How Do You Eat Your Easter Candy?
	Chocolate bunnies should be eaten ears first, according to 76% of Americans. Five percent said bunnies should be eaten feet first, while 4% favored eating the tail first. 70% of kids aged 6–11 say they prefer to eat Easter jellybeans one at a time, while 23% report eating several at once. Boys (29%) were more apt to eat a handful than girls (18%).  Children indicate their favorite Easter jellybean flavors are cherry (20%), strawberry (12%), grape (10%), lime (7%), and blueberry (6%).
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/eastercandy1.html

More Easter Candy Facts

In 2000, Americans spent nearly $1.9 billion on Easter candy. Halloween sales were nearly $2 billion; Christmas, an estimated $1.4 billion; and Valentine's Day, just over $1 billion. In 1953, it took 27 hours to create a Marshmallow Peep. Today it takes six minutes. The earliest Easter treats included hot cross buns and pretzels. The twists of a pretzel were thought to resemble arms crossed in prayer. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/eastercandy1.html

In honor of Earth Day, consider that what and how we eat determines the health of the Earth. Holding an Earth Dinner is an opportunity to explore where each ingredient on your table comes from. An Earth Dinner is a dinner party that encourages guests to share the story behind each dish. Who grew the food? How was it grown? What is the geographic origin of the food? For recipes and party planning ideas, visit http://www.earthdinner.org  Photo: USDA Agricultural Research Service Image Gallery

New Tools and Publications

Source Water Protection Webcast Series Developed

EPA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) are presenting a series of interactive Webcasts designed to allow owners and operators of drinking water utilities to share their experiences with source water protection. Several Webcasts have already aired and are available for viewing. Topics include monitoring and data sharing, land development and growth, and collaborative communication and regulatory and non-regulatory tools. Registration must be made in advance to participate in future Webcasts. To register, visit EPA's Drinking Water Academy Training Calendar at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwa/calendar.html. 

Report Documents NJ Waterfront Development, Public Access

A new NJ Sea Grant report will provide officials and environmental groups with valuable information about public access and waterfront development in New Jersey, from the Arthur Kill to the Shrewsbury River. The study-based report documents the ways that the municipalities of the region are changing and how changes affect public access to beaches, riverfronts and the tidewaters. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org/ 

Expanded Edition of “In Search of Swampland” Now Available

"In Search of Swampland" by wetland ecologist Ralph Tiner was named as one of the best science books for junior high and high school readers by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has been used for introductory wetland courses at major universities. The primer section of the book introduces readers to wetland definitions and key concepts, wetland hydrology, formation and succession, hydric soils, wetland plant communities, wildlife, wetland functions and values, and wetland conservation. The widely illustrated field guide portion of the book focuses on wetland plant identification (including drawings of over 300 species common to eastern wetlands), wildlife identification (over 200 drawings of amphibians, birds, mammals, and several common invertebrates), hydric soil recognition, and on basic techniques for wetland identification and delineation. This revised version has been expanded to provide coverage of Great Lakes wetlands. Available from Rutgers University Press and commercial booksellers. 

Nutrient Management Website Launched

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) Watch is a web source for manure and nutrient management planning information. It is designed to assist the agriculture livestock industry and others with information and guidance related to nutrient management plans. The site also provides state-by-state information on specific requirements. The site is intended for the agricultural livestock industry, federal and state government agencies, and agricultural service providers, but can be a valuable for agriculture as a whole, the environmental community as well as the general public. http://www.cnmpwatch.com/