Pesticide application on land nearby can drift onto your property. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection offers a Landscape Pesticide Advance Notice Registry. Professional lawn and landscape businesses will inform you at least 12 hours prior to application as to what property is being treated and what chemicals will be applied.
This advance warning can be helpful in minimizing exposure by keeping windows closed and not hanging
out clothes. To sign up, go to http://datcp.wi.gov, click on Environment and search on Landscape Registry. After logging in, enter the addresses of the immediate neighboring properties for which you would like notification. The deadline to join the
registry is February 1, 2012.
Fond du Lac Audubon Donates
Sign for Fond du Lac High School
Prairie Restoration
In 2009, six acres of land surrounding a water
retention pond on Fond du Lac High School’s east side were filled with weeds, invasive species, and many erosion gullies. The water retention ponds were created to collect run-off and house the school’s geothermal heat exchange system. Mrs. Winter and her Environmental Science class of 2009-2010 saw this as a chance to restore the school’s grounds to a more natural and native Wisconsin prairie. Mrs. Winter and four student leaders applied for a State Farm Insurance “Youth Advisory Board” Grant in the Environmental Responsibility category. In February 2010, Fondy High received a grant from State Farm Insurance for $47,613 in order to fund the large
prairie restoration project. The main purpose of the prairie project was to provide an educational experience
about taking care of the land, practicing good land stewardship, and how to restore prairies. The grant included funding to correct erosion problems, eliminate invasive species, restore six acres of native prairie, and create an outdoor education center for students at Fond du Lac High School, Lakeshore Elementary School and community members. Aesthetics and recreation are other benefits of
restoring the school’s grounds.
In the summer and fall of 2010, the land was
re-graded and rocks were put in place to control
erosion. A trail was created (.6 mile) that encircles the pond and weaves through the prairie restoration. In October of 2010, Environmental Science students from the 2010-2011 year seeded the prairie restoration
with assistance from second and fifth graders at nearby Lakeshore Elementary. Part of the prairie was machine-seeded by Prairie Nursery as well. An amphitheater seating area was installed by students in the school’s construction academy and 13 Leopold benches were built and installed by students in a woods class. During the summer of 2011 and for
the next few years, the site will be managed with periodic mowing to prevent annual weeds from spreading. Prairie restorations take 3-6 years before the vegetation becomes established and mature. Early growth is planted in order to establish root systems.
The Fond du Lac County Audubon Board voted to give a generous donation of $2000 toward the
purchase of a sign for the prairie restoration. Thank you so much to Fond du Lac Audubon for supporting
this education project. Environmental Science students chose to name the prairie the “Mary Fran Merwin Memorial Prairie” in memory of a beloved former principal at Fond du Lac High School who battled with cancer. At a recent school board meeting, the naming was approved by the school board.
The community is invited to attend a Prairie Dedication and Open House event this spring! The date is to be determined, but it will be near Earth Day, the third week of April. Watch the newspaper and the Audubon newsletter for the exact date
and time.
—
Margie Winter, Environmental Science teacher at
Fond du Lac High School
Audubon Seeks Board Members
Elections for officers and board members used to
occur at the spring banquet. The board would like
members to know that it is not our intention to prevent
a change of leadership. The problem in the last
few years, is finding people willing to serve on the
board. If someone would like to take a turn serving
as an officer or board member, please contact Diana
Beck at 922-7931 or dbeck7931@charter.net. Our
present board is willing to continue, but we are still
looking for a newsletter editor and another board
member-at-large.
Global Warming Impact on Birds
Analyses of citizen-gathered data from the past 40
years of Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
reveal that 58 percent of the 305 widespread
species that winter on the continent shifted significantly
north since 1966, some by hundreds of miles.
Movement was detected among species of every
type, including more than 70 percent of highly
adaptable forest and feeder birds. Only 38 percent of
grassland species mirrored the trend, reflecting their
severely-depleted habitat and suggesting that they
now face both habitat loss and climate adaptation.
Population shifts among individual species are
common, fluctuate, and can have many causes.
However, Audubon scientists say the ongoing trend
of movement by some 177 species, closely correlated
to long-term winter temperature increases,
reveals an undeniable link to the changing climate.
“Birds are showing us how the heavy hand of
humanity is tipping the balance of nature and causing
ecological disruption...,” said report co-author
and Audubon Director of Bird Conservation, Greg
Butcher, Ph.D. “Common sense dictates that we act
now to curb the causes and impacts of global warming
to the extent we can, and shape our policies to
better cope with the disruptions we cannot avoid.”
See Audubon’s web pages http://www.audubon.
org/campaign/energy/ for more information about
green energy and curbing global warming.
Wisconsin Sees Record
Number of Renewable Energy Systems Installed in
2008In the past year
Focus on Energy has helped Wisconsin businesses and
homeowners complete 338 renewable energy projects; that's
40 percent more projects than in 2007 and a record for the
number of projects completed in one year since the
program's inception in 2002. More details
HERE
Audubon
At The Hobby Expo
On
Saturday, April 18, Audubon will have an exhibit
table at the Fond du Lac Public Library. The Hobby
Expo will be held from 9 am to 3 pm. Come and
visit our display. If anyone can help to sit at the table
for part of the time, please call
920-922-7931.
Federal Tax Credits for Energy
Efficiency
On
October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the
“Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.” This
bill extended tax credits for energy efficient home
improvements (windows, doors, roofs, insulation, HVAC,
and non-solar water heaters). Tax credits for these
residential products, which had expired at the end of
2007, will now be available for improvements made
during 2009. However, improvements made during 2008
are not eligible for a tax credit.
The bill
also extended tax credits for solar energy systems and fuel
cells to 2016. New tax credits were established for small
wind energy systems and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Tax credits for builders of new energy efficient homes and
tax deductions for owners and designers of energy efficient
commercial buildings were also extended.
Federal
Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency includes:
- Tax Credits for Consumers
- Tax Credits for Home Builders
- Tax Deductions for Commercial Buildings
- For More Information
Tax Credits for Consumers:
Home Improvements
Home improvement tax credits are available for home improvements “placed in service” from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Any qualified home improvements made in 2008 are not eligible for the tax credit.
Home improvement tax credits are available for insulation, replacement windows, non-solar water heaters, and certain high efficiency heating and cooling equipment. See chart. The maximum amount that a taxplayer may claim from all of these tax credits combined is $500 over the lifetime of the tax credit (2006, 2007 & 2009).
If you are building a new home, you do not qualify for the tax credits for “eligible building envelope components” (windows, doors, insulation, roofs) or “qualified energy property” (HVAC & non-solar water heaters). However, the tax credit for photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind systems and fuel cells is available for homeowners building new homes. More.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance for consumers: IRS Notice 2006-26
.
Efficient Cars
Tax credits are available to buyers of hybrid gasoline-electric, diesel, battery-electric, alternative fuel, and fuel cell vehicles. The tax credit amount is based on a formula determined by vehicle weight, technology, and fuel economy compared to base year models. These credits are available for vehicles placed in service starting January 1, 2006. For hybrid and diesel vehicles made by each manufacturer, the credit will be phased out over 15 months starting after that manufacturer has sold 60,000 eligible vehicles. For vehicles made by manufacturers that have not reached the end of the phase-out, the credits will end for vehicles placed in service after December 31, 2010. See the IRS Website for updated information
.
Solar Energy Systems
Tax credits are available for qualified solar water heating and photovoltaic systems. The credits are available for systems “placed in service” from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2016. The tax credit is for 30% of the cost of the system, up to $2,000. After December 31, 2008, this $2,000 cap will be removed for photovoltaic systems (but not solar water heaters). This credit is completely separate from the $500 home improvement credit.
Small Wind Energy Systems
Tax credits are available to homeowners who install residential small wind turbine systems. The credits are available for systems placed in service from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016. The tax credit is for 30% of the cost of the system, up to $500 for each half kilowatt of capacity with an overall maximum of $4,000.
Fuel Cells
There is a consumer tax credit of up to 30% of the cost (up to $1,500 per 0.5 kW of capacity maximum) for installing a “qualified” fuel cell and microturbine systems. The credits are available for systems “placed in service” from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2016. This credit is not limited to the $500 home improvement cap.
Share Your Bird Stories
Submit interesting facts or
a story about your
experience with birds for
a section of the Audubon
newsletter entitled Bird
Twitterings. Send to
Diana Beck:
dbeck7931@charter.net.
eReNews
The
electronic newsletter of
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association
August 2009
In this Issue:
MREA
NEWS
1.
Wisconsin Solar Tour October 2-3
2. Solar Thermal ’09 December 3-4
3. MREA Milwaukee Office Opens
4. Ride for Renewables and Harvest Fest September 26
5. Upcoming MREA Workshops
WISCONSIN
NEWS
6.
Solar Decade October 2
7. Solar Hot Water Lead Installer Trainings
8. Earth Fest
August 15
9. Mead Wildlife
Area Celebration August 29
10. Fighting Bob Fest September 12
11. SE2 Conference September 16
MIDWEST
NEWS
12.
ASES National Solar Tour October 2-3
13. Catch the MREA Presence at Upcoming Midwest Events
MREA
NEWS
1.
See Renewables Up Close with the Wisconsin Solar Tour on
Oct. 3 & 4.
The
Wisconsin Solar Tour features site tours of homes and
businesses throughout the state that incorporate renewable
energy systems, green building, and sustainable practices.
Tour sites are owned, lived in, and worked in by ordinary
people. On Friday, October 3, businesses around the state
will be open to the public. On Saturday, October 4, homes
around the state will be open for tours. The Wisconsin
Solar Tour is sponsored by Focus on Energy. See our tour
website for what sites are near you:
www.the-mrea.org/solartour.php
For more info call Kirsten at 715-592-6595.
Hop
on a bus! The Solar Tour also
features guided bus tours in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay
and Stevens Point. Sign up for a bus tour today at
http://www.the-mrea.org/solartour.php.
2.
Don’t Miss the Solar Thermal ’09 Conference
The
Midwest Renewable Energy Association, along with sponsor
Focus on Energy, is excited to announce SOLAR THERMAL ’09
to be held December 3 & 4 at the Monona Terrace in
Madison, WI.
SOLAR THERMAL ’09 is a national conference and expo for the
solar thermal professional. The MREA invites you to the
only professional level conference devoted to solar heating
and cooling.
Registration, Sponsorship, and Exhibitor opportunities are
available online at www.the-mrea.org or by calling
715-592-6595.
Be
part of the only nationwide conference dedicated solely to
the solar thermal industry!
The
Solar Thermal ’09 Coordinating Committee is now accepting
proposals for the Solar Thermal ’09: National Heating &
Cooling Conference being held December 3-4, 2009, in
Madison, WI. We are seeking informative, innovative
presentations designed for professionals in the solar
thermal industry. The audience will include manufacturers,
dealers, installers, system designers, site assessors,
state agency representatives, and policy makers.
Submit your presentation online here <</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/stcpresenters.php>
.
3. MREA Milwaukee Office Opens
The
MREA Milwaukee office is now open! With this expansion MREA
will be offering more trainings and workshops for
professionals, and will increase the support for
individuals who want to learn more about renewable energy
systems. MREA Milwaukee is partnering with Milwaukee Shines
to help develop Milwaukee as a Solar City. For more
information about Milwaukee Shines please visit:
http://www.milwaukeeshines.com
<</span>http://www.milwaukeeshines.com>
For all other questions please contact Amy Heart, MREA
Milwaukee Director, at amy@the-mrea.org
<</span>amy@the-mrea.org>
.
The new MREA office is located within the Milwaukee
Environmental Consortium:
1845
N Farwell Avenue, Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414-303-7351
Email: amy@the-mrea.org
<</span>amy@the-mrea.org>
4.
Join Us for Ride for Renewables and Harvest Fest on
September 26.
Ride
15, 30, or 60-mile routes in the beautiful rolling hills of
Central Wisconsin. Hosted rest stations greet you
throughout the course. Bike support will be available on
site. Helmets required. Ride for Renewables begins at 11:00
am at the MREA headquarters. Ride at your own pace, and
enjoy Harvest Fest when you return. Prizes will be given
away at 5 pm, so stick around for dinner.
With paid
registration, you receive a free t-shirt, food, music, 2
beverage tickets, and all Harvest Fest activities and
workshops.
Cost for Ride & Harvest Fest:
$30 per
person
$10
for 13-18 year olds
Free
under 13
Register here <</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/ride4renewables.php>
.
MREA’s annual Harvest Fest will begin at 2 pm on Saturday,
September 20 featuring kids’ activities such as cider
pressing and pumpkin painting. Also attend small
harvest-related workshops such as Preparing your Food for
Winter, Improve Your Home
Performance Over Winter, and more. Take guided tours
of the MREA grounds and learn about renewable energy and
permaculture. Enjoy music and local food. At 5 pm enjoy a
chili dinner featuring local and organic food. Music and
bonfire take you into the fall evening. With paid registration, you
receive food, music, 2 beverage tickets, all activities and
workshops.
Cost for Harvest Fest Only:
$20 per
person
$10
for 13-18 year olds
Free
under 13
Register
here
<</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/ride4renewables.php>
.
5.
MREA Workshops
MREA
will be offering trainings through Lake County Grayslake
Community College in Grayslake, Illinois and Heartland
Community College in Normal, Illinois. Please contact them
directly to register for courses.
Lake
County Grayslake Community College
Introduction to Wind Energy Systems
September 12, 2009
October 9, 2009
Register online here <</span>http://wpdi.clcillinois.edu/professional/courseinfo.asp?task=getcourse&id=23670&term=1093&subj=PTEC>
.
Basic Photovoltaics
November 13, 2009
Register online here <</span>http://wpdi.clcillinois.edu/professional/courseinfo.asp?task=getcourse&id=23668&term=1093&subj=PTEC>
.
Heartland Community College
Solar
Domestic Hot Water Systems
September 12, 2009
To register call 309-268-8160
Basic
Photovoltaics
October 10, 2009
To register call 309-268-8160
Introduction
to Wind Systems
November 11, 2009
To register call 309-268-8160
NEW
MREA Course:
W 207.01
Introduction to Tower Climbing and Safety
Highly
recommended for those who will be working in the
field, Introduction to Tower
Climbing and Safety will be a class on the
fundamentals of tower climbing and safety. Students will be
educated in climbing mechanics, hazard assessment, fall
protection, basic knot tying, and more. The class will
conclude with a climb on a tower practicing the safety
procedures and knowledge learned in class.
September 11, 2009
9am to 5pm
Register online here <</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/workshops.php?id=1242327994>
.
PV
101.29 - Pewaukee, WI
Participants in this workshop
will learn the basics of photovoltaic systems. They will
learn to define PV, understand how PV works, identify the
four PV system types, describe and identify components,
understand the best application and limitations of each
system type, define the solar window, understand energy
efficiency and load estimates, identify PV mounting types
and understand the basics of site assessment tools.
August 29, 2009
9am to 5pm
Register online here <</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/workshops.php?id=1249684180>
.
G 103.01 Starting a RE Business – Madison, WI
This
workshop is designed for the individual looking to enter
into the professional world of renewable energy. Workshop
participants will discuss what to consider when starting a
renewable energy business.
Topics include:
1. Starting a Business - Non-legal considerations
2. Business Plans
3. Forming a Business Entity – Options & Documents
involved
4. Tax and Liability Considerations of Different Business
Entities
5. Sources of Money to Finance Your Business
6. Spotting & Addressing Other Early Stage Business
Issues (Protecting IP, Renting/Purchasing Space and
Contracts)
September 18, 2009
1pm to 5pm
Register online here <</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/workshops.php?id=1198163994>
.
G 201.01 Making Your Own Window Quilts – Custer, WI
This
half-day workshop will reduce your heating and cooling
bills by improving the R-value of your windows with
insulated window treatments. These are easy to construct
using “Warm Windows” materials. Topics include: choosing
material, mounting options, sewing shades, material supply.
October 10, 2009
1pm to 4pm
Register online here <</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/workshops.php?id=1048609672>
.
Wisconsin
News
6.
Solar Decade
Now in
its fifth year, the Wisconsin Solar Decade Conference is
your opportunity to see firsthand the latest developments
in the world of solar energy. Register today to hear from
top industry experts and attend dozens of exhibits,
workshops and panel discussions as you discover the state
of the technology, the state of the market and where both
will be tomorrow!
October 2, 2009
8am to 5pm, Midwest Airline Center, Milwaukee, WI.
Register online here: http://www.solardecade.com/node/17
For more info click here: http://www.solardecade.com
7.
Solar Hot Water Lead Installer Training
NEW
Solar Hot Water Lead Installer Training Workshop.
MREA, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity Fox
Cities and We Energies, have added a second Solar Hot Water
Lead Installation class. The Lead Installer class is
an intensive two-week course during which students will
install four solar hot water systems on new Habitat for
Humanity homes. Each student will take lead
responsibility for one installation and work as crew on the
remaining three systems. This lead responsibility
will count as a lead installation towards NABCEP
Certification and will allow the student to be listed as a
full service installer on the Wisconsin Focus on Energy
installer list, which qualifies them to install systems
eligible for Focus Cash Back rewards.
The class will be held from November 2-14 and will be
installing systems on homes in the Fox Cities area.
Enrollment is by application only - please see the
application on the MREA website.
SW 501.01 Milwaukee, WI
September 21, 2009 to October 7, 2009
9am to 5pm
Register online here <</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/habitat.php?id=600000000002>
.
SW 501.02 Fox Cities
November 2, 2009 to November 14, 2009
9am to 5pm
Register online here
<</span>http://www.the-mrea.org/habitat.php?id=600000000004>
.
8.
Earth Fest
Since
1990, EarthFest's mission is to provide a joyful, annual,
one-day free family festival in Sheboygan to promote
community spirit and a healthy environment through music,
art, education, lectures, stories, demonstrations and local
foods.
August 15, 2009
10am to 10pm, Fountain Park, Sheboygan, WI.
For more info click here <</span>http://www.earthfestsheboygan.org>
.
9.
Mead Wildlife Area Celebration
Join
the MREA in celebrating the Mead Wildlife Area’s 50th
Anniversary Celebration!
August 29, 2009
6:30am to 4pm
Mead Wildlife Area, Milladore, WI.
10.
Fighting Bob Fest
Fighting Bob Fest is an annual
Chautauqua featuring progressive speakers, networking
opportunities, and entertainment. Fighting Bob Fest carries
on the tradition of Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette by
providing a forum for progressive ideas on issues facing
Wisconsin and the nation.
September 12, 2009
Sauk County Fairgrounds, Baraboo, WI.
For more info click here <</span>http://www.fightingbobfest.org/>
.
11.
SE2 Conference
Don’t
miss the 6th Annual SE2 Conference. It’s Wisconsin's
premier green building event. The highlight speaker will
be
Ellen Dunham Jones co-author with June Williamson
of Retrofitting Suburbia;
Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs.
September
16, 2009
8am to 5pm, Italian Community Center, Milwaukee, WI.
For more info click here
<</span>http://www.wgba.org/se2/se2conf.html>
.
Midwest
News
12.
ASES Solar Tour
The
Wisconsin Solar Tour is part of the National Solar Tour,
coordinated by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES).
The ASES National Solar Tour is the world's largest
grassroots solar event. Tour homes and buildings to see how
your neighbors are using solar energy to reduce their
monthly utility bills - and how you can too. Find a tour
near you at http://www.nationalsolartour.org
<</span>http://www.nationalsolartour.org>
.
13.
Catch the MREA Presence at These Upcoming Midwest Events:
I-RENEW Energy
& Sustainability Expo.
September 12-13, 2009
Norway, IA.
For more info click here <</span>http://www.irenew.org/>
.
Harvest Festival and Energy Fair
September 12, 2009
9am to 4 pm, Duluth, MN.
For more info click here <</span>http://lssfa.org/HarvestFestivalEnergyfair.html>
.
--
Remember
you can support the MREA while surfing the Internet.
Use
http://www.goodsearch.com
<</span>http://www.goodsearch.com>
<</em>http://www.goodsearch.com
<</span>http://www.goodsearch.com>
>
and select MREA as the organization you want to raise
funds for!
--
eReNews
is a publication of
the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, 7558 Deer Rd,
Custer, WI 54423, http://www.the-mrea.org
<</span>http://www.the-mrea.org>
If you have an item
to submit to eReNews
please send it
to renews@the-mrea.org