While walking down the lake path last fall, I could not help but notice the noxious smell of fertilizers and pesticides on just about every other lawn around the lake. Not only is the smell offensive, but what some people don't realize - or maybe do realize but don't care about - is the effects this quest for perfect and weed-less lawns has on the lake we all care so deeply about.

Therefore, as spring is here and the time of year for everyone to attempt to maintain perfectly manicured lawns has arrived, I am here to suggest an alternative to the regularly used chemicals we spread throughout our environment.

The problem with chemical fertilizers is the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous they contain that run off into the lake, waterways, or storm sewer systems. When water reaches the particles of fertilizer, the nutrients are released all at once - at a rate faster than your lawn can absorb them.

Accordingly, this leads to large quantities of fertilizer running off into the lake, waterways, or storm sewer systems, which is not only wasteful but detrimental to the environment. This can be seen in the growth of noxious weeds that can choke waterways, destroy habitats of fish and other lake creatures, and lead to the premature aging of the lake.

Not only do these chemicals go into the lake, but they are also leached into the ground and eventually into the aquifer, which affects the lake as well as your drinking water. Because of this quick release of nutrients, there is also a chance the lawn will be burned, defeating the purpose of fertilizer in the first place.

Using chemical fertilizers also can affect the structure of the soil. The more a lawn relies on chemical fertilizer to replenish the nutrients in the soil to feed the grass, the more the soil becomes an unnatural place. Chemical fertilizers are harmful to the microorganisms we need in the soil, like earthworms, which aerate the soil and decompose organic matter within the soil. The chemical fertilizers create a chemical imbalance in the soil, naturally making these microorganisms want to leave the chemically saturated area, which then leads to the compaction of the soil. This creates a need for more synthetics and chemicals to amend the soil, creating a ferocious cycle of chemical dependency.

To prevent this happening to your lawn, consider using organic fertilizers. They are naturally slow-releasing, and, for the most part, they stay where they are put. The nutrients break down slowly at a rate your lawn can absorb them. Because of this, the amount of runoff into the lake, other waterways, or storm sewer systems is minimal.

Since the breakdown of nutrients is gradual, there is a much-decreased chance of burning your lawn. This slow release also will mean you will not see the effect of the fertilizer on your lawn as quickly as you would a chemical fertilizer. You will, however, be improving your lawn over the long term.

Organic farming uses the concept of feeding the soil, which then feeds the plants. This is exactly what organic fertilizers do. Organic fertilizers help create and maintain healthy soil. The microorganisms in your soil help break down the organic fertilizer that consequently increases the aeration of your soil because the microorganisms are constantly moving.

Having a porous and permeable soil increases its ability to absorb water, which also decreases the amount of runoff and erosion. Not only can these porous soils absorb more water, but it can also store more water, which is important in times of drought, decreasing the amount of watering needed for your grass to remain green.

Organic fertilizers are much easier to come by than they were a few years ago. With a simple Internet search, you can find the closest retailer/distributor of organic fertilizers. Here are a few names to help you out: Nature Safe, Milorganite, Renaissance, Ringer, among many others.

Good luck and happy gardening!

"While the region's overall population increased by only 4.1 percent, residential land consumption increased by an estimated 46 percent. Suburban commercial/industrial land consumption increased the region's inventory by 74 percent."

The above quote was cited on page four of a Northern Illinois Planning Commission report titled "Strategic Plan for Land Resource Management" published in 1992. The period cited is from 1970 to 1990.

I hasten to emphasize that this data does not include the period from 1990 to 2005 - 15 years of additional and substantial growth in northern Illinois. This rate of land consumption is vastly outpacing the population growth by an alarming multiple. It adds to our dependence on the automobile and all of its associated ills and further diminishes nature's ability to replenish our most basic human needs - clean water and clean air.

My purpose for citing this eye-opening statistic is simple: We in Walworth County lie directly in the path of this consuming movement and are experiencing the first wave of its effects.
I first heard this quote while attending a conservation conference in McHenry, Ill. Clearly in the throes of numerous large-scale development projects affecting large tracts of land, McHenry affords us a preview of one possible future for Walworth.

At the Conservancy we find ourselves following several development projects, including three large - even massive - projects. The Hummel Group's 718-acre parcel wherein they had proposed to construct 1,080 homes and Sho-Deen's 957-acre Big Foot Farms with a proposed 3,000 homes and its 2,100-acre Jackson Creek with a proposal for almost 6,000 homes. Each of these projects includes notable levels of commercial development as well.

Projects of this scale are extremely complex and have long and far-reaching effects. One of the more important issues to consider is the effect on infrastructure (roads, water service, sewer systems, and storm water management) as well as schools and governmental services. The depth and breadth of impact from each of these proposed sites will spread for miles in every direction.

Equally important to consider is that existing development activity does not stop while these developers build their projects. These "outsiders" do not deter local and regional developers, who proceed apace with each of their own interests.

Large-scale professional development organizations such as these are well funded and include substantial marketing budgets for their projects. These advertising campaigns are carefully crafted to attract large numbers of potential buyers. Any businessperson knows not every prospect ends up in the sold category. Shoppers often outnumber the serious buyers by a large margin. However, once in the car, on the road, and in the area, that prospect has to drive by acres upon acres of additional development opportunities, also known as farm fields. In short, local and regional developers capitalize on the opportunities from the larger projects and their similarly larger marketing budgets. To put it another way, large development begets additional and numerous smaller projects that ride along with the wave of newly generated prospective buyers.

If in doubt, visit our neighbors to the south and view for yourself the multitude of spin-off developments generated from the larger developments. They in essence establish the next wave of mass residential construction in that particular region. You see it in retail shopping centers, where the big box comes first followed by the smaller retailers, and in industrial centers, where the larger employer often is followed by many smaller operations. And all of these follow the "rooftops." Remember, large-scale residential development leads this consuming wave time after time.

Where do we go from here?

Discussions and actions that focus on a common-sense approach to land use are a good place to begin. Stricter adherence to proven conservation methods should be defended and advanced when ignored or overlooked. The conservation subdivision ordinances, now gaining in popularity, whether mandatory or not, should be applied as the reasonable starting point. Any deviation from this approach is when and where the debates should commence.

Timing of these developments is also important. Why should any community be forced to accept a flood of development activity in any one year, only to watch it rise and fall in subsequent years without thought given to pacing the activity? Some communities have begun to address this matter by establishing an annual rate of growth - so many houses per year and no more. This is a simple concept, easy-to-understand and a cost-effective approach to the community's quality of life, health and safety issues.

To the development community and landowners alike, the message must be clear and simple: The call for conservation in land use does NOT automatically equate to a reduction in the economic value of a parcel of land. While parcels typically closer to existing urban centers might support a larger density of homes, other more rural and/or sensitive settings call for a lighter concentration. However, uncaring expectations as to what should be developed, where, and when, fueled by overzealous participants in these development transactions, often create difficult, time-consuming, and unproductive confrontations for all concerned.

Speaking from experience, we have the cart before the horse. Rather than begin the approach to developing land by starting with a blank sheet of paper, so to speak, uncover the obvious AND subtle nuances of each site. In addition to establishing the boundaries of a site (and only recently the wetland features), show the woodlands, the prairies, the historical features, the soils, and the other elements of this and adjacent sites. This allows for a more thorough understanding of the situation by using a more complete picture. Relate this all to the larger - hopefully - established plan for your community, and we now have a reasonable starting point to determine what is truly appropriate for the development of a particular site.
It is part of the Conservancy's mission to engage all members of our community in friendly and informative conversations - from governmental leaders to real estate developers, from the business community to our schools - and it is essential we open and keep open an exchange of ideas between communities, neighbor to neighbor.

Our goal is to initiate and maintain these lines of communication in order to foster the clear and easily understandable message that our lakes, rivers, and streams, our woodlands and forests, and our prairies and farmlands are far too essential to our daily lives to allow the clatter and rush of our world to overwhelm our most subtle and pressing needs. Clean water, clean air, and a balanced, healthy, and sustainable ecosystem and how we get there are where all discussions should logically begin.

It is elemental.

Snowblower: Mr. Tom Elwood - I'm not sure if it was the song on the Web site or that mountain of snow threatening to overpower the staff, but, Mr. Elwood, thank you so much for responding to our plea for a snowblower. When the snows hit next winter, we will be ready!

Chairs and Sofa: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Whowell, Ms. Caroline Sweers, and Mr. and Mrs. William Bentsen - We are awash in seating opportunities. Thank you! We have chairs and a new sofa for the reception rooms, and we can now enjoy the outdoors, without having to worry about splinters!

Repairs: Mr. Phil Harvey and Mr. Charlie Harret: Our administrator's office was threatening to break off the Mill House and fall into the sea! Actually, there was just a large crack in the wall of our main room. Mr. Harvey kindly had the crack fixed and repainted the room. The lovely sage green is a welcome change, and we're very grateful. Mr. Charlie Harret also contributed to the Mill House repairs by making our bathroom more handicap accessible. Thanks!

Computers: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Colman - We have new computers, and we're on a network! 21st century, here we come! Lynn can now create maps with greater efficiency (and speed - never forget the speed), and Katie's computer actually recognizes both monitors in her dual monitor set-up. As for Jim, well, we don't let him near computers, but he's still happy. Thank you!

Copyediting: Mr. Fred Noer - For those of you who looked at our newsletter online, you will have noted Mr. Fred Noer generously has donated his copyediting expertise to the newsletter's editor. Now, I'd like to thank him in print. Thank you, your help has been tremendous!

Financial Services: Virchow Krause & Co. - Yes, auditing is a painful experience, but it can be made much smoother when the auditors donate a portion of their time and fee. Thanks to everyone at Virchow Krause who did our audit last year and will be doing it this year. We appreciate your work.

Piano: Mrs. Betty Milne and Mr. and Mrs. Dean Buntrock - We reported last issue that the Buntrocks were responsible for getting our piano tuned. Well, when the tuner came, he said our piano was not tunable. Thankfully, he put us in contact with Mrs. Betty Milne, who kindly donated her recently deceased husband's piano, which is quite tunable! Thank you, Betty and the Buntrocks, the piano is much loved.

Compost: Lake Geneva Garden Club - Now we can compost. Thanks to a grant from the Lake Geneva Garden Club, the Conservancy purchased a compost bin and accessories for the Mill House. Stay tuned for more, as the information sign we purchased with grant funds will be installed in a few short weeks.

Flowers: Mrs. Judy Kompare - You see those flowers? Those are painted on the Conservancy's front door. They're great. Judy, thank you so much for painting them.

There are several indications that some announcements regarding the University of Chicago's plans for Yerkes Observatory may be coming, as soon as late May. Keep checking the Conservancy's website, Special Report: Yerkes for instant updates.

The Conservancy stands steadfast for preservation of the historic observatory structure and surrounding land at Williams Bay, and for absolutely nothing more than a "light footprint" of new development, and only if essential to save the observatory, on the untouched wooded lakefront property, the last such site on Geneva Lake.

It's not that easy bein' green./ It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things/ (But) green can be big like an ocean or important/ Like a mountain or tall like a tree/. . . I am green, and it'll do fine, it's beautiful/ And I think it's what I want to be.
("It's Not Easy Bein' Green" lyrics by Joe Rapposo)

No, no one at the Conservancy has developed an affinity for flies and swamps or started a tumultuous love affair with a pig. That doesn't mean, however, that we can't appreciate Kermit's plight. Green can be ordinary: Leaves on the trees or blades of grass are ordinary.

What is not ordinary is the spectacular changes those same leaves go through as spring wends its way into summer, when the young buds grow large enough to shelter us from the summer sun. What is not ordinary are those same leaves that give us one more spectacular show in the autumn, transforming from green to dazzling shades of red and gold before falling to our feet. What is not ordinary is the simple miracle of their return, the fresh young green that peppers our land when the gray of winter finally recedes. There is nothing ordinary about green, and yet, it's still not easy.

Or so it would seem. Through advocacy, the Conservancy hopes to steer developers away from irresponsible development and highlight good development. The Excellence in Conservation Development Award given to the Sugar Creek Preserve, LLC in March was just one of our tools. However, education and advocacy alone will not complete our victory. We cannot do it alone. No matter how many developers we steer in the right direction, it's the average Joe and Jane who live, work, and play in our region that ultimately determine the topography of our land. And luckily, for Joe and Jane, there are everyday ways to minimize the impact of development on our precious land and water resources.

Mow Your Roof
Or invest in a goat, like Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, Wis.! Green roofs are nothing new; the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were a massive green roof. Not only are green roofs ecologically sound - they filter rainwater and reduce water runoff into storm drains, lowering the stress on sewer systems - they're pretty too. An intensive green roof resembles a traditional garden, incorporating a variety of plants and architectural elements. In order to sustain the extent and variety of plants, the soil base for intensive green roofs is deep, and these roof gardens are typically installed over concrete roof decks. For a simpler but no less ecologically beneficial green roof, extensive green roofs cover a broader area of the roof but have little or no recreational use. The substructure for such a roof is less, which reduces the cost over that of the intensive green roof.

Pave your Driveway
But pave it with porous concrete pavers and you'll be helping the environment. We at the Conservancy did, and we love it! Porous concrete pavers absorb rainwater, slowing its runoff, which reduces pollution in lakes, rivers, and streams. They even can improve road safety by offering wheels a better gripping surface. Pavers are fragile, however, and are best used in low-traffic areas where the load-bearing weight is less. These include driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots.

Park Better
A similar tactic is a green parking lot, which utilizes several green development techniques to reduce the hard surface areas in a lot. By using bioretention, which is a buffer zone of plantings that filter runoff, porous and turf pavers, and "storm-water trees," green parking reduces storm-water runoff, improves the aesthetic quality of the area, and filters replenishing groundwater.

Drink the Rain
Or at the very least, collect it and use it to water your lawn. Cisterns are devices that, either above or below ground, collect water from roofs. This water then can be used in lawn care, household mopping, or even (with proper treatment) for drinking. The obvious benefits are water conservation, but cisterns can also lower water utility bills and require little maintenance.

Maybe being green is easy after all!

That not only is June Invasive Species Awareness Month, it's also National Rivers Month! Check out The River Alliance of Wisconsin for more information about Wisconsin's Rivers and what you can do to help!

June 3 is National Trails Day! So, after perusing the Conservancy's Garage Sale (below), you can go for a trek in one of the many parks and trails in our lakes area!

The first time I ventured down to the Conservancy's basement, I was terrified. Uncertainty over what I would see coupled with my abject terror of spiders was certainly responsible.

The place was packed: Large objects loomed under drop cloths, and scattered here and there were odd items of what I thought were sure to be torture implements. How was I to know that random, everyday objects can look like that when they haven't been cleaned off in a couple of months? Dust and cobwebs, apparently, can do a lot for a wrench.

It took a while for me to gather enough courage, but on closer inspection Lynn and I found amazing treasures. Among the clutter one expects in basements were some great things, like old pottery, large glass jugs, and hats! A real hatbox filled with an odd assortment of hats: a green feather hat and a white crochet hat were our favorites.

It's treasures like these, hidden throughout the Conservancy's basement and garage, that we are putting up for sale at our first annual Farmers Market and Garage Sale. And, while you are perusing the finds, patronize our local florists, farmers and bakers for beautiful (and native) plantings, in-season fruits and veggies, and delicious home-baked goodies.

The Farmers Market and Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at the Mill House, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m.

Not only are we selling off the Mill House's excess, we're offering up space, on a consignment basis, to members of the community! So, if you've been wanting to host a garage sale of your own, but lack the time, the Conservancy is here to help!

If you or anyone you know is interested, or have items you would like to donate to the garage sale, the proceeds of which will go to the Conservancy's general operating fund, please contact us at (262) 275-5700. The Geneva Lake Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) funded entirely by private contributions.

Well, it's not as bad as all that, but the Cold War against invasives (if it could ever have been described as such) has definitely escalated into a Hot one!

Invasive species are animals or plants that have been introduced into a particular ecosystem, thrive, and then compete with the native species for food and habitat. The introduction and subsequent thriving of an invasive species can result in the degradation of an ecosystem. The threat to the native species within the ecosystem demands attention and is why June has been declared Invasive Species Awareness Month.

So, why is the mute swan considered an invasive species? What is it doing wrong? What about garlic mustard or zebra mussels? Can't we eat them? Isn't that a good thing?

Well, first of all, don't eat zebra mussels. Although edible, they absorb toxins and contaminants in the water, so unless you have a strong desire for a third ear (depending on where you picked up a particular batch of mussels), they aren't recommended for fine dining. And yes, there are lovely (edible) things you can do with garlic mustard, but the same is true for dandelion leaves, and we all know what happens to those cheery yellow heralds of spring.

As for the mute swan, although this is admittedly a beautiful bird, it hails from Eurasia. Due to the swan's rapid growth rate, the bird has been taking over the breeding areas of other native waterfowl in Wisconsin. The mute swan also has a nasty temper and has been known to kill other birds that have the audacity to horn in on the swan's nesting area. The bird doesn't like humans much either.

What can be done to halt the onslaught? Do we need to mount a national defense system that shoots missiles at any encroaching invasive spore or seedling? What would we call it, Spore Wars? Okay, so that might be a little much, and thankfully, there are things - simple things - that can be done to halt, or at least slow down, the spread of invasive species.

Simply learning to identify invasive plants like garlic mustard and removing them from yards and public areas are good steps; whole neighborhoods can join in the fun, a la Milwaukee's annual "Weed Out." One thing to remember, certain invasives may contain toxic compounds, so wear gloves when weeding.

To halt the spread of zebra mussels, awareness is also key. Zebra mussels are tiny but resourceful hitchhikers. Be aware and keep your boat clean, draining it of any water that might still be in the cooling system. This is important, especially if you plan to use it on several different bodies of water or you moor your boat in mussel-infested waters. Also, be sure you do not release bait from one body of water into another and be sure to trash any aquatic plants that have managed to wrap around the tiller or (or your legs, if you've been swimming).

As for the mute swan, unlike the feral pig, open season hasn't been declared, but the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has instituted a Mute Swan Control Program to halt the bird's progress in Wisconsin.

For more information regarding invasive species and Invasive Species Awareness Month, visit these sites: www.dnr.state.wi.us/invasives & www.invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness/index.asp

And don't forget to try your hand at the "Find the Invasives" word search.