touchtheearth Posts

Make Art, Protect Water

Last year, a group of musicians came together in Duluth to record a compilation album titled Industry. Peace. Environment. to raise awareness about sulfide mining and the permanent changes that upcoming decisions could have on the landscape they love. The album features original recordings by Charlie Parr, Snöbarn, the Murder of Crows and many others. The Arrowhead Story, a collective of creative folks interested in sharing the stories of land in Northern Minnesota, is issuing a call for art to adorn the album. Submissions can be in any medium, and should reflect a theme of tension between nature and industrial development. The submission deadline is June 27. For details and submission information, contact Deanna at everyrivertothesea (at) gmail.com.

The Industry. Peace. Environment. album release party will be on Sept. 7, with a pre-release show at Beaner’s Central on July 20.

Kayaking Cook Out at the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, encompassing land on the Wisconsin side of the St. Louis River designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to promote research, stewardship and outreach of our freshwater resources, would like to announce its first community event!

Saturday, Sept. 24, is dedicated as National Estuaries Day and the Lake Superior NERR is celebrating by hosting a Kayaking Cook Out on Barkers Island in Superior.

Planning for Climate Change

Climate change is already impacting the U.S. Midwest with higher average temperatures, more frequent heavy downpours, decreased Great Lakes ice cover, and more frequent heat waves.

Projected future climate changes in the region include a likely rise of another 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, continued increases in winter and spring precipitation, decreased summer precipitation, and a possible drop in Great Lakes water levels.

The region will likely face the greatest adaptation challenges along Great Lakes coasts and waterways, as this is where many significant economic and ecological impacts will occur as a result of a changing climate.

While climate impacts will vary regionally, it is at the state and local levels where critical policy and investment decisions are made for the systems most likely to be affected — water, land use, energy, transportation and public health and natural resources, as well as important economic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, manufacturing, and tourism. By factoring a changing climate into planning decisions today, communities and agencies can avoid future costs.

Find out more at “Planning for Climate Change Impacts in the Western Lake Superior Region” on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 8 a.m. til 5 p.m., a workshop geared for planners and professionals, but open to everyone.  The workshop will be held at the EPA Midcontinent Division (map) and costs $20, which includes speakers, lunch and materials.  Registration is available online.

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