NATURE

A collection of posts about nature and photos that are posted on the blog. Ideas to help promote sustainability and lower your carbon footprint.

Santa Cruz Forest Fire

by Lisa LeCoump
July 12, 2021February 23, 2024

Last year, a forest fire in northern Santa Cruz county, the CZU lightning complex fire, burned 86,000 acres.

Common Buckeye Butterfly

by Lisa LeCoump
November 11, 2020July 12, 2023

The Common Buckeye Butterfly, Junonia coenia, that despite the name, we have rarely seen.

Gray Hairstreak Butterfly

by Lisa LeCoump
October 17, 2020July 12, 2023

We rarely see a Gray Hairstreak Butterfly (Strymon melinus) in our area, so it was surprising when we saw this one in our garden.

Hummingbirds at the UCSC Santa Cruz Arboretum

by Lisa LeCoump
August 14, 2020July 12, 2023

Photos of hummingbirds at the UCSC Santa Cruz Arboretum.

Planting Flowers for the Hummingbirds

by Lisa LeCoump
August 5, 2020July 12, 2023

Planting Flowers to Provide Natural Food Instead of Using a Hummingbird Feeder

Planting Flowers for Honey bees

by Lisa LeCoump
July 29, 2020July 12, 2023

We are planting flowers for honey bees. They need both nectar and pollen, so we have planted a variety of flowers.

DISCOVERING MUSHROOMS IN SANTA CRUZ

by Lisa LeCoump
February 22, 2020July 12, 2023

Just after a rain is a perfect time for photographing mushrooms in the Santa Cruz hills.

FALL FOLIAGE IN CALIFORNIA

by Lisa LeCoump
November 22, 2019July 13, 2023

Fall foliage in the Hope Valley in California.

FALL FOLIAGE IN VERMONT

by Lisa LeCoump
October 22, 2019July 13, 2023

It would be hard to find a prettier fall location or friendlier people than in Vermont.

FLOWERS OF MAUI

by Lisa LeCoump
September 22, 2019July 13, 2023

The island of Maui in Hawaii is an incredible location to photograph nature – especially the flowers of Maui

According to the United Nations, “Our food systems right now are unsustainable. They are a major contributor to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution“. But, research done at U.C., Davis demonstrates that “soils could store enough carbon to offset a significant proportion of fossil fuel emissions”, and actually reverse climate change. This happens when farmers use ‘regenerative agriculture’ practices, which increase and keep organic matter in the soil. This blog features products that are grown this way, so you will know which brands will help reverse climate change.

While traveling the world and looking for the best quality ingredients, we found that many producers who care about quality also care about sustainability. When we used the best quality ingredients we also reduced our carbon footprint. Additionally, by buying regenerative products, we could actually help reverse climate change. So, this blog features some of those products. If everyone did this, more farmers would use ‘regenerative practices’ and it would have a big effect on climate change. Little changes add up to something big. Little things matter. We could save the world, one cookie at a time.

Professional Photographer - Food Photographer, Wedding Photographer. Lisa was previously the Deputy Agricultural Commissioner, responsible for reviewing and enforcing organic regulations and Environmental Protection Agency pesticide use regulations. She also worked for years as an Agricultural Advisor in California, a farmer in California, and an Agricultural Extension Agent in Thailand. She received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from California State University, Chico and studied Integrated Pest Management at U.C., Davis, which involved farming methods that preserve the environment.