Celebrate Earth in a week-long celebration in Door County
When first settled the area known as the Door County Peninsula was covered in forest. The settlers of the 19th century created the communities we now know and love, but an aggressive logging industry also took away much of that lush forest land.
In an effort to reforest pieces of Door County, local organizations will be planting over 5,000 trees on lands managed by The Nature Conservancy as a part of Celebrating Earth Week 2016.
Bob Bultman, one of the Earth Week co-coordinators and geologist, said that Earth Week is a way to get people involved and interested in the planet they live on.
“Trees filter air and sponge up water, they help wetlands and lake water and filter runoff,” Bultman said. “This is a cause people can get behind, that is extremely valuable to our future.”
Kari Hagenow, a Door Peninsula Land Steward with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), said they got involved with Earth Week Door County for two reasons; to connect with similar groups in the county and to teach others about planting trees.
"I'm most looking forward to is to teach our students about what we do and the job opportunities in conservation," Hagenow said. "I didn't know about my own job when I was in high school, this is a great opportunity to share those opportunities."
Hagenow said the week of events is unique this year, and the publicity is helpful in getting the word out.
Tree plantings are only a small part of what is to come for the Nature Conservancy, as they are working with co-sponsoring organizations of The Ridges Sanctuary, The Forest Recovery Project and the Climate Change Coalition of Door County.
“We’re so grateful for all of these organizations, as their missions are all in alignment in some way,” Bultman said. “Plantings like this connects people to the lands and gives you a sense of place and ownership.”
Celebrating Earth Week runs from April 21 through April 30, starting with an introductory talk show with Eddy Allen on WDOR radio (93.9 FM and 910 AM) at 10:20 a.m. on the 21st. This will kick off a week of events focused on conservation and education.
On Earth Day, April 22, the Door County Brewing Co. in Baileys Harbor will host Science on Tap, which will include musical entertainment, science and Earth talk, discussion and fun.
Singer Ruby James will be starting off the evening at 5 p.m., and at 6 p.m. Dr. Roger Kuhns, Ph.D., will be discussing big picture ideas about the Earth and sustainability with a multimedia presentation.
Charter fisherman Charlie Henriksen will be giving a business perspective on the state of Lake Michigan, retired chemistry professor Frank Shaw will be doing tabletop science experiments about sustainability, and Bultman will give a presentation about the Forest Recovery Project and its mission.
Other representatives for local sustainability and conservation groups will also be at the brewery to talk with people.
On April 27 another Earth Week event will showcase Kuhns, where he will be presenting “Protecting Our Planet’s Sustainability: Solutions for Climate Change.”
Kuhns has been working on developing an app where users answer a number of questions, which will result in showing how much of a carbon footprint that person is leaving. In addition, both Gibraltar and Sturgeon Bay High Schools will be presented with their Green and Healthy Schools Certifications.
The public tree planting on the morning of April 30 is in need of volunteers at the Kangaroo Lake Headwaters. Trees for the event were purchased by both The Nature Conservancy and the Forest Recovery Project from the Department of Natural Resource’s Griffith State Nursery. All of the trees are native species to Door County.
-abloechl@doorcountyadvocate.com, Twitter @alyssabloechl, Facebook Alyssa Bloechl
Complete list of Celebrating Earth Week 2016 Door County events:
-Eddy Allen Talk Show, 10:20 a.m., April 21, WDOR radio on 910 AM and 93.9 FM
-Science on Tap, 5-8 p.m., April 22, Door County Brewing Company, 2434 County F, Baileys Harbor
-Earth Day Extravaganza, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., April 23, The Ridges Sanctuary, Baileys Harbor, activities for the whole family
-Love the Earth Concert, 7 p.m., April 23, Lost Moth Gallery, 7975 Wisconsin 42, Egg Harbor, midwest musicians gather to celebrate Earth Day, RSVP at 920-495-2928
-Earth Day Barn Dance, 7-9:30 p.m., April 23, Institute Saloon, 4599 Wisconsin 57, Sturgeon Bay, music by Sugar on the Floor and sponsored by the Door County Folk Alliance, public welcome
-Protecting Our Planet’s Sustainability: Solutions for Climate Change, 7 p.m., April 27, Bjorklunden Campus, 7590 Boynton Lane, Baileys Harbor, presented by Dr. Roger Kuhns, Ph. D.
-Public Tree Planting, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., April 30, Kangaroo Lake Headwaters, 8650 S. Highland Road. Volunteers needed, call 920-421-2283