www.green-space.org http://www.green-space.org Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 Why Non-Indigenous Plants Are Harmful To The Environment http://www.green-space.org/2011/11/11/why-non-indigenous-plants-are-harmful-to-the-environment/ http://www.green-space.org/2011/11/11/why-non-indigenous-plants-are-harmful-to-the-environment/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.green-space.org/?p=15 Over the course of time, native plants and animals have developed their own eco-systems that they both can live in and survive. It has the correct balance for vegetation so that animals can eat. The plants have the correct balance of nutrients so that they can thrive and survive. Think of it as a family. Each person has certain roles that enable them to live together, harmoniously.

When invasive and non-invasive plants invade the environment, what made the eco-system work has been altered. The characteristics of the plants will change the balance of the eco-system so it no longer function as it once did. Maybe, the plants are not edible to the wild life. Wildlife will have to leave to find another eco-system that will sustain what they need to survive.

Some non-indigenous plants have beautiful blooms. Bees could pollinate these plants instead of the native ones. The native plants could die out.

If the plant is an invasive specie such as the water hyacinth, it can be so aggressive that it can cover the tops of rivers and damns. The sun is unable to bring light into the water and oxygenation can not take place, killing the eco-system, including the species beneath.

]]> http://www.green-space.org/2011/11/11/why-non-indigenous-plants-are-harmful-to-the-environment/feed/ 0 Understanding The Importance Of Biological Diversity http://www.green-space.org/2011/10/13/understanding-the-importance-of-biological-diversity/ http://www.green-space.org/2011/10/13/understanding-the-importance-of-biological-diversity/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.green-space.org/?p=14 When looking at a park or forest, it-s easy to fall into the mindset that a plant is just a plant. If it-s green, it-s good, right? Wrong! For any green space to be healthy, it needs to have biological diversity (more commonly known as bio-diversity).

What is bio-diversity? Before human contact, every natural space has a variety of native plants that thrive together. In an untouched forest, for example, trees that need the sun to survive in turn provide shade for the plants that like the shade. Each plant in a natural forest has adapted over hundreds of years to its surroundings and is very good at coexisting with the plants around it. This makes for healthy soil and good habitat for animals.

When humans introduce non-native plants, they can take over and choke out native species. Plants like ivy and blackberries are extremely hearty and can grow almost everywhere, often killing off weaker native plants by taking their sunlight and nutrients. These plants take a toll on the soil by draining away vital nutrients and can even cause species to go extinct. Any habitat dominated by a few plants is far less healthy than one with good bio-diversity.

]]> http://www.green-space.org/2011/10/13/understanding-the-importance-of-biological-diversity/feed/ 0 Animal Attacks: The Deadly Consequences Of Urban Expansion http://www.green-space.org/2011/10/12/animal-attacks-the-deadly-consequences-of-urban-expansion/ http://www.green-space.org/2011/10/12/animal-attacks-the-deadly-consequences-of-urban-expansion/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.green-space.org/?p=13 If you have ever been to the park, you might see squirrels playfully leaping in front of you or scurrying down a tree to get a good look at you. These animals are territorial, and the park is their territory. If you take that park and put in a parking lot, those animals might find a tree nearby or left deliberately and try to regain their land. That is often the case when a squirrel might bite a person who thinks that their behavior of leaping in front of them is playful. The squirrel might be standing his ground and ready to bite or to protect his territory using whatever means he has like his nails and teeth. Teaching people about animals is a wise practice. Keeping some land green in centers of urban expansion is helping nature and animals to feel less threatened and to mitigate some of their attacks. An attack by a rubied squirrel or even rat can have deadly consequences. These attacks by wild animals whose land has been taken can be prevented by sound green environmental design. Knowing how to plan to allow for the animals who lived on the land that will be occupied by a parking lot is wise and safe practices and can also be a part of keeping the planet green.

]]> http://www.green-space.org/2011/10/12/animal-attacks-the-deadly-consequences-of-urban-expansion/feed/ 0 Charlotte, NC – Park City http://www.green-space.org/2011/09/09/charlotte-nc-park-city/ http://www.green-space.org/2011/09/09/charlotte-nc-park-city/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.green-space.org/?p=11 Charlotte, North Carolina has been all over the news on Direct TV lately for all the right reasons. They’re hosting the DNC next year and they’re at the center of the banking crisis but what else does the city have going for it? Parks, that’s what! Check out some of the amazing green revitalization projects going on around the city
The Greenway – It runs for 1.5 miles between the city’s biggest park and Midtown, an area just outside the Uptown buildings. It’s attracting bikers, runners and even some local festivals and we think it’s nice to see it continuing to be developed.
Romare Bearden Park – Groundbreaking just took place and the park’s set to be one of the biggest projects in the fourth ward of the city for years. It’s slated to have fields for games and a dog walk and be done sometime in 2013.
ReVenture Park – This is one of the first parks of its kind in the country and it features a trash facility that converts waste into energy. If you’ve ever wondered what the future of power is, look to Charlotte.

]]> http://www.green-space.org/2011/09/09/charlotte-nc-park-city/feed/ 0 Fresh Air And Sunshine: How Outdoor Recreation Improves Health http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/18/fresh-air-and-sunshine-how-outdoor-recreation-improves-health/ http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/18/fresh-air-and-sunshine-how-outdoor-recreation-improves-health/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.green-space.org/?p=10 Whether it is a simple stroll through the park with the baby or an intense football game with the guys, it is believed that outdoor recreation of any sort improves overall heath and wellbeing.
A National Park is a landmark; no factory, automobile, or other form of pollutant is permitted on the grounds. With this in mind, National Parks are known to be clean, green, and safe environments for all people. Most parks even double fines for littering, smoking, and polluting.
Cities all around the United States are budgeting in park land and green space to their revitalization projects. These planners know they are losing tremendous profit by refraining offers for more factories, houses, or apartments. Frankly, the truth pertaining to the importance of parks and green area is sizzling to the top of the list.
Playing on green area has never been healthier; government workers clean it daily, no pollutants ever touch the property, and, most importantly, the local citizens respect the area.
The use of National Parks and green area and the addition of these parks in city revalidation methods continues to grow in importance every day.
Remember, always respect and enjoy the area for what it is!

]]> http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/18/fresh-air-and-sunshine-how-outdoor-recreation-improves-health/feed/ 0 Urban Wildlife: Investigating A Hidden Civilization http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/12/urban-wildlife-investigating-a-hidden-civilization/ http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/12/urban-wildlife-investigating-a-hidden-civilization/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.green-space.org/?p=8 The next time that you are in an urban area or city, look around to see what creatures might be scurring. Many people do not realize that there is a whole community of animals around them in the urban jungle.

Birds are plentiful in the city. They can make nests just about anywhere, but especially love to nest in the nooks and crannies of tall office buildings. Pigeons and Starlings are known city dwellers and can be found in most city parks.This/tag helps explain it more.

Mice and rats are abundant in the city also. They live just about everywhere, including inside buildings populated by humans. They can hide in any nook or cranny and can survive just about anywhere. They are an unwelcome addition to most city dweller’s apartments and restaurants.

Squirrels are popular city dwellers and can live in the urban jungle as long as there are trees. They make their nests in city trees and depend on them for their survival.

Food is just as plentiful for animals in the city as it is in the countryside. Animals can find plenty of food in the wast left behind by humans. It is best to leave the city dwelling creatures alone and admire them from afar.

]]> http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/12/urban-wildlife-investigating-a-hidden-civilization/feed/ 0 Exploring The Environmental Benefits Of Plants http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/10/exploring-the-environmental-benefits-of-plants/ http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/10/exploring-the-environmental-benefits-of-plants/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.green-space.org/?p=7 As cities grow and expand, trees, plants and shrubs in and around communities are planted to provide shade and beauty. Trees can alter the environment in a community, improve the air quality, harbor wildlife and help to conserve water. Plants can moderate the effects of the sun, rain and wind by filtering the effects of these with their branches. Plants are a climate control mechanism making a city cooler in the summer by providing shade and absorbing direct sunlight.
The temperature around trees is cooler than away from them, in this way city planners can use trees to moderate the heat caused by pavement in and around commercial buildings and areas. Air quality is also improved by plants and their leaves filter the air and can remove dust particles people would otherwise breathe in. Carbon dioxide in the air is also absorbed and used as carbohydrates by plants, other air pollutants like sulfur dioxide are also absorbed by plants and they give off oxygen in return.
Less artificial environment in and around cities by planting trees and shrubs will beneficially effect the environment for humans and wildlife and can help bring a natural harmony with nature into an urban environment.

]]> http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/10/exploring-the-environmental-benefits-of-plants/feed/ 0 How To Get The Most From A Neighborhood Park http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/09/how-to-get-the-most-from-a-neighborhood-park/ http://www.green-space.org/2011/07/09/how-to-get-the-most-from-a-neighborhood-park/#comments Sat, 09 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.green-space.org/?p=6 In every city in America and around the world there are some type of neighborhood parks. Some have a moderate amount of playground equipment while others are more like a picnic area only. A lot of times you’ll see small get togethers with family and friends along with some companies may have their picnics there as well. Schools may have field days there at the end of the school year as something fun for the children to do.

Around Easter organizations sometimes put together egg hunts for children of all ages, if you have water areas that might attract ducks of some sort and people will feed them. In bigger cities, they may have fountains that they allow the public to wade in. Other organizations might have fundraisers in neighborhood parks. Families can come together, picnic and play with their kids either on the playground or sports on the lawn if a big enough park.

Neighborhood parks are also good for flying kites, playing with remote control vehicles or throwing a football, baseball, soccer ball, ect. A person could probably use their imagination and come up with just about anything to do with their families at these parks. So enjoy your family and friends and have fun.

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