Sidewalk Salt and the Effects on Lakes and Rivers

Sidewalk salt: It’ll keep you on your feet, but too much is bad for lakes and rivers

Submitted by Lori Carlson on November 29, 2010 - 6:00am, Prior Lake American

By Dan Miller, Guest Commentary

Where does sidewalk salt go after it melts the ice and snow on our driveways and sidewalks?
This salty water flows into our storm ponds, wetlands, rivers and lakes. And high concentrations of sidewalk salt (sodium chloride) in our water negatively affect wildlife habitat and water quality, including the water we drink.
This winter, we can protect our water resources by trying these snow season tips:
* Use shovels, snow blowers and ice scrapers to remove snow and ice.
* Use de-icers like sidewalk salt sparingly and clean up any extra.
* Save the leftover sidewalk salt to use again after another snowfall.
* Buy environmentally friendly de-icers, which are better for our water, pets and landscapes.

* Treat the pavement before a snowfall with liquid salt brine (23-percent salt mixed with water).

* If you notice excess salt on a parking lot or sidewalk near you, talk to the property owner about safer alternatives.
Our lakes and rivers may freeze over this winter, but we still need to remember that what we put on our driveways and sidewalks will eventually end up in the nearest lake or river. Clean driveways and sidewalks mean clean water.
Dan Miller is coordinator for the Scott Clean Water Education Program. Contact Dan at (952)492-5424 or dmiller@co.scott.mn.us.

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RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAYS

(credit: CBS)

From sgendreau

It’s that time of year again, bring out your holiday lights and detangle the wadded mess! But what do you do with the strings that no longer light up?  Don’t throw them out, RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAYS^TM!

Home Energy Squad from Xcel Energy and Centerpoint Energy and ACE Hardware invite you to drop off your holiday lights at participating Ace Hardware locations. Collection bins will also be located at WCCO TV, so feel free to drop them off when you make your trip to the 2010 Target Holidazzle Parade.

In partnership with the Recycling Association of Minnesota, RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAYS^TM is a recycling program that disassembles every single part of your used light strings without it going into the landfills.  Plus, your donations will provide employment, training and job opportunities through Project for Pride in Living and Adult Training and Habilitation Center.

List of participating Ace Hardware locations.

RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAYS^TM Presented by:

Student Input Needed for DNR Parks and Trails

We’re now launching the first Students Speak Out project on Citizens League’s own software platform – CitiZing! Youth and adults like you are coming together to inform the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (the DNR) about your experiences with Minnesota’s Parks and Trails as well as your ideas about how to spend the legacy funds (new tax dollars MN’s voted to specifically be targeted toward parks and trails in the 2008 election).

This will be a 5 week discussion, with one poll and discussion per week. The first discussion (up right now) will last 2 weeks. After all the discussions, a plan for spending the funds will be drawn up based on what we learn from you. You’ll have a chance to review and comment on the results, and then they’ll be submitted to the Minnesota Legislature!

Here’s how you get started (6 steps: about 15 minutes of your time):

1.       Sign-up for CitiZing and customize your page.

2.       Join the SSO DNR Project for teens: http://www.citizing.org/projects/ssodnr : Adults please join here http://www.citizing.org/projects/parkslegacy

3.       Click on “Introduce yourself” and share one thing you love about Minnesota Parks and Trails.

4.       Take the weekly quick poll: What milestones and markers will we (the DNR) reach in 3-5 years that show we're on the right path with the legacy funds?

5.       Elaborate on your weekly quick poll answer in the weekly discussion.

6.       Visit the SSO Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/studentsspeakout   If you haven’t already, please “like” it. Facebook is a great way to stay informed as new polls and discussions come up.

Lastly, please help us spread the word. Please forward this email to your friends and family.

Recycling Glass is Where it's At!

Look here for reasons and reminders on why recycling glass is important!

Project FeederWatch - Engage with the Outdoors with an Easy Family Activity

By sharing information about which birds visit their feeders between November and April, backyard and schoolyard bird watchers can help scientists track changes in bird numbers and movements from year to year. You and your students can be part of Project FeederWatch, a citizen-science program from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada for people of all ages and skill levels. The program can help engage children in nature study and scientific investigation by encouraging careful observation and note-taking; stimulating children to ask questions about the natural world; promoting independent study; and providing opportunities for meaningful internet use and exploration.

Bird counting begins on November 13. Register at the Project FeederWatch website. The site also contains a live “bird cam,” bird photographs, information on birds and bird feeding, and tips for identifying various species.