The overlooked benefits of real Christmas trees "Well-managed forests really play a huge role in the climate solution," says Andy Finton, landscape conservation director at The Nature Conservancy, a US-based environmental non-profit. "Trees of all sorts are pulling carbon from the atmosphere, and storing it and reducing the amount of carbon pollution and thus the pace of climate change." (Tuesday December 13th, 2022 — BBC online)

Biodynamic Agriculture and Pest Management For sustainable agriculture in terms of yield, pest management, and fertility of the soil, biodynamic agriculture with proper pest management techniques might be a possible option for Nepali farmers or growers. (Friday December 9th, 2022 — myRepublica - Nagarik Network)

Fuel made from ramen, dishes from coffee grounds: Japan rethinks food waste Reinvention can offer an alternative. Japanese companies are taking vegetable peels, cooking oil, eggshells and other used foodstuffs and making entirely different products. Cement, for example. Even furniture. (Friday December 9th, 2022 — Washington Post - Washington DC USA)

Uncorked: Where should I start with Austrian natural wine? It is generally agreed however that farming biodynamically, with organic materials, with nothing added and nothing taken away during the winemaking process, and no fining or filtration, will result in a “living” and “natural” wine. (Friday December 9th, 2022 — Yahoo News)

What Fingerprints Tell Us About Jerusalem’s Ancient Artisans In an unusual collaboration, archaeologists in Israel are working with police to analyze prints left on fifth- or sixth-century pottery shards (Friday December 9th, 2022 — Smithsonian Magazine - Washington DC USA)

Lasse Hallström Drama ‘Hilma’ Starring Lena Olin Acquired By Juno Films  Hilma brings to the big screen the life story of a woman who defied conventions and revolutionized the art world when her work was exhibited in its entirety in 2019 at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. ... From her adoration of the occultist Rudolf Steiner and her invincible belief in spirits, to her unconventional romantic life and close circle of fellow female artists who converged around Hilma and her atelier, the film provides a portrait of a woman who chose to remain true to her vision as an artist, despite working in a hostile, misogynistic world where women were not expected to express themselves and were not yet allowed to vote. (Wednesday December 7th, 2022 — Deadline - Hollywood, California USA)

Super-premium rosé: the Inner Temple Working biodynamically is “essential” on such terroir, he insists. “It preserves the soil, the quintessence of the terroir, and reveals its most beautiful expression,” he explains. (Tuesday December 6th, 2022 — The Drinks Business - UK)

Camphill school to build flats for retired teachers at Cults despite complaints about ‘dominating’ building It is hoped that the flats will provide affordable homes for retired co-workers and others in the Camphill community who may struggle to get suitable housing elsewhere. ... But the plan had attracted objections from five neighbours living nearby. (Monday December 5th, 2022 — Press and Journal - UK)

Limassol private school constructed in only 85 days It is the first licensed Waldorf school in Cyprus (Wednesday November 30th, 2022 — In-Cyprus)

The Differences Between Organic, Biodynamic, and Natural Wines Spoiler: They’re absolutely not the same thing. (Wednesday November 30th, 2022 — Thrillist)

The polar dinosaurs revealing ancient secrets This is where thousands of dinosaurs made their nests, and the unhatched foetuses that didn't make it are still there to this day. (Wednesday November 30th, 2022 — BBC online)

“Soil is the answer”: Leading model and activist Arizona Muse on sustainability in fashion In 2021, the model turned activist founded her charity, named ‘Dirt’, which is dedicated to regenerating soil and promoting biodynamic agriculture around the world. (Monday November 28th, 2022 — Fashion United )

Climate change: Could centuries-old wheat help feed the planet? The wheat we grow is going to have to change - scientists hope that looking back into our past and rediscovering lost varieties could be the best way to move forward. (Sunday November 27th, 2022 — BBC online)

A growing sense of purpose in Country Calendar In Clive, Hawke’s Bay, sits a unique farm with a rich history. Founded in 1957 by Marjorie Allen and Lewis Harris, Hōhepa is New Zealand’s oldest certified biodynamic farm. It is also a place where people with intellectual disabilities can find purpose, meaning and passion. (Thursday November 24th, 2022 — Stuff.co.nz)

The ‘Why’ of traditions “Our breath comes in a rhythm, each day includes rhythms and patterns — sleeping, waking, eating, times of quiet interwoven with active times,” says Payne, who credits Waldorf education for her family’s appreciation of life’s cadences and designs. “We are drawn to and look for patterns and rhythms and cycles in nature and to create them in our lives, because they help us understand our world and our connections within it.” (Wednesday November 23rd, 2022 — Seattle's Child)

Cutting-edge tech made this tiny country a major exporter of food The rallying cry in the Netherlands started two decades ago, as concern mounted about its ability to feed its 17 million people: Produce twice as much food using half as many resources. The country, which is a bit bigger than Maryland, not only accomplished this feat but also has become the world’s second largest exporter of agricultural products by value behind the United States. (Monday November 21st, 2022 — Washington Post - Washington DC USA)

A fungus growing naturally on roots is found to detoxify mercury in soil and water A fungus called Metarhizium robertsii that has a symbiotic relationship with many crops not only can increase their yields and protect them from insect invasions, but it can also absorb and detoxify methylmercury, allowing the plants to grow with minimal mercury accumulation even in polluted soils. The fungus can even remove methylmercury from freshwater and saltwater. (Saturday November 19th, 2022 — Daily Kos)

The emotional moment a chimp mum meets newborn [video] Mahle the chimp received a C-section this week at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. Because of low oxygen levels, the infant son received medical treatment before meeting mum. (Saturday November 19th, 2022 — BBC online)

5 Health-Boosting Herbs You Can Grow in Your Kitchen Bonus benefit: Growing kitchen herbs may inspire you to dig into gardening in the spring. "Grow something you love to eat; start by planting something easy, like herbs," says "Farmer D" Daron Joffe, a nationally known biodynamic farmer, educator, and author of Citizen Farmers: The Biodynamic Way to Grow Healthy Food, Build Thriving Communities, and Give Back to the Earth. "Herbs grow virtually any time of year and are low maintenance." (Friday November 18th, 2022 — Yahoo)

Black-naped pheasant-pigeon sighted in PNG for first time in 140 years Some 140 years after the black-naped pheasant-pigeon was last sighted by scientists, researchers have "rediscovered" the rare bird. After a month of searching, a team in September captured footage of the species deep in the forest of a tiny island off Papua New Guinea. (Friday November 18th, 2022 — BBC online)