Trees for the Future Donates Trees All Over The Globe

I am an online survey taker. Years ago I came across a pretty cool company that sends me links for surveys in all manner of topics and I answer the ones I want in order to gain points. The points can be used to “purchase” items in their redemption center.

So far I have collected enough points to redeem for items like a Black and Decker cordless screwdriver, a sushi set (with chopsticks) made of bamboo for two, gift cards, CD’s, a coffee grinder and more. So when they emailed me recently to let me know that for just 200 points I could help donate 10 trees through the Trees for the Future program I was intrigued!

Like any good researcher I immediately set out to find out all I could about Trees for the Future. Turns out, the non-profit organization has been busy planting upwards of 50 million trees in countless countries all around the world since 1989. They have been instrumental in providing training in agro-forestry as well as seed distribution efforts in order to bring tree cover back to many rural communities which have lost this precious resource.

And all I had to do to help further the cause was click a button to redeem 200 points for the planting of ten trees! It felt great to be able to help in even this small way. You just never know where the opportunity to make a difference might be lurking!

To find out more about this very dedicated organization you can visit them on the web at:

Trees for the Future website
Treesftf on Facebook
Treesftf on You Tube

There are many ways to donate directly to Treesftf -- give a gift of a planted tree to someone else, give a cash donation, donate a car, truck or boat, volunteer, or organize a tree planting project of your own! I highly suggest getting over to their website and exploring the various options for how to help.

The planet, and all its oxygen breathing inhabitants, will thank you for it!

Reduce Mold with Aspen Environmental

Mold is a creepy little substance, it can be the root cause of serious health issues and create complications for the respiratory systems of all humans but most especially children. It breeds in moist environments and is a living bacteria. Bleh.

So recently when I was visiting my Step Mother at her place of employment, a Real Estate office, I happened to notice a pamphlet for Aspen Environmental on their shelf and being the Greenie I am, I was intrigued. It turns out this company will not just clean mold spores but guarantees the complete removal of mold.

Aspen adheres to the stringent standards of the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI) as well as the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). What this means is the professionals are adhering to a stricter code of ethical customer treatment and that they are trained in remediation.

What I found very cool about Aspen in particular is their indication of being a Green Aware Company. This means they use only natural biowashes and environmentally safe fungicides to protect the area from future mold outbreaks. In addition to these fantastic efforts their pamphlet also indicates that they donate a portion of their proceeds to various charities.

The company is located in Methuen, MA and from what I can surmise only operates in the general local northeast region of the United States. However if there is a company here in Massachusetts that will eliminate mold in an environmentally responsible manner I can only imagine others exist as well.

If this is an issue in your life please consider looking into an environmentally conscious company like Aspen before hiring a company who might use chemicals to treat this bacterial issue; that might rid the mold but can potentially release toxic chemicals into the home further reducing overall air quality!

Nature and Poetry Make Lovely Bedfellows

While searching for poetry this afternoon for another project I came across a website called Poetry in Nature and I must confess I spent a fair amount of time reading through many poems. The site seems to be chock full of more modern poets and so many were beautifully written but when I came across this one I knew it must be shared here at Green Leaf. I hope everyone has a few minutes to get over to the site and check out many of these promising poets.

As the Sun Sets

© Kenneth G. Howard

The wind blows softly against my face,
The shade cast by the tree cools my heart.
The ocean waves relax the tension within,
That would otherwise tear me apart.

Alone on a calm hill for hours I lie,
Waiting only for the golden sun to set,
Prepared to see a moment of true beauty,
One that which I could never forget.

The warm glow of the sun begins to fade,
The ambient noise of the beautiful birds dies down,
The air around me cools ever so much,
But not even to that do I ever frown.

There it hits; my big moment of peace,
I move not a muscle; not even a bit.
I breathe deeply gazing at it's beauty,
Until the skies have become truly starlit.

The moon shines now; the warm glow is gone.
The owls have taken over the birds place.
I still move not, as I continue to breathe the air.
And I continue to feel the soft breeze on my face...