You helped us protect funds from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.  Here’s how:

• Preventing Diversion – Prevention of attempts to divert the Legacy dollars that voters approved or to use them as a substitute for programs’ traditional funding sources.
• Citizen Recommendations Approved – All of the projects recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council were included in final appropriations from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.
• The Clean Water Accountability Act – Provisions that improve accountability and clean up strategies for polluted waters were included in this year’s Legacy budget.

You helped make this possible.  I thank you for being such a big part of this important work.  Together, we can protect the Minnesota you love.

Sincerely,

Paul Austin
Executive Director

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

You helped us increase renewable energy and spur investment in Minnesota’s solar industry.  Here’s how:

• Solar Energy Standard – Large utilities are now required to get 1.5% of their energy from solar by 2020 with a state goal of reaching 10% by 2030.
• Options for Homeowners – Changes to state law make it easier for individuals to realize savings from producing their own renewable energy.

You helped make this possible.  I thank you for being such a big part of this important work.  Together, we can protect the Minnesota you love!

Sincerely,

Paul Austin
Executive Director

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

You helped us make common sense improvements to recycling in Minnesota.  Here’s how:

• Beverage Containers – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is required to convene stakeholders for a study to make recommendations to the Legislature for a Recycling Refund program that would achieve an 80% recycling rate.
• Paint – Manufacturers are required to work with the state to design and implement a system to collect and recycle unused paint.

You helped make this possible.  I thank you for being such a big part of this important work.  Together, we can protect the Minnesota you love!

Sincerely,

Paul Austin
Executive Director

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

You helped us protect Minnesota’s children from exposure to toxic chemicals.  Here’s how:

• Removing Bispehenol-A (BPA) – New state law bans the use of BPA in food packaging marketed for children under 3 years old, including infant formula and baby food.
• Banning Formaldehyde – Use of formaldehyde is banned in soaps, shampoo, lotions and other personal care products marketed for children under 8 years old.

You helped make this possible.  I thank you for being such a big part of this important work.  Together, we can protect the Minnesota you love!

Sincerely,

Paul Austin
Executive Director

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

You helped us protect Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and drinking water.  Here’s how:

• The Clean Water Accountability Act – Provisions that improve accountability and clean up strategies for polluted waters were included in this year’s Legacy budget.
• Protecting Shoreland – The DNR was authorized to create more protective guidelines for development along the Mississippi River and a new grant program provides incentives for local government to use more protective shoreland standards.
• Aquatic Invasive Species – Increased funding for enforcement, research, and prevention.
• Conserving Groundwater – New funding to monitor groundwater supplies and help communities manage groundwater resources effectively.

You helped make this possible.  I thank you for being such a big part of this important work.  Together, we can protect the Minnesota you love!

Sincerely,

Paul Austin
Executive Director

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

KJJ: I grew up a city kid with the camping scene a big part of my life:  day camp, vacation camping, residence camp, counselor, program director, day camp director, and 20 years of taking 5th and 6th graders to several of our state’s environmental learning centers. The environmental education hook was set at an early age.

CM: Do you have a favorite place in Minnesota?

KJJ: My most favorite and comfortable place in Minnesota is my lake place of 42 years. It is located on a small, quiet, pristine lake near Hackensack, MN. The sunfish eat oatmeal out of my hand at the end of my dock, and several of the state’s biking and hiking trails are close by.  Snowshoe, cross country ski, and snowmobile trails are endless. Deep Portage Conservation Center with its wide variety of programs and activities is just down the road, and after a hard day of fishing, lake or land activities, both winter and summer, a hot sauna with a jump in the lake or snow bank makes one feel both invigorated and relaxed. What more do you want in Minnesota, except maybe a campfire and a guitar?

CM:  Is there a specific accomplishment or environmental win that you are most proud of?

KJJ:  I believe all pro environmental legislation is important. Working together is even more so. Divided we fall. The one right thing the people and legislators did for the good of everyone was the passage of the Legacy Fund Bill. Now, I hope we can keep it headed for true environmental issues.

CM: Why do you choose to support Conservation Minnesota?

KJJ:  The Minnesota environment, culture, and legislature are all entwined necessities for everyone and the quality of all our lives.  I help support Conservation Minnesota’s efforts to keep the conservation ethic headed in the direction of helping both our environment and our citizens.

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

Conservation Minnesota is working with partners to help reduce our reliance on coal for electricity, increase efficiency, and use more renewable energy like wind and solar to meet our needs.

There are many reasons for Minnesota to make a smooth transition from coal to clean energy. The billions of dollars spent on imported energy can be used instead to build a vibrant energy economy around local producers of renewable technology.

The benefits of this transition are not just economic.  According to the American Lung Association (ALA), “Each year 24,000 premature deaths – 550,000 asthma attacks – 38,000 heart attacks – 12,000 hospital admissions are attributed to Coal Plant pollution”.  Less coal means less mercury, toxic chemicals, and waste products that pollute our lakes and waterways.

ALA President Charles D. Connor notes “People living closest to these plants, especially children, seniors and those with chronic disease, face the greatest risk”. With so much at stake, a sensible plan to move from coal to clean energy is an important next step for Minnesota.

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

In 2008, the voters of Minnesota overwhelmingly approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment which added 3/8 of one percent to the state’s sales tax, and dedicated the revenue to projects that would help preserve the state’s arts and outdoors legacy.

Since the Legacy Amendment’s inception, Conservation Minnesota and Minnesota Citizens for the Arts have worked throughout the state to highlight communities that best demonstrate the intent of the Amendment. Be it with cleaner lakes, protected habitat, expanded trails or public art projects, every resident of Minnesota has benefited from the program.

This year, nine cities will be recognized for their roles in utilizing Legacy funding to make their communities better for residents and visitors alike.  This year’s Legacy Destinations are:  Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, Hastings, Maplewood, Nisswa, Plymouth, Rushford, Stillwater, and Two Harbors. 

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

You helped us make changes that protect our families, communities and great outdoors.  Here’s how:

• Protecting Lakes, Rivers and Drinking Water – Passage of the Clean Water Legacy Effectiveness Act, new protections for Minnesota shoreland and funding to manage groundwater more effectively.
• Aquatic Invasive Species – Increased funding for enforcement, research and prevention.
• Improving Recycling – The state is developing two new plans to increase recycling of beverage containers and unused paint.
• More Renewable Energy – A new solar electricity standard and options for homeowners to gain from installing solar panels.
• Protecting Children – Minnesota has banned the use of Bispehenol-A (BPA) and formaldehyde in certain products marketed to children.

You helped make this possible.  I thank you for being such a big part of this important work.  Together, we can protect the Minnesota you love!

Sincerely,

Paul Austin
Executive Director

Read the rest of the Summer 2013 Newsletter articles.

Let’s just get this out in the open. I know plenty of Minnesotans who adore winter. They embrace the snow, the cold, the entire Nordic package of perfected pain.

And then there’s everyone else; a significant majority (?) of meek mortals who merely tolerate winter. They hibernate, persevere, suffering in silence, daydreaming of their reward: a glorious, sun-baked summer. That’s the compact we make: endure enough clippers and TV windchill maps and you’ll be awarded quality cabin-time and a magic summer most Americans would die for.

It hasn’t quite worked out that way in 2013. The core of the jet stream is 400 miles farther south than last year; a non-stop parade of storms and sloppy fronts passing almost directly overhead. The boundary separating light jacket weather over Canada from sizzling 90s and 100s is setting up nearby, providing a favored west-to-east runway for storms to track down, one after another. Usually we go 2-3 days between storms. This year: 24 hours.

Steamy 70F degree dew points return by late week, along with murky sun, highs from 85-90F, and a better chance of widespread, heavy T-storms.

Just warm enough for a dip in the lake. But watch for lightning.
_________________________________________________________
Todd’s Conservation MN Outlook for the Twin Cities and all of Minnesota:

TUESDAY: More clouds than sun, risk of a stray shower. High: 78

TUESDAY NIGHT: Quieter. Low: 59

WEDNESDAY: More sun, still pleasant. Warmer. Slight chance of late PM thunder. High: 81

THURSDAY: Some sun, scatterd T-storms late, more humidity. Wake-up: 63. High: 82

FRIDAY: More numerous T-storms. Wake-up: 66. High: near 85

SATURDAY: Sticky with morning T-storms, some PM sun. Wake-up: 68. High: 88

SUNDAY: Some AM sun, PM T-storms pop. Wake-up: 67. High: 85
___________________________________________________________________

 

“The Black Forest Fire started on Tuesday, June 11th. The cause is undetermined. It is located in the northeast section of Colorado Springs, within the city limits. Rich Harvey’s Great Basin Type 1 Incident Management Team took over management of the fire on Wednesday June 12th at 6 a.m.
This wind driven fire moved very quickly the first day. The current assessment has determined 482 structures have been destroyed and 17 were damaged. Several thousand residents were evacuated. As areas cool down and have been cleared of potential safety hazards, some residents are being allowed to return to their homes. Safety assessments of structures are ongoing. A few resources have been released as firefighters continue to make progress toward their containment objectives.”

Read more from inciweb.org HERE:
(Image below courtesy inciweb.org)

“BLACK FOREST – The Black Forest Fire is 65 percent contained, has destroyed 483 homes and damaged 17. It has consumed more houses than 2012′s Waldo Canyon Fire – making it the most destructive fire in state history. More than 3,600 homes in the area remain untouched, and fire crews are working around the clock to keep it that way. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department is expected to release the names of the two people who died in the blaze on Monday. An investigation is underway into the cause of the wind-driven fire. All that is known at this point is the blaze was not started by lightning. Four burglaries and one impersonation of a fire official or police officer was reported in the Black Forest Fire area, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said Sunday. Some mandatory evacuations for the Black Forest Fire were lifted Saturday night. Residents to the north were allowed to begin returning home at 8 p.m. Saturday. They’ll remain under pre-evacuation and must be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

Watch/Read more from our affiliate KUSA in Denver, CO HERE:

“Royal Gorge Fire is 100 Percent Contained – Cañon City, Colo. – Today, fire crews finished mopping-up the fire perimeter. The Royal Gorge Fire is 100 percent contained as of 6 p.m. this evening. Smoke may continue to be visible in the fire area due to isolated pockets of unburned fuel inside the containment lines. This is the final update for the Royal Gorge Fire from the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team B. Command of the fire will transition back to the local unit on Monday at 6 a.m. Local fire resources will continue to monitor the fire as necessary. For further fire information, please contact Denise Adamic, BLM Public Affairs Specialist, at (719) 269-8553. The Royal Gorge Fire Information line will not be staffed as of 8 p.m. Sunday. The final size of the Royal Gorge Fire is 3,218 acres. The majority of the fire was in the City of Cañon City (2,156 acres); with additional acreage on private lands (561 acres) as well as lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (501 acres).”

See more from inciweb.org HERE:
Image below courtesy inciweb.org

Thanks for Checking in, have a great rest of your week!
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