How can we reconcile our deep-rooted need for a hearth with the reality that a fireplace is an energy hog and pollution source? We can reimagine the hearth to suit both our deep-rooted needs for gathering, comfort, and contemplation, and our modern lifestyle and climate.

Trees provide many things – beauty, shade, water filtration, and more – but they can also give you a window into another world, the world of birds and butterflies, moths, and a whole host of fascinating critters right outside your window. Here’s a quick guide to our favorite native trees for landscaping.

This Earth Day, instead of dreaming of “planet B” or just planning for resilience in the face of environmental change, let’s dream of restoring habitat, celebrating pollinators, replanting forests, and eliminating pollution! 

Fairhope has great resources to support your physical and mental health. In honor of Small Business Saturday, I want to shine a light on these small businesses that are working hard to help us stay healthy, strong, and calm!

The Gulf State Park Lodge could be described as a “hospitality project promoting ecotourism” or a “restoration project offering hospitality” with equal accuracy. And that’s exactly the point.

I can’t believe I’m marking the end of Watershed’s first decade! It feels like yesterday that we launched this new, experimental business, hoping to prove that green building could be pragmatic, affordable, beautiful, and accessible, in south Alabama.

To encourage civic engagement, we need to understand who is missing from the room, to reach out, and to remove barriers to participation. Meetings held during work hours can be challenging for people in many professions, and after hours meeting can be even more challenging for young parents.

The advantages of energy retrofitting existing spaces can be compelling: In addition to immediate tax benefits, a well- planned renovation can lower operating costs, resulting in significant savings over the life cycle of the building.

Whether you want to attract birds, butterflies, or the neighborhood kids, an edible design will add life to your landscape. Gardening for wildlife focuses on providing food, cover, and water for birds, butterflies and other creatures. Certified wildlife habitats can range for acres, or fit in a tiny office courtyard.