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February 2011
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Dear Living Green 365 readers,
It may be hard to believe, but spring is just around the corner. Gardening plans
and summer house projects are being furiously planned on kitchen tables throughout
the state. This month, be sure to plan for a project that benefits our lakes and
rivers. Afterall, it won't be long until you dream of jumping in one on a hot summer
day...
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[This land is your land, this land is my land]
What you can do to help Minnesota's water
When spring arrives, the snow will melt in your yard.
The snow may form puddles that seep slowly into the ground. Or, it may get soaked
up by the roots of a tree. Some of it will flow over your lawn and into a storm
drain on the street. On the way, it will likely carry dirt from your yard, road
salts from your car, and bacteria from Rover's droppings.
Unfortunately, these materials impact Minnesota's prized waters. Up to 40 percent
of Minnesota's lakes and streams don't meet water quality standards. Everyone's
efforts--urban and rural, apartment-dweller and landowner--are needed to keep our
lakes and rivers clean.
Your watershed
Where does your water go? Minnesota has 81 major watersheds, or areas that drain
to the same body of water. These major watersheds contain all the streams and lakes
close to your home. Find the name of your watershed on this map [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T_FywlN6Q4ml53Scy_7psmIgABrN8XtFAmSn-0ITMuL7LAzmpHwR8-NJ1yyqZTSF-IajJxKq7Vg1LjGuhJ4f1iE9y-9bfB1Gjl_ev37m1WLGxpuUl0_QwBcwZUx65VE9pcFtPwzN9_yP16yLxdpuuSD3mJdBGnaDtRhPhuH6wUHSYs_P4UcyBXiTDsW5rKzcUPXaonykavBdT-7lJhvNNJvjJNBf-plxndAFsWrUK12pDcr-viU6zZNNOtrmpg_hw_k35Laj8k6oATLaq8cOVbj].
You are connected to your watershed, and you have a special responsibility for it
too.
What you can do
There are dozens of things you can do at home to improve or protect water in our
state--even if you don't live close to a lake or river! Challenge yourself to do
at least one of these actions for water quality this spring.
* Plant a rain garden. A rain garden allows stormwater to soak into the ground before
it runs off.The Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T9iTpGaiEyF66-dYmetnIKZ0HI_VlIJEOXKQYwgzzAZz-wFV27v_PrY4DCDxR5LvnElYKOvOuvas3FKP_U-3C3RZGqfIGIlASGS9wFoIjuIvRKMwr5_qKo4mTuDK_XBlbs=]leads
you through the steps of designing and installing a rain garden.
* Replace a sidewalk, driveway, or patio. Rain will not soak through your roof,
driveway, or regular brick patio. These surfaces are impermeable. When you are planning
changes to your house or lot, think about reducing the size of these impermeable
surfaces. For areas where hard surfaces are necessary, consider pavers that let
water through.
* Install a rain barrel. Rain barrels can be fancy or simple, but the basic structure
is to have a barrel at the end of a downspout. The barrel has a spigot or hose that
you can use to water your garden or yard.
* Plant a tree. Trees slow down rain as it falls through their canopy, thereby reducing
erosion. They also hold soil in place with their roots and absorb lots of water.
Visitwww.MNtrees.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T_mMz5p2X_0y39tMjFe32yT3w17kAlDzRfjQta-PJ3WApd-OP4JIIg-JbmpPuPyaMtTq3prd-MCFXzgRxHcPytuChPpenBvlKAWlr-kSbF5XQ==]for
information about growing and caring for trees.
* Maintain your septic system. Septic systems that work properly minimize the risk
of leaks and contaminating the groundwater. Learn how your system works and what
to do to maintain it on the U of M Extension's Septic System webpage:http://septic.umn.edu/owners/index.htm
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T_N6mjd3_wXqJAjvhHKJj996fJm4Iz_3huDSB5pqR3QgbQSLGAKyLK7agtScNzWyMf7-joG1FakHm5x0SKnWb-18yCrVb7T-RcVWa9DKPQez9tYzZ5kGhZjpnE87_PqUpA=].
* Always pick up after your dog. Though dog waste may be "natural," the volume of
dog poop in our cities and its location--next to sidewalks and storm drains--is
not. If dog waste is not picked up, rain washes bacteria and extra "fertilizer"
into our water.
* Hook up with your local watershed district to get involved. Watershed districts
are local, special-purpose units of government that work to solve and prevent water-related
problems.Your watershed district [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T_SuhURai6zfmeLCuz-ugVYd_E6QCnHobWECLTvhzYorjqpzBwordLzYI8aqi01ewalFX1BBkKQwQXAcMTq1_TF4htqmX68cPOevmWyGnv4Eu2KOfG9Ie4Nf0gTqfzzzO9xDUtEdruf8Ds2N4NHT7TZAm6Zsb4NOpC3bheMr5pGpiqpYVS5t5i4JugeGiWK8zzTICadPsOW43zw_LQayp1I]can
connect you with projects and volunteer opportunities in your area.
* Volunteer to monitor a lake or stream. Monitoring our lakes and streams allows
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to better protect and restore Minnesota's
water. Read about theMPCA's citizen monitoring program [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T9eopsLRzuaIngGvyj06RNcpFLgqans_E2gdpHOMbAA9gBGeQn93_rLprTqzdslMe_s7ou7iYUvHphTwUkYFJA7vlCCmofq_k9z-UoGrg_Mts5IQLc0fCl1f5Ry3nyq8Ptgcpw_ULifV3QOStXKMRo3pgSLTLVOaKCaVADRe-ZoSRoZHgTie-A1otwSXJsJClCUtmeAWGVT36mGVnNK5lmWa7GWLJGaqoc7JqwFffy3l7HgeXkQBcFK0xi_B9bZCAI6z1gfsIytlw==].
* Learn more. The 2011 Lakes and Rivers Conference [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T8M4GrRnOadbmUSMxJvddFU0ebMWFtwdIxOfzrjQkJBwR71mWN215DqC94H1-uNyzs94UtJ7rvGLa57zyAUcmeDt8wg-0Vot0ickKEVs4Da9ENe_hFl-E8CU31yHsQbdR__Gole1lKnSw==],
a conference for citizens put on by Minnesota Waters, is April 28-29, 2011. Workshops
at the conference will cover aquatic invasive species, understanding state and local
policy, best practices for clean water, and water quality challenges.
Share your story, action, commitment or project with us on Facebook [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T_rD7ZhyGASHcUilidi8ZHDd2HhYdpSxAHYOqFin8iIL-tG7gLdFRlJQSIyQr_2pleHUXvPw60Rxi3hUfTpi_rDrE7yBGbD5lFsgqV75WUEUXhPA7OJlz2RuvhQiKzA_-Uo2JEpqEetUOppti5FYLMZ].
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[Days of our green lives]
Community events and resources
The Virtual Water Project would like to show the world how much freshwater is used
to produce selected products--hoping that people will rethink their consumption
patterns. Carry the Virtual Water app [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T8nmkFCgHPiMShNtoRwf2BxSLMOx-Pk_QxMm68Gzmzeb2F1Qddg8nntI_OnKJg7TPVH69kYQ7eAS8qFxPFJvz0_EHcWpicl5GONvPkZuqLu4w==]
on your phone and grow more conscious about how much water our everyday food and
beverages really consume.
Discover how people in the Brainerd area are leading Local Efforts in Sustainable
Forestry [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T_eStdBiA3o-eBMyIddDr3ojnqNcorC3UEeWPYZDlLi_Eb-wfSioAG6kX9ko7Txr8Ydw9ornWgYJHd-NoRLX6YnklfcF3bKtkPgGVgUtLqjrmM_RxuUKDIaowSftQujNL3JO32grAiLtD5lEWy14iTd]
using ecologically sound forestry practices, sustainable materials, conservation
partnership legacy grants, and the Sustainable Forestry Accreditation program,
February 17, 3-5 p.m., Minnesota Pollution Control Agency office (Baxter).
Explore growing systems for small scale organic production systems and organic strategies
for dealing with weeds, pests, and disease at the Permaculture Research Institute's
Principles and Practices of Organic Growing [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T9hjJ2rYry4nioXqMLiSJzc0DG9gRAeS4XywxqaSzzY9jtn6M_dBSMKjXDDH3OC_iVR2WGtvMzHnOY_E9tK6jwBDcftjUeSYpScVBF_tkCxI8D_uscMfWpJ5QIhSLIl7Bke_7JXLRmsbD6wq8fYbteP5rwblB42-MZprCCT0jLEktZvyru3iU2GCvt4SFicJHaskAX9-DlBkmgN3NzxDh7Q],
February 22, 6-8 p.m., Macalester College (St. Paul).
How is Minnesota's air quality and how can we help improve it? Learn all about it
at the Air Quality Forum [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T9UZBNTa5oXK5BdVngEdmwIfWci6R1Q2ke0ykqj7CvuUHh8aw4McEF3kxEBe3726ZxEKp5RSCQOGL6MHRP4flPpt-66de9jygaUBdLwOOvrSbP4s7iCN3M6pW6KlhBe5EOZm7P0JUpklKfeK3FWQk_ZN4xP2X6elnw=],
February 24, 7-9 p.m., Plymouth Congregational Church (Minneapolis).
The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society is hosting a one-day introductory course
for homeowners interested in learning "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About
Solar Water Heating [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T9sAfqu4Yr85GFZQSLK0QHGjJ21N3BuQfjgyRe8jdNRVPR2gCPxdK0uZmiLa57cd6Havbh4-gX5LqlhLW33P6p44HmfGTUq_54UIxk9c_yJjDWLp0TsRr-c],"
March 5, Century College (White Bear Lake).
The Elk River Energy Expo [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T-uX9n9Ztg6R06tY149DV52n5oLhPKco395AvrkPKKihiazWoUlTamQKLNeMKtXx8plxKT180vt-FJbkJUV5iBBs76HrQE7MOqXv0ajbCQ9SV2cDU7ODMzoZt05hLTSJ3iPqwvkOU9dsw==]
will feature legendary outdoorsman and champion of wildlife, Ron Schara, as keynote
speaker. Exhibits on energy saving products and services, terrific performances,
as well as activities for children are planned for the day, March 5, 10 a.m.-2
p.m., Elk River High School.
Look for more events on the SEEK [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T91B0677_nl-ZBgCxJLc4_GeJBUu91MhfH32eYNTVQqhjbf_8oZeFfgSy-nh7DPErojl_dUqFQHrckB3qQrv-G0zIc8qg9o_vlVuDKb2g1J088Nx0PR9SHFlNdNtsJnbOg=]
and NextStep [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T-cTnQzt7A_42CcrHc9fHArBKJs_guGgdiqbLNaU8pwuRDnphhqqUaQEQSU-PXOIVHKSVG5e0Hs4CMpnguiA0nYe2TpzvvJ66zTh0Uqm6M3NgdRTjAXGwqcyEeEEgMDJE4=]
calendars.
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[Quick links to other MPCA resources]
· The home of Living Green 365 on the web:www.pca.state.mn.us/living-green [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T-bc9INuLq1gUwEzuWiYAJ9Vo5H7Awrkf_sXWBOwTJKvVfyXnjYXBwjFVKgJu7UokphS19n9eicMzFdmWUN9C5-SD48lbwPLC9AxSTgVl38fNu6HqmyUFnyAl8SmhfDPcY=]
· Our web site about reducing your trash:reduce.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T9U3Fme-YR3maYfKblNfnkwZr_Bo-VmHmn6JrOPWwMDjY2ckLzT_bcJxWM6d-ViIDiN0WxYfX8kjdLdxmO308Sil825jjC_dYs-htcUuwQH3w==]
· Resources for people teaching about our environment:SEEK [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T91B0677_nl-ZBgCxJLc4_GeJBUu91MhfH32eYNTVQqhjbf_8oZeFfgSy-nh7DPErojl_dUqFQHrckB3qQrv-G0zIc8qg9o_vlVuDKb2g1J088Nx0PR9SHFlNdNtsJnbOg=]
· A clearinghouse for sustainability tools and initiatives:NextStep [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T-cTnQzt7A_42CcrHc9fHArBKJs_guGgdiqbLNaU8pwuRDnphhqqUaQEQSU-PXOIVHKSVG5e0Hs4CMpnguiA0nYe2TpzvvJ66zTh0Uqm6M3NgdRTjAXGwqcyEeEEgMDJE4=]
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You can read past newsletters atlivinggreen.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T9GzL1bUWt7kIkVQf8GTJhfcUpyOq6wydFIbQeBuSaDgmFNyQgmxqVTKPfnyuu2bj860l8YUEVPZatg6w2WOtoPH7C1vNJCtloVfCnnK0WNQg==].
Send questions or comments about living green to the address below.
Sincerely,
Britt Gangeness and the Living Green Team
livinggreen365.pca@state.mn.us [mailto:livinggreen365.pca@state.mn.us]
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=tsmzpfbab&et=1104112338024&s=14296&e=001pNlQ_Hi84T-E58G7dk2PINnqUKllW39J-P8ajN2WG87Mq5YRXRfeFmeGR1XRhEKu5kuP8ShtnCFv6lqsEx5Mj_-l70mgBTml_iN-3Q8ebdc5g4w6sC5biA==]
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