A story of survival and hope – the Survival Pear Tree at the World Trade Center

 

On this anniversary of 9/11, it’s important to remember not only those we lost that day but also the stories of hope and inspiration. Such is the story of the pear tree that remarkably survived in the rubble after the World Trade Center towers came down.

10 National Parks (areas) you haven’t heard about

Lake Kuzitrin, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Alaska. Photo credit: National Park Service

Editor’s Note:  I came across this article earlier today. As a Nature lover, I was surprised to learn about these national treasures. Perhaps if we know of them we can appreciate them more.

Of the 401 parks managed by the National Park Service, there are definitely some fan favorites—the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite. Each year nearly 275 million visitors flock overwhelmingly to the big names on the NPS list.

New book sets history straight on Kennedy murder

Certain events define generations and nations. Many remember where they were when these events occurred – when the astronauts first stepped on the moon, for instance. But almost everyone who was over the age of 8 or so recalls all too vividly where they were when they heard that President John F. Kennedy was shot.

Cast your vote for our National Parks

The National Parks Conservation Association is finalizing its new 16-month calendar. But the choice for its cover is still undecided.

They’ve narrowed it down to the final four. Take a moment to check it out, then cast your vote for your favorite. Anyone can vote. It’s a fun way to support these wonderful national treasures. And it’s easy!

Grave Matters brings helpful green alternatives to modern burial

Grave Matters offers tasteful green alternatives to traditional burials

Two things in life are certain – death and taxes.

Death’s a subject rarely discussed unless one is forced to. Whatever the reason, death and burials are mired with grief, strained coping abilities and a myriad of details to deal with.

With a mind-numbing cost upwards of $10,000. traditional funerals and burials are generally left to funeral homes to manage. But this fairly new impersonal tradition is changing.

Think Solar Day on Sunday

Solar Day celebrates the benefits and importance of all things solar.

Father’s Day is two holidays in one. The first annual Solar Day – a day promoting the benefits of solar energy – is taking place in some of the country’s top metropolitan cities.

John Reed, a San Francisco Bay area business man who’s brainchild this was, sees this as a way to recognize that we have control over our home and business energy, even if we can’t control the oil and gas companies.

For more details on Solar Day, see www.solarday.com.

Let’s make June 21st an annual Solar Day around the globe.

Six Flags plans to cut waste, protect ecosystems

Six Flags announced their company-wide Green Initiative, with plans to cut waste, reduce fuel and electricity use and protect the watersheds and ecosystems across theme park and water parks.

The theme park giant is creating groundbreaking pilot program at four parks. Vehicles and trains currently running on diesel will be converted to vegetable oil generated in Park kitchens. Lighting will shift to LED lamps and park lights, reducing green house gas emissions from electricity consumption.

Six Flags also plans to further recycling and waste reduction efforts. Partnering with Coca-Cola, they’re already placed over 3,000 recycle bins in all twenty Six Flags parks in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“Six Flags is taking aggressive steps to help protect and preserve the environment for future generations,” said Mark Shapiro, Six Flags President and CEO.

For more details, see http://3.ly/3JC.