State and federal data now show that since 1990, nitrogen spread on fields in Iowa and nine other major US corn-growing states has increased 26%, with more nitrogen than ever pouring off the land and into US waters. Demand for corn is high, both to supply ethanol refineries and to feed industrial livestock operations that add to water contamination themselves.

Streams in Door County are adding to the amount of phosphorus in our waters. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources identifies four Door County streams that are now impaired by phosphorus and adding to the pollution of the bay and the lake.

Most of the time, we don’t think much about water quality when we choose a beach to enjoy. However, knowing that beach water is clean and safe for swimming is a huge benefit to both residents and tourists who enjoy our Door County beaches. Learn more about the beach water warning light system now in place at five Door County beaches

The Back Forty Mine, a proposed mining project near Stephenson, Michigan, has a tumultuous 20 year history, fraught with environmental concerns, regulatory challenges, and shifting ownership. Initially proposed by Aquila Resources of Toronto in 2004, the project aims to extract gold, zinc, and other minerals from sulfide deposits in the Menominee River watershed with a 750-foot deep open pit mine less than 200 feet from the river bank.

The annual Door County Environmental Council (DCEC) Scholarship Award is now open for applications. DCEC advocates for environmentally responsible development and recreation in Northeast Wisconsin. We seek a secondary level junior or senior student who is interested in the conservation of Door County’s natural and sustainable resources.

Green Bay and the lower Fox River are suffering from a chronic overdose of phosphorus. There are lots of sources for the nutrient—city sewerage systems, industries, runoff from lawns and streets—but as this chart shows, agriculture is by far the largest contributor.

On Friday, Nov. 3, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) released its most recent study conducted with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The study was published Thursday in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology.

As you travel north along the Niagara Escarpment, the bedrock or karst becomes more fractured and porous, allowing seepage from the surface. Combine that with very thin soil to bedrock and a high-water table, the result is a vulnerable topography for contamination from agricultural runoff.

Our Earth and the world’s current farm practices are at odds. If we continue in the direction that we are going, we will witness: 1) the continued degradation of the world’s precious soils; 2) increasing adverse climate conditions; and 3) ever growing global food insecurities.

Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) has successfully petitioned to intervene in a lawsuit over the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) authority to regulate Wisconsin’s largest livestock facilities.

Over the next few decades climate change will have very significant impacts on the Great Lakes. Particularly affected will be shallow bays, like Green Bay, that are freshwater estuaries. Learn more about the impact.

Last summer we experienced a significant increase in E. coli at many of our Door County beaches, closing beach events at three Door County beaches! Learn what Door County Environmental Council is doing to end this issue.

The context of using cover crops in CAFOs’ standard practices reveals a sinister story. Learn about the issue, and how DCEC is working hard to come up with solutions so that we can advocate for responsible farmers that help feed our communities, while holding irresponsible and ecologically reckless farmers accountable.

This article was adapted by from “A Watershed Moment: Changes in America’s Dairyland Foul the Waters of Green Bay,” by Dan Egan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It was originally published on Sept. 13, 2014, and is a part of the series, “A Watershed Moment.”

A new technology is moving into Northeast Wisconsin which is said to be a “solution” for processing liquid waste by reducing or eliminates the need to spread millions of gallons of raw, liquefied manure on our fragile and shallow soil structures. 

It won’t be long now before both tourists and seasonal residents begin returning to Door and Kewaunee Counties for the summer. As always, one of the most popular summer activities will be visiting and swimming at one or more of our nearly 70 beaches. However, before you dip a toe in the water at your favorite beach, you might want to check the quality of the water.

Plastic is now so ubiquitous in the environment that it has turned up in human breast milk and blood. Research has found that widespread contamination in drinking water and food means some people may ingest a credit card worth of microplastics every week. Yet efforts to stem the flow of plastic waste remain almost nonexistent.

Earth Day is a global event that takes place every year on April 22 to raise awareness and inspire action towards environmental protection. But the importance of Earth Day also extends to our local communities, where small actions can have a significant impact.

Being a water testing laboratory, one question that we receive all the time is why should we monitor our water, it seems fine? Learn why Door County continues to monitor our water.

Learn more about biodigesters and how they are intended to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by capturing and utilizing methane, they can also emit other gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide and escaped methane.