December 2022

Local Plant of the Month: Coyote Willow

A cousin of the cottonwood, the Coyote Willow (aka, Narrow Leaf Willow) is a native of Colorado. Coyote Willow isn't a tree, however. It is known as a "suckering" deciduous shrub, which means that it sends up "suckers" or new shoots up from the ground. It is woody like a tree, but the Coyote Willow sends up many new stems from the ground, instead of one big trunk like its cottonwood cousin. Coyote Willow grow 3-15 feet tall and spread 15-20 feet wide, and like the cottonwood, grow well in riparian areas.

Many animals eat Coyote Willow. Rabbits and deer eat the willow's bark, stems, and leaves. Beavers eat willow bark, and birds munch on buds, flowers and stems. Perhaps the plant is called "Coyote" willow, since coyote (our December animal of the month) hunts many of the animals who depend on willow for food.

The Coyote Willow has been an important plant for indigenous people for thousands of years (learn more from the Native Memory Project). Ancestral Puebloans who lived in the four corners region (where today's states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona come together) 1400+ years ago, made baskets, beds, weaving looms, cooking utensils and mats from dried willow branches. Other tribal nations, like the Navajo, used Coyote Willow to reduce fever and treat aches and pains. It was later found that Coyote Willow has salicin, which is the main ingredient in aspirin.

Photo by David Martin on iNaturalist (Rocky Mountain Arsenal!)

Local Animal of the Month: Coyote

Coyotes are medium-sized, gray/white wild dogs with some reddish fur. They have pointy ears and snout, and bushy tails. Coyotes may look like wolves or dogs, but you can tell them apart by watching their tails when they run. Coyote run with their tail down, while dogs run with their tails up (and wolves' tails are straight back as they run). Coyotes can sprint up to 45 miles per hour and leap up to 13 feet at a time!

Known as one of the most adaptable animals in the US, coyotes have lived here for over 1 million years. Imagine the changes coyotes and their ancestors have seen! Coyotes evolved in Colorado and the southwest, but now live everywhere in the US, including in cities. the coyote's main predators, wolves and cougars, do not like to live close to people. But coyotes have made it work, perhaps because they eat so many different foods.

Coyotes eat meat that they find (carrion) or meat that they hunt. They hunt rodents, rabbits, beavers, small domestic animals and birds by themselves. They also join into groups and hunt larger animals like deer. Coyotes are good pest control, but they also are known to hunt livestock (as with any wild animal, it's best to stay far away if you ever see a coyote and remember that they will usually leave you alone). Coyotes eat plants, too. Did you know coyotes eat fruit? Studies show 20% or more of Coyote diet is fruit, like watermelon, blackberries, pears and apples!

Coyotes have been part of human stories for a long time. Indigenous stories portray coyotes as smart and clever, as tricky, as messengers, and as selfish buffoons. There is even a story in which a turtle tricks a coyote, and wins a race against him (not unlike the famous Tortoise and the Hare, but with people who help the turtle win).

Photo by Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández on Unsplash

Recycling Tip of the Month: Trash that Wrapping Paper

If you're trying to cut back on single use plastics, add single use papers to your list, too. One of the worst SUPs is gift wrap. Each year, 50,000 trees are cut down just for wrapping paper. By the end of December in the US each year, 4 million tons of gift wrap and shopping bag waste are added to landfills. This is correctly sorted, because wrapping paper cannot be recycled. Most wrapping paper has plastics added, so it cannot be re-processed into paper to use again. For more information, see this helpful article, and remember to trash gift wrap. Better yet, see the helpful tips on greening your gift wrap!

Photo by Samuel Holt on Unsplash

Go Green when Wrapping!

Tips from Girl Scout Troop #65739

Use paper bags or brown/white butcher paper to wrap, then decorate with markers (this is recyclable!)
Wrap boxes with comics or newspapers. You might even try painting the newsprint with watercolor!
Use gift bags with no tissue paper (unless it's reused)
Stitch fabric remnants together to form unique, colorful designs.
Use washi tape or Kraft paper tape instead of plastic.

Zero Waste Snack Recipe of the Month: Go GORP!

"Good Old Raisins and Peanuts," the original "GORP" mix, is a great inspiration for zero waste snacking. The Green Team suggests going to the bulk section of your nearest grocery store (like Sprouts Market), bringing some bags, and gathering up something salty/crunchy (pretzel), something fruity/sweet (lots of dry fruits available!), and anything else that looks good. You can go nut free with pumpkin seeds, and sweeten the deal with some M&Ms. Hit the trail with your new trail mix and save on all that plastic! Let us know your favorite combos at greenteam@thewcepta.com

Photo by Sara Cervera on Unsplash

Vegetarian Dinner of the Month: Tofu with Almond Lime Dipping Sauce

Never tried tofu before? Try this!

Start by preparing your tofu, as suggested on this food blog. Serve with cooked rice and steamed broccolli, plus this simple dipping sauce (from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook):

6 Tablespoons almond butter

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup coconut milk

1-2 Tablespoons tamari

1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup

1 clove garlic (optional)

Photo by Victor Figueroa on Unsplash

Green Team Events

December 6: Club Meeting 4:05-5:30pm Mr. Binder's Room

January 10: Club Meeting 4:05-5:30pm Mr. Binder's Room

TBD in January:

Students for the Planet

Zoom Panel!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C45AFAC29A6F94-green

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