In This Issue: April 2022 April 2022 Digital Magazine Enjoy the April 2022 Issue by flipping through the pages of our digital magazine or scrolling through the articles below. The Harmful Effects of Fences on Wildlife and Ecosystems Researchers looking at all the studies of the effects of fences have found that their profound impacts on wildlife and ecosystems are often ignored or greatly underestimated. Read More » The Ever-Changing Stream If you want to ruin your day, turn on the news, read the paper, or peruse any of the mainstream media about the current state of affairs in the world. Read More » Free Spring Flower Festival in Milton The Spring Festival of Flowers, one of this area’s largest festivals of the season, will take place the weekend of April 1-3 at Pensacola State College in Milton. Read More » Healing a Sacred Space: Yoni steaming helps women reconnect with their bodies Yoni is the Sanskrit word for "sacred space" or "sacred temple." It refers to the vagina, vulva and womb space, which to many women symbolize the Divine Feminine within them and their sacred portal to life. Read More » Long-Haul Covid: The Bigger Picture Most of us are weary of pandemic living. We’ve been masked, tested, quarantined, immunized and boosted; we’ve treated ourselves or been treated by doctors and hospitals. We’re getting used to the possibility that coronavirus is joining the flu, colds and other viruses we’ve learned to live with. Read More » Thermography Advantage: Breast Health and Beyond Thermography Advantage, a local digital infrared thermal imaging company, is educating women on the value of thermography and the role thermograms play in preventative breast health. Read More » Musical Echoes 2022: Native American flute, art and cultural festival returns to Fort Walton Beach Musical Echoes Flute Festival, celebrating Native American culture, art and music, will return to the Fort Walton Beach Landing after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19. Read More » Earth Day Festival Comes to Bayview Park April 23 Earth Day Pensacola will return to Bayview Park on April 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s festival will feature a new event layout along the shores of Bayou Texar and next to the new Bayview Community Center. Read More » Longtime Local ‘Superfood’ Back on Store Shelves Earthquake Eddie Bee, a line of pollen-based nutritional supplements originally developed and sold in Santa Rosa Beach in the 1990s, is now back on store shelves at retail locations in Northwest Florida and beyond. Read More » Airless Tires Increase Safety, Limit Waste Michelin’s new airless tires don’t puncture, so they should last longer, which means fewer tires will need to be produced, thus limiting waste. Read More » Avoid Formaldehyde to Sidestep Cognitive Problems Workers exposed over years to formaldehyde may experience thinking and memory problems later in life. Read More » Brian Sauder on Faith-Based Grassroots Change Interview with Mennonite Reverend Brian Sauder, president and executive director of Faith in Place, a nonprofit that helps diverse faith-based groups become community leaders. Read More » Buzz-Free Drinking: The Healthy Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beverages The “sober-curious”—people experimenting with alcohol-free beverages as a way of prioritizing their health and fitness over a short-lived buzz—are changing America’s drinking culture. Read More » Climate Change Research in Central Park The Central Park Climate Lab is a new initiative and climate partnership to study the impacts of climate change on urban parks. Read More » Consider Berberine and Probiotics to Improve Cholesterol The plant alkaloid berberine and the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve work synergistically to significantly improve total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Read More » Creating a Wild Space at Home How to create wild spaces in yards, including what and where to plant and how to manage the land. Read More » Eating for the Planet: Diet for a Climate Crisis Our food choices influence the environment and climate change. Here are sustainable tips to make our diets healthier for us and the planet. Read More » Eat Lots of Fiber to Improve Melanoma Outcomes A new type of immunotherapy that enables T-cells to fight cancer cells is proving hopeful for people with melanoma, and a study has found that a high-fiber diet improves the effectiveness. Read More » Expiration Dates: When to Eat or Toss Food How to make sense of expiration labeling—those ambiguous “best before” or “sell by” dates—to help reduce food waste. Read More » Himalayan Glacier Retreat Bodes Consequences for Millions Researchers have found that glaciers in the Himalayan Mountains are melting at an exceptional rate compared to other glaciers around the world. Read More » Homemade Pest Deterrent for Dogs Recipe for an all-natural pest deterrent that will help a dog avoid a good percentage of the pests they encounter. Read More » Industrial Farming is Bad for Birds Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that increased farm sizes resulted in a 15 percent decline in bird diversity. Read More » Large Study Addresses Indigenous Biodiversity Decline Simon Fraser University is engaging with Indigenous organizations, universities and other partners to highlight the problems of biodiversity loss and its implications for health and well-being. Read More » Maple Pear Sparkler This tasty, fizzy drink combines the flavors of maple syrup and fresh pear for an alcohol-free indulgence. Read More » Mung Bean Curry This recipe for mung bean curry is healthy for both our bodies and the planet. Read More » Nature Apps to Learn By Nature smartphone apps to identify various plants and animals, submit wildlife findings, locate trails and more. Read More » Nature Speaks: Storytelling Connects Kids to the Natural World Weaving storytelling into nature programs helps children understand their outdoor experiences and develop an appreciation for wilderness. Read More » Pest Control: Keeping Dogs Safe from Ticks and Fleas Natural alternatives to protect dogs from ticks and fleas that are both effective and non-toxic. Read More » Plastic On its Way Out at National Parks Poll finds that 82 percent of registered U.S. voters responding would like the National Park Service to stop selling and distributing single-use plastic items. Read More » Practice Good Dental Care to Lower Heart and Cognitive Risks A whopping 47 percent of U.S. adults over 30 have periodontal disease, and the consequences can be severe for their physical and mental health. Read More » Scrap Vegetable Stock Make delicious stock out of leftover vegetables with this eco-friendly recipe. Read More » Sour Mock-a-Rita A healthy, non-alcoholic, sugar-free recipe for margaritas. Read More » Spirited Strides: Power Walk to Better Fitness Power walking – taking longer strides and using the arms to propel motion – amps up cardiovascular benefits and takes metabolic conditioning to another level. Read More » Spring is a State of Mind Spring, in all her punctual glory, teaches us the vital necessity to court our passions, and there is no better time than now. Read More » Technology Meets Nature: Apps Bring Us Closer to Flora and Fauna We can enhance our nature experiences with these smartphone apps that identify plants and animals, interact with scientists, share knowledge and observations, and contribute to science. Read More » Why We Need Wild Places: How to Invite Nature Back into Our Lives and Landscapes Saving wild places is critical for human health and well-being. Here are ways to create spaces, including our lawns, that are hospitable to wildlife and native species. Read More » In-Print