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2008 is the year of the frog. At present 50% of 6000 described amphibian species are threatened with extinction.
Amphibians play a vital role in the ecosystem and because of their sensitivity to pollutants and environmental change they can be considered primary environmental indicators - a bit like the canaries employed in coal mines as advance indication of gases toxic to miners. The effects that environmental conditions are having on amphibian populations around the world can be extrapolated to the effects these worsening conditions will have on our own health and wellbeing. You can find out more about the Amphibian Ark Global Campaign and their efforts to redress the amphibian extinction crisis at http://www.amphibianark.org/
This is a project that will not only prevent viable timber going to landfill, but will create two frog or toad shelters and a sizeable trough in which to establish a veritable mini potager (and not a English oak turned wooden string holder, or vintage terracotta pot in sight! luvly jubbly. )
PLEASE NOTE (before comencing): FOR BOTH THE WELL BEING OF THE FROGS AND YOURSELF YOU ARE COMMITED TO USING ORGANIC METHODS OF GARDENING. THAT MEANS FOR INSTANCE USING ORGANIC COMPOST, NOT USING TOXIC SLUG PELLETS (usually Metaldehyde or methiocarb) OR CHEMICAL PLANT FOOD OR WEED KILLERS. YOU CAN FOR INSTANCE USE A LIQUID SEAWEED PLANT FOOD SO LONG AS YOU DILUTE IT CORRECTLY.
Amphibians play a vital role in the ecosystem and because of their sensitivity to pollutants and environmental change they can be considered primary environmental indicators - a bit like the canaries employed in coal mines as advance indication of gases toxic to miners. The effects that environmental conditions are having on amphibian populations around the world can be extrapolated to the effects these worsening conditions will have on our own health and wellbeing. You can find out more about the Amphibian Ark Global Campaign and their efforts to redress the amphibian extinction crisis at http://www.amphibianark.org/
This is a project that will not only prevent viable timber going to landfill, but will create two frog or toad shelters and a sizeable trough in which to establish a veritable mini potager (and not a English oak turned wooden string holder, or vintage terracotta pot in sight! luvly jubbly. )
PLEASE NOTE (before comencing): FOR BOTH THE WELL BEING OF THE FROGS AND YOURSELF YOU ARE COMMITED TO USING ORGANIC METHODS OF GARDENING. THAT MEANS FOR INSTANCE USING ORGANIC COMPOST, NOT USING TOXIC SLUG PELLETS (usually Metaldehyde or methiocarb) OR CHEMICAL PLANT FOOD OR WEED KILLERS. YOU CAN FOR INSTANCE USE A LIQUID SEAWEED PLANT FOOD SO LONG AS YOU DILUTE IT CORRECTLY.
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You will need:
Materials for one planter:
1. two wooden pallets
2. twelve timber angle brackets
3. optional: two pieces 6mm thick plywood offcut approximately 21cm x 30cm
4. self tapping screws & round wire nails of various lengths . I found the 50 & 75mm to be the most useful lengths, go to your local builders' merchant, rather than a DIY store, where you can purchase a bag of mixed sizes per weight. My favourite builder's merchant sells nails by the scoop, screws by the piece and parcels them up in newspaper doing away with all the point of sale PVC packaging.
5. wood glue
6. acrylic paint, white spirit
Tools:
1. eye protectors
2. protective gloves (your choice whether it is more sensible for you to work with or without wearing them.)
3. hammer
4. chisel
5. vice grips
6. hand saw
7. fret saw
8. measuring tape & pencil
9. fine guage paint brush
Materials for one planter:
1. two wooden pallets
2. twelve timber angle brackets
3. optional: two pieces 6mm thick plywood offcut approximately 21cm x 30cm
4. self tapping screws & round wire nails of various lengths . I found the 50 & 75mm to be the most useful lengths, go to your local builders' merchant, rather than a DIY store, where you can purchase a bag of mixed sizes per weight. My favourite builder's merchant sells nails by the scoop, screws by the piece and parcels them up in newspaper doing away with all the point of sale PVC packaging.
5. wood glue
6. acrylic paint, white spirit
Tools:
1. eye protectors
2. protective gloves (your choice whether it is more sensible for you to work with or without wearing them.)
3. hammer
4. chisel
5. vice grips
6. hand saw
7. fret saw
8. measuring tape & pencil
9. fine guage paint brush
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http://www.thegreenpallet.com/environmental-pallet/
However the article makes it pretty clear that each individual board of a treated pallet should be marked. Therefore it should be fairly easy to trace the origin of manufacture of the pallet and avoid those that have been treated by chemical pressure impregnation or fumigation with methyl bromide. I should imagine that those that have been heat treated (put through a kiln to prevent the import of wood borne pests) shouldn’t pose any threat.
This project is more about the concepts of using reclaimed timber, incorporating wild life friendly corners into the domestic environment and growing your own fresh produce. Any reclaimed timber can be used, you'd be amazed the off cuts that builders throw into skips or the number of unvarnished cheap futon bed frames and the like that are put out for refuse collection (have these people not heard of Salvation Army furniture shops or Freecycle { http://uk.freecycle.org/ } ?). Anyhow, maybe it's just the neighbourhood I happen to live in?
It seems that the deformities might be caused by a parasite that is harboured by water snails. Pond water with elevated phosphorous & nitrogen levels promotes aquatic plant growth, which in turn provides an environment for an increase in the population of water snails. This appears to be remedied by introducing crayfish which predate snails.
However I'd do a bit of research before introducing anything new to a pond. The Signal Crayfish was introduced to the UK in the 1970's to be farmed, it escaped and is now creating havoc amongst native crayfish populations.
Good Job!
If you like you are welcome to add this project to my group Home Repair, Refurbishment, and Projects It would be a great addition, and again good job.