Daniel Salzler No. 1313 EnviroInsight.org Four Items July 4, 2025
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1. Celebrating Independence Day For The 249th Time. Independence Day is marked by a variety of traditional and modern celebrations, including:
- Fireworks Displays: Symbolizing the “rockets’ red glare” from the national anthem, these dazzling shows are a staple of Fourth of July events nationwide.
- Parades: Featuring marching bands, local officials, veterans, and themed floats, parades bring communities together in patriotic spirit.
- Barbecues and Picnics: Families and friends gather for classic American meals like burgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob, often held in parks or backyards.
- Flag Displays and Patriotic Decor: American flags adorn homes, public spaces, and clothing as symbols of national pride and unity.
- Concerts and Community Events: Many towns host live music, historical reenactments, and cultural festivals celebrating America’s diversity and heritage.
Interesting Facts About Independence Day
Fourth of July is the Top Hot Dog Day: Americans consume an estimated 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day each year!
Not All Signers Signed on July 4: While July 4 is the date on the Declaration, most delegates actually signed it on August 2, 1776.
Two Founding Fathers Died on July 4: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both former presidents and signers of the Declaration, died on July 4, 1826—exactly 50 years after its adoption.
The Liberty Bell is Traditionally Rung on July 4: Although it’s now symbolic, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped 13 times each year to honor the original 13 colonies.
Fireworks Have Been Used Since 1777: The very first Fourth of July celebration featured fireworks in Philadelphia—starting a long-standing tradition.
Arizona Specific
1. Types of fireworks: In Arizona, only certain types of consumer fireworks are legal. These include ground-based sparklers, firecrackers, and fountains. On the other hand, aerial fireworks, which shoot into the sky, are illegal for personal use across the state. The law categorizes consumer fireworks as those that do not explode or fly into the air. Always check the labels and ensure you comply with state regulations.
2. Sale of fireworks: Fireworks can be purchased from licensed retailers during approved sales periods, typically starting June 24 and lasting until July 6. Additionally, sales reopen around December for New Year celebrations. It’s crucial to buy fireworks from licensed vendors to ensure they meet safety standards.
3. Local regulations: Within Arizona, cities and counties can impose stricter restrictions. For example, some jurisdictions may prohibit the use of any fireworks, while others may allow limited types. Always verify local ordinances before using fireworks to avoid fines.
Firework safety guidelines
To enjoy fireworks responsibly and safely, consider the following guidelines:
1. Choose a safe launch location: Fireworks should be used outdoors in a clear area away from buildings, vehicles, and flammable materials. Ideally, select a location with a flat surface, such as a driveway or open field. Avoid dry grass or shrubs, especially in Arizona’s hot summer months, which can amplify fire risks.
2. Adult supervision: Fireworks should only be handled by adults. Keep children and pets at a safe distance – at least 100 feet away from where the fireworks are being lit. If you want to include younger family members in the celebration, provide them with safe alternatives like sparklers or confetti poppers.
3. Prepare for safety: Always have a water source nearby to extinguish used fireworks and potential fires. Remember to place used fireworks in water after they have cooled down. Never re-light malfunctioning fireworks; instead, let them sit for 20 minutes before disposing of them.
4. Wear protective gear: Even during family-friendly celebrations, wearing eye protection is advisable. This helps protect against any stray sparks or debris that might occur. According to CNN, last year, about 9,700 emergency room visits were due to injuries caused by fireworks.
5. Know the emergency protocol: Have a first-aid kit accessible in case of minor injuries. Familiarize yourself with local emergency contact numbers for fire and medical services.
6. Don’t let stupid invade your thinking! Source: KTR, Dept.of Forestry, Editor
2. Got A Million Flying Biting Insects Around Your Home? Get Rid Of Them Naturally – Bats. a.), put up a bat house. You can make one or buy one.
The examples to the right are available through Audubon (https://birdwatchinghq.com/best-bat-houses/)
b.) Don’t destroy existing roosting spots. As you probably know, bats are only active at night. During the day, these flying mammals rely upon roosting locations to keep them safe and hidden from predators. Bats do everything in their roosting spots, from raising their young to hibernating.
Unfortunately, many of the places that bats like to roost are considered “eyesores” and seen as undesirable in most people’s backyards.
For example, hollow trees make excellent roosting spots because bats can retreat inside them during the day. The problem is that most trees that become hollow are dead, rotting, and don’t look “nice,” so they get chopped down quickly.
c.) Grow Native Plants to Attract More Insects. Most species of bats LOVE eating insects. I mean, they can’t seem to get enough. For example, it’s been estimated that certain bats consume upwards of 6,000 bugs EVERY night.
d.) Avoid Pesticides. Pesticides and insecticides are designed to kill insects. Bats eat insects.\
e.) Offer a Water Source. Like all living creatures, bats need a source of fresh water. Bats will typically hang around only if there is a water source within ¼ mile.
f.) Leave the Lights On.
Bats are nocturnal creatures that only come out at night. So why would you leave the light on for them?
Simple. Porch lights attract insects, which in turn attract bats. Encourage more insects to visit your yard, especially at night, and the bats will follow.
Why It Is Good To Have Bats Around
Reason #1: Bats Provide Exceptional Pest Control
The average adult bat can eat its body weight in insects each night. In just one hour, they can consume as many as 1,200 mosquito sized bugs.
Bats use their echolocation abilities to find prey. Once they have been located, insects are virtually no match for the clever bats, who can scoop them up with their wings or tail.
Reason #2: Bats Help Farmers
Many bat species enjoy dining on nectar from flowers. So they are responsible for pollinating various crops, just like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Do you enjoy bananas, guavas, or mangos? The next time you savor one of these fruits, remember that bats probably pollinated them. They also pollinate many of the cactus we find in the Sonoran desert.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that bats save the agricultural industry between $3.7 and $53 billion each year in the way of pest control. These numbers don’t account for their pollinating abilities.
Source: https://birdwatchinghq.com/how-to-attract-bats/
3. Strategic Transactions Of Colorado River Rights Could Help Conserve Water And Restore Fish Habitat.. Alden WoodsUniversity of Washington News.
When the seven states of the Colorado River Basin first divided water rights in the 1920s, they handed out more than the river could reliably deliver, especially during periods of drought. Today, the basin supplies drinking water to 40 million people and irrigates 5 million acres of farmland across the southwestern United States, 30 tribal nations, and parts of Mexico.
Climate change has exacerbated shortages, with studies indicating that recent Colorado River flows are near their lowest in at least 2,000 years. That has had severe consequences for fish: Of the 49 fish species native to the Colorado River Basin, 44 are already threatened, endangered or extinct.
Standing agreements governing Colorado River management among states and between the U.S. and Mexico are set to expire after 2026. New research led by University of Washington water policy expert Philip Womble found that a market-based approach to managing water could provide more reliable supplies for farmers, communities and industry. The right market design and a little extra investment could also help threatened fish species.
The study, published June 20 in Nature Sustainability, details a new system for leasing rights to water from the basin while reallocating some water to imperiled habitats. Among the paper’s most substantial findings, researchers estimate that strategically spending 8% more than under the cheapest water conservation program could nearly triple the ecological benefits.
“There’s already a lot of money spent on water conservation agreements. Spending a little bit more money, especially in headwaters, could have outsized ecological impact,” said Womble, who started this research as a graduate student and postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University and is now a UW assistant professor in the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance.
Rights to the river’s water have been divided by a complex and contentious set of agreements. Under the 1922 Colorado River Compact, states in the river’s Upper Basin (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) agreed that they would not cause the river’s flow towards the Lower Basin (Arizona, California and Nevada) – just below the nation’s second-largest reservoir, Lake Powell – to be depleted below a 10-year rolling average of 7.5 million acre-feet per year.
Read the entire article at https://www.washington.edu/news/2025/06/25/strategic-transactions-of-colorado-river-rights-could-help-conserve-water-and-restore-fish-habitat/
4. SRP July 15th, 2025 Water Conservation Expo – Virtual Event. Join others interested in water at the Salt River Project Virtual Event on July 15th from noon to 1:00 p.m.
The virtual 18th annual SRP Water Conservation Expo is happening soon. Join us to save money on water-efficient products and hear from experts who will share water-saving techniques to use at home. You’ll also learn about our efforts to protect, manage and deliver water to the Valley.
Here’s everything you’ll get to experience at the virtual event.
- Purchase water conservation products at an exclusive discount, including:
- A Hunter HPC-400 smart irrigation controller or Rachio 3 smart sprinkler controller
- Rain Bird spray heads and nozzles
- Learn water-saving tips to maximize efficiency
- Learn about a range of topics from SRP’s canal history to water management
Learn more at srp.net/expo2025.
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