Arctic Warming Opens Waters To More Whales, Increasing Food Competition
www.natureworldnews.com, 12/15/2015
Rapid sea ice loss in the Arctic is opening new waters to humpback and fin whales, a new study revealed.
While these marine animals used to visit the far north only during the summer, warming waters are
causing sea ice to retreat at an increasing rate. This may increase food competition among bowhead
whales that once had this region to themselves... Marine mammals reflect the impacts of climate change
through changes not only in their diet and physical condition, but through shifts in their range and habitat.
Researchers say climate change is likely to invite many other species into new habitats... "It's not simple,
but as Mother Nature keeps dishing out these unusual events we can start to connect the dots between
them to understand the larger picture of what's happening and how it's likely to affect animals within and
beyond the Arctic, including humans," Jennifer Francis, a Rutgers University research professor and
a plenary speaker at the conference, said.
Northeast in Midst of Holiday Heat Wave
www.my9nj.com, 12/15/2015
It's easy to get distracted from putting Christmas lights up when you realize that it's 60 degrees outside
and getting hotter. The Northeast is in the middle of a holiday heat wave that may last through Christmas
and beyond. In fact, central New Jersey temperatures reached about 74 degrees Monday... "For the next
three to four weeks it does not look like there is any cold air locking into this area of the nation," says NJ
State Climatologist David Robinson. "Plus," he adds, "we're going to have to start looking pretty soon
at whether December is going to be a record-setter."... On the phone at his Rutgers University office,
Robinson credits a polar jet stream that has been shutting cold air out of the region while inviting warmer
Southern air in.
New Jersey Green Expo Remains a Staple on the industry's East Coast Schedule
www.golfcourseindustry.com, 12/15/2015
For four decades, the Green Expo Turf and Landscape Conference has been a fixture in New Jersey.
Hosted by the New Jersey Turfgrass Association, in cooperation with the Golf Course Superintendents
Association of New Jersey, the Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science and several other allied
organizations, the summit brings together representatives from every segment of the turf industry... Dr.
Bruce Clarke heads the Rutgers University Center for Turfgrass Science. He earned an
undergraduate degree from the university and has spent nearly four decades there as a professor and
researcher. While Rutgers' turf-education program is recognized as one of the best in the world, Clarke is
quick to point out that the conference is the work of many hands... "I'm proud that we get tremendous
attendance. It makes us feel that we're providing something people want. But I'm also proud that this is a
conference being out on jointly by the industry and Rutgers, and that makes me extremely happy," said
Clarke.
N.J. Horticultural Therapist Receives Service Award
www.nj.com, 12/16/2015
Laura DePrado, horticultural therapist and owner of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC in Branchburg, is the
recipient of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association 2015 Distinguished Service Award... She
is a registered horticultural therapist with the American Horticultural Therapy Association, has a
bachelor's of science degree and HT Certificate from Rutgers University, is a journalist and co
author Rutgers Fact Sheet, "Enabling Gardens: The Practical Side of Horticultural Therapy."...
Final Touch Plantscaping connects people and plants through customized activities and programs for
children, young adults through seniors using plants year round in adult day, sub acute, long term,
rehabilitative and in-home care for groups and individuals.
Cumberland County Extension Service Employees Recognized
www.nj.com, 12/16/2015
Cumberland County employees Cheryl McCormick and Tammy Commander were recognized Dec. 7
with awards for excellence by Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The awards are presented annually to one
individual within the state. McCormick, 4-H Program Assistant, received the Award for Excellence for
Program Assistant, while Agricultural Secretary Tammy Commander was recognized with the
Excellence Award for Administrative Staff... McCormick and Commander were applauded for
achievements which have significantly enhanced RCE and for demonstrating outstanding performance
and creativity above and beyond their position descriptions. Each received a certificate and
congratulations from Rutgers Cooperative Extension Director Larry Katz, as well as a $250 award
toward professional development from Rutgers Cooperative Extension... County 4-H Agent Julie
Karavan noted in her nomination that that Cheryl McCormick is highly regarded by all the RCE staff as a
team player who never hesitates to pitch in and assist in making any program run smoothly.
Local Aspiring Equine Veterinarians Win Scholarships
www.nj.com, 12/16/2015
Two young women from New Jersey were among the five equine veterinary students awarded this year's
prestigious Merck Animal Health/American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation scholarship...
The Merck Animal Health/AAEP Foundation scholarship program rewards second- and third-year
veterinary students dedicated to equine medicine for their academic excellence, leadership in their school
and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals. Elisabeth Leahy, studying at Michigan State
University and Sarah Colmer, the at the University of Pennsylvania, are the recipients hailing from the
Garden State... Leahy graduated from Rutgers University, where she majored in animal
science/equine science and gained valuable equine nutrition research experience under Dr. Carey
Williams. "While in college, I began working at the New Jersey Equine Clinic (NJEC), Millstone, cleaning
stalls and operating the hyperbaric chamber on the weekends. When I graduated from Rutgers in 2010, I
transitioned to full-time veterinary assistant at NJEC. I loved my job and I set out to learn everything I
could, including anesthesia," said Leahy.
Food Notes: Appetizer Recipes That Will Come in Handy
www.nj.com, 12/16/2015
It's party time, and that means lots and lots of food. Crucial to every gathering - whether as a precursor to
a big meal or as finger foods to go with drinks - are appetizers, which are one of America's favorite ways
to eat. Small morsels that can be eaten in a few bites, but don't fill your up, they are a pleasant way to try
different flavors without having to eat a big plateful of food... Blueberries and cranberries are well-known
homegrown New Jersey crops. But hazelnuts? Not so much... But Rutgers University is involved in a
Garden State hazelnut breeding program, and recently began selling the fruits of those labors. If you
see hazelnuts on a menu at a New Jersey farm-to-table restaurant, they might turn out to be locally grown
and marketed by Zone 7, which distributes locally and regionally grown products throughout the state.
Trenton Launches Obama's 'My Brother's Keeper' Initiative
www.nj.com, 12/16/2015
The capital city on Wednesday answered President Obama's call to improve the lives of boys and young
men of color by launching his "My Brother's Keeper" initiative... In February 2014, Obama announced the
launch of "My Brother's Keeper," which brought together private foundations and companies to support
programs aimed at helping young minority men develop mentoring relationships, steer clear of violence,
improve grade-level reading skills and graduation rates and become prepared for college and careers...
Abiezel Raices, 30, and Elijah Dixon, 23, will be the faces of the program. Raices, who was involved in
gangs and drugs, turned his life around and starting ministering 13 years ago... "The weak moments in
my life are what speak most because not only did I go through them, but I was able to get up and
succeed even though I fell," he said. "I had dreams that I would ... impact the community to empower
themselves and do much greater."
A Snowless December in N.J.? How Rare Would it be?
www.nj.com, 12/17/2015
We're more than halfway through December and the only snowflakes we're seeing are those fake plastic
ones clinging to the windows of storefronts, schools and houses... Since 1895, New Jersey has had 25
Decembers with less than 1 inch of snowfall, said David Robinson, the state climatologist at Rutgers
University. Of those 25, seven were completely snowless: 1943, 1953, 1965, 1994, 1990, 2006 and
2011... "If no measurable snow falls this month, it will be the eighth such December and the sixth time
we've gone through the cold season through December without seeing measurable snow anywhere in
New Jersey," Robinson said. "The last time this happened was 2006."
Sudden Season's Greetings as Delicate North Jersey Climate Tips Crops Into Blooming
www.sunnewsjournal.com, 12/17/2015
A week away from the first official day of winter and just 10 days to Christmas - and roses in the gardens
are still acting as if it's springtime. So are several other plant varieties that should by now be settling in for
a long winter's nap... Joel S. Flagler, county department head for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of
Bergen County, also adds that "hard-killing frosts were not widespread enough in our area," allowing
cool weather perennials to continue to flower... Are these plants essentially being tricked into flowering at
the wrong time? Or do they know what they are doing?... "They will stop blooming," says Bruce
Crawford, Rutgers Gardens director, who also predicts a self-correction.
Warm Weather Means Springtime in December for Flowers and Trees
www.philly.com, 12/18/2015
It's great fun when we humans can wear our flip-flops and shorts in December. That thick jacket with the
fur-trimmed hood is just a short trip to the closet away when winter inevitably wallops us... Lena Struwe,
a plant biologist at Rutgers University, has been noticing the weeds, because that's what she studies.
"In the last couple weeks, have you seen all these dandelions flowering?" she asked. She's never seen
so many at this time of the year. There are thousands on the university lawn. "There are all these fluffy
balls right now," she said. She's also seeing hairy cress, which usually comes out in April, and veronica.
Because these plants are fast growers, they may be able get in an extra growing season, spreading extra
seeds for the spring... Struwe is worried about how plants that have adapted over thousands of years to
our seasons will ultimately respond to our warming, more unsettled climate. Plants that like warmer
weather are already migrating northward. Kudzu, an invasive vine, has made it to Delaware and southern
Pennsylvania.
El Niño's Holiday Gift: A Mild N.J. Winter
www.northjersey.com, 12/18/2015
Just a friendly warning: Sleds, gloves and toasty sweaters could come off as slightly ridiculous if they're
unwrapped beneath the Christmas tree next week. A T-shirt and sandals might be more appropriate... A
mild winter would follow on the heels of a year already shimmering in record-breaking warmth. New
Jersey has experienced its third-warmest May and September as well as its fifth-warmest November and
fall since record keeping began in 1895... "December is already almost a lock to be our warmest on
record," said David Robinson, the state climatologist and a Rutgers University professor.
Three Strategies For Overcoming Greenhouse Heating Concerns
Greenhouse Grower, 12/21/2015
Energy is one of the biggest expenses in greenhouse production. Anywhere from 65% to 85% of all
energy consumed by greenhouse operations goes toward heating, according to a greenhouse energy
conservation strategy bulletin produced by Michigan State University's Erik Runkle and Rutgers
University's A.J. Both.
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