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!
 

A little bit of this, A little bit of that….

…is what we’ve been working on over here in the Environmental Services Division.  I just wanted to update everyone on what’s been going on so far this year.  Stormwater utility bills were mailed the last week of January, along with the stormwater newsletter (available here).  We had a booth at the Senior Connections/Mariner Mall Health Fair and talked to a lot of people there.  We enjoyed meeting everyone who attended, as well as those staffing the other booths.  We’ll be keeping you posted on events we attend….in March, we have the Housing Expo at Mariner Mall on the 9^th.

Hopefully you’ve heard of the Environmental Matters Webinar Series which kicks off tomorrow with our first webinar presented by Wendy on winter salt (register here).  She’ll be covering salt application, types of salt, and the problems with salt use on the roads.  It’s interesting information that is useful to all of us, especially after all the snow we got yesterday!  We’ll have another webinar on the 28^th, and then two more every month throughout 2013.  All Superior residents who watch the webinars live will have a chance to win a rain barrel in June!  If you can’t watch them live, they will be archived on our website.  Check out the Superior Telegram's article about them here.

Another fun thing that we’re doing right now is working with schools and other groups to set up presentations about stormwater, water pollution, and the water cycle with kids.  We met some smart kids who knew a lot about water at the Boys and Girls Club and had fun doing activities with them.  In March, we’re holding a Water Fair for the fifth graders at two local elementary schools.  We’re also organizing an art contest for fifth and sixth grade students that will conclude just in time for Earth Day in April.

Finally, we’re in the midst of planning a Rain Barrel and Composter Sale with UW Superior.  In the past, the City has made rain barrels available for residents in a pre-order sale.  We’re working on bringing that back this year, and we couldn’t be more excited.  We’ll have more information at our upcoming booths and eventually, on this blog and the website. 

If you have a question or would like a presentation on stormwater or a related topic for a group in Superior, please contact us.  We’d love to work with you!

-Written by Jillian Schubert Edwards