BUTTERFLIES ARE NOT FREE

An Edgewater Park, N.J., woman was put on notice by town officials for trying to attract butterflies and birds to her backyard.

Vicki Wozniak's one-eighth of an acre wildlife habitat is certified with the National Wildlife Federation, and it's totally covered in plantings that attract critters.


But officials say her property "has become a blight to the neighborhood with its overgrown landscaping," and issued her a summons. Wozniak is facing a $1,200 fine if she's found guilty.


The message is clear: Be environmentally friendly, try to save the Earth, but not in your backyard.

I guess for some people "being green" only applies to Kermit.

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NOT LIME, NOT OLIVE, NOT AVOCADO

Being "green" these days has nothing to do with the color.

Instead, it means contractors and municipalities are using environmentally friendly materials when they build or renovate homes and other structures.

It means they landscape with plants that require less water or build with plywood from trees grown in renewable forests. It means they only install energy efficient heating and air-conditioning systems.

It also means they use paints and glues that don't contribute to greenhouse gases.


Of course, if you don't know any better, sometimes you accidentally sit down on the job.

But for our children's and grandchildren's future, let's hope this "green" (not chartreuse) thing will catch on.

Listen before it's too late.