Green Notes: “Shoreline at the Edge” captivates, provokes questions

Photographer Paul M. Lurie captures readers’ imagination through stunning aerial photographs of the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shoreline at the Edge: Door County’s Lakeside Forests and Wetlands.

His work shows the transitions from forest to farm field, wilderness to development, and boreal forest to shoreline: photos that cause the reader to wonder how to protect Door County’s uniqueness as it loses wilderness habitat to development and as boreal forests respond to climate change. 

Steve Leonard, former executive director of The Ridges Sanctuary; and Cinnamon Rossman, Door County Land Trust’s director of charitable giving, co-authored the narrative and captions that add information about geology, history, science and ecology.

Meet Lurie during a book signing and Q&A Aug. 17, 4-6 pm, at Write On, Door County, 4210 Juddville Road in Juddville. Visit doorcountylandtrust.org to learn more.

EXPLORE HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS LOCAL PLANTS, ANIMALS

How is the climate crisis affecting local plants and animals? Katie Krouse, director of operations at The Ridges Sanctuary, will lead a Climate Change Coalition field trip at The Ridges on Aug. 18, 1-3 pm, to explore this issue.

Baileys Harbor is home to many threatened and endangered plants and animals that rely on the specific conditions found there, and even the slightest climate changes could pose major threats to their survival.

The field trip is a fundraiser for the Climate Change Coalition (climatechangedoorcounty.com). The cost is $40 per person, and registration is required. The group will be limited to eight.

To register, contact Nicole Matson at 715.330.4660 or [email protected]. Meet at The Ridges Sanctuary, 8166 Hwy 57 in Baileys Harbor. 

LEARN HOW TO CONTROL SPREAD OF WEED SEEDS

The increasing prevalence of herbicide-resistant weeds across the state means it’s imperative to stop the accidental spread of weed seeds through contaminated equipment, especially at harvest time.

Join the UW-Extension on Aug. 18, 1-4 pm, at Rio Creek Feed Mill, 715 Frontier Road in Luxemburg, for a free combine-cleaning clinic. A light lunch will be provided. 

Rodrigo Werle, Extension cropping systems weed specialist; and Nick Arneson, a UW-Madison outreach specialist, will discuss weed-seed production, viability, the spread of common weeds and the results of their recent waterhemp and giant ragweed studies. Aerica Bjurstrom, Extension Kewaunee County agriculture agent, will discuss dairy-forage considerations, and Dan Smith, a UW-Madison nutrient and pest-management outreach specialist, will walk participants through the steps to properly clean a combine to limit weed-seed spread. 

Attendees are encouraged to register at 920.388.7141 to ensure an accurate lunch count.

ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL PRESENT GREAT LAKES RESTORATION TALK

The Door County Environmental Council will host Val Klump, dean of the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, for an in-person presentation Aug. 18, 7 pm, at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. in Egg Harbor. His talk – “Our Lakes, Our Bay, Our Responsibility: Dead Zones, Harmful Algal Blooms and an Uncertain Future: Meeting the Challenge of Restoring Our Great Lakes” – will also be available live via Zoom at dcec-wi.org.

As one of the world’s foremost researchers on the quality of the waters of the bay of Green Bay, Klump will address the conflicts between human activity and environmental stability in that bay and all of the Great Lakes. 

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR RECYCLING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is accepting nominations for its 2021 Recycling Excellence Awards through Sept. 17. The honors recognize efforts and share innovative ideas with a broad audience. 

Communities, organizations, schools and businesses of any size may nominate themselves or another entity in recognition of outstanding recycling or waste-minimization practices or initiatives. A new goal this year is to reduce food waste in Wisconsin landfills, so food-waste recovery or diversion programs are eligible for the awards, which are offered in four categories: overall program, projects and initiatives, innovation and special events. 

Applicants are encouraged to submit supporting materials such as outreach samples, data, graphs and high-resolution photos. Visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Recycling/Awards.html to find out more.

ASK WORLD LEADERS TO HELP END PLASTIC POLLUTION

As heads of state gather Sept. 1-2 for the Global Ministerial Conference on Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution, hosted by the UN Environment Programme, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) urges action to keep plastics out of oceans. This meeting is crucial in moving toward a global and legally binding treaty on plastic pollution.

So far, 760,000 U.S. WWF supporters have expressed their support for a global treaty, but the organization seeks to have 1 million U.S. supporters’ names signed on by the start of the conference.

Plastic in oceans poses serious risks to 800-plus species of marine animals as they ingest it or get tangled in it. Learn more and ask world leaders to act on the plastics crisis by visiting worldwildlife.org and selecting Take Action under the How to Help tab.