Volume 18 Issue 2

The

TRAIL Vol 18 Issue 2 May 2024

GOODBYE 2023-2024

EARTH DAY: THEN AND NOW LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

SUSTAINABLE RAT-TITUDE: DISCARDED MATERIALS UPCYCLED INTO UNIQUE JEWELRY

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Contents

Meet our Staff

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Letter from the Editor

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An Update on the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion in New Jersey

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Priyal Patel

Maya Krauss

Driving State

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Kelloggs Boycott

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From Ornamental Charm to Ecological Harm: The Story of the Callery Pear Invasion

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17 Ways to Think about 17 Sustainable Development Goals

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Gardening Galore

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Analiese Haag Judy Wu

Amillia Keagle

Earth Day: Then and Now Lindsey Wiessner

Green Jobs & Workforce Development Drishta Soni

Interested in joining The Trail? Email us at epibtrail@gmail.com

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Agrivoltaics: The Potential of Dual-Use Solar

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Plastic Consumption in New Jersey

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Mmm Crunchy!

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Advancing Climate Resilience and Equity: A Historic Investment in America’s Forests

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The Subak System: A case study in Indigenous Land Management

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Cicadas

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Miranda Ma

Joey Velkes

Philip Kim

Katie Marra

Emily Yang

Kendall Soto

Sofia Little

Sustainable Rat-titude: Discarded Materials Upcycled into Unique Jewelry

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Evan DeAngelis

Maia Dragowski

Cherry Blossoms: A Seasonal Spectacle

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Works Cited

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Aleen Mirza

Writers' Team Table of Contents

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Meet Our Staff

Aleen Mirza

Amillia Keagle

Writer & Editor

Writer, Editor &, Photographer

Analiese Haag

Drishta Soni

Writer & Editor

Writer & Editor Table of Contents

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Meet Our Staff

Emily Yang

Evan DeAngelis

Writer & Editor

Jason Lei Graphic Designer

Writer & Editor

Joey Velke Writer & Editor

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Judy Wu Writer & Editor

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Meet Our Staff

Maia Dragowski

Maya Krauss

Writer & Editor

Writer & Editor

Miranda Ma

Kailey Purnell

Writer & Editor

Graphic Designer Table of Contents

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Meet Our Staff

Katie Marra

Kendall Sotto

Writer & Editor

Writer & Editor

Lexi Tassone

Lindsey Wiessner

Graphic Designer

Writer & Editor Table of Contents

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Meet Our Staff

Philip Kim

Priyal Patel

Shan Chen

Sofia Little

Writer & Editor

Editor-in-Chief

Graphic Designer

Writer & Editor

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, After several amazing years of working with The Trail, the time has come for me to bid farewell. When I first started at The Trail, it was a way for me to connect with other passionate environmentalists and become closer to the EPIB community at Rutgers. That is why, when I took over this last year, I set out to do the same for other environmentalists. I am pleased to say that over the course of the year, The Trail has been enriched by 14 new voices who are excited to share their environmental stories.

I am so proud of each member of the staff for their perseverance and help throughout the year, as I wouldn’t have been able to release such an intriguing and beautiful publication without them. Through the power of words, we have been able to educate and inform individuals to take action and highlight innovative solutions to environmental issues.

As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my life, I am filled with pride for all that I was able to accomplish with these amazing and intelligent students. While I may be stepping down, I am confident that this team and their four newly elected leaders will make our newsletter even more successful.

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An Update on the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion in New Jersey

By Maya Krauss The Spotted Lanternfly, or SLF, is an invasive species that was first discovered in Berk County, Pennsylvania in 2014. It has since spread to numerous states across the eastern seaboard and elsewhere in the United States. It mainly lays its eggs on another invasive species known as the Tree of Heaven. SLF hitched a ride to the U.S. on shipments of wood and other goods from eastern Asia, which is primarily found in Vietnam, India, China, and other countries in that region. Curbing its spread across the U.S. has been particularly challenging because it travels long distances by attaching itself to various moving vehicles such as cars

and trucks. Therefore, one strategy has been to implement quarantine zones in affected areas to prevent the pest from spreading. This worked by forcing people who traveled outside of the area to check their vehicles before leaving the zones. During the 2023 winter season, New Jersey added 21 counties to its SLF quarantine zone.

Residents living in these areas were required to check their outdoor items, including firewood, camping gear, and building materials for eggmasses, before moving them out of the quarantine site.

Interestingly enough, the SLF has become less prevalent in New Jersey a of August 2023.

According to George Hamilton, a Rutgers University-New

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Brunswick professor, the SLF could either be having an off year or losing stamina. Hamilton has noticed that the SLF populations have been lower than in the previous two consecutive years in New Jersey. This change in population could be attributed to either the hot, dry weather the state experienced the previous summer, the extreme cold it saw in January, or the warmer weather that was experienced throughout the winter season.

Another hypothesis Hamilton has for why the SLF populations are lower is that the species may have exhausted the host plants it relies on. SLF damages plants and could have potentially killed off all of the plants it needs to survive, thereby causing the species to migrate elsewhere. There has been success in combating the SLF invasion through the establishment of quarantine zones, the educational campaigns it has had, and herbicide treatments aimed at eradicating including the black walnut, tree of heaven, and red maple.

the Tree of Heaven.However, in order to completely eradicate the pest, there will need to be a multistage approach that could involve biological control with species that specifically target the SLF, such as spiders, birds, and praying mantises, which have proven to be effective.

The SLF invasion is primarily concerning for those in the agriculture industry in New Jersey as this pest can damage numerous crops, thereby threatening the economy of the state in a major way. This pest damages plants by feeding on them and secreting sugary waste, which attracts other insects as well as mold, which decimates crops. It has found hosts in crucial cash crops in the state, including apples, grapes, walnuts, and hops. However, the USDA has found that it prefers to feed on another invasive species called the Tree of Heaven. The control efforts that will likely be employed in the near future consist of primarily trapping them in their nymphal stage on their preferred host trees,

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DRIVING STATE ANALIESE HAAG

When was the last time you did not have to commute for an entire week? This is practically unheard of as a student at Rutgers.

Whether catching a bus, hitching a ride with a friend, or driving yourself, spending time on the road feels unavoidable. New Jersey is one of three states with an average commute time of over half an hour (“Commuting to work in the US,” 2024). This can not only be a nuisance to individuals but also has an immense impact on the environment. Transportation is the largest sector of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in NJ (42%, which is significantly higher than the percentage transportation contributes to GHG emissions nationally). Given the vast impact of transportation on NJ residents, it is vital that commuting is thoroughly reconsidered (“Mobile Source Emissions,” 2020).

One commonly proposed solution

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is switching to electric vehicles (EVs). The NJ Department of Environmental Protection is working on many initiatives to make EVs more accessible. The It Pay$ to Plug In program uses grants to minimize the costs of using EV charging stations; The Medium and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Grant Program provides grants for larger EVs such as garbage trucks and school buses; the Mobility Grant Program issues monetary support to EV sharing. What I find encouraging about the latter two protocols is that they hone in on car sharing and public transportation “Curbing Our Emissions”.

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However, the overwhelming focus on EVs as the solution to transportationrelated emissions is disheartening, considering the impact of the lithium battery and the source of the electricity. Only 8% of NJ’s electricity is sourced from renewable sources, meaning that increasing electricity usage will primarily increase the use of nonrenewable sources (“NJ Energy Estimates,” 2023). EVs perpetuate the truth of the unsuitable nature of Jersey driving. While EVs are essential in decarbonizing transportation, they can not be turned to as the sole solution. The problem is not how people drive,

it is an overreliance on driving. Thus, switching the mode of driving is not a real solution and there should be an emphasis on decreasing automobile usage as a whole.

This can, in part, be through public transportation. Just think about how congested the roads would be if every Rutgers student drove to all of their classes. Despite public transport's environmental and fiscal benefits, many opt to drive themselves. This is due to many factors, namely comfortability and the elongation of what could be a relatively short ride.

Indeed, the average commute for workers who took the bus to work was 20 minutes longer than the national average (“Commuting to work in the US,” 2024).

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Investing more in public transportation to increase efficiency and cleanliness helps reduce GHG from transportation.

The best solution is often the one that calls into question the current structure of the institution and asks how to minimize consumption of the product as a whole. This would mean restructuring the state to condense communities and integrating public transit as needed. This would free up land previously used for parking lots and roads to be used for parks and solar power plants. Communities can embrace walking and biking, benefiting the environment and their health. At Rutgers Students for Environmental Awareness (SEA) has a movement called SEAT working to advocate for bike usage and university programs that promote this. They are working with Rutgers University Department of Transportation Services to reimplement past programs, such as bike rental and repair programs, that were a part of the BikeRU Initiative.

Focusing on local bicycle usage is one of many ways to begin to transform the transportation sectors. It is essential to consider all possibilities, reimagine what we have normalized, and push for real change- so rather than the driving state, we can be a garden state once again.

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Kelloggs Boycott

by Judy Wu

February 21st, live on CNBC discussing high grocery prices, Gary Pilnick, multimillionaire chief executive officer of Kellogg remarked, “The cereal category has always been quite affordable, and it tends to be a great destination when consumers are under pressure, if you think about the cost of cereal for a family versus what they might otherwise do, that’s going to be much more affordable”(Pilnick).

CNBC host Carl Quintanilla countered with the inflation rate and the forced consumers to spend about 26% more on groceries since 2020.

Pilnick, however, doubled down and stated, “In fact, it’s landing really well right now...

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Cereal for dinner is something that is The food processing industry can probably more on trend now, and we overcharge consumers because of its would expect [it] to continue as that near monopoly states and ability to consumer is under pressure”(Pilnick). coordinate price increases with a few Outrage exploded on Tiktok, where competitors. Kellogg’s action of video calls for the boycott reached targeting their advertisement towards millions of views. With users exposing individuals who lack the Pilnick’s annual base salary of $1 understanding of how unfulfilling, million and more than $4 million in sugary, and processed foods are incentives by referring to a September detrimental to their health. This 2023 Securities and Exchange practice is incredibly financially Commission filing, numerous exploitative.“The insinuation that if unethical business practices have been families just ate cheaper meals, like exposed to the public. Consumers are cereal, they’d be in better shape, it calls now challenging Kellogg’s high sugar upon a really common stereotype of and palm oil content, unfair labor people experiencing food insecurity practices, and the broad food that not having enough food or insecurity and food affordability in struggling to buy food is an individual the United States. choice,” said Kate Bauer, a professor Since the campaign for “Cereal for of nutritional sciences at the Dinner” debuted in 2022, data from University of Michigan. “And that’s the Bureau of Labor Statistics data absolutely not the case. Families are shows an increase in price by 28% in food insecure across Michigan, across the last 4 years, and information from the country, because our economic Kellogg’s latest fiscal has raised the and social support systems have failed price by 12%. Due to cooperation many families in this country” profiteering during the Pandemic, (LeClaire). companies have increased consumer prices beyond the impact of supply chain disruption while rewarding shareholders and profiting.

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“The impact of collective action and exercising consumer power is undeniable, with shelves overflowing with Kellogg’s cereals, and information about nutrients and food accessibility became available to the mass public” The lack of awareness of how food insecurity and food deserts can limit the options these marginal communities have on produce and nutritional food products. Being one of the major entities in the food distribution industry, Kellogg refuses to acknowledge how its statute of monopolization can alter the quality and price of its products while shifting the blame that lack of access to healthy food is based on individual choices.

The boycott against Kellogg, proposed on Tiktok, would run from April 1 to June 30, advising customers to avoid purchasing Kellogg's products for three months and support other companies. This sends a message to Kellogg during the second quarter of its fiscal year. The boycott also aims to pressure Kellogg to lower its price by 25%. Videos criticizing Kellogg’s operational practices, and the hashtag #KelloggsBoycott generated millions of views and countless shares. The impact of collective action and exercising consumer power is undeniable, with shelves overflowing with Kellogg’s cereals, and information about nutrients and food accessibility became available to the mass public.

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The sweet fragrance of spring blossoms are overshadowed by a pungent odor emanating from an ornamental invasive tree species widely planted across college campuses in the United States.

From Ornamental Charm to Ecological Harm: The Story of the Callery Pear Invasion Amillia Keagle

The Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) and its cultivars, including ‘Bradford’, ‘Cleveland Select’, and ‘Aristocrat’, are problematic beyond their uninviting stench. “There is a Bradford Tree over on College Ave that smells so bad. No one parks their car there.” said SEBS senior Priyal Patel.

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Originating from China, the Callery pear was introduced to the United States in 1917 with the intention of crossbreeding with fruiting pear varieties to enhance disease resistance and produce sterile fruit(Callery Pear Control, n.d.). ‘Callery’ clones swiftly gained popularity in East Coast residential areas after their commercial debut in 1961(Jaikumar, 2021). This species demonstrates tolerance to various urban conditions and exhibits rapid growth, rendering it an attractive option for new landscaping projects.

The Callery pear and its various cultivars have been extensively planted across urban, suburban, and rural settings, including yards, office complexes, apartment buildings, malls, streets, and college campuses (Callery Pear (Bradford Pear), n.d.).

Initially presumed incapable of reproducing through seeds, "the Callery pear tree has seeded out into natural areas and has become invasive in many states."(North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, n.d.). This phenomenon directly stems from the crosspollination

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between various wild pear tree species, which have hybridized with the Asian native plant, resulting in further interbreeding and the production of even more viable seeds and fertile fruit. The Bradford pear stands out as the most renowned cultivar.

Today, the Callery invades landscapes across the eastern United States, stretching from New Jersey to Illinois and extending southward to Texas(Callery Pear (Pyrus Calleryana), n.d.-b). A solitary tree yields abundant seeds, facilitating rapid spread through seedling germination and vigorous growth through vegetative propagation, resulting in the formation of a substantial patch within just a few years.

Nonetheless, the white-flowering invasive tree species gained popularity in landscaping during the peak of urbanization in the United States in the late 1960s and 1970s for various reasons.

Firstly, its aesthetic appeal is undeniable. Come spring, the Callery pear boasts white flowers, transitioning to maroon or dark red foliage in the fall.

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"Trees in bloom are conspicuous, as they flower early. The dense clusters of white blossoms produce a strong, rancid odor." (Callery Pear | Minnesota Department of Agriculture, n.d.) With flies serving as the primary pollinators, it's no surprise that the Callery pear strategically emits a repugnant odor reminiscent of rotting fish or a dumpster to attract them(Callery Pear Control, n.d.). This foul aroma now pervades springtime atmospheres across the eastern United States.

The Callery pear, along with its allies, displays invasive traits marked by its capacity to flourish in diverse soil conditions. Due to their adaptability to different soil types, acidity levels, pollution, and drainage variations, they are favored as urban trees. Once they take root, Callery pears form dense thickets that outcompete other plants, including native species unable to endure the deep shade or contend with the pear's demands for water, soil, and space(Callery Pear (Pyrus Calleryana), n.d.-b).

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Despite its appeal in landscaping for its rapid growth, the 'Bradford' cultivar tends to produce heavy limbs with narrow branch unions that may fail and split under the weight of ice or strong winds(Callery Pear Control, n.d.-b).

Consequently, the Callery pear often succumbs to premature demise due to its vulnerability to breakage during severe weather conditions. Making this species less appealing as originally intended.

It's safe to say that the Callery pear's once-celebrated status has faded as its invasive tendencies dominate the Eastern United States. So, what can we do to eradicate the unintended consequences of this malodorous tree?

While the Callery pear exhibits remarkable resilience, its invasive potential necessitates decisive action for effective mitigation. Digging out these trees remains the most effective method despite the challenge posed by their extensive root systems. Complete removal is essential to prevent regrowth and ongoing ecological impacts. Considering the complexity of tree root systems, it's imperative to eradicate every trace of the Callery pear to safeguard native plant species and ecosystems. Transitioning to planting native species, such as those recommended

by Alpine Tree Service for New Jersey(North Jersey Media Group, 2024), offers a sustainable alternative and contributes to ecosystem health and biodiversity.

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17 Ways to Think about 17 Sustainable Development Goals Kendall Soto In seven years, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including eradicating poverty to peace and strong institutions, may be achieved. If not, it will suffice to set the foundation for ambitious, sustainability-driven, unidirectional international development. During April, there is interest in promoting the concept that every day is Earth Day. If you had to think about 30 ways to contribute to mitigating the climate crisis, it could be difficult off the top of your head.

Therefore, I shift your attention to the meaningful goals set by the United Nations. The sustainable development goals are comprehensive, universally applicable, and explain which of society’s mechanisms could be utilized to implement a better world.

The work of the Sustainable Development Goals derives from the initial Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These included fewer targets with critiques of being less representative of diverse voices while holding the title of the “lab-rat.” Both MDGs and SDGs represent the rare triumph of mobilizing international parties into agreement. One of the biggest improvements from MDGs to SDGs has been the basis for

performance measurement, which has been instrumental in communicating across cultures what is working and what is not. In my own experience as an ESG Intern, the use of the SDGs as a corporate responsibility framework has the special ability to inform all levels about practical actions to make an impact. It has become so universally applicable that, for the first time, all styles of efforts, including philanthropy, governmental, societal, and educational, can fit under the same comprehensive strategy. So, my first three ways to think about the Sustainable Development goals are to 1) Consider the triumph of international mobilization, 2) Acknowledge the reflexivity of SDGs since the millennial, 3) Embrace the universality, and hopefully, by thinking like this, people can actively, not passively, help progress to 2030.

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In evaluating six factors that had the greatest influence on MDG achievement, researchers highlighted the obstacles to government ownership and disinterest in top-down approaches to environmental protection. The typical concern is that it would hamper their chances of economic growth.

Whereas, in countries with economic strategies in congruence with the goals, actions aligned more swiftly (Hickman…Yunita 2023).

In light of this, the expanded development goals directed to environmental protection are present in Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life On Land. The materiality of mitigating climate change in every country is different. Island nations will be much more concerned about managing life below water and life on land and participate in a combination of efforts geared toward their needs. This may look like investing in conservation, like Jamaica, whose climate action plans are centered around watershed management, wetland restoration, and water restoration (Roy 2023).

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In a different way, the research highlighted the magnitude that nongovernmental organizations could contribute to achieving developmental goals. The key was that civil society as a whole needs more engagement. More or less NGOs that were very active and connected to the community they represented helped, and those that were less active or less connected did little (Hickman…Yunita 2023).

When picturing No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, and Gender Equality, countries should create avenues to debate solutions and converse on which can be afforded to be a priority. One immediate action to take is to stay in tune with civic engagement opportunities, whether attending local municipal environmental commission meetings, protesting, or writing to your representatives. Forming opinions on what SDGs matter most to you is a substantial way to actively progress sustainable development. Evidently, seven more ways to think about the Sustainable Development Goals this April are 4) Support the SDGs actively, 5) Key actors are not constrained by the government, 6) Avoid looking at the goals from a limited perspective 7) Opt for intersectional applications 8) Prioritize goals specific to geographic, governmental, and time-sensitive needs.

9) Prioritize participation in civil society 10) Support SDGs creatively

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The purpose of rethinking sustainable development goals is to initiate creative problem-solving on an individual level.

One part of goal setting is to give direction, and earlier on I discussed the power of unidirectional planning. A second part of goal setting is to predict necessary outcomes. The councils of diplomats that drafted the sustainable development goals knew the implications of inaction. This would mean that current unsustainable cities increase their health disparities, economic growth stays tied to environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions irreversibly strain the ecosystem services our planet and people depend on. For example, the combination of Affordable and Clean Energy with Sustainable Cities and Communities and Good Health and Well-being (Nilsson…Stafford-Smith 2018). By scaling up renewable energy through programs like community solar inversely improves the quality of life for a city resident and their health by living pollution-free. To conclude, here are seven ways I have or will actively work towards the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

11) Affordable Clean Energy - reading up on my state’s energy master plan, 12) Climate Action - Attending The Climate Reality Project’s Climate Leadership Training in New York City this April,

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13) Partnerships For the Goals - Being an active stakeholder, advocating for representation in decisions that affect where I live, work, shop, eat, and even swim in the future!

14) Quality Education - I volunteered to read weekly to 2nd-grade students during my study abroad program in Thessaloniki, Greece, to support low-income schools.

15) Responsible Consumption and Production - Increasing my participation in the second-hand clothing market online and at local thrift stores, 16) Decent Work and Economic Growth - Reading Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard book; ‘Let My People Go Surfing’, to educate myself on work-life balance and sustainable business and 17) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - voting in my local, state, and national elections.

The Sustainable Development Goals represent the most popular social impact agreement to have gained popularity. I believe it’s because of its raw, dynamic, and allencumbussing reminder that the problems of the world are intersected. Across seventeen goals, there is space for your skills, your passion, and betterment for the world. I hope this helps you recommit to sustainability this Earth Month, and kudos to everyone making a difference across the seventeen sustainable development goals.

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GArdeNing Galore!

Sofia Little People have so many reasons to not do any given thing. School, work, taking care of kids, and exhaustion often occupy this list of why people are too busy to add more to their daily to-dos. Despite this, it is worth taking the time to implement gardening into your life. With the prevalence of social media, this is becoming more accessible. There has also been a rise in the number of people who use the platform to share their knowledge and green thumb.

There are so many tips and tricks on how to garden efficiently or even inside, and many of them are online.

First off, why is it so crucial to garden? Gardening is good for your mind and body, and it leads to lower stress levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, and decreased rates of depression. Gardens help to clean our air, taking in pollutants and carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen.

Additionally, they help to prevent soil erosion and prevent sediment

and prevent sediment from entering streams, storm drains, and roads (“Benefits of Gardening”). Indoor gardens are also wonderful for your health. Houseplants are also natural air purifiers, can reduce stress, may improve your productivity, andsleep quality, and boost your immune system (American Horticulture Society).

Some things to keep in mind if you want to begin indoor gardening are plants that are better for growing indoors. These include: Carrots, hot peppers, lettuce, and tomatoes Basil, chives, mint, parsley, and thyme

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Low light-loving species are spider plants, snake plants, and certain ferns.

Humidity-loving plants are begonias, ferns, and peace lilies.

Additionally, a “living wall” and species that grow vertically are suitable for indoor gardeners who are tight on space (Johnstone, 2023).

More things to keep in mind when you begin gardening outdoors are to pick a good location with plenty of light, only grow things you like to eat, and make sure to have lots of water on hand. Additionally, soil nutrients and drainage are crucial, and using things like compost, leaf mold, or well-aged manure will help the soil to drain well and hold moisture. Also, choose varieties for your growing season based on the frost dates and lengths of your area, and staggering plants/ not planting all at once (Sweetser, 2023).

Other gardening tips include using diatomaceous earth, which comes from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms (National Pesticide Information Center). Be careful when planting things like mint, and put

invasive species into pots so they do not take over entire gardens.

Allotment gardening is also a viable option. They are community gardens where a gardener pays a fee to “join or lease a plot of land for a given length of time” and cultivate flowers and food (Gardenstead, 2023).

Another idea is containment gardening, which is especially good in urban areas and can be done in a budget-friendly way by reusing old containers. This is where, as described earlier in the article, plants are grown in containers rather than on the ground (Celebrate Urban Birds, 2017).

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Here are a variety of gardening tips I found on Instagram to get you started with gardening: 1. Here are some tips on how to grow ginger from Patrick Vernuccio (Vernuccio, 2024) 2. Take one store-bought organic ginger and put it on a small plate with water 3. Spray water onto it every day until you see little sprouts (“sprouting eyes”) beginning to form.

4. Then take a pot with drainage holes at the bottom and put in clay balls at the bottom, then soil and compost.

5. Then, I made a small hole in the middle for the ginger to go 6. Cover it with soil (without compressing the ginger ) and leave a few sprouting eyes exposed 7. Then keep inside by the window like an indoor plant 8. Once there is no more frost, put it outside in a bigger pot 9. Once there are more stems, harvest the ginger!

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Are you worried about the increase in waste when planting? Chapman has some tips to help with zero-waste seed starting (Chapman, 2024a)!

1. Use old milk cartons as containers to grow microgreens by cutting out one rectangle side and saving the other piece you cut for later. a. Then, cut a few holes into the opposite side for drainage b. After filling them with compost and seeds c. Then, use the side you cut out earlier to block out the light 2. Plastic vegetable boxes can sow lots of different types of seeds a. Poke holes at the bottom for drainage and fill with soil 3. Old egg cartons are compostable and can be used to grow seeds for herbs such as coriander a. You can plant some seeds in each section of the carton and then place them straight into the garden once they have begun to sprout 4. Put old toilet paper rolls into tray and fill them with compost a. They are good for growing things like sweet peas, and they have room for the roots to grow deep 5. Cut a plastic bottle in half and remove the lid a. Fill the top half with compost b. But the top into the bottom half to catch any water trips and use it as a stand c. This is great for fast-growing seeds or seeds you transplant seedlings later on.

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Here are some more tips from Chapman on how to grow chamomile flower from chamomile tea bags (Chapman, 2024b).

1. Fill a tray or pot with compost 2. Rip open a tea bag and thickly sprinkle it on 3. Cover with a light layer of compost 4. Put it on a sunny windowsill inside your house and keep it watered 5. In a few weeks, you will have a few flowers that you can plant outside if there is no frost 6. You can dry the flowers and have your own supply of tea!

Excited for strawberry season? Here are tips from Taylor O’Sullivan on how to start growing your own (O’Sullivan, 2024).

1. Use a knife to cut a thin strawberry skin 2. Grab a small cup or pot and fill it with soil 3. Place the strawberry skin on top and water it lightly 4. Put a small cup or shot glass on top of the strawberry seeds to create a humid environment 5. Put it on a sunny ledge or spot inside 6. In 8 days, you will see the first sprout 7. When it grows a small but sturdy stem, the strawberry is ready to be replanted outside. Pick a pot with plenty of room for it to grow.

8. In the spring, the first strawberry buds (white flowers) will emerge 9. In a few weeks, the first strawberry will be ready to eat!

Some ways to get excited about gardening are to have garden parties with friends- and getting a group of friends together to garden can make hours' worth of work go by much faster in a day. There are so many benefits to getting involved with gardening, and I hope these tips make you feel inspired to start planting soon!

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Earth Day: Then and N w

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The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, less than four months before the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (Library of Congress, 2024). The first Earth Day came at a very influential period in environmental politics, with the Clean Air Act of 1970 ratified the same year and the Clean Water Act implemented only two years later (EPA, 2023). The 1970s was an essential period in the environmental movement, with activism and advocacy seeing significant increases throughout the country (Martin, 2022). This event was first promoted

by Senator Gaylord Nelson, and over 20 million people participated (Library of Congress, n.d.). This year will mark the 55th annual Earth Day celebration, and there are countless ways to enjoy the day. While the environmental movement in the United States had begun long before, Earth Day was a critical turning point for environmental activism. By Earth Day’s 20th celebration,

more than 141 countries had celebrated, and there was participation from over 200 million people (Library of Congress, n.d.).

The theme of this year’s Earth Day is Plants vs. Plastics, with hopes to reduce plastic pollution and focus instead on sustainability (earthday.org, 2024). Some of the Earth Day 2024 demands include a “UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution,” an end to fast fashion, and a “60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.” (earthday.org, 2024). There are a variety of events planned across the country and world, aiming to raise environmental awareness and reduce plastic pollution, scheduled for this Earth Day.

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The New York City Park Department is having a volunteer day on Earth Day, where participants will be pruning trees, raking, weeding, mulching, and cleaning up at Stuyvesant Square (New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, 2024). There are other events related to Earth Day that are scheduled to occur in the next few weeks, like the New York City Earth Day Festival on April 16th.

This festival will take place in Union Square and will include live performances, art exhibits, and tabling by various non-profit environmental organizations (Earth Day Initiative, 2024). There are events all over the world, like EarthFEST in Canada, where there is live music, educational presentations, and sustainable food options (Earth Day Canada, 2024).

attention to the products you use and foods you eat throughout the day and consider how you can consume more sustainably. Another way that I like to spend my Earth Day is by cleaning up litter and trash in natural areas like parks.

While many places organize Earth Dayrelated cleanups, if you cannot participate in any of these, you can easily do this on your own or with a group of friends or family. Finally, you can educate yourself on our current climate situation and possible solutions, as education is our greatest weapon against climate change. This Earth Day, take some time to consider what else you can do to help combat the climate crisis.

With these events and more, there are countless ways to support the environmental movement this Earth Day. However, there is also much that can be done on an individual level to celebrate Earth Day. One easy thing you can do this Earth Day is to pay

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Green Jobs & Workforce Development Drishta Soni On March 25, 2024, Rutgers University held its Green Jobs Fair, an opportunity for students from various fields of study to connect with employers in sustainability, climate action, and related fields. I witnessed students of all ages networking with future employers. As a Rutgers freshman, I was able to experience my first job fair and found it engaging and productive. Regardless of age, green job fairs are a great tool to promote the workforce in clean energy, encourage sustainable practice within companies, and allow students to see the potential impact this sector of employment can leave. For those who couldn’t witness it firsthand, green job creation can create a strong workforce,

especially in disadvantaged areas, and with growing concern for climate change and cleaner energy, the global economy has made it a priority to seize any economic opportunities that arise along the way, creating thousands of jobs in sustainable sectors.

Contributors: Biden’s Plan: The United States alone generated nearly 300,000 natural gas and energy employment opportunities in 2022, with a growing rate in the clean energy departments of employment (Boushey, 2023). A large contributor to the recent and rapidly growing rate of clean energy

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jobs is President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The Investing in America agenda was an economic transformation implemented in early 2021 to drive the United States closer to achieving its clean energy goals by 2050 and to improve public infrastructure domestically. Though the budget outline provides $245 billion to the semiconductors and electronics industry and $27 billion to biomanufacturing, it also provides $165 billion to the development of electric vehicles and batteries, $77 billion to clean energy manufacturing, and $141 billion to clean power (The White House, 2021).

The plan, intending to increase support for each of these industries, has also allowed room for employment in areas like plant manufacturing and management, energy engineering, policy analytics, and consulting throughout urban and highly-populated areas in the United States and territories (Department of Energy, 2023). Legislation that works towards achieving clean energy by 2050 often results in the expansion of employment opportunities in the clean energy sector and similar fields.

Inflation Reduction Act: The Inflation Reductions Act of 2022 is a clean energy tax incentive fashioned to

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provide investments in low-income communities to drive them towards a greater reliance on the clean energy industry for jobs and recovery from the impacts of the fossil fuel industry. Intended to advance clean energy by 50%, the legislation also allows the expansion of the workforce in underprivileged areas (Saha et al., 2022). The Inflation Reductions Act will use two-thirds of the EPA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund towards the advancement of clean energy in low-income and disadvantaged communities (The White House, 2023).

Economic growth and dominant use of renewable energy are expected in lowincome communities, along with a reduction in employment opportunities in competing industries.

The Inflation Reductions Act has been used to divest from the development of internal combustion engine vehicles; this could mean a reduction in available jobs in the auto parts and vehicle assembly/maintenance industry.

Though this could be a positive change by transitioning more of the workforce towards clean energy, there is one dominant risk to be considered–with fewer jobs in areas that are not necessarily new, clean energy employment is going to have to provide significantly higher wages to workers, posing a risk of clean energy practices and production becoming more expensive and

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slowing down their productivity (Jones, 2020). However, the World Resources Institute estimates that increasing wages to $22/hr, which they consider a living wage, would only require increasing current modeled costs by 1% (Saha et al., 2022).

With an achievable cost estimate and enough motivation to further the shift towards clean energy employment in lowincome communities, environmental conditions for residents can improve, and fewer fossil fuel emissions may reduce the severity of those conditions. The industry's growth can also be utilized to help grow the socio-economic status of those communities.

The Workforce: It’s no secret that the growth of jobs in these sectors helps adapt to climate change and restores raw materials and ecosystems, but it also introduces 24 million jobs into the world economy, according to the World Employment and Social Outlook report of 2018. It is estimated that if continued growth in clean energy is expected internationally, by 2030, the global economy will lose only 6 million jobs, leaving 18 million related jobs in the workforce (International Labour Office Geneva, 2018). Fields that are expected to experience significant growth in green employment include energy, agriculture, design, tourism, and

transportation (Iberdrola, 2023). As the global market shifts to a focus on cleaner energy, it is wise to evaluate all options available. Many students at institutions like Rutgers have the opportunity to work in a clean power or sustainability sector, and as these jobs begin to raise their wages and become a priority in American and international economies, the sustainability workforce will be more sought out.

Growth in these sectors is necessary for the conservation of natural resources and for the extension of the sustainable industry.

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Sustainable Rat-titude: Discarded Materials Upcycled Into Unique Jewelry

By Miranda Ma

I first came upon TrashByRat at a New Brunswick basement show.

After dancing to some great live music, I braved the overcrowded backyard and found myself at the TrashbyRat table. It was a small table with a rose-covered tablecloth, adorned with extremely interesting earrings and necklaces. Where their contemporaries use beads and pearls, I saw everything-- from soda tabs and bottle caps to foam earplugs and guitar picks (and even nitrous oxide canisters)--- among the typical beads and pearls in the creations by Rat. I was so intrigued by the eccentric design choices, I picked up a business card and scheduled a meeting with the “Rat” behind the jewelry. It was there I met the very welcoming and charming Rachel “Rat/Rachrat” Leykin (they/she).

Rachel is as eclectic and interesting as their artwork. They first learned jewelry-making from a friend at American University.

Upon transferring to Rutgers, Rachel was shocked by how much trash they saw in New Brunswick.

Walking past streets littered with student waste was something that didn’t sit right with Rachel. “I saw the most trash on Easton Ave, and you could tell it was student trash, not the local community’s.” As a Rutgers student, Rachel felt they could do their part by picking up this trash. They did not stop there, Rachel used their creative background in jewelry-making and began incorporating the trash they picked up as the focal point of their pieces.

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When selling these one-of-a-kind pieces, they often get the question Why? Why use “trash” as a basis for a jewelry business? The answer lies in Rachel’s love for the planet and advocacy for sustainability. Sustainability has long been a keystone value for them. Before college, Rachel took a gap year working on a permaculture farm where reuse and upcycling were the norm.

Outside of jewelry-making, they study Data Science. Rachel plans to apply data science to sustainable problem-solving. “I want to make sustainability easily accessible.” TrashByRat is one of the ways that they can achieve this goal. According to the 1987 Brundtland report, sustainable development is being able to meet “the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their

own needs”. One of the most ingenious ways to accomplish this is by enacting a circular economy.

This is essentially when you take something that is considered at the “end” of its economic life-cycle (aka trash) and then reintroduce it back into the economy. This helps both the economy and the environment by being resource-efficient and increasing waste prevention.

TrashByRat is not only a perfect example of this but also helps spread the awareness of how one individual can make a great impact!

Rachel also has a minor in Medicinal and Economic Botany.

This is another one of Rachel’s great passions. They have a vested interest in ethnobotany and exploring the various uses of a plant. This is another way they plan to continue their stewardship to the planet.

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AGRIVOLTAICS: The Potential of Dual-Use Solar For as long as they have existed, we have been going about solar fields all wrong. In a time when it is essential to rethink our impact on the earth, we have sparsely considered the ecological impact and other potential uses of solar fields. While it is near impossible to argue the increasing need for renewable energy, we must not make critical mistakes in the implementation of solar.

The solar fields of today look very similar to the solar fields of the past decades. Most often, solar fields are nothing more than fenced-in lawns adorned with panels.

Many deserts, forests, and fields have been ruined by the hand of clean energy (not nearly as much as oil, but it is still bad). A prime example of this would be Six Flags: Great Adventure. Before conservation groups stepped in with a lawsuit, Six Flags: Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, was prepared to clear-cut 90 acres in preparation for solar fields. Thankfully, they elected to place some of these solar panels over already developed land parking lots, and only 40 acres were chopped down (Di Ionno, 2018). This replacement of nature for just solar panels does not make sense as it limits that parcel of land for just

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one use. Rather than wasting the land between the panels on simple turf grass, why not do something with that land?

Something like growing food.

Agrivoltaics, also known as Agrovoltaics and Agrisolar, is the simultaneous use of land for solar energy production and food production. Here is why it makes too much sense: Much of the land is not being used anyways, it can diversify incomes for farms and solar fields, it works for livestock and crops, and urban environments can benefit from getting fresh food and clean energy with half the land, rainwater can be collected from the solar panels and be used on site decreasing reliance upon other water sources, and it can create jobs.

Rutgers has even gotten in on the action.

Thanks to an influx of $2 Million from the 2022 State Budget specifically for building Research and Demonstration Agrivoltaic Systems on their Research Farms, Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station has been able to expand upon the growing body of research

(Rutgers/NJAES Agrivoltaics Research and Extension Program (Rutgers EcoComplex), 2021).

While the idea of Agrivoltaics is still in its infancy in the United States, Europe and Asia have already made strides in the field. There have been successful installations in France due to support from the state. Installations that have had promising results. An installation by Sun’R over a Grenache Noir vineyard in Piolenc has seen a reduced need for irrigation, and a growing period that has been increased by 2 weeks which resulted in grapes growing 20% bigger. This success led to a larger scale replication in a vineyard near Perpignan, France. Also in France, a site with apricots, with varieties selected specifically for agrivoltaics, saw a 70% savings in water over the typical apricot farm (Herrero, 2021). The other country leading the charge in agrivoltaics is Japan, but that is mostly due to land-scarcity (Turrentine, 2022).

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Agrivoltaics become even more appealing when you factor in a relatively new idea that has emerged from the solar scene: Bifacial vertically oriented solar panels facing east/west. It sounds rather inefficient and goes against how most of us view solar fields, but east/west-oriented solar panels have reported higher energy yields than expected (Ferrell, 2024). The reason is, ordinary solar panels facing south often see a loss in power as temperatures rise past 32 ℃ (Boeye, 2017). Bifacial vertically oriented solar panels still need to be tested at a larger scale to prove it should be the new norm in solar panel orientation, but that has not stopped investment in the

field. A German startup Next2Sun has based its business model on such a design.

They even offer fences constructed from solar panels.

These advancements are exciting and have the potential to change the way we farm and the way we generate electricity. With no apparent downsides, agrivoltaics have the potential to preserve farmland, diversify incomes for farmlands/solar fields, shorten supply chains for fresh food in urban areas, save water, improve yields for certain crops, and ultimately conserve land. It is a real world example of killing two birds with one stone.

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PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY

BY PHILIP KIM In recent years, New Jersey has experienced a troubling trend marked by a considerable increase in plastic consumption, posing significant challenges despite initial efforts such as the implementation of a bag prohibition, which, according to a recent study by the Freedonia Group, not only failed to curb plastic usage but actually exacerbated it. “There is evidence that New Jersey’s bag prohibition not only failed to curb plastic usage, it backfired.

According to a new study released on January 9 by the Freedonia Group, 53 million pounds worth of plastic shopping bags were used in New Jersey prior to the implementation of the state’s bag ban, a figure that has risen to 151 million pounds since the prohibition was instituted.” Gleason, P. (2024, February 20).

This increase in plastic usage has had environmental, economic, and societal consequences, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive efforts to address the problem.

Examining New Jersey's surge in

plastic consumption involves analyzing the unintended consequences of the state's bag ban, exploring the drivers behind increased plastic usage, and assessing its environmental, economic, and societal impacts. Solutions may entail revisiting policies, promoting awareness, fostering innovation, and fostering collaborative efforts across sectors to mitigate the problem effectively.

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by Environmental and Resource Economics also suggests that plastic bag bans can lead to an increase in purchases of garbage bags. "We estimate that (carryout grocery bag) regulations lead to an average increase in purchased plastics of 127 pounds per store per month," states the study (Gomez, J. 2024, January 26).

Furthermore, the expansion of online shopping has increased packaging waste, contributing to the total amount of plastic consumed.

Insufficient recycling infrastructure and a lack of awareness about sustainable alternatives have exacerbated the dependency on plastic. (The search for alternatives to carry groceries and other products from the store leads to the purchase of products that increase the pollution caused by manufacturing the bags (Gomez, 2024,).

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Soaring plastic consumption in New Jersey has far-reaching repercussions. Excessive plastic use has increased pollution levels in landfills, water bodies, and natural habitats, endangering species and ecosystems. "We estimate that (carryout grocery bag) regulations lead to an average increase in purchased plastics of 127 pounds per store per month," states the study. (Gomez, J. 2024, January 26) Plastic garbage frequently litters beaches, parks, and cities, detracting from the state's natural beauty and impeding tourism and leisure activities. Economically, the costs of controlling and mitigating plastic pollution greatly burden local governments and taxpayers, and unfavorable publicity about New Jersey's plastic problem might taint its reputation and deter potential investors and businesses.

Mitigating New Jersey's increased plastic usage requires a comprehensive strategy, including regulatory interventions, consumer education, and business partnerships. Strict limits on single-

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plastics, like bans or taxes, can encourage environmentally beneficial alternatives. Investing in robust recycling infrastructure and circular economy initiatives improves waste management. Promoting public awareness and education empowers communities to adopt sustainable practices, including the use of biodegradable utensils made from materials like cornstarch or bamboo, which offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics and break down naturally, reducing environmental impact.

New Jersey's increased plastic usage is a major issue with far-reaching consequences for the environment, economy, and society. Urgent action is required to reverse this trend and move toward a more sustainable future. By addressing the underlying causes, implications, and potential solutions to the plastic consumption dilemma, New Jersey may position itself as an environmental leader and create a model for other regions to follow. Only through concentrated efforts and collaborative action can we protect our planet and ensure the well-being of current and future generations.

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MMM CRUNCHY! The United Nations Climate Change Conference declared that agricultural expansion drives almost 90 percent of global deforestation. This is concerning, especially in places such as South America, where forests like the Amazon house one in ten species of Earth.

Animal agriculture threatens biodiversity, increases deforestation, and is an unsustainable way to feed the growing population. A solution to this problem which is being proposed is consuming insects. While this may sound strange and potentially offputting initially, there are numerous benefits to replacing traditional protein with that of insects.

Not only is eating insects good for the planet, it is great for your health as well.

According to the National Library of Medicine, insects are high in lean protein as well as rich in iron, zinc, Omega-3, and magnesium. Insects are so vitamin and

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mineral-packed, that they contain more nutrients than beef per pound (Alhujaili et al, 2023). While being more nutritious, insects also require fewer resources than livestock, making them cheaper and easier to cultivate.

Their nutritional value and low-maintenance features make them a considerable choice to replace traditional meat options.

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One of the main obstacles to making this switch in the Western world is the stigma surrounding insects. According to the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed (2024), there are over 2,000 species of edible insects, and about 2 billion people in the world currently consume insects. The majority of countries that have insects on the menu are developing, located mainly in Africa, though it is also commonplace to eat insects in Asia and South America. There are many ways to incorporate insects into your diet if you are not ready to bite the head off a cricket just yet.

There are forms of insect powder that can be equated to protein powder when sprinkled atop yogurt or added to a smoothie. Some popular brands include Entomo Farms, Cricket Flours, and Crunchy Critters. You can also try insect larvae, which is often added to salads and rice bowls. If we can encourage consumer acceptance of insects as a valuable food source, we have the potential to protect our forests, support biodiversity, and adopt a more healthy, sustainable method of agriculture.

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Advancing Climate Resilience and Equity: A Historic Investment in America’s Forests

By Emily Yang On March 15, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a monumental investment of nearly 145 million dollars from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, making it the largest climate investment in U.S. history (USDA 2024). This initiative, which is part of the broader Investing in America agenda, is set to revolutionize forest management and conservation efforts across the nation. At the forefront of this investment is the USDA Forest Service, which aims to bridge the gap between forest landowners and emerging climate markets, marking a shift towards climate resilience and sustainability (USDS 2024).

Under the Department of Agriculture’s secretary, Tom Vilsack, and USDA’s Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Dr. Homer Wilkes, this initiative highlights the role of private landowners in combating climate change and ensuring the health of forests (USDA 2024).

By expanding access to previously inaccessible markets, particularly for underserved, smallacreage forest landowners, the administration seeks to empower individuals to address climate challenges while bolstering rural economies and securing land ownership for future generations.

The emergence of private-sector climate markets offers economic incentives for

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sustainable forest management practices, including reforestation and improved land stewardship. However, challenges like high acreage requirements and expensive start-up costs have marginalized many small-acreage and underserved landowners, hindering their participation in these growing markets. To address this disparity, 116 million dollars of these funds have been allocated for 20 Forest Landowner Support projects, which are designed to ensure equitable access to climate markets for landowners in disadvantaged communities (USFS 2024).

This initiative not only advances climate resilience but also aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct 40% of the benefits from federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities (Energy 2024). It also contributes to the America the Beautiful initiative, fostering conservation efforts led by local communities (Energy 2024).

In addition, 29 million dollars have been allocated to states and territories to develop their own technical assistance programs in recognition of the importance of state engagement and support for underserved landowners nationwide (USDA 2024). In tandem with these efforts, the Forest Service has also allocated 20 million dollars for Tribes and Alaska Native corporations and villages to enhance their access to climate markets (USDA 2024).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Biden-Harris Administration, is redefining America’s approach to forestry and land management. By prioritizing resilience, equity, and community engagement, this initiative marks a pivotal step toward a more sustainable future.

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The Subak System

A case study in Indigenous Land Management

By: Evan DeAngelis The Subak system is a reactionary horticultural land stewardship movement developed by the local population to ensure wise use after the Indonesian system of Balinese Feudalism was toppled. It is a governmental system of land, water, and other resource sharing that is defined and enforced on a community-level democratic basis which enshrines equal rights of access and management authority. Councils made up of local shareholders meet to coordinate their paddy flooding, harvests, rice plantings, crop rotations, and other aspects of local cultivation methods.

Approaches like the Subak system often go unnoticed by outsiders, especially those who do not study the area or have knowledge of social governance or resource policy in general.Tourists coming to Bali often want to visit some of the picturesque rice paddies across the island. Usually they do not realize the complex social system and planning that goes on behind the scenes…” (Bali Institute, 1970) like so many lesser-known systems such as the Mutualistas movement which drew on older indigenous traditions. in that part of the world, the Subak system is, unfortunately, mostly restricted to the world of academia in the West.

“ This is undoubtedly one of the chiefest of many misfortunes, the way we understand indigenous movements in that part of the world.

Communities involved in the Subak system are unified and cohesive on a social level through religious customs and folk rituals.

The core of the system is the system’s central structure of religious beliefs around the sacredness of water, the reverence for nature and wilderness itself, and the authority of religious leaders over public affairs. Small stupa-like* water temples and shrines lay scattered through the various drainage junctions and ditches that lay spreading in great webs throughout the vast Subak rice fields. The local form of Hinduism and therefore, the caste system both exist and play a role in Balinese society. Those are a part of proximity of the subak system. Still, the structure being democratic in nature means that the concepts of caste melt away to form a more malleable social framework for an indigenous model of self-governance.

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Heads of the community are elected to decide on appointments, maintenance, and more.

Autonomy and flexibility are key components of a resilient indigenous system that ensures lasting success and prosperity. This system has been evolving in small ways and expanding since the 10th. Century. This kind of adaptation is crucial in an area so heavily affected by post-colonial exploitation, the encroaching menace of ecological and cultural tourism, and the ravages of the Climate Crisis.

Much can be learned from this approach, which we could see applied to our own communities in a more sustainable model of the current standard.

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.).

Cultural landscape of bali province: The Subak system as a manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy. UNESCO World Heritage Centre . https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1194/ Bali institute . (1970, March 24). Subak System.... what is it?. Bali Institute. https://baliinstitute.com/subak-system-whatis-it/

*A stupa is a conical temple common to Southeast Asian Buddhism and Hinduism

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Cicadas

By Maia Dragowski

During the past two springs and summers, the Eastern US missed the emergence of periodical cicadas. However, this year, the coast can expect to hear the familiar and (kind of) friendly hum of cicadas, as two separate broods emerge and spread across the region.

Periodical cicadas emerge from the ground every 13-17 years (their entire life span) to complete their final molt which leads them to adulthood. Female cicadas deposit their eggs in tree branches, where the larvae fall from and burrow under the ground to restart the cycle (Bartels, 2024). Periodical cicadas differ from annual ones, periodical ones show up early in the spring of their emergence years and are mostly black with orange and red features. Annual cicadas are likely the ones you think of when you hear about cicadas, large, green, and appearing in the heat of August (Golembiewski, 2024). Each cicada in a periodical brood will emerge within a couple of weeks from one another, meaning that throughout the spring and summer two entire broods of cicadas, one 13-year brood, and one 17-year brood, will have reproduced in the US.

Scientists are not fully sure as to why these cicadas emerge on prime numbered cycles, some suggest it may allow cicadas to be less likely prey of predators with 2-3 year life spans, however, the reason is still up in the air (Bartels, 2024). Usually, cicadas will not overlap in their emergence times, so this case is even more unusual as the cicadas overlap not only in their emergence but also in their location. The 13-year brood is located mainly in the South, known as Brood XIX, and they span Northeast and Northwest. The 17-year brood is mainly in the Northern Illinois area, known as Brood XIII, they span throughout the state and slightly to surrounding states.

The East Coast will see a combined emergence of Brood XIII and Brood XIX as they migrate throughout the summer. The overlap in these broods locations is in the Illinois area, meaning they will be seeing the most of it.

Both broods as a whole will likely reach across Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and all the surrounding states on the coast (National Wildlife Foundation).

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During the past two springs and summers, the Eastern US missed the emergence of periodical cicadas. However, this year, the coast can expect to hear the familiar and (kind of) friendly hum of cicadas, as two separate broods emerge and spread across the region.

Periodical cicadas emerge from the ground every 13-17 years (their entire life span) to complete their final molt which leads them to adulthood. Female cicadas deposit their eggs in tree branches, where the larvae fall from and burrow under the ground to restart the cycle (Bartels, 2024). Periodical cicadas differ from annual ones, periodical ones show up early in the spring of their emergence years and are mostly black with orange and red features. Annual cicadas are likely the ones you think of when you hear about cicadas, large, green, and appearing in the heat of August (Golembiewski, 2024). Each cicada in a periodical brood will emerge within a couple of weeks from one another, meaning that throughout the spring and summer two entire broods of cicadas, one 13-year brood, and one 17-year brood, will have reproduced in the US.

All of these are physically and behaviorally similar to those in Brood XIX (National Wildlife Foundation). Each cicada in a periodical brood will emerge within a couple of weeks from one another, meaning that throughout the spring and summer two entire broods of cicadas, one 13-year brood, and one 17-year brood, will have reproduced in the US. All of these are physically and behaviorally similar to those in Brood XIX (National Wildlife Foundation). What also makes these species special is that out of all 3,400 cicada species in the world, only 9 of them evolved to go underground for years and above ground to reproduce, 7 of those 9 are in the US emerging at once (Golembiewski, 2024).

This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event, it will be a remarkably long time before two cicada broods share an emergence time and location.

This year's cicada emergence is going to be a spectacle of insect sorts, something that won't be happening again until 2037. It's going to be hot, loud, and likely a bit gross, but a memorable experience...

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Cherry Blossoms: A Seasonal Spectacle

By Aleen Mirza

The cherry blossom is notorious for its delicate and ethereal beauty, as it attracts thousands of people to attend displays across the world each spring. Despite the flower not being officially recognized as the national flower of Japan, cherry blossoms continue to hold a special place in the country’s culture and history as it has been celebrated for centuries (Sakura: Japan’s Unofficial National Flower, 2022).

Known as sakura in Japanese, the flowers are widely recognized as symbols of renewal, the fleeting nature of life, and mark the arrival of spring. The origins of this symbolism trace back to the Heian Period (794-1185), when the ancient tradition of hanami, which was once associated with plum blossoms, became closely tied to cherry blossoms and involved hosting flower-viewing gatherings to celebrate

the tree's brief blooming period(Sakura: Cherry Blossoms as Living Symbols of Friendship, n.d.). However, the flower's significance goes beyond just its appearance; it also holds importance in Japanese literature, art, and more. Historically, powerful figures like Samurai were known to hold the sakura in high regard for its profound beauty and teachings to cherish the present, thus demonstrating how its allure and influence won the hearts of even warriors. As for art forms, one iconic representation of the cultural appreciation for the flower is the art piece “Cherry Blossoms at Mount Yoshino”

by Katsushika Hokusai (See Figure 1). This print depicts the cherry blossoms in full bloom along the mountainside in Nara Prefecture, Japan, a common travel destination spot to view this spectacle.

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However, due to their immense influence in various cultural contexts, the trees have become popular attractions outside of Japan as well.

Cherry blossoms were introduced to various locations across the world through cultural exchanges and intentional planting efforts on behalf of the receiving country. For instance, Kungsträdgården in Stockholm, Sweden, received cherry trees as a gift from Japan in 1998 as a way to solidify their diplomatic relations. Similarly, cherry trees were planted in the Champs de Mars, France, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York for their aesthetic appeal and to appreciate Japanese culture. Other countries like Brazil had cherry trees introduced through the Japanese diaspora, which would later create the opening of the Botanical Garden of Curitiba and annual festivals across the country to celebrate the blooming season (Wikipedia contributors, 2024). While there are far more places with equally stunning displays, these travel spots are among the most popular due to the surrounding historical monuments, parks, and other attractions in the area.

When it comes to visiting these locations in the peak blossom season, the dates vary depending on the location but typically occur around the same time of year. In Japan, as of 2024, the blooming season starts around March 31st to either April 12th or May 5th in some locations (2024 Cherry Blossom Forecast, n.d.). In Europe, the cherry blossom season begins in mid-March

and continues into early April in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and France (Grogan, 2024). On average, these dates align with North American blooming times but can change based on seasonal weather conditions (Coleman, 2024). Meanwhile, in Brazil, the expected bloom dates are usually between late June and early July because that is the winter season in the southern hemisphere (Geiling, 2016). Ultimately, no matter which location one chooses to visit, the enchanting allure of cherry blossoms can be enjoyed relatively anywhere in the world.

Despite the global appreciation, the preservation of cherry blossoms is crucial.

Beyond their cultural significance, cherry blossoms are major contributors to biodiversity as their flowers help support key pollinators like honey bees, who face major threats of habitat loss through the help of climate change (The Birds, the Bees, and the Flowering Cherry Trees (U.S. National Park Service), n.d.). Additionally, given the cherry blossoms’ short blooming season, the trees are highly sensitive to environmental changes. For instance, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared in 2022 that the rise of sea levels could potentially impact the blossoms in Washington DC (Gibson & Kammerer, 2022). Therefore, conserving these trees, in the long run, can ensure that both dependent species and future generations can continue to benefit from and cherish the spring phenomenon for decades to come.

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An Update on the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion in New Jersey “Getting Ready for Spotted Lanternfly in 2024.” GrowerTalks, 1 March 2024, https://www.growertalks.com/Article/? articleid=26712. Accessed 24 April 2024.

“NJ spotted lanternfly population down, insect likely here to stay.” northjersey, 19 August 2023, https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2023/08/19/nj-spotted-lanternfly-population-down-insect-tostay/70622221007/. Accessed 24 April 2024.

“Spotted Lanternfly 5-Year Strategy Fiscal Years 2024-2028.” Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/slf-strategy.pdf. Accessed 24 April 2024.

Driving State

Allen, P. (2020, November). Newark community impacts of mobile source emissions. A Community-Based Participatory Research Analysis. https://www.njeja.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NewarkCommunityImpacts_MJBA.pdf Bikeru Initiative: Institutional Planning and Operations. BikeRU Initiative | Institutional Planning and Operations. (n.d.). https://ipo.rutgers.edu/dots/biking Curbing Our Emissions in New Jersey. Dep.nj.gov. (2023, September 29). https://dep.nj.gov/climatechange/mitigation/ Gibson, J. (2024, February 28).

US Commuting Facts & Statistics.

Bankrate Press. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/commuting-facts-statistics/#average-commute-time-by-state New Jersey State Profile and Energy Estimates. EIA. (2023, December 21). https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php? sid=NJ#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20natural%20gas%20and,electricity%20produced%20in%20the%20state SEA. (2022). Seat. Rutgers Students for Environmental Awareness . https://www.rutgerssea.com/copy-of-sea-food-1

Kelloggs Boycott Han, Zoe. “Kellogg’s ‘cereal for dinner’ controversy and price increases spur calls for a boycott.” Microsoft Start, 1 March 2024, https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/kellogg-s-cereal-for-dinner-controversy-and-price-increases-spur-callsfor-a-boycott/ar-BB1jboB7. Accessed 8 April 2024.

Han, Zoe, and Justin Sullivan. “Kellogg's 'cereal for dinner' controversy and price increases spur calls for a boycott.”

MarketWatch, 1 March 2024, https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kelloggs-cereal-for-dinner-controversy-and-priceincreases-spur-calls-for-a-boycott-cdbdfd9b. Accessed 8 April 2024.

LeClaire, Amanda. WDET, https://wdet.org/2024/04/03/kelloggs-facing-backlash-boycott-this-month-followingcontroversial-comment-from-ceo/. Accessed 8 April 2024.

Mandel, Jay. “How TikTok Boycotts Are Reshaping Consumption.” Marketing Accountability Council (MAC), 24 march 2024, https://marketingaccountability.substack.com/p/how-tiktok-boycotts-are-reshaping. Accessed 8 April 2024.

Vargas, Ramon Antonio, and Marianne Williamson. “Let them eat Flakes: Kellogg's CEO says poor families should consider 'cereal for dinner.'” The Guardian, 27 February 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/27/kelloggs-ceocereal-for-dinner. Accessed 8 April 2024

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From Ornamental Charm to Ecological Harm: The Story of the Callery Pear Invasion Callery pear (Bradford Pear). (n.d.). Missouri Department of Conservation. https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/fieldguide/callery-pear-bradford-pear Callery pear control. (n.d.). Missouri Department of Conservation. https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/callerypear-control Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana). (n.d.). https://www.invasive.org/alien/pubs/midatlantic/pyca.htm#:~:text=Ecological%20Threat,sizeable%20patch%20within%20s everal%20years Damiano, J. (2023, March 14). Callery pear tree: How to manage an invasive former favorite | AP News. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/callery-pear-trees-alternatives-gardening-13567ed5d1898acd4d858f2b147f9cb5? utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share Invasive species. (n.d.). In NJDEP. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. https://dep.nj.gov/invasivespecies/plants/

17 Ways to Think about 17 Sustainable Development Goals Hickmann, T., Biermann, F., Spinazzola, M., Ballard, C., Bogers, M., Forestier, O., Kalfagianni, A., Kim, R. E., Montesano, F. S., Peek, T., Sénit, C., Driel, M., Vijge, M. J., & Yunita, A. (2023). Success factors of global goal‐setting for sustainable development: Learning from the Millennium Development Goals. Sustainable Development (Bradford, West Yorkshire, England), 31(3), 1214–1225. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2461 Nilsson, M., Chisholm, E., Griggs, D., Howden-Chapman, P., McCollum, D., Messerli, P., Neumann, B., Stevance, A.-S., Visbeck, M., & Stafford-Smith, M. (2018). Mapping interactions between the sustainable development goals: lessons learned and ways forward.

Sustainability Science, 13(6), 1489–1503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0604-z Roy, D. (2023, August 16). How the Caribbean Is Building Climate Resilience. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/how-caribbean-building-climate-resilience

Earth Day: Then and Now

Earth Day Canada. 2nd Annual EarthFEST, carletonplace.ca/Calendar/calendar.php?

ID=4946&command=view&year=2024&month=4&day=20&LANGCODE=EN&pop=Y. Accessed 31 Mar. 2024.

Earth Day Initiative. “Earth Day Is Coming! What Can You Do This Spring?” Earth Day Initiative, www.earthdayinitiative.org/earth-day-2024-events-menu. Accessed 31 Mar. 2024. earthday.org. “Earth Day 2024.” Earth Day, www.earthday.org/.

EPA. “Milestones in EPA and Environmental History.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 7 June 2023, www.epa.gov/history/milestones-epa-and-environmental-history.

Library of Congress. “Today in History - April 22.” The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/april22/#:~:text=Earth%20Day%20was%20first%20observed,sites%20across%20the%20United%20States. Accessed 31 Mar. 2024.

Martin, Emily. “How the First Earth Day Ushered in a Golden Age of Activism.” National Geographic, 21 Apr. 2022, www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/how-the-first-earth-day-ushered-in-a-golden-age-ofactivism.

New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. “New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.” NYC Parks Events Calendar, www.nycgovparks.org/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.

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Gardening Galore!

American Horticultural Society. (2023, November 9). The joys and benefits of indoor gardening - american horticultural society.

American Horticultural Society - Improving Life Through Plants and Gardening. https://ahsgardening.org/about-us/newspress/the-joys-and-benefits-of-indoor-gardening/ Benefits of Gardening. (n.d.). https://schultesgreenhouse.com/Benefits.html Celebrate Urban Birds. (2017, June 1). Container Gardening. Celebrate Urban Birds. https://celebrateurbanbirds.org/learn/gardening/containergardening/#:~:text=Container%20gardening%20is%20when%20plants,to%20set%20up%20your%20garden Chapman, A. (2024a, January 31). How to start your seeds using recycled materials. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2xmnZMK-tc/?igsh=NTR1M2ZwbXR0Znhw Chapman, A. (2024b, February 27). How to grow your own chamomile from a teabag. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C32_EVgKOGk/?igsh=MWhmMDJyeGVjaWlzbg%3D%3D Gardenstead. (2023, February 17). Allotment Gardening and the Benefits of Community Gardens. gardenstead. https://www.gardenstead.com/allotment-gardening-and-the-benefits-of-community-gardens/ Johnstone, G. (2023, April 12). Indoor gardening systems: Endless Plant Possibilities. The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/indoor-gardening-beginner-guide-5199347 National Pesticide Information Center. (n.d.). Diatomaceous Earth Fact Sheet. National Pesticide Information Center. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html#howwork O’Sullivan, T. (2024, April 10). Make space day 10 - did you know you can grow new strawberries from old strawberries? .

Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5lspRRx4rD/?igsh=MTYxcnNjY3k0Zms5dg%3D%3D Sweetser, R. (2023, November 16). Top 10 gardening tips for Beginners. Almanac.com. https://www.almanac.com/10-tipsbeginner-gardeners Vernuccio, P. (2024, January 12) Tips to Grow your Own Ginger. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2AeqrQKAE0/? igsh=MWRkaDZ1ZXI3ZGw3bQ%3D%3D

🍓🌱

Agrivoltaics: The Potential of Dual-Use Solar

Boeye, J. (2017, November 17). Solar panel analysis pt 2: Temperature & efficiency. Jeroen Boeye. Retrieved April 21, 2024, from https://www.jeroenboeye.com/blog/solar-panel-analysis-pt-2-temperature-and-efficiency/ Di Ionno, M. (2018, January 24). Six Flags cuts down solar farm. Wikipedia. Retrieved April 21, 2024, from https://www.nj.com/news/2018/01/six_flags_cuts_down_solar_farm_di_ionno.html Ferrell, M. (2024, February 6). Have we been doing Solar wrong all along? Undecided with Matt Ferrell. Retrieved April 21, 2024, from https://undecidedmf.com/have-we-been-doing-solar-wrong-all-along/ Herrero, M. (2021, February 11). An inclusive, rural European Green Deal through agrisolar. PV Magazine. Retrieved April 21, 2024, from https://www.pv-magazine.com/magazine-archive/an-inclusive-rural-european-green-deal-through-agrisolar/ Rutgers/NJAES Agrivoltaics Research and Extension Program (Rutgers EcoComplex). (2021). Rutgers EcoComplex. Retrieved April 21, 2024, from https://ecocomplex.rutgers.edu/agrivoltaics-research.html Turrentine, J. (2022, February 23). Made in the Shade: The Promise of Farming with Solar Panels. NRDC. Retrieved April 21, 2024, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/made-shade-promise-farming-solar-panels

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Green Job Creation and Workforce Development

Boushey, H. (2023, October 23). Bidenomics in Action: Clean Energy Jobs and Investments Taking Hold Across America. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/blog/2023/10/23/bidenomics-in-action-clean-energy-jobs-andinvestments-taking-hold-acrossamerica/#:~:text=Nationwide%20in%202022%2C%20clean%20energy,percent%20of%20overall%20energy%20jobs Department of Energy. (2023, June 28). DOE Report Finds Clean Energy Jobs Grew in Every State In 2022. Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-report-finds-clean-energy-jobs-grew-every-state-2022 Iberdrola. (2023). Green Jobs: Good For You, For the Environment and For the Economy. Iberdrola Sustainability. https://www.iberdrola.com/sustainability/what-are-green-jobs International Labour Office - Geneva. (2018). World Employment and Social Outlook 2018: Greening with jobs. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/--publ/documents/publication/wcms_628654.pdf Jones, B. (2020, November 12). Prevailing Wage in Solar Can Deliver Good Jobs While Keeping Growth on Track - UC Berkeley Labor Center. UC Berkeley Labor Center. https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/prevailing-wage-in-solar-can-deliver-goodjobs-while-keeping-growth-on-track/#s-2 Saha, D., Shrestha, R., & Jordan, P. (2022, September 14). How a Clean Energy Economy Can Create Millions of Jobs in the US. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/us-jobs-clean-energy-growth The White House. (2021). Investing In America | The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/invest/? utm_source=invest.gov The White House. (2023, August 16). One Year In, President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is Driving Historic Climate Action and Investing in America to Create Good Paying Jobs and Reduce Costs. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefingroom/statements-releases/2023/08/16/fact-sheet-one-year-in-president-bidens-inflation-reduction-act-is-driving-historicclimate-action-and-investing-in-america-to-create-good-paying-jobs-and-reduce-costs/

Sustainable Rat-titude: Reimagining The Beauty In Discarded Materials With Upcycled Jewelry

Leykin, R. (2024, February 21). Interview for The Trail’s Article on the business “TrashByRat” (M. Ma, Interviewer) [Personal communication].

TrashByRat. (2024). TrashByRat. Trash by Rat. https://trashbyrat.wordpress.com/ United Nations. (1987). Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development Our Common Future. https://www.are.admin.ch/dam/are/en/dokumente/nachhaltige_entwicklung/dokumente/bericht/our_common_futurebru ndtlandreport1987.pdf.download.pdf/our_common_futurebrundtlandreport1987.pdf

Advancing Climate Resilience and Equity: A Historic Investment in America’s Forests Forest Landowner Support. US Forest Service. (n.d.) https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/state-private-forestry/coop-forestry/ira-forest-landowner-support Justice40 Initiative. Energy.gov. (n.d.). https://www.energy.gov/justice/justice40-initiative U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2024, March 15). Biden-Harris Administration Announces $145M from Investing in America agenda to help landowners access climate markets. USDA. https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/03/15/biden-harris-administration-announces-145m-investing-americaagenda

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Plastic Consumption in New Jersey Gleason, P. (2024, February 20). New Jersey bag ban followed by increased use of plastic. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2024/01/22/new-jersey-bag-ban-followed-by-increased-use-of-plastic/? sh=6a6a2c976a85 Gomez, J. (2024, January 26). New Jersey’s plastic consumption triples after plastic bag ban enacted, study shows. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/25/new-jersey-plastic-bag-ban-study/72354533007/

MMM Crunchy! ,. (2024, March 5). , - YouTube. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55603-7 Baker, A. (2021, February 26). How Humans Eating Insects Could Help Save the Planet. Time. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://time.com/5942290/eat-insects-save-planet/ Choi, Y. (n.d.). Edible Insects as a Protein Source: A Review of Public Perception, Processing Technology, and Research Trends. NCBI. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6728817/ Insects as Food: Consumers' Acceptance and Marketing. (2023, February 19). NCBI. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9956212/ Johnson, A. (2017, September 17). ,. , -. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/abs/10.3920/JIFF2014.0015

Advancing Climate Resilience and Equity: A Historic Investment in America’s Forests

Forest Landowner Support. US Forest Service. (n.d.) https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/state-private-forestry/coop-forestry/ira-forest-landowner-support Justice40 Initiative. Energy.gov. (n.d.). https://www.energy.gov/justice/justice40-initiative U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2024, March 15). Biden-Harris Administration Announces $145M from Investing in America agenda to help landowners access climate markets. USDA. https://www.usda.gov/media/pressreleases/2024/03/15/biden-harris-administration-announces-145m-investing-america-agenda

The Subak System: A case study in indigenous Land Management

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.). Cultural landscape of bali province: The Subak system as a manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1194/ Bali institute . (1970, March 24). Subak System.... what is it?. Bali Institute. https://baliinstitute.com/subak-system-what-is-it/

Cicadas

Bartels, M. (2024, April 5). A double emergence of periodical cicadas isn’t cicada-geddon-it’s a Marvel. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-double-brood-of-periodical-cicadas-will-emerge-in-2024/ Golembiewski, K. (2024, April 10). Cicadas 2024: What to expect from the brood XIII and brood XIX emergence of cicadas.

CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/10/world/cicadas-2024-broods-xix-xiii-scn/index.html Periodical cicadas. National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/WildlifeGuide/Invertebrates/PeriodicalCicadas#:~:text=Males%20cluster%20in%20groups%20and,burrow%20beneath%20the%20soil%20again.

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Cherry Blossoms: A Seasonal Spectacle

Coleman, D. (2024, March 18). 2024 Washington DC cherry blossom peak bloom forecasts. Washington DC Cherry Blossom Prints. https://cherryblossomwatch.com/peak-bloom-forecast/ Geiling, N. (2016, March 30). Where to see the best cherry blossoms around the world. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/where-see-best-cherry-blossoms-around-world-180949961/ Gibson, T., & Kammerer, D. (2022, March 25). Saving our blossoms: How climate change is threatening DC’s cherry trees.

NBC4 Washington. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/changing-climate/saving-our-blossoms-how-climatechange-is-threatening-dcs-cherry-blossoms/3007994/ Grogan, S. (2024, March 6). 7 places to see cherry blossoms in Europe. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/spring-cherry-blossoms-europe Hokusai, K. (1833). Cherry Blossoms at Yoshino (Yoshino), from the series Snow, Moon, and Flowers (Setsugekka).

[Woodblock print].

Sakura: Japan’s Unofficial National Flower. (2022, October 17). Shotengai. https://shotengai.com/blogs/magazine/sakurajapans-unofficial-national-flower Sakura: Cherry Blossoms as Living Symbols of Friendship. (n.d.). Library of Congress. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/cherry-blossoms/cherry-blossoms-in-japanese-culturalhistory.html#:~:text=The%20practice%20was%20first%20associated,Period%20(794%E2%80%931185) The birds, the bees, and the flowering cherry trees (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). Nps.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2024, from https://www.nps.gov/articles/birds-and-cherry-blossom-trees.htm Wikipedia contributors. (2024, April 2). Cherry blossom cultivation by country. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cherry_blossom_cultivation_by_country&oldid=1216956182 2024 cherry blossom forecast. (n.d.). Japan-guide.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.japanguide.com/sakura/#/hirosaki

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