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Enter TurfMutt’s “Paw It Forward” Sweepstakes! You could win a $250 donation to your favorite animal shelter.

by on Feb 18, 2013 (2) Comments

TurfMutt is thrilled to announce the start of a new sweepstakes that will help dogs, cats and other critters just like him. Enter TurfMutt’s “Paw It Forward” Sweepstakes for a chance at one of two $250 donations to a local animal shelter.

Watch the TurfMutt PSA

Watch the TurfMutt PSA then enter the “Paw It Forward” sweepstakes.

It’s easy to enter – just visit the TurfMutt Facebook page and click “Paw It Forward” in the top right corner. Watch the new TurfMutt PSA to see the beauty, fun and discovery that can happen in your own backyard. Then, fill out the simple entry form. It’s that easy! Plus, if you get your friends to enter the contest you automatically get an additional entry.

The contest starts today and ends on March 11. What are you waiting for? Let us know when you’ve entered the sweepstakes by commenting below. Good luck!

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See last year’s winner of TurfMutt’s “Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes.” This Could Be You!

by on Feb 12, 2013 (0) Comments

Check out this video.  See how last year’s “Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes” winner – Mrs. Arabia’s 5th grade class at Palomar Elementary in Chula Vista, Calif. – used the $5,000 grant to enhance the green space around their school.

Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes

Enter to win a $5,000 grant to make eco-friendly improvements to your school.

Once again this year, K-5 teachers can enter for the chance to win $5,000 to help make their school’s play area more eco-friendly by adding trees, shrubbery and more! Two runners-up receive “Green Packs” for all of their students, complete with eco-friendly, TurfMutt-branded school supplies.

Teachers can enter once a day through March 21, 2013. Click here to enter.

It’s fun to dream green! What would you do with a $5,000 eco-grant?

 

 

 

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Energy Conservation Webinar from our DOE Partner

by on Feb 05, 2013 (0) Comments

As you know, access to the TurfMutt Web site and resources are now available through the Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools and the Department of Energy’s Web sites.

TurfMutt values our partnerships with environmental education initiatives such as these to further spread the message about the importance of caring for our environment and the greenspaces around us.

Just last month the Department of Energy promoted TurfMutt’s Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes through its Teaching Matters and Green Strides newsletters, reaching thousands of teachers and environmental industry professionals across the county.

You may be interested in another learning opportunity about Energy Conservation through our partner, The Department of Education, and their ‘Green Ribbon Schools Green Stride’ Webinar Series.

On February 6th from 4-5pm, the Department of Energy hosts  - An Energy Literate Citizenry from K-to-Gray: A Webcast on the Department of Energy’s Energy Literacy Initiative.

 

Check it out and sign up today!

Links 

Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools - http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/resources-for-schools.html

Department of Energy - http://www.eere.energy.gov/

Spruce Up your School Sweeps - http://www.turfmutt.com/sweepstakes.cfm

Webinar registration - https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/198384864

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Coming soon! TurfMutt’s new PSA

by on Jan 30, 2013 (0) Comments

Coming soon to a TV near you: a new public service announcement (PSA) starring TurfMutt himself.

The PSA was developed in conjunction with Discovery Education. It highlights how proper care of community green spaces not only helps the environment, but also creates a safe place for exercise, relaxation and family time.

As you can imagine, it’s quite a process to develop a PSA starring a dog. Lucky for us, TurfMutt is accustomed to the spotlight and has honed his “spokesdog” skills at tradeshows and events.

The crew consisted of 30 people from the director and camera crew to caterers, education professionals and actors. It took nine hours to wrap the shoot, and TurfMutt was in nearly every frame! It was a long day, but according to the director he “was a professional and did everything we asked him to do.”

Keep your eyes peeled for the final cut of the PSA, which will be posted on TurfMutt.com next week. Be sure to check back and share it with your friends!

 

TurfMutt on set!

TurfMutt on set!

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Yards Need TLC in Winter

by on Jan 23, 2013 (0) Comments

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your yard care should go into hibernation. In fact plants shrubs and trees need some extra TLC during the wintertime in order to remain vibrant this spring.

Yard work shouldn't end even when the temperatures plummet.

Yard work shouldn’t end even when the temperatures plummet.

 

Remove snow carefully: Brush – don’t shake – snow off trees and shrubs to keep them from breaking. Ice and frozen snow are best left to melt off on their own.

Water wisely: If you haven’t experienced your first hard freeze yet you should keep watering to give your plants a better chance of survival.

Cover cautiously:If you are experiencing freezing temps, covering your plants can be a good idea. But watch for warm weather days, and consider uncovering the plants when temperatures spike for a few days, then recovering them at night.

Prune prudently: Late winter is a good time to prune ornamental trees and roses.

What are your favorite ways to protect plants from winter cold?

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Chemical deicers and your plants

by on Jan 15, 2013 (0) Comments

Are you using a chemical deicer this winter? Think of your plants.

Chemical deicers aren't the best bet this winter.

Chemical deicers can damage plants.

Salt and melting agents for snow and ice can damage plants and trees by drawing water away from their roots.  Get rid of extra salt by flushing the soil out
with plenty of water.  And, remember, salt agents can be harmful to pets because the salt can cause inflamed and painful paws if animals walk over the deicer.

Following directions on the label and not over-applying the product can help minimize the risk. But there’s a another way. Remove any snow with a shovel or a snow blower. (Ask your kids to help if you need an extra hand shoveling – it’s a great way to get a winter workout!). Then, apply a layer of kitty  litter or sand for traction. This will help keep sidewalks safe.

 

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Too Cold to Go Outside? Humbug!

by on Jan 08, 2013 (0) Comments

When the temperature drops, it can be challenging to motivate your family to bundle up and get outside. But outdoor activity is important year-round – for the humans and the dogs in your family.

Family outdoor playtime is important even in the winter.

So bundle up and head out! Here are just a few fun ways to peel your family away from the computer and TV screens.

  • Look for animal tracks in the snow. See if you can identify the species, or take pictures of the tracks and look them up on the Internet when you go back inside.
  • Play snowball fetch with Fido. Dogs love chasing balls of any kind, so have your kids roll snowballs to throw for a great game of fetch. Or use a rubber ball if there isn’t much snow.
  • Play flashlight tag. Winter nights are the perfect backdrop for a twist on the classic game of tag…with flashlights. Be sure to specify a safe play area.
  • Blow bubbles. Even though this might seem like a summertime activity, try it! In the winter bubbles turn icy and beautiful.

What’s your family’s favorite outdoor activity during the wintertime?

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Enter TurfMutt’s Sweepstakes to “Spruce Up Your School” in 2013

by on Jan 02, 2013 (0) Comments

If your child’s school could use a new and improved play area in the New Year, you will want to encourage her teacher to enter TurfMutt’s “Spruce Up Your School” Sweepstakes.

Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes

Enter to win a $5,000 grant to make eco-friendly improvements to your school.

The winning school gets a $5,000 grant to help make eco-friendly improvements to the school’s play area by adding trees, shrubbery and more. Two runners up will receive “Green Packs” complete with eco-friendly, TurfMutt-branded school supplies for the whole classroom.

Entries will be accepted through March 21, 2013, and winners will be announced at the end of March. The submissions must be made by a teacher of grades K-5. They can enter once a day, every day to increase the chances of winning!

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Study Links Childhood Obesity with TV in bedroom

by on Dec 24, 2012 (Comments Off) Comments

If your child is asking Santa for a television in his room, a new study shows good reason to say no to the request.

Child watching TV

New study links obesity with a TV in children’s rooms.

According to a Pennington Biomedical Research Center Study, watching TV in the bedroom makes children twice as likely to be overweight and nearly three times as likely to get  heart disease and diabetes. The average American child (8-18) watches about 4.5 hours of TV each day, according to the study. Seventy percent of kids have a TV in the bedroom, and about one-third of youth from ages 6-19 is considered obese.

One way to get kids to turn off the TV is to encourage time outdoors as a family to enjoy the fresh air and green space around your home. TurfMutt has a number of ideas for fun family activities that don’t involve screen-time.  Click here to learn more.

 

 

 

 

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Tips to keep your pet safe this holiday season

by on Dec 17, 2012 (0) Comments

Some of the things that bring you and your family holiday cheer could cause holiday harm to your family pet.

Keep these tips in mind to protect your pet this holiday season.

Keep your pet safe this holiday season with these tips.

 

TurfMutt has a list of the most harmful holiday items for pets below. Be mindful of these hazards to keep your furry friends safe this holiday season.

  • Lilies are poisonous and cause kidney failure in cats.
  • Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular problems and lethargy.
  • “People food” can be very dangerous for pets. Bones can splinter and cause blockages, while alcohol can cause pets to go into a coma. Chocolate – depending on the amount ingested – can cause upset stomach, increased thirst and increased heart rate.
  • Decorations, such as tinsel or ribbons, can cause intestinal obstruction if swallowed.
  • Christmas tree water could harbor bacteria and fertilizers that can cause stomach irritation.

Do you have a cute holiday photo of your pet? Share them with us on the TurfMutt Facebook page.

 

 

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