The USDA is preparing to adopt standards defnining exactly what can be labeled organically farmed fish. Not surprisingly, that's prompted a big debate behind the scenes.

 

 A typical "open pen" at a commercial salmon farm. These pens are usually arranged in larger groupings (such as the one shown in the photo below) , linked by walkways that are used by the staff.

 

This commercial salmon fishingoperation is in a deepwatercoveoff Lucas Bay, Alaska. Most of the world's salmon farming is done in the cold northern Pacific and Atlantic waters off North America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Urvashi Rangun (right)  is a senior scientist and policy analyst for Consumer's Union, which is advocating for rigorous new standards for farmed seafood to be labled "organic."

 

No matter where you go, insects have people hugely outnumbered. But there are far more beneficial bugs than harmful ones.

 

 

This is a close-up look at a snowy tree cricket. You can see if you recognize its call here.

 

 

Planting a mixed landscape  provides a diverse habitat for the insects that prey on garden pests.

Encouraging beneficial insects is a year-round endeavor, and a key component is planting sources of nectar that will be in bloom as the desirable bugs are emerging.

 

For more information about the workshop on"Garden Allies: Beneficial Insects and Other Helpful Garden Denizens" on October 25^th at SSU, click here.

 

Fungi are the oldest living things on land, and with an estimated two million varieties, they may hold many yet-to-be-discovered medicinal and other benefits.

Paul Stamets, founder and president of Fungi Perfecti , has written six books on mushroom cultivation including Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms and The Mushroom Cultivator. He will be speaking at the Bioneers Conference at the Marin Center in San Rafael, on October 17^th. To find out more about the event schedule and how to register, click here .

Stamets offers a short history of fungi:

Paul Stamets has been a dedicated mycologist for more than 30 years, during which he has discovered or identified four new species of mushroom. Here, he talks about how it feels to make such a discovery.

Among the many fungal processes that hold great promise for addressing human needs, Stamets points to one that could herald important changes in ethanol production.

 

 

Alternatives to technologies that depend on fossil fuels are all around us, modeled in the natural world, and studied in the new field of bio-mimicry.

Janine Benyus, author of Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, is founder of The Biomimicry Institute, whose mission is to nurture and grow a global community of people, who are learning from, emulating, and conserving life's genius to create a healthier, more sustainable planet. 

 

As one delves deeper into biomimicry, Benyus says there are three levels of analysis:

There are instances of complex natural processes that could be adapted for human use all over the planet, Benyus says. African ant mounds are just one interesting example of what is being called "enabling technology."

 

SMIT GROW is an example of biomimicry. By creating solar panels in the shape of leaves, to gather energy from the sun and wind. Find out more here.

 

 

When you look at the global ecosystem, Benyus explains, humans as a species are akin to weeds, gobbling up resources with scant thought for their long-term presence where they have taken root.

 

Janine Benysus will be a keynote speaker at the annual Bioneers Conference, October 16^th-20^th, at the Marin Center in San Rafael. For more information, click here. There is a full roster of presenters here , and a detailed conference schedule here.

 

 

 

Two years ago, Measure R, a ballot initiative to fund a commuter rail system in Sonoma and Marin Counties failed by less than 1.5%. This fall, Measure Q revisits that issue with a revised proposal to build and operate the SMART train between Cloverdale and Larkspur. Sonoma County voters have generally backed the measure while opposition remains concentrated in Marin County. Both sides on Measure Q took part in this live and lively debate in the KRCB-FM studios on Thursday evening, Oct. 2.

 

To see a map of the proposed train route and station locations, click here . 

For more information on the  SMART train campaign for Measure Q, click here .

The North Bay Citizens for Effective Transportation opposes the SMART train plan. You'll find their website here.