Turtles, or Honu in Hawaiian, need our help.

I remember the first time I saw a honu in Maui. We were snorkeling and the honu was just chilling on the coral reef. It was an amazing sight. On our last trip to the big island, the hotel we stayed at had its own lagoon. We went snorkeling early one morning and got to hang out with three beautiful honus. I still have not been able to see on the beach but it is on my photography bucket list. I will keep going back until I am able to photograph a honu on land.

June 16th is World Sea Turtle Day to bring attention to the marine reptile. The US waters have six different species in its waters: loggerhead (southeastern US), Green (Florida), Leatherback (Pacific), Hawksbill (Caribbean), Kemp’s ridley (Mexico), and Olive Ridley (Pacific).

So… why do turtles matter?

Turtles are important sea life because they help protect coral reef and keep the food chain healthy. The coral reef is necessary because they protect shorelines, and provide a habitat for many marine animals and fish. Turtles eat sea sponges which would otherwise take over and damage the coral reef. They also eat jellyfish, which would deplete fish stock and disrupt the food chain.

What are the threats to turtles?

Six of seven species are considered critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. Threats include fishing, poaching, habitat destruction, and climate change. Honu can get caught in fishing gear and drown. They need to get to the surface to breathe and traditional fishing gear can entangle them and make it difficult, if not impossible, to surface. Some cultures consider the meat and eggs to be a delicacy. Shells can be used for ceremonial purposes or ornamental purposes. Development along coastlines are destroying the habitat because female turtles return to the beach they hatched on to lay eggs. If a condo suddenly goes up she will have nowhere to go. Lastly, climate change is causing sea levels to rise, an increase in the number and intensity of storms contribute to destroying beaches where they nest.

How can I help?

There are many things you can do to help. Advances in fishing and usage of different equipment are helping in that area but as a non-fisher, you can still do many things to aid the plight of honu.

• If you see a nest, leave it alone. The turtle and nests are protected on both the federal and state level.
• Pack out what you pack into the beach. Take all your garbage with you.
• Leave the beach in its natural state. Fill in holes you may have dug. Knock down your sandcastles (I’d suggest taking a few photos to remember all your fun and hard work).
• Use reusable bags instead of plastic. Animals often mistake plastic for food or can become tangled in plastic bags.
• Never release balloons outdoors. The balloons will make their way to the ocean and become choking hazards to all marine animals.

How will you help the honu next time you are at the beach?

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What would happen in a world without flowers?

The world would feel drab and dreary. But there’s much more of an impact than just something pretty to look at. Without flowers, we would have no bees.

Bees?

Yes, bees.

Why am I worrying about bees? They are an integral part of our earth and their numbers are dropping. U.S. beekeepers reported a 44% decrease in their colonies from April 2015 to April 2016. Bees pollinate and without them we’d have no plants, no crops, and, of course, no honey! One third of our food is directly tied to bees. One. Third.

The human factor is the most likely cause for the numbers dropping so much. The use of pesticides, bringing in non-native species, including pollinators, and the single crop landscapes. Climate change is also likely having an effect as well.

How can you help?

Plant native wildflowers, bushes and/or fruit trees in your yard. Use a wide variety of native plants to increase diversity. If you live in the city and don’t have a yard, you can grow herbs like chives, rosemary, and sage, amongst others. Buy local honey, which usually tastes better, supports your local economy, and can help with allergies.

A good place for a ton of information on how to help bees can be found here.

How will you help the bees?

Water.

We use it every day, usually taking for granted how easily we can access fresh, clean water. For most reading this, we just turn the tap and have hot or cold at our disposal. But for how long?

Water covers around 71 percent of the earth, with about 96.5 percent being in the oceans. Oceans we have garbage islands and micro plastic in. Each year approximately eight million tons of plastic enter the oceans. Not to mention the effect of climate change on the water level. Melting land ice has caused sea levels to rise 8-9″ since 1900. Coral is being bleached and dying. Animals are extinct or endangered.

Fresh, clean, water is something I care deeply about. I grew up on a river. For a time you weren’t supposed to go in. You had to limit how much fish you ate from it because of the high mercury in them. It’s gotten marginally better but it’s still polluted. You still wouldn’t catch me swimming in it. I’ll go out on a boat, but I won’t get in it. Which is sad. We should be able to swim in rivers, oceans and other bodies of water without fear of pollution.

Someday, I want to live on/near the ocean. To wake up and see the beautiful, clear blue waters of Hawaii. I fear by the time I can retire there won’t be much crystal clear blue water. I go to the ocean to feel relaxed, peaceful, and content. I know many others do as well. We need to start protecting such a valuable resource and save it for those in the future to find contentment or adventure.

We need to make sure our natural resources, like water, are here for generations to come.

Water plays an important part of all life, not just humans.

What can you do to help? Reduce your usage, take shorter showers. Use alternate sources of energy. Buy hybrid or electric vehicles. Limit or combine your trips/errands. Use public transportation. Water your lawns in the early morning or late evenings. Plant native plants. Volunteer to clean up your neighborhood, parks, rivers etc. The list goes on!

I was inspired to write about water conservation when reading the April 2017 National Geographic. There were several great articles regarding water and climate change.

Other resources to read more about the topics mentioned:

Micro plastic

Garbage Island

Mississippi River Pollution

Sea levels & climate change

Stepping out of the car to explore Haleakala on the island of Maui is like setting foot on another planet.

Which isn’t far from the truth when you learn Haleakala has been training grounds for astronauts, more than once. The landscape is truly something to see but what I was most drawn to was the unique plants I kept seeing, growing out of the stark red earth.

I soon learned those plants are from the family ‘ahinahina, and it’s endangered. Each volcano has its own family of silversword, this post is mostly about the Haleakala silversword, which was the first of its kind that I saw.

Why are silverswords endangered? Well, the simple answer is humans can be assholes. There was a time when we took plants and rocks and other natural resources as souvenirs. I can’t say I have never done this. I admit I have taken shells from the beach but I have never thought, “hey, I need a plant. Let me snap part of this cool looking plant off”. I mean, it’s probably going to die by the time you get home from your vacation, right?

Silverswords have very fragile seedlings and a delicate root system.

In the 1920s there were only about 100 plants left. Thanks to conservation efforts, the plant has been brought back to about 40,000. Fences have been erected to keep cattle from grazing and stomping the plants. Visitors to the park are asked to not go off trails and damage the seedlings and root system.  Warning signs were put up and non-native plants are removed by the park rangers. But that doesn’t mean it’s over. The silversword is still considered endangered.

And although silverswords are meant to survive in hot, dry climates, like the side of a crater, climate change may also threaten them. Temperatures are increasing and less rainfall may cause drought conditions. Researchers are evaluating the effects of drought on silversword.

Silverswords can live anywhere from 3 to 90 years but they only flower once and then die. They grow tall stalks and beautiful purple flowers bloom.

As the plant dies, the seeds scatter and create new lives. Talk about the circle of life.

Further reading:
Haleakala National Park
Hawaii Magazine

What is your favorite national park and why? Tell me below in the comments!