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News & Events at Environmental Services Division
2018 Superior Coastal Clean-Up - Kick-off
When*: Wednesday Sept. 12th 3-5 pm
Where: Barker's Island, near stage
What: Superior Coastal Cleanup Kick off with Mayor Paine and Mayor Larson
This year Mayor Paine and Mayor Larson are joining forces to kick off the Superior Coastal Cleanup efforts in the Twin Ports! Joins them for a public clean-up event on Barker's Island immediately following a brief press event. Please mark your calendars and join us!
*The Coastal Clean-Up will be occurring throughout the Twin Ports during Sept 7-23. Groups and individuals are welcome to contact the City to select a site, and a date and time of their choosing, for a clean up.
For more information or to reserve a site and clean-up kit, contact Andrea at 715-394-0392 or crousea@ci.superior.wi.us
2018 Superior Coastal Clean-Up - Public Event
When*: Saturday Sept. 15th 10 am-12 pm
Where: Wisconsin Point, Lot #1
What: Participate locally in a global effort to clean up beaches and waterways by joining the Superior Coastal Clean-Up. This event is part of the International Coastal Clean-Up, a global effort to clean up waterways around the world.
Show up at WI point anytime between 10 am and 12 pm to participate. Or round up a group of your own, choose a location you care about, and a time that works for you all between Sept. 7-23. The City of Superior will provide a cleanup kit including garbage bags, gloves, and garbage disposal. We just need you!
*The Coastal Clean-Up will be occurring throughout the Twin Ports during Sept 7-23. Groups and individuals are welcome to contact the City to select a site, and a date and time of their choosing, for a clean up.
For more information or to reserve a site and clean-up kit, contact Andrea at 715-394-0392 or crousea@ci.superior.wi.us
Storm Drain Art - Art Opening!
Who: All are invited to this free event!
When: Friday Oct. 12th from 6-9 pm
Where: Framing by Stengl - 1720 Tower Ave. Superior WI
See the art and meet the artists who created public art around the city of Superior to protect Lake Superior as part of the 2018 Storm Drain Art Project. Photographs of each sidewalk mural will be on display at Framing by Stengl, along with a map showing the locations of each painting. This event is included in the Goin' Postal Art and Music Festival which is part of North End Days. It is also part of the Wisconsin Science Festival, a state-wide festival celebrating art and science collaborations!
The Storm Drain Art Project’s goal is to work with artists to bring attention to the city’s 3000+ storm drains and increase public understanding of urban infrastructure’s impact on water quality through public art, specifically the direct connection between storm drains and the nearest lake or stream. Each image helps connect viewers to the nearest waterway via the storm drain at their feet. Artists involved in this project include local students, as well as professional and amateur artists.
Learn more on the Storm Drain Art webpage.
Green Lawns for Blue Water
Save time, effort, water and money while keeping your yard green and our local streams and Lake Superior Blue!
- 1. Set mower blade high enough to leave 3" of grass growing. Grass that is 2.5"-3.5" long inhibits weed growth, strengthens roots, and is more drought tolerant, minimizing water requirements.
- 2. Plan your border cuts. Cut around lawn borders, near streets and boulevards, so grass clippings are blown into the yard, not into the street (grass clippings and debris in the streets is an ordinance violation).
- 3. Mulch grass in place. Instead of raking or bagging grass clippings, leaving them in the yard returns natural nutrients to the soil, decreasing the need to fertilize. Up to 25% of your lawn's fertilizer needs can be met by just leaving the grass clippings on the lawn.
Learn more about lawn care techniques on the City of Superior website or LakeSuperiorStreams.org
Citizen Stream Monitoring Kick-Off and Storm Drain Adopter Appreciation BBQ
We are kicking off our new Citizen Stream Monitoring Program and celebrating the work of Superior Storm Drain Adopters with a barbecue and stream sampling demo on Tuesday July 31st at Central Park. Join City staff, Superior storm drain adopters, and others interested in stream monitoring for a celebration of Superior citizen scientists and volunteers!
- When: Tuesday, July 31 from 5pm-7pm
- Where: Central Park, Superior
- What: Appreciation BBQ and Stream Monitoring Kick-Off
Enjoy BBQ food, meet city staff and other interested volunteers, learn about local streams and our urban connections to them, as well as how to sample the water quality in Faxon Creek.
The event it free (and highly recommended) for anyone interested in the new Citizen Stream Monitoring Program and all Storm Drain Adopters. Feel free to spread the word with any interested friends and family (just be sure they RSVP)! We look forward to seeing you! Learn more at www.ci.superior.wi.us/SMP
Please RSVP so we have enough food (meat and veggie options available)! Contact Andrea at 715-394-0392 or crousea@ci.superior.wi.us
Celebrate Lake Superior at Lake Superior Day!
When: Sunday July 15, 11-3
Where: Barker's Island Festival Park
What: Live music by Feeding Leroy and Sarah Krueger, fun for kids of all ages including science experiments and art activities! Prize giveaways throughout the event! Food from El Oasis del Norte and The Eagles Club of Superior.
New this year: North Shore SUP is hosting Paddle for the People! This is a FREE 4km Paddle Race around Barker's Island. There is no entry fee. Donations are welcome and all proceeds go directly to help support outdoor education and community engagement programs.
All participants must check-in between 8:30am-9:30am on Race Day.
Call (218) 343-1308 to register for the Paddle Race with North Shore SUP by July 4th to get a sweet swag bag! Or register here: Registration Form.
Superior Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Tour
When: Thursday July 12th 12-3 PM
Sunday July 15th, 2-5 PM*
Where: Bus departs from, and returns to, Barker's Island, near the S.S. Meteor
What: Local experts from the City of Superior and UWS will be our guides on a tour of Superior Stormwater Protection Practices. The 3 hour tour will take you to various sites around the city to see and learn about rain gardens, bio-filtration systems, stormwater ponds, green roofs, and more.
*Note that Sunday July 15th is also Lake Superior Day, celebrated at Barker's Island. We encourage you to join the fun at Lake Superior Day and then join us for the tour!
Reservations are required for this FREE event. All are welcome, though priority will be given to Superior and Douglas Co. residents.
Please register by June 30th by calling or emailing Andrea at 715-394-0392 or crousea@ci.superior.wi.us
Nemadji, Black, and St. Louis River Watersheds Open House
When: Wednesday July 11th 4-7 PM
Where: Lake Superior Estuarium, 3 Marina Dr. Barker's Island (Red Building)
What: The City of Superior and Douglas County are beginning a planning process to address water quality in watersheds of Western Douglas County, including the Nemadji, Black, and St. Louis River Watersheds. Join us at this public open house to ask questions about the process, the current state of the watersheds, and find out how you can be involved!
This event is FREE and refreshments will be provided!
About Nine Key Element Plans: Watershed plans consistent with EPA's Nine Key Elements provide a framework for improving water quality in a holistic manner within a geographic watershed. The nine elements help assess the contributing causes and sources of non-point source pollution, involve key stakeholders and prioritize restoration and protection strategies to address water quality problems. Learn more on the City's Nine Key Element webpage.
Attention Anglers and Artists!
The Inland Trout Stamp and Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp contests will begin accepting adult artwork! The fisheries program first conducted the Inland Trout Stamp contest in 1978 followed by the Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp contest in 1982. Over 70 Wisconsin artists participated in these first trout and salmon stamp contests. Over the next 30 years or so, the number of entries gradually declined to the point that the contests were discontinued in 2010, to the disappointment of many. After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, the fisheries program decided to revive the contest in 2017 with an adult artist contest. In 2018, youth artists participated in the contest. Review the 2018 contest results.
Artwork for the 2019 inland trout stamp contest and Great Lakes salmon and trout stamp contest must be received or postmarked by July 2, 2018.
Learn more online, or email FishHabitat.Protection@wisconsin.gov.
Embracing & Envisioning Superior: Natural Resources Community Listening Session
Join hosts from the UWS Center for Community Engaged Learning for a Natural Resources Listening Session on Weds. May 16th from 12-1 pm at the Lake Superior Estuarium on Barker’s Island.
Lunch is provided for attendees IF you RSVP via ccel@uwsuper.edu or 715-394-8518. We will try to have food there by 11:45 so people can arrive a few minutes early to eat.
This Natural Resources listening session is part of a series titled Embracing & Envisioning Superior, and is specifically targeted to those interested in discussing Superior’s natural resources, along with any strengths and needs of our community that are related to that topic or others in general. These sessions allow us connect with key groups to facilitate discussions on building community pride, obtain research to create a brand for the city, and understand the most pressing community needs and priorities.Through these listening sessions, citizens and community partners will share, hear, and discuss topics surrounding Superior. This is an opportunity to learn about and accurately assess local needs and priorities of the region from diverse audiences. Through the information collected at each session and the surveys following each session, our goal is to build up Superior’s self-esteem and identity, fill the needs of the community, drive the Superior Mayor’s budget priorities for the upcoming year, and capture the direction in which Superior youth, young professionals, families, nonprofits, businesses, senior citizens, leaders and others would like to see our community move.
Visit and share the Facebook Event, but please RSVP via email or phone: ccel@uwsuper.edu or 715-394-8518
Are you still dealing with snow and ice? Consider a LOW SALT DIET for your driveway and sidewalks!
Around here we understand winter. Heck, some of us even like it! But one task that most of us could do without is snow and ice removal. So what do you do to make that task easier? Turn to that bag of salt.
We need to use salt for public safety. But too much salt can have negative effects on stream critters, soil, and vegetation and these effects must be added to all the other stresses we contribute to local streams and lakes.
Any salt that runs off your sidewalk or driveway in snowmelt is headed for Lake Superior. Salt is considered a permanent pollutant. Once the salt is in a lake or stream it's there for good, fouling habitat for fish, waterfowl, and bugs and aquatic plants (their food).
Save time and money by only applying specified amounts of salt, and only at appropriate times.
One teaspoon of road salt will contaminate 5 gallons of water enough to exceed our federal chronic limit for chlorides.
- Shovel first to remove as much snow and ice manually.
- Apply salt, scattering it evenly (sweep up any piles), across the sidewalk or driveway. 1 pound of salt (fits in a 12 oz coffee cup) will cover 60-70 feet of sidewalk or 2 parking spaces. *
- If the temperature is below 15 degrees F, salt wont work. switch to a different blend that works at a lower temp or use sand for traction.
- Sweep up salt and sand residue and dispose of it properly.
Download and print out this poster for more tips on smart salting!
* Pro-tip: Calculate the size of your sidewalk or driveway (length x width) and make a scoop that is marked to show how much salt you should use for the space.
Major Leauge Pro-tip: Pre-treat before a storm with liquid de-icer (salt brine) to prevent ice build-up. You will save time and effort in clearing up after the storm, and you will use significantly less salt. Find a recipe and instruction here.
More information about salt use can be found at WI Salt Wise.
Superior Speaker Series - Citizen Science in the Twin Ports!
Learn more about Citizen Science opportunities in the Twin Ports at our next Superior Speaker event.
When: April 10th 6-7 PM
Where: Lake Superior Reserve's Esturarium 3 Marina Dr. (Red Building on Barker's Island)
Who: Anyone interested in Citizen Science in the region! Young and old, there are opportunities for all!
What: Speakers from the City of Superior and the Lake Superior Citizen Science Collaborative will present on the variety of ways you can get involved in citizen science. Everything from weather watchers, stream monitoring, bird surveys, and online video games which help scientists manage data sets. This event is free and open to the public. LIght refreshments will be served.
Do you want to learn more about Superior Streams or how our urban infrastructure impacts those streams?
Join us and participate in the inaugural season of the Stream Monitoring Program. No prior experience is necessary and we will provide the equipment, expert training and oversight necessary to successfully sample a Superior Stream. We ask for a one-season commitment from volunteers. Contact us with any questions or sign up today! Volunteer training will begin in spring 2018.
Check out the Stream Monitoring Program website for more information!
When: Sunday July 16, 11-3
Where: Barker's Island Festival Park
What: Live music by Woodblind and Superior Siren, fun for kids of all ages including science experiments, art activities, and (weather permitting) free trails of Stand Up Paddleboards by NorthShore SUP! Prize giveaways throughout the event!
When: Sunday July 17, 11-4 (Join us in 2017! Lake Superior Day is always the 3rd Sunday in July)
Where: Barker's Island Festival Park
What: Live music, art and fun. Free activities include stand-up paddleboard demos, canoe and kayak rides, art exhibits and vendors, photo booth, educational activities, arts and crafts, rain garden workshop, native plant sale, farmers market and performances from local musicians.
Earth Tracks at the Lake Superior Zoo
When: May 20th, 10am-2pm
Where: Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth MN
What: Travel throughout the zoo, visiting animals, and various stations set up with environmentally themed activities, games, and demonstrations. Learn more about the event here!
Watch Roller Derby, visit the City of Superior Environmental Services Division Table to learn about local water, and win prizes!
Saturday May 21st 5:00 pm-9 pm Wessman Arena
Visit our booth for a chance to win prizes during breaks in the bout.
The St. Louis River Alliance (and the Piping Plover) needs you!
Join the St. Louis Rover Alliance in monitoring Piping Plovers on Wisconsin Point. Learn more at a volunteer training at the Environmental Services Division Building in Superior.
ESD 51 E 1st St. Superior WI 54880
Learn more on the SLRA website.
Nemadji Watershed Public Meeting
When: Weds. May 4th
Where: Superior Town Hall
What: Learn about local efforts to improve the condition of the Nemadji Watershed. Find out what residents can do, and are doing. Be part of the solution! More information about the effort can be found on the Carton County Soil and Water Conservation District website. This is a joint effort between the Carlton County SWCD and the Douglas County Land and Water Conservation District.
Pet owners: Get out and do your doo-dy
April 24-30 is National Scoop the Poop Week. In addition to being smelly and unsightly, pet waste is dangerous to humans and other pets. Pet waste attracts rodents and can be the cause of local beach closings. Pet waste may contain pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasitic worms that can be transmitted to humans who are gardening in contaminated soils or who are recreating in infected waters.
Pet waste also contains nutrients that help weeds and algae grow. Excess vegetation growth in aquatic environments is both unsightly and it uses up the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to live. Oxygen levels are also reduced as bacteria decomposes pet waste (a process requiring oxygen).
Most of us don't have dogs willing to use the indoor facilities, so pet owners need to clean up for them.
Pet waste should be picked up and either be:
- flushed down the toilet (be sure to pick out rocks and sticks first),
- put in the trash or,
- buried in your own yard. If you want to bury pet waste, make sure it is in a hole at least 6 inches deep, away from vegetable gardens and water sources, and in permeable soil (not clay). Do not add it to compost piles.
Faxon Creek Rescue - Clean Up
When: Saturday April 23th, 1pm - 5pm
Where: N 23rd St and Lamborn Ave
What: Join the City of Superior, the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Northern Lights Elementary School for a clean-up of Faxon Creek.Volunteers are invited to meet Reserve and City staff at tables set up at the intersection of Lamborn Ave and N. 23rd Street, near Northern Lights Elementary in Superior. No reservations are needed. Please dress for the weather and be prepared for the possibility of mud. Volunteers can stay as long or as little as they like, and children are welcome to attend with an adult caretaker. Free refreshments are provided by the Red Mug Café. Please call the Reserve at 715-392-3141 with any questions.
Storm Water 2015 Annual Report Public Meeting Event
When: Tuesday, March 8th 6-8 pm
Where: Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Ave. Superior, WI
What: Join the Environmental Services Division as we go over the Storm Water Annual Report and voice your comments, concerns, and questions.
When available the 2015 Storm Water Annual Report will be linked here.
Please comment on the report.
Smart Salting - Winter Sidewalk & Driveway Maintenance for Homeowners
When: Monday, Jan. 18th, 11-12
Where: Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Ave. Superior
What: Join the Environmental Services Division of Public Works for this FREE seminar. Learn about proper application of salt and other traction agents to your sidewalks and driveway. Learn about road salt, its effects on the environment, keep your driveway and sidewalk safe while protecting local water, and saving money!
a bonus presentation in conjunction with the St. Louis River Summit
When: Weds. Feb. 3, 7 pm
Where: Swenson Hall - UWS, Superior WI
What: Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho were the first women to paddle the 2,250 miles from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay in a canoe, following the journey of two young men who documented this journey in the book, Canoeing with the Cree. Join us to hear Natalie Warren talk about the journey!
Public Meeting about the Faxon Creek Culvert Replacement at Hill Ave - Join Us!
When: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 5-7 pm
Where: Moose Lodge, 66 E 5th St.
What: Learn about Public Works' plan to remove the aged viaduct structure and replace the culvert crossing. The crossing would be upsized and would substantially increase the crossings ability to convey Faxon Creek during high flow conditions. The proposed culvert replacement includes one 10 foot high by 12 foot wide box culvert. A 410 foot section of sanitary sewer will also be replaced as part of this project.
Work with your family, friends, school or community group, or as an individual, to contribute to this community art installation by creating ice orbs! Each orb represents a day of the year that water is important to us. All ice orbs will be arranged into a larger installation on Barker's Island for the closing ceremony of the Lake Superior Ice Festival (Sat. Feb 27th).
1. Contact the City of Superior-Environmental Services Division and pledge to make ice orbs (715-394-0392 or email: crousea@ci.superior.wi.us). We will provide all necessary materials and instructions
.2. Fill balloons with water and place outside until frozen (2-4 days depending upon air temperature).
3. Deliver frozen orbs to Barker’s Island on Friday Feb. 26 between 10am-12pm (or arrange for pick-up by Thurs. Feb. 25 at noon)
4. Visit the Lake Superior Ice Festival on Barker’s Island anytime between Feb. 20th-27th, and for the closing ceremony on Saturday Feb 27th to see your contribution to the celebration! Learn more about the event on the Ice Project Facebook Page.
Download an Ice Orb Instruction Sheet or a pledge form.
City's Hazard Mitigation Plan, Open House - Learn about the Plan!
When: Feb 25th, 6PM
Where: Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Ave. Superior
What: The City of Superior has been updating the 2010 Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan was integral to the City receiving funding post 2012s Presidential Disaster Declared event. Learn more at this open house event!
When: Thursday, Nov. 5, 6-8 pm
Where: Moose Lodge, 66 E 5th St.
What: The City of Superior is constructing a wetland basin to treat stormwater runoff from the Central Business District. The basin will be near Poplar Ave and 12th St. Come see the preliminary design, provide input on features you'd like incorporated and get your questions answered. We'd love to hear from you!
City's Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Meetings - Please participate!
The City of Superior is updating the 2010 Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan was integral to the City receiving funding post 2012s Presidential Disaster Declared event.
It is important for the Plan to be updated so the City can qualify grant funds through the State and Federal Emergency Management Programs. There will be interactive discussions about the hazard strategies, relevant edits, and areas of concern. The projects and strategies identified will be incorporated into the updated plan which will be ready for final review by September 1, 2015. Meetings will be one hour in length and start at 11 am and end at noon. Light food and drinks will be provided.
Meeting location: Government Center (1316 N 14th St), Room 204
Meeting dates: June 25, July 9, July 23
Meeting Time: 11 am - 12 pm
How is Drinking Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Done in Superior?
Find out as SWL&P and Superior Environmental Services Presents these two important water-related services in Superior. The practices are important for human health and environmental health.
Tuesday May 19th at 5 p.m. at the Superior Public Library
View the 2014
Annual Report.
A public meeting to submit comments will be held at the Superior Public Library on March 25 from 5:30-7:30PM.