[NatureNS] Milkweed Tidbits vs. oil spills

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Thanks for bringing this to our attention. And I am very pleased to hear abo=
ut the class experiment you do and the inclusion of milkweed in this year=E2=
=80=99s testing. Let us know how it goes.=20

Nancy

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 14, 2017, at 11:24 AM, jen cooper <iffercooper@hotmail.com> wrote:
>=20
> Hello all,=20
>=20
> Great article!
>=20
> Milkweed tufts are also unique in their capacity to absorb oil. This busin=
ess in Quebec grows them for oil spill response http://www.cbc.ca/news/polit=
ics/milkweed-touted-as-oil-spill-super-sucker-with-butterfly-benefits-1.2856=
029.=20
>=20
> We do an oil spill experiment with elementary children where we test diffe=
rent things for cleaning up spills (cotton balls, paper towel, etc.). I'll b=
e able to include milkweed with the tufts I've collected from my garden next=
 class presentation.=20
>=20
> I grow/use swamp milkweed Ascepias_incarnata as it's prolific in Cape Bret=
on. I do have Common milkweed seeds but have never grown them as I haven't f=
ound it naturally occurring here and it's poisonous to livestock. Don't want=
 to be the one to introduce it to my neighbourhood.=20
>=20
> Best,=20
> Jen=20
>=20
> Milkweed touted as oil-spill super-sucker =E2=80=94 with butterfly ...
> www.cbc.ca
> Low-cost fibre sought by Parks Canada and habitat-stressed monarchs. By Ma=
rgo McDiarmid, environment reporter, CBC News Posted: Dec 01, 2014 4:00 PM E=
T Last Updated ...
>=20
>=20
>=20
> From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca <naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> on beh=
alf of Ron Wilson <solidago123@gmail.com>
> Sent: December 4, 2017 9:46 PM
> To: Nature NS
> Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Milkweed Tidbits
> =20
> Very interesting articles Ian.
>=20
> I forwarded the links to a FB site that I subscribe to called MILK the WEE=
D,  a U.S. site dedicated to Monarch Butterfly and milkweed landscape enhanc=
ement as well as native plant and prairie gardening .
>=20
> Regards,=20
>=20
> Ron Wilson
> formerly Somerset NS now St Andrews NB =20
>=20
> On Mon, Dec 4, 2017 at 9:33 AM, Ian Manning <ianmanning4@gmail.com> wrote:=

> A couple interesting notes on milkweed from Mary Holland, and a 2012 Artic=
le from Washington Post with some supporting info.=20
> Ian
>=20
>=20
>=20
> A Win-Win for Milkweed & Monarchs
> Naturally Curious - 4.12.2017=20
> Mary Holland=20
> https://naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com/2017/12/04/a-win-win=
-for-milkweed-monarchs/
>=20
> "Milkweed, a perennial plant that can adapt to adverse soil conditions, ha=
s recently been recognized as a viable source of fiber for fill for jackets a=
nd comforters.  Winter coats insulated with a compressed layer of milkweed f=
luff are have been shown to be as effective at retaining body heat as those f=
illed with down or polyester, and a Canadian company is now manufacturing an=
d selling them.
>=20
> Although historically considered a =E2=80=9Cweed,=E2=80=9D milkweed came i=
nto its own during World War II, when overseas supplies of the insulating fi=
ber from the kapok tree were cut off and milkweed fluff was harvested for us=
e in life jackets. The U.S. government launched a program that enlisted the h=
elp of children: if they could fill up a large onion bag of milkweed fluff, t=
hey would receive fifteen cents. This incentive proved very popular, and the=
 U.S. was able to stuff over 1.2 million life vests with milkweed fluff. How=
ever, after the war, the rising use of synthetics lessened interest in all n=
atural fibers, and milkweed went back to being considered a less than desira=
ble weed.
>=20
> Recently milkweed populations have been declining, in part due to herbicid=
es and loss of habitat. However, with the growing interest in this plant as a=
 source of commercial fiber it is now being planted as an agricultural crop,=
 with some Vermont and Canadian farmers devoting acres of farmland to its gr=
owth. This, of course, is a boon to monarchs, as milkweed leaves are the sol=
e source of food for monarch larvae. Not only is milkweed being cultivated, b=
ut the farmers growing it are making an effort not to harvest the plants unt=
il monarchs have migrated in the fall. A win-win situation for all concerned=
."
>=20
>=20
> Milkweed fruits: Pods of plenty
> Washington Post
> 25.09.2012
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/urban-jungle/pages/1209=
25.html
>=20
>=20
>=20

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<html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3D=
utf-8"></head><body dir=3D"auto">Thanks for bringing this to our attention. A=
nd I am very pleased to hear about the class experiment you do and the inclu=
sion of milkweed in this year=E2=80=99s testing. Let us know how it goes.&nb=
sp;<div><br></div><div>Nancy<br><br><div id=3D"AppleMailSignature">Sent from=
 my iPad</div><div><br>On Dec 14, 2017, at 11:24 AM, jen cooper &lt;<a href=3D=
"mailto:iffercooper@hotmail.com">iffercooper@hotmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br><=
br></div><blockquote type=3D"cite"><div>

<meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3DWindows-12=
52">



<div id=3D"divtagdefaultwrapper" style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:#000000;font-=
family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;" dir=3D"ltr">
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Hello all,&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br>
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Great article!</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br>
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Milkweed tufts are also unique in t=
heir capacity to absorb oil. This business in Quebec grows them for oil spil=
l response&nbsp;<a href=3D"http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/milkweed-touted-a=
s-oil-spill-super-sucker-with-butterfly-benefits-1.2856029" class=3D"OWAAuto=
Link" id=3D"LPlnk291902" previewremoved=3D"true">http://www.cbc.ca/news/poli=
tics/milkweed-touted-as-oil-spill-super-sucker-with-butterfly-benefits-1.285=
6029</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br>
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">We do an oil spill experiment with=
 elementary children where we test different things for cleaning up spills (=
cotton balls, paper towel, etc.). I'll be able to include milkweed&nbsp;with=
 the tufts I've collected from my garden
 next class presentation.&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br>
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">I grow/use swamp milkweed Ascepias=
_incarnata as it's prolific in Cape Breton. I do have Common milkweed seeds b=
ut have never grown them as I haven't found it naturally occurring here and i=
t's poisonous to livestock. Don't
 want to be the one to introduce it to my neighbourhood.&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><br>
</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Best,&nbsp;</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0">Jen&nbsp;</p>
<div id=3D"LPBorder_GT_15132647190820.4110958994993208" style=3D"margin-bott=
om: 20px; overflow: auto; width: 100%; text-indent: 0px;">
<table id=3D"LPContainer_15132647190610.8304923264165931" role=3D"presentati=
on" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"width: 90%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 2=
55); position: relative; overflow: auto; padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 2=
0px; margin-top: 20px; border-top: 1px dotted rgb(200, 200, 200); border-bot=
tom: 1px dotted rgb(200, 200, 200);">
<tbody>
<tr valign=3D"top" style=3D"border-spacing: 0px;">
<td id=3D"ImageCell_15132647190670.10877055823840998" colspan=3D"1" style=3D=
"width: 250px; position: relative; display: table-cell; padding-right: 20px;=
">
<div id=3D"LPImageContainer_15132647190670.8180565305338281" style=3D"backgr=
ound-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); height: 140px; position: relative; margin: a=
uto; display: table; width: 250px;">
<a id=3D"LPImageAnchor_15132647190700.09231083068165646" href=3D"http://www.=
cbc.ca/news/politics/milkweed-touted-as-oil-spill-super-sucker-with-butterfl=
y-benefits-1.2856029" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"display: table-cell; text-a=
lign: center;"><img id=3D"LPThumbnailImageID_15132647190710.3512783294445205=
3" width=3D"250" height=3D"140" style=3D"display: inline-block; max-width: 2=
50px; max-height: 250px; height: 140px; width: 250px; border-width: 0px; ver=
tical-align: bottom;" src=3D"https://i.cbc.ca/1.2856413.1417461701!/cpImage/=
httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_1180/milkweed.jpg"></a></div>
</td>
<td id=3D"TextCell_15132647190730.4580569526038727" colspan=3D"2" style=3D"v=
ertical-align: top; position: relative; padding: 0px; display: table-cell;">=

<div id=3D"LPRemovePreviewContainer_15132647190730.8345623254337957"></div>
<div id=3D"LPTitle_15132647190730.08904936583987477" style=3D"top: 0px; colo=
r: rgb(220, 79, 173); font-weight: 400; font-size: 21px; font-family: wf_seg=
oe-ui_light, &quot;Segoe UI Light&quot;, &quot;Segoe WP Light&quot;, &quot;S=
egoe UI&quot;, &quot;Segoe WP&quot;, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height:=
 21px;">
<a id=3D"LPUrlAnchor_15132647190760.6733136547248377" href=3D"http://www.cbc=
.ca/news/politics/milkweed-touted-as-oil-spill-super-sucker-with-butterfly-b=
enefits-1.2856029" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: none;">Milkwe=
ed touted as oil-spill super-sucker =E2=80=94
 with butterfly ...</a></div>
<div id=3D"LPMetadata_15132647190770.578489181727645" style=3D"margin: 10px 0=
px 16px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-weight: 400; font-family: wf_segoe-=
ui_normal, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Segoe WP&quot;, Tahoma, Arial, sans-s=
erif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">
www.cbc.ca</div>
<div id=3D"LPDescription_15132647190800.7812042394667558" style=3D"display: b=
lock; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-weight: 400; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_=
normal, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Segoe WP&quot;, Tahoma, Arial, sans-seri=
f; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; max-height: 100px; overflow: hidden;"=
>
Low-cost fibre sought by Parks Canada and habitat-stressed monarchs. By Marg=
o McDiarmid, environment reporter, CBC News Posted: Dec 01, 2014 4:00 PM ET L=
ast Updated ...</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<hr style=3D"display:inline-block;width:98%" tabindex=3D"-1">
<div id=3D"divRplyFwdMsg" dir=3D"ltr"><font face=3D"Calibri, sans-serif" sty=
le=3D"font-size:11pt" color=3D"#000000"><b>From:</b> <a href=3D"mailto:natur=
ens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a> &lt;<a href=3D"m=
ailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>&gt; o=
n behalf of Ron Wilson &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:solidago123@gmail.com">solidago=
123@gmail.com</a>&gt;<br>
<b>Sent:</b> December 4, 2017 9:46 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Nature NS<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [NatureNS] Milkweed Tidbits</font>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div>
<div dir=3D"ltr">Very interesting articles Ian.
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I forwarded the links to a FB site that I subscribe to called MILK the W=
EED,&nbsp; a U.S. site dedicated to Monarch Butterfly and milkweed landscape=
 enhancement as well as native plant and prairie gardening .</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Regards,&nbsp;</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Ron Wilson</div>
<div>formerly Somerset NS now St Andrews NB&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div class=3D"x_gmail_extra"><br>
<div class=3D"x_gmail_quote">On Mon, Dec 4, 2017 at 9:33 AM, Ian Manning <sp=
an dir=3D"ltr">
&lt;<a href=3D"mailto:ianmanning4@gmail.com" target=3D"_blank">ianmanning4@g=
mail.com</a>&gt;</span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class=3D"x_gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex; border-left:=
1px #ccc solid; padding-left:1ex">
<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div class=3D"x_m_-5101375459581725782gmail_signature">
<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div>A couple interesting notes on milkweed from Mary Holland, and a 2012 Ar=
ticle from Washington Post with some supporting info.&nbsp;</div>
<div>Ian</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><b><a href=3D"https://naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com/201=
7/12/04/a-win-win-for-milkweed-monarchs/" target=3D"_blank">A Win-Win for Mi=
lkweed &amp; Monarchs</a></b><br>
</div>
<div>Naturally Curious - 4.12.2017&nbsp;</div>
<div>Mary Holland&nbsp;</div>
<div><a href=3D"https://naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com/2017/1=
2/04/a-win-win-for-milkweed-monarchs/" target=3D"_blank">https://<wbr>natura=
llycuriouswithmaryhollan<wbr>d.wordpress.com/2017/12/04/a-<wbr>win-win-for-m=
ilkweed-monarchs/</a></div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>"Milkweed, a perennial plant that can adapt to adverse soil conditions,=
 has recently been recognized as a viable source of fiber for fill for jacke=
ts and comforters.&nbsp; Winter coats insulated with a compressed layer of m=
ilkweed fluff are have been shown
 to be as effective at retaining body heat as those filled with down or poly=
ester, and a Canadian company is now manufacturing and selling them.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Although historically considered a =E2=80=9Cweed,=E2=80=9D milkweed cam=
e into its own during World War II, when overseas supplies of the insulating=
 fiber from the kapok tree were cut off and milkweed fluff was harvested for=
 use in life jackets. The U.S. government launched
 a program that enlisted the help of children: if they could fill up a large=
 onion bag of milkweed fluff, they would receive fifteen cents. This incenti=
ve proved very popular, and the U.S. was able to stuff over 1.2 million life=
 vests with milkweed fluff. However,
 after the war, the rising use of synthetics lessened interest in all natura=
l fibers, and milkweed went back to being considered a less than desirable w=
eed.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Recently milkweed populations have been declining, in part due to herbi=
cides and loss of habitat. However, with the growing interest in this plant a=
s a source of commercial fiber it is now being planted as an agricultural cr=
op, with some Vermont and Canadian
 farmers devoting acres of farmland to its growth. This, of course, is a boo=
n to monarchs, as milkweed leaves are the sole source of food for monarch la=
rvae. Not only is milkweed being cultivated, but the farmers growing it are m=
aking an effort not to harvest
 the plants until monarchs have migrated in the fall. A win-win situation fo=
r all concerned."</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><a href=3D"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/urban-jun=
gle/pages/120925.html" target=3D"_blank"><br>
</a></div>
<div>
<div><b><a href=3D"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/urban-=
jungle/pages/120925.html" target=3D"_blank">Milkweed fruits: Pods of plenty<=
/a></b></div>
</div>
<div>Washington Post</div>
<div>25.09.2012</div>
<div><a href=3D"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/urban-jun=
gle/pages/120925.html" target=3D"_blank">http://www.washingtonpost.com/<wbr>=
wp-srv/special/metro/urban-<wbr>jungle/pages/120925.html</a><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>


</div></blockquote></div></body></html>=

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