Thursday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• A summer picnic that’s kinder to the planet

• Sunset of the day on the California coast

• How to regroup this summer

• Butterflies can learn more than we thought

• A virtual personal assistant

True or False?

Dripping faucets waste less than a gallon per day.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

A Summer Picnic That’s Kinder To The Planet

Picnic weather is here, bringing sunny afternoons, sandwiches, and maybe a cold drink or two. But when the fun winds down and you’re left staring at a pile of wrappers and empty bottles, it’s worth thinking about a cleaner, easier way to do it.

A few small swaps can go a long way. Reusable containers, cloth napkins, and real forks make your picnic feel more intentional (and look a lot nicer, too). Skip the plastic and bring a tote or basket you’ll actually reuse.

Picking up from your local farmers market? You’re already on the right track. Local foods usually travel less and come with less packaging, and in-season fruits and veggies tend to taste better.

Try packing only what you’ll realistically eat, and bring a lidded container for any extras. Bonus points if you compost the scraps once you’re home!

Sunset Of The Day On the California Coast

This sunrise came to us from The Canopy reader Mike, who paused along the California coast one morning to reflect on life while looking at the glowing sky.

He shared the sunset with others, saying, “It made their day, as it did mine”. A reminder that beauty, when shared, has a way of multiplying.

Thanks for the perspective and light, Mike. Have a sunset (or sunrise) that stopped you in your tracks? Send it our way—we love seeing the world through your lens.

Home for the Summer? Therapy Can Help You Regroup

Summer break is a great time to breathe, but it can also bring up big feelings, especially when routines change. Whether you’re reflecting on the year or anxious about what’s next, therapy helps make sense of it all.

With BetterHelp, you can talk to a licensed therapist who gets what you're going through. It’s flexible, affordable, and happens on your terms—by phone, video, or chat. You’ll be matched in under 48 hours, and over 5 million people have already started therapy through BetterHelp.

Right now, you can try it with 25% off your first month.

Try Therapy on Your Terms

Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring The Canopy.

Butterflies Can Learn More Than We Thought

We usually think of butterflies as delicate and a little dreamy, not exactly nature’s navigators. But a recent study found that Heliconius butterflies can actually learn and remember where to find food.

Researchers tested them in different-sized spaces, from a tiny flower patch to a large outdoor area. The butterflies learned which side had food and kept going back to it—like they were following their own little route.

This kind of memory, called spatial learning, is usually seen in bees or ants. But these butterflies who feed on pollen seem to use memory in a similar way, forming “traplines” they revisit each day.

It’s a pretty big discovery for such a small brain. And it reminds us that there’s still so much to learn about the quiet, everyday intelligence of the natural world.

Cut Costs. Not Corners.

Economic pressure is rising, and doing more with less has become the new reality. But surviving a downturn isn’t about stretching yourself thinner; it’s about protecting what matters most.

BELAY matches leaders with fractional, cost-effective support — exceptional Executive Assistants, Accounting Professionals, and Marketing Assistants — tailored to your unique needs. When you're buried in low-level tasks, you lose the focus, energy, and strategy it takes to lead through challenging times.

BELAY helps you stay ready for whatever comes next.

Download The Smart Leader’s Recession Survival Guide and discover how to lead smarter through uncertainty.

Thank you to Belay for sponsoring The Canopy.

Final Thoughts:

From cool treats to clever summer hacks, check out this week’s top eco-friendly finds:

• 🍦 Vegan ice cream recipes to try this summer—Beat the heat with these cool, plant-based desserts made for sunny days.

• 💨 This fan trick helps cut cooling costs—A simple adjustment can help your fan and A/C work smarter together.

• 🍓 Make a strawberry hair mask—Full of shine-boosting benefits for summer hair care.

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: False. One drip per second adds up to over 3,000 gallons a year.

🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured!