Book Review - Prepper's Survival Hacks - 50 DIY Projects

I was just provided a copy of Jim Cobb’s latest book, Prepper's Survival Hacks by the publisher in exchange for an impartial review. Like his previous books, I am glad to say that I read this one. Topics in this book range from water and food acquisition to fire, lighting, survival kits and more! Need to know how to make an emergency water filter or how to be prepared at work? Yep, that’s covered and so much more. Focusing on 50 Do-It-Yourself projects, this book will leave you saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” while at the same time making you thankful that Jim did think of it! 

From start to finish, this cool book is chock full of succinct and very practical, easy to put together hacks from everyday materials that will help to make your life easier if times get tough or even if they don’t. This book deserves a spot on your prepper/survival library shelf!

Tennessee Naturalist - Invertebrates

This is the forth video in my Naturalist Series and the third video of the classes that I'm taking to become a Certified Tennessee Naturalist. This class was called "The World of Invertebrates:  Pollinators, Predators, Pests and Parasitoids". The class was wonderful a very knowledgeable instructor and staff.

The class covered:

- Characteristics and life cycles of insects
- Identification of insects using keys
- Overview of other arthropods (spiders, isopods, mites, etc.)
- Methods of collecting and observing insects and other arthropods- Ecological roles of arthropods

You can watch this video here.


Links:

Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary: http://www.owlshill.org/
Tennessee Naturalist Program: http://tnnaturalist.org/

Owl's Hill 5Th Anniversary - Mack Prichard

Today marks the 5th year anniversary of Owl's Hill's Tennessee Naturalist Program. After church, our youngest DD and myself will me heading over there to hear Mack Prichard speak.


For those that live in Tennessee and don't know, Mack is our State Naturalist Emeritus, State Geologist Emeritus and was VERY instrumental in the founding of a lot of our state parks and natural areas.

This should be pretty cool!

Tennessee Naturalist Program - Volunteering (Chinese Privet and Bush Honeysuckle)

I just posted another video in my Tennessee Naturalist series. This one talks about volunteering and how to identify Chinese Privet and Bush Honeysuckle.

National Public Lands Day - Invasive Plant Clean-up, Part 2

I just got back from National Public Lands Day where I had the privilege to lead and to work along side of some amazing Scouts. It was a great morning and these guys worked very hard to clear Bush Honeysuckle and Chinese Privet from Old Fort Park.

I highly recommend these types of volunteer opportunities for those looking to give back as they are a great way to show good environmental stewardship.

National Public Lands Day - Invasive Plant Clean-up, Part 1

Well, I'm off to fulfill some volunteer hours for my Certified Tennessee Naturalist Program. I'll be leading a group of people in invasive plant removal.

Have a nice morning!

A Good Story

I understand that corn can't pollinate that far away, but it's a good story none-the less!

There was a farmer who grew excellent quality corn. Every year he won the award for the best grown corn. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked.

“Why sir,” said the farmer, “Didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”
So is with our lives... Those who want to live meaningfully and well must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all...
 
-Call it power of collectivity...
-Call it a principle of success...
-Call it a law of life.
The fact is, none of us truly wins, until we all win!!