Blog Action Day

Today is Blog Action Day and the topic is water. It’s hard to believe that nearly 1 billion people do not have access to clean water. Can you imagine having to walk miles to fill a bucket and then carry it home? 

Haitians walk miles for water

The picture of the Haitians carrying water was taken by RRI staff while working on a project with the University of Fondwa in Haiti.  

It’s time for a reality check…how much water do you use? how much do you waste? Find your water footprint. Water Footprint Calculator

Here in the Great Lakes region we take water for granted. We are almost surrounded by plentiful supplies of fresh water. It’s up to us to protect our Great Lakes.

Learn more from the Story of Bottled water. 

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Heritage Trail Dedication in Monroe, MI.

Friday June 25th 2010 marked the date of an important occasion for the city of Monroe, MI. and for the planet. This was The Heritage Trail Dedication ceremony and it took place at the corner of Elm and Detroit.

The trial connects The River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Downtown Monroe, The Ford Marsh, and Sterling State Park and will soon reach the community college. Attendance and support for the event was excellent. Citizens and organizations alike were present to see a paramount panel of speakers.

Mayor Clark along with Senator Levin and Jeff Corwin among many others spoke to the importance of the Monroe area and the trail and Monroe’s part in conservation for the planet. The event also included a ribbon cutting ceremony and the unveiling of the new trail sign.

The festivities Friday and Saturday included a talk by Jeff Corwin, trips to the Battlefield Museum, an inaugural run and even kayak trips.

The trail will undoubtedly bring enjoyment and have a hand in conservation for years to come.

Garlic Mustard Pull

Sharon Venier and Jay Biernat of The River Raisin Institute (RRI) mobilized yesterday to pull Garlic Mustard (GM).

Last month, Sharon Venier, while at a retreat for the River Raisin Institute board at the IHM river house in Monroe, noticed the invasive plant taking up residence in the garden there. She immediately put out the word and when the time came, RRI went out to pull.

About 40 pounds were pulled in total just from the garden and this can be Added to Danielle Conroyd’s (RRI) earlier invasives pull. These results can then be sent in to the total amount of GM pulled for the emerging Western Lake Erie cluster of the Stewardship network for environmental partnerships.

The Raingarden Installation @ Orchard Center High School

The River Raisin Institute, along with The Orchard Center High School in Monroe Michigan, just completed its JF New rain garden installation on the grounds of Orchard Center High.

The long awaited install, will divert storm water that would otherwise be taken to storm drains in the parking lot to instead feed water to brand new native plantings. This garden will retain the water while it is naturally filtered before being allowed to percolate slowly into the underground aquifer.

This project was undertaken to promote sustainable, cutting edge practices in urban areas while lending an environmentally educational piece to the area.