It’s “Be Bear Aware” month. When it comes to bears, you need to act responsibly. Bears are attracted to anything edible or even items that have a scent, like toothpaste or soap. It is imperative that you store all of these items out of reach of bears. This is especially important if you’re on...

It’s the time of year when rattlesnakes start coming out and scaring the uninitiated hikers on the trail. If you know what to do, there’s no need to be nervous. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be on the trail, and the less likely you’ll end up with a bite. All of the local rattlesnakes...

It’s almost summer. With these recent temperatures into the high 90s, you need to take precautions before you set out on a hike. Heat brings certain dangers with it that are not present the rest of the year. It is wise to check the weather before you leave. It might be a nice, calm day in Santa Clarita,...

The United States produces one-third of the world’s solid waste. Much of this waste is plastic. The first experimental plastic was made in 1870 to produce an ivory substitute for a billiard ball, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that commercial development began. Plastics were improved and marketed...

Every time you turn around, you hear people talking about sustainability, recycling, reduce, reuse. Well, here’s a new, interesting concept. Human urine is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – the same ingredients in commercial fertilizer. Using urine to fertilize your garden is free,...

Perchlorethylene, aka Tetrachlorethylene or “Perc” as it is also known, is produced in large quantities in the U.S. This is a compound that does not occur naturally, but must be manufactured. Dry cleaners are the largest consumer of this product because it dissolves wax and grease. Textile mills...

For those of you know have met me in this stage of my life, you might be curious as to why “The Condor Lady” or “The Cougar Whisperer” would be writing about something as serious and deadly as Cancer. What most of you may not know is that I spent countless years in school, and working in a hospital...

June 7 is National Trails Day. Every year, the first Saturday in June has been designated as National Trails Day. In Santa Clarita, the Community Hiking Club spends the day working on trails and making them safer for everyone who visits the trail. This year we have a special project underway. We are...

Have you ever wondered what the byproducts of mining might be? We hear of “black water” still coming from 200-year-old abandoned mines and entering our groundwater. Black water is leaching out of old mines in the Eastern Sierra and joining up with some of our imported water. But, what could be in...

Making an eco-journal can be a great family project and a wonderful learning tool for kids. Any notebook will do. You don’t need anything fancy, just an appreciation of the outdoors and a willingness to learn. Below you will find lots of ideas of things you can do with your kids, and things you might...