Our idea of the beautifully cropped English lawn is not only the least environmentally best for all the critters that used to inhabit our yards not to mention all the chemicals people use to keep their lawns green, but they are “goose candy,” according to Nancy Minich, a landscape architect with the Animal Protection League.
Ever look at those neatly cropped laws around large commercial establishments. Full of non-migrating Canada geese. True, large flocks of geese cause serious problems in places like airports, but Peapack-Gladstone doesn’t have an airport. Yes, the goose fight is continuing, if you can imagine
In spite of what Scotts and all those other chemical companies would have you believe, the pesticides we use just don’t kill dandelions. They seep into the groundwater. And the amount of water we use to keep the lawn green is staggering. Gassing this flock of geese doesn’t solve the problem because there will be a new flock next year.
Prayer for the Day
The early morning summer breeze reminds us of your Spirit,
The same Spirit that brought worlds into being;
Blue skies with swirling clouds silently call to us,
Awakening our souls, bringing us closer to you, O God.
Refresh us with the day that offers us new opportunities,
New ways to be your disciples, caring for all the earth.
In the name of the One who is our example,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
People want instant solutions, but the humane alternatives are far cheaper and more effective than the USDA coming to euthanize the geese in these little gas chambers.
Nancy Minich, Animal Protection Society
The use of herbicides and pesticides on lawns threaten rare species such as the regal fritillary and the species that support them.
Mark Richardson, New England Botanic Society
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
Or take the path sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on that law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water,
Which yields fruit in its seasons, and their leaves do not wither,
In all that they do they prosper.
Psalm 1: 1-3.