#BP Oil Spill Four Years Ago – Let Us Not Forget

BP’s oil spill in 2010 still haunts us today as scientists study the lingering effects of the millions of barrels of oil that gushed into the Gulf of Mexico. At the time of the spill, I worked for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a public relations director. Immediately, our agency became watchdogs

#Oil Spills Continue

As I began to think about how to celebrate Earth Day 2014 and to remember the BP oil spill four years ago on April 20, 2010, I learned of another oil spill in Galveston, Texas, that threatened one the the largest bird nesting sites. (Click here for article from the Texas Tribune). Most disturbing of

#Beach Life – #Sea Stars and Royalty

I came across this starfish while visiting Florida recently. Sometimes they are referred to as sea stars. There are hundreds of species of starfish, which aren’t “fish” at all. They are echinoderms and related to sea cucumbers and urchins. This fellow is a thorny starfish with five arms, but some species have nine arms. I

Snow Inspires Florida Writer

I woke to a fairyland of snow-covered trees and lawn on a day when I thought I would be waking up to the marsh and swampland of the Everglades. I’d planned a writer’s retreat while my husband attended a conference in Reno. We began by spending a week with my daughter and her boyfriend in

Shorebird Love

On our recent trip to Florida over the Thanksgiving holiday, many things disappointed me about Vilano Beach (on the Atlantic near St. Augustine) where my daughter lives. The disappearing beach from erosion, dredging the channel at Porpoise Point, driving on the beach, and building of mansions too close to fragile nesting areas for endangered species

Coffee and a Chat

Good morning, I’ve been busy these days. The yard and garden work is nearly finished for the season. We’re eating cabbage, potatoes, and brussel sprouts from the garden but the rest of the yard is covered in snow. I have flower pots scattered around the yard needing attention. And the bird feeders need washing and

A Natural Bird Feeder

By Patricia Zick @PCZick     My husband likes to plant sunflowers around the periphery of the garden. This beauty is a volunteer from years past. Soon it will develop seeds in the center and feed the songbirds in our yard. We don’t leave out traditional bird feeders during spring and summer because it draws

Garden Loves June

By Patricia Zick @PCZick We shelled peas on Saturday night. Then I blanched them for two minutes before putting away in nine freezer bags. I love those peas on a cold winter night. We’re not halfway through the pea season. Last year, our peas didn’t produce very well. My husband believes he put mushroom manure

Who’s Accountable for the Environment #grnrev

By Patricia Zick @PCZick I celebrated Earth Day this year by promoting y my environmentally themed book, Trails in the Sand, and guest posting on other blogs essays about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Some reviewers thanked me for reminding them about the oil spill, but one reviewer wrote that she lived through it and

Where Have All the Bees Gone?

By Patricia Zick @PCZick “Mankind has gone very far into an artificial world of his own creation. He has sought to insulate himself in his cities of steel and concrete, away from the realities of earth, water, the growing seed. And intoxicated with a sense of his own power, he seems to be going farther