The winter cold can seem like a pretty good reason to stay indoors.  But those who make the effort to don layers of hats, gloves, and scarves will be rewarded.    Redmond resident John Reinke took this fantastic picture of winter frost transforming some of the landscaping down by the Redmond Senior Center.

As John said, "The attached photos were taken on late Friday afternoon, outside of the Redmond Senior Center.  Thursday night was very foggy and cold, so that the fog sublimated into frost directly onto the beds of ornamental grass outside of the Senior Center. By late Friday afternoon, most of the frost had been transformed by the sun into miniature droplets on or near the tips of the ornamental grass fronds." 

It might not be the season to stop and smell the roses, but as John has demonstrated, slowing down to admire the frost can be just as pleasant!

If you have any pictures of nature around Redmond or stories you'd like to share, be sure and email us at impactredmond@redmond.gov! 

This year the presents won't only be under the tree, they will BE the tree. King County Parks has partnered with Swanson's Nursery to sell living Christmas trees.  Once the holidays are over, and all your ornaments are back in the garage, your Christmas tree can be donated back to King County. From there, your tree will be planted in one of our local parks or reserves. These native species will help restore and enhance salmon habitat for years to come.  (You can even volunteer to help plant your contribution on January 19th) Last year this program donated 275 plants to restoration efforts!

Redmond’s Heron Rookery, a 4.6 acre site just off Leary Way, will be receiving some TLC over the next few weeks.  As part of an Urban Forestry Restoration Project, the Washington Conservation Corps will be removing invasive species from this forested treasure downtown. You may have seen some nesting herons in the tall evergreens as you walk by the location.

Invasive species such as Himalayan Blackberry and English Ivy and Holly are growing throughout the forested area.  The invasive species cause a problem because they compete for water and nutrients that should be available to native species.  Our native species are well adapted to support local wildlife and grow in harmony with other native plants.  These invasive speices, if left unchecked can choke out healthy plants and shrubs and even kill trees.  Once these invasive plants are removed, new, native plants will be put in their place.

Impact Redmond has covered the benefits of native plantings here and here, if you're interested in learning more.

To volunteer in restoring and protecting Redmond's wild areas, check out Forterra's Green Redmond Partnership and Redmond's Environmental homepage.

November is typically our wettest month of the year.  Combine that rain with all our beautiful street trees dropping their leaves onto our yards and streets, and we could have a problem on our hands.

September 17-23, 2012 is Pollution Prevention Week

The best way to protect the Earth and its people is to stop creating pollution in the first place.  That realization became America's official policy in 1990 with the Federal Pollution Prevention Act's declaration that, "Pollution should be prevented or reduced at its source, whenever possible."

Use these tips and prevent pollution today!

How can I save water and reduce polluted runoff from my yard?

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean off your driveway or sidewalk.
• Cut your grass at least three inches high to shade the roots making it more drought tolerant.
• Try to water only in the evening or very early morning to minimize evaporation.
• Use porous pavement instead of asphalt for driveways and walkways.
• Collect stormwater in rain gardens and rain barrels.
• Use native plantings instead of lawn grasses, which will help filter and retain water locally due to deeper root systems thereby reducing runoff.

How can I save money while helping the environment?

• Think about giving your car a day off.  By leaving your car at home two days a week, you can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds per year.
• Don't top off the gas tank.  This allows harmful chemicals to escape into the air.
• Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as ten percent.
• Drive the speed limit; avoid high speeds.  You can improve your gas mileage about 15 percent by driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph.
• Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can improve your gas mileage.  Buy motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
• Keep your car tuned up and the tires properly inflated to save on fuel costs.  Keeping tires properly inflated and wheels algined reduces tire drag on the road.
• If you change your own motor oil, recylce it at a "quick lube" shop, gas station, or auto store that accepts used motor oil for recycling.

For more information on Pollution Prevention Week, check out http://www.epa.gov/p2week/.