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Preparation
(please feel free to simplify) If growing Basil in pots then ensure that adequate drainage is allowed from the base of the pot (line with coarse gravel if necessary). If growing outside then ensure the soil is well dug over and weed free before sowing. Before sowing ensure that the compost or soil is moist (water generously the day before sowing). Sowing It is vital that Basil is not exposed to the last spring frosts so if sowing outside be patient and sow in late March. Sow at any time if the plant is always to be kept indoors. If sowing inside and planting outside late then you can sow in late february. Sow the seed thinly and if growing in pots sow enough for a few plants in each pot. Cover the seeds with 1/2 cm of compost and firm gently. Basil seeds should germinate in about a week and once the seedlings have developed 2 pairs of true leaves then you can thin out the weakest seedlings in each pot, leaving each pots strongest. Position Basil should be grown in a position that receives a good amount of sunlight - around 6-8 hours a day. Basil can be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill or outdoors in containers or soil. If growing outside try and position the Basil in a sheltered spot that avoids cold winds. Soil type Basil likes a fertile soil that has been welll dug to allow good soil air circulation. Introducing well rotted organic compost or manure into the soil a month or so before sowing will help this. If growing in pots then a general purpose compost is a suitable soil solution. Tending If growing indoors in pots using compost then weeds shouldn't be a problem. If growing outdoors then you can add an organic mulch around the Basil plants to help aid soil moisture retention and prevent weed establishment. If growing Basil in containers or indoor pots then add a small amount of fertiliser every month or so. Water every week (more often if growing in outdoor containers or indoors). When watering your Basil make sure to water at the base of the plant avoiding showering the leaves and stems. Be sure to pinch out any flowers that appear. This will help preserve the plants flavour and also channel the plants energies into more leaf growth. Harvesting Basil is a pick and come again crop. It is best to pick a few leaves off a number of plants than picking all the leaves off one plant. Harvest the top most leaves first. Basil will grow all year round indoors but outdoor plants should be dug up and brought indoors before the first fall frosts if you want to extend the plants growing season into the winter. Once harvested Basil can be frozen for later use. Basil can be used in fresh or dried form. To dry Basil cut the stems at soil level and dry them in a dehydrator or hang bunches of stems up to air dry in a warm room, this should take about a week. Once the leaves are dried you can remove them from the stems and then store them in a dry airtight container for up to 12 months.
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... The area that had been proposed for leasing is not strictly located in Bristol Bay but is situated to the southwest in waters along the Alaska Peninsula called the North Aleutian Basin. Bristol Bay's commercial and subsistence fisheries rely on salmon that spend much of their life cycle in the basin.
U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said that the Bristol Bay region is one place that is "simply too special to drill." Salazar cited the bay's world-class sockeye salmon runs and abundant wildlife. "It is a national treasure that we must protect," he said. Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/03/31/1206793/bristol-bay-off-limits-arctic.html#ixzz0kpQp6qZ3 Stop Dumping Mining Waste Into Our Water
Fix the Fill Rule Dear Friends, Mines are using a loophole to dump waste into America's lakes and streams: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to close this loophole in the Clean Water Act, protecting our nation's clean water from mining pollution. Please join this national call-in effort to stop the dumping of mining waste in America's waters. Call the White House today at 202-456-1414, and ask President Obama to restore the Clean Water Act's prohibition on dumping mining waste into our clean water. The Problem: Taking advantage of a loophole that the Bush administration created in Clean Water Act rules, mining companies are using America's streams and lakes as dumping grounds for unlimited amounts of solid mining wastes. For example, the Kensington Gold Mine near Juneau is planning on destroying a freshwater lake by calling mining waste "fill" and dumping it untreated into the lake. This loophole is also being used to allow mountaintop removal coal mines to dump their waste into Appalachian streams. The Solution: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to close the waste loophole in the Clean Water Act, and President Obama should instruct the agency to do so immediately. The Action: Please call the White House at 202-456-1414 today! Please let us know you took action and called the White House by clicking here. Together, we can demonstrate to the White House the urgent need for action to restore the prohibition of dumping mining waste in our water. Talking Points:
Lauren Pagel, Policy Director EARTHWORKS What does it mean that we are supporting Bristol Bay - the community, the fisheries, and the eco-system? It does not mean that we are anti-mining. It means that we are concerned about the risks and we will do what we have to to hold court until we are absolutely positive that the risks don't outweigh the benefits. If it is possible for the habitat (eco-system and community of Bristol Bay) to harmoniously co-exist with the proposed mine, then pro we are.
Let it be said, that SATELite is not anti-mining. Understandably that would be a contradiction given the jewelry business that spurred the SATELite concept. We are seeking the support for ethical practices that consider the full circle effects of actions. Accountability in all realms - be it community, eco-system, and otherwise. SATELite chose this years cause for its longevity, specificity, and progressive full circle approach to seeking a desirable outcome - Earthworks. Their mission in short: EARTHWORKS is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the destructive impacts of mineral development, in the U.S. and worldwide. EARTHWORKS stands for clean water, healthy communities and corporate accountability. We're working for solutions that protect the earth's resources and communities. How They Work We fulfill our mission by working with communities and grassroots groups to reform government policies, improve corporate practices, influence investment decisions and encourage responsible materials sourcing and consumption. We expose the health, environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of mining through work informed by sound science. I researched a variety of NGO's prior - and Earthworks stuck out as the most solid with the most reasonable principles. In any of my environmental efforts the first thing I ask myself is - If we say "NO" with a hard line, then what is the alternative? in this case meaning - do we have a plan b in case we don't get what we want? Is there a compromise somewhere? if the mine isn't here - will it just be moved somewhere that could easily have similar or more detrimental effects? Ultimately SATELite will be a non-profit so that the allocation of funds can be much more specific and direct. That process will take some time (and this project was conceptualized in Feb of this year). Currently - we are confident in Earthworks with their solid foundation and vested principles. What do we need to know to make informed decisions about the proposed mine? What are the EPA regulations for mining of this nature? What are Northern Dynasty's and Anglo American's company wide principles in regards to the eco-system? What are the effects of an open pit mine on the environment? land, water, air What is the history of the environmental protection efforts in mining? What is the environmental history of mines of this nature (size, location, timing)? Anglo and Dynasty mines? Alaskan mines? Are there any new regulations in place that will change the outcome of a new mine relative to the above history? What are the current promises made by the proposed mine in regards to the eco-system? Do these companies have a history of upholding these promises? Do Dynasty and Anglo have a vested interest in Alaska? Are their current efforts only that which is mandated? Have these companies addressed the impact their current research has had on the eco-system? What are these impacts? and what has or has not been done? What are the positives for Alaska and the community in mining this area? What are the risks? What are the specific predictions regarding the monetary gain of Alaska and the community? How long will the mine be active? and what happens when it is no longer operating? to the community & the development that was a direct result of the mine? Does Alaska support the mine? politically? socially? Does the Bristol Bay community support the mine? Follow up... If the mine does not get passed what is the alternative? Do they move to another area? do they try again later? What needs to happen for us to be confident that Pebble is a healthy and progressive proposition? What needs to happen in order for SATELite and Earthworks to feel as if they have had a positive impact on the future of mining in the larger picture? Knowing the answers to these questions - understanding why these are the pertinent questions regarding the Pebble Mine - will help you decide where you stand. To make your own decisions see the full document and answers to these questions here... SATELite's STANCE The anti-Pebble mine campaign has been going on for the last 5 years. Litigation just pushed a vote back to 2011. This is as good as it is bad in that what we are looking for is a happy medium between all.
*Setting back the litigation also allows for more testing and experimenting in the Bristol Bay area. This means - they search for more metal as they expand the range of their testing - offering more incentive for their investors to push harder. This also means that the affects they have had on the immediate eco-system just through their testing will be amplified. Native caribou populations are already changing their migration patterns due to the invasive equipment and helicopters. This affects the ability for Native Alaskans to hunt sustainably. *Pro-pebble industry supporters are some of the most well funded organizations in the world - because mining is one of the most lucrative industries in the world. More investors have money in mining than any other industry. This means - their priorities - as in most business lie in profits. The potential negative environmental affects are irrelevant to these parties. *As time draws on the investment of those outside of the forefront of the Grassroots support are more tapped of their resources, and are less inspired. Thus the monetary support on the environmental side is not as strong as it once was. This is why is it more crucial than ever to join us - and support the Bristol Bay Watershed - the surrounding eco-system - the community - the wild Alaskan salmon - the atmosphere - and more. Are you seeing the pattern here? As they grow stronger - "we" have a history of growing weaker. Are we going to let that happen? SATELite will have no part of that - we hope you feel the same way.  Knowing that many of you involved in SATELite are friends and fans of the late and great Shane McConkey - we wanted to share this photo with you...
I would like to think that there are very few companies left that are not somewhat considerate of their environmental impact - however, as most business owners will attest - profit is the bottom line, and sometimes changes that may be better for the environment don't always mean you can sustain a business.
So - please let it be known - no matter your previous "green" affiliation or actions, this event is about supporting the eco-system and business and individuals, and thus any participation is gladly welcome. If being "conscious" is not new to you - we thank you! If this event is your beginning efforts - we applaud you. We couldn't be happier to be a part of your first step! (Additionally - we are advised by a network of green business and consultants. We would like to offer any assistance we may to help you carry on this process. So please let us know what we can do. [email protected]) Most simply ask - how did this all start? while others knowing my business jump to conclusions about the potential contradictory nature of being the owner of a jewelry business that depends on mining, and organizing an fundraiser for "anti-mining" actions in Alaska.
Initially - let me say that life is full of contradictions, some beautiful, some simply human nature and none that evade judgment. However, I am one to embrace the process and learn from the journey. SATELite is a foundation supporting a different cause yearly. The cause is determined by the "Pay it Forward" Board of Directors and our membership. This year is the protection of Bristol Bay - the land, the water, the air, the fisheries, the community, a history, and a native way of life. Next year - it may be the Pacific Trash Heap, or North American redwood forests, it could be anything that suggests a need. (for more on this please see: the cause.) Regarding this years cause, we are not anti-mining, we are however considerate of the reprocutions of irresponsible mining, thus our paramount interest in this cause is enabling ethical mining. (more at SATELite's Stance) The Foundation has been created from the desire to reach more people. I am a business owner who operates with a very small fraction of the market share. The business was founded with ethical mining principles, the use of recycled gold, and an affiliation to 1% for the Planet. The heart and soul of Blair Lauren Brown- fine jewelry is conservation and consideration. Being so passionate about my conservation efforts I wanted to share my knowledge with a wider audience. I thought I could do a presentation about the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay for a 100 or so people at a local bar - maybe a small raffle, and send some money in support. At the mention of the cause, combined with the passion in my voice for such I was met with tremendous support. This was in the beginning of Feb. 2010. So, I find myself, a month later, with more support and interest than I could have dreamed. The concept has grown and melded to the interests and needs of our community and the newly developed partnerships reflect that. I am already seeing one of the key components of the SATELite concept come to life - communities supporting each other and other communities. I couldn't be happier. The network of people coming together to support us, the cause, and one another is truly a wonderful thing. |
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