Miss Manners: Another reminder that ‘Ms.' exists is useful
Is 'Mr. Smith and Mrs. Jones,' therefore, the proper form to put on an envelope, to be followed by street address, city and state?
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Gardener captures once-in-a-lifetime photo of rare backyard visitor: 'I used to have those all over'
A gardener spotted a special visitor in their plants and turned to the internet to learn more and discovered they had a friendly, native species on their hands. In the r/gardening subreddit, the OP shared a rather stunning photo of a little green lizard perched among the leaves of their plant. "Is this my friend?" they asked the subreddit, and they were met with a resounding yes. "Oh yes that's a keeper there! He's gonna snack on all the bugs you don't want around your garden," one person wrote. Several people identified it as a green anole, a species native to the United States and commonly found in the southeastern region of the country, particularly at home in the Everglades, per the U.S. National Park Service. "That is 100% a Green Anole. I used to have those all over the exterior of my house, but the Cuban Browns have run all the native Greens off," one person explained. Green anoles are being overtaken by their invasive cousins, the brown anole (also known as the Cuban or Caribbean anole). According to the Louisiana Illuminator, the brown anole first came to the U.S. in the 1940s, traveling easily through human means. They're known for being more aggressive, outcompeting greens for food on the ground, and even preying on them. The lizards have apparently been adapting, moving into the trees and evolving larger toe pads rather quickly, but the Louisana Illuminator pointed out that the brown species taking over on land is more sensitive to extreme weather events and heat, meaning as they die off they leave their environments more prone to disease spread as pests like mosquitoes go uneaten. That's why it's important to support native plants in your garden and yard. Planting natives provides habitats for native species like the green anole, and they, in turn, make your life easier by eating insects and pests that would damage your plants or irritate you. Planting native species and wild plants also saves you money. You'll cut down on having to buy things like pesticides and fertilizer to aid in your garden's health, and you'll also save money on utilities like water. According to the California Native Plant Society, native plants require 60-80% less water than their non-native counterparts. Which of these benefits is your biggest motivation in gardening? Getting outside more Growing healthy food Making my yard beautiful I don't garden Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
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Expert warns against harmful landscaping trend that is becoming more prevalent: 'Common mistake'
One TikToker is digging into a popular landscaping trend and revealing how it could actually be doing more harm than good to your trees. In a video, TikToker Will, who goes by Bird Man Will (@ points out a common mistake people make when mulching around trees: piling mulch directly up against the trunk. His simple tip? Don't do this. "Common mistake in landscaping," the user said in the caption of the video. In the video, Will explains how the way roots grow can change when covered in mulch, functionally cutting off the oxygen and nutrient supply to the tree. The term "volcano mulching" refers to the piling up of mulch against the trunk of a tree, creating a volcano-shaped mound and encouraging the roots of trees to grow into the nutrient-rich mulch, eventually hurting or killing the tree by encircling it and cutting off the circulation of water and nutrients. Trees play a vital role in our communities, especially in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Access to healthy, mature trees has been linked to lower temperatures, reduced stress, and even improved student performance in schools. Fortunately, there are healthier, more sustainable ways to care for your yard. Decisions can include growing trees with proper care or replacing parts of your lawn with eco-friendly, low-maintenance alternatives. Even a partial lawn replacement can cut water bills, reduce upkeep, and help your landscape thrive. Users who interacted with the video affirmed the information, speaking about the ways they've seen this problem. "I help plant some in the community and we always leave a ring around the trunk to not be right up on it," one user commented. "I worked grounds at a university and my boss would yell at us if we covered tree roots," one user commented. "Really surprising that a landscape manager made this mistake." What's the hardest thing about taking care of your yard? Mowing the lawn Controlling weeds Keeping pests at bay I don't have a yard Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
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Is it legal to own a raccoon in Iowa? What to know about keeping wildlife as a pet.
It's not uncommon to come across adorable wildlife in Iowa — from summertime fawn sightings to the occasional bobcat kitten in your yard. Even a raccoon can appear cute and cuddly at the right time. You may even be tempted to bring one home, before thinking to yourself: "Is this legal?" Well, we're here to answer that question. Is it legal to own a raccoon in Iowa? It's illegal to own dangerous wild animals in Iowa, as outlined in Iowa Code. Raccoons aren't technically considered dangerous wild animals. However, this is where things get tricky. "A bit of a nuance, but wild raccoons are illegal to have as pets in Iowa," said Tammie Krausman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources' public information officer. "Often, people want to keep them as pets if they are injured or thought to be orphaned." Law enforcement action will be taken if a wild raccoon is found as a pet in Iowa, including removing the animal, Krausman said. Citations can also be given, as many cities have ordinances prohibiting the animals as pets. While certain raccoons obtained by a licensed breeder are technically legal in Iowa, Krausman said there are laws that impact transporting raccoons across state lines. What should you do if you see an injured animal or an abandoned baby animal? Krausman recommended not touching or moving wildlife, as you could cause more problems than solving them, especially if the animal is a baby. The DNR warns that many baby animals that appear orphaned are actually being cared for by a parent who is just out of sight. Many animals die from the stress of being handled or placed in unfamiliar surroundings. If you come across wildlife and don't know what to do, you can always call the Iowa DNR at 515-275-8200 and the team will help you find appropriate care for the animal, Krausman said. Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@ or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Is it legal to own a raccoon in Iowa? See what Iowa DNR says. Solve the daily Crossword
