A New Way of Thinking About What We Eat

An email we rec'd yesterday about a very important issue that we need to have our voices heard. 

We have just a few days to stop the United States government from preventing the world from properly labeling genetically modified foods (GMOs).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have adopted a pro-corporate position that laughably claims labeling GM/GE foods creates the "false" impression that "that the labeled food is in some way different from other foods."

And next week, at the United Nations meeting in Canada, they will tell the world to adopt the same position, preventing other countries from rightly labeling GMOs as different from fresh, natural food. The implications of this position could further undermine organic food standards all over the world, especially organic labeling.

We know that GMO food created by the likes of Monsanto is not only "different" but unhealthy and unsustainable. Can you help us tell the USDA and FDA to wake up and drop this ridiculous position?

Click here to tell the USDA and FDA: the world should be free to label GMO foods as such.

While the rest of the world wants to be able to label unnatural GMOs, Barack Obama's USDA and FDA have adopted pro-corporate food positions GMOs. Unless we act now, the United States will go to this meeting telling the world that GMO foods are not different and should not be labeled.

GMO foods, by definition, are genetically different. By altering nature's design in order to withstand a barrage of chemicals and other poisons, humans are without question creating a new, different kind of food.

We need to tell the USDA and FDA to abandon its wrongheaded, corporate food position that GMOs are the same as non-GMO foods. Sign our petition now before the deadline on Monday.

Thank you for your support on this urgent petition - please share this with anyone you know who cares about their food.

Best,

Lisa Madison
Distribution & Outreach Coordinator
FRESH

Evening Grosbeak Video

Here's a video of some Evening Grosbeaks that showed up in our Gresham backyard.  Initially there was just a male and a female, but now there is 1 female and at least 5 males.  They are eating pounds and pounds of Black Oil Sunflower.

Get Outside - Discover Nature

The City of Gresham is seeking volunteers to assist with its annual bird survey. This opportunity is appropriate for any volunteer with a keen attention to detail including individuals and families. Volunteers survey a natural area or urban site four to seven times over a six week period, one hour per survey in April through June.


Volunteers are required to attend one of the protocol training sessions, which will cover survey techniques and a review of species identified in 2009.

Two training dates: Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m. to noon; or Wednesday, April 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., both at Gresham City Hall.

Click here for more information or to register

Spring Seed Sale Starts Today!!

Flora and Fauna is having our first Spring Seed Sale offering great savings on your favorite bird seeds!

40 pound bags of black oil sunflower only $18.95
5 pound jugs of Nyjer now only $7.95
20 pounds Sunflower chips Econ. grade $24.95, premium grade $29.95

check out all the deals here

Life on Discovery Channel

Fans of nature programs on tv will find a new program on the Discovery Channel, Sundays worth watching.  The amazing stories and photography make this program an instant favorite.  Oprah does the voice over, which in my opinion is the only part of the show that I didn't care for.  I think Oprah is great, I just don't think she has a dynamic voice for this program, but perhaps it will grow on me as there are nine more episodes.

Airring on Sundays at 8:00 pm.  Next weeks two episodes is on mammals and fish.  Be sure to check out the April 4th episode on birds.

If you enjoy this show I would recomend getting a copy of Planet Earth.  You can purchase a copy here

Join Earth Hour

On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people around the world will come together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations. Learn more about how Earth Hour began, what we’ve accomplished, and what is in store for 2010.

Sign up, spread the word, and switch off your lights on March 27, 2010.  Read More>

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Flora and Fauna!!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Great Hummingbird DVD

For all of those who saw Hummingbirds: Magic in Air, and are looking for some more hummingbird magic check out First Flight.

First flight follows the dedicated efforts of a tiny black-chinned hummingbird (nicknamed Honey by filmmakers Don Carroll and Noriko Carroll) to lay, incubate, and hatch two tiny raisin-sized eggs and raise the fledgling chicks. The film begins with remarkable nest-building close-ups; the soft fiber bird home rests on the Carroll's porch clothesline in Las Vegas. Inventive 360-degree macro shots follow the progress, including egg development, incubation, hatching, feedings, nest defense (including chasing away the Carrolls' cat), and first flight. Honey's protective and attentive mothering is enlivened through Noriko Carroll's informative and humorous narration and rich musical soundtrack.  Order First Flight by clicking on the link below.

Go for the Gold

Add a little color to your backyard by attracting American and Lesser Goldfinches. This month when you purchase any lifetime guaranteed nyjer feeder from Flora and Fauna Nature Company we will give you a free 5-pound jug of nyjer!




Here's a little video compilation of Goldfinches in our backyard.

Anna's Hummingbird Feeding Babies

Anna's Hummingbird

Caught this shaky video yesterday 3/1/10. Hummingbirds hatched about ten days ago.

The Great Backyard Bird Count

Join The Great Backyard Bird Count February 12 - 15!




The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent and in Hawaii. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.

Participants count birds anywhere for as little or as long as they wish during the four-day period. They tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time. To report their counts, they fill out an online checklist at the Great Backyard Bird Count web site.

As the count progresses, anyone with Internet access can explore what is being reported from their own towns or anywhere in the United States and Canada. They can also see how this year's numbers compare with those from previous years. Participants may also send in photographs of the birds they see. A selection of images is posted in the online photo gallery.

Hummingbird Program on Nature

Many of you may have seen, or heard about the amazing program on Nature last week featuring hummingbirds. The footage is amazing! I recommend that anybody who has a interest in hummingbirds, nature, or photography check out this program. It's not available for purchase until February, however you can watch the entire episode online here .

Check out this program you will not be disappointed!

Winter Wings Festival - For the Birds

Bird lovers will enjoy the annual weekend festival at Kalamath Falls offering some of the best birding in the Northwest. The Kalamath Basin is home to the largest population of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states with more than 500 congregating in the area. In addition to eagles you can expect to see rough-legged and red-tailed hawks as well as golden eagles. Kalamaths' position on the Pacific Flyway makes it a very attractive spot for birds, especially for waterfowl and a crossroad for wintering birds and those heading back to more northern climes.

The festival is February 12-14 and offers many exhibits, field trips, classes, displays and great birding. For more information click here.

National Bird Day

Today is National Bird Day!

Check out the website here to find out more and try out a few of the quizes to test your birding skills.