In short, longleaf pine forests have nearly vanished. Once spanning 90 million acres from east Texas to southern Virginia, now these forests only claim 3.4 million acres. These forests are defined by the wealth of flora and fauna that occupy its understory, including numerous endangered species like the gopher tortoise and black pine snake.

After writing the story, a year or two passed. Although they sounded like a neat ecosystem to experience, I never had the opportunity to visit. I put my first foot in a longleaf pine forest in March, when my co-workers and I visited a forest created with the help of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), my current employer. It was amazing. The gopher tortoise burrows, the huge pine cones and the blanket of wildflowers and legumes was quite an experience. Check out the story that was a result of this trip.

I have visited several more longleaf forests, and I hope those are not the last.

In the meantime, the focus of my research paper for my summer course, Plan Implementation, is on planning for longleaf pine ecosystem success. I will keep you updated on how it goes.

The answer — based on my observations — is no. We live in a time when iPods and computer games have taken the place of exploring the vacant lot down the street or going fishing. It’s scary. Children are our future.

One day they will make policy and set trends. And without experiencing nature for themselves, who will — as said in Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” — speak for the trees. Today’s kiddos are smart. They know of nature as a global term. They can speak to the degradation of coral reefs and wildlife in despair. But they probably can’t tell you anything about the problems in their own urban sprawling community, which is likely in ecological disrepair.

We live in a world of Dogwoods and cul de sacs, where most kids know of oaks, brooks, deer and willows because it’s the name of their street or subdivision — not because it’s there. I come from a generation not much different than that of today. I watched many of my peers drop nature for Nintendo and TV. I want to see something better for the kids of today when they turn 25.

I read a book last week by Richard Louv called “Last Child in the Woods,” which chronicles Louv’s research of America’s children and their nature-deficit disorder. It was a great read, and it’s a call to arm for parents and grandparents.

It’s up to parents and grandparents to teach youngsters about nature. They need you to show them plants, wildlife, pollution and conservation. Rustle up a copy of “The Lorax.” Take them on a hike. Go camping. Plant a vegetable garden. The opportunities are endless. Mississippi has a beautiful landscape ripe for experiences.

Also on the dashboard:

• Plastic retail bags should get the boot, but it could be quite a while before that happens, according to one of the state’s most environmental friendly lawmakers. Read more here.
• Brandon has banned the feeding of wildlife. I wrote a story last year about some problems the city has had with traffic-snarling flocks of ducks and geese. Well, those problems haven’t resolved themselves. This story looks at the ordinance, which prevents the feeding of waterfowl and wild animals. It was passed to curb the overabundance of geese, ducks and deer. For more information, read this article.
• Starting Wednesday, Rankin County will have its solid waste plan (trash!) open for inspection. It will be open for review for 30 days, either in digital form on the county’s website or at the Board of Supervisors office.
• Curbside recycling is back and running in urban parts of unincorporated Madison County. It was stopped for a month or two until the county could renegotiate prices.
• I already blogged about this, but I thought I would mention it again. Saw a book review on the Natural Resource Defense Council’s website today about vertical farms. In short, they are skyscrapers composed solely of gardens. Sounds like a very cool concept, although the book has garnered some criticism that the numbers do not make sense. Read more here.

Like my last post, community gardens provide a unique way to redevelop a blighted area. It gives residents the opportunity to work for food they many not be able to afford.

The reasons mentioned above are why I think Jackson’s first official, public community gardens will have big benefits for the community. Two were planted along Booker Street in the Washington Addition, a historical neighborhood south of Jackson State University (my grad school). They were both planted today. About 30 percent of Jackson lives below the poverty line, and this neighborhood has its share of economically disadvantaged residents.

The lots are 30×80 feet, too narrow for development but perfect for growing some fruits and veggies. Jackson State University is pairing up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service to set up the gardens. The lots are owned by JSU, either donated by alumni or a forfeiture property. The seeds are donated, and people loan the equipment used to till the land.

I’m not sure if I’ve inherited my dad’s “green thumb,” but I have taken a stab at using the little space I have to grow fruits, vegetables and seasonings that I can use everyday. Whether it’s plucking a mint leaf for a cocktail or awaiting on ripe tomatoes and peppers, I’m excited about the progress of my patio garden.

I face some obstacles. First, I live in a duplex, and my neighbors, roommate and I share a patio that is all concrete and heavily shaded. It gets about five hours a sun each day (you want at least six!). But I decided I would go for it anyway, you know, make it work. All of my plants are in pots, and as they grow, I continue to space them out.

What I have growing: basil (Thai and dark opal), mint (spearmint, chocolate and citrus), sage, rosemary, cilantro, lemon drop, tomatoes, peppers (bell and banana) and a lime tree. Everything is looking good; I may have over-fertilized the bell peppers because I noticed several brown patches on their leaves. At first I thought it was sun spots, but my dad said if they’re getting to much sun, they’ll wilt or wither. Plus, remember, my plants lack sun more than anything.

I’ll keep everyone posted on how they fair.

I’m reading a book right now called “Raised-bed Vegetable Gardening Made Simple.” It’s an enjoyable book. The author grew up with a father who grew a majority of the food consumed by the family. I can kind of relate to him. Right now, my fridge is stocked with Swiss char and beets, and I have Irish potatoes drying on the counters, all courtesy of my dad’s garden. Anyway, in the book, Raymond Nones highlights the importance of sunlight, saying he had three tips for gardeners… location, location, location… which means… sunlight, sunlight, sunlight. He did go on to clarify that no yard will be the ideal location. Check out the pictures above to see my setup on my Belhaven neighborhood patio.

As it turns out, a pound of hair absorbs oil better than fur or synthetics, soaking up a quart per minute. Metro area hair salons will be collecting clippings through the end of the month.

Then they will be bundled in nylon stockings and used as booms to lap up oil that has leaked in the Gulf of Mexico.

Salons across the U.S. are working with Matter of Trust, a group that collects hair for oil spills. According to the group’s Web site, about 2,600 oil spills occurred in 2009.

The idea for using hair clippings to soak up oil was birthed following the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989. An Alabama hair stylist noted how well hair soaked up oil and began testing clippings.

The stylist, Phil McCrory then invented a mat that soaked up the oil, called the OttiMat. Call your hair salons and see if they’re on board! For more information, visit Matter of Trust’s site.

Here’s a pic:

We live in the right-half of the house.