10 Simple Ways To Conserve Water!

1.) Don't let water run while washing hands.


2.) Don't allow water to run while cleaning the dishing, if doing them by hand.


3.) Adjust sprinklers so it is only for the lawn and not going off into the sidewalk or other parts of the house etc.


4.) Have a  huge glass jar full of cold water, and keep it in the fridge, this way you can use it and not waste water by running tap water every time you want a nice, cold, glass of water.


5.) Water that you use to clean fruits/vegetables, you can reuse this water and use it to water your plants inside/outside.


6.) Shorten your shower by 1 or 2 minutes!


7.) Check if you have a leak in your toilet, if you do, this could save up to 1,000 gallons of water a year!!

8.) Don't use running water to thaw food,  place into a large container that you can fill up with water, let sit for however long time period is needed for the food.


9.) TURN off faucet after use!


10.) Turn off water while brushing teeth for 25 secs. save 25 gallons a month!


For more fun water conserving ideas check out this website: http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php




Posted and Written By: Callie Beth Angsten

invasive species

Invasive species are those plants or animals that are not native, and affect the particular habitats of native born creatures.  Here are some tips to help avoid invasive species in your own home or garden!


Be careful of landscape disturbances
These plants can live on bare soil or rugged areas where native plants cannot thrive.  Watch out for areas like this, and keep plant beds where native plants thrive clean and tidy.


Be careful of your fertilizers
Go organic, or use compost or mulch piles.  Many invasive species can thrive off of soil with high nitrogen levels, so do a soil test before you put fertilizer onto into your soil.


control the situation before it gets out of hand
Scout out your gardens often, such as once or twice a week.  With any sign of invasive species, it is important to get them out right away.  Once a plant is settled in and spreads, it is much more difficult to control the situation.  Pull the weed out by the base of the root and throw it into a separate pile.  You can then dispose of them into something such as a compost pile.


Invasive plants that are often found in Wisconsin include:
-blackberry lilly
-black locust
-buckthorn
-chicory
-orchard grass
-poison ivy
-spotted knapweed


Invasive species can come quickly, so be careful of them.  Any plants that are non native can destroy habitats of plants that you wish to have in your garden.  By pulling them right away, they will be much easier to manage.


-Posted and Written By: Melissa Luke

One Tree Goes A Long Way!

One simple and fun way to keep our environment up kept is by simply planting a tree.  Trees have so many benefits, such as shade, food, beautifying land, and creates better drainage for water.


In Wisconsin, there are many native plants and trees.  Here are only a few:
-Juniper
-Pine
-Birch
-Oak
-maple
walnut
-willow
One of Wisconsin's most popular trees are the great Oak trees!

HOW TO PLANT AN OAK TREE


-It's best to plant an oak tree during either spring or fall
-Dig a hole three times as wide as the base of the root, and slightly shallower than the entire base.
-place the tree in the center of the hole, and fill it back up with the native soil.
-mound the soil up high around the base of the tree. It should appear as if there's a mound around it
-Baby trees require a lot of water, to ensure that their roots are getting enough nutrients and can grow.
-water your new tree every three to four days


It's as simple as that! By planting a tree, you will have created something that will be around for hundreds of years.  They make life more pleasant, and help to beautify the land.  They also help to moderate the climate, improve water quality, improve air quality, and give a place for wildlife to live.  By doing your part, you're not only helping your environment, but also helping the quality and look of your home.


-Posted and Written by: Melissa Luke

Be Eco Friendly!

Here are 5 easy ways of going eco friendly and helping the environment!!

First, start washing your hands with cold water instead of waiting for the water to heat up. Hot water uses more energy and it can save you money and water!! I know cold water is sometimes a little hard to handle, but stick it out for a minute to help out good old Mother Nature.

Buy your own reusable bags for shopping!!!! This can save LOTS of plastic and money to produce it. You can find reusable bags anywhere!! Take a walk down to your local market and ask to buy of bags!! If you don’t want to spend money on a shopping bag, dig through your basement or closet and I am sure you will find something that works!!

Instead of taking a nice warm relaxing bath, take a quick shower to save water, money and energy. Taking a bath uses a ton of extra water than a ten-minute shower! I know a bath can be relaxing after a long day at work or after a huge exam, but think about all the water you would be wasting..

Winters in Wisconsin can get cold, but by turning the heat down by a degree or two saves you money. Wear sweatpants, socks, and a sweatshirt if your cold or even throw on a couple blankets to keep yourself warm!

Why get the newspaper every morning with pages flying out every where and flipping through the sports page to find something you read on the front cover, when you can read it online! This is a GREAT way to save paper and trees!! Start emailing your friends and family instead of writing letters. I know letters are old fashion and are awesome when you get them, but remember you will be saving trees!

I know we all think about ourselves and try to make ourselves happy, but at least once a day think about our environment. These things are not very hard to do and don’t take a lot of time either!! Yeah we all like our warm water, but don’t make the water so hot where your skin is like red because the waters so hot!! Bundle up when your cold especially if you live in the Midwest!!

Posted and Written By:Cheyanne Clure 

Car Pollution is BAD!!

Pollution is very dangerous to the environment and human health!! Car pollution can cause respiratory problems and even lung cancer. Car pollution affects the ground-level ozone and the ozone layer, which is designed to help protect plants and other organisms for harmful ultraviolet radiation rays.  Ground-level ozone causes hazy smoke from buildings or factors that can create respiratory problems. Vehicles cause a lot of the ozone pollution, because they release chemicals such as nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons. Ground-level ozone is being more popular in developed counties like the Untied States and Europe.

Car pollution is affecting our global warming, because cars release carbon dioxide which it dangerous to our health and the environment. The reason why so many people are becoming concerned with global warming is, because it is raising sea levels and dying coral reefs. This starts to become a problem, because coral reefs are where fish live and other living organisms under the sea.

The picture above is an example of a damaged coral reef bed due to global warming.

Global warming also affects weather conditions, because it can cause droughts or extreme severe storms. This causes a huge problem when it comes to habitats. Places like the rain forest or a jungle can’t survive if there are droughts all the time, because they need huge amounts of water to support living organisms.

Instead of driving around all the time, we should take more advantage of bus system for transportation, it is cheap and saves the environment!! When your going to work, try to find co-workers who work the same hours as you do and try and catch a ride with them instead of all driving separately, it will cut costs on gas expenses. Walk or ride a bike to your destination instead of driving a car!! This is a great source of exercise and will save you money so you don’t have to spend all your money on putting gas in your car!!! You could be spending that money on other things!!

So before you hop into your car, take a second and think about the environment and your health :)

Posted by Cheyanne Clure

OVERALL

When I first started this new class project, my ideas of it were much different than they are now.  I was very unsure of what id' really be like.  As I stared the project, my ideas quickly shifted.


From this experience I have learned several new things that I would not have otherwise.  Only a few specific components truly stood out to me though.


First off, it is helpful to act environmentally friendly in all and as many ways as possible, even if you don't feel the personal effects.  At the Urban Ecology Center they promote the idea of "acting locally,  thinking globally."  Every little bit really does help, and the world will change if everyone does their part to help make the world a better place.


There are more than one way to help out.  Everyone thinks of the usual planting of a tree or recycling their bottles, but in reality there is so much more.  All anyone needs to do is just get out there and open there eyes, opportunities are everywhere.  I never knew of this park, but because of the class it opened my eyes to just one more opportunity to help.


Finally, and most importantly, volunteer work can be fun! Sure, waking up early isn't always the best, but it is worth it.  In the end, the feeling you get makes it worth while, and you're never alone it it.  I've met several new people through this experience, which is another important part in life.  Not only did volunteering at the Urban Ecology Center teach me how to respect our earth, but it also introduced me to new friendly people, not so different from myself.

-Melissa Luke

Compost Piling

One technique I noticed being used at Washington Park was compost piles.  I've seen this before in my hometown, but have never really understood exactly how they worked.  The purpose of compost piles is to create home made mulch that helps moisturize and put nutrients into the soil it's placed on.  It protects the roots and plants, and enhances the soil.


The Urban Ecology Center does many good things to help the environment, but I feel most importantly they help to promote what they do, and how everyone can do their own part to help make our work a healthier place.


BUILD YOUR OWN COMPOST PILE


It can be easy and fun!
They help to complete any garden, anywhere!


Benefits:  conditions the soil, feeds soil microorganisms, helps plants stay healthy, adds nutrients, helps soil to properly drain


1. Find an out of sight location to built your new compost pile.
2.Use wire mesh or simple boards to create a corall for the compost
3.Add the two basic elements of a compost pile; green debris ( grass clippings ), and brown debris (dried leaves).  Do this one part green, two parts brown.  Continue adding these amounts until the pile is at least three cubit feet.
4. Add a shovel full of compost soil
5.Add enough moisture to help break down the compost,but not too much so that it is watery
6.Once a week, turn the pile from bottom to top to help it to mix easier, and keeping the pile from compacting.
7.After about two months, your compost pile will be finished!  You will know it's done if you cannot identify the original debris thrown in there, and if it does not heat up anymore.

Place the newly made compost into your garden, and watch them grow!


Reuse what you have, and it's easy to better the earth!


-Melissa Luke