Waupaca Environmentalist

https://www.nbc26.com/news/local-news/community-divided-over-proposed-digester-coming-to-waupaca-county

Community divided over proposed digester coming to Waupaca County A well-known northeast Wisconsin dairy farm is hoping to bring a digester to the operation to transform food waste and manure into renewable energy, but some neighbors are concerned.

FYI

Over the last 49 years, parts of Wisconsin have said goodbye to HALF of their usual snowfall from September through November (Fall).

This last November specifically, nearly ALL of Wisconsin recorded less than average snowfall. Hit particularly hard was northwest Wisconsin where places like Eau Claire which recorded their 7th least snowiest November with only 1" accumulated.

FYI

Don't let yourself be Californicated ... why planning and ex*****on of a plan is important.

Ice Age Trail improvements at Iola Winter Sports Club segment https://headspringis.com/ice-age-trail-improvements-at-iola-winter-sports-club-segment/

Maybe we have a way to go …

Trouble for climate goals in New York and California

Info on current heat wave

Keeping you updated

This day is history

From Farmers Almanac e-letter

Clean energy

Very interesting research

Fungi could revolutionize fireproofing. Here's how Mycelium-based materials are lightweight, sustainable, biodegradable, and can withstand temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius. They could also transform fireproofing.

Information courtesy of Daily on Energy, Washington Examiner, July 27

FYI

Chris Helzer studied one square meter of prairie for a year to create the beautiful exhibit, Hidden Prairie, on display now in the lower level Exhibit Room at the library. His beautiful photographs capture the magic around us if we take a minute to look closely. We are thankfully to our friends at University of Nebraska State Museum - Morrill Hall for loaning this exhibit to us!

FYI

SOLD OUT! "Lawn Gone Native" Native Lawn Site Tour August 8: If you are interested in learning about plants native to Central Wisconsin & how you could use them in your yard, join local experts from UW-SP, Wild Ones Central Wisconsin, and Portage Co. Land Conservation for a walking tour and classroom session.

https://stevenspoint.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=5849&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

FYI

Join us tomorrow (Thursday) at 1pm in the Exhibit Room for our next Citizen Science Experience-learn all about MONARCH butterflies. We'll have caterpillars, chrysalises and might even release a butterfly on our front lawn!

FYI

Have you come across a fawn in your yard or while on a walk recently? If so, you might have wondered if the fawns need help. The good news is, most of the time, they don’t!

Moms leave their babies alone as a survival strategy. Fawns are born with a spotted coat and a soft scent that help them stay safe. Mom knows that being around her fawns will draw attention, so she leaves them alone and checks on them periodically throughout the day.

That’s why if you spot a fawn alone this spring, remember this phrase: if you care, leave them there. A wild animal’s best chance of survival is with its mother, so don’t move the fawn.

Learn more about what you should do if you find a fawn or other young wild animal at https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/orphan.html

A fun way to help the environment!

Congratulations! Thanks for your dedication.

Congratulations to our amazing chapter volunteers that received recognition at the 2023 Ice Age Trail Alliance Annual Conference. These people are why our trail is so special. Please join us in celebrating their achievements.

100 hours of service: Tim McAuliffe, Laticia Baudhuin, Raymond Disterhaft, Steve Hall, Lynn Larson, Carol Moore, Mary Nennig, Therese Riedel, Rich Roe and Mary Stewart

250 hours of service: Tim McAuliffe and Jeff Pepp

500 hours of service: Gail Colrud

20 years of service: Dan Bartell and Ruth Sommers

In-The-Mud award: Ruth Sommers and Mike Pelech

Thousand Miler Award: Teresa Aspeslet

Do something nice for your Mother Earth this Saturday!

Something of interest for you in Amherst

Save the date

Biden admits fossil fuels with us till 2050 https://headspringis.com/biden-admission-all-the-above-fuel-through-2050/

What a great summer job!

What has amazing views, cool equipment and a new set of challenges every day? Working for Wisconsin State Parks! We are now hiring for summer seasonal staff.

We have seasonal positions available at parks, forests, trails and recreation areas across the state. Responsibilities include a wide range of tasks, such as providing customer service to visitors, mowing and grounds maintenance, managing campsites and reservations, public safety, interpretive signage and educational outreach, land management and more. Positions are available in urban and rural locations.

Sound exciting? If you’re looking for a new way to experience the Wisconsin state park system, try working for your favorite outdoor place for a behind-the-scenes perspective.

Find and apply for positions at https://wisc.jobs/Pages/Agency/DNR.aspx?unit=37000 .

Virtual Event: Wisconsin’s amphibians and reptiles need love too!

Join us over the lunch hour at this upcoming webinar to dive into the wonderful world of amphibians and reptiles!

We’ll hear from Dr. Joshua Kapfer, professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Certified Wildlife Biologist ®, and editor of the long-awaited Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin book, and Rori Paloski, conservation biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The two will share information about the amphibians and reptiles that call Wisconsin home – including the mudpuppy. They’ll also describe what conservation efforts are underway to protect them, and what people can do to help.

When: Tuesday, February 21st, 12-1 p.m.

Where: Zoom Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qhqqaL-sT4K3TRvOZtOrrQ?_x_zm_rtaid=4UIR5YhrQiWWFh79jCdwFQ.1675090992341.61f6ef41576547b8d073e44c4c6260db&_x_zm_rhtaid=843

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Wisconsin's Amphibians and Reptiles. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Wisconsin's Amphibians and Reptiles. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

EARTH'S OZONE LAYER STATUS

Earth's Ozone layer is on track to recover in the coming decades. The announcement follows the release of a U.N.-backed report showing that 99% of ozone-depleting substances were successfully phased out in line with an international treaty established at the end of the 20th century.
More:
• The ozone layer is a component of the Earth's stratosphere that protects life on the planet from harmful levels of solar radiation.
• Scientists discovered in the 1970s that chemicals known chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could release ozone-depleting chlorine when they interact with UV radiation.
• In May 1985, scientists discovered a hole in the Earth's ozone layer, alarming the international community.
• In 1987, the International community finalized The Montreal Protocol, which aimed to phase out almost 100 synthetic chemicals that weaken the ozone layer.
• Over 197 states have since ratified the treaty, leading to the removal of 99% of banned ozone-depleting substances, according to a recent report.
• The U.N. announced that by 2040 the ozone layer is expected to return to values last seen in 1980 if the phaseout of ozone-depleting substances remains in effect.
– Inside Daily Brief, Jan. 11, 2023