By John McCracken, Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting Craig Koller grew up splashing through backyard creeks and biking gravel trails, sometimes through the Johnson Control Industries Fire Technology Center. Black smoke wafted overhead as it conducted controlled burns to test firefighting foam, producing a dangerous “forever chemical” known as PFAS. As a kid growing up […]
Category: Environment
Posted inEvents
Spring Bird Walks Coming To River Bend
CALEDONIA – Take in some spring birding this Friday (April 30) at River Bend Nature Center, 3600 N. Green Bay Rd. Rick Fare from the Hoy Audubon Society will lead visitors on a free bird walk through the River Bend property looking for migratory and native birds. Also, bring binoculars and come dressed for the […]
Posted inEnvironment
Gov. Evers Celebrates Earth Day, Signs Executive Order Pledging to Conserve and Restore Forestland
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed today, April 22, 2021, as Earth Day in the state of Wisconsin. The governor also celebrated the day by signing Executive Order #112. In an Earth Day pledge, Gov. Evers committed to working with public, private, and non-governmental partners to conserve 125,000 acres of forest land. Also, to plant […]
Posted inEnvironment
5 Hiking Spots in Racine County
Spring is here and summer is just around the bend. That means Wisconsin’s landscape is starting to turn from mucky browns into a beautiful sea of greens. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of what’s ahead of us? Whether you want to hike or just take a stroll with your family, deciding where to go […]
Posted inEvents
Learn more about Earth Day; 2021 local events
Earth Day is this Thursday, April 22nd, and many environmental organizations celebrate all week long. This post contains the many events you have to choose from over the next week. But first, a little information about Earth Day. Earth Day was initially created as a college teach-in day to increase public consciousness of the effects […]
Posted inThings To Do
Party for the Planet with the Racine Zoo
RACINE – Join the Racine Zoo to party for the planet this Earth Day! The Racine Zoo is proud to be a partner of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA. Each year, AZA partner organizations do a massive celebration for our planet around the country. There are so many fun activities set for […]
Posted inEnvironment
River Bend Nature Center opens Summer Nature Camp enrollment
RACINE, WI – River Bend Nature Center is now enrolling children ages 4-13 in its Summer Nature Camps. The weekly sessions give children an opportunity to simply “be a kid” while exploring the forest, fields, prairie, ponds, and river as well as making friends. Campers learn to understand and enjoy the natural world in a […]
Posted inNews
Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #108 Declaring an Energy Emergency
MADISON – On Thursday, Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order #108, declaring an energy emergency in the state of Wisconsin. Due to the below-average temperatures, snow, and ice storms throughout the state leading up to February, deliveries of petroleum and propane products shipped by truck, barge, and particularly rail are limited. This Executive Order will […]
Posted inThings To Do
Andis Chickadee Trail Invites Families to Re-Engage Outdoors Amidst Pandemic
River Bend Nature Center is proud to announce the Andis Foundation as the name sponsor of the first phase of the Andis Chickadee Trail. This project comes at a critical time when families are balancing at-home education amid the COVID-19 pandemic pressures. The Andis Chickadee Trail is a new, interactive trail designed to engage children […]
Posted inEnvironment
WEC Energy Group turns focus to carbon-neutral by 2050 goal
Milwaukee-based WEC Energy Group, the holding company that owns We Energies, aims to be a carbon-neutral future by 2050 for its electric generation fleet. The company reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent in 2019 and 2020. Originally, the company forecasted that it would meet that system-wide goal by 2030. Brendan Conway, WEC Energy Group’s […]
Posted inHome
Southeast Wisconsin Solar Group Buy Chooses New Vendor, Holds Informational Webinars
The Southeast Wisconsin Solar Group Buy (SWSGB) has selected Eagle Point Solar as its solar installer this year. SWSGB will also be holding nine informational virtual webinar sessions through Zoom to launch the fourth year of the solar group buy program for residents of Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth Counties. “We are excited to partner with […]
Posted inSports
Wisconsin State Campgrounds Opening June 10
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced they will reopen state campgrounds on Wednesday, with special conditions to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. Some of the changes that campers and park visitors will experience include: Automatic touchless check-in.New signs to educate visitors on recreating responsibly.Park offices will remain closed to the public. […]
Posted inNews
Gov. Evers Directs DNR to Close 40 State Parks, Forests, and Recreational Areas
Gov. Tony Evers today directed the Department of Natural Resources to close several state parks to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites. Due to unprecedented crowds, litter, vandalism and out of an abundance of caution to protect public health and safety and help flatten the curve, the following Wisconsin State Parks, Forests and Recreational […]
Posted inNews
Racine Wastewater Utility Cancels Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Racine Wastewater Utility’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection events scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020, and Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 6200 21st Street for residents of the City of Racine, Caledonia, Elmwood Park, Mount Pleasant, North Bay, Sturtevant & Wind Point have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These residents are encouraged to keep […]
Posted inEnvironment, News
Oak Creek Neighbors Renew Coal Dust Concerns After Fence Falls
OAK CREEK, WI — Officials with WE Energies says it will only be a matter of days before repairs are complete on several panels of fencing that had fallen last week due to storms and high winds that moved through the area. The fence, officials said, was put in place to slow winds down, effectively […]
