Air Quality Watch March 7-8

The Wisconsin DNR has issued an Air Quality Watch for Particle Pollution effective 8:00 am Sunday, March 7, 2010 through 11:00 pm Monday, March 8, 2010 for Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond Du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood counties .

The watch is being issued because of the forecast for elevated levels of fine particles in the air. Fine particle pollution is composed of microscopic dust, soot, liquid droplets and smoke particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller. These fine particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, and wood burning.

The Air Quality Index is forecast to reach the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people in sensitive groups. People in those sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. When an air quality watch is issued, people in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities during the watch period.

People with lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and heart disease should pay attention to cardiac symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing and discomfort when taking a breath, and consult with their physician if they have concerns or are experiencing symptoms. Fine particle pollution deposits itself deep into the lungs and cannot easily be exhaled. People who are at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high particle pollution exposure.

Proctor & Gamble and Deforestation

P&G =

Green Bay is the original home of Charmin. Charmin was first manufactured in 1928 by the Hoberg Paper Company. Today, along with Bounty and Puffs, it is produced here by Proctor and Gamble. Unfortunately, P&G produces these products in a very unsustainable and ecologically destructive manner by clearcutting old-growth forests in Brazil and Canada.

Greenpeace has produced a Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide to help consumers learn more and make better decisions about these products.

Also, after finally convincing Kimberly Clark to change some of their practices, Greenpeace is now targeting Proctor & Gamble:

Tell Procter & Gamble that you're not the one cutting down forests

After nearly five years of Greenpeace's "Kleercut" campaign, Kimberly-Clark has agreed to stop wiping away ancient forests for disposable products. This is an enormous win for the North American Boreal Forest and all of the wolves, bears, caribou, and songbirds that call the forest home.

However, our work is not done. Tissue giants Procter & Gamble and Georgia Pacific have not committed to protecting ancient forests. Kimberly-Clark has proven that big companies can become big leaders in the battle to save our planet from environmental destruction, it’s time others follow suit.

Green Book Club - January 13

Green Bay's Green Book Club will be discussing James Howard Kunstler's "The Long Emergency." Please join us on January 13, 7:30 P.M., at the Daily Buzz! You can buy a copy of the book at discount at The Reader's Loft.

Green Bay Green Drinks - Dec. 17

Green Bay Green Drinks is a monthly 'social gathering' of environmentalists. We meet every third Thursday of the month at Kavarna Coffeehouse, on Broadway.

We start to gather shortly after 6pm, but don't worry if you can't show up until much later. Peak attendance has been 7:00-9:00 pm so far. The hours you attend will influence who you may meet, however. People come and go all evening until Kavarna closes at 10pm. Kavarna is a smokefree vegetarian coffeehouse/restaurant that sells bottled beers and wine. Soups, salads, chai and juices are among the many other offerings. All ages welcome. Feel free to bring your kids.

If some people suggest that "green" is your middle name, you'll probably find value in Green Drinks Green Bay. At this monthly event, people who have a passion for anything "environmental" meet for friendly conversation. Since we started in April 2005, we've been visited by folks with a wide variety of interests: science, art, politics, music, film, health, psychology, nutrition to name a few. Many work in an environmental field as professionals, educators, entrepreneurs or neighborhood activists. You never know who will be there! If you look elsewhere on the website www.greendrinks.org , you'll see that "Green Drinks" is an international movement.

See http://www.kavarna.com/ for directions to Kavarna at 112 S. Broadway, located on downtown Green Bay's near west side.

Look for the group with a pile of books on the table. First-timers get a free book! Also, please let Crystal (email below) know that you would like to be added to the email reminder list.

Hosting committee includes Rich Krieg and Crystal Osman, 920-562-2550, crystalosman20[at]gmail[dot]com

Green Book Club - December 9th

December Green Book Club Choice - "Sustainability by Design" by John Ehrenfeld. Pick it up at the Reader's Loft if you want to join us!

The Green Book Club meets at the Daily Buzz at 7:30 pm on the second Wednesday of every month!

Press-Gazette green

Be sure to check out the Press-Gazette green page! It is now one of the "Links We Like." Click HERE. Maybe the Press-Gazette will remember how much they care about the environment during the NEXT political endorsement season!

Green Book Club - November 11

The "Green Bay Green Book Club" has been revitalized and will be meeting this Wednesday, November 11, at the Daily Buzz, at 7:30. Please join us to discuss "The Green Collar Economy" by Van Jones.

Up on the roof

from INSIGHT magazine:

St. Mary’s Hospital looks up to earth-friendly features

"Rachel Carson: A Voice for the Earth"

Tuesday, April 28, at 6:30 pm at the Kress Library: “Rachel Carson: A Voice for the Earth” Bev Smith will portray this well-known biologist, writer and ecologist, assisted by Rosalie Shier. Rachel Carson wrote the book “Silent Spring” which energized the environmental movement in the 1960’s. Her message on the dangers of pesticides and other destructive environmental practices is still relevant today.

Celebrate Earth Week 2009!

Celebrate Earth Day and Participate in Earth Week 2009!
Friday April 17 - Sunday April 26

See

www.bairdcreek.org/earthday

for a full listing of events!

Friday, April 17

Spring Medication Collection
Fri. April 17 from 8:00-1:00 pm at the Shopko in Suamico 2320 Lineville Road, Green Bay. Call the Brown County Library Recycling Hotline 920-448-4400, option 5 for more information.

Saturday, April 18
Baird Creek Clean-up and Oak Savannah Restoration Project
Sat. April 18 from 9:00-noon (come at 8:30 am for refreshments!) meet at Triangle Hill to help clean the park and begin planting an Oak Savannah! Located at 500 Beverly Road (off Baird Creek Road). Great opportunity for volunteer hours! Contact Maureen Meinhardt execdirector@bairdcreek.org for more information. www.bairdcreek.org

Sunday, April 19

Green Gardening Tips & Compost Demonstration
Sun. April 19 from 1:00-2:00 pm at the Green Bay Botanical Garden located at 2600 Larsen Road, Green Bay. www.gbbg.org

Monday, April 20

Free Showing of Fortunate Wilderness
Join producer George Desort for a showing of a film about the ecology of Isle Royale - a film four years in the making. UW-Green Bay in Mary Ann Cofrin (MAC) Hall, Room 208 on Mon. April 20 at 7:00 pm. www.fortunatewilderness.com

Earth School Day with Dr. Seuss's "The Lorax"!

Volunteers are still needed to visit area elementary schools to read and discuss "The Lorax" on Mon. and Tues., April 20th and 21st. Contact Jodi Arndt to set up your time at 920-437-0476 or email at JLA@lcojlaw.com.

Wednesday, April 22

Green Innovations 2009 - A Symposium and Showcase
Connecting Natural Capital to Economic Competitiveness Conference. At UW-Green Bay from 8:00-3:00pm on Weds. April 22. Registration Required. Visit www.uwgb.edu/embi/workshop for more information.

Sustainability Social
From 5:00-6:00 pm Wed. April 22 enjoy refreshments and networking at UW-Green Bay Phoenix Rooms in the University Union.

"Why Should We Care About Sustainability?"
Weds. April 22 at 6:00 pm hear national speaker Bob Willard, leading expert on the business value of corporate sustainability strategies, speak at UW-Green Bay Phoenix Rooms in the University Union.

"Return of the Cuyahoga"

Wed. April 22 at 6:30 pm. Sustaining Life Environmental Film Series at Harmony Café, 1660 W Mason Street. Free--donations appreciated. Discussion after on Green Bay's rivers. http://www.newaudubon.org/Films.htm

Celebrate the Environment through Music!
University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band Concert at 7:30 pm on Weds. April 22. UW-Green Bay, Weidner Center. Cost: $7 for Adults and $5 for Students and Seniors.

Thursday, April 23
Leave Your Car at Home Day Challenge
All day Thurs., Apr. 23, plan to participate in the city-wide initiative and leave your car at home. Make it a goal to log all the miles you save from driving by walking, biking, taking public transportation or carpooling and feel great about your commitment to the environment and yourself!

Green Drinks
A monthly social gathering for green minded folks every third Thursday of the month from 6:00-10:00 pm Thurs. April 23 at Kavarna (112 S. Broadway, Green Bay). This month enjoy Green Drinks as part of Earth Week 2009. This event is free and open to everyone! www.kavarna.com or www.greendrinks.org

Friday, April 24

Critical Mass Bike Ride
Fri. April 24 from 5:00-6:00 pm hop on your bike and head down to the Brown County Courthouse (100 South Jefferson Street, Green Bay) and join bike enthusiasts as they hit the streets for an hour long bike ride through downtown to promote bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation.

EcoJam at the Holiday Inn City Centre!
Kick off the weekend with a musical celebration to commemorate Earth Week Friday evening, April 24th at Ecojam! From 7 pm to Midnight enjoy a concert for all ages, featuring local favorites Jazz Orgy and Burnt Toast and Jam. The cost is $5 per person. Holiday Inn City Centre is located at 200 Main Street in downtown Green Bay. Call Kim Biedermann at 920-819-9548 for more information.

Saturday, April 25

Get Your Hands Dirty at the Downtown Green Bay Clean-up

Join volunteers as they help clean up downtown on Sat. April 25 from 9 am-Noon. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided as well as refreshments and comet cash from Erbert & Gerbert's! Volunteers can meet in the Hotel Sierra Parking lot (333 Main Street, Green Bay) Sat. morning at 9 am. Sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhood Association and The Plant People www.downtowngreenbay.com. Contact Crystal Osman for more info or to sign up crystal@downtowngreenbay.com.

Fox River and Trail Clean-up
Meet at St. Francis Park off Riverside Drive, Green Bay from 9:00-noon on Sat. April 25.

Green Cartoons
Sat. April 25 from 9:30-4:30 pm at the Brown County Public Library, downstairs meeting room, 515 Pine St, Green Bay. The Sustaining Life Environmental Film group will show a series of short animated films, repeating hourly. Come for one or stay and watch them all. "The Story of Stuff", especially for teens and older, will be shown at 11:00, 1:00, & 3:00.

Earth Day Potluck Dinner & Dance
Miranda & Baptiste of A Better Footprint will be hosting a family and earth friendly potluck Sat. April 25 from 6:30-10:00 p.m. The event is free and attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to pass that is locally grown, organic, fair trade or inspired by the earth! For more information contact Miranda or Baptiste at 920-569-6332. The event will be held at 1228 Main Street, Green Bay in Olde Town Crossing. www.abetterfootprint.org

Sunday, April 26

Teddy Bear Hunt in Bellevue!
Volunteer or enjoy the day outside with the family on Sun. April 26 from noon-4:00 pm at the Izaak Walton League's Teddy Bear Hunt in Bellevue. Lunch, Fishing, and More! Don't forget to buy your "hunting license!" Located at the Izaak Walton League property Osprey Point, off Hwy GV approx. 1 mi south of 172. Contact Jodi Arndt for more details 920-437-0476 or email at JLA@lcojlaw.com. http://www.iwla.org/browncounty

Questions? Ask Kim at 920-429-9008 or kim@conservationvoters.org

A HUGE thank you goes out to all the sponsors of Earth Week!
Baird Creek Preservation Foundation; Brown County Conservation Alliance; Cofrin Center for Biodiversity; Downtown Green Bay, Inc.; Environmental Management and Business Institute at UW-Green Bay; Friends of the Fox River Trail; Green Bay Botanical Garden; Izaak Walton League; Liebmann, Conway, Olejiniczak, and Jerry, S.C.; New Audubon; Olde Main Street, Inc.; Readers Loft Store; Soup Council; St. Norbert Abbey Justice and Peace Committee; Sustainable Greater Green Bay Task Force; Trout Unlimited; UW-Green Bay Public and Environmental Affairs Council; Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters

Green Book Club - April 8

This month's selection is "SERENA" by RON RASH. We thought we would try some fiction for a change. ALSO, we thought it would be cool, and it would, if people left some comments about the book on this blog post while they were reading it. Seriously, that would be keen AND it would inspire some of us to write more columns on this blog! Our meeting to discuss the book will be on April 8, 6:00, at the Daily Buzz.

Green Bay Green Drinks! Thursday, FEBRUARY 19

Green Bay Green Drinks is a monthly 'social gathering' of environmentalists. We meet every third Thursday of the month at Kavarna Coffeehouse, on Broadway.

If some people suggest that "green" is your middle name, you'll probably find value in Green Drinks Green Bay. At this monthly event, people who have a passion for anything "environmental" meet for friendly conversation. Since we started in April 2005, we've been visited by folks with a wide variety of interests: science, art, politics, music, film, health, psychology, nutrition to name a few. Many work in an environmental field as professionals, educators, entrepreneurs or neighborhood activists. You never know who will be there! If you look elsewhere on the website http://www.greendrinks.org/ , you'll see that "Green Drinks" is an international movement.

We start to gather shortly after 6pm, but don't worry if you can't show up until much later. Peak attendance has been 7:30-8:30pm so far. The hours you attend will influence who you may meet, however. People come and go all evening until Kavarna closes at 10pm. Kavarna is a smokefree vegetarian coffeehouse/restaurant that sells bottled beers and wine. Soups, salads, chai and juices are among the many other offerings. All ages welcome. Feel free to bring your kids.

See http://www.kavarna.com/ for directions to Kavarna at 112 S. Broadway, located on downtown Green Bay's near west side.Look for the group with a pile of books on the table. First-timers get a free book! Also, please let Crystal (email below) know that you would like to be added to the email reminder list.

Hosting committee includes Rich Krieg; Crystal Osman, 920-562-2550, crystalosman20[at]gmail[dot]com; Kim Biederman 920.429.9008, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute

Green Book Club - March 11

This month the Green Book Club is reading "Closing the Food Gap" by Mark Winne. We pick books with similar covers! We are meeting at the Daily Buzz, at 6:00 P.M., on March 11th. We hope to see you there!

air letter

a great letter in today's Press-Gazette:

We have the right to breathe clean air

book club - Feb. 11

This month we will be discussing the second half of Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman. We will be meeting at the Daily Buzz, in the first floor of the Bellin Building. -Hope to see you there! Bring some suggestions for our next book selection.

Environmental Film Series

NEW Audubon has spearheaded a series of film presentations focusing on the interrelationship of all life, and the positive choices humans can make which sustain life. This series is a coalition of several different groups, and relies on volunteers from the Multicultural Center of Green Bay, the Helfenstein Soup Council, PEAC student group at UW-GB, and the Bubolz Nature Preserve. Films will be followed by a discussion of the topic. No charge--donations appreciated.

In Green Bay, the films will be shown at the Harmony Cafe.

The first film is “In the Light of Reverence” and will be shown January 28, at 6:00 p.m.

For info and a complete schedule go here:

Sustaining Life: Environmental Film Series

Conservation Lobby Day - February 25th

If you care about clean water, clean air, and sporting opportunities, then you are MORE than qualified to attend Conservation Lobby Day 2009! BUT, we know some folks like to get the inside track on the Priority Issues and what the buzz is in the Capitol.

That's why we're hosting a 1-hour statewide conference call on the Priority Issues. Like last year's call, participants will have a chance to discuss the Priority Issues and ask questions prior to Lobby Day on February 25th.

This year, the conservation community will be fighting to Preserve Groundwater, Stop Global Warming, Restore Conservation Integrity, and Protect Drinking Water.

The conference call will be held from 5-6 pm on Wednesday, January 21st.

We welcome everyone to call-in, BUT, we do have a limit on the number of people that can join the call, so please RSVP by clicking here. Once you RSVP, we'll send you the call-in number and agenda.

Conservation Priority in the News: Independent DNR Secretary

Last week, a Conservation Priority made headlines, but it wasn't good news.

Since 1995, citizens like YOU have been calling for a return to an Independent DNR Secretary in order to keep politics out of natural resource decision-making.

But last week, Gov. Doyle's spokesperson announced that Doyle was rethinking his position of support for an Indpendent DNR Secretary.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quoted Doyle's spokesperson as saying, 'We have to re-evaluate and rethink, really carefully, about decreasing the authority of (the) governor.'

This is bad news if you hunt, fish, hike, or bike.

To pass this Conservation Priority, it's going to take a showing of support like never before. So if you haven't yet, sign up for Conservation Lobby Day today!

Join us on February 25th and make sure your legislators and the Governor know you support an Independent DNR Secretary.

If you would like to submit a letter-to-the-editor letting the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel why you support an Independent DNR Secretary, click here. (200 word limit)Thank you for all your conservation efforts!

Kim Biedermann, Northeast Organizer920-429-9008

PS--You must RSVP for Lobby Day by Feb. 13th!

Green Books Club! - January 14

We are starting a green book club!

Our first book is Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman. The first meeting will take place on January 14th at 6 pm at Kavarna. We will meet the second Wednesday of every month.

Also, because most everyone is pretty busy these days, we are taking two months to finish a book. So, January 14th if you are close to the half-way point (even if you are nowhere near there) you are good to go!

Hope to see you at Kavarna! In the meantime, happy holidays!

Crystal

Green Drinks! Thursday, December 18th

Happy Holidays!

During this wonderful season of giving, we would like to give any new guest at Green Drinks this Thursday, December 18th, a cookie (Alex and Linda make the best chocolate chip cookies ever!) and a free book! We would love for some new faces with fresh perspectives. Please join us as we celebrate the winter solstice (a few days early, but that's ok!) at Kavarna.

On another note, the UWGB Green Drinks has changed meetings from the first Friday of the month to the first Monday of the month.

And finally, we are starting a green books club! The first book is Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman. We will meet the second Wednesday of every month at Kavarna, with our first meeting January 14th at 6 pm. Please feel free to join us if you can and don't feel pressured to read the entire thing at once - we will be reading one book over two months time.

Hope to see you Thursday!

Crystal

Green Bay, WI Green Drinks

Don't Forget - TWO GREEN DRINKS LOCATIONS IN GREEN BAY!
Green Bay Green Drinks Downtown is a monthly 'social gathering' of environmentalists. We meet every third Thursday of the month at Kavarna Coffeehouse, on Broadway.

We start to gather shortly after 6pm, but don't worry if you can't show up until much later. Peak attendance has been 7:30-8:30pm so far. The hours you attend will influence who you may meet, however. People come and go all evening until Kavarna closes at 10pm. Kavarna is a smokefree vegetarian coffeehouse/restaurant that sells bottled beers and wine. Soups, salads, chai and juices are among the many other offerings. All ages welcome. Feel free to bring your kids.

UW-Green Bay Green Drinks is the same, only it's held out at UW-Green Bay the first Monday of every month at the Common Grounds Coffee House. We begin around 6 pm and end around 9 pm.

If some people suggest that "green" is your middle name, you'll probably find value in Green Drinks Green Bay. At this monthly event, people who have a passion for anything "environmental" meet for friendly conversation. Since we started in April 2005, we've been visited by folks with a wide variety of interests: science, art, politics, music, film, health, psychology, nutrition to name a few. Many work in an environmental field as professionals, educators, entrepreneurs or neighborhood activists. You never know who will be there! If you look elsewhere on the website http://www.greendrinks.org/ , you'll see that "Green Drinks" is an international movement.

See http://www.kavarna.com/ for directions to Kavarna at 112 S. Broadway, located on downtown Green Bay's near west side. See http://www.uwgb.com/ for directions to Common Grounds on the UW-Green Bay campus.

Look for the group with a pile of books on the table. First-timers get a free book! Also, please let Crystal (email below) know that you would like to be added to the email reiminder list.

Hosting committee includes Rich Krieg; Crystal Osman, 920-562-2550, crystalosman20[at]gmail[dot]com; Kim Biederman 920.429.9008, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute

KEEP IT MADE IN AMERICA

Tuesday, October 28

6:30 pm
Lambeau Field Atrium

A National Town Hall Meeting

Speakers and panelists include: Margrete Rangnes (Sierra Club); Jon Geenen (USW); Michael Bolton (USW); Sachin Chheda (WI Fair Trade Coalition); Mayor Jim Schmitt; Assemblyman Tom Nelson