On Monday, October 9, 2017, many local Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa County residents woke to falling ash, intense winds, and a red glow in the distance. Five wildfires broke out in these three counties within hours of each other: Redwood Fire in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County; the Pocket Fire, Tubbs Fire, and Nuns Fire in Sonoma […]
Summertime means longer days, warmer temperatures, an increase in outdoor activities and, if you are a dog or cat owner or come in contact with these pets, you know that summertime brings more pests! Especially fleas and ticks. Why are these pesky pests a cause for concern? What should we consider before using pet pesticides […]
As one kind of grass gains acceptance in northern California, another kind of grass is losing acceptance. Lawns are falling out of favor as ornamental landscaping because lawns use too much water for a drought-prone region. There are also water quality concerns with maintaining lawns because so many of us apply pesticides and far too […]
Earth Day is coming upon us! Do you know what that means? April 22nd marks the day we get to focus on the environment, learn more about conservation, be out in nature, and promote a healthy, sustainable environment. What is Earth Day? Earth Day started on April 22, 1970 when a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin […]
Most things do not belong in the toilet. In fact, it is easier to list what can go in: water, toilet paper, pee and poo (the three P’s). However, many people seem to think the sanitary sewer system is a way to get rid of all kinds of waste. Drop it down the drain and […]
Many lessons were learned from the wildfires of 2017. The most important of which is that any fire, with enough fuel and driven by wind can burn through almost anything. It is never possible to protect your property 100% but there are things you can do with your landscaping to provide your family a fighting […]
The gifts have been opened, the parties enjoyed, the feasts have been eaten. But before you relax, spend some time thinking about how you can reduce, recycle, and reuse the waste that was generated during the holidays. An additional one million tons of waste is generated between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Giving a second life to […]
Electronic waste has become the fastest growing waste stream in the WORLD. When discarded, the toxicity of electronic waste functions as an eroding agent on clean water, healthy soil, and fresh air. The impacts of improperly disposed e-waste are measurable, harmful, and applicable on a global scale. The general cause and consequence of its mismanagement […]
Pouring fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down sinks can ruin your home or restaurant’s plumbing systems and have negative impacts on municipal sewer systems and private septic systems. FOG includes: Canola oil Olive oil Vegetable oil Fats from pay-frying meats, Sauces Butter and margarine Food scraps Don’t dump that FOG down your sink! FOG combine […]
The sound of the street sweeper is music to my ears. As the street sweeper drives down the street the sound of the street sweeper vacuum unit reminds me that the sweeper is our first line of defense in preventing debris from entering the storm drain system. By keeping debris out of our storm drain […]
