Today on October 15 is Blog Action Day and this year's topic is Water. So at 88Nine RadioMilwaukee we decided to our part and write a post on the topic.
Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion around an important issue that impacts us all.
Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.
So I decided I want to participate and write something on the topic of water and how it relates to Milwaukee.
Milwaukee is on one of the biggest (and most beautiful) bodies of fresh water in the world. As the demands for fresh water in the 21st century become more and more apparent, Milwaukee is trying to stay on the forefront of water science and research -- I've heard people say we're hoping to be the "Silicon Valley of Fresh Water."
So I talked to Adam, the producer of our initiatives, about some ideas. Serendipitously, he is covering the issue all next week for our Make A Difference Campaign. Adam talked to two environmental non-profits who do their part to bring awareness and protect one of Milwaukee's most precious resources. Listen for these pieces next week!
One of the organizations Adam talked to was the Milwaukee Riverkeeper. He took a boat ride with Cheryl Nenn of the Milwaukee Riverkeeper. She described the work they do preserving Milwaukee's rivers and how folks who feel like they need to travel 5 hours up north to experience nature can get out on rivers in their own city. He'll also be profiling two of their volunteers who do river monitoring for the Milwaukee Riverkeeper and the Wisconsin DNR. Adam went out with them on the Milwaukee River where they tested pH and oxygen levels, as well as check out some gross river-bugs that give clues into the health of the water.
The next story is about the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) and their "100 Gallon Challenge." First the UEC identifies a problem -- sewage being dumped into the lake during rain storms. They'll then tell you what the UEC does about it and how folks can do to do their part. Hint: it has to do with conserving 100 gallons of water per rain storm and it's not as hard as it sounds!
So tune in all next week on 88.9FM to hear the stories and online at radiomilwaukee.wpengine.com. If you have a blog based in Milwaukee and you wrote something for Blog Action Day, let us know in the comments below.