#h2oscore

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: What Water Means to Me

I grew up in southeastern WI. The Menomonee River was almost in the backyard of my parents’ house and Lake Michigan was never more than a 20 minute buzz up the expressway. In fact, some summers we routinely biked to the lake and spent the day at Alterra and in Veterans Park. Growing up so close to so many beautiful bodies of water is something I always took for granted. I didn’t know any better- I hadn’t known a life without a major river or lake at arm’s reach.

During the summers, I watched the lakefront come alive with runners, walkers and cyclists. At any given moment, Lincoln Memorial Drive was vibrant and vivacious, with kites and music and beaches and people. I can map out my youth from the beaches and break walls of Lake Michigan, as one summer firework show melds into another one, all reflected on the water.

As my friends and I started to pack out for our respective colleges across the country, I packed up the minivan for a school less than 20 minutes away. I lived and learned and partook in the predictable freshmen activities and assumed my friends were doing the exact same. Then Thanksgiving break happened- or Homecoming or Halloween or some other event that brought my friends home- and it all made sense. The lake was an absolute magnet. Here I was, getting lost in the daily hustle and bustle of being a college freshman, living closer than ever to such a big part of my adolescence and I almost forgot that it existed. Friends that visited my humble Marquette dorm room wanted to visit the lakefront and that appreciation finally smacked me in the face. My friends go to school in places like Indiana and Texas and North Dakota: land-locked and lake-free. There, it’s not an option to be a part of the unique culture that the Lake Michigan lakefront harbors. It’s not an option to go running along the lake, or get coffee overlooking the McKinley Marina. Festivals are bordered with fences, not a break wall.

Realizing that my high school friends weren’t as lucky as me in this regard also led me to realizing that there are people that have never even seen a body of water like this before. I took a few steps back and began living a little more parallel to the city. I figured out the importance of local pride and advocacy- local food, local music, local culture. I inhaled that Lake Michigan breeze and exhaled Milwaukee pride in every respect. Milwaukee almost effortlessly promotes green, local living in such an accessible way. I don’t just reside in this city, I live in it and am alive in it.

The way that Milwaukee creates a culture around water is breathtaking. Yes, the lakefront is the backdrop for countless summer festivals, charity runs, sporting events and concerts, but it also shines just as bright on its own. Water has a way of bringing people together: it doesn’t need to always be the stage for some grand event- it IS the grand event. Friends change, people grow up, but the lake will dutifully remain a heartbeat that sustains Milwaukee’s beautiful culture.

Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011

[startupmke-blog-blog]

Startup Milwaukeean of the Week: McGee Young

McGee Young is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Marquette University. His company, MPSP, LLC, markets H2Oscore, a water conservation program for cities that uses online water use dashboards and a rewards program to motivate residents to conserve. H2Oscore dashboards are currently being used in four cities in Wisconsin—Whitewater, Milwaukee, Grafton and Waukesha.

At what point did you become interested in entrepreneurship?

My family has a long history of entrepreneurship, so it’s been part of my life since I was a child. However, my first big idea came to me in college when I wanted to start an airport internet service. This was in 1994, right after our campus was wired and we all started using the Mosaic browser. My roommate and I were going to take out student loans, buy computers and get them hooked up to the internet at the airport and make a fortune, even if we didn't really understand how to hook computers up to the internet. We were talked out of it by people who “knew better,” who said that nobody would ever want to browse the internet at the airport.

What has been the biggest difficulty you've faced as an entrepreneur?

Ha! To single out one particular difficulty would be insulting to all of the other difficulties that are faced on a daily basis. That being said, time management is probably the biggest challenge. With another job, a family and a desire to have a life, figuring out how to allocate time among competing responsibilities is always tough.

As a non-technical founder of a software company, managing the technical development of the site can also be challenging. We don't have a technical co-founder or CTO, so we haven’t had the ability to “solve” our business problems by simply writing more code. However, we've actually built a better business model because of those challenges.

What makes Milwaukee a unique place to start a company?

Milwaukee is still organized around its industrial past. The civic and business community is hierarchical and tends to close ranks around incremental approaches to change. Companies that fit the traditional mold tend to do better here. As a startup, it’s a fine line to walk between disrupting existing markets and finding a safe business model that is easily understood by investors.

What piece of advice do you have for new startup companies?

Our company gained a lot of traction when we talked to potential customers; and we wasted a lot of time when we acted on ideas that had only been discussed within the office. Because technology has made starting a company so much easier, the real challenge for startup companies today is finding a sustainable business model. Focus on the business model early and use tools like LaunchRock and Optimizely to understand your value proposition to your customers.

Which books are on your reading list right now?

I mainly read "The Lean Startup" over and over again! Aside from that, a friend just recommended "Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage" as a way to put the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship in the proper perspective. My daughter and I are currently working our way through the "Magic Treehouse" series.

Quick Facts:

Title: Founder, MPSP, LLC

Age: 39

Contact: @profyoung • mcgee.young (at) h2oscore (dot) com • blog.h20score.com • LinkedIn

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving only a few days away, it’s hard not to be taking inventory of the things we’re thankful for: Friends, family, a great education and the privilege of clean drinking water. Thanksgiving is a perfect way to celebrate the beauty of water and the power of sustainability. Even though it’s long been regarded as a gluttonous and excessive tradition, Thanksgiving really makes me appreciate the seemingly simple concept of water. Living about a block away from Lake Michigan, it’s easy to take this kind of resource for granted. At the same time, it’s refreshing to take a step back and think about how deeply a city’s culture can be rooted in it’s natural resources. In some areas of the world, a lake or a river will never represent clean, safe drinking water like it does for me. In some places, ‘the lakefront’ isn’t home to miles of beautiful parks or harbors- it’s a blighted, contaminated reminder that water can’t be wasted.

I’m also thankful that I have the resources to educate people about water sustainability and why it’s important. Especially in water-rich regions, it’s crucial to get people impassioned with caring about their water usage. This Thanksgiving, be thankful for the water we can so easily take advantage of. From drinking and cooking to boating and recreation to simply having a beautiful natural resource to marvel at. Take a minute and tell someone why water is so important to you. Encourage them to focus on their own sustainability and water conservation efforts. Empower someone to appreciate water in a brand new way.

 Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: Madison

Awesome news: We now have water data for the Madison, Wisconsin. Located in south-central Wisconsin, the capital city of Wisconsin is now accessible from H2OScore.com. While Madison’s drinking water comes from a series of wells, this progressive city lies nestled between Lakes Monona and Mendota in south-central Wisconsin. Home to both the center of Wisconsin’s government and an environmentally active college town, Madison has been making its own incredible strides towards sustainability.

Arguably one of the most important players in Madison’s sustainable strides is the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Did you know that UW-Madison has an entire college for environmental studies? The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies stresses interdisciplinary environmental studies where students can gain an undergraduate or graduate degree in environmental studies. And sustainability in education doesn’t stop at Nelson Institute: MBA students can earn a Certification or PhD minor in Business Sustainability. Outside of the classroom, UW-Madison launched its own Sustainability Initiative in 2010, addressing issues like recycling, water and energy usage and campus environment.

Aside from UW-Madison, the city known as a health-conscience, bike-friendly, environmentally sustainable haven. Madison hosts an impressive farmer’s market to promote local products and its Go Green attitude is well-recepted among students, residents and professionals.

By adding Madison to H2O Score, consumers and businesses will be able to get a much better understanding of how to further their sustainability initiatives.

Welcome to H2O Score, Madison! Go Badgers!

  Feeling left out that you don’t know your H2O Score? Don’t worry, you can add YOUR city to our database by donating to our campaign at IndieGoGo. Any little bit helps!

  Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: Grafton

We're SO happy to let you know that Grafton, WI has been successfully added to our database! That’s right, Black Hawks, now you can check your H2O Score and see how you measure up to your neighbors. Grafton’s located about 20 miles north of Milwaukee and about 2 miles inland of Lake Michigan. Grafton obtains its water from a series of six wells located across the village. However, the Milwaukee River runs right through Grafton, and is home to a number a businesses and restaurants, creating a culture throughout the village .

By adding Grafton to H2O Score, residents will be able to get a much better understanding of their personal water use, but Grafton’s already been taking it’s own steps towards sustainability. Last November, Aurora Health Care opened the first entirely ‘green’ medical center in Wisconsin. This is an awesome advancement that not only benefits the environment, but promotes the holistic health of all the patients in this 107-bed medical complex. For more information about Grafton's water supply, check out the most recent version of Grafton's Drinking Water Quality Report.

Welcome to H2O Score, Grafton!

Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: Glenview

As our crowdfunding campaign treks on, we’re lucky enough to be able to add another Chicago suburb to our database! We have all the data up and accessible for Glenview, Illinois. Glenview is located a few miles north of Chicago. Glenview has been named a ‘Tree City USA’, but the National Arbor Day and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In order to earn this distinction, Glenview has made conscious efforts to improve wildlife habitats by making the village’s parks and green space a priority. Impressive!

Glenview also happens to be home to one of the largest branches of Kraft Foods. Kraft Foods is the largest employer of Glenview residents and has been advocating for sustainability throughout the company. Included in its goals, Kraft hopes to reduce water use, energy use and waste in manufacturing plants by 15 percent. The company also hopes to eliminate over eliminate 100 million pounds of packaging material.

 Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: Water in Our Bodies

Here at H2O Score, we tend to get caught up in the big picture of things. We’re always looking for a way to spread out, but we never actually get the chance to look IN. We are so quick to overlook one very important thing that water impacts: our bodies. Water makes up more than half of our body weight and a person can't survive for more than a few days without it. I know I always diligently drink my 8 glasses of water a day, but I never really bothered asking what it does for me except for quenching my immediate thirst.

  Our bodies have a lot going on under the surface and water is involved in so many of those tasks. Water is like our bodies’ engine engine oil- it keeps everything running smoothly. For instance, your blood- which contains a whole lot of water- carries oxygen to all of the cells in your body. Without oxygen, those tiny cells would die and your body would flat out stop working. Water also helps you fight off illness, showing up in lymph fluids. We need water to digest food and get rid of the waste, too. It helps us metabolize food, which keeps us energized throughout the day. It’s also the main ingredient in sweat, which is our bodies’ air conditioning system and keeps us from overheating.

If you’re not getting enough water, there’s a good chance you’re dehydrated. In fact, only a 2% drop in our water supply can trigger signs of dehydration. Not only will you be craving an ice cold glass of water, but dehydration can bog you down mentally and physically, keeping us from being as sharp as we’d like. Mild dehydration is one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue.

If eight tall glasses of water seems like a daunting task, mix it up! Drink a glass of milk or bite into a juicy slice of watermelon or a celery stalk. And, especially as summer rolls in, make sure you’re taking extra care to keep hydrated under the hot sun!

   Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: Water Saving in Apartments

In the H2O Score office, we spend of a lot of our time thinking about water conservation in houses. Homeowners are easily able to see changes in their water bill as a direct result of watching their usage. However, when you’re living in an apartment, water conversation is still important. Even though it can be harder to track- especially if it’s included in rent or tuition- water conservation in small spaces can be just as rewarding.

Here are some EASY ways to save water, even if you’re living in an apartment:

1. Replace your showerhead: Get rid of the standard showerhead that comes with your apartment and pick up an inexpensve low-flow model from Home Depot, Lowes or Amazon. Plus, when you move, you can take it with you. You’ll have a head start with conserving water at your next place! And let’s face it- we don’t always trust the showerhead that comes with a new address.

2. Displace Water in Your Toilet Tank: This one’s easy, if you have an exposed toilet tank. Simply find a plastic bottle and fill it with gravel or sand- something that’ll keep it sunk. Place it in your toilet tank. That’s ALL. In older toilets, the height of the water in the tank causes the bowl to flush, so if you trick the toilet into thinking it’s fuller than it is, you can reduce the water used per flush by 40%. And since it’s SO cheap, you don’t have to think about taking it with when you relocate!

3. Install aerators on faucets: Aerators can be found at your local hardware store for next to nothing. They’re easy to install and can drastically impact water usage in your bathroom or kitchen. Aerators create a stronger spray and can cut water usage by over 50%.

4. Don’t use running water to thaw food: Instead, take it out the night before and place in the refrigerator for thawing. It makes so much sense- especially for those of us who plan ahead- and can result in a more even thawing process and won’t use any water.

5. Only wash clothes when you have a full load: While this may not impact your personal water bill, saving laundry until you have a full load saves water and money. If you’re used to doing laundry weekly, wait a few more days. You won’t have to waste quarters on a half-load and it’ll save a TON of water.

6. Use one glass of water for brushing teeth instead of running the faucet: I love this one- Fill a glass up with water and use that to rinse your mouth instead of running the faucet aimlessly while you try to shovel water into your mouth with your brush. This can save 4 gallons of water per minute.

More sustainability tricks: 

7. Grow an indoor garden: Swing by your hardware store and chat with a garden associate (or use your supreme Google skills) to find out which plants will grow best inside. Not only will you know where your food comes from, you’ll save money on food and transportation. It also can add a little life to a drab studio or one-bedroom. Click through the pictures for a few more tips on how to start on one of these beauties.

   8. Use draft stoppers: Even indoors, winter can be a sneaky cold season. Use draft stoppers to stop warm air from sneaking out the bottom of doors or windows. Again, pick a few up at a local hardware store or get creative and make one of your own!

   Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: Urban Sustainability in Milwaukee

Last semester, I did a series of posts on various municipalities’ sustainability efforts as part of our crowdfunding campaign. It was so interesting to see the parallels between cities’, as well as showcasing the unique innovation that some communities have implemented. Being the social welfare student that I am, I began to notice the ways that urban sustainability can really bring a community together. Things like urban gardening and water conservation can be major players in community development and revitalization.

As I profiled other cities last semester, it dawned on me that I never profiled Milwaukee’s own sustainability strides. Milwaukee is sneaky innovative city, especially when it comes to water conservation. The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District work together to keep Lake Michigan and Milwaukee’s rivers healthy and clean. They work at preventing overflows and back-ups through sustainable means to reduce pollution in our waters. They also oversee over 13 acres of green roof projects throughout the city, including Central Library and City Hall.

Not only is Milwaukee making the environment a priority at its infrastructure, we’re at the heart of a water revolution. With the helps of groups like the Milwaukee Water Council, Milwaukee is destined to become a major hub for water research and industry. Need proof? Milwaukee’s even got an entire school dedicated to the study of water. UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences is the first graduate school in the nation dedicated solely to the study of freshwater.

However, sustainability efforts are not limited to grad students or city buildings. Across town, urban farms have popped up and are absolutely flourishing. On Milwaukee’s north side, Growing Power ‘transforms communities by supporting people from diverse backgrounds and the environments in which they live through the development of Community Food Systems.’ Growing Power is a full-functioning urban farm that provides fresh, healthy, affordable food to local businesses and residents. A bit further south, Sweet Water Organics is home to an urban fish and vegetable farm, using an aquaponics system to harvest both.

Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011.

[morganclairerusnak]

H2O Score: Aquaponics Blog

One of the cooler things about conservation is the ways that you can see things interacting. By scraping down all the excess, we’re able to really appreciate what we can do with the things we have. One of those incredible examples: aquaponics.

I learned about aquaponics last year when I was searching for places in Milwaukee that offered some sort of market basket. 30 seconds into my search, I was introduced to Sweet Water Organics, a local urban fish and vegetable farm. While I first assumed Sweet Water was an urban farm similar to Growing Power, I quickly learned that it was an entirely different operation.

Aquaponics- a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics- involves the simultaneous cultivation of plants and fish in it’s own mini-ecosystem. Fish waste is filtered out of the water and used to fertilize the plants. After nitrates from this waste-water is absorbed by plants, clean water is filtered back to the fish. The cycle continues and both the fish and the plants flourish. Sweet Water harvests tilapia and perch and grows lettuce, basil, tomatoes, peppers, chard and spinach. However, almost any type of fish or plant can be used which makes it easy to create your own aquaponics system at home. I found this video that does a great job of explaining how aquaponics works and how to implement your own set-up in your backyard. While a full-fledged system can seem like a daunting task, you can set up a mini-system in your living room by using a fish tank. Take a look.

I haven’t created my own yet- I’m waiting until summer when I move out of my studio apartment- but I do have a friend who made his own set-up and said it was just as simplistic as these videos make it seem. Since it can be scaled, it’s possible to implement an aquaponics system almost anywhere. As the need for sustainable food sources continues to grow, more people are going to start turning to aquaponics as a stable, self-contained food production process.

 Originally published at H2oscore.com in 2011