Biodiversity Blog

Understanding and Promoting Biodiversity on the Farm

By BarnManager Partner Green Is the New Blue

By now, you’ve probably seen photos of Green Is the New Blue’s Living Jumps from our partner horse shows and read about the ways they promote biodiversity in their local ecosystems. But what, exactly, does that mean?

Biodiversity Blog

Biodiversity refers to the total number of different species in the same habitat. This includes microorganisms to plants to horses and their humans. It is important because biodiverse environments provide vital resources such as food, water, and shelter for their inhabitants. In some instances, they even provide medicine and fuel. Further, these ecosystems are built to last; biodiverse environments are more resilient in the face of disaster, both natural and manmade.

Every day, scientists discover new information about how one species benefits another. As every living thing is part of an interconnected system that sustains life on Earth, each of us should actively promote biodiversity. (Our lives quite literally depend on it!) That sounds like a pretty tall order, but it starts with a simple act. Make conscious decisions that sustain and strengthen the overall health of your local environment.

What are ways to support biodiversity at the barn? Go native.

When landscaping your farm, create a plentiful habitat that features a variety of plants and wildflowers native to your local ecosystem. These species are evolutionarily designed to thrive in that specific habitat, potentially reducing water use and minimizing care requirements. Native species provide food and shelter for other species in the ecosystem that are responsible for important ecological processes like plant reproduction and decomposition.

Feed the birds.

Birds play an important role in the ecosystem, from their predator/prey relationships to dispersing seeds for plant reproduction. Consider adding bird feeders to attract a variety of different species. Squirrel-proof feeders are best, as squirrels will steal food and deter birds. If you do install a bird feeder, keep a consistent cleaning schedule to prevent mold growth and maintain healthy populations.

Create your own Living Jump.

Source native plants from a local nursery or research appropriate species to grow through the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder. For a hedge-style jump, you can plant the elements directly into the ground. If you’re working in the arena, you can re-pot your favorite species year in and year out as their root systems mature. Your Living Jump will bring beauty to your corner of the world, and more importantly, it will be a vital link in the larger system that sustains life on our planet.

 

How are you promoting biodiversity on your farm or at home? We’d love to hear about what you are doing, so leave a comment below!

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

 

“Refuse To Use” with Green Is the New Blue

Written by Anna Zygadlo for Green Is the New Blue

Green Is the New Blue is a non-profit dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of horse shows, educating equestrians, and supporting the movement for a sustainable sport.  Our “Refuse to Use” campaign highlights the necessity of refusing to use single-use plastics, sourcing alternative products, and reusing material whenever possible.

Bill Rube of Gleneayre Equestrian Program n Lumerton, NJ, practices recycling with GITNB. Photo courtesy of GITNB

“It’s so important to not just recycle but to reduce the need for recycling,” explained R. Scot Evans, the creative director for Green is the New Blue. “The chilling facts are real: there are eight trillion pieces of single-use plastic currently circulating in the oceans around the world. It’s no longer about just picking up a piece of plastic and recycling it, it’s about refusing to use it.” The harsh reality is that many plastic bottles never actually get recycled, even if placed into recycling bins.

What We’re Doing

In order to combat single-use plastics on the showgrounds, Green Is the New Blue implemented touch-free water refill stations, allowing riders to bring their own reusable water bottles and safely fill them with clean water. In a modified effort to combat Covid-19, our partners have provided Boxed Water Is Better™ at select horse shows around the country. We know that plastic and other recyclable materials may still find a way onto the showgrounds, so recycling bins are strategically placed next to all trash cans at our partner events.

At Green Is the New Blue, we also work with vendors at our partner horse shows to minimize waste and switch to more environmentally friendly product packaging. There are many affordable alternatives to single-use plastics that can be incorporated into equestrian and restaurant business practices. At the Aiken Horse Park, we collaborated with Angela and Kory Merrill of Perks With a Twist, now one of the horse show world’s leaders in sustainable food service. Every serving product (think to-go boxes, plasticware, and napkins) used in the café is now compostable, using materials such as sugar cane, eliminating the waste the business sends out into the world after use.

Compostable food packaging at the Aiken Horse Park by Perks With A Twist. Photo by Split Rock Jumping Tour

As individuals, what can we do to reduce plastic use on a day-to-day basis? At Green Is the New Blue, we have a list of some of the ways you can reduce plastic in your daily life as an equestrian.

  1. Implement a recycling program.

    No matter how hard you try, plastics are going to make it onto the property. Maximize participation with easy access to recycling bins and very clear labeling. Ensure items placed in bins are clean and do not contaminate other materials.

  2. Repair items before replacing.

    Repair wheelbarrows, reinforce broken pitchforks with twine, and replace a single zipper rather than the whole pair of boots. Over time, many items will break with use. Repair what you can and keep items in circulation as long as possible. When purchasing tools, choose products with easily replaceable parts so you can repair the broken piece rather than replace the whole item. Avoid planned obsolescence, or consumer goods intended to be replaced and disposed of quickly.

  3. Repurpose items when possible.

    Skip the trash bag and line your bins with a grain or shavings bag that may otherwise be sent straight to a landfill. Grain bags are recyclable, although very few recycling facilities currently accept this type of plastic. Supplement buckets can be repurposed for bathing and storage.

  4. If there is an alternative to plastic, choose it.

    Purchase aluminum instead of plastic when possible, such as sweat scrapers, curry combs, tail combs, and grain scoops. Source hay baled with steel wire as opposed to plastic twine.

  5. Upcycle Jumps and Avoid PVC.

    PVC contains harmful chemicals, making it difficult and dangerous to recycle. Avoid using it for fencing and jumps. Instead, create your jump course using upcycled materials, such as pallets, rowboats, and doors. For more course design inspiration, check out our new monthly column “JumpCycled: Setting Greener Standards.”

  6. Purchase fly spray and other items in bulk.

    If you need to purchase solutions bottled in single-use plastics, choose higher concentrations in large containers. Save plastic by diluting the concentrate and refilling the same spray bottle.

  7. Purchase and store shavings in bulk.

    If you have the storage space, skip the individually bagged shavings and choose bulk shavings, which is generally more cost effective. If you must use bags, try to choose paper rather than plastic. Paper shavings bags can be repurposed as poultice paper. Many plastic shavings bags are recyclable, so check if your local facility will accept that plastic type and deposit in bulk. Make sure to shake out the bags well, as they will not be accepted if they are contaminated with shavings.

  8. Install a water refill station at the barn.

    Encourage riders to bring their own reusable water bottles and refill them at the barn. If you do supply single-use cups, choose compostable materials and small sizes.

  9. Reusable containers and bags are your friend.

    Pack your lunch in a reusable container to reduce plastic use. Take-out often involves single-use plastics and foam containers. If you do get takeout, save the takeout container for meal prep. There is no need to purchase your own containers when you can repurpose things like capped yogurt cups and sauce jars. And of course, don’t forget your reusable bag when grocery shopping or heading to the tack shop.

  10. Equestrians love coffee and need the caffeine.

    Add a coffee maker to your tack room and encourage others to refill a cup, rather than leave the barn and purchase coffee in single-use cups. Also, choose your coffee brand strategically. Choose shade-grown options and opt for a reusable filter or French press to minimize the environmental impact of your coffee habit.

Don’t forget to reduce and reuse first to lessen the need for recycling. To learn more about our “Refuse to Use” campaign and read more educational articles, visit our website and social media.

Recycling bins at the ingate of Split Rock Jumping Tour.
Photo by Split Rock Jumping Tour