Environmental Stewards

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It's the big buzz this year: locally grown food.  But have you considered growing it in your own back yard?  Make your yard an edible landscape, or at least some of it. 

If you need some help and inspiration to get started, join us on September 16, 7 PM, at the New Berlin Library.

How to Grow Your Own Locally Grown Food

Fall Preparation

 

The program will focus on:

• Planning your garden
• Some ideas on what to grow
• Preparing the soil
• Tips on growing organically and sustainably

 Presenter:Sandy Klingensmith, Home Gardener and Ecology Association President

• Growing fruits and vegetables for 27 years

 Special Offers for attendees:-        Sample some of the Klingensmiths’ produce-        Take home some starter garlic to plant this fall-        Bluebird house kits for $5 donation.  Fully illustrated instructions.  Get a jump on spring!

My husband and I recently visited Whole Foods and I was amazed at how many shoppers had their own bags in hand.  I've been taking bags to Aldi for 17 years because I can't stand to pay 4 cents a piece.  And back in Colorado, the grocery stores have been paying customers to bring their own bags for 20 years!

Imagine my surprise, then, when I was at the checkout at Pick n Save last week, with four of my own paper bags.  The checker said "OK, I'll give you a credit for those."  After talking with her for a few minutes, I learned that the store, and maybe the chain, had started paying customers 5 cents a bag about two months ago.  Wow!  I was excited!  I don't take bags often, because I use paper grocery bags as a kitchen trash can liner.  But sometimes we have a build-up in the closet, and so I take a few on shopping day.

What I can't understand is how quiet Roundy's has been about this development.  Don't they know people want to recycle?  Advertising this rebate can only be a good thing.  Roundy's buys fewer bags, fewer bags are left in their recycle bins, and how about calling yourself a green company.  That alone would seem to be a big selling point.

In any case, now you know.  Take your own bags to the store and get a credit.  Try buying some fabric bags.  I have some that are 10 years old and still going strong.

Please join us for a symposium on the Emerald Ash Borer. 

June 17, 2008, 7 PM at the New Berlin Public Library

Presenter: Becky Gray, Plant, Pest & Disease Specialist

The discussion will include:

• What is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?
• Life Cycle
• Signs and Symptoms of EAB damage
• EAB look-a-likes
• Other ash decline
• How EAB spreads
• EAB impact
• Regulatory activities
• Survey and Detection: is it in your backyard?
• Wisconsin's EAB plan

We'll also have bluebird house kits available for only $5.  Kit includes instructions, templates and necessary hardware. 

Now is the time to make plans to visit the MREA energy fair.  This fabulous event is held in Custer, Wisconsin every June; this year it will be from June 20 to 22.  The fair offers 200 workshops, 270 exhibits and great keynote speakers, as well as organically grown food for sale at lunch time.

My favorite part of the fair is the opportunity to learn about many different topics at the workshops offered all weekend.  Some topics are:

• Natural Cleaning
• Intro to Wind
• Passive Solar Design
• Food Drying and Canning
• Wind Energy for Teachers
• Energy Efficient Construction

Exhibits include information on various options for renewable energy products and installation, natural landscaping, energy conservation, hiking and biking information, water conservation and construction options.

You can share travel expenses with a friend, or take a bus: "Depart from the Petit Ice Arena Park and Ride each morning at 7 am. Bus will leave the Fair back for Milwaukee at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday and 5 pm on Sunday. Cost is $20 daily round trip."

Find more information at http://www.the-mrea.org/energy_fair.php .

You are invited to attend a symposium and round table discussion:

May 20, 2008, 7:00 PM New Berlin Public Library Community Room

15105 Library Lane New Berlin 53151

(Intersection of National Ave and Coffee Road)

   Natural Lawn Care and Natural Landscaping Our guest speaker, Darrell Smith, of Earthcare Natural Lawn and Landscaping will talk about the options we have to applying chemicals to our lawns.  Learn how to use all-natural products and careful maintenance practices to grow truly “green” lawns that are safe for families and pets, while preserving valuable natural resources.  

 A recent traveler to Beijing made an interesting observation.  At night, all the buildings are dark.  Office buildings in China do not have lights on at night and when flying into the city, it seems to be as dark at night as a country lane.  I hope lighting their cities will not be something the Chinese will imitate in the future.

 The World Wildlife Fund is sponsoring a special event this Saturday, March 29.  Cities around the world are uniting to switch off their lights for one hour in a symbolic action on climate change.  Please make yourself invisible by turning off as many lights as possible at 8 PM on Saturday.  Learn more at http://www11.earthhourus.org/.

Check out this photo to see how our planet is lit up in space: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap001127.html.

Water Wise, a day of discussion and workshops about water issues, was held on March 15, 2008, at Carroll College.  The keynote speaker, John Magnuson, has been a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shared in the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.  Dr. Magnuson provided fascinating scientific data about climate change by looking at lake ice.  Observations for lake ice have been made for centuries on our continent, and across the world.  Some data was recorded in Japan as early as the 1400s.  All of this data points to clear reductions in ice-on days over time, due to human influence.  Dr. Magnuson also reviewed what the future holds for us in Wisconsin as climate change progresses.  We will see more precipitation than we have had in the past, though this will be in the form of extreme events.  Our climate will be more like that of Iowa in the winter, and more like Arkansas's in the summer.

Dr. Piatt, a professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science at Carroll College, spoke about pharmaceuticals in our water system.  Recent news reports have focused on the discovery of various pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water, but scientists have been aware of rising levels for more than 15 years.  Dr. Piatt helped to organize a collections program at WCTC last year, and hopes to make it an annual event.  Even over-the-counter medicines can be hazardous to our water supply and ecosystem.  It is recommended that you do not pour liquid or tablet medicines down the drain.  Watch for the next collection program, including a new mail-in program in Waukesha County.  

Tami Jackson of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes gave a presentation about phosphorous in lawn fertilizer.  Phosphorous is an element of lawn fertilizer and much of it leaches out into runoff from our lawns.  When the runoff hits surface water, the phosphorous is a great food for algae.  This contributes to a decline in fish population due to a reduction of sunlight and oxygen in the water.  And it turns the water green!  A bill limiting phosphorous in fertilizer almost made it through our legislature this year, and a new attempt will be made in the next legislative session.  Tami gave us many statistics on phosphorous content of lawns and farmland around the state, which showed that most of our lawns have at least twice the necessary concentration of the chemical.  Contact your legislators to express your support for healthy lakes in Wisconsin. 

Finally, we had a great panel discussion on the Great Lakes Compact (GLC) and on the trend to privatize water resources.  These topics should greatly concern us, since we live near the greatest fresh water source in the world.  Please contact your legislator and press him/her to pass the GLC in the next session.  Water is a finite resource and we must conserve and protect it better in the coming years.

Conservation Lobby Day is an opportunity to share conservation stories and experiences with legislators and have an impact on policies affecting the entire state of Wisconsin.  This year's meeting was held on January 30, 2008, in Madison. 

 

Conservation Priorities for Wisconsin that were lobbied for by the attendees are:

1.    Prevent other thirsty states and countries from taking our Great Lakes water;

2.    Restore integrity to natural resource policy making by restoring the independent DNR Secretary, protecting stamp fees, and ensuring a democratic process in appointing Natural Resource Board members;

3.    Help us do our part to curb global warming emissions by passing the Wisconsin Safe Climate Act.

 

 

How are our representatives doing? 

Mark Gundrum has a lifetime score of 26% in voting for conservation issues and Mary Lazich has a lifetime score of 30%.  Isn’t it time we hold them accountable for these poor scores?  To track the votes of our representatives and others in the state, visit http://www.conservationvoters.org/Public/.  Learn more about the Wisconsin legislature’s environmental agenda.

At our recent public meeting we heard from Susan Loomans on the subject of global warming.  She presented the evidence for this trend in our earth's climate and gave us some ideas to help slow and reverse the process.  You may wonder just how this global problem will affect us in Wisconsin, so I am reprinting some information from the website of the Clear Water Action Council of Northeastern Wisconsin (www.cwac.net) :

What is global warming?

Historical records indicate the average global temperature increased by 0.5 to 1° Fahrenheit (F) between 1890 and 1990. In the next 100 years, scientists predict the temperature may rise another 2 to 6° F. Such increases have occurred previously in Earth’s history, but never over such a short time span. In fact, the average global temperature rose more in the last century than at any time in the past 10,000 years. 

Scientists agree that the cause of these changes involve six main human-influenced greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. These gases – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride – make up about 1% of our atmosphere. They keep our planet warm by trapping the sun’s energy and slowing its escape back into space. This heat-trapping ability is called the greenhouse effect, and it allows us to enjoy an average global temperature of 60° F. If our atmosphere lacked greenhouse gases, the Earth would be a cold rock floating in space, and life as we know it would not exist. 

Since the Industrial Revolution, however, atmospheric concentrations of the most important human-influenced greenhouse gases – CO2, methane and nitrous oxide – have increased at an unnatural rate. In the last 200 years, CO2 levels have risen almost 30%, methane levels have gone up 145%, and nitrous oxide levels have increased by 15%.

Where are all these "extra" greenhouse gases coming from?  From large-scale burning of fossil fuels for industry and motor vehicles, intense agricultural activity, mining, and other human activities which pump more and more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, creating a heightened greenhouse effect that leads to a higher average global temperature – global warming. 

(from information provided by the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resoures)

 

Global warming could have serious consequences for Wisconsin.   The majority of scientific research now agrees that by the middle of this century the earth's atmosphere and oceans could very well warm up.   Many scientists believe the process is already well underway. Because of the interplay of many climatic factors, it's difficult to predict exactly what an increase in global temperature might bring; however, credible scenarios show Wisconsin could face many serious problems, such as:

• wetter winters and drier summers with longer, hotter and more frequent heat waves 
• weather and climate changes that could require farmers to raise different crops 
• dairy cattle with heat exhaustion and growing pest populations 
• poor air quality and higher concentrations of ground-level ozone, an air pollutant that causes severe health problems 
• warmer and more shallow river waters – conditions that could hurt populations of cold-water fish like trout
• dropping lake water levels (even on the Great Lakes), stranding docks and marinas, and greatly increasing dredging maintenance costs for harbors
• dropping water tables in underground aquifers, due to increased water demands and reduced surface recharge
• denser algae blooms and lower oxygen levels in ponds and lakes 
• more frequent floods, droughts, forest fires and damaging storms 
• changes in tree species that could damage the forestry industry and wildlife populations 
• increases in disease-carrying insect populations
• damage to Wisconsin's $13 billion annual tourism economy

This blog's previous posts have been geared toward reducing our carbon footprint.  These are the steps individuals and families can take to be a part of the solution.

My company is planning to replace the furnace in our office, so I thought we might be able to save some money and save some energy, too.  The Focus on Energy website, www.focusonenergy.com, provides many ways to receive cash incentives on efficient heating and cooling options for both residences and businesses.  And you save on your energy costs as well.  For factories, check out the incentives Focus on Energy provides for installing high efficiency lighting, air compressors, and other industrial equipment. 

Many of the good habits you form at home to reduce energy consumption can be used at work.  Recycle your cans, bottles and paper.  Turn off your computer when you leave work each day.  Leave the lights off on a sunny day and if you can use compact flourescent bulbs, ask your maintenance department to provide some.  Turn down the heat and put on a sweater.  Use ceramic cups instead of styrofoam; it takes 3.2 grams of fossil fuel to make a single foam cup.  If you like using water bottles, take them home and refill them.  Many studies show that tap water is just as pure as water purchased in bottles. 

Think about reducing your energy consumption when commuting to work or making a trip to the store.  Can you walk or ride a bike?  This option can have positive health benefits as well.  Try to combine many tasks in one trip.  This is a time-saver as well!  If you are in the market for a new car, consider a high mileage model.  Though hybrids are great, many new cars on the market are able to achieve high mileage as well.  Some other strategies to reduce your fuel consumption are reducing your speed on the interstate, keeping your car tuned up and keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.

More detail on all of these ideas are in the Green Guide recently printed in the Journal Sentinel.

Happy New Year and Happy Savings!

Many of you have seen the "Green Guide" that was in this week's Sunday Journal-Sentinel.  Take a few minutes to review it and to see where you can make some meaningful changes.  A prominent sidebar states: Save energy, money, and the Earth.  Who can resist that?  Here are some highlights for home energy savings. 

Install attic insulation to keep heat in, and seal up cracks that let in cold outside air.  Install low flow shower heads to reduce your hot water consumption.  We've had one of these for about five years now, and I can't tell the difference!  Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact flourescent bulbs.  Start with lights that you use all the time for maximum savings.  Unplug appliances like TVs and radios when not in use.  Many of these are always using a small amount of background power.  Turn off computers when they are not in use or at least enable the "sleep" mode on your monitor.  Did you know that LCD monitors use much less energy than the old CRTs?  Turn your heat down, especially when you leave the house.  The ideal option is a programmable thermostat that automatically regulates the temperature to your requirments.  Our house goes down to 55 degrees at night, and is set to only 65 degrees during the day.  Like your mother always told you: put on a sweater.  Finally, hang up your laundry instead of using an energy expensive dryer.  I started doing this at home several years ago and have rarely used my drier since then.  I have a collapsable clothesline outside for warmer weather, and a rope and clothes rack in my basement for winter weather.  The only thing this requires is a bit of thinking ahead in case you need a clean soccer uniform for the big game!

Check out www.theatkinsondiet.com for other great ideas.  They have a carbon calculator, carbon diet tips, and great articles to inspire you to reduce your carbon footprint.

In the past I've posted information about recycling your waste using your blue bin, and taking things to the New Berlin Recycling Center.  Today I'd like to introduce you to a couple of other options.

Some of you might have used Craig's List to sell items locally, instead of listing them on EBay.  Another great option for opportunities to reuse household items is to list them on Freecycle.org.  This website is a free forum available to the public to help reuse many different things.  We have a Freecycle group in Waukesha County.  This is a Yahoo group which you must join to be able to list items and to view photos of offerings.  The great thing about this site is that you can also list items you are looking for.  I encourage you to give it a try!

 
Another great opportunity to reuse household items is to take them to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  The store will be opening in early 2008 and can use any donations of building materials you might have.  Check out the website: http://homestore.hfhwaukesha.org/.  They have a list online of all of the items they are looking for.  Then, close the loop next year, and shop for treasures for your home.  Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity projects in our community.

Keep on recycling!

Sandy

 

  

Recently I passed by a neighbor’s house and noticed a hot water heater, another tank and several pieces of copper pipe in his driveway, waiting to be picked up by the garbage hauling company.  It’s possible my neighbor was unaware of our versatile New Berlin Recycling Center.  Located just behind city hall, this fabulous resource takes many items for recycling and provides compost and wood chips to any city resident.  Winter hours for the center are 8-4 on Saturdays, beginning December 8 through April 1.  Summer hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays 8-4.

 

The following items are accepted at the center:  used anti-freeze, aluminum and steel cans, used clothing, computers and peripherals, corrugated cardboard, glass bottles, household mail and magazines, used motor oil, #1 and #2 plastic bottles, and scrap metal.  The scrap metal bin can be loaded with old appliances, chain, and any other scrap metal you have laying around the house.  We even save our old nails and screws!  The only items not accepted in scrap metal are appliances containing Freon, like air conditioners, dehumidifiers and refrigerators.  Check the yellow pages for companies that pick up items containing Freon.

 

On the green side of the center, yard waste can be unloaded for reconstitution, like brush, dirt and sod, leaves, grass clippings and garden plants.  This stuff is turned or chopped up to provide rich compost or fresh wood chips.  For more information about our recycling center, take a look at this website: http://www.newberlin.org/display/router.asp?docid=123

Let's focus on recycling this week, an easy thing
to do since many recyclables can go out in your blue bin. Recycling is
mandatory for residences and businesses in Wisconsin, but more importantly,
it is an easy way to reduce our landfill load, while limiting the energy
required to make more stuff. Waukesha County has a facility that takes in
and sorts all of participating municipalities' curbside collections. New
Berlin is a participating municipality. Communities receive annual rebates
from the sale of recyclables - a total of $650,000 in 2006. You probably
received a newsletter from this organization recently, and I encourage you
to read it.
Here is a quick reference to bring you up to date on what can be set out
curbside. Steel cans, aluminum cans, plastic bottles (#1 & 2), and glass
bottles/jars can be placed loosely in the bin. Labels need not be removed,
but bottle and jar lids should be discarded. I rinse all of my containers
to keep away the bugs and mice until the garbage man comes. Paper should be
bundled or bagged in paper bags and can include: junk mail, magazines,
copier paper, newspaper, phone books, cereal/cracker/pasta boxes, cardboard
egg cartons and paper towel rolls. My sister even throws in her TP empties!
Many times we have more weight in our blue bin than in our garbage can.
The Waukesha recycling program has issued a challenge to its participating
municipalities: increase recycled materials by 5% in 2007. You can go to
the following website to see how we are doing:
www.waukeshacounty.gov/recycling.

Next week: how to recycle other stuff.

I’m Sandy Klingensmith and I was recently elected president of the Ecology Association of New Berlin. I’m excited about this position and hope to be able to encourage many of you to think about our environment and how we can care for it and improve it for future generations. We have the advantage of living in New Berlin, where nature is very close to our doorstep.

I was raised in Colorado and spent many hours in the Rocky Mountains hiking and camping with my family. My father instilled in me a deep love and caring for the natural world. Our family was recycling aluminum cans, newspaper and plastic bags long before they were commonly picked up at the curb.

The EANB theme this year is “Reducing Your Carbon Footprint.” I’m sure you have heard about climate change, and that carbon emissions are the biggest culprit. Carbon is released in many ways, from power plant emissions, to automobile emissions, to farmers tilling their soil. Individuals can strive to decrease their own carbon emissions by driving less, reducing energy use in their homes, and eating foods that are grown nearby, among other things.

I encourage you to calculate your own carbon footprint by using the following EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html

Our organization will be sponsoring some very interesting workshops throughout this 2007-08 season that will highlight many techniques to reduce carbon emissions. Please check this blog regularly and plan to attend!