Think Blue Bill Harris said he would help me. Roundup here?
See's Candy vs. Zero Tree Toilet Paper for Fundraisers?
Lots of inspired ideas this morning, one day before my 64th birthday.
I attended the El Cerrito Community Council meeting last night
and heard Bill Harris, story drain expert, and met members of the
local community. I am very inspired to take more actions now and write
about them in this Plant Your Dream Blog.
Date: 11/18/2011 9:17:50 AM ( 13 y ) ... viewed 2632 times
RELATED PLANT YOUR DREAM BLOG
VOICES FROM THE AROSA CANYON
I want to send thanks to Sylvia Sowadski. of our San Diego Fire Prevention Bureau for her sensitivity and underscoring the wishes of the neighborhood property owners who are concerned about "preserving the wildlife and natural vegetaed habitat." It is for this reason that they currently do not want mulched Arundo back on the open space canyon area, she reports. It makes sense therefore, not to use Round Up Glysophate in our canyon. Reports suggest can negative side effects to health. This leaves our community, and neighboring Community Councils, in need to seek other alternatives to Round Up for managing our Arundo Donax (Giant Reed), as well as come up with a good plan that looks at the overall best management for the Arosa Canyon.
Sylvia writes:
On Oct 24, 2011, at 7:00 PM, Sowadski, Sylvia wrote:
Hi Leslie,
I wanted to confirm with you that the neighboring property owners would prefer that under the circumstances of preserving the wildlife and the natural vegetated habitat that any machine chipped or mulched Arundo not be placed back onto the open space canyon area.
It is my hope, that further research will show that Arundo Donax Mulch, when applied on top of black plastic covering the root system of Arundo, would be a good alternative to Round Up, but that is another story.
FOR NOW, I WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT THE USE OF ROUND UP, ESPECIALLY IN THIS RAINY SEASON, IS ILL ADVISED
Some of the potential impacts on the use of Round Up are reported here
Robert Kremer is a microbiologist with the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and an adjunct professor in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri. He is co-author of one of five papers published in the October 2009 issue of The European Journal of Agronomy that found negative impacts of Roundup herbicide, which is used extensively with Roundup Ready genetically modified crops. Kremer has been studying the impacts of glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, since 1997.
He says:
"The big assumption for claims that glyphosate is benign is that it isn't immediately absorbed by the soil. But research is showing that isn't necessarily true; that it is still available in the soil."
"Any glyphosate that hits the soil will be a potential contaminant. It can stay in the soil or it might run off into streams or waterways.
IN OJAI, A GROUP FORMED TO PREVENT USE OF ROUND UP
IN Ojai, a community group formed to called Pesticide Free Ojai around the use of Round Up being sprayed.
A RECENT BLOG SAYS
PAN (Pesticide Action Network) researched this also and found no relevant studies for the effects of this acid on soil and water organisms especially including humans. Go to this link and you will be amazed and alarmed (http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC37655). Now, not only is Round Up GM food everywhere but so is the toxin that it relies on. This is clearly a call to action. Warning signs are already known. Why has no one started research on this? Could it be funding or is this something we don’t want to know.
Onward.
Thomas
HERE IS ONE RED LIGHT BLINKING FOR AN M.D. MEMBER OF THAT GROUP
HEALTH DANGERS TO BE CONSIDERED FROM ROUND UP BEING USED TO MANAGE OUR STANDS OF ARUNDO DONAX (GIANT REED) BORDERING THE AROSA CANYON
The safety and efficacy of the herbicide has been questioned or denied by some observers.
“Glyphosate is what’s being used, which is generic Roundup, that’s what’s going in the water,” said Robin Bernhoft, an Ojai medical doctor with a specialty in the effects of toxic chemicals on human health.
“It’s dangerous stuff. The linkage to Parkinson’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia has come up over and over again, in this country and in Europe and in Japan. I don’t think people should use it at all because it does get into the water.”
According to Monsanto, producers of glyphosate herbicides including Roundup, the chemical presents a “low risk to human health.”
“That’s what Monsanto says. Monsanto has had a number of problems with the truth in the past,” said Bernhoft.
“The evidence from the groundwater in North Dakota and Denmark is that it does not in fact break down and it does in fact get into the ground water.”
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety Health, glyphosate is water soluble and the supervisors just ignored this, said Bernhoft. It’s not quite as soluble as table salt, but it’s pretty soluble. Monsanto told the supervisors it was not soluble, that’s a lie.
HEALTH DANGERS SITED OF ROUND UP
Information from the Ventura county watershed protection district states: “three methods are being used to remove and control giant reed. each has been chosen for safety and efficacy.” the three methods are: shredding the plants, spraying an approved herbicide onto the foliage of the target plants, and painting the herbicide on cut plants.
The safety and efficacy of the herbicide has been questioned or denied by some observers.
“Glyphosate is what’s being used, which is generic roundup, that’s what’s going in the water,” said Robin Bernhoft, an ojai medical doctor with a specialty in the effects of toxic chemicals on human health.
“it’s dangerous stuff. the linkage to parkinson’s disease and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia has come up over and over again, in this country and in europe and in japan. i don’t think people should use it at all because it does get into the water.”
BILL HARRIS STORM WATER PUBLIC INFO OFFICER FOR SAN DIEGO
WILL HELP LOOK INTO THIS
Bill Harris, reported at the November 18, meeting of the El Cerrito Community Council that we needed to be very concerned about our storm water run off
that is not treated.
He was very open to further communication with me on this subject.
CLEARLY, NEIGHBORS BORDERING THE AROSA CANYON
DO NOT WANT FIRES
Clearly, I am other neighbors along the Arosa Canyon do not want fires here. I for one am working streadfastly with Sylvia Sowadski who has been very helpful in guiding our Overgrowth Clean Up and working with our arborist Fletcher Morgan, who has been assigned numbers of nearby canyon Overgrowth Clean Up Projects (Hire him: 509-844-3467)
SYLVIA SOWADSKI GUEST SPEAKER?
Sylvia would be an excellent speaker for future ECCC meetings. However, iwe are no longer in fire danger, as much as the potential dangers of soil erosion and pollution now for the next six months.
IT IS VITAL THAT WE TAKE A STAND NOW AS NEIGHBORS
It is vital that we take a stand on the best possible use of the Arosa Canyon/ Clearly this is private property, and neigbors along the canyon rim do not want fires or fines. We are, many of us, taking action, to cut back our Overgrowth, and work with Sylvia. On the other hand, this is a learning opportunity for all of us, both the San Diego FIre Department and neighbors.
ONE BIOLOGIST IS CONCERNED ABOUT WEEDS
One biologist, a neighbor, preferred to allow the natural canopy on her property rather than the suggested cutting back. The cutting back, she told me, promotes unnecesary weed growth. This would then create a need for more radical pesticide approaches or constant monitoring and expense.
Truly we all need to be doing Overgrowth Clean Up now, but a broader long range approach needs to be in place that will serve this specific canyon and his profound diverse flora and fauna. We are the home to many native plants as well as wildlife. The voice of the canyon itself asks to be heard, as we concurrently do Overgrowth on our properties, as well as consider the
extreme expense of compliance.
ARUNDO DONAX (GIANT REED) IS A MAJOR PROBLEM HERE
Arundo Donax (Giant Reed) is a major problem here. Camp Pendleton has done extensive research to show that the mulch is safe. With the blessing
of the City FIre Department Prevention, neighbors would likely go along with mulching here,
Two months ago, when we began our overgrowth Clean Up, the Miramir landfill told me that Arundo could not be mulched. This say this was trast and needed to go into the landfill. This concerned me very much. We have been composted the Arundo Donax for years on our property. We know it breaks down.
WHAT IS THE COST TO THE TAXPAYERS FOR CONSIDERING ARUNDO DONAX
AS TRASH?
There is considerable cost to taxpayers when we consider Arundo Donax trash. It takes up landfill space. We are running out of that.
It also would coast extensive and perhaps unnecessary expense to Arosa Canyon Neighbors who are being asked to haul it off our properties. This would not be the best use if indeed, we go along with the accepted science reports from done at Camp Pendleton that suggest this is a safe mulch when
monitored.
Truly, the Arosa Canyon is going to have to be monitored for now on, one way or another, and the extremely small potential resprouting possibility is worth the effort of dealing with this by hand rather than the tremendous expense of hauling and dumping.
MORE TIME AND DISCUSSION IS NEEDED
if we knew that mulching was the sanest of economic solutions as well as a benefit to our canyon, and that we had the blessing of the Fire Department, this will be the best action. This needs time to work out. I advise this.
We still need to have more discussion among neighbors, and this discussions are already beginning.
RAY WARNER
Ray Warner, is one neighbor along the Arosa Canyon Rim. We are forming an Arosa Canyon Neighborhood Association. He is the first member. Ray's parents moved here because they loved this Canyon and its natural growth. Ray has been an Organic farmer for more than 40 years, and agrees with me that Round Up is not a good approach here.
GARDENS AS WELL AS OPEN SPACE PRESERVING OUR NATURAL PLANTS
Currently, through the good works of Sylvia, I have become aware of the sound environmental practices of our Fire Department. They want to preserve our native growth and see invasive species manages. This makes total good environmental sense.
We currently have one organic farm in our Arosa Canyon on private property,
and our land has been organically grown from more than 40 years.
I have the permission of my neighbors across the canyon to garden on their land that borders my own property.
We need a plan here, in light of new San Diego regulations that are wanting to support more community gardens and urban farming.
This is the trend, as well as protecting Native Species. In our own canyon, we need to think this out.
JOBS?
Andrew Blume will be gardening and tending our plants here. He is a ilitary veteran, newly graduated from an program locally that aims to retrain veterans to go into agriculture and other peace keeping jobs. For Andrew, working along our canyon rim is therapeutic as well as a way to earn money.
In my own home, I have one new housemate who is a former military veteran. He must graduated from the Arch's Acres Ag program that aims to train 1 million returning men who have served. To my mind, it makes more sense, to have someone, with the passion of Andrew Blume, my new housemate, monitoring and tending our Arundo Donax, as well as canyon. These military men need good work and time to recover. They need the nature of our canyon, as most of us do.
CLEARLY MORE LOCAL GROWING OF FOOD IS A TREND AND A SOLUTION
TO PEAK OIL AND TRUE EARTH BASED HOMELAND SECURITY
Growing more of our own food, and getting to know our neighbors is a trend. Thanks to the well wishes of the San DIego Fire Department, I have been inspired to get to know all my neighbors.
I am going to continue this work, inviting some of them to participate in
support of our local farmers who have much food that could go to residents here among the Arosa Canyon.
Let us work together now, to make the most of the opportunity that is Overgrowth Clean Up is sending our way.
Leslie Goldman
AKA Your Enchanted Gardener
FIRST MEETING AT THE EL CERRITO COMMUNTY COUNCIL SHOWED
INTEREST IN FINDING ALTERNATIVES TO ROUND UP USE
Went to the ECCC Community Council last night for the first time. The meeting is help at the Catholic Church in the neighborhood where I vote. Met some good neighbors who care about community. I care about community too.
Doug, who chaired the meeting, gave me time to speak. I introduced my concerns about using Round Up because of the potential violations to Think Blue. My comments were followed by numbers of interested inquiries wanting more information.
I also had a chance to discuss the use of Round Up with Bill Harris, the guest speaker. He was aware that Round Up can be a problem.
WASHING ROUND UP INTO OUR AROSA CANYON
The stands of Arundo Donax border the rim of the Arosa Canyon on part of the property at our edge. The recent rains pointed out the potential damage that would be caused to wildlife and flora as the rain would be washing over the cut roots. I do not advise that these roots be managed with Round Up.
I prefer to seek other alternatives that I have written about in other blogs.
ALTERNATIVES SUGGESTED
There are numbers of alternatives that are beginning to show up,
including digging them out by hand, covering the roots with black plastic,
and then with Arundo Donax IGiant Reed) mulch.
I am currently continuing research to show that Arundo Mulch is safe
to put back on the Arosa Canyon. We have had no resprouting from bags of the mulch I have in plastic bags and buckets.
SUPPORT FOR CSA
I also brought a display of JR Organic CSA product that from the North Park Farmers Market, Thursday afternoon 3-7 pm Doug told me that he was part of the Bee Wise Community Supported Agriculture program. This made me happy.
DONATIONS FOR THE NEWSLETTER
Donations for the newsletter are needed. Even $5.00 will help. They can be sent to the Paypal on the blog for the El Cerrito Community Council.
According to many widely accepted studies, glyphosate is a safe herbicide.
according to monsanto, producers of glyphosate herbicides including roundup, the chemical presents a “low risk to human health.”
“that’s what monsanto says. monsanto has had a number of problems with the truth in the past,” said bernhoft. “the evidence from the groundwater in north dakota and denmark is that it does not in fact break down and it does in fact get into the ground water.”
From:
My neighbors do not want Arundo mulch in Arosa Canyon
This was written in October. I am working on an education project to for the San Diego Fire Prevention Department so that they see that the mulching is a good idea. I sense, this is the best possible solution for our Arundo Donax (Giant Reed). The expense of hauling off the large reeds are prohibitive to some neighbors. This needs to be reconsidered after more information is brought forward.
“Three recent studies show that Roundup, which is used by farmers and home gardeners, is not the safe product we have been led to trust,” stated the article by Chee Yoke Heong. The article cites scientific studies in which Roundup was implicated in mortality in amphibians and cancer and liver damage in animals.
I WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH THE RAISING OF FUND FOR THE ECCC NEWSLETTER
I prefer to see ZeroTree Toilet paper be an alternative to the selling of See's Candy. I love See's Candy, however, i cannot afford the expense of the tooth decay. We are also at a time when our children need to be encouraged to be environmentally sensitive. The more we can encourage our Youth and Neighbors to downplay the unnecessary use of paper products from trees, the better.
ZeroTree Toilet paper can be considered a fun Holiday Gift. It is a playful item...being on the Honor Roll is one of my lines I like to say.
WHERE TO ORDER ZEROTREE TOILET PAPER
FIRST EXPERIENCE USING ZEROTREE AT THE HILLCREST FARMERS'S MARKET WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL
A SHIFT HAD HAPPENED
This is a product that encourages environmental sensitivity and Think Blue.
Many of the other productds of BioSmart Packaging and EarthSmart, sister companies directly aim to impact the healthy state of our oceans.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ECCC SUPPORT LOCAL MERCHANTS
MOVING AWAY FROM STYROFOAM USE
AFTER THE SHIFT TOILET PAPER WAS FEATURED
ON MY RECENT EAST COAST TOUR WHERE I WON THE SUPPORT
OF THE USDA ORGANIC SECTOR AT ORGANIC LISTENING DAY
Leslie at the People's Garden at the USDA Headquarters, September 20, after my short Pep Talk at the Organic Listening Session. In my short Pep Talk, I focused on a few issues, aiming to establish rapport. This blog contains numbers of issues I also want in the record.
HOW TO REGISTER A PEOPLE'S "ORGANIC" GARDEN
I received this update from Livia Marquez October 11, 2011:
On Oct 11, 2011, at 12:52 PM, Marques, Livia wrote:
Leslie,
Thank you for your interest in the People's Garden Initiative. We are in the process of moving all of the sites into one place at Http://www.USDA.gov/peoplesgarden
We expect the registration link to be up on this site by the end of the week.
Until then, you can register by going to our resources site at http://www.thepeoplesgarden.gov
Please be aware that this site will be taken down once we get everything in one place.
I apologize for the inconvenience. We are trying to keep up with the expansion of the program.
Thank you for your support and wonderful blog!
Livia
Livia Marqués
Director, People's Garden Initiative
US Department of Agriculture
ON SEPTEMBER 20, THE USDA HELD AN ORGANIC LISTENING SESSION.
I WAS THERE.
Mark Lipson, Organic & Sustainable Agriculture Policy Advisor, did a great job organizing the day.
There is an organic section within the USDA addressing the needs of Organic Trade and the Organic Community.
Mark will soon post the comments received.
Mark can be reached at:
2011OrganicListening@ams.usda.gov | (202) 720-4256
The Organic sector working within the USDA asked to hear from us so they could prioritize their time and spending. This is what they wanted to know:
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