Call 608-315-2693 for dial-in information or register for the link at https://tinyurl.com/11326-bigtech
Many Wisconsin communities are racing to deal with new resource-hungry data centers proposed around the state. Common concerns about data centers include their massive energy consumption needs, water usage, land use, and their impact on the cost of utilities for ratepayers. We can all benefit from understanding the information and options available to our communities. In this toolkit, readers will learn what hyperscale data centers are, their potential impacts, and ways to mitigate the worst impacts.The toolkit is packed with background information about data centers and their impacts. We also include information about local and state permitting, and some important laws. Additionally, the toolkit contains several pages on different ways that ordinary people can take action, either as individuals or as organizations. Each section is only 1-2 pages, including lots of vibrant photos and graphics. We wanted this toolkit to be convenient to break down into smaller segments so different readers can find and share the information they need with ease.
Jan. 16 - CRSC Action Gathering Join us for the first action gathering of 2026 on Friday, January 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 401 West Ave. S. (accessible by MTU bus). Enter at the back. We are looking forward to continuing our momentum from last year with our first action gathering of 2026! Join with others to view a short informational video clip, discuss, and take action together. All are welcome, whether you're new to environmental activism or a seasoned campaigner! Pizza will be provided but please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage. Enter at the back door. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/126crscaction
Jan. 27 - Virtual Volunteer Fair Start the new year by learning how you can get involved and make a difference. There are countless ways to volunteer with the Sierra Club and we would love to help you find your fit and get started. We have in person, virtual, regular or occasional opportunities that fit all types of schedules. Join our virtual volunteer fair to learn more, ask questions and meet others who are also looking for ways to make a positive impact and protect the environment. Register here for the 6 p.m. event. https://tinyurl.com/wiscjan26volfair
CRSC's 2026 Board Congratulations Kathy Allen, Ned Gatzke, Larry Sleznikow and Cathy Van Maren who were elected to the CRSC Board of Directors for 2026-2028! Thanks to all who voted! The CRSC Board meets monthly to plan club activities and coordinate actions with local and state club members and allies. The next board meeting will be online at 6:30 p.m. on January 21. CRSC members may attend. Email or call for access information.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration on Monday, January 19 at 7 p.m. at the Viterbo Fine Arts Center or online. See more information here: https://www.viterbo.edu/social-justice-and-equity/mlk-jr-community-celebration-program
Year In Review by Kathy Allen, CRSC Board president
Our Coulee Region Group kept busy this year, hosting our own programs and co-hosting events with partners! Here are some highlights from each month.
- January - We hosted a virtual program about the Outdoor Recreation Alliance's (ORA) new community trail farm project with Josh Hein, the Trail Farm Project Administrator (and a Sierra Club member). If you missed it, you can still watch a recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrXiqi0NbLg. Update: The Community Trail Farm is now open to the public! Learn more at https://www.oratrails.org/trail-farm/. In January, we also awarded three environmental education grants: to the Coon Valley Library's after school program for a guest speaker from the National Eagle Center; to 7th graders at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse to expand their classroom recycling program; and to 3rd grade classrooms at Northside Elementary in La Crosse for a cave tour field trip.
- February - We co-sponsored local Transit Equity Days activities, and hosted our first-ever Coulee Region action gathering, focused on protecting the clean energy programs in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
- March - We hosted our second local action gathering, where several members wrote letters to the editor about the IRA that were published by the La Crosse Tribune!
- April - Earth Month was a busy time! We hosted a virtual program on Local Governments and Climate Action, featuring Joe Ledvina from the School District of La Crosse, Bob Micheel from the Monroe County Land Conservation Department, and Lewis Kuhlman from the City of La Crosse Planning Department (the recording is still available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSe4OphhVY). We also hosted an action gathering in support of public lands and completed our spring roadside cleanup along River Valley Drive. We tabled at UW-La Crosse's "Earthapalooza" and La Crosse's Earth Fair, where we folded origami fish to contribute to the Wisconsin Chapter's "Fish for the Future" world record attempt.
- May - We tabled at the "Refuge Strong" event hosted by Friends of the Refuge - Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8 and hosted a local action gathering for the fourth month in a row!
- June - We hosted our annual summer picnic, at Goose Island County Park along the Mississippi this year, and had an outing to explore Holland Sand Prairie. The monthly action gathering focused on endangered species, and included calling on our members of Congress to keep the gray wolf on the Endangered Species list.
- July - We took a month off from action gatherings, but we tabled at the Youth Outdoor Fest at Pettibone Park
- August - This was another busy month! We completed our summer roadside cleanup, co-sponsored a Grow Solar La Crosse "Power Hour" about the local group buy program, and hosted our first-ever group Happy Hour at JavaVino. Our monthly action gatherings returned with an information-packed session about the federal budget appropriations process and the potential impacts on conservation agencies. Lastly, we awarded our high school environmental stewardship award to Onalaska's Aditi Muduganti.
- September - Our monthly action gathering focused on public lands and the managers who care for them and their visitors. We sent thank-you letters to the staffs of five nearby federal park sites. We also held a "Transit to Trails" outing to Coon Valley on the SMRT bus for Week Without Driving.
- October - We completed our final roadside cleanup of the year, and our action gathering prepared us to protect our community from climate change's "unnatural" disasters.
- November - We hosted a "watch party" for the Wisconsin Chapter awards, with special guest and Community Steward Award recipient, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region. Our final monthly action gathering of the year focused on defending our clean energy future.
- December - We wrapped up the year with good food and great conversation at our holiday potluck!
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