Hiding in Plain Sight

On the campus of Glenbrook North, west of the Spartan football stadium, across the turf of a soccer field, and behind a stand of evergreens, there is a patch of prairie -- an acre of land, where invasive plants have been removed and the area has been reseeded with prairie grasses and flowers native to Illinois. With their three-foot deep roots, prairie plants, at the very least, improve drainage and help control flooding in the area.  If you have low spots in your backyard that hold water, prairie plants may be a natural solution to this growing problem in our town. 

Prairie plants also provide habitat for birds and animals, and refurbish the soil. Unfortunately, because Illinois is in the corn belt, our native plants have been decimated by cultivation -- almost to non-existence. So much so that we rank 49th out of 50 states in the amount of native plants which survive and thrive. Only Iowa has us beat for last place. 

The good news is that there are other prairie sites in Northbrook. Somme Prairie is one, located behind the Dundee Road post office. There are two other sites in advanced stages of restoration, according to Rob Skulski, M.S., who recently joined the Go Green Northbrook School Team. He has supervised much of the replanting effort. 

The two other locations in Northbrook are Somme Prairie Grove and Somme Woods on either side of Waukegan Road, along the north side of Dundee. Parking for both is in Somme Woods. You need to walk west across Waukegan Road on foot to access Somme Prairie Grove. 

Here are some photographs of the native plants we saw during our foray into the tall grass behind GBN High School, some of which were well over six feet. Which begs the question, if you decide to plant a patch of native plants in your own backyard, does the prairie grass you grow get an exemption from Northbrook's stringent mowing ordinance, which limits grass height to 10 inches? 

This picture [below] was taken as we stood at the entrance to the GBN prairie 

and looked back at the football field across a soccer field. 

This is the bank of evergreens which may act as a windbreak in 

front of a fence which protects the prairie from encroachment. 

Here is an example of the re-seeding process 

which re-introduces native prairie plants.

Historic First Meeting of Go Green Northbrook School Teams

The Environmental Education Team

Go Green Northbrook is barely a month old. But our School Team volunteers are already a group of game-changers -- committed educators, trained environmental professionals, experienced EPA experts, active Northbrook parents, our retired village manager, school nurses, former attorneys, and holistic nutrition consultants. Your skills can add to our cutting edge expertise. Why not join us!!!  

                                                                                                                                  • Contact Doug Gerleman, Go Green's Founder and Facilitator 

@gerlemand@gmail.com.

The Student Nutrition Education Team

Go Green, Actively

While Go Green Northbrook wants to encourage energy and water conservation, sustainable gardens, anything that can reduce our gargantuan carbon footprints to a kinder, gentler size, we also recommend the pursuit of green activities like kayaking, cycling, rollerblading, hiking -- you get the idea. Today, on the first day of autumn, Go Green enthusiasts, Barb and Doug Gerleman, took out their sea kayaks for an afternoon on the Skokie Lagoons. And, based on these pictures, they made it seem like anybody could do it. By the way, kayaking lessons are available at the lagoons, if you're so inclined. Check it out HERE.

As you can see, the first day of autumn was popular for kayaking. Doug and Barb were just two of dozens of people out on the lagoons.

This gangplank leads to a floating pier, next to the launch site.

Doug carries Barb's kayak down to the water.

 These are sea kayaks, which are longer and leaner than river kayaks. 

 Barb's kayak is now ready for her to climb aboard. She looks ready to go.

Doug and Barb both wore apron-like gear called a sprayskirt. It's made of water-resistant fabric that attaches around both the paddler's waist and the kayak cockpit to keep water out of the boat. New kayakers often practice capsizing in a swimming pool to learn how to attach the sprayskirt properly as well as detach it quickly.. 

 We found a great beginner's guide to kayaking HERE.

 While Barb gets in the cockpit, Doug holds the boat steady.

 A gentle push. . .

 And we have ignition!

Working alone, Doug uses his paddle to steady the boat and keeps 

one foot on terra firma as he gets into the cockpit.

Once in the kayak, Doug secures the sprayskirt. The loose black handle attached to the front of the sprayskirt is what you pull to release the cover in case of emergency bail out.

 We should have asked him where he got that hat.

 Now they're ready to ride around the lagoons.

 About that hat. . .

 Barb is already on a roll. 

And they're off!!!

Will Solar Ever Eclipse Other Energy Sources?

What will the future of energy be? Geo-thermal? Wind? Solar? Or business as usual -- coal, gas, and nuclear? Go Green Northbrook doesn't have the answers, but to educate ourselves and provide options for our community to consider, we are asking the questions. Starting with solar. 

Has solar heat been getting a bad rap all these years? Has its time finally come? Go Green Northbrook presents a compelling evening, guaranteed to get people talking. Join us at 7:00 PM in the Northbrook Library Auditorium on November 21, 2013, to hear about Energy Conservation and Solar Generation for Homes, Schools, & Buildings. 

Before deciding whether solar may be right for you, there are every day energy conservation measures [ECMs] you can put into place. Begin with a home energy audit. Did you know that your smartphone probably has an app for that? You'll discover there are simple, cost effective, inexpensive changes you can make to your windows, water consumption, insulation, and lighting, to name just four.

Learn how solar has become an energy resource that's starting to make an impact in our community. Hear how energy costs have been reduced at the Glenbrook High Schools, in Northbrook homes, and for businesses around the Chicago area. Our featured speakers include Glenbrook North AP Environmental Sciences educator, Bud Mathieu, and Brandon Leavitt, president of Solar Service, Inc. 

Glenbrook North High School estimates that they have saved more than $1 million, since the 2008-09 school year, through energy conservation techniques. The good news is that significant energy savings can be made at any school, large building, and even residential homes using similar techniques. GBN began a serious energy conservation program three years ago involving staff, students, and an energy consulting firm, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Students investigated and recommended improvements to the timing of lights in empty classrooms, window insulation seals, and drinking water conservation. The consultant identified improvements, including the adjustment of thermostat settings, synchronized by season and room use, with motion sensor control of lighting. These improvements cost $38,500 and have yielded annual savings of $75,000.

Brandon Leavitt is a nationally renowned pubic speaker on the advantages of a clean energy economy. He will discuss practical and affordable solar energy solutions for homeowners, businesses, municipalities, and schools. His firm installed the solar pool heating system at Glenbrook South High School as well as many residential solar energy systems in Northbrook and other communities. Solar Service's first installation in Northbrook was 30 years ago. The most recent was a 7.7kW solar electric installation turned on last month. 

Northbrook residents, John and Merilee Novinson, have installed solar panels on their house. To show the panels on the roof [below], we had to take the picture from the other side of the street, because they are practically invisible. 

According to the Novinsons, their electrical bills run about 30% lower with the solar panels, even after adding heating to the master bath floor and a dumb waiter.

Before deciding on solar panels, they suggest doing a thorough evaluation of your current electrical use in comparison with optimized internal power usage. If a 25% - 30% decrease can be made through internal replacements, better construction, maybe panels can wait. But if it still seems like the best idea, here are things to consider when considering your choice of providers:

• Get at least three references for each company

• Check references thoroughly and consistently

• Find out how long they have been in business

• Get a detailed, written proposal

• Make sure the proposal includes all possible tax and/or grant benefits for the homeowner

• Get a commitment in all bids that the installer will do all necessary paperwork for you, regarding tax and grants [ours did a very good job with this]

• Find out about warranties

• Determine whether materials used are local/sustainable

• Learn how many kilowatts you use in comparison with what you could produce with solar

• Make sure you have the right location for the best energy production

John is the former Village Manager for Northbrook. Merilee is a member of the Go Green Northbrook Steering Committee and the Go Green Northbrook Communications Team. 

The Little Environmentalist That Could

Abby Goldberg, Grayslake, Illinois

Never underestimate the power of a citizen activist. Even one as young as Abby Goldberg of Grayslake, Illinois. Earlier this year, when she was only 12 [she's now 13], the middle school environmentalist decided she was tired of having plastic bags from the local landfill blow across her family's lawn. She became concerned when she read about the Texas-sized island of discarded plastic floating in the ocean. She was upset to learn how plastic waste kills and maims sea animals. So she decided to take on an entire industry by starting a petition at Change.org to get plastic bags banned from her community. 

Her main concern was an industry-backed [and environmentalist opposed] bill before the Illinois State Legislature that would have prevented communities throughout the state from banning bags or charging fees for their use. With 150,000 signatures to back her up, she made a plea to Governor Pat Quinn to not sign the bill.

On August 27, 2013, the governor called her with good news. The Tribune article is HERE.

To read what one manufacturer has to say about the plastic bag industry, click HERE.

Also, under the heading of -- "Really? They can do that?" -- a Japanese inventor has built a tabletop machine that can recycle plastic back into oil at home. Read about it HERE.

The Dangers of Plastic Bags

Northbrook Community Gardens -- A Photo Essay

Okay, it's a little late to plant a summer vegetable garden. But why not think about next year? When we saw the impressive yields of Northbrook's citizen "farmers," we were favorably inclined to consider one. Meanwhile, as we wait in line to get more information from Brian Bruce [847-498-5008], one of the co-founders of the two Village Community Gardens, here are some photographs from our foray into the verdant vegetable patches. 

Crestwood Place Community Garden, north of Crestwood Place 

at 1000 Waukegan Road, is one of two community gardens on village property. 

Another village garden is located behind the Village Hall at 1225 Cedar Lane. 

Here's a third you may not know about:

St. Giles Episcopal Church on Walters has provided land for a 

third community garden that flourishes on church property.

Cosmos enjoy a final bloom at the Village Hall Community Garden.

Many vegetables that grow on vines have better 

yields when they're not on the ground. Below are three cabbages 

from Doug Gerleman's plot at St. Giles.

Below is some Goldenrod [Solidago] we found, thriving outside 
the Village Hall Garden fence. Despite its membership in the 
notoriously allergenic ragweed family, Goldenrod does not 
contribute to hay fever symptoms [!!]. Plus, the feathery, 
yellow fronds are very pretty in bloom.

These peppers were still thriving at the St. Giles garden.

We were pleasantly surprised by these gorgeous cantaloupes -- 

turns out they're Doug's.

The back fence at the Crestwood Place garden has been 

creatively decorated by Northbrook children. 

Even at the end of the summer harvest, the garden plots 

were still beautifully organized and carefully maintained.

These nuts were just a few of dozens and dozens on a tree just outside 

the Village Hall Garden's fence. Do you know what they are? Walnuts, perhaps?

These sunflowers are so tall the raccoons probably won't reach the seeds. 

Each gardener is asked to donate a portion of their harvest to the Northbrook Village Pantry. Obviously tomatoes would be at the top of that list. Shard, below, 

is one of the most nutritious vegetables in the garden. 

 In the midst of photographing the late harvest, we ran into Sue Schmittroth, the site coordinator for The Village Hall Garden. She is a veteran gardener and a repository of information about the gardens, but we got to talking about the lack of rain this summer and the identity of some mysterious vegetables we'd never seen, so our questions didn't get asked. The nice thing about a blog is that you can add things to an entry later. So we'll be back with more information. 

Will YOU plant a vegetable garden next year?