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Happening at the Crossroads
April 18, 2008
by Coggin Heeringa While
our educational focus includes science, history, and the environment,
the educational emphasis at Crossroads at Big Creek this year has
been "water quality." So when a local teacher asked, "So, does
that mean you are going to ignore Arbor Day and trees this year?" the
answer was....Heavens no! Planting trees, particularly in an urban
setting, is one of the best things one can do to promote water quality.
Tree
leaves break the fall of rain drops. The large drops of driving
rain actually fracture creating a gentle mist. Also rain drops
collect on leaves, and slowly drip to the ground. What this means
is that less soil, less fertilizer, and less bacteria and
pollutants are washed into the bays or the lakes through our storm
sewer systems.
Trees are capable of carbon sequestration. Their leaves can capture and store carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
By
a process known as evapotranspiration, trees can actually cool an area.
Areas of concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat, raising the
temperature of paved 5-9 degrees F. higher than nearby
green areas.
Recent research on children with Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD) suggest that these children are better able to
focus after playing in green settings.
And in this economic climate, any thing (hint--specimen trees!) that will increase property value is a good thing.
For
that reason, The Environmental Committee of the Noon Rotary Club,
Sturgeon Bay Parks Department, Sturgeon Bay Utilities, the
Ecology Club of Sturgeon Bay High School and Crossroads have been
collaborating for several years to educate, promote and plant trees.
Last weekend, teachers from Door County schools participated in a
graduated level class called "Trees Through the Curriculum." offered at
Crossroads through the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay.
Besides
reducing run-off, trees also create shade, which keeps buildings cooler
in summer. According to Melissa M. Moren, Energy Services
Representative,Wisconsin Public Power, Inc. "Properly
planted around your home, shade trees can lower your cooling costs in
summer. Shade trees on the south and west sides of a home can reduce
air conditioning costs in the summer, while allowing the warming
sunlight through when leaves have fallen and the trees are bare in the
fall and winter months.
"We want to help more people in our
community enjoy the benefits of shade trees. From April 15th until
October 31st, Sturgeon Bay Utilities customers are eligible to
receive an incentive when planting a qualifying tree. Planting a
deciduous tree(s) with a trunk diameter of at least 1 1/4" on either
the south or west side of your home are eligible for an incentive of
50% of the purchase price, up to $60 per tree. Each household is
eligible to receive a maximum of three tree incentives per year. Go to
www.sbunet.org to download a Tree Power rebate application.
You
don't have to plant trees on Arbor Day. But do consider planting trees
some time this spring. And if you have no property on which to plant
trees, join Friends of Crossroads. We have a number a tree-related
projects coming up
Crossroads at Big Creek in a donor-supported
preserve located on County TT (Michigan Street) in Sturgeon Bay. For
more information call 746-5895.
The
Collins Learning Center at Crossroads is located at on County Highway T
across from Whitetails Unlimited. To reach the Leif Everson Observatory
and Stonecipher Astronomy Center, use the Utah Street Entrance. If
skies are clear, call 746-5896 for a recorded message announcing
whether the observatory will be open.
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