Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Blue Bike Free Bike Program is Coming to Manitowoc
The threefold purpose of the Blue Bike Program is to reduce the use of internal combustion engines, to help citizens get comfortable with the use of bicycles for transportation and to improve the health of our citizens through exercise.
For More information contact Maritime Metro Transit at 683-4560.
Leave Your Car at Home Week Challenge
Leave your car at home week challenge takes place September 22 - 28, 2008. If you can do it for a week, you can do it for a lifetime!
For more information visit the City of Manitowoc website at www.manitowoc.org or call Maritime Metro Transit at 683-4560.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leave Your Car at Home Week?
The week is a challenge to reduce the use of personal vehicles. If people can consciously drive less for one week, they may find the benefits of those habits are worth adopting into their everyday life.
Why is it set for Sept. 22-28?
Sept. 22 is World Car Free Day, which promotes alternative forms of transportation around the globe.
I am unemployed, or my company is not participating in the Miles Not Traveled Competition. Can I still get involved?
Yes, a log sheet for the general public is available at the Maritime Metro Transit Office, on the city of Manitowoc's Web Site: manitowoc.org or by calling the mobility manager at 920-686-6548.
What are the eligible activities?
Walking, telecommuting or teleconferencing, biking, using transit, carpooling, combining trips for personal errands, chose a local option rather than driving out of town for shopping and/or entertainment.
It isn't practical for me to give up my car for an entire week, because I use my personal vehicle in my job, drive my kids to school, don't live near transit, or other reasons. Can I still participate?
Leaving a car at home for the entire week is the "Platinum Goal." However, the initiative is to encourage people to rethink how they use their personal vehicles and reduce the number of trips made in a single-occupancy vehicle. More than 90 percent of all trips are made in a single-occupancy vehicle. This week is a good time to explore alternatives to driving alone and see if these habits do improve your quality of life while reducing your carbon footprint.
It seems difficult to put into practice, because of my lifestyle. What are some suggestions for going car-free or car-lite this week?
Buy a special week-long MMT bus pass for $10 and explore the routes – kids under age 4 ride for free with an adult. Meet some of the fellow parents at your child's school or day care and see if carpooling will eliminate some of the trips to through the drop-off lane. Talk to your co-workers about carpooling. Talk to your neighbors, and see if they can share driving to work if you near one another and/or similar schedule. Offer to take a neighbor with you to complete errands. Dust off that bike in the garage. Get out your walking shoes. If you travel throughout the workday, leave your car at work for the week and eliminate the use of your vehicle in your personal life. Be creative, the possibilities to alternative transportation are limitless.
Who is organizing this event?
The Manitowoc County Mobility Manager is organizing the promotion with assistance from Maritime Metro Transit, Manitowoc County Personnel Office, Holy Family Memorial CareVan Service, Lakeshore Technical College, and Painting Pathways.
What is the Manitowoc County Mobility Management Project?
This is a cooperative effort among Maritime Metro Transit, the Aging & Disability Resource Center, and other transportation stakeholders to coordinate transportation services in Manitowoc County. The mobility manager researches unmet transportation needs existing in Manitowoc County, and develops programs to meet those needs.
What is Leave Your Car at Home Week?
The week is a challenge to reduce the use of personal vehicles. If people can consciously drive less for one week, they may find the benefits of those habits are worth adopting into their everyday life.
Why is it set for Sept. 22-28?
Sept. 22 is World Car Free Day, which promotes alternative forms of transportation around the globe.
I am unemployed, or my company is not participating in the Miles Not Traveled Competition. Can I still get involved?
Yes, a log sheet for the general public is available at the Maritime Metro Transit Office, on the city of Manitowoc's Web Site: manitowoc.org or by calling the mobility manager at 920-686-6548.
What are the eligible activities?
Walking, telecommuting or teleconferencing, biking, using transit, carpooling, combining trips for personal errands, chose a local option rather than driving out of town for shopping and/or entertainment.
It isn't practical for me to give up my car for an entire week, because I use my personal vehicle in my job, drive my kids to school, don't live near transit, or other reasons. Can I still participate?
Leaving a car at home for the entire week is the "Platinum Goal." However, the initiative is to encourage people to rethink how they use their personal vehicles and reduce the number of trips made in a single-occupancy vehicle. More than 90 percent of all trips are made in a single-occupancy vehicle. This week is a good time to explore alternatives to driving alone and see if these habits do improve your quality of life while reducing your carbon footprint.
It seems difficult to put into practice, because of my lifestyle. What are some suggestions for going car-free or car-lite this week?
Buy a special week-long MMT bus pass for $10 and explore the routes – kids under age 4 ride for free with an adult. Meet some of the fellow parents at your child's school or day care and see if carpooling will eliminate some of the trips to through the drop-off lane. Talk to your co-workers about carpooling. Talk to your neighbors, and see if they can share driving to work if you near one another and/or similar schedule. Offer to take a neighbor with you to complete errands. Dust off that bike in the garage. Get out your walking shoes. If you travel throughout the workday, leave your car at work for the week and eliminate the use of your vehicle in your personal life. Be creative, the possibilities to alternative transportation are limitless.
Who is organizing this event?
The Manitowoc County Mobility Manager is organizing the promotion with assistance from Maritime Metro Transit, Manitowoc County Personnel Office, Holy Family Memorial CareVan Service, Lakeshore Technical College, and Painting Pathways.
What is the Manitowoc County Mobility Management Project?
This is a cooperative effort among Maritime Metro Transit, the Aging & Disability Resource Center, and other transportation stakeholders to coordinate transportation services in Manitowoc County. The mobility manager researches unmet transportation needs existing in Manitowoc County, and develops programs to meet those needs.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Grow a Note Cards and Paper
Wow. What a cool recycled product....plantable greeting cards and papers made with 100% post consumer waste. Each sheet is imbedded with seeds that when planted, the paper will recycle naturally into the soil as wild flower seeds grow. It's like sending a bouquet with every message.
If you'd like to learn more visit www.greenfieldpaper.com
Has anyone ever tried this product? Would love to hear your feedback.
If you'd like to learn more visit www.greenfieldpaper.com
Has anyone ever tried this product? Would love to hear your feedback.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Going Green: Sustainable Communities and Farms
Wisconsin Association of RC&D's Annual Conference hosted by Town and Country Resource, Conservation & Development THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 at the Olympia Conference Center in Oconomowoc, WI 53066.
Do you want to learn more about a green lifestyle -- healthier for you and for the planet? Join this conference for an invigorating two days of discussion, learning, networking, and great local food! Whatever your focus -- urban or rural, local food or sustainable agriculture, conservation or preservation, individual or community -- connect with other Wisconsinites working towerads a more sustainable future, for us all.
Session Themes:
Do you want to learn more about a green lifestyle -- healthier for you and for the planet? Join this conference for an invigorating two days of discussion, learning, networking, and great local food! Whatever your focus -- urban or rural, local food or sustainable agriculture, conservation or preservation, individual or community -- connect with other Wisconsinites working towerads a more sustainable future, for us all.
Session Themes:
- Green Your Home & Work
- Conserving Natural Resources
- Fresh Local Food
- Green Energy
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable Communities
full registration available at www.townandcountryrcd.org or by calling 414-774-6562
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Port Cities Blue Bike Program
Stay tuned! The new Port Cities Blue Bike program is slated to debut this fall. Blue bikes will be provided at various locations around the city for residents and visitors to use for short trips.
Bicycle Friendly Community
Encouraging bicycling is an effective way to increase physical activity, improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion and oil dependence, and tackle climate change and obesity. To find out more about creating a bicycle friendly community visit http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/
1 World
2 Wheels
Bikes Belong Coalition:
1 World
2 Wheels
Bikes Belong Coalition:
- Bicycling improves quality of life. it gets you outside, relieves stress, makes you feel better, and creates a way to spend time with family and friends. Best of all, it's convenient, flexible and free. Whether for recreation, transportation, or competition, bicycling offers a lifetime of health and fun.
- Bike paths boost property values. Properties next to the Mountain Bay Trail in Wisconsin sell faster and for an average of 9% more than similar lots away from the trail.
- Someone who bikes four miles round-trip to work instead of driving keeps 51 punds of carbon monoxide out of the air each year and burns 36,000 calories - the equivalent of 10 pounds of fat.
- Just three hours of bicycling per week can redcue a person's risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.
- Bicycling is an inexpensive, convenient way to stay fit and healthy. The annual operating cost of a bike is just 2.5% that of a car.
- Bicycling promotes healthier lifestyles; creates jobs and supports independent businesses; lowers healthcare costs; strengthens family bonds; provides a recreational outlet for youth; builds closer-knit communities; reduces polluting emissions; decreases road congestion; and lessens our dependence on foreign oil.
"When we make biking and walking safe and accessible, I believe millions more Americans will choose them ... thereby making us a healthier, trimmer, more fit nation." --Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN) of the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Don't get 'TIRED' of Recycling
The Manitowoc County Recycling Center will be holding the annual tire collection September 8 through September 20. This program allows Manitowoc County residents and businesses to properly dispose of their tires at a reduced rate. Through the years a significant amount of tires have been collected. In 2007 over 60 tons were collected and in 2006 over 67 tons were recovered.
Waste tires can be reused in a number of beneficial ways. They can be shred into rubber chips and used as artificial turf or as a groundcover in playgrounds. Tire rubber can be incorporated into asphalt roads, running tracks and used in other rubber products. Depending on what other materials are in the tire they may also be used as a fuel source.
The DNR estimates that Wisconsin produces 5 million waste tires a year. Tires have been banned from landfills since 1995 because they take up too much space and their bulky size makes them hard to keep buried. Unfortunately, tires have often been illegally dumped along roadways or in illegal stockpiles. Aside from looking like a mess this can cause environmental problems. Burning tires can release large amounts of pollutants into the air, water and soil.
Before those wear bars even begin to show you can help reduce the amount of tires being disposed of. Taking proper care of your tires can prolong the life of the tire. Following the scheduled rotation and maintaining proper air pressure can help you get more use out of them. Fixing alignment problems early can also save tire wear.
A few guidelines should be noted for this collection. When bringing in your tires please check in at the Main Office prior to dropping tires. Tires with rims will be accepted and charged at the weighed rate of 11 cents a pound or $220 a ton. Residents and businesses with large amounts of tires should call the Recycling Center prior to bringing them in. For more information you can call the Recycling Center at 920-683-4333 or visit www.manitowocrecycles.org.
Waste tires can be reused in a number of beneficial ways. They can be shred into rubber chips and used as artificial turf or as a groundcover in playgrounds. Tire rubber can be incorporated into asphalt roads, running tracks and used in other rubber products. Depending on what other materials are in the tire they may also be used as a fuel source.
The DNR estimates that Wisconsin produces 5 million waste tires a year. Tires have been banned from landfills since 1995 because they take up too much space and their bulky size makes them hard to keep buried. Unfortunately, tires have often been illegally dumped along roadways or in illegal stockpiles. Aside from looking like a mess this can cause environmental problems. Burning tires can release large amounts of pollutants into the air, water and soil.
Before those wear bars even begin to show you can help reduce the amount of tires being disposed of. Taking proper care of your tires can prolong the life of the tire. Following the scheduled rotation and maintaining proper air pressure can help you get more use out of them. Fixing alignment problems early can also save tire wear.
A few guidelines should be noted for this collection. When bringing in your tires please check in at the Main Office prior to dropping tires. Tires with rims will be accepted and charged at the weighed rate of 11 cents a pound or $220 a ton. Residents and businesses with large amounts of tires should call the Recycling Center prior to bringing them in. For more information you can call the Recycling Center at 920-683-4333 or visit www.manitowocrecycles.org.
Cost of Our Choices in Methods of Manipulating Lake Ecosystems
Lake management has not escaped the debate over chemical use. Small-scale chemical treatment of aquatic plants is common in Wisconsin and thee seems to be a growing demand for larger scale applications. In meetings across the state, citizens concerned with large-scale chemical applications are gathering to express their apprehension.
The widespread use of chemicals that serve all parts of our society began in earnest with the close of WWII. The payback for chemical use seemed to far outweigh any side effects. However, grim discoveries have come to light making more and more people suspicious, afraid and nervous about accepting the tempting promises over the environmental risks of chemical use.
The main way to chemically control aquatic plants on Wisconsin lakes through the 1950’s and 60’s was the use of sodium arsenite (which contains inorganic arsenic that can be fatal if swallowed) with over 2 million pounds used in 167 Wisconsin lakes. Another common treatment was copper sulphate. An accumulation of copper in bottom sediments can adversely affect important food chain organisms. Between 1959 and 1969, over 1.5 million pounds of copper sulfate were used in our lakes to kill snails thought to cause swimmers’ itch. With current knowledge, the idea of applying some of the chemicals used in the 50s and 60s as treatments would be unthinkable. Yet, back in the day it was thought of as a state-of-the-art practice.
Each year in Wisconsin there is growing pressure to do large and even whole-lake treatments to limit the growth of nuisance plants such as Eurasian water milfoil. We need to weigh the benefits and cost of our choices in methods of manipulating lake ecosystems to make sure the decisions we make today leave options open for those that will care for our lakes in the future.
—excerpt from Robert Korth, UW-Ex Lakes Specialist as published in ‘Lake Tides’
The widespread use of chemicals that serve all parts of our society began in earnest with the close of WWII. The payback for chemical use seemed to far outweigh any side effects. However, grim discoveries have come to light making more and more people suspicious, afraid and nervous about accepting the tempting promises over the environmental risks of chemical use.
The main way to chemically control aquatic plants on Wisconsin lakes through the 1950’s and 60’s was the use of sodium arsenite (which contains inorganic arsenic that can be fatal if swallowed) with over 2 million pounds used in 167 Wisconsin lakes. Another common treatment was copper sulphate. An accumulation of copper in bottom sediments can adversely affect important food chain organisms. Between 1959 and 1969, over 1.5 million pounds of copper sulfate were used in our lakes to kill snails thought to cause swimmers’ itch. With current knowledge, the idea of applying some of the chemicals used in the 50s and 60s as treatments would be unthinkable. Yet, back in the day it was thought of as a state-of-the-art practice.
Each year in Wisconsin there is growing pressure to do large and even whole-lake treatments to limit the growth of nuisance plants such as Eurasian water milfoil. We need to weigh the benefits and cost of our choices in methods of manipulating lake ecosystems to make sure the decisions we make today leave options open for those that will care for our lakes in the future.
—excerpt from Robert Korth, UW-Ex Lakes Specialist as published in ‘Lake Tides’
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Green Roof Tax Abatement
Albany has passed a GREEN ROOF tax abatement....that means a reduction in property taxes for homes with green roofs: http://www.ssbx.org/GreenRoofLegislationPressRelease.htm
Monday, July 21, 2008
Ripon Velorution
A bicycle revolution....check out the Ripon Velorution http://www.ripon.edu/velorution/index.html
Monday, July 7, 2008
You put WHAT into your body?!
The EPA has now deemed 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all fungicides, and 30% of all insecticides potentially cancerous. (Organic Trade Association) Additionally, according to an article by the Environmental Working Group,
"Pesticides pose special concerns to children because of their high metabolisms and low body weights. More than 1 million children between the ages of 1 and 5 ingest at least 15 pesticides every day from fruits and vegetables. More than 600,000 of these children eat a dose of organophosphate insecticides that the federal government considers unsafe, and 61,000 eat doses that exceed benchmark levels by a factor of 10 or more."
"Pesticides pose special concerns to children because of their high metabolisms and low body weights. More than 1 million children between the ages of 1 and 5 ingest at least 15 pesticides every day from fruits and vegetables. More than 600,000 of these children eat a dose of organophosphate insecticides that the federal government considers unsafe, and 61,000 eat doses that exceed benchmark levels by a factor of 10 or more."
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Green Retreat
Manitowoc's First Ever GREEN RETREAT
Tuesday, July 15, 8:30am-4:30pm
overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan (location revealed after registration)
The NEXT STEP in Manitowoc's sustainability effort THE NATURAL STEP FOR COMMUNITIES. This one day retreat is ideal for folks who have already participated in a Natural Step Study Circle and would like to continue the sustainability dialogue as well as for those folks who would like to get involved in the sustainability dialogue.
Join Jefferson County Supervisor, Organic Farmer and Sustainability Firesoul: Greg David as he GUIDES US THROUGH THE FOUR-STEP ABCD PROCESS. Awareness. Baseline Analysis. Compelling vision. Down to action. In the Natural Step Framework, the ABCD Process provides a systematic way of backcasting from principles into practice for sustainability planning and decision making. The four system conditions define success as far as sustainability is concerned, but each community must draw its own conclusions from these basic principles. Greg will help us identify problems, potential solutions and acitons needed to implement solutions.
GREEN PANEL: Find out about the green movement in other communities; Discuss the feasibility of ideas submitted by Manitowoc's Go Green Study Circles.
How do we GO GREEN from here? Visioning with a Lakeshore Technical College Trained Facilitator about the future of sustainability in Manitowoc.
Enjoy a LOCAVORE LUNCH.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT.
In order to make appropriate & sustainable arrangements kindly RSVP your attendance (Name and address or email)
by email: tprigge@manitowoc.org or call 686-6980.
Tuesday, July 15, 8:30am-4:30pm
overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan (location revealed after registration)
The NEXT STEP in Manitowoc's sustainability effort THE NATURAL STEP FOR COMMUNITIES. This one day retreat is ideal for folks who have already participated in a Natural Step Study Circle and would like to continue the sustainability dialogue as well as for those folks who would like to get involved in the sustainability dialogue.
Join Jefferson County Supervisor, Organic Farmer and Sustainability Firesoul: Greg David as he GUIDES US THROUGH THE FOUR-STEP ABCD PROCESS. Awareness. Baseline Analysis. Compelling vision. Down to action. In the Natural Step Framework, the ABCD Process provides a systematic way of backcasting from principles into practice for sustainability planning and decision making. The four system conditions define success as far as sustainability is concerned, but each community must draw its own conclusions from these basic principles. Greg will help us identify problems, potential solutions and acitons needed to implement solutions.
GREEN PANEL: Find out about the green movement in other communities; Discuss the feasibility of ideas submitted by Manitowoc's Go Green Study Circles.
How do we GO GREEN from here? Visioning with a Lakeshore Technical College Trained Facilitator about the future of sustainability in Manitowoc.
Enjoy a LOCAVORE LUNCH.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT.
In order to make appropriate & sustainable arrangements kindly RSVP your attendance (Name and address or email)
by email: tprigge@manitowoc.org or call 686-6980.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Antioxidants
According to research done by Allison Byrum of the American Chemical Society, organic produce shows significantly higher levels of antioxidants than conventional. Studies have shown that fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides and herbicides contain 50% to 60% more antioxidants than their sprayed counterparts. The same antioxidants that fight diseases and pests in the plant leaf work similar magic in the human body, protecting us not so much against hornworms as against various diseases, cell aging, and tumor growth. Spending extra money on organic produce buys these extra nturients, with added environmental benefits for the well-being of future generations. A win-win.
Excerpt by Camille Kingsolver from Animal, Vegetable Miracle www.animalvegetablemiracle.com
Excerpt by Camille Kingsolver from Animal, Vegetable Miracle www.animalvegetablemiracle.com
Friday, June 20, 2008
Farm Fresh Atlas Now Available
Farmers are recognizing the social and environmental advantages of sustainable agriculture. Many consumers are coming to appreciate the benefits of fresh and sustainably produced food. Such producers and consumers are being linked through such innovative arrangments as community supported agriculture and farmers' markets, community gardens and through publications such as the Farm Fresh Atlas. Visit http://www.farmfresheastwi.org/ to access the Eastern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas. All farms listed in the Atlas pledge that their farm is:
- family or cooperative owned
- committed to reducing the application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
- operate in a way that protests and sustains the region's land and water resources
- treat animals with care and respect
- provide safe and fair working conditions for employees
- sell Wisconsin products that they grow or help produce on the farm.
Check out this guide to find farms near you raising and selling natural meats, fruits, vegetables, etc. Yum!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Nutrition Transition
Consider this counter-intuitive statistic...something is wrong with our priorities:
Globally speaking, people consume more soft drinks and packaged foods as they grow more affluent; home-cooked meals of fresh ingredients are the mainstay of rural, less affluent people. This link between economic success and nutritional failure has become so wide-spread, it has a name: the nutrition transition. --Barbara Kingsolver, "Animal, Vegetable Miracle"
Globally speaking, people consume more soft drinks and packaged foods as they grow more affluent; home-cooked meals of fresh ingredients are the mainstay of rural, less affluent people. This link between economic success and nutritional failure has become so wide-spread, it has a name: the nutrition transition. --Barbara Kingsolver, "Animal, Vegetable Miracle"
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Oily Food
Excerpt from Barbara Kingsolver's: 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle'
Americans put almost as much fossil fuel into our refrigerators as our cars. We're consuming about 400 gallons of oil a year per citizen -- about 17% of our nation's energy use -- for agriculture, a close second to our vehicular use. Tractors, combines, harvesters, irrigation, sprayers, tillers, balers, and other equipment alluse petroleum. Even bigger gas guzzlers on the farm are not the machines, but so-called inputs. Synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides use oil and natural gas as their starting materials, and in their manufacturing. More than a quarter of all farming energy goes into synthetic fertilizers.
But getting the crop from seed to harvest takes only 1/5 of the total oil used for our food. The lion's share is consumed during the trip from the farm to your plate. Each food item in a typical U.S. meal has traveled an average of 1,500 miles. In addition to direct ransport, other fuel-thirsty steps included processing (drying, milling, cutting, sorting, baking), packaging, warehousing, and refrieration. Energy calories consumed by prodution, packaging, and shipping far outweigh the energy calories we receive from the food.
A quick way to improve food-related fuel economy would be to buy a quart of motor oil and drink it (not recommended!). More palatable options are available. If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country's oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. That's not gallons, but barrels. Small changes in buying habits can make big differences. Becoming a less energy-dependent nation may just need to start with a good breakfast.
Thanks to Barbara Kingsolver for articulating this issue. If you have not yet read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", it's certainly worth it. www.kingsolver.com
Americans put almost as much fossil fuel into our refrigerators as our cars. We're consuming about 400 gallons of oil a year per citizen -- about 17% of our nation's energy use -- for agriculture, a close second to our vehicular use. Tractors, combines, harvesters, irrigation, sprayers, tillers, balers, and other equipment alluse petroleum. Even bigger gas guzzlers on the farm are not the machines, but so-called inputs. Synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides use oil and natural gas as their starting materials, and in their manufacturing. More than a quarter of all farming energy goes into synthetic fertilizers.
But getting the crop from seed to harvest takes only 1/5 of the total oil used for our food. The lion's share is consumed during the trip from the farm to your plate. Each food item in a typical U.S. meal has traveled an average of 1,500 miles. In addition to direct ransport, other fuel-thirsty steps included processing (drying, milling, cutting, sorting, baking), packaging, warehousing, and refrieration. Energy calories consumed by prodution, packaging, and shipping far outweigh the energy calories we receive from the food.
A quick way to improve food-related fuel economy would be to buy a quart of motor oil and drink it (not recommended!). More palatable options are available. If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country's oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. That's not gallons, but barrels. Small changes in buying habits can make big differences. Becoming a less energy-dependent nation may just need to start with a good breakfast.
Thanks to Barbara Kingsolver for articulating this issue. If you have not yet read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", it's certainly worth it. www.kingsolver.com
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