Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd!

Although it certainly hasn’t felt like April in Superior lately, Earth Day (April 22^nd) is fast approaching.  Earth Day was founded in the U.S. in 1970 as a day for teaching about the environment by former Wisconsin Governor and US Senator Gaylord Nelson.  The Earth Day Network organizes Earth Day each year. 

If you are interested in doing something for Earth Day, you can let the world know about your commitment on the Earth Day Network’s website (here http://act.earthday.org/).  We also have some tips for things you can do to celebrate the Earth this April here:

1.       Plant a tree.  Trees filter air pollutants, decrease heating/cooling needed in your home, sequester carbon, create habitat for animals and insects, and reduce stormwater runoff, among many other things.

2.       Install a rain barrel.  Rain barrels provide water for lawns/gardens, reduce stormwater runoff, and lower demand on municipal water supplies.  If you’re interested, we’re selling rain barrels (at cost with tax included) through May 24^th.  Visit www.ci.superior.wi.us/sale for an order form and more information.

3.       Replace appliances and fixtures with water and energy efficient models.  When appliances and fixtures need to be replaced, choose models that will save water and/or energy; it will also save you money.

4.       Clean up your neighborhood.  Pick up dog poop from your yard.  Clean up litter, leaves and sticks from the storm drains on your street.  When it rains, all of these things can be washed into storm drains, leading to water pollution down the pipe. 

5.       Plant a rain garden.  This is a little more time intensive than the other suggestions, but planting deep-rooted native plants in a depression in your yard can be visually appealing and will also reduce stormwater runoff and water pollution.

6.       Get inside! Of the Superior Public Library, that is.  You can see artwork by the 5^th and 6^th graders who won our “Water is Art” contest beginning April 22nd.  You can also learn more about the Earth by checking out a book; no matter what aspect of the Earth you’re interested in, there are books to cover it!

7.       Get outside! What better way is there to celebrate the Earth than to spend some time outside of our built environment? Spending time in the woods or on the water will remind you just how much you love living in such a beautiful place.  Scientists have found that spending time in nature is also good for your health; it can increase immune system function, lower your pulse, lower blood pressure, and decrease stress.                                

There are so many other things that you can do to celebrate Earth Day!  Don't forget to take a little time to love the Earth this April 22nd.  It'll do you and the Earth good!
 

Stop in and see us at the Douglas County Fish and Game League Sport Show!

The Douglas County Fish and Game League Sport Show is this weekend, Friday-Saturday.  We'll be there with information, giveaways, and a raffle.  So stop by and see us!  The show runs:

Friday 5 PM- 9 PM

Saturday 10 AM- 7 PM

Sunday 10 AM- 4 PM

 

For more information, visit the Fish and Game League's website here. We'll see you there!

Science Night at UWS is April 19.

One week from today Science Night will be held at UWS from 5 PM - 9 PM.  That will be Friday, April 19. It will be a great opportunity for families to learn more about science, participate in learning activities, listen to speakers, and enjoy this student-run activity.

ESDPW will be there will a Scoop the Poop booth and a Mercury booth.  Come take the quick quizzes on each of those topic and win a prize. 

Here is the UWS link. http://www.uwsuper.edu/studentorgs/news/science-night_article1483181

-Written by Wendy Grethen

City of Superior Free* Landfill Days

April 20th and April 27th from 8 AM- 2:30 AM are the City of Superior's Free* Landfill Days.  There is normally a charge, but on those days, you can bring household trash, tires, and brush for free.  You can also bring other things that are accepted year-round, but there may still be a fee. 
Find out more here and remember to always correctly dispose of your yard waste, hazardous waste, and e-waste.  It's better for you and better for the environment.

How Much Water Do I Use?

Are you curious about your water use?  Check out this home water use calculator to see how much water you're using and where you could be saving!

Home Water Works Calculator

Rain Gardens/Low Impact Development Webinar TODAY

The fifth installment in the Environmental Matters Webinar Series, "Native Plants to the Rescue", is today at 12:00 PM.  Register to attend at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/831658063

-Written by Jillian Schubert Edwards

Habitat Open House on Thursday April 4

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle- ReStore in Superior - Habitat Open House on Thursday, April 4

Coming soon to Superior, WI will be a Habitat for Humanity ReStore store.  It's a store where people can bring leftover building materials and some house fixtures, windows, doors, etc.  Then, people needing housing related material can come shop.  The money supports local Habitat for Humanity projects.  Their projects have included fixing up homes in weatherizing homes in Superior for low-income homeowners.  The group does projects in the Western Lake Superior area including Two Harbors, Duluth, and Carlton County.  Many groups and individuals have helped with the manpower for the projects.  The donated materials, donations, donated time all come together through the coordination efforts of Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity.

An Open House will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at 1621 Broadway St. in Superior. Their promotional message is Habitat for Humanity has a place for you to put your beliefs into actions.   Reusing materials, sending less materials to landfills, weatherizing homes so that less energy is needed to heat the home (and bills are reduced), and people helping each other and learning building skills - so many benefits through the program. 

Stop by at the Open House.  You may wish to donate building materials, purchase materials, help on a project, or make a donations.  You will learn that Habitat for Humanity is making forward steps to improve people's lives and neighborhoods. 
To contact them call (218) 722-3875 or email info@twinportshabitat.org.

-Written by Wendy Grethen

We're excited for....road construction?!

This morning, a local radio station was covering the upcoming construction for this season.  Most people dread "construction season", which seems to crop up while we're still recovering from the snowy, icy roads of winter.  One project we're pretty excited about, though, is the Tower Avenue reconstruction.  Excited for road construction? Crazy, right?  Let me explain.
We have a few different tabs on the top of our blog.  The "Water and the Environment in Superior" tab has a list of contacts for various environmental/water issues.  It also has a map that show some stormwater management practices around town.  These include rain gardens, green roofs, pervious pavement, etc.  What does this have to do with road construction?  Well, we're excited for the Tower Avenue project because we'll be able to add some new things to our map.  Along with the construction of the actual road, there will be tree trenches added along the road; tree trenches are "systems of trees connected by an underground filtration system" (Philadelphia Water Department). Tree trenches store water for the trees to use in the engineered soil.  They also slow and reduce runoff.  There will also be plants in the medians, which will reduce the amount of impervious area.  So, if you're sad about dealing with construction, just think of all the good things that will come along with it!  Check out the plans here: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/wis35towerave/index.htm

-Written by Jillian Schubert Edwards

Where is our water going, revisited.

Awhile ago, I wrote a post about where our water is going (the major water withdrawals in Wisconsin).  However, recently, there have been multitudes of articles from all around the Great Lakes about low water levels and the challenges that they bring.
Lakes Michigan and Huron broke previous low water levels in January. Superior is currently just slightly under last year's average and about a foot under the long-term average (US Army Corps of Engineers).  In Michigan, coastal towns are facing huge economic losses due to shallower harbors and the need for additional dredging.  The Michigan legislature actually just approved $21 million in additional dredging funding last week.  So where is the water going and do we need to be concerned?
There are a lot of factors that impact lake levels.  Dredging channels out of the Great Lakes basin (like the St. Clair River) so that it is deep enough for large ships allows more water to flow out of the Great Lakes.  Obviously, rain and snowfall impacts the lake levels as well.  Evaporation is thought to be a major cause behind the current low lake levels (see a great article about it here).  Basically, with less ice on the lakes in the winter (we know that Lake Superior has lost over 70% of its ice since 1970), there is more evaporation.  There is less ice because the air and lakes are getting warmer. 

Should we be concerned about this?  Low lake levels are definitely a cause for concern, as citizens and businesses on Lakes Michigan and Huron are currently seeing.  Boats can't get into some harbors without dredging, leading to lost profits for the harbor and the community. Dredging itself has some issues, like stirring up contaminated sediment.  Also, large ships have to carry less cargo on each trip and make more trips, which costs more.  There are many other impacts of low lake levels as well.  You can stay informed about lake levels as well as other news from around the region with GLIN Daily News.  Great Lakes Echo is also a great resource for Great Lakes news.

-Written by Jillian Schubert Edwards

Flood Control Program webinar TODAY

Has your basement flooded? Do you own your home? 

If you answered yes to both of these questions, or you previously participated in the City's Backwater Valve Programs, check out the Flood Control Program webinar TODAY.

The purposes of the flood control program is to reduce inflow and infiltration entering the sanitary and combined sewer system through private plumbing and to reduce discharges of untreated domestic wastewater and sanitary sewage to the environment.

We will have Curt Sander-Berg, Engineering Technician/Program Manager and Inspector, presenting the information and available for your questions.

Sign up HERE!

-Written by Jillian Schubert Edwards