What do you do to get ready for winter? This week, I pulled out my tomato plants and shut my storm windows. My tomato plants don't make a big impact on my heating bill, but shutting my storm windows sure will! There are lots of easy things we can do that will reduce our impact on the environment as we get ready for Minnesota's coldest season.
Prepare for Winter: Get ready for the white by going green
Partake in these fall traditions and you'll make a positive impact on Minnesota's air, water, and waste stream.
In the yard
Next time you need to buy a mower, consider a mulching mower. It will break leaves into tiny pieces, put nutrients back into your lawn, and you can skip the raking!
Don't rake leaves onto the street or sidewalk. It washes unnecessary nutrients into our lakes and streams. If you own shoreline, don't rake leaves directly into lakes or streams.
Purchase a programmable thermostat and set the temperature lower while you are away or sleeping. Every degree above 68° adds about 3 percent to your heating bill.
Breathe easy this winter: Indoor air quality tips
Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. On top of that, most of us spend 90 percent of our time indoors. Take care of your health by reducing toxins in your home. Here's a sample of indoor air problems and what you can do about them.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that seeps into buildings from the soil. It is estimated to cause 12,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the United States.
Try to buy new furniture and carpet, and paint your home's interior, in warm weather when you can open the windows.
During the winter, avoid hobby or home improvement activities like sanding, varnishing, welding, or things that require use of adhesives. The dust and chemical emissions can add to indoor air quality problems.
Avoid air fresheners and paraffin or scented candles (often contain chemicals like benzene and xylem, among many others). Choose soy or beeswax candles instead.
When remodeling, avoid pressed-wood products (like particleboard), including cabinets. They can be a source of formaldehyde.
Fine particles find their way into the air from candles, smoking, fireplaces, dust, and cooking.
Use vents in your kitchen and bathroom; keep your house clean and ventilated.
Minimize wood and candle burning in the house.
Choose not to smoke in the house.
De-clutter! Clutter collects dust, which is an allergen and indoor air pollutant.
Use a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) vacuum cleaner.
Avoid cleaning wall-to-wall carpets until windows can be opened.
Use window coverings that can be easily washed, instead of dry-cleaned. This helps to keep dust and other allergens down and prevents the introduction of chemical emissions from dry cleaning solvents into the home.
Days of our green lives: Community events and resources
Help protect your favorite waterway by forming a New Lake or River Association. Learn how at a workshop on October 30, 6:30-9 p.m., Eisenhower Community Center (Hopkins).
Learn how to live green and have a no waste holiday season at the 2008 Green Gifts Fair, hosted by Do it Green! Minnesota. There will be music, cooking demos, many local green gift retailers and artists, holiday workshops, and an Eco Party! November 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Midtown Global Market (Minneapolis).
The 3rd Annual Northland Bioneers Conference will help inspire a shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other and future generations, November 15-16, University of Minnesota's Willey Hall (Minneapolis).
St. Paul Central Library celebrates "America Recyces Day" with Trisha and the Toonies' Enviro-Show, using puppets, music and educational theater, November 15, 11:15 a.m. (St. Paul).
Look for more events on the SEEK and NextStep calendars.
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Prepare for Winter: Get ready for the white by going green 
Breathe easy this winter: Indoor air quality tips 