BLeaflet | Issues 1 - 7

Vol. 2, Issue 2

February 2024

THE BLEAFLET SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE Giving Back to the Earth

World Wildlife Day (WWD): March 3rd is the United Nations World Wildlife Day. WWD is celebrated annually to recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. Check out the following resources to learn more about wildlife conservation, and how to protect keystone species near and far. As we celebrate wildlife and our planet, we encourage you to think about the importance fauna has on our ecosystem, such as a keystone species like the polar bear, or introduce a more sustainable growing of flora through hydroponics.

HYDROPONICS: Gardening Indoors and in Small Spaces

As we approach Spring, you may be starting to think about upcoming gardening, but did you know you can have fresh herbs, produce and flowers all year round? Hydroponics is an agricultural technique growing in popularity due to its utilization of space in urban environments and its recycling of water resources. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil”. In hydroponic systems, plants may grow with roots exposed to the nutrient solution, or may utilize a variety of substrates like aggregate, vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite. The technique is beneficial for areas where in-ground agriculture or gardening is not possible, for example in urban environments with limited space or in areas with colder climates. It allows for more complete control of nutrient content, pH, and growing environment, creating more nutrient dense produce. There are several different techniques for utilizing hydroponic agriculture. Often, hydroponic setups are designed as “vertical farming” facilities. These tower-like structures can recycle water and nutrients which can lower the overall cost and environmental impact agriculture has on our planet. According to the National Park Service, hydroponic systems use as much as 10 times less water than traditional field crop watering methods due to capture and reuse methods. The vertical farming structure also allows for faster growth and a higher crop yield due to increased oxygen availability in the root area and higher crop

density compared to traditional field agriculture. The hydroponic technique eliminates the use of soil which in turn removes the need for crop rotations, which is a constant battle for commercial farmers due to various nutrient needs relative to each crop. The labor intensity of commercial farming can be reduced when utilizing hydroponic systems due to the ergonomics of a raised vertical system for harvesting. By eliminating the need for soil, it eliminates the need for weeding and cultivation that can hinder smaller single-family sized garden crop yields. Also, soil related insects, fungi and bacteria are reduced, diminishing disease and the need for pesticides. However, hydroponic systems are not immune to disease and due to the closed system of recycled water, bacteria or disease can spread rapidly, affecting the entire system. Entering the world of hydroponics can be more costly when transitioning from standard soil-based agriculture. When you factor in the initial costs of material such as LED lights, systems, seeds, controlled environment technologies, and energy, it may seem like a daunting task. However, the reduction in square footage to crop yield, the year-round availability by creating optimal growing conditions, and reduction in the use of heavy pesticides all favor hydroponics as a sustainable and ethical solution to small scale and large scale farming. As we look towards a more sustainable future, hydroponics will be a leading factor in reducing the impact from the agricultural industry and climate-proofing agricultural production.

Learn more here:

1. Role of Keystone Species in an Ecosystem https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/role-keystone species-ecosystem/ 2. Saving a Conservation Icon - the Polar Bear https://www.bbcearth.com/news/saving-a-conservation-icon-the polar-bear

3. Polar Bears & the Changing Arctic https://polarbearsinternational.org/

4. Climate Change-Most Serious Threat to Polar Bears https://www.iucn.org/content/new-assessment-highlights-climate change-most-serious-threat-polar-bear-survival-iucn-red-list 5. Hydroponics https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production systems/hydroponics 6. The Future of Farming: Hydroponics https://psci.princeton.edu/tips/2020/11/9/the-future-of-farming hydroponics

7. About World Wildlife Day 2024 https://wildlifeday.org/en/about

8. World Wildlife Federation (WWF) https://wwf.panda.org/