Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green - Blog

Monarch Tagging

2011-08-29T19:11:00.000-05:00

Who: Dubuque County Conservation Board
What: Monarch Tagging
Where: Whitewater Canyon
When: Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 1:00 pm Help be a part of citizen science! Join your Naturalist for an afternoon of Monarch tagging! All ages are welcome to this free public event. We will capture, tag and release these amazing insects in order to help track their migration to Mexico. Participants should wear sturdy shoes, long pant and be ready to hike. If you have any questions please call the nature center office 563.556.6745.

Please Help Us Restore Swiss Valley Park!

2011-08-09T19:13:00.001-05:00

Hello Friends,

Volunteers are needed to clean up the storm damage at Swiss Valley Park. The work days will be Friday, August 12th & Saturday, August 13th, 2011 from 7:00am-4:00pm. Volunteers should report to the front entrance to Swiss Valley Park to sign in with staff. It is recommended that volunteers bring gloves and sturdy work shoes or boots. Some rakes and shovels will be available but if volunteers bring hand tools, please clearly mark them.

We will be working on picking up debris, retrieving picnic tables, setting parking posts, picking up chunks of asphalt and raking wood chips. We will also send some volunteers to the Swiss Valley Nature Preserve to clear trails.

It is very important to have everyone check-in and out. I hope to see many of you there! Please pass this message along to others that may be interested and have a great day.

Bev Wagner

Voulenteers still needed!

2011-06-24T18:20:00.002-05:00

Volunteers are still needed from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois to take part in the Second Annual multi-state clean-up of the upper Mississippi River. The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency is working with Living Lands and Waters to recruit volunteers, boats, and drivers for the event on Saturday, July 9, 2011. Our work in Dubuque will complement the combined the efforts of volunteers in cities from Guttenburg to Clinton.

Those interested in volunteering should register on the Living Lands &Waters website at www.living landsandwaters.org. The cleanup will take place on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 9 am – 1 pm, with a free lunch served at 12 noon. Please check the Living Lands and Waters website at www.livinglandsandwaters.org for location and more detailed information.

The Great Mississippi River Cleanup will remove debris; such as tires, barrels, propane tanks, appliances, plastic bottles and even a message in a bottle or two. For more information about what LL&W has pulled from America’s rivers and our needs in this massive cleanup visit www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Next KDCCG Meeting (May)

2011-05-03T20:17:00.002-05:00

Our next meeting will be May 17, 2011, 7 pm in the conference room in the lower level of the EB Lyons center.

See you there!

Fwd: KDCCG Apr Meeting - Cancellation

2011-04-05T21:15:00.001-05:00

Hi KDCCG members,

We have decided to cancel the April meeting. There will be three members of the board that will not be there for other committments, and there also is an event (movie) at the Swiss Valley Nature Center that same evening. We will see everyone at the May meeting or at the Earth Jam event (15 Apr) at E. B. Lyons

Later,

Rog Wilming

Upcoming cleanup

2011-04-04T18:49:00.001-05:00

Please see below an opportunity to help clean up Catfish Creek. This is sponsored by the Sierra Club but all are welcome to help!

May 14 (Saturday): National Rivers, Catfish Creek Clean-Up. Begin 9 AM at the canoe launch in the Mines of Spain. Canoe and kayak use and shoreline and road/parking lot walks will take place. May expand the area covered as participation level deems. Bring your own gloves. Walkers should wear long pants (nettles) and sturdy shoes. Insect repellant is advisable. This will be an event of Dubuque's Sustainability Challenge Game" so participation will be greater and the City will provide a lunch following the clean-up. An RSVP IS NECESSARY for the lunch count and if you wish to have a canoe provided for your use. CONTACT: Jim Fahrion (563-556-2878.)

Meeting Tonight!

2011-03-15T16:40:00.002-05:00

KDCCG's March meeting will be tonight, at 7 pm at the Swiss Valley Nature Center!

Roadside Cleanup Safety Program

2011-03-02T17:44:00.000-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT: Bev Wagner, DMASWA Education Coordinator, 563-588-7933 or Beverly.wagner@loras.edu

Roadside Cleanup Safety Program

There are many people in the area that spend time cleaning up litter and illegal dump sites in the Dubuque area. The Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green group would like to thank everyone for this and is inviting groups and individuals involved in roadside cleanups to attend a safety education program on Tuesday, March 15^th at 7 p.m. at Swiss Valley Nature Center.

A member of the Dubuque Drug Task Force will be speaking about the possible dangers of items discarded in the roadside ditches. As the snow disappears, the litter appears and with it are some unknown dangers. Come and find out what to watch for.

For more information, contact the DMASWA Education Coordinator at (563) 588-7933 or Swiss Valley Nature Center at (563) 556-6745.

HOUSE ATTACK ON THE BOTTLE BILL CONTINUES

2011-02-21T18:57:00.000-06:00

Iowa Recycling Association

2-21-11 Legislative Update

HOUSE ATTACK ON THE BOTTLE BILL CONTINUES

House Study Bill 74, which would end Iowa's highly successful bottle and can redemption law, remains alive and kicking in the House of Representatives.

No word yet on when the next subcommittee will be held on this highly controversial proposal.

PLEASE FLOOD THE HOUSE WITH CALLS AND EMAILS IN SUPPORT OF THE BOTTLE BILL!

*Keep the bottle bill!

*The bottle bill drastically reduces litter.

*Statewide curbside recycling is not economically feasible.

*Statewide curbside recycling will cause a giant property tax increase.

Your emails and telephone calls are essential to stopping this repeal effort. Call or email YOUR local State Representative and the Leaders noted below.

House Leadership:

Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen - kraig.paulsen@legis.state.ia.us

House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer - linda.upmeyer@legis.state.ia.us

Speaker's Office - (515) 281-3521

Majority Leaders Office - 515.281.3221

Bills of Interest:

SF 249 - This bill relates repeals the beverage container control laws, creates a universal recycling requirements, increases littering fines, changes waste volume reduction goals, and implements a recycling fee. Referred to State Government.

SF 29 - A bill eliminating statements of refund value on beverage containers for wine. Subcommittee, Dearden, Black, and Hamerlinck

SF 12 - A bill restricting open burning of residential waste in certain areas of the state. Subcommittee, Black, Bolkcom, and Sorenson.

HF 181 - A bill instituting legislative review of administrative rules, and rescinding all rules every five years. Subcommittee, Grassley, Byrnes, and Wittneben.

HF 180 - This bill sets the EPC quorum at six members and requires a majority of the commission membership (five votes) to take action. Subcommittee, Soderberg, Hager, and Jacoby.

HF 123 - A bill requiring the EPC to adopt rules prohibiting a solid waste planning area from imposing a fee on the disposal of solid waste at a sanitary landfill outside of the planning area. Subcommittee, Soderberg, Hein and Smith, M.

HF 117 - A bill seeking to add construction and demolition waste management to the list of required programs under the environmental management system designation. Subcommittee, Schultz, Klein, and Steckman.

HF 80 - A bill requiring the department of natural resources to produce, and submit to the general assembly, a product stewardship report. Introduced, referred to Natural Resources. Subcommittee, Arnold, Gaskill, and Van Engelenhoven.

HSB 74 - A bill to repeal the bottle and can deposit law. Subcommittee - Paustian, Deyoe, and Wessel-Kroeschell.

HSB 33 - A bill to increase the EPC's maximum administratively assessed civil penalty amount from $10,000 to $50,000. Subcommittee, Dolecheck, Lensing, and Paustian.

Helpful Links

IRA Board Approved Legislative Positions: http://iowarecycles.org/content.asp?ID=4604&I=6661

“Iowa Container Deposit System” information on the IRA website: http://iowarecycles.org/content.asp?ID=4831

Track Legislation: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Legislation.html

Find your legislator: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Legislators/LegislatorInfo.aspx

Legislative Updates throughout the 2011 session are provided to IRA members through the generosity of these sponsors:

Metro Waste Authority, Yellowbook
The Can Shed, City Carton Recycling, Dubuque Metropolitan Area SWA, Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center, and Waste Commission of Scott County.

UPDATED: Earth Jam with the Banana Slug String Band!

2011-02-18T15:43:00.001-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 14, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT:
Bev Wagner, DMASWA Education Coordinator
Phone: 563-588-7933
Email: Beverly.wagner@loras.edu

Earth Jam with the Banana Slug String Band!

This is a Free Family Event! The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency, Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green, and Mines of Spain/E. B. Lyons Nature Center are sponsoring the 2011 Earth Jam featuring the Banana Slug String Band.

The Earth Jam will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15 at the E.B. Lyons Nature Center. Displays and children’s activities will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The Banana Slug String Band performance will perform at 7 p.m.

The purpose of the Earth Jam is to educate, inspire, and have entire families participate in making responsible decisions for the earth. The event will educate the public through booths and hands on childrens’ activities. The Banana Slug String Band will present their environmental message through high energy songs and musical performances! Community environmental partners will be providing the displays and activities.

For more information, contact the DMASWA Solid Waste Education Office at 563-588-7933 or email Beverly.wagner@loras.edu.

Earth Jam with the Banana Slug String Band!

2011-02-16T15:44:00.002-06:00

Note: This release has been updated. Click here to see it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 14, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT:
Bev Wagner, DMASWA Education Coordinator
Phone: 563-588-7933
Email: Beverly.wagner@loras.edu

Earth Jam with the Banana Slug String Band!

This is a Free Family Event! The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency, Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green, and E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center are sponsoring the 2011 Earth Jam featuring the Banana Slug String Band.

The Earth Jam will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15 at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center. Displays and children’s activities will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The Banana Slug String Band performance will perform at 7 p.m.

The purpose of the Earth Jam is to educate, inspire, and have entire families participate in making responsible decisions for the earth. The event will educate the public through booths and hands on childrens’ activities. The Banana Slug String Band will present their environmental message through high energy songs and musical performances! Community environmental partners will be providing the displays and activities.

For more information, contact the DMASWA Solid Waste Education Office at 563-588-7933 or email Beverly.wagner@loras.edu.

Fun Litter Videos

2011-02-12T13:39:00.005-06:00

These are some interesting videos and articles about litter.

The Majestic Plastic Bag - A Mockumentary (A Personal Favorite)

Your trash could come back to haunt you

The Trash Whisperer

Dubuque County Clean Up Costs for Illegal Dumping and Littering - 2010

2011-02-12T12:06:00.000-06:00

(Numbers given are for worker compensation and some trash disposal costs, does not include fuel prices)

Mines of Spain, IDNR

Litter Pickup - $5475 Illegal Dump Cleanup - $780 Total - $6255

Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency

Litter Pickup - $16,234 Illegal Dump Cleanup – NA Total - $16, 234

City of Dubuque – Street Department

Litter Pickup - $31,028 Illegal Dump Cleanup - $5383 Total - $36,411

Dubuque County Conservation Board

Litter Pickup & Illegal Dump Cleanup combined Total - $55,126

Grand Totals

Litter Pickup - $107,863 Illegal Dump Cleanup - $6163 Total - $114,026

February Meeting

2011-02-11T15:38:00.002-06:00

Our next KDCCG Meeting will be Next Meeting - Tuesday, February 15th, 7 p.m. at the Loras College Alumni Campus Center, Arizona Room.

Hope to see you there!

KDCCG meeting

2011-01-07T15:47:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

This is a friendly reminder of our next Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green Meeting at 7 p.m. at the National Mississippi River Museum on Wednesday, January 12^th at 7 p.m.

I hope to see you all then.

Happy 2011!

We will be meeting on the Paddle Wheel entrance of the Museum

August Update

2010-08-31T17:43:00.000-05:00

Hi all,

We have posted the August meeting minutes. http://keepdubuquecountycleanandgreen.web.officelive.com/Documents/8-18-10minutes-websiteversion.pdf

This document also has two attachments, one being an invention to a Keep Iowa Beautiful affiliate meeting. The other is a document that can also be found on the resources page of our website-a how to guide on signing up for automatic emails from this blog, and an guide on how to submit content for this blog or our calendar.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 29th, 7 p.m. at the Swiss Valley Nature Center.

Thanks,
KDCCG

New Orginization in DBQ Area: Energy Dubuque

2010-08-26T19:11:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/26/10

Four Mounds Launches Energy Center

Dubuque, IA, 8/26/10 – The Four Mounds Foundation under the funding of the Green Industries Training Initiative is announcing the launch of the Four Mounds Energy Center, an online resource found at www.energydbq.org. The mission of the Center is to link consumers to energy efficiency resources and help support the growth of relevant industry and careers in our region. The site assists Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) with its Green Career Training Program, promoting classes and available trainings as well as serving as a directory for newly trained professionals. The online resource educates about current trends and rebate offers for energy efficiency and serves as a link to community projects including the City of Dubuque’s Smarter Sustainable City initiative. The site is Dubuque’s resource for energy efficiency.

Serving as a one-stop information center, the Energy Center supports the new energy industry by linking residents and businesses to information, energy auditors, services, contractors and trained professionals. Dubuque has been a leader among smaller cities in energy efficiency trends, projects and initiatives, which means there are many opportunities available to home and business owners. Adapting homes and businesses with energy efficient features can be a complicated process. On the physical end, a project can involve multiple building systems and needs for different services. On the financing end, layers of loans, rebates and tax incentives can make projects difficult to navigate. The Center is helping remove barriers by guiding citizens through services, financial incentives, and options available for these projects.

“It all adds up- we have a tough economy in which people need jobs and need to save energy, along with local, state and national incentives to help people change habits and change energy systems. We’re pleased to be able to help the City, our community, and the Green Industries Training Initiative connect consumers to service and newly trained professionals,” said Nathaniel Wagner, Energy Program Officer for the Center.
Funding for the Energy Center comes from the Green Industries Training Initiative through the U.S. Department of Labor as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds are being used by NICC to educate, train and certify individuals for the new green economy. The East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) is the grant recipient.

Contact Information:
Nathaniel Wagner, Energy Program Officer
Four Mounds Energy Center
A program of the Four Mounds Foundation
1690 Elm Street, Suite 140; Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 583-0005
www.energydbq.org
energy1@fourmounds.org
###

Next KDCCG meeting

2010-08-16T13:32:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Just a friendly reminder that the next KDCCG meeting will be on Wednesday, August 18^th at 7 p.m. in the Mary Alexis Room, of the Loras Alumni Campus Center. I hope to see you there.

Have a great day.

Bev

New KDCCG Meeting Minutes, Photos

2010-08-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

We just posted new meeting minutes on our website, check it out! Also, we posted some pictures of the 2010 Living Lands and Waters Cleanup. There both on our website! Check it out!

Fw: July KDCCG meeting reminder

2010-07-16T14:47:00.001-05:00

Hello,

The next meeting for Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green will be on Wednesday, July 21 at Swiss Valley Nature Center at 7 p.m. I hope to see you there.

Happy Summer!

Bev J

Bev Wagner

KDCCG potluck & meeting reminder

2010-06-11T10:35:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Our next Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green meeting will be on Wednesday, June 16th at 6 pm at the green ash pavilion (large enclosed pavilion on the left side after the creek crossing)...bring your own meat and beverage and a small dish to pass...we will have a short meeting and then have play time!

We hope to see many of you there!

Have a great day.

Bev J

Bev Wagner

Living Lands & Waters - TV Pilot Airing June 10th

2010-06-07T18:56:00.001-05:00

River Warriors on Discovery Channel

Living Lands & Waters' 1 Hour Pilot Episode

Dear Friends & Supporters,

I have some great news

For the past 2 ½ years, I have been working with the Discovery Channel on a pilot episode called River Warriors. The 1 hour show will air on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. (ct) on the Discovery Channel. Check your local TV, Cable, Dish network listing for the correct air time for your time zone.

The show depicts life on the river aboard LL&W's cleanup barges, and the crew's hard work to help clean America's rivers. I think you will find the show memorable, funny, suspenseful and entertaining.

Please let your friends and colleagues know about the airing of this pilot in hopes that as many people as possible will learn about the importance of clean rivers. If you enjoy the show please let the Discovery Channel know. Positive feedback will help the pilot go to series.

Thank you for your past, present and future support which gives us the opportunity and means to help clean up America's rivers.

Best Regards,

Chad Pregracke

Founder & President of Living Lands & Waters

Want to See More?
Let Discovery Know!

We appreciate your support! Your positive comments are important, so contact Discovery Channel and let them know how you liked our pilot episode of River Warriors!

Submit your comments online on Discovery.com! http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations

You can also mail your comments to:

Discovery Communications

Viewer Relations

One Discovery Place, 5th Floor

Silver Spring, MD 20910

See you on the River!

PREMIER SHOWING

Come join LL&W's team to view the premier showing of River Warriors!

Thursday, June 10th

Doors at 7:00 pm

Show Starts at 8:00 pm (ct)

The Capitol Theater

311 Ripley Street

Davenport, IA

Living Lands & Waters
17624 Route 84 N
East Moline, IL 61244

www.livinglandsandwaters.org

June KDCCG meeting

2010-06-01T16:45:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone,
Due to several last minute scheduling conflicts, the May KDCCG meeting was canceled. Our next meeting will be a potluck.

The june meeting we thought potlock at the park.
Wednesday, june 16th 6 pm at the green ash pavilion
(large enclosed pavilion on the left side after the creek
crossing)...bring your own meat and beverage and a small
dish to pass...we will have a short meeting then have play
time! We also need to do some recruiting for the june
19th living lands and water clean-up...if you haven't
signed up you can do so on their website.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments please
contact me...miss you all hope things are going well!

Jenny Lawler Ammon
Dubuque County Naturalist
dccblawler@mwci.net
563.556.6745
www.dubuquecounty.org

www.dubuque-cleanandgreen.org

June 2010 Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

2010-05-20T15:38:00.003-05:00

DISPOSAL IS FREE, CONVENIENT & CONFIDENTIAL

Friday, June 4th & June 11th 2010

Friday, June 4th

2:00 PM — 7:00 PM

Epworth, Iowa in the West Dubuque High School Parking Lot at 302 5th Avenue S.W.

Friday June 11th
2:00 PM —7:00 PM
Dubuque, Iowa in the Theisen’s Parking Lot at 2900 Dodge St.

FOR YOUR SAFETY AND YOUR PRIVACY

1) Keep all substances in their original containers, if possible.

2) All liquid containers must be sealed in leak proof clear plastic bags.

3) Mark out any identifying information on prescription bottles.

4) Unidentified medications will be accepted—NO QUESTIONS ASKED

WE WILL ACCEPT:

1) Prescription and over the counter medications including vitamins,

supplements, and herbals

2) Needles, sharps, syringes with needles in puncture proof containers

3) Thermometers in zip-lock or plastic bags

4) Medication samples

5) Aerosols or pressurized containers

6) Hydrogen Peroxide

WE CANNOT ACCEPT:

1) Bloody or Infectious Waste

Project Planning Partners:

Dubuque Drug Task Force

Dubuque Area Substance Abuse Coalition

Dubuque County Safe Youth Coalition

Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency

Urgent Press Release

2010-05-05T22:26:00.001-05:00

Who: Dubuque County Conservation Board

What: Intro to Wildlife Photography with Stan Bousson

When: Saturday, May 8th 10:00 am

Where: Swiss Valley Nature Center

Dubuque County Conservation Board is hosting Photographer, Stan Bousson on Saturday, May 8^th at the Swiss Valley Nature Center 10 am.

Participants will learn techniques, discuss equipment, and get a chance to have hands-on experiences with outdoor photography.

Interested participants should call the nature center to pre-register 563.556.6745

Jenny Ammon

Dubuque County Naturalist

563.556.6745