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Home & Health Show continues

City tree inventory volunteers wanted

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Rosalie Koch, New Ulm, gets a number of balloons including a twisted balloon from Jamison Douglas, right, of Mankato at the 37th Annual New Ulm Health & Home Show at the New Ulm Civic Center Saturday. The show continues 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

NEW ULM — Parking was tight in the New Ulm Civic Center parking lot as the 37th Annual Home & Health show rolled on Saturday.

Inside, small children and their parents lined up for colored balloon animals and hats inflated and twisted by Jamison Douglas of Mankato at the Bank Midwest booth.

The New Ulm Tree Advisory Commission booth included a notice for volunteers to assist with data collection for city park and street tree inventory to begin in May.

No experience is needed. Interested individuals should contact Shane Omersa at the Park and Rec office at 359-8341. Free training is provided and participants will help maintain environmental health and enjoyment in New Ulm.

The City of New Ulm requires tree pruning, removal and planting permits for trees in boulevards, right-of-ways and easement areas.

Community trees purify the air, moderate temperature, reduce soil erosion, stormwater runoff and water pollution, provide wildlife habitat and social benefits, improve human health and beauty, protect paving, increase safety, economic sustainability, increase worker productivity and reduce noise.

The City of LeCenter calculated its 900 or so public trees save about $28,000 in energy costs and provide about $8,000 worth of storm-water management services each year, according to a presentation from DNR Forester Greg Johnson.

A total of 300 trees can counterbalance the amount of pollution one person produces in a lifetime, according to Johnson.

Trees filter airborne pollutants and can reduce the conditions that cause asthma; which has proven to increase in urban areas where trees are eliminated in favor or new roads, homes and commercial developments.

The New Ulm Tree Advisory Commission booth contained extensive information about invasive plants, which left unchecked, will limit land use now and for future generations. The longer you wait, the more expensive it will be to control them. The economic cost of invasive plants is estimated at more than $34 billion this year.

Local efforts to eradicate buckthorn and garlic mustard are planned in the coming weeks and months.

The Home & Health Show continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Seminars include how to find the ideal protein amount at 11:30 p.m., revamping your wardrobe without breaking the bank at 12:30 p.m., radon gas, a silent killer in your home at 1:30 p.m. and how home improvements can increase your home’s potential value at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free.

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