When Eric Toensmeier and Jonathan Bates moved into a duplex in a run-down part of Holyoke, Massachusetts, the tenth-of-an-acre lot was barren ground and bad soil, peppered with broken pieces of concrete, asphalt, and brick. The two friends got to work designing what would become not just another urban farm, but a "permaculture paradise" replete with perennial broccoli, paw paws, bananas, and moringa—all told, more than two hundred low-maintenance edible plants in an innovative food forest on a small city lot. The garden—intended to function like a natural ecosystem with the plants themselves providing most of the garden's needs for fertility, pest control, and weed suppression—also features an edible water garden, a year-round unheated greenhouse, tropical crops, urban poultry, and even silkworms. In telling the story of Paradise Lot, Toensmeier explains the principles and practices of permaculture, the choice of exotic and unusual food plants, the techniques of design and cultivation, and, of course, the adventures, mistakes, and do-overs in the process. Packed full of detailed, useful information about designing a highly productive permaculture garden, Paradise Lot is also a funny and charming story of two single guys, both plant nerds, with a wild plan: to realize the garden of their dreams and meet women to share it with. Amazingly, on both counts, they succeed.

New Zealand's native wildlife is in crisis. It's being slaughtered by pests and we need to intervene more frequently, more comprehensively, and across a broader front than we currently are if we are to protect our mainland populations of our native wildlife. The use of 1080 remains our best option to combat pests in the medium term. As techniques have become more refined in recent years, the results from the aerial application of 1080 over significant areas of the conservation estate have been spectacularly successful in maintaining populations of native birds. Plus, it offers the best balance of environmental safety, affordability and effectiveness. Yet the use of 1080 attracts fierce opposition from a small group of vocal and passionate opponents. This book examines their arguments, and conclusively shows that the 'science' put up by 1080 opponents is unsubstantiated. The idea that our native forests are silent (i.e. that 1080 kills native birds) because of 1080 drops is also unsupported by research, while their other major claim that trapping could entirely replace 1080 is simply not practical. Dave Hansford believes that opponents of 1080 who are concerned about the ethics of spreading poison across the land have a valid argument and should be given an audience. He is however, deeply concerned by other vested interests, for example some in the hunting lobby who want more game animals to shoot, and are prepared to put that before the survival of our native wildlife. He argues that it is time for New Zealanders to take a stand, and to come to the defence of their wildlife. If you care about our natural heritage, but are confused by the 1080 issue, then this is a book you must read, before kiwi and kereru and other iconic birds are a thing of the past on mainland New Zealand.

Based on our full guide to Maui, Lana'i and Molokai, this focuses primarily on Lana'i, though there are extensive sections on all three islands - travel preparation, culture, history, and much more. There are endless fascinating things to do here. Watch amazing sunsets from mile-long beaches, visit ancient temples or learn about the whaling history of the islands. Frolic under waterfalls, hike through bamboo forests or explore beaches. Hundreds of shops, hotels, restaurants, art galleries, spas, activities, festivals and historical attractions are described.a Outdoors and adventure-oriented travelers will find this the perfect item of choice for determining where to stay, what to eat, and how to best see these Hawaiian islands. Here are in-depth descriptions of accommodations - both good and bad points - and the best deals on everything on the islands: an especially important focus given how expensive the islands can be for visitors. Whether youOCOre diving, shopping, dining or driving, this is the perfect advance planner, and a good on-site tote, too! -- Diane C. Donovan, California Bookwatch /Midwest Book Reviewa The book... gives valuable information from hiking, points of interest, accommodations, dining, to shopping and much more. This is the most complete guide to these islands that youOCOll find for walking trails, dive sites, boat trips, waterfalls, snorkeling, surfing and a pony tour to Haleakala Crater. The book is well indexed, so it is easy to find information you need, from phone numbers and addresses to websites and prices. This is an excellent value to make your trip perfect. -- Bonnie Neely"

The superfamily Chalcidoidea (Insecta, Hymenoptera) contains in excess of 26,000 described species worldwide, but with an estimated total diversity of more than 500,000 species the vast majority of species have yet to be discovered and described. Most chalcidoid species are parasitoids of hosts in at least 12 different insect orders, attacking the egg, larval or pupal stages, though phytophagy and other life cycles and hosts are known. Iran is the 18th largest country in the world and has a rich and diverse insect fauna, including Chalcidoidea. It is extremely interesting from a biogeographic point of view, and a paradise for an entomologist. This book summarizes the results of all prior research concerning species diversity of Iranian Chalcidoidea, including host records and distribution records by province in Iran as well as world distribution by country for 1,351 species of Chalcidoidea recorded from Iran through the end of 2019.

The harrowing story of the most destructive American wildfire in a century. On November 8, 2018, the ferocious Camp Fire razed nearly every home in Paradise, California, and killed at least 85 people. Journalists Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano reported on Paradise from the day the fire began and conducted hundreds of in-depth interviews with residents, firefighters and police, and scientific experts. Fire in Paradise is their dramatic narrative of the disaster and an unforgettable story of an American town at the forefront of the climate emergency.

Examines how insects have been used as weapons in wartime conflicts throughout history, presenting as examples how scorpions were used in Roman times and hornets nests were used during the MIddle Ages in siege warfare and how insects have been used in Vietnam, China, and Korea.