Seasons The Greening of Maplewood
Changing Climate, Changing Perspective
Spring 2014
3. Oceans are warming and sea levels are rising since the late 1800’s.
By Virginia Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator The brutally cold days of January 2014 linger in the bones and memories of many Maplewood residents. When the mercury drops to -20° F, it is hard to think about global warming. But understanding climate change requires taking on a long-term, global perspective. The earth’s climate has always shifted between cycles of warming and cooling. Climate change during the past 150 years differs from previous cycles in two ways. The rate of change is unprecedented and according to 97% of climate scientists, the rate of change is due in part to human activities. Documented changes in global climate include: 1. An increase in average global temperatures by 1.4° F over the past century; 2. In 2013 we saw the highest levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in three million years; and
Climate Protection Agreement in 2008, making a formal commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since then the In Minnesota, average temperatures have City has completed numerous projects to increased 1° F in the south, and 2° F in increase energy efficiency and reduce the north over the past century, with most emissions, using the GreenStep Cities of that increase in the past 30 years. The program as a framework. Larger rain events average number of days with high dew have already had a significant impact on points is increasing. And the quantity of stormwater management and the City is precipitation is increasing in some areas with adopting new design standards to address more large rain events while other areas are that (see page two). The City is participating experiencing droughts. in research such as the Regional Indicators project (see page two). At Maplewood’s Fish Small changes in temperature can create Creek site, St. Thomas University is studying large shifts in weather and climate. Models trees planted from local seed sources vs. predict that by mid-century, Minnesota southern Minnesota seed sources. summers will be more like Kansas summers. Ecologists believe that the boreal forests What can residents do? of northern Minnesota will be replaced by Explore climate change issues this year by maple and oak forests. Wildlife species such attending a climate or phenology program as moose will follow the boreal forest habitat (see pages 2 and 3). At home, try one of the north to Canada. The warmer temperatures on-line tools to calculate your family’s carbon will favor more invasive insect pests and footprint and pick one or two things to reduce plants. Health issues will increase due to your impact. The Environmental Protection heat stress, allergens, poor air quality, and Agency (EPA) has a calculator and lots of tips diseases including more tick-borne diseases. for families at www.epa.gov/climatechange/ wycd. Selected References: What is the City doing? www.epa.gov/climatechange www.globalchange.gov Maplewood City Council signed the Mayor’s www.climate.umn.edu/seeley National Geographic, Sept. 2013
2011 data - www.epa.gov
Leading Causes of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in USA
Electricity Production – 33%
Transportation – 28%
Industry - 20%
Commercial and Residential - 11%
Maplewood Adopts New Rainfall Data
By Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner On July 16, 2011, a storm rolled over Maplewood, dropping 4.54 inches of rain over a three-hour period. The rainfall exceeded the 100-year storm event which would have dropped 3.8 inches of rain over that same time period. This extreme rain event taxed the City’s stormwater system, causing flooding and backups in some areas of Maplewood. The City’s flood remediation costs due to the storm have since reached $430,000. The July 2011 storm in Maplewood is not an anomaly. Over the past 50 years the amount of rainfall during the most intense 1% of storms increased by almost 20%, with the last three decades being the wettest in a century for the Midwest.* Changes in the amount of rainfall provide evidence that the earth’s water cycle is changing.
Regional Indicators to Climate Change
By Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Maplewood is one of 20 cities participating in the Regional Indicators Initiative project. Since 2008, data has been collected on key indicators including energy, water, waste, and travel on the people who live, learn, travel, visit, work and play within the City. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with each indicator is calculated, providing a comparison of the environmental impacts over time. The data collected to date shows that the City’s greenhouse gas emissions will increase if we continue to follow current trends. In order to meet
July 2011 Flooding in Maplewood
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released new rainfall frequency and intensity data that increases the volume and time for a 100-year storm event in our area (ex: from 3.8 inches in three hours, to 5.2 inches in three hours). The City is responding to this updated data by adopting new engineering and building standards that design to the new precipitation amounts. Steve Love, Assistant City Engineer, states that future stormwater designs will need to account for this increase, which could result in larger ponding areas and the need to provide emergency overflow paths to accommodate more water. Additionally, building elevations will need to be set at appropriate elevations that meet the new 100-year high water elevations. Local governments are the first responders to disasters and disruptions such as the July 2011 storm. We can’t ignore the increase in extreme weather events and the impacts that they bring. In order to remain a resilient community, Maplewood is preparing for and adapting to these changes.
the statewide target established by the Next Generation Energy Act (NGEA) of 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, each person must reduce their emissions by 49%. When adjusting for the increase in
population in our area, that reduction would need to be even more steep.
This analysis reveals the magnitude at which our everyday lives contribute to overall greenhouse gas emissions and human impact on climate change. Along with providing state-wide benefits, the Regional Indicators Initiative project will serve as a valuable tool for Maplewood. By taking inventory of the resources consumed in our community and comparing them with strategies adopted to reduce impacts, we will be better able to select the best practices with the greatest reduction in greenhouse gases. View the Regional Indicators Initiative project at http://regionalindicatorsmn.uli.org/.
*www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/water.html
GO SOLAR At Your Cabin, Shed or Fish House
Thursday, April 3, 6:00 - 8:00 pm Maplewood Community Center Fee of $10/person includes appetizers ($15 if registered after March 22). A cash bar will offer beer. Power your cabin or fish house with an off-grid solar system. Learn how to site and size a small PV system to provide lighting, ventilation and other modest loads in places where utility power is not an option. Includes an overview of the benefits of off-grid vs. on-grid systems and the new Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program. Tour the Tiny Energy House to learn about its four solar energy systems. Partners: City of Maplewood, Friends of Maplewood Nature, Clean Energy Resource Team, and MN Renewable Energy
Seasons 2
MN Renewable Energy
Tiny Energy House
Phenology: Observing Seasonal Changes
By Jan Hayman, Naturalist Plant corn when white oak leaves are the size of squirrel’s ears. If you hear “peeper” frogs, it’s time to plant peas. The observation of nature’s seasonal changes is called phenology. These time-tested nature observations guided farmers of yore in planting crops. Phenology is actively pursued today by scientists and citizens alike. Nature events of interest include annual dates for ice out, returning robins, blooming wildflowers of spring, insect emergence, and peak fall colors. As it turns out, key records taken collectively over time portray an image of our changing climate. In Minnesota, volunteers are observing key animal and plant species such as the loon, rubythroated hummingbird, eastern bluebird, monarch butterfly, red maple, lilac and tamarack for climate impacts over time. Scientists use the data collected by ordinary citizens to predict peak allergy season, forest health, floods, drought, and much more. Wanted: Your nature observations! Individuals and families can record their observations of Minnesota species. Find out more: Attend a free program at the Nature Center (see Tracking Nature Through the Seasons program below). Log onto Minnesota Phenology Network and record observations: www.usanpn. org/mnpn/about. How it works: Choose a site close to home where you can observe one of the seven key species. Blooming Wildflowers of Spring
Tracking Nature Through the Seasons!
Saturday, April 5, 2:00 to 3:30 pm Maplewood Nature Center FREE – Best for ages 7+ (kids must be accompanied by adult) Track the first signs of spring from your own backyard with help from the Minnesota Phenology Network. Josh Leonard, Belwin Outdoor Science, will show us how to contribute your family’s records to this citizen science monitoring program. Learn how to use simple observations like tracking flower blooms or ice-out dates to better understand the sometimes confusing aspects of climate change.
Volunteers Track Ecological Changes in Maplewood
By Virginia Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator As climate changes, so do our ecological systems. Volunteers play a key role in monitoring these changes in Maplewood. Citizen monitoring is a great way to learn about Minnesota ecology. The data collected is sent to state or federal databases, where it is available to researchers. Training for citizen monitors occurs in March and April, so check out Frog Monitoring the opportunities for 2014 at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/citizenmonitors. Frog Monitoring– If you’re a human night owl with a great ear, frog monitoring may be for you. Learn to identify frogs by their calls and venture out on spring and summer nights to listen for frogs. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses this data to track frog populations statewide. The Invasive Plant Patrol– The Plant Patrol keeps an eye out for the newest invasive plant species entering Maplewood. These intrepid volunteers are trained to recognize five to eight new invaders and then adopt a neighborhood preserve to monitor. Our goal is to eradicate newcomers such as wild parsnip when they first invade, rather than waiting until they become a buckthorn-sized problem. Monarch Watch– Each August the Maplewood Nature Center hosts a Monarch Watch event and tags monarchs. The butterfly garden at the center is a great place to learn more about these amazing insects and the difficulties they face. Preserve Monitoring– A great way to enjoy nature with your kids or a friend is to sign up to monitor a neighborhood preserve. Monitors visit their adopted site at least once per month in spring through fall and record phenology and trail conditions.
Climate Trends and Climate Change in our own Backyard
Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 to 8:00 pm Ramsey County Library – Maplewood FREE - Best for adults and students age 12+ Join the discussion; learn more about our changing climate! University of Minnesota Climatologist Dr. Mark Seeley will help us understand the climate change trends and impacts globally and here at home. Weather Almanac and Voyageur Skies books are available for purchase from 6:30 to 7:00 pm.
Pre-registration for both programs is required by calling the Nature Center at 651.249.2170 or emailing info@maplewoodnaturecenter.com.
Seasons 3
Radical Weather Bad For Birds and Butterflies
Consider the monarch butterfly, one of the Minnesota Phenology Network’s indicator species. Often seen in conjunction with lilacs blooming, this beloved butterfly takes four generations to migrate north from Mexico, and one to four generations to return to the cool Monarchs Feeding on Liatris protection of the oyamel fir trees in the Mexican mountains. Species of milkweed are the exclusive food of monarch caterpillars; while wildflowers of prairie and forest edges provide welcome drops of nectar for adults. But the weather of 2012 was a problem for these otherwise hardy fliers. In Minnesota, 76 of 87 counties were in severe to extreme drought.* Nationwide, the United States Department of Agriculture estimated that 80% of agricultural land experienced drought, making the 2012 drought more extensive than any since the 1950’s.** Prolonged hot, dry weather kills plants and monarch caterpillars and adults. The monarch population is at a historic low since scientists
first discovered and measured the colonies in 1975. This is so concerning to scientists at Monarch Watch, that conservation alerts are being sent nationwide.***
Jim Wiliams
By Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist Extreme drought, wildly fluctuating temperatures, and extended periods of hot or cool weather at abnormal times of the year - how do these radical weather events affect wildlife such as birds and butterflies?
Drought and high temperatures affect birds as well. Analyses of Boreal Chickadee citizen-gathered data from the Audubon Christmas Bird Count reveals that Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Boreal Chickadee have retreated dramatically north into the Canadian boreal, their ranges moving an estimated 433, 288, and 279 miles, respectively, over 40 years.**** Some grassland species such as Eastern Meadowlark and Burrowing Owl did not show movement northward, despite more moderate northern temperatures. This is likely due to the conversion of grassland habitat to intensive human uses such as row crops, pastures, and hayfields. So what can we do to help? We can become citizen observers where our records can become valuable data for research. We can also reduce our carbon emissions - resist the urge to turn on the TV, and instead don a jacket, gather your notebook, walk outside to record that first monarch feasting on your lilacs this spring! * ** *** ****
www.climate.umn.edu/seeley www.usda.gov www.monarchwatch.org/blog/2013/03/monarch-population-status-18 www.audubon.org/newsroom/press-releases/2009/birds-movements-reveal-global-warming-threat-action
by Oakley Biesanz, Naturalist
Answers: 1. flowers 2. bluebirds 3. leaves 4. loons 5. monarch 6. ruby 7. needles
These seven species are specially studied here in Minnesota. For more information visit the Minnesota Phenology Network at www.usanpn.org/mnpn/about.
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
Printed on 50% post-consumer recycled paper
Photo: Geoffrey A. Hamerson
Photo: Bill Read
Seasons 4