Tag genetic diversity

NATIONAL SUNFLOWER DAY

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Celebrating happiness is what we do. So, it makes perfect sense to celebrate the first Saturday in August as National Sunflower Day. Join us all day as we spread joy about the happiest flower on earth.

Sunflowers are said to be a symbol of adoration, loyalty, and longevity. Their bright yellow color is a sign of happiness, friendship, and intelligence. Much like the sun, sunflowers mirror vibrancy and give off an energy of life. National Sunflower Day reminds us to show our inner sunshine, while taking the opportunity to share one of the earth’s most beautiful flowers.

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Historically, sunflowers have been around since about 1000 BC. Native Americans used sunflowers as a valuable food source, oil, paint, textile, and during ceremonies. Interestingly, some archaeologists believe sunflowers may have been cultivated before corn. Today, sunflowers are still being used as a source of food, oils, and beauty treatments.

7 Sunflower Uses

  1. Cooking oil
  2. Sunflower seeds
  3. Salad mixes
  4. Tea
  5. Medicinal purposes
  6. Skin care
  7. Crafts

The U.S. is a massive producer of sunflowers. In fact, this bright, beautiful flower is a major crop in both North Dakota and South Dakota. In 2022, North Dakota produced 762 billion pounds of sunflowers. With the average height of a sunflower being five to six feet tall, a sunflower head can grow bigger than an human head. As the weight of the sunflower head becomes heavy, it begins to fall forward causing the petals to fall off. Shortly after the petals fall off, harvest begins on the sunflower. On average, one sunflower can produce up to 2,000 sunflower seeds per head!

Sunny Days

Sunflowers are a unique flower. Though many flowers are known to look for the sun for nutrients, the size of the sunflower presents an opportunity to visually see how it follows the sun movements throughout the day. During early mornings, sunflowers can be seen sort of in a sleep position slightly bent downwards. However, as the sun begins to shine, they slowly find the bright sun to face their growing day. Interestingly, the sunflower tends to face east, avoiding the hot sun. Scientists assume it is a natural defense of the sunflower to avoid the hot sun. Sunflower enthusiasts assume their perfect flower is not only the happiest flower, but also the most intelligent, too.

August is considered the peak growing season for sunflowers, which is why National Sunflower Day is a perfect time to experience the beauty of vast fields of golden awe. Brilliant fields of yellow flowers welcoming the morning sun can be found throughout North Dakota. In fact, seeing fields of sunflowers blanket the earth will lift the spirits of those witnessing this amazing wonder of breathtaking beauty.

FOUNDING NATIONAL SUNFLOWER DAY

The National Sunflower Association and North Dakota Tourism introduced the idea to create National Sunflower Day in 2022. After forming a partnership, National Sunflower Day became reality in 2023. Each year on the first Saturday in August, we intend to spread joy about the happiest flower on earth during National Sunflower Day. This collaboration is a special effort help spread the word about the agricultural giant North Dakota is in growing sunflowers, and especially to promote happiness.

A partnership between the National Sunflower Association and North Dakota Tourism gives anyone who visits the state a chance to see the thousands of acres of fields every year in late summer with their Sunflower Map. This map includes exact coordinates of sunflower fields across the state and weekly updates from the farmers who cultivate them on how the bloom is going. Visitors can time their visits when the fields are at their most beautiful. Some of the fields even include a sunflower mailbox full of free and locally grown and processed sunflower seeds.

FOLLOW THE SUN

  1. Take a drive to view fields of sunflowers to see their true beauty in mass.
  2. Give a bouquet of sunflowers to a friend to brighten their day.
  3. Add sunflower petals and seeds to your salad.
  4. Plan a road trip to North Dakota in August and coordinate places to stop to visit sunflower fields and get updates from local farmers who cultivate sunflowers.
  5. Share your photos on sunflowers on social media using #NationalSunflowerDay.

NATIONAL POLLINATORS MONTH

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National Pollinators Month in June encourages the planting of pollinator gardens of native, non-invasive pollen and nectar-producing plants. When these gardens bloom, they attract bees, birds, bats, and other natural pollinators.

These pollinators make the difference between valuable fruits and vegetables on our tables. While we’re planting native flowers and trees, we’re also providing for our future. Pollinators such as the monarch butterfly and the honey bee have been in decline. All the reasons have not been identified. However, increasing the available habitat does help!

HISTORY

National Pollinators Month is an initiative of the National Wildlife Federation. With pollinators on the decline, their initiative is designed to increase native pollen and nectar-producing through the Million Garden Challenge.  

HOW TO OBSERVE

Find out which are the best plants for your zone. Visit www.nwf.org to find out more. Use #NationalPollinatorsMonth or #BeeCounted to share on social media.

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Bring your garden to life!
Bring your garden to life!

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY

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Each year on December 4th, Wildlife Conservation Day seeks to spread awareness about preserving and protecting the natural world and its inhabitants. Additionally, the observance strives to put an end to wildlife crime and supporting the Endangered Species Act.

Wildlife Crime

Wildlife crime includes illegal poaching and smuggling of animals. Additionally, it includes transporting a specific animal product by criminal groups to make a profit. A few examples would be rhino horns and elephant tusks. Wildlife crime is detrimental to the ecosystem as it causes animals to become endangered or extinct.
Because of poaching, these six animals are at risk of becoming extinct:

  • Elephants
  • Rhinos
  • Tigers
  • Sea turtles
  • Lemurs
  • Gorillas

Can you imagine living in a world where these fantastic animals no longer exist? If wildlife crime continues, it could very well happen. This is why Wildlife Conservation Day focuses on putting an end to wildlife crime.

The Endangered Species Act

Another focus of Wildlife Conservation Day is the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA was signed into law by President Nixon in 1973. The program helps to protect endangered plants and animals. The lead federal agencies for implementing the ESA include:

  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
  • U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The FWS maintains a list of all the endangered species, which include birds, insects, fish, reptiles, mammals, crustaceans, flowers, grasses, and trees. In late 2019 President Trump announced a major overhaul to the law that would reduce regulations. Because of this, it’s more important than ever to support the ESA.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY HISTORY

The call to wildlife conservation began in the 1900s. At the time, the bison nearly became extinct, and the passenger pigeon disappeared. These two events introduced the public to the concept of extinction.

Throughout the years, much was done to create awareness about wildlife conservation. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton created Wildlife Conservation Day.
At the time, Clinton had stated, “Wildlife cannot be manufactured. And once it’s gone, it cannot get replenished. Those who profit from it illegally are not just undermining our borders and our economies; they are truly stealing from the next generation.”

HOW TO OBSERVE #WildlifeConservationDay

Many conservation groups, zoos, and wildlife organizations hold a variety of events. These events focus on ending wildlife crime and saving endangered species. They host educational seminars and exhibits. They also offer discounted or free passes to their facilities.

To participate:

Sign the WWF pledge to stop wildlife crime

  • Don’t buy illegal wildlife products, such as ivory
  • Boycott unsustainable food products, such as palm oil
  • Donate to a conservation group or wildlife organization
  • Educate yourself on wildlife crime and endangered species
  • Learn more about the Endangered Species Act
  • Watch documentaries on wildlife issues and animal protection, including Blackfish, Forks Over Knives, and Racing Extinction.

Be sure to share this day on social media with #WildlifeConservationDay