Eco Report – September 1, 2022

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HEADLINES

Two Indiana groups have joined a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to protect people and the environment from toxic coal ash in landfills that are no longer being used.

—Norm Holy

The herbicide atrazine is making frogs croak — and not in a good way. Because it’s so widely used across the United States for weed control on crops, concentrations of atrazine in many rivers, ponds and streams are so high they can kill amphibians.

—Norm Holy

ABC News reports the Environmental Protection Agency temporarily lifted a federal rule for fuel sales in four states in response to a fire last week at an Indiana oil refinery that could affect prices and supply.

—Norm Holy

For years, the ambiguous yet contented face of Mr. Trash Wheel has been an icon of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The googly-eyed trash collector has been gobbling up millions of pounds of the city’s river-borne garbage for years and years, and led to the creation of several water-wheel allies like Capt. Trash Wheel, and Prof. Trash Wheel.

—Norm Holy

 The impact from climate change is having a huge impact on butterflies.  Habitat loss and pesticides have long posed a threat to butterflies, but climate change is a new challenge.  Some butterflies will not be able to adapt.

—Julianna Dailey

Every year, oil and gas operators in New Mexico emit more than 1.1 million metric tons of climate-warming methane, plus 300,000 tons of smog-forming volatile organic compounds.  All of that is about to change.

—Julianna Dailey

CALENDAR

Learn how to identify an owl by its call at the Owl Calls program at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, September 2nd, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.  Meet at the Activity Center in the Amphitheater.  You will look at images of owls and then listen to its call.  You will also get to see real owl wings and feet.

Enjoy a program on how to Rekindle the Ancient Fire on Saturday, September 3rd, from 12:30 to 4 pm at the Lower Cascades Park in the Sycamore Shelter.  Learn to find, process and use the parts of a bow-drill.  You will also learn knife safety, tree identification, history and techniques.  You will get to take your bow-drill home and make your own fires.  Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Leaf Print Coloring will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, September 10th, from 11:30 am to Noon at the Lakeview Activity Center.  You will join the naturalist to make your own leaf print while learning about how the trees prepare for fall.

Enter the world of plants and learn more than just identification at the Wild Edible, Medicinal, Poisonous, and Useful Plants program on Saturday, September 10th from 1 to 3 pm at the RCA Community Park.  Discuss local plants, and how they may be used for food, medicine or tools.  Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Take the Harvest Moon Hike at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, September 10th from 8 to 10 pm.  The Harvest Moon is the full moon that coincides with the fall equinox.  Learn the history and lore of the Harvest Moon as you hike through the park.  Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.