Blue Sage

From Fort Scott National Historic Site, National Park Service:

Blue Sage grows wild on the prairie and is also called Pitcher Sage and its Latin name is Salvia Azurea. The name Pitcher Sage is to honor Dr. Zina Pitcher a US Army Surgeon and Botanist from 1822-1836. Blue Sage can grow to a height of 5 feet and blooms anywhere from July to October and grows everywhere in the state except the far western edges of Kansas. Blue Sage is a part of the mint family. Salvias are astringent plants that have been found to work well on nerves as a soothing agent. Meaning, mint tea, and possibly sage tea would have a calming effect. However, we do not recommend using Blue Sage for medicinal purposes without consulting a professional. 
#NPSCentennial 
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50 Green Business Ideas for Startup Entrepreneurs

If you’re an environmentalist and an entrepreneur, there are plenty of ways you can combine those two passions into a successful environmentally conscious business. There are even some green business opportunities out there that can allow you to offer eco-friendly products and services to your customers. Here are 50 green business ideas for environmentally conscious entrepreneurs.



50 Green Business Ideas for Startup Entrepreneurs

Understanding the interaction of groundwater and surface water

From U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

Understanding the interaction of groundwater and surface water is essential to water managers and hydrologists for the development of effective water-resource policy, protection, and management. Groundwater/surface-water interactions include the exchange of fluids and solutes, which can affect water quality and water supply.
In this USGS photo, water quality and sampling equipment are deployed at a spring site near Roaring Judy, Colorado. Groundwater discharge that flows into the Upper Colorado River Basin varies in response to drought, which is likely due to aquifer systems that contain relatively young groundwater, according to a recent USGS study.
Find out what more about the latest USGS groundwater science in our October 1st USGS Monthly Groundwater News and Highlights.http://go.usa.gov/cEMsF #water #groundwater#science #aquifer

Bobcat Kitten

From USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System:

A bobcat kitten takes in Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge. Bobcats are named for their tail, which is short and bobbed. The North Carolina refuge (http://go.usa.gov/vgKw) is known primarily as habitat for waterfowl and birds, but it also supports various mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Photo by Allie Stewart / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Yellow-headed Blackbirds

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region:

Yellow-headed blackbirds join flocks containing thousands of other blackbirds! They travel during the day and roost in the evening.

Photo: Yellow-headed blackbirds in flight courtesy of budgora/Creative Commons.https://flic.kr/p/Mqbkzd

Columbia River System

From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration announced today their intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the Columbia River System operations and configurations for 14 federal projects in the interior Columbia Basin. In this Columbia River System Operations EIS, the three agencies will present a reasonable range of alternatives for long-term system operations and evaluate the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts on flood risk management, irrigation, power generation, navigation, fish and wildlife, cultural resources and recreation.
Read More at: http://www.crso.info/Library/20160929-NR-NOI.pdf
Website: www.crso.info

Asian Carp

From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

"Asian carp" is a term used for four species of invasive carp—bighead, silver, black, and grass—that originated in Asia but were imported to the United States. These carp are a big conservation problem because they compete with native #fish for food and can have devastating impacts on U.S. ecosystems.

The #USGS conducts Asian #carp research focused on early detection, risk assessment, and development of control tools and strategies. The goals are to prevent the establishment of invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes, and to reduce their impacts in the Ohio River and Mississippi River Basins and elsewhere.

Read all about USGS Asian carp research at http://on.doi.gov/2cO3HGT.

Photo: Invasive silver carp are known for their jumping abilities. (Credit: Jason Jenkins, USGS)

#science #Asiancarp #GreatLakes #InvasiveSpecies