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Articles by Matt Higgs

Matt Higgs
75 Articles
Matt Higgs was GreenUP's Communications and Marketing Specialist and authored a weekly column focused on all things environmental that was published in the Peterborough Examiner and on kawarthaNOW.com. A native of New Brunswick, Matt has called the Kawarthas and Northumberland home since 2008. Follow GreenUP on Twitter or connect with them on Facebook.
When it comes to choosing which Christmas trees have a smaller environmental impact, real trees always come out ahead. They're completely biodegradable, provide shelter and habitat for wildlife and help clean our air.

Go green with a natural Christmas tree

Matt Higgs -
Real trees have a smaller environmental impact and are biodegradable.
When it comes to making sidewalks and driveways there are many alternatives to salt, including Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, and Calcium Chloride.

Eco-friendly ice melting

Matt Higgs -
Alternatives to winter salt can help keep our water clean and reduce damage to plants.
Real Christmas trees are always a better choice over the store-bought plastic fakes. Once Christmas is over, the tree can be left out for collection by the city where it will chipped and turned into mulch. (Photo: Wikipedia.)

Going Green for Christmas

Matt Higgs -
LED lights, natural decorations, and real trees are some great options
Just because there's snow on the ground doesn't mean you have to put the bike away. With the right equipment, almost anyone can bike safely in the winter (supplied photo)

Tips for winter cycling

Matt Higgs -
Many people cycle year-round and you can too, as long as you're prepared.
Peterborough Distribution Inc.'s Small Business Lighting program helps small businesses decrease their electricity bills and promote a culture of conservation.

Free lighting program for small businesses can reduce electricity costs

Matt Higgs -
Up to $1,500 in energy-efficient lighting and other equipment upgrades.
Driving slower, not idling, and keeping your car maintenance up to date are all ways to become an eco-friendly driver and save money on fuel at the same time (photo: Andrew Tamala)

Tips for becoming an eco-driver

Matt Higgs -
Save fuel and reduce emissions with some simple techniques.
Bees and other pollinators are disappearing at an alarming rate. Providing bee-friendly habitat in your own backyard is just one of many ways you can help reverse their decline.

Make your backyard bee friendly

Matt Higgs -
Learn how to help bees and other pollinators at full-day workshop on November 1.
Instead of bagging leaves this year, try mulching them instead. Leaves give a nutrient boost to lawns and gardens, getting them off to a good start in the spring. (Photo: Peterborough GreenUP)

Make the most of fallen leaves

Matt Higgs -
Mulch them, compost them, or bag them and donate to GreenUp Ecology Park.
Black-capped chickadees are one of the most common birds spotted at local bird feeders. Counting numbers of this species and others helps scientists to learn more about winter bird populations and movements across North America. (Photo: Errol Taskin/Project FeederWatch).

Helping birds with Project FeederWatch

Matt Higgs -
Turn your bird-feeding hobby into research for bird conservation.
Kids learn the basics of composting at GreenUP Ecology Park as part of hands-on programs offered to local schools (photo: Peterborough GreenUP)

Composting through the fall

Matt Higgs -
There's no better time to turn leaves and yard waste into black gold for the coming spring,
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