Environment
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A classic example of a North American species that undergoes a great migration is the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus Linnaeus. Monarchs travel on air currents and cross more than 3000 miles in winter to reach their overwintering sites. Monarch butterfly populations are showing a declining trend. As the overwintering habitat in Mexico is destroyed by logging or deforestation activities, they have fewer and fewer places to overwinter. Other factors contributing to their decline such as diseases, pesticide use, and loss of larval hosts (i.e., milkweed) are on the rise. The larvae need milkweed to develop, and the adults need nectar for migration and survival day-to-day, so more nectar sources and milkweed plants are needed to sustain their migration patterns. More flowering plants and milkweeds can help conserve the migrating monarchs, especially when planted along farm-reserved lands and urban gardens.
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The lead author of this publication is Katherine Melcher, College of Environment and Design. The UGA Extension contact for the publication’s content is Becky Griffin. Providing opportunities for youth to design their environment can increase their connection to everyday nature and increase their sense of empowerment. By combining ecology and design, garden design can also be a central piece in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education. This activity guide contains five chapters that explain the purpose of pollinator gardens, the design process, and the basic steps used to create a planting plan. The chapters are supplemented with activities to guide youth and other beginning designers through the process of creating a pollinator garden.
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The lead author of this publication is Katherine Melcher, College of Environment and Design. The UGA Extension contact for the publication’s content is Becky Griffin. These appendices provide information about plants that grow well in Georgia’s Piedmont Ecoregion, as well as to-scale plant symbol and plant ID card templates for use in creating design plans.
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SB 48-13
Vertebrate Pest Control
This section of the Home & Garden Edition covers control of vertebrate pests such as beavers, chipmunks, deer, and bats, as well as repellents and how to manage reptiles, amphibians and birds. Note that prior to killing protected animals in Georgia, it is necessary to obtain a permit from the Wildlife Resources Office of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. A permit is also required to take furbearing animals or game animals out of season. A current hunting or trapping license is required to take game or furbearing animals in season. Beginning in 2022, the Home & Garden Edition has been updated biennially. When purchasing a product based on a first-year recommendation of the Handbook, check the current product label before purchase to be sure it is still labeled for the use for which you are buying it. For pesticide products you have on hand from earlier purchases, you are allowed to use them until they are depleted without penalty under the law. Always follow label instructions before use. Contact the product’s manufacturer for the most up-to-date label.
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SB 48-04
Aquatic Environments
This section of the Home & Garden Edition covers external parasite control in aquatic environments, including fishery chemicals, aquatic weed control, response to herbicides, restrictions, and calculating concentrations in aquatic environments. Beginning in 2022, the Home & Garden Edition has been updated biennially. When purchasing a product based on a first-year recommendation of the Handbook, check the current product label before purchase to be sure it is still labeled for the use for which you are buying it. For pesticide products you have on hand from earlier purchases, you are allowed to use them until they are depleted without penalty under the law. Always follow label instructions before use. Contact the product’s manufacturer for the most up-to-date label.
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This publication provides a brief overview of the major regulatory agencies and highlights the rules that Georgia farmers should be aware of concerning storage tanks on their farms.
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This publication is part of a series focusing on irrigation scheduling for vegetable crops. It contains basic information on water use and irrigation management using the crop water demand method for Solanaceae crops such as bell peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants.
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C 858-14
Uranium in Your Water
Uranium in your drinking water may be harmful to your health. If your water comes from a public system, it is routinely tested to ensure safe levels of uranium. If your source of household water is a private well, cistern or spring, you are solely responsible for the quality of your own drinking water. Private well owners are encouraged to monitor uranium through water testing.
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Arsenic in your drinking water may damage your health. Because arsenic in household well water is usually dissolved from natural rock in the aquifer, water treatment is the only way to eliminate it. This publication describes methods for removing arsenic from household drinking water.
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