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Save Wetlands by Eating Nutria, Says U.S. Fish and Wildlife

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urging Americans to help control invasive nutria by adding them to their menus. As part of National Invasive Species Week (Feb 24-28), officials highlight how these rodents, native to South America, have caused significant damage to U.S. wetlands. Originally brought to Louisiana in the 1930s for the fur trade, nutria escaped into the wild and rapidly multiplied. 

A single nutria can weigh up to 20 pounds and consume its body weight in vegetation daily, leading to the destruction of nearly 90,000 acres of coastal wetlands annually before control efforts began.

Thanks to hunting incentives, such as $6-per-tail bounties, the damage has dropped to about 5,500 acres per year. However, nutria populations continue to expand along the Atlantic Coast and into California.

While eating rodents may sound unusual, nutria meat is lean, mild, and similar to rabbit. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, including nutria gumbo, tacos, and even smoked or grilled. 

Older cookbooks feature dishes like “nutria-bacon rolls” and “macaroni-nutria casserole.” As with all wild game, it’s important to cook it thoroughly to avoid contamination.

If nutria isn’t your thing, National Invasive Species Week also highlights other eco-friendly options, such as invasive carp, feral hogs, and even green iguanas. Yummy!

7 Things To Do With Your Christmas Tree Besides Tossing it Out

With the Christmas season over and the new year bursting forth, it is time to figure out what to do with that now not-so-beautiful Christmas tree that is shedding needles all over your floor. If you have been accustomed to dragging your dead tree to the curb and waiting for the trash pick up, why not try something different this year that is environmentally friendly and creative? Here are some ideas.

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Create a Cool Water Feature For Any Size Space

A water feature provides a soothing, pretty element to your backyard. It may attract wildlife too. There are many reasons to have a backyard water garden, but it is not necessarily an easy undertaking. A big pond with a waterfall will be expensive and complicated, while a small fountain or natural pond can be constructed by a beginner. Choose your water feature based on how much time, effort, and money you are willing to put into it.

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