Creating a sustainable and compassionate community
Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living In the wild, Honeylocust is one of the most recognizable trees because of its long branched thorns. In fact, the Latin species name, triacanthos, means “three thorns”. Honeylocust is very popular for landscaping, but domesticated varieties usually lack thorns and […]
As a long time advocate for living simply I often hear people say “that’s good for you, Chuck, but it won’t be enough – we need to change the system.” They’re not exactly being dismissive, but perhaps damning with faint praise. I heartily agree that changing systems – lots of […]
My name is Lily Schaefer, and I am a college student at Ohio University, as well as an intern with Simply Living. I am working on this blog to further my knowledge and share my experience with eating as a vegetarian! If you have questions, or would like to chat, […]
Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana) by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Once considered the ideal landscaping tree, the Callery Pear cannot legally be sold, grown, or planted in Ohio, due to its invasiveness. Callery Pear was introduced to the United States from Asia in the early 1900s. The edible Pear, […]
Commentary for the Ohio Capitol Journal by Cathy Cowan Becker The waterfall at Ash Cave in Ohio’s Hocking Hills State Park. Getty Images. Some of my fondest memories have been in Ohio’s state parks, forests and wildlife areas. Deer Creek, John Bryan, Hocking Hills, Shawnee, Maumee Bay, Kelleys Island, Mohican, […]
by Ann McDowell Art Spot is a series of temporary public art installations that explore themes around climate change and conservation. Featuring 14 artists, 13 installations and nine locations in and around downtown Columbus, Art Spot installations will be on view 24/7 in the windows of partner businesses and nonprofits […]
My name is Lily Schaefer, and I am a college student at Ohio University, as well as an intern with Simply Living. I am working on this blog to further my knowledge and share my experience with eating as a vegetarian! If you have questions, or would like to chat, […]
My Favorite Tree Books By Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living I recently wrote about my favorite tree websites and downloadable books. This month I’ll discuss my favorite printed books – books about trees made from trees. I have over a hundred of them, many of which I picked up […]
My name is Lily Schaefer, and I am a college student at Ohio University, as well as an intern with Simply Living. I am working on this blog to further my knowledge and share my experience with eating as a vegetarian! If you have questions, or would like to chat, […]
Executive DirectorJob Description Primary Objectives:The Executive Director provides leadership, fundraising, programming, communications, andadministrative oversight and support for the Simply Living board of directors and membership inpursuit of the organization’s mission to connect people with learning opportunities that promotesustainability, environmental justice, and our local economy. Our mission is translated intoaction through […]
Financial/Administrative Consultant Job Description Primary Objectives:The Financial/Administrative consultant works remotely and reports to the Simply Livingpresident and the executive director, and also interacts with Simply Living board members(especially the treasurer and check writer) to create financial reports, reconcile bank accounts,and track payables, receivables, donations, and other account details. Work hours […]
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living March is the month for Red Maple – or one of the months. It’s small red flowers lend a beautiful red glow to forests and streets in the spring, and its leaves turn scarlet in the fall. Maple is […]
By Abby Esch and Kenedy Witherow Last week, my fellow intern Kenedy Witherow and I had the opportunity to interview Catherine Hope-Cunningham, who considers herself to be a green realtor. We asked Catherine questions about her career history and start, what it means to be a green realtor, and whether […]
My name is Lily Schaefer, and I am a college student at Ohio University, as well as an intern with Simply Living. I am working on this blog to further my knowledge and share my experience with eating as a vegetarian! If you have questions, or would like to chat, […]
The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District is holding their annual plant sale. I’ve planted over 100 trees from this source over the years and nearly all of them have thrived. Most of the trees are sold as bare-root saplings, which consist essentially of twigs with roots, packaged in bundles […]
by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Photo by Mort Schmidt I’m often asked about my favorite tree books and websites. I have a good many favorites, so this month I’ll discuss my favorite tree websites and some later month I’ll discuss my favorite tree books. I’m old school – when […]
In case you haven’t heard, CHATGPT is a new AI (Artificial Intelligence) program. You can ask questions and get answers on almost any topic It is also interactive and allows for dialogue to pusue topics in depth. For example, I asked ChatGPT what it is and received this answer. What […]
Mort Schmidt, author of the Tree of the Month articles, will co-lead a winter tree ID walk with park ranger Scott Felker at Three Creeks Metro Park on Sunday, January 22nd at 2 PM. We’ll meet at the Confluence Area as shown in the attached map. I’d love to see […]
Baldcypress, Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Not all conifers are evergreens. We often use the terms interchangeably, but in fact some conifers lose their needles in winter, while some broadleaf trees, such as American Holly (Ilex opaca), keep their leaves in winter. As discussed […]
One of the tallest conifers in the northeastern US, this useful, native tree has a fascinating history.