It’s official, microplastics have invaded the world – including the human body. As microplastics travel through our world’s waterways, they reach the remotest of areas – and people. National Geographic details more…
Use these tips for a cleaner more environmentally friendly night.
1. Walk, bike, or carpool your trick-or-treating route.
2. Collect treats in a reusable treat bag.
3. Keep candy wrappers or other trash from littering the sidewalk and gutters as you hop from house to house.
Photo © creativecommonsstockphotos – Dreamstime.com
Antelope Creek, which runs through the heart of Lincoln, has been removed from the national list of impaired waters.
Antelope Creek’s E. coli bacteria levels were more than 25 times the water quality standard when it was added to the Clean Water Act list of impaired waters in 2004.
Fifteen stormwater quality improvement projects, two major flood control projects, rain gardens, and permeable pavers have not only cleaned the creek, but made a viable outdoor recreation area with about eleven miles of bike trail.
Photo: Antelope Creek November 2014, L. Sato
Precautionary tips since the leaves are falling …
1. Check and clear the gutters for leaves, if you haven’t already. Leaves can clog both street and building gutters, quickly causing flooding and water damage.
2. Wet leaves can be a slipping or fall hazard on sidewalks and curbs, so move leaves back to the yard or garden from the gutter.
3. Piles of leaves are fun to jump in, but also great habitat for beetles, mites, and other insects – and the animals that feed on them. So look before leaping into the pile.
Photo © Janeh15 – Dreamstime.com
As temperatures start dipping into freezing range, use these tips to protect your pipes and pocket book from plumbing repairs.
1. Turn off and drain the sprinkler systems before the first hard freeze.
2. Disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets and turn off, or drain, the spigot.
3. Winterize unheated or vacant buildings to protect the pipes from freezing and bursting.
4. Insulate water pipes that are vulnerable to the cold.
5. Know the location of your water shut-off valve for your home to prevent water damage if a leak does occur.
Photo © Yury Kosourov
