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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Sustainable Coastal Development Offered in Virginia

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]cean Land Trust, Inc., is offering property for home building in The Waverly, a new Earth-friendly, sustainable alternative to the more traditional high-impact coastal developments, in Machipongo, along Virginia’s scenic Chesapeake Bay shoreline. The 23 separate land parcels, ranging from three to 22 acres, are especially well suited for family compounds, organic farms and horses.

The land is on high ground, well protected from coastal storms and ooding, has rich fertile farming soils and an aquifer with abundant pure water. Amenities include paved roads, utilities, common areas, private beach, community boat dock and launch ramp. Wineries, food co-ops, organic farms and several miles of riding trails are all located nearby.

The property provides an “ideal warm growing climate with the Gulf Stream just offshore,” says Ben Benson of Ocean Land Trust. He added that The Waverly is ideal for people that want to “enjoy their land for vacations now (as camping and RVs are allowed) and then retirement later.”

Parcel costs: $60,000 to $98,000. Location: 10359 Church Neck Rd. For more information, call 757-442-2171, email [email protected] or visit WaverlyLots.com.

Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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