cpsnews spring 10

G R O W I N G G R E E N T O G E T H E R

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Coulee Partners for Sustainability

Think About WaterWisconsin uses a total of more than 7 billion gallons of water per day, about 80 percent of it to produce electricity.

Information from: WIsconsin DNR

SPRING Newsletter 2010

Living respectfully, responsibly and reverently with one another and with Earth.

Wisconsin farmers now irrigate more than 340,000 acres, three times the number of acres they irrigated in 1969.

Wisconsin uses an average of 56 gallons (212 liters) of water per day per person from public water supplies and private wells. The national per capita average is 90 gallons (341 liters) a day.

Wisconsin has 1.4 million dairy cows, each of which needs to drink 45 gallons (170 liters) of water a day to produce 100 pounds (45 kg), or 12 gallons (45 liters), of milk.

Wisconsin Water Library

Bordered by two of the Great Lakes—the largest system of freshwater on the planet—Wisconsin has an abundant supply of high-quality water. Early French explorers called this area “Ouisconsin,” derived from a Native American word meaning “gathering of the waters.” The stateʼs liquid assets include more than 32,000 miles of perennial rivers and streams, more than 15,000 lakes, and more than 5 million acres of wetlands.

And the state is framed by water: there are more than 800 miles of Great Lakes shoreline on the north and east, and more than 190 miles of Mississippi River shoreline on the west. It also has an enormous supply of groundwater—an estimated two quadrillion gallons flows in its subterranean depths.

Find out more at: http://aqua.wisc.edu/waterlibrary/Default.aspx?tabid=62

C O U L E E P A R T N E R S F O R S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

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Water affects every aspect of our lives, yet nearly one billion people around the world don't have clean drinking water, and 2.6 billion still lack basic sanitation. World Water Day, celebrated annually on March 22, was established by the United Nations in 1992 and focuses attention on the world's water crisis, as well as the solutions to address it.

This year, a collaborative of US-based organizations have joined to raise awareness and call for stronger commitments from governments, the private sector, and US citizens for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives in low-income countries.

By deploying the solutions that already exist, we can save the lives of thousands of children each day, advance education and employment - especially among women and girls - and fuel economic growth around the world.

Learn more about the events planned in Washington DC and around the country for World Water Day 2010 and find out how you can take action to help make clean water and sanitation a reality for people around the globe. More information at: www.waterday.org

Read More about the global water crisis in the April issue of National Geographic, on newsstands March 30, 2010.

http://www.waterday.org

http://www.waterday.org


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1. Don't over water your lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A hearty rain eliminates the need for watering for as long as two weeks. Plant it smart, Xeriscape. Xeriscape landscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain both your plantings and irrigation system that will save you time, money and water.

2. Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.

3. Don't water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position your sprinklers so that your water lands on the lawn and shrubs ... not the paved areas.

4. Install sprinklers that are the most water-efficient for each use. Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of water-efficient methods of irrigation.

5. Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly. It is now the law that "anyone who purchases and installs an automatic lawn sprinkler system MUST install a rain sensor device or switch which will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred." To retrofit your existing system, contact an irrigation professional for more information.

6. Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.

7. Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.

8. Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water.

9. Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they do not need to be watered as frequently and they usually will survive a dry period without any watering. Group plans together based on similar water needs.

10. Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.

11. Outfit your hose with a shut-off nozzle which can be adjusted down to fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, "Turn it Off" at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.

12. Use hose washers between spigots and water hoses to eliminate leaks. 13. Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. Your garden hoses can pour out 600 gallons or more

in only a few hours, so don't leave the sprinkler running all day. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn it off.

14. Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly. 15. Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the

grass to do so. 16. Avoid the installation of ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless the water is recycled.

Save Water Outdoors:


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Save Water Indoors:

1. Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.

2. Verify that your home is leak-free, because many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

3. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year which will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or strain your septic system.

4. Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank.)

5. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

6. Take shorter showers. Replace you showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.

7. Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by closing the drain first and filling the tub only 1/3 full. Stopper tub before turning water. The initial burst of cold water can be warmed by adding hot water later.

8. Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.

9. Retrofit all wasteful household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors. 10. Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level

for the size of load you are using. 11. When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream

from the faucet. 12. Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water. 13. Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using

the defrost setting on your microwave. 14. Kitchen sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of

disposing food waste instead of using a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals also can add 50% to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to malfunctions and maintenance problems.

15. Consider installing an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up. This will reduce heating costs for your household.

16. . Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up. 17. Never install a water-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning system. Air-to-air models are just as efficient and do not

waste water. 18. Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum amount of

regenerations necessary to maintain water softness. Turn softeners off while on vacation. 19. Check your pump. If you have a well at your home, listen to see if the pump kicks on and off while the water is not in

use. If it does, you have a leak. 20. When adjusting water temperatures, instead of turning water flow up, try turning it down. If the water is too hot or

cold, turn the offender down rather than increasing water flow to balance the temperatures. 21. If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.


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Water Problems Close to Home


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Mark your calendars for the 2010 La Crosse Earth Month celebration hosted by the La Crosse Earth Week Coalition! The La Crosse Earth Week Coalition (LEWC) is a group of public, private and non‐profit organizations working together to improve the quality of the environment in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. This year's theme, "40 Years of Going Green Together,” is an invitation to all sectors of our community – from public, private, and non‐profit organizations to individuals – to celebrate Earth Dayʼs 40th anniversary by seeking ways to reduce our impact on the environment – not only during Earth Month, but throughout 2010 and beyond. (Name of organization) is proud to be a Partner of 2010 La Crosse Earth Month by helping to promote “Earth Month” activities being held during the month of April. 2010 La Crosse Earth Month will begin with a proclamation from La Crosse Mayor Matt Harter and County Board Chair Steve Doyle, declaring the month of April to be designated as “Earth Month” for both the City and County of La Crosse. “Earth Month” activities include: An Earth Fair and Green Expo; a presentation by Will Allen of Growing Power Inc.; “Earth Day” Concert featuring 3-time Grammy Award-winning singer Bill Miller with Dan Sebranek; “Sacred Ground” talk with Bill Miller; Greens, Eggs, and Cheese Gala; Green Rock Fest; Green Film Festival; Sustainable Farm Tours; Green Homes Tours; “Pull the Plug” Day; various childrenʼs “green” events and much more! The following are dates for just some of the activities:

• Greens, Eggs, and Cheese Gala – April 5th, Myrick Hixon EcoPark• Voluntary “Pull The Plug” Day! – April 11th

• Will Allen, Growing Power Inc. – April 13th, UW-L Graff Main Hall Auditorium• “Food, Inc” – April 15th, Franciscan Spirituality Center• Sustainable Farms Bus Tour – April 17th, Ridgeland Harvest & Small Family CSA• Sacred Ground talk with Bill Miller – April 22nd, Viterbo Fine Arts Center• Earth Day Concert featuring Bill Miller with Dan Sebranek – April 22nd, The Cargill Ballroom at The Waterfront Restaurant• Green Rock Fest – April 23rd, Concordia Ballroom• Earth Fair – April 24th, Three Rivers Waldorf School• Green Expo – April 24th, Western Technical College Lunda Center• Green Homes Bus Tour – April 25th – Roald Gundersen and Guy Wolf homes • Hans Mayer Childrenʼs Concert – April 30th & May 1st, Myrick Hixon EcoPark

“Earth Month Supporter” window clings will be available for a $1 suggested donation at various La Crosse area businesses and organizations. For a list of the locations, as well as more information on Earth Month events and Partners and Sponsors, go to www.greenlacrosse.com.

Please support 2010 La Crosse Earth Month!

http://www.greenlacrosse.com/

http://www.greenlacrosse.com/


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Today, NWEI offers eight study guides for small groups. These self-guided discussion courses are offered in workplaces, homes, faith centers, neighborhoods, and community centers throughout North America.

NWEI programs encourage participants to explore their values, attitudes, and actions through discussion with other people. These programs are organized around three key principles:

• An earth-centered ethic promoting individual responsibility for the Earth.

• The practice of engaged simplicity to enrich life and reduce personal impact on the

Earth.• A dedication to living fully in

place and protecting the unique bioregion in which

you live.

Discussion CoursesNWEI's hallmark program is a series of discussion courses available for small groups anywhere in the United States. The courses provide an enjoyable, supportive setting in which to examine personal values and habits, engage in stimulating conversation, create meaningful community, and consider ways to take action towards creating a more sustainable future.

NWEI discussion course study guides are manuals for a self-

facilitated course experience, taken informally by small groups in a home, at your workplace, your center of faith or, any place where people naturally gather.

There is no outside presenter or teacher of these discussion courses. Rather, anyone can organize a group in their community with the role of facilitator rotating with each meeting.

These programs emphasize individual responsibility, the importance of a supportive community, and the dual need to walk lightly on and to take action on behalf of the Earth.

Course OfferingsGlobal Warming: Changing CO2urse A four-session course exploring the history and science of global warming, personal values and habits as they relate to climate change, and personal actions to curb the effects of global warming.

Voluntary SimplicityA seven-session course addressing the distractions of modern society that keep us from caring for ourselves, our relationships, and the environment. Choices for Sustainable LivingA seven-session course exploring the meaning of sustainable living and the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on ecological systems.

Healthy Children - Healthy PlanetA seven-session course that discusses how the pervasive effects of advertising, media, and our consumer culture can influence a child's view of the world.

Discovering a Sense of PlaceA seven-session course focusing on knowing and protecting our place. Globalization and Its CriticsAn eight-session course exploring how global trade is affecting the environment, local economies, and social and cultural customs throughout the world.

Sustainable Systems at Work A five-session course for the workplace, designed to further organizational sustainability initiatives.

Reconnecting with Earth A six-session course for the workplace, faith center, or home addressing core values and how they affect the way we view and treat the Earth.

If you know of a group that would be interested in holding one of these discussion course please let us know.

orIf you would like to be a facilitator for a group we can help you and you will help us.


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Become a Member of:

Coulee Partners for SustainabilityLiving respectfully, responsibly and reverently with one another and with Earth.

NAME: ______________________________________

ADDRESS: ______________________________ City: ________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: _______________

PHONE: _______- _______- _____________

EMAIL ADDRESS: _________________________________

_______$15 Individual _______$25 Family _______$100 Business/Institution _______$10 Student

Would you like to get involved in CPS sustainable projects? (please check all that apply)

_____Occasionally for specific projects ______Planning or Administration

Study Circle Facilitating: _____The Natural Step _____Northwest Earth Institute_____Film/Other Books

Join a Committee: _____ Local Foods & Sustainable Agriculture (LASA)

_____ Neighborhoods/Housing Task Force

_____ Business/Green Economy Task Force

Suggestions for CPS: ____________________________________________________________________________

Send to: CPS, c/o Glen Jenkins, 2642 Hackberry Lane, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601

CPS is a 501-C3 non-profit, organization. All contributions are tax deductible.

Purpose: Promote sustainable practices in the Coulee Region.

Business: Advocate Natural Step Principles:• Educate• Foster and showcase sustainable practices• Facilitate “Green Group” networking

With the realization that human welfare is directly dependent on the health of the planet and that our welfare cannot be achieved at the expense of the planet. Coulee Partners for Sustainability will work with individuals, environmental organizations, educational institutions, businesses and governmental bodies to educate and create environmentally sustainable practices.

cpsnews spring 10

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