! 🧘♀️ Reduce Stress: Gardening is a great way to relax and unwind. The physical activity combined with the peaceful environment helps reduce stress and anxiety. 🌼 Boost Mental Health: Being in a garden can improve your mood and mental health. The beauty of nature and the joy of growing something can be incredibly uplifting. 💪 Promote Physical Activity: Gardening involves plenty of physical activity, from digging to planting and watering. It's a fun way to stay active without even realizing it! 🌍 Sustainability: Community gardens encourage sustainable living by promoting local food production and reducing the carbon footprint. You're helping the planet while helping yourself! Community gardens are a fantastic way to enhance health and well-being while connecting with others. Join a community garden and experience the many benefits for yourself! 🌱❤️ #CommunityGardens #HealthAndWellness #DrJaisonTips

PROJECT SAVING THE WILD BEES WILD BEEHOTELS AROUND THE WORLD! Check out our web shop on www.ngocharlieandlola.com #NGO #nonprofit #bees #unitednations #beeday #nature #planet #earth #travelnews #news #world #animals #bee #latest #updates As it is clearly shown by many studies, taking up beekeeping and producing honey from the beehive is not the real answer in saving the wild bees although the art of beekeeping and producing honey is good for the general health of people as it has been proven that honey is beneficial for healing and maintaining the general health condition of the human body. What has also been proven time and time again is that wild bees are the most productive bees in the contributions of pollination which is sustaining the human food chain supply. Therefore, NGO Charlie and Lola want to be an agent in helping to sustain and save the wild bees around the world. As the NGO has an important credo, we work with in all of our projects ‘ Bringing people and animals together to save this planet we are all living on ‘, the NGO created a project to make every garden, local park and every farming area a place for helping to save the wild bees and sustaining their living environment which in return will bring better and more crops through increasing pollination by wild bees. And this way animals are helping people to survive. It clearly shows us that all is a balance. Save animals and our planet by one small act and humans receive this wonderful planet to live on in return. Read More on https://lnkd.in/etgB7WNW

🍯 It’s World Bee Day today and at Chartway, we celebrate the incredible impact bees have on our environment every day! 🐝 #TheChartwayBee Did you know our Kent head office has its very own bee hive? It's a symbol of our commitment to supporting pollinators and promoting biodiversity. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating the plants that sustain us, and their well-being directly affects the health of our planet. Here are a few ways you can help support bees💛🍯 🌼 Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers: Add a splash of colour to your garden with native wildflowers and plants. Bees love a variety of blooms, and you’ll love the beauty they bring to your space! 🚫 Avoid Pesticides: Opt for natural pest control methods to keep your garden safe for bees and other beneficial insects. 💧 Create a Bee Bath: A shallow dish filled with water and pebbles gives bees a safe place to hydrate. 🍯 Support Local Beekeepers: Purchase honey and beeswax products from local sources to help sustain beekeeping initiatives. For more ideas on bee-ing helpful to our pollinator friends, visit this link https://lnkd.in/eGAdqdWd Happy World Bee Day! 🌍🐝 #WorldBeeDay #ChartwayCares #BeeFriendly #Sustainability #PollinatorPower

🍂 Leave the Leaves: Why Your Fall Yard Cleanup Might Be Harming Local Wildlife and Soil Health 🍂 As autumn settles in, many of us instinctively reach for the rake or leaf blower. But did you know that those fallen leaves are much more than seasonal clutter? By leaving them where they fall, you're creating essential habitats for wildlife, enriching the soil, and fostering a more sustainable environment. 🍁 At EarthScape, we’re passionate about making yards and gardens work with nature. From providing shelter for pollinators and small mammals to enhancing soil fertility, letting nature take its course supports biodiversity and creates a healthier ecosystem. 🌍 Curious how a simple act—leaving the leaves—can benefit your yard and beyond? Check out our latest blog to learn more! 🍂 https://lnkd.in/eYWiqsix #EarthScape #LeaveTheLeaves #Sustainability #Wildlife #EcoFriendlyYard #GardenCare #Biodiversity #SoilHealth #NativePlants

🍎🐻 Why Gleaning Your Fruit Trees Matters 🍏🐻⁠ ⁠ Every ripe fruit that falls off your tree is a potential invite for a bear to visit your backyard. Gleaning, AKA, the act of picking and gathering ripe fruits, isn't just good for harvesting fresh produce. It's a crucial step in bear prevention!⁠ ⁠ When we leave fruit to rot on the ground, it's an open buffet for bears, drawing them closer to human habitats. This can lead to unwanted bear-human encounters and often has detrimental consequences for these wild creatures.⁠ ⁠ By regularly gleaning your fruit trees:⁠ 1️⃣ You prevent bears from being attracted to urban areas.⁠ 2️⃣ You help maintain a safe space for both humans and bears.⁠ 3️⃣ It's a sustainable way to make the most of the fruits you grow.⁠ ⁠ Help keep bears wild and our communities safe. Glean your fruit trees and encourage your neighbours to do the same. Together, we can enjoy nature's bounty without compromising safety! 🌳🍒⁠ gleaning@revelstokebearaware.org ⁠ https://lnkd.in/gSpCBbgu #BearSafe #GleaningForSafety #CommunityCare