Water quality is a major focus of our work at HRWC. Three articles in this edition of News to Us address water quality from very different angles – youth education, lawn and garden care, and beer. Yes, beer. Plein air art is a way of enjoying nature that may be new to some of you. And, finally, on the heels of the release of the National Climate Assessment last week, a piece on why global warming leads to more severe rainfall – an outcome particularly significant to the Midwest.
White Lake Middle School students study human impact on Huron River Students are taking to the river to learn about how human actions can impact local rivers. Students measure water quality and sample invertebrates at various spots in the headwaters of the Huron River watershed. This program is based on the GREEN program developed at the UM by Bill Stapp with guidance from HRWC.
The Toxic Brew in Our Yards This opinion piece does a great job highlighting the health risks of outdoor chemical use on our lawns and gardens. The author makes very clear the connection between chemical use and water quality as well. There are alternatives to pesticide and synthetic fertilizer use that protect your family’s health and the health of our waterways and drinking water. To get started see HRWC’s webpages on going phosphorus free and growing a healthy lawn.
Short’s Brewing ties seasonal beers to Clean Water Campaign We get a lot of support from local brewers for our water quality improvement efforts. It is not lost on them that beer is mostly water. Local water. One of Michigan’s most successful microbreweries is using its popularity to educate residents on the threat of an Enbridge pipeline that runs through the Straights of Mackinac. There has been growing concern about the condition of the pipeline, the accountability of Enbridge to maintain the line and the consequences of an oil spill to our Great Lakes.
Looks Like Rain Again. And Again. As mentioned in a recent HRWC blog, the 3rd National Climate Assessment report was released last week. Spurred by the report, climate change has been all over the news lately. This piece is both interesting and useful to those of us in Michigan. The aspect of climate change that is likely impact our region the most is rainfall. More of it and in larger storms. This piece explains why global warming leads to more rain. Learn more about what HRWC and municipalities within the Huron River watershed are doing to prepare for more rain.
Artists venture outdoors, brush up on nature scenes Yet another way to enjoy the river! Plein air artists are artists who paint in the open air, capturing scenes of nature or community life over the span of a few hours. Several plein air events happen in our area over the course of the summer including one in Brighton, June 28th– 29th and in Dexter, August 12th – 16th.