May Newsletter - Updated

May 5-6 Water Conference  The League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region (LWV UMRR) will host a conference in La Crosse at the Lunda Center on the Western Technical College
campus (319 7th St. N.) on May 5 and 6 on water quality: "Navigation Tools for Uncertain Waters"
(www.lwvumrr.org)

May 19 Active Transportation  UW-La Crosse, in partnership with Urban Connections, will
host the second annual Conference on Active Transportation, “Accelerating Effective Approaches for Engaging People in Active Transportation,” on Friday, May 19 at the UWL New Student Union.

Dr. James Longhurst, author of the book, “Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road,” will open the day with a talk about Why History Matters for Active Transportation. Several breakout sessions will cover planning and advocating for better active transportation (bus, bike, walking) infrastructure, design, funding, and participation. Also included is a lunch at the Southside Neighborhood Center.

Active transportation is any self-propelled, human-powered mode of transportation, such as walking or bicycling, including public transportation which begins or ends with a walk or bike ride. While physical inactivity is the cause of many health problems in the US, many Americans believe
walking and biking in their communities is not safe due to inadequate infrastructure and car-centric policies and laws.

This conference will provide information, studies, ideas, and tools for active transportation advocates from rural areas and cities. For registration information, please visit www.uwlax.edu//conted/active-transport/

Sierra Club Outings
Root River Canoe and Kayak Outing, May 20-21  Enjoy a day or a weekend paddling the Root River in unglaciated Southeast Minnesota near Lanesboro. Dolomite cliffs overlook the valley which has many spring-fed tributaries and abundant wildlife. Learn about the region’s early history and its effect on the river valley. Camping is free if you want to camp and do the weekend. Leaders: Sue O’Brien and Carol Brewton of Winona. Contact: Sue O’Brien, 507-858-5290, sueob1[at]gmail.com
or Carol Brewton: 507-454-7187, cbrewton[at]smumn.edu.

Bois Brule River Canoe and Kayak Outing, May 27-29  This is Class I-II whitewater paddling. Car Camp in Brule River State Forest. Three day-trips on the Bois Brule. Saturday: County S to Hwy 2. Sunday: Pine Tree Landing to Hwy 13—(includes a series of Class II rapids that can be portaged).
Monday: Hwy 13 to Lake Superior (includes fairly constant Class I rapids). We’ll learn about the work done to protect this trout stream. Helmets required for rapids. Camping available at the DNR Campground south of Brule WI in Douglas County. Campsites can be reserved online through the DNR website. This is a busy weekend so please share your site with fellow paddlers. Contact: Pat & Bobbie Wilson of La Crosse: 608-788-8831, 608-397-2531, pbwilson[at]centurytel.net or Kevin & Carol Olson of Baraboo: 608-963-2678, olsonfam44[at]centurytel.net.

Bird Walks  Pat Wilson will lead five bird walks in May. Meet at the Lower Hixon Forest parking lot at the end of Milson Court at 6:30 a.m. on May 4, 11, and 18 or, on May 9 and May 16, meet at 6:30 a.m. at the La Crosse River Marsh trailhead in Myrick Park. These are easy walks. Bring your binoculars and stay as long as you like. For more information, see links above or contact Pat.

April 27 MEA Fundraiser  On Thursday, April 27, the Sierra Club joined several area environmental organizations and concerned individuals in hosting a screening of the new documentary, Sustainable to benefit Midwest Environmental Advocates, a nonprofit environmental law center.  Following the screening, filmmaker Matt Wechler joined Mark Kastel, founder, Cornucopia Institute; organic beef grazing farmer Jim Munsch; and moderator Jim Goodman
of Northwood Farm for a panel discussion.

If you weren’t able to attend the event, please consider supporting MEA as they work to help protect our clean air, water, and land for future generations at midwestadvocates.org.

May 30 Sierra Club Get-Together  Bill and Marta invite all to their house for a Sierra Club Get-Together, Tuesday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. If you can, bring some veggies or chips or other appetizers (or liquid refreshments). We’ll have no agenda other than sharing company. 1008 Avon St. (two or so blocks from the historical train engine in Copeland Park, La Crosse). 785-2031--but no need to RSVP.