Oregon Family Magazine

N O V E M B E R

FALL HOLIDAY RECIPES

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O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M

TAMING HOLIDAY STRESS

CLEARING UP COVID-19 CONFUSION

In times of sickness and wellness, we are with you every step of the way.

Karen Ortiz, M.D., F.A.A.P., brings genuineness and compassion to each patient visit and strives to help children and their families be well, physically and emotionally. Proficient in medical Spanish, Dr. Ortiz recognizes that each family is unique and focuses on building lasting relationships, from birth through young adulthood.

To schedule an appointment, call 541-HUG-KIDS. 995 Willagillespie Road, Suite 100 • 541-484-5437 • www.EugenePeds.com

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NOVEMBER 2021

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O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M

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TRAVEL Planning Ahead for Holiday Vacations FAMILY HEALTH Clearing up Covid Confusion

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HOLIDAY LIFE Ideas for Staving Off Holiday Stress

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HOME & HEALTH Winterize the Home For More Time Inside FOOD Holiday Recipes -Pumpkin Walnut Risotto -Double Crust Apple Pie

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MOVIE REVIEWS Kids: Nightbooks Parents: Reminiscence PARENTINGNOW™ Positive Attention Through Play

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EARTHTALK™ Artificial Intelligence and Conservation

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RESCUE SPOTLIGHT Doggie: Ares Kitty: Samuel Bernard

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O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M

NOVEMBER 2021

Plan Ahead for This Year’s

Holiday Vacation

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HETHER YOUR FAMILY COUNTS a holiday vacation among your treasured traditions or you’re anticipating a holiday getaway for the first time, getting an early start on your planning can help ensure your trip is filled with good tidings and joy.

Know what you want to spend. If you’re planning to open your wallet a little wider for this trip than you have in the past, you’re not alone. A survey by American Express Travel found more than 60% of travelers are planning to spend more on trips in 2022 since they missed out on travel in 2021.

Setting your budget now can help you make choices about things like accommodations and activities while giving you some extra time to save. Working off a budget from the start can also help you take advantage of book now, pay later options that may give you added savings or incentives.

Be conscious of high-demand destinations. Popular travel spots tend to fill up fast, so if you’re considering visiting a high-demand location, be aware of how crowds might affect your plans for everything from wait times at attractions to rental cars and more. According to vacation rental company VRBO, prime warm-weather destinations where families can spend the holidays together are already facing lower availability for homes, including Florida and Hawaii beaches. Similarly, Maui, Hawaii, has less than 20% of homes available during Christmas week. Ski spots also see a large share of holiday travel, so be prepared if you’re planning on a holiday hot spot.

Manage against the unexpected. Despite all the advantages of planning ahead, it’s impossible to predict unknown variables like the weather when you make travel arrangements months ahead of time. Travel insurance can help protect the majority your

NOVEMBER 2021

investment if you have to cancel your trip.

Some policies offer coverage for cancellation for any reason, so you’ll want to research exactly what your policy allows, including weather and pandemic-related cancellations.

O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M

Book lodging early. With travel volume up and availability for accommodations already trending downward for the holiday season, consider making reservations sooner than later.

“We typically see December bookings peak in October and November, but families are locking in their holiday vacation plans much earlier than usual,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo’s travel expert. “Vacation homes have been quickly scooped up during every popular travel season this year, so it’s no surprise families are planning ahead to ensure they have a great place to spend the holidays together.”

Look into local events. In this pandemic age, many attractions and activities have new guidelines, including altered operating schedules, occupancy limits and reservation systems. You can typically find the latest information on websites or by calling ahead.

Take these measures into consideration as you’re creating your trip itinerary and organizing advanced reservations.

Consider how the holidays will affect your packing. Traveling during the holidays may mean a different approach to your typical vacation packing. Especially if you’re traveling with children, you’ll need to make space for beloved holiday traditions such as gifts or a visit from a certain jolly old elf. ✦ For more inspiration for your holiday getaway, visit VRBO.com.

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Our Contributors 1

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28 YEARS

Oregon Family Magazine is distributed monthly, year-round via direct mail in the greater Lane County area, and at over 150 high-traffic commercial locations. For information regarding Every Door Direct Mail, please visit www.dmachoice.org or www.optoutprescreen.com.

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PUBLISHER Pacific Parents Publishing EDITOR Sandy Kauten GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Springer Design & Illustration ADVERTISING Sandy Kauten • 541.683.7452 sandy@oregonfamily.com Christi Kessler • 541.484.0434 christi@oregonfamily.com

1. KIMBERLY BLAKER

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance family and lifestyle writer. She is also owner of KB Creative Digital Services, specializing in SEO content and blog posts. Kimberly is a mother of two and grandmother.

2. PILAR BRADSHAW, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Dr. Pilar Bradshaw practices the full spectrum of pediatric medicine, seeing patients from birth to young adulthood. Named as 1 of 7 “Favorite Pediatricians” by Parents magazine, she believes in the ability of parents to embrace the joys and challenges of raising children.

3. BONNIE HARRIS

Bonnie is Oregon Family Magazine’s resident Movie Review Master Extraordinaire. She enjoys watching movies of all kinds, and has been doing movie reviews for over 9 years and counting. She lives in Eugene with her family, enjoys gardening and cooking.

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4. RODDY SCHEER

Journalist and photographer specializing in environmental issues, the outdoors and travel.

When he is not out in the field taking pictures, Roddy runs EarthTalk, the non-profit Publisher of the syndicated EarthTalk Q&A column and the EarthTalk.org and Emagazine.

5. MEREDITH TUFTS

Meredith Tufts is a Parenting Educator and the Program Manager for the First Three Years program at Parenting Now. She loves her work with families, and enjoys exploring the outdoors in all sorts of weather with her family, snowshoeing, dancing in the rain, digging in the garden, and backpacking in the woods.

OREGON FAMILY MAGAZINE P.O. Box 21732 • Eugene, OR 97402 541.683.7452 Email: info@oregonfamily.com Web: www.oregonfamily.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/OregonFamily

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1993 Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of, nor an endorsement by this publication. © 2021 Pacific Parents Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior expressed written permission from Pacific Parents Publishing.

O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M

NOVEMBER 2021

Clearing Up COVID Confusion

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BY PILAR BRADSHAW, M.D., F.A.A.P. EUGENE PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES

T’S NORMAL FOR PARENTS to have questions about COVID-19 because it can be challenging to keep up with the latest recommendations about testing, isolation and quarantine.

WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE BE TESTED? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that any person with symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.

You should also be tested if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. A close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

WHICH TEST IS BEST? There are two categories of tests: Molecular test (RNA or PCR test): Testing is done through saliva collection or by using a nasopharyngeal swab that goes deep into the nose. Test results are highly accurate and are typically available within one to seven days.

Antigen test (rapid test): The sensitivity of this test can vary depending on when the test is taken, relative to the course of the illness. The turnaround time with this test is much quicker, with results typically available within a day and as soon as 15 minutes.

NOVEMBER 2021

O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 How COVID-19 manifests in children and adults can vary significantly, with symptoms ranging from fever or chills, coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, a loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, diarrhea and nausea.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Kids showing symptoms should stay home and stay isolated.

QUARANTINE VS. ISOLATION Another point of confusion can be when to quarantine and when to isolate.

Quarantine = Stay home: If you have not been vaccinated but were in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should stay home and away from others for 14 days. If you’ve been vaccinated, you don’t need to quarantine, but wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days or until your test result is negative.

Isolation = Stay away from other people: If you test positive for COVID-19, you must stay away from other people, including people you live with, for up to 10 days.

Since some children and even adults with COVID may be asymptomatic, it’s important to continue taking steps to reduce the potential spread of the virus, including getting vaccinated when eligible, wearing face masks in public spaces, practicing social distancing and regular handwashing. ✦

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NOVEMBER 2021

Stress-Free Holiday Season A SURVIVAL GUIDE

BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

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O YOU DREAD THE hustle and bustle of the holiday season? With shopping, wrapping, baking, holiday cards, parties, and many other obligations and tasks, surviving the season can be a feat, let alone finding the time to enjoy it with your family and friends. This year, make a pact to eliminate (or at least, reduce) stress with these helpful strategies…

PLAN AHEAD

SHARE THE PREP Enlist your family to help prepare for the holidays, and divvy up the tasks. Don’t expect perfection from yourself or your family. Remember, you probably don’t notice or mind the imperfections in others’ holiday gatherings. They’re just as unlikely to see any in yours.

Also, keep in mind the holiday season isn’t the time to be head cook.

Plan potluck gatherings. Then, either suggest what each person should bring or, to avoid duplicates, ask guests to let you know what they’ll bring.

First, close your eyes and think back to the last couple of years and how hectic and stressful they felt. What percentage of holiday activities and tasks would you need to eliminate to make the season truly enjoyable and relatively stress-free? During this process, don’t think about what you can’t remove. Just determine the percentage of reduction you need to make.

Next, make a list of everything you need to do during the holiday season, to which parties you’ll be invited, and how much money you’ll spend. Now cross off the least important, least necessary, and least popular events and tasks. Then review the list, and calculate how much time and expense you’ve shaved off. If you haven’t reached your predetermined reduction, go through your list again.

Once you’ve decided which parties you’ll attend and the commitments you’ll make, plan how you’ll say ‘no’ to all the others, so you’re not caught off guard.

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HOLIDAY TIME-AND-ENERGY SAVERS Save time in gift-wrapping by setting up a station in a spare room or the basement. Or stock a large box or basket with wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, tags, tape, scissors, and pens, so everything is stored in one place. Have extras of everything on hand.

Keep cleaning to a minimum during the holidays. Dismiss unused areas guests won’t see or use, and clean only the obvious in rooms that will be seen. The barely-visible layer of dust on your baseboards is unlikely to be noticed with all the holiday decorations and festivities.

Make everyday meals quick and easy throughout the season. Soups, sandwiches, fresh fruit and vegetables, cottage cheese, pre-cut veggies, and dip, and other prepared or semi-prepared healthy foods will suffice for one month of the year.

Do your holiday shopping early in the day on weekdays while your energy is high, and crowds are small.

Shop online or by catalog. If an item lacks details, search for a manufacturer’s website to get the information you need.

Give gift cards. Hard-to-shop-for recipients will appreciate something practical. Gift cards to restaurants, department stores, sporting good outlets, specialty shops, or a massage, pedicure, or round of golf make great gifts.

Don’t overdo the baking. Your guests will likely have had their fill of holiday treats long before your gathering arrives. Also, the

caring gesture of visiting or calling friends and neighbors, rather than delivering a plate of baked goodies, will be more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone.

MONEY SAVER Does your gift list grow each year? Decide with whom it’s essential to exchange gifts. Then talk to extended family, friends, coworkers, and others about forgoing gift exchanges, putting a cap on the price, or drawing instead. You’ll likely learn many feel the same as you do.

HOLIDAYS WITH CHILDREN Allow kids to spend the day they open their gifts at home. It’s hardly fair and often stressful for kids to leave their gifts behind that they’ve waited so patiently to open. In turn, this causes stress for parents. So, plan family get-togethers either on Christmas Eve or on the weekends before or after the holiday. If there’s no way around it, have an early celebration with your kids the day or weekend before the holiday.

Traveling and holiday visiting are also stressful for young children caused by changes in their routines and unfamiliar faces. Have your kids help with packing, even if it’s only for the day, to make sure their favorite toys aren’t left behind. A security blanket or stuffed animal can also reduce stress for your young child in strange surroundings. Don’t forget to leave yourself plenty of time for rest stops as well.

Do your holiday shopping early in the day on weekdays while your energy is high, and crowds are small.

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Get plenty of exercise such as a brisk walk in the fresh air, and set aside time for relaxation.

Avoid taking children shopping during the holidays. Ask your partner or an older child to babysit, trade babysitting with a neighbor or friend, or hire a babysitter. This will not only reduce stress, but it’ll also likely cut your shopping time in half.

CARE FOR YOURSELF Enjoy holiday treats in moderation. High fat and sugary foods and the lack of healthy meals can lead to tiredness and stress. Keep goodies stored in the freezer where they’ll be less of a temptation. Have plenty of convenient, healthy snacks such as raw vegetables and nuts on hand. Prepare low-fat meals that won’t bog you down.

Pace yourself, and don’t try to do everything in one day.

Finally, give yourself a break. Get plenty of exercise such as a brisk walk in the fresh air, and set aside time for relaxation, like a long bubble bath.

THINGS FOR NEXT YEAR Start your shopping early. Create a new tradition with a friend or family member and set a monthly shopping date for the upcoming year. By making a scheduled commitment, you’ll be more likely to follow through.

Keep the early holiday shopping fun and choose a different town or shopping center for each trip, focusing on unique malls or trendy cities.

Also, get a label printing software program or app early in the year and enter all of the addresses on your holiday card list. When the holidays roll around, you can print the labels and eliminate the most time-consuming aspect of sending out holiday greetings.

Finally, remember the holiday season should be a joyful time for everyone, including yourself, to join in the good cheer with family and friends. Maximize ways to ease your stress to keep the ‘happy’ in your holidays! ✦ NOVEMBER 2021

O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M

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Home Cleaning Hacks for Fall

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OOLER FALL TEMPERATURES MEAN you’re likely to spend more time indoors. Taking time to spruce up inside and out can make you more comfortable and give you peace of mind that your home is tidy, clean, and prepared to weather the months ahead.

TIDY OUTDOOR SPACES Before stashing your lawn care equipment, give your home and landscape some end-ofseason attention. Use a power washer to clean lawn furniture and store it away from the elements or use covers to protect it. Clean out gutters and remove debris from flower beds to encourage proper drainage.

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CHECK FOR REPAIR PROJECTS Give your home a thorough inspection to identify any problems that need attention before cold weather sets in. Look for concerns like loose shutters or siding, cracked or loose shingles, cracks and gaps around doors and windows that may allow moisture or cold air to creep in. Severe weather and cycles of freezing and thawing can exacerbate these problems, so it’s best to make repairs before they result in major damage.

ELIMINATE DIRT AND DUST Moving indoors, take time to remove any dirt and grime that has accumulated.

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NOVEMBER 2021

Wash textiles like curtains and rugs. Wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces with an antibacterial solution. Dust other parts of the house, including blinds, windowsills, baseboards, and other hard-to-reach places.

When it comes to vacuuming, make sure to keep floors clean and free of outside dirt all season long with an all-around cleaner that can vacuum and mop simultaneously, like the DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI. It features convenient, efficient, hands-free cleaning you can control via smart home devices. With a built-in HD camera, the AI-powered robot identifies common household obstacles and intelligently determines how to clean around them, while also providing on-demand home monitoring. Complete with laser mapping and navigation technology to scan and map your floors for faster cleaning and fewer missed spots, it is also compatible with an optional, automatic emptying station that allows for up to 30 days of fully maintenancefree cleaning.

The DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI

PROMOTE AIR QUALITY

SWAP SEASONAL ESSENTIALS

In addition to keeping floors clean and allergens under control, there are other steps you can take to promote better air quality while you’re spending more time indoors.

Scheduling service for your furnace can help ensure it’s in good condition before cold weather hits. This is also a good time to replace your air filter and consider a duct cleaning. Take time to clean ceiling fans and reverse the blades so the air circulates but fans don’t create a chilling effect.

A new season brings change, whether it’s simply swapping out your wardrobe or gearing up for a busy season of school activities and sports. Make time to put away out-of-season clothes and other necessities to make room for the things you’ll need for the autumn months. Keep only the things you need and store the rest to help keep clutter under control. ✦

By Family Features. For more fall home maintenance and cleaning tips, visit ecovacs.com.

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Holiday Food

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While this autumn season will likely look different than years past, wholesome meals celebrating fall flavors

provide something to look forward to. Eating foods like walnuts, colorful fruits and vegetables, and whole grains can be a solution for improving overall well-being in an enjoyable, delicious way.

PUMPKIN WALNUT SAGE RISOTTO

Total time: 30 minutes / Servings: 6

Risotto Ingredients: • 6 cups vegetable stock • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1/2 large yellow onion, finely diced • 1 ½ cups Arborio rice • 1 cup pumpkin puree • 1/4 cup grated pecorino cheese Walnut Sage Pesto Ingredients: • 2 cloves fresh garlic • 1 cup walnuts • 1/2 cup fresh sage leaves, plus additional for garnish, if desired • 1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese, plus more for garnish, if desired • 2 tablespoons olive oil • kosher salt, to taste • black pepper, to taste To make risotto: In medium pot over medium-low heat, heat vegetable stock.

In large, heavy pot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes, or until soft.

Add rice and cook, stirring often, 2-3 minutes until rice is translucent except for white center.

Add hot stock 1 cup at a time, stirring frequently. As stock is absorbed, add another cup. Continue until all stock has been incorporated and rice is cooked al dente, about 20 minutes. Stir in pumpkin and cheese.

To make walnut sage pesto: In bowl of food processor, combine garlic and walnuts; pulse until minced. Add 1/2 cup sage leaves, 1/2 cup cheese and olive oil; pulse until coarse pesto forms. Season with salt, to taste.

In final few minutes, add 1/2 cup walnut sage pesto to risotto, stirring until well incorporated. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, to taste. Garnish with remaining pesto, cheese, and fresh sage, if desired.

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DOUBLE-CRUST APPLE PIE Ingredients: • 2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 2 sticks plus 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cubed • 1/2 cup ice water • 6 large apples—peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks or thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 cup sugar • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Instructions: In a food processor, pulse 2 1/2 cups of the flour and the salt. Add 2 sticks of the butter and pulse until it is the size of peas. Drizzle on the ice water and pulse until evenly moistened crumbs form; turn out onto a surface and form into a ball. Divide the dough in half. Flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm.

Preheat the oven to 375°. Set a baking sheet on the bottom rack. In a bowl, toss the apples, lemon juice, sugar, the remaining 1/4 cup of flour and the cinnamon.

On a floured surface, roll a disk of the dough to a 13-inch round; fit it into a deep 10-inch glass pie plate and brush the overhang with water. Spoon in the apples and top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of cubed butter. Roll out the second disk of dough to a 12-inch round and center it over the filling. Press the edges of dough together and trim the overhang to a scant 1 inch, fold the overlay under itself and crimp. Cut a few slits in the top crust for steam to escape.

Bake the pie in the center of the oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes, until the crust is golden. Cover the edge of the pie if it begins to darken. Let the pie cool for at least 4 hours before serving.

O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M

NOVEMBER 2021

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Family Movie Night

Spooky Scary Story

BY BONNIE L. HARRIS

T

RUE CONFESSION FROM A movie lover: I don’t like horror movies, or scary movies, or creepy make-you-have-nightmare movies. But Nightbooks, the new feature based on the 2018 novel

by J. A. White, teeters on the edge of spooky thriller with just enough flickering lights, creepy dark corridors, and disembodied NIGHTBOOKS Ghost House Pictures Rated: PG-13 Streaming on Netflix

whispers to tingle the spine of older kids who enjoy the horror genre. Younger viewers, however, will probably be overwhelmed by the dark fairy tale with a very nasty witch, vicious fanged creatures, and the over the top zombie-witch battle at the finale.

Warnings aside, if your tween enjoys a good scary story and can appreciate the creative flair of this quirky twist on Hansel & Gretel, then Nightbooks could become a ghoulish favorite. Our hero, Alex, spurns his gift as a writer and just as he’s about to destroy his notebooks, he’s lured into a strange apartment

The reluctant storyteller.

that takes him hostage. Yes, the apartment is alive! Inside the enchanted rooms, a fashionista witch named Natacha demands that Alex tell her a new scary story every night under penalty of death. Alex also discovers Yasmin, another young captive, who tells him that many children have been imprisoned by the apartment over decades.

It’s rough keeping Natacha entertained, but eventually Alex and Yasmin bond against their enemy while befriending Natacha’s cat, Lenore. As Alex

writes, he discovers clues left by another captive that help him and Yasmin form an escape plan. It’s a long shot, but the two friends are determined to return to their families and take Lenore with them. Eventually, Alex risks everything by telling the story of his most terrifying moment, which paves the way for the showdown with Natacha. Despite the ghastly ghoul, Nightbooks carries strong messages about friendship, never giving up, and being true to yourself. ✦

FOR the PARENTS

Remember the Future REMINISCENCE Warner Bros. Pictures, Rated: PG-13 Streaming on Amazon Prime

Exploring client memories.

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ACK IN 1982, when Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner hit theatres, Hollywood named the new genre: science fiction neo-noir. In 2021, we have an equally riveting sci-fi neo noir in Reminiscence directed Lisa Joy, who created HBO’s Westworld.

This 21st century noir comes complete with a beautiful femme fatale, a doomed man obsessed with her, a very complex plot, and a planet overwhelmed by floods following a global war. Nick Bannister survived battle and runs a business that allows people to relive their memories via computer enhanced visualization. When a gorgeous woman wanders in asking Nick to help find her lost keys, he’s hooked.

And in more ways than one. Her visit upends his life and eventually causes him to commit murder to reveal the truth behind many layers of lies. His loyal friend, Watts, tries to avert Nick’s obsession, but she too becomes entangled in this spider’s web of secret desires,

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nostalgia, and depravity. Rated PG-13, Reminiscence pushes the envelope with its violence, gun play, and sensuality, but the noir story is expertly told and the cinematic visuals are stunning. Noir endings aren’t happy, but Reminiscence teaches us that a life wellremembered is its own reward.

O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M

NOVEMBER 2021

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Positive Attention Through Play

BY MEREDITH TUFTS

A

CLOSE, NURTURING, AND RESPONSIVE relationship is the single most important factor affecting our children’s well-being. One of the most powerful ways we can strengthen our relationship with our children is through Positive Attention Through Play.

Positive Attention Through Play is an important way to connect with our children and help them learn about themselves and the world around them. Attention is a basic need, and getting positive attention means a lot to children. They cannot thrive without it.

Positive attention can also prevent misbehavior, especially when the misbehavior is driven by children’s basic need for attention. Believe it or not, some kids will act out in frustration, just to be noticed. Try to notice them for doing things that you like!

During your busy day, it can be challenging to find time to sit down

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NOVEMBER 2021

and play with your child. But you can fill your child’s “CUP” with moments of positive attention through play during regular, daily activities including dinner time, bathtime, bedtime, or simply walking to the bus stop. These are all great opportunities to create special time with your child.

How to fill your child’s “CUP” with special time: C – Child chooses activity U – Undivided Attention P – Predictable Parenting Educator and Program Manager at Parenting Now, Meredith Tufts, recommends the following activities because they “encourage connection and active movement to engage playfully with our children.”

FOR INFANTS: MIRROR, MIRROR “Find a time when you aren’t distracted or multitasking and when your baby is in a cheerful mood. Sit or lay with your baby. Copy their sounds and movements and watch for them to notice you copying them. For young babies it may take a while, but many love that ‘Aha!’ moment of discovering that you are copying their movements and sounds.”

FOR OLDER TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS: CHARADES Charades is a game where you have to act out something and the other person has to guess who or what you are. “With young children, movements, sounds, and words are all fine -- anything goes as you get silly acting out different things for each other to guess! It may help to pick a theme (vehicles, animals, things in our neighborhood, etc).”

Let your child take the lead when it comes to play. Watch and imitate what your child is doing. By doing this, you send the message, “You have good ideas, and I enjoy playing in your world.” ✦

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Earthtalk

DEAR EARTHTALK

How is Artificial Intelligence being used for conservation?

— KATY P., CHEVY CHASE, MD

OU WOULD Certain problems also require believe that anyone can easily manually. In spite of this NEVER THINK real-time results that people utilize it with point-and-click disadvantage, scientists do not that computers and cannot produce in a timely tools. believe that the AI program Artificial Intelligence manner, such as tracking the Of course, AI is not a always has to be perfectly (AI) could help locations of illegal wildlife simple solution. Researchers accurate. “We just have to know humans save nature, but exactly how accurate it in fact these tools may is,” says conservation be key to whether or biologist Marc Travers. not we can halt global Although the future warming in time let alone of AI in environmental solve many other vexing conservation appears environmental problems. promising, it cannot For many underfunded completely replace conservation groups, humans. The modern hiring enough staff climate crisis is truly a can become too costly. crisis of lifestyle, with Humans are also prone which mankind has to making more sloppy turned nature into its errors and inaccuracies very own factory. To in calculations. AI can heal that split and mold serve as a more efficient, a harmonic, mutually reliable and affordable beneficial balance between PHOTO: SARAH WINSTEAD, PEXELS.COM. way to capture and nature and mankind, analyze information for humans need to be in the Caption: Environmentalists are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to conservation purposes. thick of it. Like Peter Ersts, help collect & analyze data that would otherwise overwhelm us.

AI tools are extremely a software developer at the precise in the more statistical traffickers to protect endangered predict that the training data American Museum of Natural and analytical elements of wildlife. AI tools can produce required for AI machines to History’s Center for Biodiversity conservation, whether it’s results effectively without generate results can range up and Conservation, says, “We detecting complex patterns distraction and not experience to hundreds of thousands of can’t fully replace people yet, or making mathematical any performance deterioration examples and details. Though and nor should we.” calculations. For example, due to fatigue.

AI can process data at much CONTACTS: AI for Conservation, interactions between predators While some may be higher rates than humans, teamcore.seas.harvard.edu/ai-conservation; and prey can be modeled using concerned that AI requires humans still have to monitor it AI empowers conservation biology, nature. game theory with AI tools. advanced software engineers to to ensure accuracy. com/articles/d41586-019-00746-1.

Analytics—with the help of manage, it is actually now more For example, AI software EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer machines—can then calculate accessible than ever. As long processing images or audio & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit where predators are most likely as the AI software to conduct recordings can produce false EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine. to strike and predict where prey conservation research tasks is positives that will require com. To donate, visit https//earthtalk.org. will roam. set up correctly, researchers trained analysts to remove end questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

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Rescue Spotlight

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eet ARES! This 6-year-old German Shepherd mix is very active, full of energy and extremely handsome! He LOVES playing with all his toys at once! He would do best with an outgoing family that goes on lots of adventures and has plenty of love to give. A volunteer said, “Ares is so attentive and gentle, walks well on leash and aces his sits. He is playful, an expert at fetch and tug, in addition to being friendly and handsome.”

Ares would do best as the only pet as he settles into his new home. Due to his enthusiasm and high energy, he would be great with older kids who can help him master his training. He weighs between 67 and 72 pounds and is microchipped, neutered and up to date on vaccines. Ares is a very loyal pup ready to give lots of love to his forever family.

Greenhill Humane Society open seven days a week, 11 am – 6 pm at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. Cat adoptions are on a first come limited capacity basis. Dogs and small animal adoptions are by appointment.

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he Cat Rescue & Adoption Network presents SAMUEL BERNARD, a cute & friendly 11-yr-old gray tabby male kitty with a fun personality. This affectionate guy loves to engage with his people, and is so playful and energetic. He’s tested positive for FIV (the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), but he’s a healthy kitty who will likely have a normal lifespan as an indoor-only cat (the virus can’t be passed to dogs or to people).

He’s OK with mellow dogs, but would do best as the only cat where he can get lots of attention and be spoiled rotten. He’s neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and negative for FeLV. To meet Sam, please call 541-225-4955 option 1, or visit our website at CatRescues.org

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