Latest news with #Joyce
Chicago Tribune
5 hours ago
- Science
- Chicago Tribune
Swarms of fireflies in Illinois this summer give enthusiasts hope that insect can overcome population decline
Beatriz Swanson can remember the first time she saw the blinking glow. She was 10 years old, growing up in Mexico, when two fireflies appeared in front of her, floating away before she could carefully capture them in her hands. Swanson did not see the shining insects again until she moved to upstate New York 17 years after her first encounter. Riding in a car at dusk, a cloud of fireflies caught her eye, still holding their allure after all those years. 'I couldn't believe how many we saw,' Swanson said. 'I told my husband to stop. I was like a child watching. I was in such awe seeing such beauty. So since then, I've loved them.' Now a Plainfield resident, Swanson, 51, joined over a dozen other insect fans on a recent hike in Bolingbrook, where she caught two fireflies in a jar, watching them blink back and forth briefly, before she set them free. Many people across the U.S. share Swanson's sentiment for fireflies, which are classified as beetles. Reports of fewer fireflies in recent years have sparked worry for the future of the insect's population. However, increased sightings this summer have boosted hopes for the survival of the insect. On the Friday night hike, wind and an impending thunderstorm did not prevent swarms of fireflies from darting among open grasses and shimmering between trees in the forest. According to researchers, climate change and other factors like development, light pollution and pesticides are threatening firefly populations. Because most data is anecdotal, scientists cannot easily determine whether fireflies are declining or increasing in different areas, said Richard Joyce, endangered species conservation biologist and coordinator of the Firefly Atlas, a tracking project by the conservation group Xerces Society. With an estimated 179 species of fireflies in the U.S., different species require varying habitats, which affects how threatened they are, Joyce said. Firefly species that live in wetlands, for example, might be facing a population decline as their habitat is diminished by development. 'I do think it is safe to say that many species of fireflies, their population have declined in the past few decades, just based on habitat loss, because that's kind of a good proxy for firefly populations, in lieu of actually having data from people trapping or or counting fireflies out in the field,' Joyce said. While also hard to track, the 26 firefly species found in Illinois may not be in immediate danger, according to the Firefly Atlas. However, the cypress firefly species is listed as vulnerable as of 2020 and six other species are listed as data deficient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. '(Data deficient) means that we don't have a very good sense at all how they're doing as a species,' Joyce said. 'Maybe they're doing fine. Maybe they're even increasing, or maybe they're on the brink of extinction, but we just have so little data, and that's a very common thing for insects.' Despite the gaps in data, scientists agree that multiple factors affect the firefly population. A major climate component is the impact weather can have on the life cycle and growth of a population before they appear in the sky, said Darin J. McNeil, a wildlife ecologist at the University of Kentucky, who conducted a study on the insect in 2024. '(Firefly larvae) and their prey are very dependent on moist but not totally saturated soil. So they don't want it to be like a swamp for most species, but they want some kind of moist soil,' McNeil said. 'So if you have weather conditions that affect the soil, that's going to have a profound effect on the fireflies.' If the soil is too wet, it could flood larvae and eggs while overly dry soil could limit the insect's ability to find food and reproduce. Because these conditions affect larvae, they are likely to influence the number of fireflies two to three years later, contributing to annual fluctuations in population, McNeil said. 'Climate is a major driver of firefly abundance in the United States, so you might expect that shifts in climatic conditions would also probably have big effects on where fireflies are abundant and where they're not, but also other things, too, (like) characteristics of the soil,' McNeil said. Pesticides and herbicides can also negatively affect firefly populations. Ingesting the chemicals can kill larvae, change their eating and reproductive patterns, and eliminate their food sources. Habitat loss from the construction of roads, sidewalks and buildings that block access to the soil limits larvae development, he said. Light pollution plays a role in inhibiting mating. When fireflies blink and glow in the sky they are often trying to attract a mate in the grass. Outdoor artificial lighting can confuse the fireflies, who are then unable to find each other. However, people can help fireflies in simple ways by turning off outdoor lights when unneeded, limiting pesticides and herbicides, and creating the perfect habitat for larvae by keeping tall grasses, natural plants and fallen leaves, McNeil said. 'We leave most of our leaves in our yard, rake them to the margins of the yard and leave them there,' he said. 'That gives the firefly larvae and the firefly eggs somewhere over winter, also gives a place for prey for the firefly larvae so that they can survive and do their thing.' McNeil urged citizens to get involved with conservation groups like Xerces to help create a better understanding of the status of different species. 'I would just encourage people to look into doing Firefly Watch, even if you don't have any fireflies in your yard at all … submit a form that says, hey, there's 10 fireflies here, or zero fireflies here, or whatever,' McNeil said. 'Even (if it's) a yearly thing you and the kids or the grandkids (do), I think, can be a really valuable way to connect kids to nature and contribute data to a valuable cause.' The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden are among the many places in the Chicago area with habitats that cater to fireflies. At the arboretum, a mix of warm weather and open grasses and wildflowers have attracted more fireflies than staff have seen in previous years combined, said Plant Clinic Manager Spencer Campbell. 'They're an insect that sparks curiosity and a desire for discovery and to witness them and to develop a personal relationship and a memory, which, you know, not all of our beetles are as charismatic as the firefly,' Campbell said. 'I think we should make sure that every generation that follows us has those same opportunities to develop those deep bonds with the natural world.' Regional events like the firefly hike, scheduled throughout the summer in multiple counties, aim to educate children and adults on conservation. These events often allow children to learn about fireflies firsthand, wielding nets and jars while experiencing the insect up close. For Swanson, fireflies have an important role in creating childlike wonder in people of all ages. She said she could not imagine her grandchildren missing out on this opportunity. 'Whenever we are out and about and I see them … I'm just laughing and laughing and like a child,' Swanson said, 'and it's like, you cannot let go of that spirit of being a child inside.'
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I bought a mouldy caravan for £500 & gave it a budget makeover – now we holiday for just the price of petrol
Read on to see how much it really costs to live in a caravan WHEEL GOOD I bought a mouldy caravan for £500 & gave it a budget makeover – now we holiday for just the price of petrol WHEN Hayley Rubery stumbled upon a £500 mouldy caravan on sale she decided to snap it up. While most people would be put off by its condition, Hayley, 34, decided that with a little TLC it would make the perfect holiday home. Advertisement 7 Hayley Rubery bought a mouldy caravan for just £500 Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 Hayley shared how this wasn't the first caravan renovation she has completed Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 The caravan was outdated and hadn't been touched in years Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 She was able to transform it on a budget using TikTok shop and Amazon buys Credit: Hayley Rubery The 1989 Royce van was riddled with mould and was put on sale on Facebook Marketplace for just £500. Hayley decided the renovation would be easy as she had previously renovated another caravan she called Joyce. Now, Hayley spoke to Fabulous about the renovation and how she was able to do it on a tight budget. 'We actually bought our first caravan, which we named Joyce, last year,' Hayley explains. 'It was just a little two-berth, and we picked it up for £500. Advertisement "After renovating it, we realised it was a bit too small for our needs, so we passed it on and decided to do it all again—but bigger this time.' Hayley has transformed the home on wheels with her partner Ben, 41, a recruitment consultant. Now, Hayley has a new four-berth caravan she has lovingly named Elddis Presley. And to keep costs down, she gave herself a budget of just £500 to transform her new caravan into something special. Advertisement "I was sticking to the same budget structure of spending £500 on the renovation, as the new caravan "Elddis Presley" was a four berth it meant the money had to stretch further as the caravan is bigger," she explains. Once they picked up the caravan it took about an hour to go home. I bought a dated caravan & turned it into my family's very own second home for £4.5k - now we holiday for just £10 a day 'We towed it from Norwich—it took about an hour,' Hayley says. Once it was safely parked on their drive, the real fun started. The caravan was a sight for sore eyes when she got it into her driveway, the outside was covered in mould and green algae that Hayley had to scrub off. Advertisement Inside was no better either, some of the white finishings had been stained yellow and mould was seeping into the wood. 7 The dated kitchen was in need of a lick of paint Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 She was able to paint the whole thing for less than £5 Credit: Hayley Rubery But with a little motivation and some money-saving hacks, Hayley gave it a homely and modern update. Advertisement One of the biggest money-saving wins came from a £6.99 pack of green gingham tea towels she picked up from TK Maxx. Hayley was looking for some small curtains for the bathroom's tiny window and transformed the tea towels into curtains. "Sometimes I think a little imagination goes a long way, you don't have to buy everything new or the 'best' to make something look nice," she says. Another great find was a small tub of kitchen paint from Poundstretcher for £3.50. Advertisement The small tub may not be enough for a kitchen in a home, but it was just the right amount for the small kitchen in the caravan. When asked about the DIY process, Hayley says painting was hands-down the easiest and most satisfying part. 'I love a job where you can instantly see the before and after,' she says. But it wasn't all smooth sailing. She says the flooring was definitely the trickiest part. Advertisement "I used individual stick-on planks, and cutting around the furniture was so fiddly. Not hard—just time-consuming," she explains. How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 £400 Utilities: £80 £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 £40 Internet and TV: £40 £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK. Still, it was worth it. 'I genuinely love every part of the caravan,' Hayley says. 'It's so cosy and homely. It's amazing what a bit of creativity and elbow grease can do.' Hayley also bought plenty of home items on TikTok shop, including some of the stick-on vinyl flooring for the caravan which cost her just £60 in total. Advertisement She removed the old cushion covers in the living room and switched them with a white fabric for a more modern feel. Hayley also bought cheap floral stick-on wallpaper from Amazon for just £8.99 to finish off the room. Now, all that is left for Hayley is to paint the outside of the caravan. And she is thrilled to say that she managed to change the caravan while staying below her £500 budget. Advertisement 'I haven't added up the exact total yet,' she admits. 'Last time I checked, I'd only spent around £350. "We still need to paint the outside, but I reckon the whole thing will come in at around £450—still under budget!' Hayley and Ben have already taken their new holiday home on three trips within the UK. 7 Even the bathroom curtains were made from tea towels Credit: Hayley Rubery Advertisement She reveals that 'Elddis Presley' has taken them to two local Norfolk getaways and one to the Peak District. 'We still need to paint the outside, but once that's done, we'll be off exploring more. I'd love to do a European trip in it next year," Hayley says. While the caravan is perfect for the couple now, Hayley says she is eager to do the renovation process all over again. Hayley adds: "This is the second caravan I've renovated and I've loved every second. Advertisement "A third project is definitely on the cards—maybe even a campervan next time.'
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
I bought a mouldy caravan for £500 & gave it a budget makeover – now we holiday for just the price of petrol
WHEN Hayley Rubery stumbled upon a £500 mouldy caravan on sale she decided to snap it up. While most people would be put off by its condition, Hayley, 34, decided that with a little TLC it would make the 7 Hayley Rubery bought a mouldy caravan for just £500 Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 Hayley shared how this wasn't the first caravan renovation she has completed Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 The caravan was outdated and hadn't been touched in years Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 She was able to transform it on a budget using TikTok shop and Amazon buys Credit: Hayley Rubery The 1989 Royce van was riddled with mould and was put on sale on Facebook Marketplace for just £500. Hayley decided the renovation would be easy as she had previously renovated another caravan she called Joyce. Now, Hayley spoke to Fabulous about the 'We actually bought our first caravan, which we named Joyce, last year,' Hayley explains. 'It was just a little two-berth, and we picked it up for £500. READ MORE ON HOME MAKEOVERS "After renovating it, we realised it was a bit too small for our needs, so we passed it on and decided to do it all again—but bigger this time.' Hayley has transformed the home on wheels with her partner Ben, 41, a recruitment consultant. Now, Hayley has a new four-berth caravan she has lovingly named Elddis Presley. And to keep costs down, she gave herself a budget of just £500 to transform her new caravan into something special. Most read in Fabulous "I was sticking to the same budget structure of spending £500 on the renovation, as the new caravan "Elddis Presley" was a four berth it meant the money had to stretch further as the caravan is bigger," she explains. Once they picked up the caravan it took about an hour to go home. I bought a dated caravan & turned it into my family's very own second home for £4.5k - now we holiday for just £10 a day 'We towed it from Norwich—it took about an hour,' Hayley says. Once it was safely parked on their drive, the real fun started. The caravan was a sight for sore eyes when she got it into her driveway, the outside was covered in mould and green algae that Hayley had to scrub off. Inside was no better either, some of the white finishings had been stained yellow and mould was seeping into the wood. 7 The dated kitchen was in need of a lick of paint Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 She was able to paint the whole thing for less than £5 Credit: Hayley Rubery But with a little motivation and some money-saving hacks, Hayley gave it a homely and modern update. One of the biggest money-saving wins came from a £6.99 pack of green gingham tea towels she picked up from TK Maxx. Hayley was looking for some small curtains for the bathroom's tiny window and transformed the tea towels into curtains. "Sometimes I think a little imagination goes a long way, you don't have to buy everything new or the 'best' to make something look nice ," she says. Another great find was a small tub of kitchen paint from Poundstretcher for £3.50. The small tub may not be enough for a kitchen in a home, but it was just the right amount for the small kitchen in the caravan. When asked about the DIY process, Hayley says painting was hands-down the easiest and most satisfying part. 'I love a job where you can instantly see the before and after,' she says. But it wasn't all smooth sailing. She says the flooring was definitely the trickiest part. "I used individual stick-on planks, and cutting around the furniture was so fiddly. Not hard—just time-consuming," she explains. How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 Utilities: £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 Internet and TV: £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK. Still, it was worth it. 'I genuinely love every part of the caravan,' Hayley says. 'It's so cosy and homely. It's amazing what a bit of creativity and elbow grease can do.' Hayley also bought plenty of home items on TikTok shop, including some of the stick-on vinyl flooring for the caravan which cost her just £60 in total. She removed the old cushion covers in the living room and switched them with a white fabric for a more modern feel. Hayley also bought cheap floral stick-on wallpaper from Amazon for just £8.99 to finish off the room. Now, all that is left for Hayley is to paint the outside of the caravan. And she is thrilled to say that she managed to change the caravan while staying below her £500 budget. 'I haven't added up the exact total yet,' she admits. 'Last time I checked, I'd only spent around £350. "We still need to paint the outside, but I reckon the whole thing will come in at around £450—still under budget!' Hayley and Ben have already taken their new holiday home on three trips within the UK. 7 Even the bathroom curtains were made from tea towels Credit: Hayley Rubery She reveals that 'Elddis Presley' has taken them to two local Norfolk getaways and one to the Peak District. 'We still need to paint the outside, but once that's done, we'll be off exploring more. I'd love to do a European trip in it next year," Hayley says. While the caravan is perfect for the couple now, Hayley says she is eager to do the renovation process all over again. Hayley adds: "This is the second caravan I've renovated and I've loved every second. "A third project is definitely on the cards—maybe even a campervan next time.'
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce comes in to land on the corporate speaking circuit
Ovations said the Dubliner was a 'gifted keynote speaker ... Alan combines sharp business acumen with engaging Irish storytelling' which we feel we have kinda read somewhere before. Joyce will be the star turn at the Australian Aviation Summit next month, Australian Aviation reports, adding it was 'a rare opportunity to gain exclusive insights from a prominent aviation leader who has reshaped our industry'. We can't argue with that. Travel hacks Staying with Qantas, just when the national carrier was starting to shrug off a reputation for rank incompetence and consumer dissatisfaction during Joyce's final years in charge, millions of customers had their data stolen in a cyberattack last week. That included details of members of Qantas' notorious Chairman's Lounge, the invite-only club that includes all federal MPs, judges, senior public servants, and corporate leaders who can't afford to fly private. But CBD hears that for a fair chunk of Chairman's Lounge members, the amount of data revealed was far broader than originally reported. Some Chairman's Lounge members received correspondence from Qantas last week informing them that their name, gender, home address, mobile number and frequent flyer details had all been compromised. That combination of information in the hands of cybercriminals could leave some of the country's most powerful people vulnerable to a spear-phishing attack, where hackers pose as trusted sources to extract sensitive information. Is it just us, or have readers also experienced an uptick in scamming calls since the great Qantas data hack? We are still waiting for the man from 'PayPal security' who addressed us by first name to phone us back after he had the temerity to call us on deadline last week. Fresh from winning a 94-seat election landslide, those who make up Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's operation have many reasons to be cheerful. Or so we thought. Silly us. But with the Liberals crushed, and parliament's return still a week away, the PM's Chief of Staff Tim Gartrell has found a new enemy within: LinkedIn. Regular readers of this column would know that there's been a flurry of prime ministerial staffers dashing for the exits in the post-election period. That includes press secretary and ex-Guardian political editor Katharine Murphy, fellow media adviser Stela Todorovic and strategic communications director Katie Connolly. Many others have taken to LinkedIn and Instagram to pen lengthy farewells to life in politics, often featuring happy behind-the-scenes snaps with the PM. And we don't blame them. As much as CBD likes to make fun of lanyard-toting staffers, theirs is a gruelling, emotionally draining job. If our newly funemployed hacks want to adorn their LinkedIn profiles with a potentially salary-enhancing prime ministerial selfie, let them cook, we say. But CBD hears Albanese's top aide Gartrell, famed for past glories such as the Kevin 07 Ruddslide election and the Yes campaign for same-sex marriage, has always taken a weirdly dim view of staffers glamourising their lives on social media. This all resurfaced at a PMO all-staff meeting last Friday, where according to some attendees, Gartrell made clear his displeasure about his comrades' posting on LinkedIn and Instagram. We know Labor wants to ban social media for under-16s, but didn't realise some wanted to extend it to the PM's own staff. However, another source close to the PM's office told CBD that Albanese's chief of staff had simply reminded colleagues of their obligations under the ministerial staff code of conduct, which maintains that they must 'be mindful that social media is publicly accessible and ensure their personal social media use is consistent with these standards'. Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Corporate insights and Irish charm: Alan Joyce readies for speaking circuit take-off
Since quitting the airline in the harsh glare of public opprobrium, public appearances by former Qantas boss Alan Joyce have been rarer than an all-points bookings to London during the Euro summer. Despite possessing a corporate ego sturdier than the fuselage of a 787 Dreamliner, Joyce eventually buckled and resigned, effective immediately, in September 2023. He went under the weight of a succession of scandals, including regulatory legal action over allegations of selling cancelled flight tickets, a scandal over expiry dates on millions of COVID-19 flight credits, another over $2.7 billion JobKeeper handouts, and yet another over the sacking of nearly 2000 baggage handlers during the pandemic, now ruled illegal. But the signs are now unmistakable that the Ireland-born executive, 59, who calls Sydney home, is preparing to return from his self-imposed 15-month holiday on Elba. He has, you see, a lot to give. Joyce has big plans to … hit the celebrity corporate speaking circuit. And he has already scored gigs. 'Yes, he has bookings,' his ebullient manager, Robert Joske, told CBD. Loading Joyce, never to do anything by halves, has signed up with three speaker agencies. Keynote Entertainment said that Joyce was an engaging and dynamic speaker. 'Alan combines sharp business insights with Irish storytelling charm,' it said. Saxtons said Joyce had an 'unwavering commitment to diversity', and included him on its roster of Pride Month speakers including Khanh Ong, Tim Campbell, Ian Thorpe and Gina Chick.
