Day 3734: Bison and Produce.

 

 

"Bedlam": junk mail collage.

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2GN2S ...

Where the bison roam

 

The tiny city of Quitaque, Texas was struggling. Its population had dwindled to just about 300, and once-thriving businesses sat empty and forgotten. But a new step in bison conservation efforts has led to a beautiful revitalization. Bison were nearly hunted to extinction in Texas the 1870s, and state and local organizations have been trying to boost their numbers ever since. At the urging of residents in Quitaque in the late 1990s, the small herd was transported to nearby Caprock Canyons State Park. However, the herd could only be viewed from a distance. In 2011, the bison were allowed to move about freely around 700 acres, and their presence brought a flood of new tourism into Quitaque. Now, not only do the bison have a safe place to thrive (and be admired), but Quitaque is growing. They host all kinds of bison-related events, and were even deemed the Bison Capital of Texas in 2015. Residents say it's a powerf example of two icons of the American West, helping each other survive. 

 

Kids at Rural Penn. School Grow Produce for 'Food Desert' Farmstand: 'They're So Proud.' How students at a school in Butler, Pennsylvania, are helping those at another

Students at Summit Elementary in Butler, Pennsylvania, are growing more than their minds. Under the guidance of longtime teacher Angela Eyth, they've created a bountiful garden to benefit people in need at nearby Broad Street Elementary, whose neighborhood lacks fresh-produce options. "The kids are in charge of everything," Eyth says. "They're so proud of what we're doing here."

The project is now two years old, and goes beyond planting and growing: Eyth and her fellow educators structure lessons in science, math and more around their garden. "When we grew kale my students noticed something was eating the leaves," Eyth recalls. "This led to an investigation on figuring out what was eating it and how to stop it: the kids analyzed the evidence they found and acted as engineers in creating ways to keep critters out of the kale beds. In 4th grade, we take the students outside to estimate the number of bean pods they find or measure the perimeter of the pumpkin section."

The kids also keep the produce rolling — so much so that with a $70,000 grant from Remake Learning/Grable Foundation, they're building a farmstand at Broad Street Elementary that will ultimately bring fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and more to an area of their community considered a food desert.

"People will be able to go there and reap the benefits of the harvest," says Eyth of the city school, just five miles away from the more rural Summit.

 

 

 

 

 

A -1 minute video, cat conversation, here.

 

Just because ...

 

Capped Heron

 

 

 

Smiles for Wednesday ...

 

  

 

 

   

 

  

 

 

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