Salone Tourism Thursday - Cotton Tree of Sierra Leone

Follow my adventures as Miss ECO Sierra Leone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Salone Tourism Thursday - Wildlife of Sierra Leone

Follow my adventures as Miss ECO Sierra Leone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ruby B. Johnson crowned Miss Eco Sierra Leone 2016

On August 30, 2015 His Excellency Hon. Bockarie Stevens, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the U.S., crowned Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson as Miss Eco Sierra Leone. Ruby will serve as Sierra Leone’s official delegate at the prestigious 2016 Miss ECO Pageant in Egypt.

Ruby accepted her new title to the applause of a select group of influential leaders within the Sierra Leonean Diaspora community gathered at the Embassy of Sierra Leone that included: Dr. Fuambai Sia Ahmadu, Founder and Owner of the Miss Sierra Leone USA Pageant; Mr. David Vandy of Voice of America; Mr. Daniel Koroma of the Montgomery County Executive Office and Ms. Ramzhain Suma, former Miss Sierra Leone Heritage.

As Miss ECO Sierra Leone, Ruby will promote ecotourism, green economy, and environmental awareness. She will devote her year advocating about environmental issues in Sierra Leone and worldwide.

Read more at Critique Echo Newspaper

Salone Tourism Thursday - Geography of Sierra Leone

Follow my adventures as Miss ECO Sierra Leone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

9 days till Miss Earth United States 2015 Pageant

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks be to God! I can't believe that in 9 days Miss Earth United States 2015 pageant weekend officially commences. I have truly enjoyed this journey as Miss Earth Maryland 2015 and serving my Blue Crab state. The preparation for the job of Miss Earth United States and the national pageant has enhanced my skills as well as pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways. This is one of the reasons why I love the Miss Earth system because it empowers women to be well-rounded in embracing womanhood, being compassionate, and as well as champions for our environment. I am a woman of the earth! If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. The hashtag on all social media is #MDforMEUS

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Official Headshot for Miss Earth United States Pageant
Photo by Prince Zamira Photography

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

I am a firm believer that it takes a village to create a phenomenal woman and man. Therefore, I am so grateful for those in and outside of my circle who have been influential in my life, and those I have crossed paths with in various ways. I am thankful for my blessings and lessons in this journey thus far. I am grateful to my sponsors: mom, dad, family, and friends; Dr. Fuambai Sia Ahmadu (CEO of Miss Sierra Leone USA Leadership Pageant); Prince Zamira Photography; and FO Fitness. Additionally, I am so grateful for my pageant mentor, Ms. Bonnie, for polishing my talents and challenging me to be the best Ruby I can be. In the time leading towards the national pageant, I have been getting ready dilligently so I can be the full package in representing my Old Line State and being the best of myself. I am ready for the job as Miss Earth United States.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

What I love about Miss Earth is its unique mission of advocating for the preservation of our environment; among the many international pageants, it is the only pageant that advocates for a cause like this and gives women a platform to be "Beauties for a Cause." Having received my undergraduate degree in mining engineering from Virginia Tech, my field of interest directly impacts the earth. Therefore, I am using this platform as a Miss Earth titleholder to advocate for my passion of mining but also promote and cultivate ways that the industry moves towards a sustainable future. It is possible for an individual to support the mining industry but also care about the environment. Hence the reason my platform is "Bridging The Gap: Miners and Environmentalists Must Work Together for Mother Earth!" I am looking forward to sharing this platform with everyone at nationals, and nationwide as Miss Earth United States 2015.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach. - American writer and naturalist Henry Beston.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland Celebrates World Environment Day 2015

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing great, all thanks to the Almighty. Today, June 5th, is a very special day because it is World Environment Day! This year's theme is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care." WED is the opportunity for everyone to realize the responsibility to care for the Earth and to become agents of change.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by ROS Productions

Fact: World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.

Purpose of 2015 Theme: Living within planetary boundaries is the most promising strategy for ensuring a healthy future. Human prosperity need not cost the earth. Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts that occur are not a necessary by-product of economic growth.

EVERY DAY IS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Source:

United Nations Environment Programme

Miss Earth Maryland Volunteers at 2015 Howard County GreenFest

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing well, thanks to the Almighty. On April 18th, I served as a volunteer at the 8th annual Howard County GreenFest. This event was a one-day festival focused on the people and environment of Howard County, Maryland! This year's theme is "Living with Wildlife." Being Maryland's earth warrior, I was very excited for the purpose of this event, and being able to serve Howard county. Unlike Montgomery County's successful GreenFest few weeks ago, Howard County was blessed with beautiful warm weather; proves that hot or cold Maryland residents will show up for a great cause because both GreenFest were amazing. I was happy to see so many people in attendance and making this event a great experience.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman, Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson, and Maryland Department of the Environment Deputy Secretary Dr. Mary Beth Tung

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Live Green Howard County and Howard Community College, as well more than 20 sponsors served as hosts for the GreenFest. The event was held at Howard Community College's campus in Columbia, Maryland. The festival featured: green vendors, free workshops, food, kids activities, native plant sale, live reptiles and birds, recycling opportunities, shrub planting, compost bin and rain barrel demos, and many more. There were over 80 displays that provided easy steps one can take to promote environmental responsibility. Howard County's Executive Allan H. Kittleman was also in attendance.

Green, White, and Blue!
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Look what I found: SIERRA LEONE FLAG!

Green, White, and Blue!
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Look what I found: SIERRA LEONE FLAG!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Looking at the sun through a telescope

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Looking at the sun through a telescope

SPIN THE WHEEL!
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Tree planting activity

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson with Girl Scouts

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

I am so proud of Howard County and Marylanders who work towards a greener future for our state who make initiatives such as this GreenFest possible. I had a wonderful day serving at the event. Some folks were amazed at me walking around the main lobby for most of the event in my heels advertising the workshops, as well as helping out with the tree planting activity outside. My motto: look good and do good! Special thanks to the organizers for producing a great event, and taking good care of their volunteers.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

GreenFest Volunteer
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

EARTH DAY IS APRIL 22ND!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland Presents...Earth Month 2015 (Week 2)

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing great, thanks be to God! As some of you may know, April commemorates Earth Month! If you are connected with me on Facebook, you will have noticed that every day in the month so far, I've posted interesting tidbits about planet Earth in my Thank You, Mother Earth series. Below is a summary of Earth Month 2015, Week 2:

Day 8: Brown

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The thin top layer of the earth's crust on land is largely made up of soil colored different shades of brown. Good soil is composed of about 45% minerals, 25% water, 25% air, and 5% organic material, living and dead. Half the color of soil comes from minerals it contains; soils containing iron turn yellowish or reddish as the iron oxidizes. Manganese, nitrogen and sulfur turn brownish or blackish as they decay naturally. Rich and fertile soils tend to be darker in color; the deeper brown color of fertile soil comes from the decomposing of the organic matter. Dead leaves and roots become black or brown as they decay. Poorer soils are usually paler brown in color, and contain less water or organic matter.

Day 9: Snow

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Snow is precipitation in the form of flakes of crystalline water ice that falls from clouds. A granular material. It has an open and soft, white, and fluffy structure, unless subjected to external pressure. Snowfall can be beneficial to agriculture by serving as a thermal insulator, conserving the heat of the Earth and protecting crops from subfreezing weather. Some agricultural areas depend on an accumulation of snow during winter that will melt gradually in spring, providing water for crop growth. If it melts into water and refreezes upon sensitive crops, such as oranges, the resulting ice will protect the fruit from exposure to lower temperatures.

Day 10: Spring

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Spring is one of the four conventional temperate seasons, following winter and preceding summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth. During spring, the hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to "spring forth," and many flowering plants bloom this time of the year. The rainfall in spring follows trends more related to longer cycles or events created by ocean currents and ocean temperatures.

Day 11: Leaves

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Leaves are the food making factories of green plants. Leaves come in many different shapes and sizes. Leaves in temperate, boreal, and seasonally dry zones may be seasonally falling off or dying for the inclement season. This mechanism to shed leaves is called abscission. When the leaf is shed, it leaves a leaf scar on the twig. In cold autumns, they sometimes change color, and turn yellow, bright-orange, or red, as various accessory pigments (carotenoids and xanthophylls) are revealed when the tree responds to cold and reduced sunlight by curtailing chlorophyll production.

Day 12: Sustainability

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment.

Day 13: Pine Needles

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Pine needle mulch is an organic material that is readily available at garden centers and nurseries. Like any mulch, pine needles provide protection for roots and help preserve moisture in the soil. Pine needles, a renewable resource, drop annually from trees and the pine straw is bundled into either round or square bales for sale. 3 cubic feet of pine straw covers 60 square feet at a depth of 2 to 3 inches. As pine needles decompose, they add acid to the soil. Marigolds, snapdragons, zinnias, dahlias and roses are just a few flowers that grow well in pine needle mulch. Blueberries, onions, potatoes, strawberries and tomatoes are a sample of the plants that produce edibles that do well in gardens mulched with pine straw.

Day 14: Ruby

Ruby stone

A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). The red color is caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium. Its name comes from ruber, Latin for red. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with sapphire, emerald and diamond. Ruby stones are stones of love, passion, vitality and power. Its main chakra is the heart and has the astrological sign of Leo, Scorpio, Cancer and Sagittarius. It is the July birthstone.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland Presents...Earth Month 2015 (Week 1)

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing great, thanks be to God! As some of you may know, April commemorates Earth Month! If you are connected with me on Facebook, you will have noticed that every day in the month so far, I've posted interesting tidbits about planet Earth in my Thank You, Mother Earth series. Below is a summary of Earth Month 2015, Week 1:

Day 1: Recycling

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Recycling is a process to change waste materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" waste hierarchy. Recyclable materials include many kinds of glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics. The composting or other reuse of biodegradable waste (food or garden waste) is also considered recycling.

Day 2: Green

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Green is the symbolic color of environmentalism and sustainability. In many cultures, green is the color associated with nature and growth. Anything can be green—from energy policy to building design, parenting techniques, and economic strategies. Green is often used to describe efforts to reduce the impact of modern human life on the rest of the natural world.

Day 3: Beach

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

A beach is a landform along the coast of an ocean, sea, lake, or river. It usually consists of loose particles, which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, or cobblestones. The particles comprising a beach are occasionally biological in origin. Some beaches have man-made infrastructure, such as lifeguard posts, changing rooms, and showers. Wild beaches, also known as undeveloped or undiscovered beaches, can be valued for their untouched beauty and preserved nature. Beaches typically occur in areas along the coast where wave or current action deposits and reworks sediments.

Day 4: Tree Branch

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

A tree branch (sometimes referred to in botany as a ramus) is a woody structural member connected to but not part of the central trunk of a tree (or sometimes a shrub). Large branches are known as boughs and small branches are known as twigs. While branches can be nearly horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, the majority of trees have upwardly diagonal branches. Twig often refers to a terminus, while bough refers only to branches coming directly from the trunk. While branches can be nearly horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, the majority of trees have upwardly diagonal branches.

Day 5: National Forests

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States. National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned collectively by the American people through the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas focuses on conservation, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, watershed protection, wildlife, and recreation. Unlike national parks and other federal lands managed by the National Park Service, extraction of natural resources from national forests is permitted, and in many cases encouraged. National Forests are categorized by the World Commission on Protected Areas as IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area).

Day 6: Plants

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Plants bring natural beauty to our living spaces. By creating texture and balance, a room or patio can be transformed into an environment that comforts and welcomes. In addition to calming your heart rate, plants lower blood pressure and reduce muscle tension related to stress. Plants help us relax and focus, leading to increased productivity, creativity, idea generation, and problem-solving capabilities. The presence of plants helps to relieve the symptoms experienced by children with ADD. Additionally, plants help patients recovering from surgery and ease the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Day 7: Pond

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or artificial, that is usually smaller than a lake. They may arise naturally in floodplains as part of a river system, or they may be somewhat isolated depressions. Usually they contain shallow water with marsh and aquatic plants and animals. A few animals also make their home in ponds, including both alligators and beavers. The type of life in a pond is generally determined by a combination of factors including water level regime (particularly depth and duration of flooding) and nutrient levels, but other factors may also be important, including presence or absence of shading by trees, presence or absence of streams, effects of grazing animals, and salinity.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland Volunteers at Montgomery County GreenFest 2015

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing well, thanks to the Almighty. On March 28th, I served as a volunteer at the inaugural Montgomery County GreenFest. This event was a one-day festival focused on the people and environment of Montgomery County, Maryland! Being a resident and a proud graduate of Montgomery County Public Schools, as well as Maryland's earth warrior, I was very excited for the purpose of this event. Although it was a very cold day, I was happy to see so many people in attendance and making this event successful.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Montgomery County Executive Isaiah Leggett and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, and 11 nonprofit and governmental partners served as hosts for the GreenFest. The event was held at Jesup Blair Local Park and Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. The festival featured educational, entertaining and family-friendly activities, exhibits and workshops suitable for all ages. Several documentaries were also shown, in commemoration of the Environmental Film Festival that was going on in our nation's capital this weekend. Montgomery County's Executive Mr. Isaiah Leggett gave the welcome remarks at the event.

Just Tree-ling
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Interview with Montgomery County Television
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Interview with Montgomery County Television
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The Montgomery County GreenFest was formed by the merging of the Silver Spring GreenFest and the H2O Summit, two established green festivals. Both festivals were targeted to specific audiences within the County. H2O Summit was focused on water related issues, specifically educating on the problems of stormwater and pollution. The Silver Spring GreenFest was an environmental celebration hosted by Silver Spring Green. By combining the two events together, the Montgomery County GreenFest was focused County-wide on all types of environmental issues, including water, waste reduction, energy and community engagement.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Besides getting to chat with the many Eco-friendly organizations and earth-loving people, I liked how the festival exhibited environmental principles in the planning and execution of the day. Some ways they put the Green in GreenFest include: instead of handing out printed scheduled to everyone, they uploaded the full schedule of activities that attendees can view online while at the event; the City of Takoma Park is sponsored a shuttle from the Takoma Metro stop directly to the GreenFest, and encouraged people to walk, bike, skate or bus their way to the GreenFest rather than drive; also, the City of Takoma Park also brought trash, recycling and compost bins to minimize waste. My shift started with being placed next to one of the waste stations to show attendees what goes where.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Maryland Earth Fact: 

In 2007, Forbes.com rated Maryland as the fifth "Greenest" state in the United States.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE