Environment

Fall is starting off with a drop in temperatures and heavy rains so working in your yard and garden could prove more of a chore over the next couple of weeks.

Greater Cincinnati not only has a vibrant and growing arts, cultural and entertainment scene, it's also an amazing place to discover life in the great outdoors. And the 15th annual Great Outdoor Weekend, September 29 and 30, is the perfect opportunity to explore all our region has to offer.

Local gardeners may still be busy picking the peppers, tomatoes and zucchini started back in June, but now is the time to plant crops that will be ready to harvest throughout the fall and next spring.

Author Rick Bass is renowned for his writing on the environment and for his environmental activism. In his latest book, The Traveling Feast: On the Road and at the Table with My Heroes, Bass goes on a journey to thank the writers he considers his mentors, visiting and preparing those who accept his offer an elaborate meal. Joining him in his travels are some of his past and current writing students, and through the sharing of food, experiences and conversation, he connects his mentors and mentees.

We typically refer to it as the Cincinnati Zoo, but its proper name is the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. And while the animals are the main attraction, you might be surprised at how much you can learn by turning your attention to the thousands of plants, trees and shrubs that make up the zoo's various habitats and specialty gardens.

China is a top global importer of many of the world's recyclable materials, but the country has begun banning dozens of these goods from several countries, including the United States. The move could mean the U.S. will have to ramp up its domestic recycling program.

Trees not only add beauty and texture to your landscape, they provide shade for your home, reduce soil erosion and improve air quality. But the emerald ash borer and Asian longhorn beetle, along with other pests and diseases plus several seasons of near-draught conditions, have taken their toll on thousands of trees in our region.

Though the recent rain has helped the Ohio River avert a possible harmful algal bloom, a handful of Greater Cincinnati agencies continue to monitor the river for the presence of the toxic scum-like organism that can potentially kill fish and other wildlife.

The 30th season of the Discovery Channel's Shark Week kicks off Sunday, July 22. The special programming event has consistently attracted a large audience. But Shark Week has been both praised and panned by scientists, who say while the series has raised the public's awareness of sharks, it also emphasizes shark attacks and often relies on pseudoscience to generate ratings.

The non-profit organization All We Are has a mission to solarize more than 50 schools in Uganda by the year 2025. The organization has worked in the country for the last eight years and is supported in its efforts by Rotary Clubs here in the U.S. and in Uganda.

As you were outside waiting for the big Fourth of July fireworks to start, you may have been lucky enough to enjoy nature's light show, put on by fireflies, or lightning bugs as they are known in our region, looking for mates.

The hot, humid days and heavy rains we’ve had this month have been great for area gardens, but the weather has also been good for the pests that can eat or damage your plants. Uncontrolled, aphids, beetles, spider mites and other insects can wipe out all of the work you put into your garden.

Camp Joy in Clarksville, Ohio has had a strong mission of inclusion since desegregating in the 1940s. The camp also provides a number of programs for families who couldn't otherwise afford a summer camp. Now the mission is growing with a new commitment to the environment.