Clean Water Blog

Nature is fuel for the soul. Resolve to get outside more — it’s one resolution that doesn’t have to cost a penny and has countless benefits for you and your kids.  

Research on the benefits of nature shows that:

*  Being in a natural environment benefits the body, mind, and spirit. 

*  Nature makes you more caring and enhances social interactions and close relationships.  

*  Being outdoors helps keep you healthy — boosting vitality; improving vision; reducing risks of heart disease, obesity, bone problems,  depression, and stress; reducing the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and more.

*  Children and adults find it easier to concentrate and pay attention after spending time in nature.

*  Short outdoor education programs improve children’s cooperation, conflict resolution, self-esteem, peer relationships, and behavior in class.

*  Nature provides a rich source of hands-on, multi-sensory stimulation, which is critical for brain development in early childhood.

*  Short outdoor education programs improve children’s science test scores.

With all of this research coming to the forefront, it’s not surprising that everyone — from researchers to politicians to educators to doctors to parents — is encouraging us to spend more time outdoors on a regular basis. 

Tips and ideas for getting outdoors

You don’t have to go far to spend time outdoors. Nature is right outside our door. You can enjoy walking, winter biking or bird watching from just about anywhere. 

Make it a top priority. Dedicate time every week to spend outdoors. To really develop a lasting, deep relationship with nature, you need to be out in it, regularly.  

Dress for the weather.  There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Make sure you are both dry and warm. Keep a set of winter clothing in your car so you are ready to take advantage of unexpected outdoor opportunities. 

Enjoy the parks and trails. Parks and trails are all around us. Many are free; others require either a day pass or year pass for a small fee. Check your city and county websites for locations, fees, and outdoor activities and events. Check out these sites for Minnesota state parks and state trails.  

Visit your local nature center. Nature centers are located throughout Minnesota and offer beautiful, natural settings to explore. Often they have snowshoes, cross country skis, binoculars, and other outdoor gear available to borrow or rent. Check out this list of Minnesota nature centers and other environmental educations destinations to find one close to you. 

For the truly adventurous, try winter camping.  Winter camping has several advantages over summer camping. No Mosquitoes. You can easily hike across frozen lakes and ponds to directly access locations that might require lengthy hikes during other seasons. Clear night skies offer great star gazing. Night time sounds carry easily, so listen for coyotes, owls, trees snapping and ice cracking. Deciduous trees shed their leaves and provide unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. 

There’s an app for that. Free smartphone apps are available to identify bird calls, tree species, and Minnesota places to explore. 

Additional resources

Children and Nature NetworkThe Minnesota Children and Nature Connection

The National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There Campaign and Green Hour Activities

Information provided by the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). 

Please join the National Park Service for the Mississippi River Forum—your opportunity to learn about issues impacting the Mississippi River, and to make sure other decision makers understand your perspective. 

Friday, January 27, 2012. 7:30-9:00 a.m.

St. Cloud City Council Chambers–400-2nd St. S., St. Cloud

It’s beginning to look a lot like potential problems for rural septic systems this holiday season. “It may not be such a happy new year for some households if we don’t get snow cover before temperatures really start to drop,” Dan Olson, public information officer with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), said.  “Snow helps to insulate septic systems and keep them from freezing.  Fortunately, temperatures across the state have remained relatively mild so far, but that could change any time.”

The University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program provides tips for homeowners on how to prevent septic system freeze-ups & how to deal with them should they occur:

• Place a layer of mulch eight to 12 inches thick over the pipes, tank and soil treatment system to provide extra insulation.  This can be straw, leaves, hay or other loose material that will stay in place and not become compacted.  This is particularly important for new systems that were installed so late in the year that vegetative cover could not be established.  However, if the system is currently frozen, don’t add mulch now; it will delay thawing in the spring.

• Let the grass or native vegetation growing over the tank and soil treatment area get a little taller in the late summer and fall to provide insulation and help hold snow.

• Use water ― the warmer the better ― if you’re worried that your system is starting to freeze.  Spread out your laundry schedule so you run one warm/hot load a day.  Use the dishwasher and take hot baths.  However, DO NOT leave water running all the time, as this will hydraulically overload the septic system.

• Going away for an extended period?  Plan accordingly.  Have someone use warm water in your home regularly while you are gone or have your septic tank pumped out before you leave.  If a shallow tank is left full for several winter months, the sewage will become very cold and can freeze.

• Fix any leaky plumbing fixtures or appliances in your home.  This will help prevent freezing problems and help your system perform better all year long.

• If you have appliances that generate very low flows, such as high-efficiency furnaces, you can put heat tape in the pipe, and have someone come by and run warm water for a while you are on vacation.  Alternatively, install a small condensate pump that holds and discharges two gallons per cycle.

• Keep all vehicle, animal and human traffic off the system.  This is a good rule to follow all year long as compacted snow and soils cause frost to go down deeper and faster.  Pay special attention to the area between the house and the septic tank.

• Make sure all risers; inspection pipes and manholes have covers.  Sealing them and adding insulation is a good idea.  Insulation may be added during construction particularly if the top of the septic tank is within two feet of the surface.

• Keep an eye on your system.  If any seeping or ponding occurs, contact a septic systems professional to help determine the cause and remedy.

• Add more insulation to your system.  This could include replacing pipe with insulated pipe, installing expanded foam panels over the septic tank, or adding more soil cover.

A common cause of freeze-ups are pipes that are not installed with the proper slant or that have settled, resulting in dips in the line.  Where a dip or flat spot occurs, sewage can collect and freeze.  Pump lines can develop a dip right next to or above the septic tank as a result of soil backfilled during tank installation settling.

If your septic system freezes, call a septic system professional. 

For information on keeping your system healthy all year, visit the University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program website.

Information provided by the MN Pollution Control Agency.