Every Day!
Earth Day April 22, 2007
Classroom FUN Book!
Introduction
Earth Day is a day to celebrate our
environment. Senator Gaylord Nelson
“Earth
from Wisconsin initiated the first Earth
Day in 1970. (See related story below.)
Every year millions of ordinary people
participate in organized events that show
we are concerned about and support our
environment. But Earth Day is just one day and
it’s important that we all do what we can to be
friendly” throughout the year.
Leadership
Contents
The Madison Area..........................1
Protecting Our Wetlands ...............2
Preserving Lake Wingra ................3
Protecting Species ..........................4
Putting Energy to Work .................5
A Friend of the Environment ........6
Water Conservation .......................8
Energy Puzzle .................................9
Energy Smart House ....................10
Good Energy ................................12
Solar Energy .................................14
Wind Energy.................................16
Biomass Energy ............................18
Nature Net Earth Day Events .......20
A Rich Heritage of Environmental Leadership
Gaylord Nelson – a Wisconsin native
and the founder of Earth Day.
Gaylord Nelson, the Founder of Earth Day, was born in Clear
Lake, Wisconsin. He died July 3, 2005, at the age of 89.
Nelson was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 1958. Four years later,
he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He served in the U.S. Senate from
1962 until 1981.
During his time in the U.S. Senate, Nelson was an advocate for the
environment. The idea for Earth Day evolved over a period of years
starting in 1962. His first idea to bring attention to environmental
issues was to persuade President Kennedy to go on a national conservation tour. President Kennedy liked the idea and began a five-day,
11-state tour in 1963. When this presidential tour did not get the
environmental issues on the national agenda, Nelson did not give up.
Six years later, during a conservation speaking tour in the summer
of 1969, Nelson had the idea of applying “teach-ins” used as part of
the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations to organize a huge grassroots
protest over what was happening to the environment. In September
1969, Nelson announced a nationwide demonstration in the spring
of 1970. The response from the media and people across the country
was immediate.
The success of the first Earth Day was spectacular and beyond
anything that Senator Nelson had anticipated. More than 20 million
demonstrators and thousands of schools and local communities
participated. As Senator Nelson recounted, “That was the
remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.”
As a result of his efforts to protect the environment, and in
recognition of his role in founding Earth Day, Gaylord Nelson
was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton
in 1995.
The Madison Area
– a great place to live.
Madison and surrounding areas get high marks
from national magazines for our quality of life.
Our beautiful natural setting, our outstanding
park system and especially our lakes and
waterways provide plenty of outdoor activities
that impress people from across the country.
Given the importance of lakes to our area, this
year’s edition of the Earth Day Classroom Fun Book
includes lots of new information about things that
we all can do to improve the quality of the waters
that surround us.
many local municipalities and organizations offer
more ideas about how you can help improve the
quality of our lakes and streams.
We’ve also included information about wetlands,
and the important role they play as a filtering
system for our natural water supply and as a habitat
for native plant and animal life.
We hope that you’ll find new ideas that show how
the power of working together can have a big
impact on our environment.
The City of Madison
adopted the Clean
Lakes and Beaches
water quality plan in
conjunction with Earth
Day in 2006. This plan includes many programs that
will reduce the water
runoff into our lakes
and improve the
quality of the water
that reaches them.
In addition to the
City of Madison,
Check Out the Newspaper!
Look in today’s newspaper for an article about Earth Day or about any environmental
issue. Write a short summary of the article and share it with your class.
1
Henry Vilas Zoo is working to protect and revive
Preserving
What is a wetland?
Wetlands are unique ecosystems where land and
water mix. The wetlands of Wisconsin were formed by
melting glaciers over 10,000 years ago!
When Wisconsin was settled in the 1800s, wetlands
were thought of as wastelands, places to avoid and
eliminate. As a result, these precious ecosystems were
drained, filled or used as a dumping ground for waste.
Half of the original 10 million acres of wetlands in the
state have been lost.
But now we know better. Wetlands are important natural
resources that improve water quality, protect land from
storms and flooding, and serve as habitat for a variety of
unique fish, plants and animals.
Building a wetland
Henry Vilas Zoo has built a replica wetland to educate
visitors about the value of these unique ecosystems.
A 100-year old bridge overlooking Lake Wingra was
rebuilt so visitors can observe a working wetland.
When the wetland is fully-grown, you’ll be able to
see cranberries, blueberries and wild rice growing
in their native habitat.
In order to conserve water and protect nearby wetlands,
Henry Vilas Zoo has renovated close to half of its manicured lawns to create more natural areas. These areas
are less prone to water runoff because the ground is
able to soak in rainfall and put it to good use. Less
watering is needed, and the Zoo saves the energy that
was once used in running landscaping equipment.
2
Lake Wingra is an urban lake near the center of
Madison. You can see Lake Wingra from the grounds
of the Henry Vilas Zoo and swim in it at Vilas Beach.
Lake Wingra spans 339 acres, but its watershed
encompasses an area over 10 times that size. The
Lake Wingra watershed is all the land area where runoff
from rain or snow drains to the lake. Urbanization in
the watershed has harmed the lake's ecosystem and its
recreational appeal.
Although the lake is threatened, the community is
working together to preserve and improve Lake Wingra
and its watershed. The Friends of Lake Wingra is an
organization of community members who are working
to improve the health of the lake.
You can help!
Runoff damages the bodies of water in our area,
including Lake Wingra. When road salt from streets
and fertilizer from parks and lawns pollutes our
bodies of water, it damages the ecosystem. By keeping
damaging waste away from storm drains, we can make
sure that debris and pollutants don’t find their way into
our beautiful lakes.
For more information on how you can help
preserve Lake Wingra, visit lakewingra.org
Henry Vilas Zoo is helping!
Henry Vilas Zoo recognizes that human activity puts
stress on Lake Wingra and its watershed. Because of
this, the Zoo works hard to reverse and prevent the
damage its activities can cause to the natural area.
Improved Zoo landscaping with shrubs, mulch
and native plants prevent storm water from
running off into the lake and keeps out
sediment and debris that can damage the
lake’s ecosystem.
Friends of Lake Wingra volunteers plant a shoreline buffer at Vilas lagoon.
Lake Wingra is one of five
lakes in and around Madison
that drain into the Yahara River.
Can you name the other four?
Answer:_________________________________________________
Photos courtesy of Jim Lorman, Friends of Lake Wingra
Answers: Lake Monona, Lake Mendota, Lake Waubesa and Lake Kegonsa.
Through sustainable landscaping, renewable energy use in
its buildings and efforts to protect wildlife throughout the
world, our Henry Vilas Zoo is doing its part to protect the
environment, Earth Day and every day!
3
Protecting
Putting
EnergytoWork
Threatened
Species
at the Zoo!
We often hear about species around the world that are threatened
with extinction. Destruction of important habitats is one of the main
reasons that certain species are threatened.
Many people don’t realize the important role that special places
and special people in Wisconsin play in protecting threatened
plants and animals.
Species Survival Plans
Henry Vilas and other AZA Accredited Zoos across the country work
hard to ensure that threatened species have a chance to revive
their population. This requires a concerted effort to keep these
animals happy and healthy
in captivity. Can you find
the names of the severely
A U H I M P T W
threatened or endangered
M A L A Y S I A
species that our Zoo is
Z M P A N Z R F
working hard to protect?
1. African Lion
2. Malaysian Tapir
3. Chimpanzee
4. Orangutan
5. Penguin
6. Polar Bear
7. Amur Tiger
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Highly
Endangered
Amphibian Protection
Since 1980, a great number of amphibian species have
gone missing. Some of these species may have become extinct.
Henry Vilas Zoo is a leader in an international initiative to protect
and conserve highly endangered amphibians, particularly poison dart
frogs from Costa Rica. Visit the Zoo's Herpetarium to see these wonderful animals in habitats that replicate their natural environment.
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Check Out
the Newspaper!
Read through today’s
newspaper. Is there a
news story about plants
or animals? What is the
story about?
The Solar Sunflower System: The flamingo yard
at the Henry Vilas Zoo is such a bright and sunny area, the
Zoo, in partnership with Madison Gas & Electric Company,
put its energy to work by installing solar panels to
absorb the energy from the sun’s rays. The process of
grabbing solar energy is called photovoltaic.
The photovoltaic power that the Zoo gains
from its flamingo yard is equal to one quarter
of the energy used in a home each year.
Collecting old cell phones to recycle.
Used cell phones contain materials that can
release toxins into groundwater, soil and air when
disposed in landfills. The Zoo is helping to recycle
old cell phones, reducing Great Ape habitat loss
caused by mineral extraction. They will dispose of used
phones properly without damaging the environment.
As the Zoo expands to be an even better place
to visit, energy conservation is an important
goal. When developing new exhibits, the Zoo uses
green technology whenever possible. Because of efforts
at conservation, the Zoo has reduced its electricity and
natural gas use by 30% and its water use by 37%.
The Butterfly Garden and
Conservation Initiative
The Henry Vilas Zoo is working to recover
and restore the butterfly population
through its support of the Butterfly
Conservation Initative. Enjoy the unique
beauty of the Butterfly Garden at Vilas
Zoo and know that the Zoo is working to
protect butterflies all over the world.
natural
gas use
down
30%
water
use
down
37%
Photovoltaic power
is also used to power
the gates at the Zoo!
5
friend of the environment
Wetlands & Water
Did You Know?
• Wisconsin has more than 15,000 lakes and
13,500 miles (21,700 kilometers) of navigable
streams and rivers.
• Almost 3 percent of Wisconsin’s
area—nearly a million acres—
is lakes.
• Wisconsin has about 1.2
million billion gallons (4.5
million billion liters) of water
underground— if it were above
ground, it would submerge the state
in 100 feet (30 meters) of water.
• Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty
or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2%
is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That
leaves 1% for all our needs.
• Water regulates the Earth’s
temperature. It also regulates the
temperature of the human body!
• The average total home water use for each
person in the U.S. is about 50 gallons a day.
• More water is used in the bathroom than any
other place in the home.
• A dripping faucet can waste up to 2,000 gallons
of water a year.
6
Air Pollution and Energy
Recycling
Energy affects our lives every day. It keeps us warm in the winter, cools us in the
summer and helps us travel easily. How energy is made is an important environmental issue and directly relates to air quality. Generally, the less energy you use
means the cleaner the air quality. Simple actions like turning off the lights when
not in use can reduce energy and improve air quality. Every little action helps
because it all adds up to cleaner air!
What can I recycle at
my house?
Air Pollution and Energy Quiz
1. Some factories and utilities have these on their smokestacks to collect
pollutants before they reach our air.
A. Pipes
C. Nets
B. Sticky paper
D. Scrubbers
2. What are some of the effects of air pollution?
A. It causes health problems in humans and animals
B. It damages plants and pollutes water
C. It can lead to acid rain, global warming and smog
D. All of the above
3. Which of the following conserves energy?
A. Turning off lights and appliances when not in use
B. Keeping the computer on
C. Running the clothes washer half full
D. None of the above
4. Which of the following was a popular energy
source for vehicles from the 1830s to the 1920s?
A. Ethanol
C. Biodiesel
B. Hydrogen
D. Electricity
5. Which of the following statements best defines renewable resources?
A. A resource that is limited in availability
B. A resource that contributes to pollution
C. A resource that is powered by the sun
D. A resource that can renew or replace itself and, therefore,
can be used indefinitely
6. If the availability of fossil fuels runs out, which of these products will we
still be able to produce?
A. Gas
C. Plastics
B. Diesel
D. Electricity
Answers: 1.D, 2.D, 3.A, 4.D, 5.D, 6.D
Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources is a
• Plastic containers with #1 and #2 printed on the bottom.
Some places in Wisconsin recycle plastics #3 through
#7– check with your community for more information.
• Aluminum
• Glass
• Paper
• Cardboard and paperboard
• Steel containers
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Food waste can be recycled in a compost bin. Check out
“Recipes for Composting” on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Web site http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/earth/recycle/compost_waste.htm
• Look for opportunities in your community to recycle used batteries, cell phones,
computers and other electronics. Some stores that sell electronics will recycle your
old items for a small fee or free of charge.
• Major appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, washers and dryers. Check
with the recycling program in your community for details.
Here's how you can help the environment
by reducing waste:
1. Buy or make up your own “picnic basket” for your lunch box that includes reusable
cups, plates and silverware.
2. Buy a lunch box. Get your friends to use lunch boxes too. Pack your food in
reusable containers instead of waxed paper, sandwich bags or aluminum foil.
3. Collect and recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Recycling one aluminum
can saves enough energy to light a lightbulb for 12 hours!
4. Use both sides of a piece of paper when writing letters or doing homework. If you
only need to use one side, save the paper in a “reuse” box for future use.
5. Use a pencil and erase any mistakes. If you need a perfect copy, practice on one of
the papers from your “reuse” box and then copy it over.
6. Save your old clothes for a garage sale or give them to a charity. If they are ripped
or torn and cannot be repaired, then use them for cleaning rags (cut off and save
the buttons first).
7. Litter is everybody’s problem and responsibility. Do your part by picking it up and
disposing of it or recycling it.
8. Get a library card and use it. Books and magazines can be used many times by the
whole community instead of just once by you.
9. After you buy a small item, take it home in your pocket instead of asking for a bag.
If your items are too large for your pocket, then bring a reusable shopping bag.
Hey kids! Want to learn more about these
and other environmental issues, nature,
and careers in natural resources?
Visit the EEK! Environmental Education for
Kids web site at http://dnr.wi.gov/eek.
See you there!
10. Buy in bulk or buy larger packages and put the amount you need for school or
snacks in reusable containers. Buying in bulk is less expensive than buying individually wrapped servings and requires less packaging.
11. Use a hand towel for drying your hands and dish cloth or sponge for wiping up
spills. They can be cleaned and used again.
12. Save energy by turning off lights when you’re not using them.
13. Recycle plastic bags from stores when you are done using them. Some grocery
and retail stores have recycling bins available for your use.
7
Faucets
The faucets in your kitchen and bathroom
sinks account for 16% of your total water
use. Installing low-flow faucet aerators is
easy, inexpensive and can save up to 1,700
gallons of water per year.
Conserve
Save your
ENERGY!
Circle Yes or No for the following statements about how
you can be more energy efficient:
There are a lot of ways that you and your family can
save water and energy around your home.
Leaks
Silent leaks let water and
money go down the drain.
More than 10% of your
water bill could be the
result of leaks. Check
your house to see if
you can find leaks.
ahhhhhhh…
water!
Y N
4) Always fix slow leaks from faucets and pipes.
Y N
5) Keep your shower time to a minimum to save water.
Y N
6) In the winter, turn your thermostat down at night and put an extra blanket on your bed.
Y N
7) Leave your car running when you run into the store if it’s really cold outside.
Y N
8) In your yard, plant large evergreens on the north and west to prevent winds from chilling your house.
Y N
9) Run the dishwasher every day, even if there are only a few dirty dishes in it.
Y N
10) Replace toilets that are 10 years or older.
Y N
11) When landscaping, plant large shade trees near your house to cool in the summer.
Y N
12) Use a setback thermostat to control the temperature in your home at night and when you’re away.
Y N
13) Efficient energy use increases your home’s energy bill.
Y N
14) Replace some or all of your household incandescent lightbulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs to
save money and energy.
Y N
15) Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to find out about renewable
sources of energy to use in their daily lives.
Y N
Dishwashers
)Y2
ers: 1
Answ
Clothes
Washer 21.7%
1
Other 2.2%
Bath 1.7%
Dishwasher 1.4%
11) Y
Look at the graph on the left to determine what
uses the most water in your home.
for more energy activities!
10) Y
What uses the most water?
Leak 13.7%
www.mge.com/earthday
15) Y
Shower 16.8%
Visit
14) Y
Faucet 16.7%
Clothes Washer
Clothes washers are the second
biggest water user in your home. An ENERGY STAR®-rated
washer can use 30%-50% less water and 50% less energy
for every load.
2) Y 1
3) N
If you run a full load of
dishes in your dishwasher, you
should save water compared to
washing the same dishes by hand.
High-efficiency dishwashers that use less water
and energy are available.
)
If you’re living in a house that was built more
than 10 years ago, your toilets are your biggest
water user. If a family of
four replaces all their old
toilets, they can cut their
water use in half.
3) Instead of putting on a sweater, run a space heater if you get chilly.
6) Y 7
Toilets
Y N
Y 5) Y
Thermostat
Your water heater is the second biggest
energy consumer in your home. Turning
it back to 120° will save energy and
protect people from getting scalded.
2) Caulk your windows to prevent cold drafts from entering your home.
) Y 3)
N 4)
Installing a new
showerhead is a
good idea if your
home has an older model. Remember
that you can save more than 2 gallons
of water for every minute you reduce
your shower time.
Y N
N 8) Y
9) N
Showers
1) In summer, set the air conditioner to a higher temperature at night and when no one is home.
Answer:____________________________________
Toilet 26.7%
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You can also find the answers at www.mge.com/earthday
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Is your house
ENERGY SMARt?
Family Home
Energy Investigation
Attic Insulation
Use a ruler and measure how
much insulation you have in the
attic area. 12 inches or more is
the recommended level.
Look around your home for ways to save energy. Using energy efficiently
saves natural resources and reduces our impact on the environment.
If your family would like more energy-saving tips, contact the
MGE Home Energy Line at 252-7117 or visit www.mge.com.
Inches of insulation ______
Take this quiz home
and learn more about
your family’s energy use.
Dehumidifiers
Do you have a dehumidifier in your house?
Yes ______ No ______
Materials
A ruler or tape measure and a thermometer.
If yes, do you operate it on a timer? Yes ______ No ______
MGE recommends that you operate your dehumidifier on a timer
so that it runs at night instead of at high energy-use periods
during the daytime.
Doors
Check the condition of your exterior doors. Do the doors
shut tightly? What is the condition of the weather stripping
around the edge?
Water Heater Temperature
With an adult, place a household thermometer under hot running
water. Check the temperature of your water. MGE recommends
that you set your water heater to 120°F to prevent scalding and
save energy.
Weather stripping ______
Lighting
If you substitute one 22-watt compact fluorescent
bulb for a 75-watt incandescent bulb, over the lifetime
of the bulb you will save $45 in energy costs and
500 pounds of coal.
Water temperature ______
Number of bulbs ______
Yes ______ No ______
Thermostat Settings
Do you use a setback thermostat?
MGE recommends a winter temperature setting of no higher
than 68 degrees and an air conditioner setting of no lower
than 78 degrees in the summer.
Windows
Do you have shades or window coverings? During the
summer, you can pull shades down to keep out sunlight
and heat. During the winter, open shades to let in light and
heat on sunny days.
What are your settings? Winter ______ Summer ______
Furnace and Air-conditioning Systems
Does your family have your furnace and air conditioner
inspected each year by qualified heating and air-conditioning
professionals? Yes ______ No ______
Window coverings ______
Bathroom
Do you use low-flow showerheads?
Yes ______ No ______
Water Heater
Low-flow showerheads save water and energy to heat
the water. Standard showerheads use 3-5 gallons
of water per minute. Low-flow showerheads use 1-2
gallons per minute.
Locate the EnergyGuide label on the
jacket of the tank to determine how
your water heater compares to other
water heaters of similar size.
Refrigerator
Does yours:
Use more energy ______
Use the least ______
Use an average amount ______
Check the inside temperature of your refrigerator. It should
be 37°F to ensure food safety and energy savings.
Furnace Filters
MGE recommends that you change your furnace filter at
least once per month during the heating and air-conditioning
seasons if you use a standard-type filter. If you use a media-type
high-efficiency filter, change your filter once every three months.
Frequency of filter changes:
Not at all ______ 1-3 times ______ 4 or more ______
Your refrigerator temperature ______
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Can you find 10 energy users in this kitchen?
Put an “X” on each one you find. You can find the answers at www.mge.com/earthday
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Good
ENERGY
for today and tomorrow!
[Geothermal Energy] Geothermal energy refers to energy contained in under-
BUILDING NEW
ground rock and fluids. Thermal or heat energy DEEP within the Earth may heat
water or form steam . Geothermal energy is used to power steam turbines and
G E N E R A T E E L E C T R I C I T Y, although it can be used to heat homes and other buildings.
Geothermal energy resources are primarily confined to the western states .

 in the form of visible light and infrared radiation.
[Solar Energy] SOLAR energy is renewable energy produced by the sun.
It comes to Earth
energy for today
Although the amount of solar energy reaching the
[Biomass Energy] Biomass is plant
Earth’s surface is immense, it is spread out over
variety of ways to heat homes w and businesses,
heat water, grow plants
) and produce electricity.
1. WHAT’S ON THE ROOF OF MADISON WEST HIGH SCHOOL?
_______________________________________________________________
[Hydroelectric Energy] or hydropower r
y
or animal
matter . # Biomass fuels are created from agricultural
wastes (crops), alcohol fuels, animal waste and municipal
solid waste. Plant leaves  convert sunlight into chemical
energy, which is stored in the plants. Animals 4 that eat
the plants store chemical energy in their bodies; some of it is
also stored in manure and other wastes. Biomass fuels are
R E N E WA B L E because the r a w materials can be
replaced simply by growing more crops or collecting more waste.
a large area. Solar energy can be harnessed in a
and t o m o r r o w .
3. WHAT NATIONAL PARK HAS A NATURAL
FORM OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY?
__________________________________
4. BIOMASS FUELS GET THEIR
ENERGY FROM THE SUN
THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED
is energy produced by the
___________________________________
action of falling water turning a waterwheel, propeller or turbine. Almost
all hydroelectric energy is used to produce electricity, although early pioneers
built waterwheels to grind grain and operate other machinery.
2. THE WORLD’S FIRST HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY POWER STATION WAS BUILT IN
WHAT WISCONSIN CITY? ________________________________________________________
q
[Wind Energy] Wind Energy is a clean, renewab le energy source produced by the daily cooling and

patterns on the surface of the earth
. Wind energy can be harnessed to produce
electricity,  pump water, grind grain and move sailing vessels.
HEATING
Wind generators consist of a steel tower, propeller blades to capture the wind and a generator. Individual
wind generators are commonly built near homes w or farms but may be arranged in clusters or
wind farms. Wisconsin has some of the largest wind farms east of the
M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i River!
5. __________________________________ IS PRODUCED BY HEATING AND COOLING ON THE EARTH’S SURFACE.
Answers: 1. Solar Panels 2. Appleton 3. Yellowstone National Park 4. Photosynthesis 5. Wind
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MGE takes responsibility to preserve and protect our environment while providing affordable, reliable energy.

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Solar
ENERGY
is a natural.
See the solar energy generated by the sun first-hand.
Work with your teacher and classmates to build this
fun & tasty project.
Yum!
Solar energy, or sunlight, can be used to
!
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generate electricity, provide HOT WATER
and HEAT, COOL and LIGHT buildings.
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There are a number of ways to capture
the energy in sunlight.
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Monona
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len
W
Raymond Rd.
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nd
on
as
W
No
M
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hn
na Rd
.
e.
Av
h.
Regent St.
Jo
Oda
Whitney Way
Mineral Point Rd.
6
Sheboygan Ave.
Monona Dr.
3
e.
Av
Lien Rd.
Win
neb
ago
St.
n
so
hn
e.
Av
Park St.
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ity
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MGE has installed photovoltaic systems on area high schools and community
sites to create more awareness of renewable energy. Look at the map at the
right to see the schools that are using this innovative technology on their
rooftops. Visit www.mge.com/solarschools for more information.
14
on
gt
in
sh
Lake Mendota
s
er
iv
Un
9
M
Solar Energy in Our Schools
e.
Av
Allen Blvd.
14
ym
Ra
Solar water heaters use the sun to heat water that flows through a panel that
faces the sun. These systems can reduce the need for conventional water
heating by two-thirds. Sometimes the hot water that is collected can also be
used to heat a building.
ry
ntu
Ce
8
Concentrating Solar Power
Solar Hot Water
7
12
Photovoltaic (PV) cells turn sunlight directly into electricity. The simplest cells
might power your watch or calculator. To power a building, many cells are
combined into a system or array.
Some power plants use a concentrating solar power system. The sun’s energy
is concentrated in one area using mirrors. This creates a lot of heat. The heat
produces steam used to run a generator that creates electricity.
r.
Old
Photovoltaic (solar cells)
tD
51
Passive Solar
No mechanical devices are used in passive solar heating. Buildings
designed for passive solar heating often have large windows that face south
to absorb as much sunlight as possible. They might also use building materials that absorb and slowly release the sun’s heat. Passive solar designs can
reduce heating bills by up to 50%.
No
rth
por
Solard
og!
Abundant Life Christian School
Edgewood High School
James Madison Memorial High School
La Follette High School
Madison East High School
Madison West High School
Malcolm Shabazz High School
Middleton Alternative Senior High School
Middleton High School
Monona Grove High School
Waunakee High School
Libby Rd.
Lake Waubesa
Check Out
the Newspaper!
Check today’s newspaper to see if
any of the stories about Earth Day
contain a mention of any of the
environmentalists who had roots in
Wisconsin. What did the article say
about them?
Solar Hot Dog Cooker
View complete instructions at
www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/solardogs.html
15
ENERGY
is a
b
reeze.
Wind
is always here,
and generating electricity too.
it’s great for
flying kites !
Wind turbines capture the wind’s energy with two or three propellerlike blades that are mounted on a rotor. Turbines are placed on top of high towers to
Wind power has no pollution!
Wi
w
o
nd, Bl
!
in d
B
W
low
Learn about the power of the wind with math.
1) Most people think that Chicago is the windiest city in the U.S. It’s not.
Boston is the windiest city. The numbers below indicate the miles per
hour of the winds for Boston for a two-week period. Can you use the
following information to find the range, median and mode wind speeds?
22 35 27 15 38 32 22 35 25 29 22 18 24 36
2) Thirty-seven states in the U.S. use wind as a source of energy. Can you
determine what fraction of the states uses wind as an energy source?
What fraction of the states does not use wind energy?
3) Damon loves to fly his kite on the weekends. If March 1st is on a
Saturday, how many days will he get to fly his kite in March?
Visit The Franklin Institute Resources for Science Learning
http://sln.fi.edu/school/math/wind.html for more quiz questions.
take advantage of the stronger wind at 100 feet or more above the ground.
Wind Power
Single wind turbines can be used to generate power for a single home or farm. Utilities
Superior
LAKE
SUPERIOR
build a large number of wind turbines close together to form a wind farm.
Wind Energy Facts
On wind farms, the turbines take up only 5% of the land, leaving the rest
for other uses like farming.
The total wind resource in the United States is very large. All states have
some windy areas, but the Great Plains and Midwest lead the rest of the
country. The state of North Dakota alone could supply over 30% of the
electrical consumption for the U.S.
Learn more about wind power at:
windpower.org/en/kids/index.htm
16
Green Bay
Oshkosh
LaCrosse
LAKE
MICHIGAN
Madison
Milwaukee
What’s a wind farm? MGE has a 17-turbine
wind farm in Kewaunee County, Wis., and an
18-turbine wind farm in Kensett, Iowa. If we burned
fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas to make the
same amount of electricity as these wind farms make
each year, these fossil fuels would put 130,000 tons of
Key
Power
Class
Wind Power Wind Speed
Density (W/m2)
(mph)
2
200-300
12.5
3
300-400
14.3
4
400-500
15.7
5
500-600
16.8
Source: Wind Energy Resource Atlas of the
United States
Wind energy has been used for years to do work.
From powering a sailboat to pushing the blades on a
windmill in order to pump water and to crush a farmer's
grain, wind has been, and still is, used as a viable source
of energy. The faster the wind speed, the more energy
is available.
carbon dioxide into the air. That wouldn’t be good
for the environment.
Answers: 1) range=23; median=26; mode=22 2) 37/50; 13/50 3) 9 more days.
Five nations, including Germany, U.S., Denmark, Spain and India,
account for 80% of the world’s installed wind energy capacity.
Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable energy source around
the world.
Wausau
Eau Claire
Areas that are potentially suitable
for wind energy applications generally have a wind power class of 3
and above. This map of Wisconsin
shows the annual average wind
power throughout the state. During
the winter months, average wind
speeds can be much higher. Large
portions of the Great Lakes shorelines are estimated to have Class 5
or 6 wind power during January,
February and March.
Wind Power Density helps to
evaluate the wind resource available
at a potential wind farm site. The
wind power density calculation,
measured in watts per square meter,
indicates how much power is
available in the area swept by the
wind turbine rotor. It is based on
air density and wind velocity.
17
BioMass
Biomass energy is energy
that comes from plants,
animals and
any organic
material with the
energy from the sun stored inside.
Plants use photosynthesis to absorb the
energy from the sun.
Sun energy from plants gets passed on to people
and animals as they eat plants. When people,
animals and plants create waste products,
that material is still full of unused energy.
Making good use of that energy is good
for the environment.
Biomass energy is renewable because
we can replace what we use by
growing more crops and creating
more waste. Using biomass energy
reduces harmful emissions, recycles
waste products and supports agricultural products.
While burning biomass materials releases
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, growing
more biomass crops captures nearly an equal amount
of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
18
Here are some examples
of biomass energy:
Ethanol: Ethanol is a type of fuel made from plants. In the US, we
grow a lot of corn and turning that corn into fuel makes good use
of an abundant and renewable crop. In South and Central America,
sugar is an abundant crop that can also be turned into ethanol.
Many cars today can run on ethanol or a combination of ethanol and
gasoline. Ethanol is renewable because we can always grow more
corn, sugar and other plants that can be turned into fuel.
Landfill Gas: As waste products break
down in our landfills, methane
gas is emitted. This methane
gas can be collected and
used as a fuel source. In
our area, the Dane County
Rodefeld Landfill collects
enough methane gas
to power about 2,100
homes each year.
Biodiesel: Biodiesel is a type of
fuel made with vegetable oils, fats
and grease. This kind of fuel can be
used in most diesel engines without
making changes to how the engine
works. Running on biodiesel puts waste
products to good use and creates less harmful
emissions than diesel fuel.
In our area, people are trying to incorporate renewable energy
in their daily lives. Glass Nickel Pizza Company runs some of
its delivery vehicles on waste vegetable oil. The pizza company
creates about 240 gallons of waste oil each month from its fryers.
This waste is converted into biomass energy that runs delivery cars
that can drive 3,000 miles/week. That’s putting energy to work for
our environment!
How many other companies or organizations are using
biomass energy in our area? Do a little research and
share what you’ve learned with your classmates.
19
a d is o n Ar b
a di s o
n P a rk s D
Photog
ra p
hc
Spons
ored by:
16-22,
2007
Come explore the Henry Vilas Zoo to learn about the animal kingdom
and try to spot the many endangered and native species living at
the Zoo. Learn what you can do to help these animals survive at a
conservation education program at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.
en
ter
Nature
Net’s
Nature Net: Powered by the Aldo Leopold Nature Center with charitable support from American Girl Fund for Children.
aturen
et.com
Join in
Celebra
tin
Earth
Day & g
Natio
Environ nal
Educat mental
ion Wee
k
APRIL
Of Even
ts
Spons
ored by:
Mon Ear
th We
ek Dro
Tue Aft
p
Wed Exper School Op In MacKenzi
en
e Cente
loring
Thurs
Earthq House Ald
Story
o Leopol r
uakes
Time
UW Ge
Fri Sci
d Natur
ence Da UW Geology
ology
Museu e Center
Sat Ear
bblers
Mu
m
th Day
Madison seum
Sun Ear
Activit
Childr
ies Ma
th Day
en's
dis
at
on
the
Earth
Childr Museum
Zoo He
Da
en’s Mu
Leopol y Open House nry Vilas
seum
Zo
d Legacy
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Lussie
...and
Open
r Fam
more!
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For det House Ald
ge Ce
o Leopol
ails see
d Founda nter
www.n
aturen
et.com tion
16-22,
2007
Pasque flowers, prairie smoke, early buttercups and early migration
birds should make this a delightful walk. Meet at the Grady Tract
parking lot located at the southeast corner of the Beltline and
Seminole Highway.
a tu r
eC
Mon Ear
th We
ek Dro
Tue Aft
p
er
Wed Exp School Op In MacKenzi
en
e
loring
Thurs
Earthq House Aldo Center
Story
uakes
Leopol
Time
UW Ge
d Natur
Fri Sci
ence Da UW Geology
ology
Museu e Center
Sat Ear
bblers
Mu
m
th Day
Madison seum
Sun Ear
Activit
Childr
ies Ma
th Day
en's
dison
at the
Earth
Childr Museum
Zoo He
Da
en’s Mu
Leopol y Open House nry Vilas
seum
Zo
d Legacy
o
Lussie
...and
Open
r Fam
more!
ily Herita
For det House Ald
ge Ce
o Leopol
ails see
d Founda nter
www.n
aturen
et.com tion
1-3 p.m. FREE
rt
d o L e o p ol d N
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE
et.com
ou
1-5 p.m. FREE
UW Arboretum*
Grady Tract Hike
608-266-4711
e Al
Take part in activities using simple, everyday
materials to engage young children and caregivers in observation, comparison, measurement
and communication.
The goal of these conservation parks is to
restore native plants and animals and to
provide educational opportunities
for everyone.
www.ci.madison.wi.us/parks
f th
Swing by after school for crafts,
to hike the trails and make discoveries at the
Leopold pond. Fun and exploration for the whole
family. Drop-ins welcome.
APRIL
City of Madison
Conservation Parks
Aldo Leopold Foundation*
Leopold Legacy Center Opening
Stop by to catch presentations throughout the afternoon about the green
features of the new Leopold Legacy Center, or join an afternoon tour of
the Leopold Shack. Also see photographer Jill Metcoff’s interpretation of
the Leopold Memorial Reserve today compared with Carl Leopold’s
historic photographs. Both will be present to comment on the display. More details on this event coming in your next newsletter. In the
meantime, be sure to check out our construction updates page on the
website. See you there!
yo
2:30-3 p.m. Cost: Museum Admission
aturen
Join in
Celebra
tin
Earth
Day & g
Natio
Environ nal
Educat mental
ion Wee
k
te s
es
3-6 p.m. FREE
www.n
Henry Vilas Zoo*
Party for the Planet
ur
i vi si
on
Of Even
ts
www.n
20
The International Crane Foundation is now open for the 2007 season!
Come see all 15 of the world's crane species, learn about conservation efforts ICF has implemented around the globe and how you can
get involved. You may also explore nature trails through oak savanna,
wetlands and tall grass prairie and learn about crane ecosystem
restoration or join a guided tour at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.
co
Welcome the spring breeze with a wind chime for your garden.
Assemble and decorate your own wind chime made from clay pots. All
supplies included. For ages 5 and up. Stroll the gardens
8 a.m.-8 p.m. for FREE or visit Bolz Conservancy 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
for $1/person.
Interactive presentations on protecting Earth’s water resources at 1:00
p.m. Art Shegonee, a Native American Ambassador to Indian Summer
and Call For Peace, with his daughter Marla, will present traditional
dances and story telling at 2:30 p.m. View a groundwater model and
critters found in Dane County lakes and streams as well as Madison
Audubon and Dane County Historical Society Displays.
eM
Be a geologist for a night! Figure out why the
earth doesn’t shake much in Wisconsin and how
to measure how strong earthquakes are. Then you
can make your own earthquake and measure
its strength!
9 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE when you mention Nature Net
ph
10-11:30 a.m. Cost: $8 member/$10 public
Noon-5 p.m. FREE
608-263-7888
P h o to g r a
Sunday, April 22 (continued)
Olbrich Botanical Gardens*
Flower Pot Wind Chimes
Lussier Family Heritage Center*
Earth Day Open House
f th
Open House and Extended Hours
3-6 p.m. FREE
Sunday, April 22
International Crane Foundation
Earth Day Activities
UW-Madison Arboretum
The UW-Madison Arboretum preserves
and recreates ecological communities
such as prairies, wetlands and oak forests
that are native to Wisconsin.
www.uwarboretum.org
1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison, WI
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Come join the fun, get some fresh air and enjoy the personal
satisfaction of knowing you are helping keep Madison Conservation
Parks clean and free of the invasive, nonnative plant species, garlic
mustard. Call to register your group to work in any Madison Park
or join other volunteers at Cherokee Marsh, Elvehjem Sanctuary,
Heistand Park, Heritage Sanctuary, Sandburg Woods or Edna Taylor
Park. For more information, contact Laura Whitmore, 608-266-5949,
or e-mail [email protected].
Nature
Net’s
Friday, April 20
Madison Children’s
Museum*
Science Dabblers
W- M
9 a.m.-Noon FREE
o r et
um
Madison Conservation Parks
Earth Day Challenge
www.naturenet.com/earthweek.html
Thursday, April 19
Aldo Leopold Nature Center*
After School Open House
& Activities
te s
eU
Wednesday, April 18
UW Geology Museum*
Exploring Earthquakes
ur
f th
Restoration work will occur at multiple sites. Celebrate Earth Day
by volunteering for restoration activities. Tools and training
provided. Time slots for groups available with advanced notice.
Meet at the Visitors Center front steps. For more information:
262-5604 or [email protected]
Leopold Nature Center – teaming up with the best parks – like Owen Conservation
Park – and museums – like the Madison Children’s Museum and the UW Geology
Museum. Why do we need a team of nature centers, parks and museums? ‘Cause
if we all work together, we can help your teachers make outdoor field trips possible. Or, we can give you a bunch of really cool places to visit with your Nature
Passport. Or, we can pull together all the things we know and e-mail your parents
a nature update every month (even parents like to learn new things). By working
together, Nature Net makes learning about the environment fun, easy and exciting!
Schedule of Events
co
7 a.m. FREE
Have you ever been a part of a team? You all
work together, right? Well, that’s how Nature
Net works. It’s your favorite nature centers – like the UW Arboretum and Aldo
And, here’s a link to the current Earth Week Web page:
ph
yo
NATURE
NET
Saturday, April 21
UW Arboretum
Arboretum Earth Day Ecological
Restoration Work Parties
P h o to gr a
Aldo Leopold
Nature Center
This independently operated
and funded learning center uses the outdoors to teach respect and admiration
for nature.
www.naturenet.com/alnc
300 Femrite Dr., Monona, WI
608-221-0404
*
Each event listed with a will include
refreshments, free Nature Net prizes and
a plethora of fun and activities.
21
Put your energy to
work and win a prize!
Learn more about solar energy at:
Visit the MGE Web site at
www.mge.com/earthday and
take the energy quiz! We’ll enter
you in a drawing to win one of 50 solar powered
fan kits. See Web site for contest rules.
eere.energy.gov/kids/solar/html
Check out the
Newspaper!
Look through the newspaper to find
out if the weather made the news.
Was there any mention of how our
total precipitation in Wisconsin this
year compares to our average?