Is Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE Legit. What Happens to Beauty Packaging After Store Drop Off
Questions about Nordstrom’s BEAUTYCYCLE recycling program raise concerns about transparency in beauty packaging recycling. Consumers deserve clear data showing how much material collected in store bins enters verified recycling streams rather than landfill.
357,699 Public Comments Later. What Happens Now to the ESA “Harm” Definition?
The public comment period on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act closed May 19, 2025. A total of 357,699 submissions were received. The rule is not finalized. Here is what that means.
A Visit to Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park: Filming for Unity Environmental University's Commencement Ceremony
On May 8, 2025, I visited Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee, Florida, for the very first time. Although I’ve been based in the region for nearly two years now, working on a variety of environmental and media-related projects, this stunning park had somehow never made it onto my itinerary—until now.
Reveal and not Conceal: Looking below the Surface: Snow and the Illusion of Compliance
Snow alters visual interpretation. It reduces contrast, conceals disturbance, and masks hydrologic indicators. A site covered in snow cannot be evaluated accurately through surface observation alone.
How to find your happy place and why you can’t find it
Recently, I spent my weekend on a mini speed boat as I usually do. This time, I did not bring my dog along because I needed my full and undivided attention on keeping the camera stand and boat steady as I made donuts on the Tampa Bay waters. Boats would pass by and rock the boat. Yes, we can say this excursion was a “cargo full of love and devotion”.
Two Sides of Me: Why Being Alone Is Not the Same as Being Isolated in Environmental Work.
This post explores why deep environmental analysis requires uninterrupted cognitive space, how activity-based solitude reduces anxiety, and why alternating between engagement and withdrawal mirrors how healthy ecosystems function. I explore both my analytical and relaxed side.
Young Environmental Scientist Explains why Socializing Alone Might be Right for you!
This video breaks down why activity-based social environments reduce anxiety, build authentic connection, and support real social development without cliques, crowds, or forced performance. This is for people who don't enjoy clubs, don't thrive in group politics, and still want meaningful human connection without changing who they are.
Nature-Based Solutions Case Studies
Nature-based solutions are often promoted as climate resilience tools, but not all projects reach completion. This analysis compares Cascades Park in Tallahassee and the Mirabeau Water Garden in New Orleans to show how governance, funding execution, and project management determine whether green infrastructure actually reduces flooding or remains stuck in planning.
Brownfields Don’t Land Randomly: What My Buffalo Research Still Shows in 2025
Brownfield sites are not evenly distributed across cities. This environmental justice analysis of Buffalo, New York shows statistically significant links between brownfield proximity, poverty, SNAP participation, and community vulnerability. Using GIS mapping and demographic data, this research explains why brownfields cluster near marginalized communities and why those findings remain relevant in 2025 under modern environmental justice policy.
Dr. Richard Gragg’s Call for Environmental Balance
In this episode recap, environmental scientist Dr. Richard D. Gragg III explores the deep connections between people, policy, and the planet. Recorded at a Florida Trail Association meeting, this reflection examines environmental ethics, human health, and why sustainability is ultimately about protecting ourselves as much as the Earth.
Little Book On Recycling
Discover “Aware Animals” by Mira Petrova: A Zero-Waste Comic Bringing Environmental Awareness to Life
Explore the vibrant Aware Animals comic series by Bulgarian artist Mira Petrova, a creative project that turns zero-waste education into fun, visually engaging storytelling. This blog post highlights her unique illustrations, the environmental message behind them, and why her work resonates with anyone trying to live more consciously. Discover how Mira’s art aligns with Terra On The Bench’s mission to make sustainability accessible, practical, and a natural part of everyday life..
Where the River Roars: The End of Devil’s Hole Trail
Devil’s Hole Gorge Trail End: Where the Niagara River Shows Its Power
At the end of the Devil’s Hole Gorge trail near Niagara Falls, the landscape opens to jagged rocks carved with water-filled holes and a stretch of river moving at full force. The Niagara River races past in violent green-and-white rapids, fast enough for whitewater rafting in theory but far too strong and dangerous in reality. Standing at the water’s edge, surrounded by eroded stone and roaring current, makes it clear how glacial melt and constant flow shaped Devil’s Hole Gorge into one of upstate New York’s most intense and unforgettable hiking destinations.
Discovering the Lafayette Heritage Nature Trail: History, Beauty, and Why You Should Visit
Experience the hidden beauty of Lafayette Heritage Nature Trail in Tallahassee, Florida — a scenic 4-mile trail featuring elevated boardwalks, lush pine flatwoods, and sweeping views of Lafayette Lake. Located within Tom Brown Park, this family-friendly trail offers hiking, biking, fishing, and wildlife spotting just minutes from downtown. Discover the unique history of the area, from its early use as farmland to its transformation into a protected greenway. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Lafayette Heritage Trail is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, photographers, and outdoor explorers.
The Greenwashing of Juneteenth: Corporate Sponsorship, But No Real Change
Juneteenth marks Black liberation, but corporate celebrations often stop at banners, cookouts, and slogans—while environmental harm in Black communities continues unchecked. This article examines how companies publicly honor Juneteenth while simultaneously polluting neighborhoods, exploiting labor, and resisting climate and environmental justice policies. Through real-world case studies involving major corporations and energy infrastructure, this piece challenges performative solidarity and argues that true liberation must include clean air, safe water, and material accountability.
Four Leaves from Sleeping Giant: A Small Collection of Autumn Stories
Four Leaves from Sleeping Giant: A Small Collection of Autumn Stories
The forest floor at Sleeping Giant State Park tells its own fall story if you slow down enough to look. From the sturdy, textured leaves of chestnut oak to the rich reds and mitten-shaped forms of sassafras, each fallen leaf reflects how New England forests change with the season. This leaf-focused hike highlights natural color variation, tree diversity, and why paying attention to small details can be just as meaningful as reaching the summit.
Sleeping Giant State Park: The Trail for a giant, of course
Sleeping Giant State Park Nature Trail Mountains
A hike at Sleeping Giant State Park is not a casual walk in the woods. The rocky terrain, steady elevation gain, and mountain paths leading to the summit make this Connecticut trail both physically demanding and rewarding. From steep hills to stone-covered paths that feel almost climbable in places, Sleeping Giant offers a true mountain hiking experience for those looking to test their endurance while surrounded by classic New England forest scenery.