The Green Blog

Native Plantings for Birds

When thinking about what I wanted to post about the environment for Blog Action Day, I thought about commenting on the vast array of issues that are finally being recognized and addressed. But I decided to comment on something that actually was the reason my work and my renewed passion for the environment came about – gardening.

As an avid gardener (who seems to have little time for it anymore), I love looking at plant combinations, colors, and bloom times. That led to me recognizing the benefits of working with native plants in my landscape. I followed that up by concentrating on perennial plantings. Then I started to really enjoy watching the birds visit throughout the year, especially in the Fall and Winter months. Recently I read an article/question about whether bird feeders are bad for the environment. I immediately replied with the following post on Grist:

Create a balanced eco-system in your yard

I am a firm believer in keeping it natural. By planting non-invasive native plants and a properly installed water feature such as a pond you can create an environment that will attract wildlife and keep out unwanted pests as well (if maintained properly). I also live in PA and find that my coneflowers, sunflowers, and weeping crab apple (with berry-like fruit) attract birds year round - the trick is to not prune them at the end of the season. I agree that all of the work that goes into harvesting the bird seed is probably doing more harm than feeding the birds will [read the article for details]. Keep it simple - the right plant material and habitat will attract all the friends you could ever want!

Recently a member of my family got a bird feeder as a gift. It was a cruel contraption that spun squirrels off of it and even risked hurting them. The person commented on the entertainment quality of the torture device. Personally, I prefer the entertainment that comes from looking out my kitchen window with my cup of (fair trade) coffee and watching the birds who come back each year to feed and nest in my weeping crab apple.  And I love how, when it snows, the bright little finches come to pick off the remainder of my coneflowers. Now that’s entertainment!

Date: October 15, 2007

Your Brand, Your Identity

To change, or not to change - that is the question. The answer is not always easy. Some companies spend years trying to develop their brand and brand identity. For others, it just happens when their customer base decides how they view their brand (sometimes in ways they never intended). The problem is that change is inevitable, so how do you reflect that in your marketing without losing your place in the market? Companies struggle internally deciding whether or not to change their logo, their packaging, or their message - some do it successfully, others fail and go back to the drawing board or to where they started. The Green Pen has struggled with that as well.

As a young company, our direction has often been dictated by our market and client needs. Now that we feel like we know who we are and where we want to go, we need to have a branding initiative that reflects that. We have teamed up with an amazing graphic designer to help us develop a new logo that will help carry us into the future. In the next month you will see our new logo and a new Web site, but the same commitment to our clients and this industry.

Perhaps you have struggled with the same dilemma. My advice on this matter is to take a step back and really take a look at your marketing and objectively ask yourself if it reflects who you are and where you are going. If not, it may be time for you to consider a similar change. While I am sure Nike will keep its swoosh, and McDonald’s will keep their golden arches, even they have changed how they market their businesses without losing their brand identity, the message of who they are, and their commitment to their customer base. With careful planning and the right resources, you can carry your business into the future and distinguish yourself as a leader in your market and in the industry.

Date: October 14, 2007