Friday, March 15, 2024

Viroqua Plastic Free March 20


Viroqua Plastic Free will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, March 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 207 at Youth Initiative High School, 500 E. Jefferson St., Viroqua.  The group will share all that they have accomplished in the last year and what's on the agenda for 2024.  The annual meeting will be followed by our regular every other Wednesday meeting.

For more details, visit viroquaplasticfree.org

Friday, March 1, 2024

March newsletter

 

THURSDAY, MARCH 14 at 7 p.m. online     Know your co-op, OWN your co-op     Some still remember when electricity first came to rural areas. The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 put local folks at the helm of electrical transmission, putting up lines and creating member-owned co-ops. Rates were determined by those who used the power and income was reinvested in operations and returned to members. Today, many modern-day rural electric co-ops have minimized the power of members and leave their interests and concerns unrepresented. Generating cooperatives play a large role in determining costs. Each new gas or coal power plant - and even abandoned plants - add additional costs. Cooperative members are often kept unaware and the cost analysis of transitioning to renewables is left undone. It's time to put members back in the driver's seat. If you are a REC member, please join us for an educational webinar about rural energy, electric rates, and getting involved in your local Rural Electric Co-op. The event is co-sponsored by several area and state organizations including CRSC. Register for the link at tinyurl.com/WISC-OwnYourREC or call 608-315-2693 to learn how to attend by phone.

ALDO LEOPOLD WEEK     "Perhaps such a shift of values can be achieved by reappraising things unnatural, tame, and confined in terms of things natural, wild and free." Celebrate Aldo Leopold with a week of events. In the La Crosse area, several events will highlight Leopold’s
work and legacy beginning with a March 2 day of events. From 9 to 11:30 a.m., the Nature Place at Myrick Park will host family activities, crafts, live animals, and more. From noon to 4 p.m., the celebration will move to the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge on
Brice Prairie which is celebrating its centennial. Talks, walks, plant give-aways, and more are among the Leopold events at the Refuge, N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska. Learn more at gatheringwaters.org/event/wisconsin-leopold-days-celebration-in-la-crosse/


On March 5, a 7 p.m. online talk by entomologist, ecologist and conservationist Doug Tallamy will be hosted by the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at www.facebook.com/viterboethic

Online, the Aldo Leopold Foundation in Madison offers a week of speakers who will explore the “natural, wild, and free” theme and suggest ways for us to more deeply connect to the land community. Learn more and register at www.aldoleopold.org/news-and-events/leopold-week Register once for access to all eight events. Replays of all events will be available to registrants.

TRANSIT TO TRAILS FOR ALL     On February 1 the Wisconsin Sierra Club hosted an
online program about a new national club initiative, Transit to Trails for All, to increase accessibility to green spaces, recreation areas, and public parks via public transportation. If you missed the program, you can view it at the club’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SierraClubWI/videos/1823149808147267  Guests included Jesse Piedfort, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign; Gerry James, Deputy Director of the club’s Outdoors for All campaign; Kim Biedermann, Principal Planner - Regional Bike/Ped Coordinator for the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission; and Cathy Van Maren of the Coulee Region Sierra Club. National goals include establishing at least ten new public transit routes and T2T projects. Learn more about the T2T initiative at https://www.sierraclub. org/outdoors-all/transit-trails If you are interested in connecting to help plan a few CRSC T2T events, please email.

OUTINGS LEADER TRAINING     Sierra Club  outings are a critical aspect to connecting people to the outdoors and the places we're working so hard to protect. There will be Outings Training this year to get more leaders certified to lead outings and to host paddles with the River Touring Section. If you’re tentatively interested in taking the training, please fill out this survey here: https://forms.gle/NChj1giU8Lf5CkDy7

BOOK CLUB     The next Sierra Club Book Club will be from 7 to 8 p.m. online on March 5, and the book is Divining: A Memoir in Trees by Maureen Dunphy.  In sixteen essays, each named after a species of tree, Dunphy explores the nature of human-arboreal relationships right outside our windows. Learn more and register for the link at tinyurl.com/WISC-0324Book

HIGH SCHOOL STEWARDSHIP AWARD     CRSC offers an annual award of $300 for a a high school junior or senior who demonstrates leadership, action, and environmental stewardship, and who understands the importance of civic engagement in protecting our environment.  This award is available to students who will graduate from high school in 2024 or 2025 and who reside in the CRSC region: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties. Applicants do NOT have to be Sierra Club members! This award is available to any eligible student no matter their postsecondary plans. Apply by July 1, 2024. Learn more at sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/education or call 608-315-2693.

BRIGHT ACTION FOR CLIMATE ACTION     Bright Action is an online tool lets you sign up and choose carbon-reducing actions from food to energy use to transportation. Part of the City of La Crosse’s Climate Action Plan, the site is available for anyone wishing to learn more about reducing their carbon emissions. CRSC has a team at the Bright Action site. If you are a City of La Crosse resident, please join our team at https://brightaction.app/link/join/nojs/community-group/9659 and if you live outside the city, you may join the action at https://www.brightaction.com/

EARTH FAIR TABLERS NEEDED!     CRSC will table at the La Crosse Earth Fair on Sunday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fair is a great place to talk about our issues and efforts and spread the word about events and programs. We are looking for a few people to help table for one or two hours. You don’t need special knowledge or skills! We will set up the table and give you the information and materials needed to reach out to the community at this important and well-attended event!  If you can help us, please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com OR call or text 608-315-2693 with the times of your availability. We’ll get back to to with a schedule and more information well before April 28. If you have questions, please ask!

UWL PARKING RAMP CONVERGENCE

This article is written by Cassi Gersbach, a senior at UW-La Crosse who will graduate this spring with a degree in Philosophy and Environmental Studies and Sustainability. This spring, she is doing a service learning project with the Coulee Region Sierra Club and will be contributing some articles for our newsletter as well as working on some of our spring initiatives. Welcome, Cassi!

The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse plans to build a new parking ramp at 221 16th Street North in La Crosse. This three-story expansion across from the Lowe Center of the Arts facility will provide 550 new parking stalls aiming to satisfy the university's parking demands and decrease congestion of surrounding street parking. 

This new addition is being sustainably proposed to the committee as a parking taxation on students who drive to the university and bring additional carbon emissions with them. It also aims to relieve residents who lose convenient parking due to student demands. This new parking addition will be the 18th lot on the University campus strictly dedicated to parking.
By prioritizing convenience over sustainability, the installation of a new parking ramp encourages the housing of more vehicles to meet profit demands, selling parking passes to residents for $250 per year and commuters/employees for $200 per year). Profit gains are prioritized over promotions of using alternate forms of transportation, disincentivizing off-campus residents to walk or bike. 

A new cement construction project will require resources and emit greenhouse gases to produce a facility to house sleeping cars. As students struggle to afford University access and resources, this new 18th additional parking lot, and second multi-story parking structure is a prime example of putting profit before the health of people. Elected officials responsible for the community should rethink priorities to come up with better solutions in an evolving world.
To build the ramp, UWL needs a zoning variance. The request initially came up in February but was referred for thirty days. It  will come up again on March 5 at the Judiciary & Administration Committee who will vote to recommend the change or not. Then, it will go to the La Crosse City Council.

The Judiciary & Administration Committee will meet on March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Council Chambers in City Hall, 400 La Crosse Street. To voice concerns or comment, attend the meeting (arrive 10 minutes early to register) or email cityclerk@cityoflacrosse.org to have your comments become part of the public record. Reference File #24-0068. Learn more at tinyurl.com/UWLRampZoning

MORE MARCH EVENTS

3/ 2: Total Eclipse Experience 1 p.m. UWL Planet-arium. $ http://uwlax.edu/planetarium 

3/ 3: Coming Home - The World of Adventure with Doug Ellingson 2 p.m. La Crosse Com-munity Theater. https://explorelacrosse.com/event/explore-the-world-of-adventure-with-david-ellingson/ 

3/ 4: Public Hearing on Xcel plans to expand gas facilities at Wheaton Plant. Vitrual (see below) 

3/ 6: Leave No Trace Program. 7 p.m. The Nature Place, La Crosse. natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/enviro-wednesdays-3-2024-03-06/ 

3/ 6: Sustainability Chats - Dynamic Lifecycle Innnovations. Online 1 p.m. https://www.westerntc.edu/event/sustainability-institute-chat-dynamic-lifecycle-innovations 

3/ 8: Candlelight Hike at Norskedalen. https://www.norskedalen.org/events/candlelight-snowshoe-hike/ 

3/13: Driftless Dialog: US Fish & Wildlife Service - La Crosse Research Station. 6:30 p.m. Kickapoo Valley Reserve. http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Lecture-Series/ 

3/13: Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program. 6:30 p.m. at Lunda Community Center, Black River Falls. https://www.blackrivercountry.net/event/wisconsin-master-naturalist-program-presented-by-friends-of-the-black-river

3/18: Defending Wisconsin's Sacred Waters from Dangerous Mine Proposals 6 p.m. Online tinyurl.com/gwsc-031824

3/19: Call of the Frog. 3:45 p.m. McIntosh Memorial Library, Viroqua. https://mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org/children-programs/ 

3/19: UWL Archaeology in Serbia and Wisconsin. 7 p.m. at Room 1400 Centennial Hall, UWL. https://www.uwlax.edu/calendar/?e=29838

3/21: Braiding Sweetgrass author speech at UWL. https://www.uwlax.edu/calendar/?e=29620 

3/30: Ho-Chunk Nation Founders Day Powwow. La Crosse Center. https://www.blackrivercountry.net/event/ho-chunk-nation-founders-day-powwow/

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

February newsletter

 

Transit to Trails for All    As part of Transit Equity Days, which honors Rosa Parks' birthday, Sierra Club - Wisconsin Chapter and Sierra Club - Coulee Region Group are co-hosting an online event about Transit to Trails, a campaign to connect people to green spaces via public transit. This online event will feature examples of how activists and planners are trying to connect people to green spaces via transit, including stories from right here in Wisconsin and lessons learned from national and state campaign leaders: Jesse Piedfort, Deputy Director with the Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All campaign; Gerry Seavo James, Deputy Campaign Director, Outdoors for All Campaign; and Kim Biederman, East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Committee/Fox Valley. Please register for the link at tinyurl.com/WISC-T2T4A0201 OR call 608-315-2693 to get information about how to join by phone.

Sunday, February 4: The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks  1:30 p.m., Rivoli Theatre & Pizzeria, 117 4th St. N., La Crosse     Public Transit provides basic mobility for many in our communities. It is also essential urban infrastructure – just like roads, bridges, tunnels and utilities – that is crucial to the economic, social and environmental well-being of all our regions. Everyone in the community has the right to mobility. As part of La Crosse's Transit Equity Week, AARP Wisconsin
is pleased to host a screening of The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks in collaboration with La Crosse Area Transit
Advocates. A panel discussion on transit equity will immediately follow the screening. The event is FREE and open to all, but registration is required.

February 20 Primary Elections     Not every community will have a spring primary. Please check MyVote.WI.gov to check your registration, polling place, what’s on your ballot, and more. 

Environmental Education Grant Update     In 2023, CRSC awarded a grant to Coulee Montessori and Solar on La Crosse Schools for a banner and educational materials to highlight the fact that the school building is partly powered by solar panels. The materials educate visitors and remind teachers and staff to engage students by using math and science lessons to use the real-world data collected about the school’s energy use and offsets provided by the panels.

2024 Environmental Education Grants Awarded!     The Coulee Region Sierra Club will award two projects with environmental education grants for the spring 2024
semester. Brooke Brockman, a first grade teacher at Westview Elementary School in Platteville, will use grant money for their Monarchs and Milkweed project. The 100 first
graders will grow milkweed plants and install them along
the Rountree Branch Trail in Platteville. They are working
in partnership with the Platteville Community Arboretum.
Clinton Grabhorn and Lila Planavsky, advisors for
Longfellow Middle School’s Outdoor Adventure Club in
La Crosse, will use grant money, along with other funds
raised, to purchase camping equipment for club activities which will teach ethical practices in outdoor recreation and encouraging conversation, awareness, and stewardship of the land. We look forward to reporting on outcomes of these
wonderful projects this fall! Congratulations, teachers!

Great Backyard Bird Count     Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these four days, people spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and report them to organizers.These observations help scientists better
understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations. This year’s dates are Feb. 16-19. Learn
more at: www.birdcount.org

More February Events

2/ 3: Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe in the Black River
State Forest from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
www.b lackri ve rcountr y. net/event /black- r i verstate-
forest-candlelight-ski-hike-snowshoe-2/

2/ 5: Transit Equity Day National Livestream 11 am
www. labo r4sustai nab i l i ty. or g /t ransi t -equi ty -
2024/

2/ 7: Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh Annual Mtg
7 pm at the The Nature Place, La Crosse
n a t u r e p l a c e l a c r o s s e . o r g / c a l e n d a r / e n v i r o -
wednesdays-2-2024-02-07/

2/ 7: Protecting our Night Skies at 7 pm at the Kickapoo
Valley Reserve http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Lecture-
Series

2/ 8: Forest Bathing at 9 am at The Nature Place, La
Crosse natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/forestbathing-
program-at-the-nature-place/

2/ 9-11: Winter Wonderland Snowshoe Challenge at
Lunda Community Park, Black River Falls
jacksoninaction.org/winterwonderland

2/10: Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe in the Black River
State Forest from 5 to 9 p.m. dnr.wisconsin.gov/
events/86801

2/10: Valentine’s Snowshoe Hike at 1 p.m. at the La
Crosse River Conservancy tinyurl.com/mvcsnowhike0210

2/13: Achieving Environmental Justice in Wisconsin 6:30
to 8:00 p.m. ONLINE tinyurl.com/LWVWI-EnvJustice

2/17: Family Fun with The Great American Bird Count at
9 am at The Nature Place, La Crosse
natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/famil y- funwith-
the-great-backyard-bird-count/

2/21: DPC’s Peregrine Falcon and Osprey Restoration
Stewardship Project at 7 pm at The Nature Place, La
Crosse natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/birdingprogram-
2024-02-21/

2/25: Planning for Stewardship from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at
Seneca High School tinyurl.com/csp-planning

Seeking one or two people to help with the newsletter as backup. Call or text 608-315-2693 or email CRSierraClub@gmail.com for details.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, January 1, 2024

January Newsletter

 

Transit Equity--the right of all people to affordably and sustainably get
to school, work, events, appointments, services, and a full life regardless of their age, income, race, health, or ability--is key to reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. For the past six years, the Labor Network for Sustainability has promoted Transit Equity Day, February 4, Rosa Parks’ birthday, to highlight how important public transportation is for fair access, good jobs, and a livable planet.

In the La Crosse area, Transit Equity Days will be recognized from January 29 through February 4, with displays, events, programs, and an invitation for all of us to consider the local and global effects of our personal transportation choices. Our region is lucky to be served by the La Crosse MTU, the Scenic Mississippi Region Transit (SMRT) buses, Amtrak, several para-transit services, and several shared-ride taxi services including those in Onalaska-Holmen-West Salem, Viroqua/Westby, Black River Falls, Tomah, Richland Center, and Prairie du Chien. To learn more about Transit Equity Days and how you can get involved, please visit https://actionnetwork.org/events/la-crosse-wi-transit-equity-days/

On February 1, the Wisconsin Sierra Club and CRSC will host an online program about the Sierra Club’s new Transit to Trails for All initiative from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. including national and state guests talking about how we can work together for better access to local, state, and national natural and outdoor recreation areas. If you want to celebrate Transit Equity Days in your community, spread the word about this event and encourage your friends and neighbors to attend! Register at https://tinyurl.com/WISC224-T2T4A or call 608-315-2693 for information about how to join the program by telephone.

EDUCATION GRANT DEADLINE JANUARY 5     CRSC offers grants of up to $200 each for environ-mental education projects to schools or community organizations involving young people at the ele-mentary and middle school level within the CRSC region: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempea-leau, and Vernon counties.

Applications may be completed online, emailed or mailed. The deadline is January 5, 2024. Learn more at  www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/Education or www.tinyurl.com/CRSC-Education

To learn more about how you can donate to our grants program, please email or call us (608-315-2693). 

SMALL BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY        On Thursday, January 18 from noon to 3 p.m. at the La Crosse Center, the City of La Crosse and the Climate Alliance for the Common Good will host a hands-on workshop to help La Crosse area small businesses and organizations create a draft sustainability plan. Experts will guide attendees from concept to a nuts-and-bolts plan through reducing energy, emissions and waste while sharing ways to pay for it with rebates, incentives, and savings from reduced energy demands.

The workshop is based on the free-to-download La Crosse Small Business Toolkit on Sustainability developed by the nonprofit group Climate Alliance for the Common Good: www.climatealliancecg.org  Register for the free workshop at tinyurl.com/LaXSmallBizCAPWkshp

2023 In Review  by Kathy Allen, CRSC Board President 

Our club continued to be leaders and voices for environmental sustainability and access in 2023. Several CRSC members have amplified our efforts through their local, regional, state, and national connections with allied groups and movements. Here are some highlights of 2023 in the Coulee Region Sierra Club.

January - We hosted an online program on Transit Equity and Climate Action with Susan Gaeddert from 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, as part of La Crosse’s Transit Equity Days (you can view the program at our Facebook page: tinyurl.com/2023CRSCTransitAndClimate). We also awarded two environmental education grants to local elementary schools.

March - We hosted an online program with Al Buss from the Vernon County Energy District (VCED) on their Community Approach to the Energy Transition, Watch it at http://tinyurl.com/CRSC-VCED23

April - We conducted our spring roadside clean-up along River Valley Drive, tabled at the La Crosse Earth Fair, and co-sponsored the Drive Electric Earth Day event at the Earth Fair.

May - We co-hosted a "Know your Utility" event in Sparta, where we talked with customers of Xcel and rural electric cooperatives about how we can convince our utilities to transition to clean energy.

June - We got together for a Summer Potluck at Goose Island County Park.

July - We conducted our summer roadside clean-up of River Valley Drive in the La Crosse River marsh.

September - We hosted a walk at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge on Brice Prairie with Refuge Visitor Services Specialist Katie Julian.

October - We co-sponsored an "Ask Me About my EV" event and a first-ever Solar Tour in La Crosse, as part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour; we also conducted our fall roadside clean-up.

November - Two organizations that we've partnered with, Citizen Action of Wisconsin and VCED, received Good Citizen awards from the Sierra Club's Wisconsin Chapter (view the program at tinyurl.com/23WISCAwards).

December - We hosted our group holiday get-together for the first time in four years - thanks to all who attended for the great food and great company!

JAN. 2 BOOK CLUB     Join Sierra Club members and friends from around the state for a discussion of "Nathan Coulter: A Novel" by Wendell Berry. This first novel introduces us to the fictional Port William--a community united by duty and bonds of affection for one another and for the land upon which they make their livelihood.

Register for an email that includes a link to join the call at   tinyurl.com/WISC-NCoulter or call 608-315-2693.

OUR 2024 BOARD!     Congratulations Kathy Allen, Ned Gatzke, Larry Sleznikow, and Cathy Van Maren who were elected to serve on the Coulee Region Sierra Club Board of Directors for 2024-2026! Also, thanks to the state chapter for helping facilitate online voting.

We are sorry to say goodbye to Pat Wilson, our excellent, long-serving board member, past president, historian, mentor, state chapter liaison, outings leader, networker, organizer, and much more who has been the spine of CRSC for many years. While he is stepping away from the Board, Pat will still be active in the club, the work, and the community. Thank you, Pat!

The new board will meet in January to elect officers and set priorities for the coming year. If you would like to attend the meeting or have suggestions for issue, events, or programs, please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693.

CALLING XCEL ENERGY CUSTOMERS AND CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCATES!     Last spring we told you about Xcel Energy's proposal to "repower" an existing gas plant near Eau Claire with new fossil gas turbines. The new Wheaton facility would consist of a 210-MW combustion turbine and five 9-MW RICE (reciprocating internal combustion engine) units. Xcel claims the new facility is required to meet projected load requirements and maintain system reliability under extreme weather conditions.

Xcel anticipates a 40-year life span for the project, but this is not consistent with Governor Evers’ plan to decarbonize Wisconsin’s electrical grid by 2050. And, it  conflicts with Xcel's own pledge to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050!

To move forward with this plan, Xcel Energy needs a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is currently accepting public comments on Xcel's proposal and will hold two virtual public hearings on January 25, at 1:00 and 6:00.

Please share your comments and concerns! Learn more and find a link to the public comment page at tinyurl.com/WIPSC-Wheaton.

For help with in-person or written comments, please contact our Chapter Campaign Coordinator, at jadine.sonoda@sierraclub.org.

2024 SIERRA CLUB TEAMS KICKOFF     An Issue Team is a group of volunteers from around the state who work together on  specific issues under shared volunteer and staff leadership. These teams meet monthly online, strategizing and planning to win environmental victories,

On Saturday, January 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., teams will meet in Madison and online for a day of planning and relationship-building. This year, with elections, big projects in the pipeline, and climate deadlines looming, our Teams work is even more important than ever.

YOU ARE INVITED to join a team and use your skills, experience, and passion to help make real change. No prior volunteer or environmental experience is required. Join here: tinyurl.com/WISC-EnviroTeams or email or call us (608-315-2693) to learn more.

Here are the current Teams:

Clean Water - Advocate for protection against factory farm pollutants, PFAS, and other pollutants  that threaten our drinking water

Transportation Access & Equity - Work towards a strong transportation system in Wisconsin that includes accessible and well funded mass public transit, walking and biking; work to stop out-of-control highway spending; help re-prioritize the state transportation budget.

Moving Beyond Coal to Clean Energy - Advocate for clean energy and help Wisconsin move beyond coal, gas, and nuclear to cleaner energy solutions. Help close individual coal plants, promote energy efficiency and conservation and clean, renewable solar and wind energy.

Public Lands & Forests - Help protect old growth forests and increase access to public lands. Advocate for access to Wisconsin State Parks for all fourth graders in Wisconsin.

Wildlife - Fight for science-based wildlife management informed by the Tribes and public input.

Tar Sands Pipelines - Work to stop new oil pipelines in the state, protect our waterways, and connect with other pipeline fights in the region. The team is focused on stopping the new Line 5 reroute and supporting activists fighting the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota.

Mining - Work to ensure mining proposals do not negatively impact our air, water, or climate.

ENVIRO-ED GRANT REPORT     Jenn Speckeen, a teacher at Hamilton Elementary in La Crosse, shared: "The fourth and fifth-grade students celebrated end of the school year with an exhilarating hike through the scenic trails. Thanks to a grant from the Sierra Club For funding this opportunity! Students immerse themselves in nature, bonding with their classmates and creating lasting memories before embarking on their summer break.  Most students had never been to the Hixon trails before.  Some  highlights were completing a scavenger hunt for things found in nature, seeing a deer on the trail and walking almost 10,000 steps!"

BRIGHT ACTION     What climate actions will you take in 2024? How can you make a difference? Do you know what your options are? Do you know how to take the first steps?

The City of La Crosse has partnered with Bright Action to host a Carbon Zero challenge with ideas, suggestions, and assistanc for making sustainable changes. If you live in La Crosse and would like to join our community team, please use this link: https://brightaction.app/westernwi/community-group/join/9659

If you live outside La Crosse, you can still join, learn, network, share ideas, and take action. Go to brightaction.app to sign up and get started.

THE GLOBAL TEN PERCENT     We often hear about the “global wealthy” and their responsibility for high greenhouse gas emissions. But just who are the wealthiest people on Earth? According to the 2023 Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report, an individual with at least $137,333 in net assets (income, savings, invesments, property, vehicles, etc. less debts) is in the global top ten percent, and someone with about $1.1 million in assets is in the global top one percent.

Changes made in transportation, food, energy, consumption, leisure, and investment habits  among members of this group can have big climate impacts. The U.N.’s list of Actions for a Healthy Planet is a good place to start. Time is short. Stakes are huge. Read more at www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions

  1. Reduce energy use. Be efficient at home.
  2. Switch to renewable energy.
  3. Walk, bike, take public transit.
  4. Use an electric vehicle.
  5. Stop or reduce flying.
  6. Reduce, reuse, repair, recycle.
  7. Eat more vegetables, fewer animals.
  8. Reduce food waste.
  9. Plant native species.
10. Produce less waste, clean the environment.
11. Make your $ count in buying and banking.
12. Speak up!

MORE JANUARY EVENTS    
1/ 6: Transportation Camp hosted by Transportation for America. t4america.org/transportation-camp

1/ 8: Film: Journey Down the Gila. Online at 6:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/WISC-0108Film

1/12-14: Snowshoe Challenge in Black River Falls. https://www.blackrivercountry.net/event/2024-winter-wonderland-snowshoe-challenge/

1/12: Science Cafe - CARPool Karaoke with Dr. Marybeth K. Brey. 6 p.m. JavaVino www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=371331382240887&set=a.191427546897939

1/13: Winter Festival at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. http://kickapoovalley.wi.gov/Events/Annual-Events/Winter-Festival/

1/15: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

1/17: Habitat Management and Research Projects in the Black River Falls area. 1 p.m. at the Lunda Community Center. www.blackrivercountry.net/event/lcc-hub-guest-speaker/

1/19-21: Snowshoe Challenge in Black River Falls. https://www.blackrivercountry.net/event/2024-winter-wonderland-snowshoe-challenge/
 
1/24: La Crosse Citizens Climate Lobby meeting at 6:30 p.m. Email info@lacrosseccl.org for access info.

1/30: Sierra Club Virtual Volunteer Fair 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Online. tinyurl.com/WISC-124Vol

1/31: Transportation Liberation interactive workshop on going car-free or car-light. 6:30 p.m. at the Southside Neighborhood Center in La Crosse tinyurl.com/TEDLaCrosse2024

2/ 1: Transit to Trails for All, a Sierra Club initiative. Online program featuring national and state guests. 6:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/WISC-T2T4A

Friday, December 1, 2023

December newsletter

 

COULEE REGION SIERRA CLUB
WINTER HOLIDAY POTLUCK
- - o - - o - - o - - o- - o - - o - - o - - o - -
 Sunday, December 10 from 4 to 6 p.m.
1925 Main Street, La Crosse

PLEASE RSVP so we can plan at
 
Bring some food to share and/or a holiday dessert!
Beverages provided.
If you wish, bring your own foodware. 

Offer or seek a ride at tinyurl.com/23CRSCPotluckRide

WINTER TOGETHER     We’re lucky to have many opportunities to celebrate the winter beauty of the Coulee Region. Here are a few:

On December 2, Norskedalen will host its annual Old Fashioned Christmas. Learn how immigrants celebrated their holidays and then explore the beautiful grounds and trails. Learn more at www.norskedalen.org/

On Saturday, December 9, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve will host Al Cornell, writer & retired Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Technician, who will talk about his new book, A Year At A Beaver Pond. Learn more at http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Lecture-Series

In its 124th year, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), December 14 to January 5, is a chance for everyone of any age or ability to appreciate and help the the amazing birds that sweeten our lives. The La Crosse/ La Crescent CBC will be held on Saturday, December 16. To participate contact Coulee Audubon member Dan Jackson at dejackson2256@gmail.com. Help is welcomed.. To learn how to participate no matter where you live, visit www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count

On December 15, the La Crosse Astronomical Society will host a group Dark Skies event at Ridge History Park near Middle Ridge (weather permitting) for the Geminids meteor showers. Learn more at www.lcaas.org
 
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS DEADLINE JANUARY 5!     CRSC offers grants of up to $200 each for environmental education projects to schools or community organizations involving young people at the elementary and middle school level within the CRSC region: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties.

Applications may be completed online, emailed or mailed. The deadline for applications is January 5, 2024 For more information, visit sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/Education or tinyurl.com/CRSC-Education.

These grants are funded by an annual grant from the Paul E. Stry Foundation, shared dues from Sierra Club memberships, and donations made by community members. To donate or learn more about the grants, email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693.

KUDOS!     Congratulations to Vernon County Energy District and Citizen Action Driftless Co-op! These Coulee Region groups shared the Good Citizen award at November’s annual Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter Awards ceremony!

Congratulations, too, to Jessica Schoonover, Director of the Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library in Trempealeau who received the Sustainability Institute’s Individual Inspiring Sustainabilty award for 2023, and to the City of La Crosse Climate Action Plan team for receiving the Group Inspiring Sustainability Award. Nominees included CRSC board member Pat Wilson.  

CARBON-FREE CHALLENGE     The City of La Crosse has partnered with Bright Action to help community members find actions they can take to help reduce carbon emissions as part of its Climate Action Plan.

If you live in the city, please join the Coulee Region Sierra Club community at tinyurl.com/CarbonFree-LaX to join us as we transition from promoting climate action to taking climate action. Soon, the action site will have community-specific information that will help you get more information as you choose your household actions. And throughout 2024, CRSC will highlight some of the most impactful steps we can take.

You don’t have to live in La Crosse to use Bright Action. Anyone may sign up and start a team or community group. You will find plenty of ideas to motivate you and others.

In addition, the UNEP ACT NOW! SPEAK UP! campaign urges everyone to be a climate action advocate. See what you can do at  www.unep.org/interactives/things-you-can-do-climate-emergency/

* Speak up to local leaders
* Start the conversation with family, friends, and colleagues
* Push corporations and governments to follow the Paris Agreement
* Empower yourself with the latest science and SPEAK UP!
* Get more ideas at their website

MORE DECEMBER EVENTS
12/ 2: Black Ash Plaited Basket (with kits) with LIandra Skenadore.1 p.m., People’s Food Co-op, 315 Fifth Ave. S. www.driftlessfolkschool.org/classes/black-ash-plaited-basket-with-kits

12/ 5: Burn prep with MVC. Boscobel Bluffs, 9 a.m. Email genesis@mississippivalleyconservancy.org for details.
 
12/ 6: The Miller Garden & Driftless Area BioBlitz at 7 p.m. at The Nature Place, Myrick Park, La Crosse.  

12/ 9: Beginning Chip Carving at 1 p.m. at People’s Food Co-op www.driftlessfolkschool.org/classes/beginning-chip-carving-december-9-2023

12/13: Prairie work day - Mississippi Valley Conservancy.  Email genesis@mississipp7ivalleyconservancy.org.

12/15: A Journey in Tracking with Nicholas WazeeGale at 6:30 p.m. at the People’s Food Co-op www.driftlessfolkschool.org/classes/a-journey-in-tracking

12/17: Citizen Action Third CD virtual candidate forum, 6 p.m. Register: https://secure.everyaction.com/t4n7Zaa_PE-JZpoN4Sx2ZQ2

12/21: Trash pick up - Mississippi River Conservancy. Email genesis@mississippivalleyconservancy.org

CRSC BOARD ELECTIONS   If you are a member of the Coulee Region Sierra Club, you should have received an email OR a postcard about board elections, who is running, and how and when to vote. If you need information about voting, please call 608-315-2693 or email CRSierraClub@gmail.com for details.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS

 

The Coulee Region Sierra Club offers grants of up to $200 each for environmental education projects to schools or community organizations involving young people at the elementary and middle school level within the CRSC region: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties.

Applications may be completed online, emailed or mailed. The deadline for applications is January 5, 2024. For more information, visit
tinyurl.com/CRSC-Education or sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/Education

These grants are funded by an annual grant from the Paul E. Stry Foundation, shared dues from Sierra Club memberships, and donations made by community members. 

To donate or learn more about the grants, email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A SIERRA CLUB MEMBER TO APPLY FOR A GRANT!






Wednesday, November 1, 2023

November Newsletter

 

2023 CHAPTER AWARDS NOVEMBER 1     Every year, the Sierra Club - Wisconsin Chapter recognizes wonderful volunteers and community leaders for their dedication, passion, and leadership. Join us in celebrating our award-winners during an hour-long virtual ceremony. Join us ONLINE on Wednesday, November 1 at 6 p.m. to honor our volunteers and allies. For the link to join, call 608-315-2693 or visit  https://tinyurl.com/SCWI-23Awards

NOVEMBER 14 SIERRA CLUB BOOK CLUB    In his award-winning book, Eager, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb reveals that our modern idea of what a healthy landscape looks like and how it functions is wrong, distorted by the fur trade that once trapped out millions of beavers from North America’s lakes and rivers. The consequences of losing beavers were profound: streams eroded, wetlands dried up, and species from salmon to swans lost vital habitat. Today, a growing coalition of scientists, ranchers, and passionate citizens recognizes that ecosystems with beavers are far healthier, for humans and non-humans alike, than those without them. Eager is a powerful story about one of the world’s most influential species, how North America was colonized, how our landscapes have changed over the centuries, and how beavers can help us fight drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction, and the ravages of climate change. Join the discussion at 7 p.m., Nov. 14. Register at https://tinyurl.com/SCWIBvrBk

NOVEMBER 14 INSPIRING SUSTAINABILITY     Join the Sustainability Institute on November 14 between 6 and 8 p.m. at the La Crosse Distilling Company, 129 Vine Street, in recognizing and celebrating organizations and individuals who have inspired sustainable action within our community and beyond. Tickets are required for attendance. Ticket sales close at 8 p.m., November 9. A few donated tickets are available for students. Email email@sustaininstitute.com for details.  Buy tickets by November 9 at https://tinyurl.com/WISI23Awards  Complimentary Food is included with ticket purchase, and a cash bar is available with local beer options and cocktails for purchase. The Sustainability Institute is a non-profit founded in 2012 to celebrate and advance sus-tainability efforts within the driftless region. It sponsors the La Crosse Earth Fair and hosts other year-round programs.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS!    CRSC is offering grants of up to $200 each for environmental education projects to schools or community organizations involving young people at the elementary and middle school level within the CRSC region: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties. Applications may be completed online, emailed or mailed. The deadline for applications is January 5, 2024. For more information, visit sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/Education or tinyurl.com/CRSC-Education. Funding for our  environ-mental grants is possible thanks to an annual grant from the Paul E. Stry Foundation, shared dues from Sierra Club member-ships, and donations made by community members. To learn more about donating to help support environmental education, email or call us.

CRSC BOARD ELECTIONS     The Coulee Region Sierra Club will hold elections for its board of directors in December. The board meets monthly to plan events, coordinate with the state Sierra Club, and network with local and regional partners and allies on Sierra Club issues.

We will elect four board members. Terms are two years and begin in January 2024. Please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com with your name, contact information, and a brief paragraph describing your experience and interests and why you would like to be on the board no later than November 15. If you don’t do email, please call 608-315-2693.

Qualifications include Sierra Club membership and past work or interest in outdoor activities and/or environ-mental issues. The board is especially interested in adding members who live outside of the La Crosse area, but any eligible candidate is welcome.

Voting will be online or by paper ballot. The December newsletter will have candidate statements, the ballot, and instructions for voting by mail or online. If you don’t get an emailed newsletter you’ll get a postcard with instructions. Voting will close on December 30.

SOLAR TOUR     Two Coulee Region group communities hosted solar tours during the October 6-8 National Solar Tour program sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society.

“The TREMPs” (Trempealeau Residential Energy Municipal Producers) hosted a self-guided tour of seven sites, including  one commercial and one community building, on Saturday, October 7. Tour maps were available online and at several community locations. This was the second year for a solar tour in Trempealeau.

In La Crosse, an open house and tour of the solar installation at Hamilton Elementary School hosted by Solar on La Crosse Schools on Friday, October 6 kicked off the weekend. Eight in-person sites, including an energy-efficient apartment complex and several homes, were listed on the wekend tour map, with several other sites, like a solar panel-topped parking ramp at  Gundersen Health and several City of La Crosse buildings, we listed as “info only” drive by opportunities.

Organizers are already making plans for a bigger, better 2024 Solar Tour. If you would like to host a tour in your community or help with an existing one, please email CRSIerraClub@gmail,com or call 608-315-2693.

CHAPTER ELECTION - VOTE NOW!      There are three open seats on the state chapter’s executive committee, and voting is going on now! To learn more and vote, look for an email from Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter sent on Oct. 6 with subject line: Help elect your state chapter leader-ship. Our club runs on grass roots power, and your vote is very important. Vote now!

ELECTRO EXPO IN VIROQUA    The Vernon County Energy District held an “Electo Expo” on Saturday, October 21. The event is part of the groups outreach and education about energy use, efficiency, and energy self-sufficiency. More than 70 people attended the afternoon event. Session topics included EVs, heat pumps for home heating/cooling, solar and battery storage, heat pump water heaters, and IRA incentives. They also had EV test drives. The keynote speaker was Nick Hylla, Executive Director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.

CRSC hosted a program featuring Alan Buss, VCED Board President, in March 2023. You can view it at https://youtu.be/lDXr2DbScIs or visit their webpage at https://vced.energy for more information

EV/HYBRID INSPECTION EVENT     On November 14 at 11 a.m., a tour of Western Technical College’s Automotive Techno-logy  Center, 2721 Larson Street, La Crosse, will be part of an “electrified powertrains” inspection event. Faculty member Adam Remke will lead the tour, talk about the WTC program, and provide an explanation of the inspection process. Those who have dropped off cars for inspection will receive a debrief and summary of findings.

Earlier in the day, second year Automotive Technician students will perform a Free Digital Multipoint Inspection of select electric, plug-in hybrid, or hybrid vehicles as part of a “live work” course. They will have already completed a five-week course related to these vehicles and will work under the supervision of instructors. Concerns found during the inspection, may be repaired through the “Trade Simulation Course” that follows.

If you would like your vehicle inspected or if you would just like to attend the tour and program, visit https://tinyurl.com/111423-WTCEVEvent

MORE NOVEMBER EVENTS

11/ 1: Enviro-Wednesdays - John Sullivan on Water Quality Monitoring in the La Crosse River Marsh 7 p.m. The Nature Place, Myrick Park, La Crosse

11/3-5: Jackson In Action Fall Hike at Skyline Golf Course. https://www.blackrivercountry.net/event/jackson-in-action-2023-fall-hike-series-3/

11/4 & 11: Jackson In Action Fall Hiker Fitness. Register for details. https://www.jacksoninaction.org/hikerfitness

11/ 4: Friends of the Blufflands work day from noon to 4 pm at Holland Sand Prairie near Holmen. For details see facebook.com/friendsoftheblufflands

11/ 6: The Lasting Trauma of Indian Policies in the United States on Indigenous Students. 11 am UWL Student Union. https://www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=29287

11/10: Mississippi Valley Conservancy Fall Fundraiser from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Raddison, La Crosse. https://www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events/2023-fall-fundraiser

11/10: Science Cafe - Bird Nets & Blow Guns - Tales of Avian Research from the Bornean Jungles. 6 pm at JavaVino in La Crosse. https://facebook.com/events/328738293075371

11/12: Ridge Stories with Gary Jones at 1 p.m. Platteville Public Library. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Event/EV9014

11/15: Coulee Audubon meeting at The Nature Place in Myrick Park, La Crosse. 7 p.m.

11/16: In the Life of Western Monarchs - A Community Science Approach at noon central time. Online. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TfoDvPeGQemJLEr34Ce5hg#/

11/18: Driftless Dialog - Protecting Our Night Skies from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar

11/28: Full Moon Walk at 6 p.m. at The Nature Place, Myrick Park, La Crosse. natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/november-full-moon-walk