This New Neighborhood Will Grow Its Own Food, Power Itself, And Handle Its Own Waste: “If you live inside one of the houses in a new neighborhood being built in an Amsterdam suburb, your dining room might be next to an indoor vegetable garden. Outside, you’ll have another seasonal garden. And down the street, almost everything you eat will be grown in high-tech vertical farms.”

How Much Does Sprawl Cost American Commuters?: “Combining the the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S., Daniel Hertz of City Observatory found commuters pay more than $107 billion annually, which is about $1,400 per commuter, on average.”

Cereal giant Kellogg’s now has a ‘compost chef’ – why doesn’t everyone?: “Farming Monthly reports that cereal giant Kellogg’s, for example, has now hired a “compost chef.” Soil health expert Anna Becvar is working with suppliers to advise on both composting and the use of anaerobic digestion to improve soil health, reduce methane emissions and increase crop production.”

The Story Behind Los Angeles’ Beautiful, Ephemeral Jacaranda Blooms: “Jacaranda season may be brief, but for a short burst of time all of Los Angeles seems to be in purple-blue bloom.”

What is the dawn chorus?: “If you’re an early riser and enjoy the outdoors, here’s a way to enjoy one of nature’s special moments: Take your first cup of coffee outside, be still for a few moments and listen. It’s the best time of day to hear the birds.”