conscious style - righteous fur & pest control.

Environmental causes have always been near and dear to my heart.  Growing up with an awareness of the plants and animals around me, and an environmentally-conscious mom, I've always paid attention to the landscape and our impact on it.

I've been noticing a ton of "invasive species" lately where I live, non-native plants are taking over the landscape, choking out the native wildflowers.  The Japanese knotweed in my yard is terrible.  Chemicals are the only sure fire way to get rid of it, and since it's very close to the water, I am hesitant to do so. A tough, resilient, bamboo-like plant, I keep cutting it down, but it keeps growing back.  I've been thinking about hiring a herd of goats to come in and mow it down....

invasive Japanese knotweed, taking over the landscape.

native milkweed, which becomes a habitat for butterflies like the monarch. it used to grow in abundance along the landscape, but is slowly being choked out or destroyed by over-zealous landscaping.

Recently, I read about the organization "Righteous Fur", which deals with the nutria, an invasive beaver-like mammal destroying the wetlands of Louisiana,  in a unique and interesting way....

image, righteousfur.com

Yep. You guessed it.  Nutria tooth pendants, furs, and hats....

righteousfur.com

French accessory designer, Monika Jarosz, also takes a similar approach with a highly poisonous invasive species of toad, introduced to Oceania from South America.  A "non-protected species", animal advocates have recommended it be controlled and eliminated.  The designer has recycled its skin into bags, bracelets, even belts...talk about a "conversation piece!"

http://www.kobja.com/

http://www.kobja.com/

Wearing fur or using animal products for fashion has always been considered something of a taboo in the past.  It caused the extinction or near-extinction of species, from beavers to birds, all for the sake of being fashionable and looking good.

It's interesting to me to see it now being used in the complete opposite of ways. It raises awareness of human impact on the ecosystem.  It shows how we cause great damage and harm to native plants and animals by mistakenly introducing non-native species into the environment. What do you think of this new trend? Ready to wear it or completely against it? I'd be curious to know.

Want to learn more about invasive plants? http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml

Check out Righteous Fur's Design and Jewelry Collective here: http://www.righteousfur.com/

Learn more about Monika Jarosz and her work here: http://www.kobja.com/histoire-ethique