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.

No comments:

Post a Comment