Community Conversations - Our Climate Resolutions

Here's a link to the FB event page: https://facebook.com/events/981225988733244/

More about the current state of our climate from the recently concluded COP24 in Poland:

“In my opening statement to this conference one week ago…I warned that climate change is running faster than we are and that Katowice must — in no uncertain terms — be a success, as a necessary platform to reverse this trend,” said Secretary-General Guterres.

"Since 2 December, the conference has brought together thousands of climate action decision-makers, advocates and activists, with one key objective: adopting global guidelines for the 197 parties of the 2015 Paris Agreement, when countries committed to limiting global warming to less than 2°C – and as close as possible to 1.5° – above pre-industrial levels.

"To waste this opportunity in Katowice would compromise our last best chance to stop runaway climate change. It would not only be immoral, it would be suicidal" - UN chief Guterres

The World Was Just Issued 12-Year Ultimatum On Climate Change (Smithsonian Magazine). "Today, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report on the forthcoming impacts of climate change. The consensus? It’s not looking good. As Jonathan Watts of The Guardian reports, unless the world makes some drastic and immediate changes to combat the damage already done, hundreds of millions of people may be irreversibly imperiled by drought, flooding, extreme heat and increased poverty in the decades to come."

Ocean warming is accelerating faster than thought (New York Times) "A new analysis, published Thursday in the journal Science, found that the oceans are heating up 40 percent faster on average than a United Nations panel estimated five years ago. The researchers also concluded that ocean temperatures have broken records for several straight years."

Urgency of change highlighted in new report, Drilling Toward Disaster: "This report should be a wake-up call for elected officials who consider themselves to be climate leaders. 'We need a complete overhaul of our economy with a Green New Deal, and that overhaul must include standing up to the fossil fuel industry in order to take us off this path of devastation for our climate and communities. Anything less than a full, swift, and just managed decline of fossil fuel production is too little, too late.'"

January newsletter

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 7 pm, Ho-Chunk Three Rivers House (8th & Main) - The Greener Life- Learn to live more sustainably. Explore a holistic approach to sustainable living with Chandra (CS) Sherin, author of Recipe for a Green Life, who will address some of the most pressing issues that impact our environment, habitat, wildlife, resources, and collective health. Learn about the
importance of a holistic approach to sustainable living, and the positive impact we can have through our daily habits, choices, and do-it yourself recipes. Discuss the most effective sustainable living choices we can make at home and with our families.

CS Sherin, MA, has called the rare driftless region home for over 25 years - with great love for all of its bluffs, rivers, marshes, forests, trails, wildlife, and beautiful prairies. She has a decade of experience in kind, plant-based conscious eating, and exploring and creating sustainable living DIY recipes for home and family, CS is an artist, nature photographer, poet, editor, research enthusiast, and owner of Wild Clover, a multi-faced creative enterprise (WildClover.org)

Everyone is welcome to this event. You need not be a Sierra Club member to participate. We will also discuss plans for 2019 including the Ready for 100 program and other national, state, and local initiatives. Refreshments provided!

JANUARY 26 - CLIMATE RESOLUTIONS  The Coulee Region Sierra Club will host a COMMUNITY CLIMATE RESOLUTION DISCUSSION on Saturday, January 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Crosse’s South Library (1307 16th St. S.) This will be one of hundreds of similar events being held around the country between January 21 and 27.

Local action is having major impacts. Our goal will be to collectively envision the climate future we want and discuss ways to continue the work to make change happen. We’ll explore the challenges our community faces in getting to a 100% clean energy future and how clean and affordable energy can create a more equitable and liveable community.

More information about this event will be posted at cr-sierra.blogspot.com after January 10. If you would like to host a similar event in your community, please check out tinyurl.com/SCClimateRes.

SURVEY UPDATE (AND INVITATION)   he first results of our member survey are coming in - thanks to those who have responded! So far, wilderness preservation is the top environmental issue, followed by wildlife protection, climate change, air quality, and water quality. The most popular volunteer opportunity is helping with a work day at a natural area, with attending a march or rally in second place.

We’re still looking for more responses and will keep the survey open at least through the end of January! Find it at tinyurl.com/crscmbrsurvey.

REMINDER: ENVIRO-EDU GRANTS!   The Coulee Region Sierra Club is offering grants of up to $200 for environmental education projects involving young people at the elementary and middle school level.

The application and more details are available at tinyurl.com/crscedugrantapp OR email crsierraclub@gmail and we can mail you an application. The application deadline is JANUARY 5, 2019. Please spread the word about this opportunity available to those in Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau and Vernon counties.

BOARD ELECTIONS   Thank you to everyone who voted and to those who volunteered to serve on the board in 2019! Thank you and congratulations to new board members Nancy Hartje and Jake Schnepper. Look for more info about them and their specific interests in next month’s newsletter. Nancy and Jake will join current board members Kathy Allen, Maureen Kinney, George Nygaard, Avery Van Gaard, Cathy Van Maren, and Pat Wilson.

2019 SIERRA CLUB CALENDARS   We still have a few calendars! The calendars cost $14.95 for the wall calendar and $15.95 for the engagement
book. Please order from Maureen Kinney: 608 784-9324/784-5678 or email maureen@
johnsflaherty.com. SIERRA CLUB NOTE AND HOLIDAY CARDS are available at store.sierraclub.org/calendars--cards-c28.aspx

SOLAR GROUP BUY CONTINUES   SunVest and the John Muir Chapter Sierra Club will continue their partnership into the new year! Offering reduced group buy rates for solar panels and installations of systems, SunVest will also provide on site assessment, detailed financial information including costs and payback, and installation. The John Muir Chapter will receive a donation for every system installed through this program. For more information on the group buy, check out www.sunvest.com/programs/sierraclub/

UWL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES STUDENTS HELP LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS   Service learning projects are a highlight of the UW-La Crosse Environmental Studies capstone course during spring and fall semesters. Students work about two hours per week throughout the semester on environmentally related projects for local organizations and businesses. Recent partners include Citizens’ Climate Lobby, WisCorps, Hillview Urban Agriculture Center, La Crosse Public Schools, Gundersen Health System, Keps Naturals, Coulee Region Ecoscapes, Citizens Acting for Rail Safety, Trout Unlimited, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and GROW La Crosse.

Students initiate and complete a work experience that allows them to refine their environmental interests and professionalism. They gain networking opportunities while helping to advance local initiatives they care about. Projects range from research to assisting professionals to organizing events.

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary minor at UWL, incorporating courses from a variety of departments on campus The minor is based in the College of Liberal Studies though students in the minor come from all
different majors in all three colleges. All ENV courses are taught in a way that helps students make connections with each other, among ideas, and within the community. The capstone course enrolls 15 students per semester.

New partnerships are welcome with organizations,
businesses, or individuals working on environmental issues. The mentors meet with students at least monthly, in combination with more frequent phone or email communications.
If you have a new project idea for capstone students, please contact Alysa Remsburg at aremsburg@uwlax.edu. Students will select projects for spring semester by the first week of February. All are welcome to hear students present what they learned from the partnerships during the last week of classes (May 7 and 9, 2:15 to 3:40 p.m.)

JANUARY 8 MPOWER SHOWCASE   On Tuesday, January 8, the Sustainability Institute will host its annual MPower Sustainability Showcase from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Lunda Center on the Western Technical College campus in La Crosse. The MPower Business Champions program engages, empowers, and networks businesses working toward sustainability in our area. For more
information and to register for this event (free), visit tinyurl.com/19-MPowerShowcase

2018 YEAR IN REVIEW (by Pat Wilson, CRSC board president)   Looking back, looking forward. The Coulee Region Sierra Club was active during 2018 both in hosting events and actions and in providing opportunities for members and friends to experience the outdoors. The November elections and the Ready for 100 campaign received the most effort in 2018. In 2019, we’ll continue the Ready for 100 efforts and will continue to seek ways to include more members in events held around the region.

Elections
• September-October - We participated in the Sierra Club’s effort to get environmental voters excited about this election and to turn out and vote.
• September-October - The Sierra Club put special effort into the candidacy of Kriss Marion of WI Senate District 17. SD 17 overlaps between the Coulee Region Group and the Four Lakes Group. Kriss was a strong candidate and environmental advocate. The Sierra Club did mailings and phone calls on her behalf.
• October - The John Muir Chapter released the 2017-2018 Wisconsin Legislative Scorecard and the Coulee Region Group called attention to the three Coulee Region Group legislators with 100% scores - Sen. Shilling and Reps. Billings and Doyle – and called out the five Coulee Region Group legislators with 0% scores.
• October - The Sierra Club made endorsements for the November elections, and we publicized the candidates in the Coulee Region who received endorsement for their support for the environment.
• November – We celebrated the election of our endorsed candidates in Wisconsin’s statewide races. Unfortunately, Kriss Marion did not win the election, but this is good experience for future elections.

Ready for 100
• The Ready for 100 campaign is the Sierra Club’s effort to gain commitments from local units of government to move as quickly as possibly to 100% renewable energy sources.
• March – the Coulee Region Group participated in the Climate Action Festival, where board member Kathy Allen gave a program on the Ready for 100 campaign.
• March – the Coulee Region Group was a co-sponsor of the Local Energy Future event in Dodgeville.
• May – Coulee Region Group board members met with La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat and city planners. Mayor Kabat is the one Coulee Region mayor who signed the Ready for 100 pledge. We met with him to offer our assistance and ideas for reaching that goal.
• September – The Sierra Club sponsored the Rise for Climate Rally in La Crosse’s Riverside Park, where Coulee Region Group board member Kathy Allen spoke.
• September – The Coulee Region Group membership meeting program was on sustainability indicators for the City and County of La Crosse. This meeting was on the UWL campus, co-sponsored by the UWL Environmental Studies program.
• October – The Coulee Region Group sponsored a meeting on the John Muir Chapter’s SunVest Solar Group Buy program, encouraging Sierra Club members around the state to install photovoltaic power generation on their home or business.
• October - At its October 2018 meeting, the Sustainable La Crosse Commission voted to recommend partner municipalities pursue Ready for 100 resolutions. This official first step will allow staff and elected officials to work on legislation and encourage public discussion. Coulee Region Group board member Cathy Van Maren is on the commission where she advocates for this goal.

Environmental Education
• January - We continued our environmental grant program, providing two grants, to St. Rose Catholic School in Cuba City for a butterfly breeding project and Sparta Public Schools for a school forest project.
• March – The Coulee Region Group hosted a program on mining issues in Alaska by UW-L Prof. Margot Higgins
• May - The Coulee Region Group sponsored a La Crosse County Land Fill tour.
• August – We sponsored a tour of Chrysalis organic farm on the West Fork of the Kickapoo River.
• The Coulee Region Group supported and had a booth at the Progresstival in January, the Coulee Region Climate Alliance Climate Action Fair in March, the La Crosse Earth Fair in April, and the Open Streets event in September.

Transportation
• February – we had a Sierra Club Clean Cars Campaign media event at La Crosse City Hall with Coulee Region Group board member Avery Van Gaard speaking.
• September – The Coulee Region Group had a booth at the Open Streets Initiative in La Crosse, advocating for better pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit infrastructure.
• October - The Coulee Region Group sponsored a media event at Grand River Station Transit Center in La Crosse to publicize the release of the report Arrive Together, Transportation Equity and Access in Wisconsin which advocates for effective and efficient public transportation systems in Wisconsin. Coulee Region Group board member Cathy Van Maren contributed to the report. (Read it at tinyurl.com/jmctransitrept)
• April, July, October – The Coulee Region Group did highway cleanup on our adopted highway, River Valley Drive in La Crosse.

Water Quality
• January – The Coulee Region Group co-sponsored and had a booth at the well-attended Industrial Ag in the Driftless conference in Boscobel. The conference highlighted the water and environmental issues caused by industrial agriculture operations.
• October – Following our October 2017 water quality forum at the Town of Holland, La Crosse County formed a Water Quality Team. That team released their results in October 2018, which included further study, better education of residents about the need for proper water filtration systems, better zoning and enforcement,
 possible repurposing of currently farmed land, and pursuing local and state legislation to further protect groundwater.
• October – Coulee Region Group members Pat Wilson and David Boen participated in the Kickapoo River cleanup following the record flooding on the Kickapoo River.
• October – Coulee Region Group board member Pat Wilson attended a League of Women Voters program on Upper Mississippi River water issues.
Green Spaces, Natural Areas
• July, September - The Coulee Region Group co-sponsored a canoe outing on the Black River in July and on the Kickapoo River in September.
• The Coulee Region Group is represented by Pat Wilson on the La Crosse Park Department Environmental Leadership Forum.

Coming in 2019
Local and global environmental challenges will continue into 2019, though recent election victories give some hope for a little relief on state legislative issues. We will continue to work on Ready for 100, transportation improvements,
groundwater protection, environmental education, and getting people outdoors. Please let us know if you want to work on the Ready for 100 Team, the Water Team, transportation, or other Sierra Club issues or if you have ideas for programs, events, or group activities!

EVs are part of the solution!

On this Ready for 100 Wednesday, we'd like to point out that this push for a transition to renewables isn't just about electricity, it's about ALL energy use, including heating and transportation!

Renewable-powered transportation will require an accelerated transition to electric vehicles (EVs)! How much do you know about EVs? To learn more, check out the website below, especially the "Top 12 reasons why electric cars are better than gas cars"!

https://www.fleetcarma.com/everything-need-know-electric-cars/

Health benefits of renewable energy

Transitioning to 100% renewable energy isn't just good for the environment - eliminating fossil-fueled power will also benefit human health! In Wisconsin alone, the renewable transition could prevent 934 premature deaths due to air pollution and save $7.1 billion in health care costs PER YEAR! To learn more about the benefits of a renewable transition by state, visit http://thesolutionsproject.org/why-clean-energy/

December Newsletter

DECEMBER 11 WINTER POTLUCK  Join us for good conversation, food, and fun at our annual winter potluck. This year, we'll gather on Tuesday, December 11 from 6 to 9 pm at the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 401 West Ave. South. This is a change from the originally announced location. Park in the lot behind the building or take the MTU Circulator (stops at West Ave & Cass). Bring some food to share. Some beverages will he provided. All are welcome - members and friends. Email us, crsierraclub@gmail.com, with questions.

THE GREENER LIFE - JAN. 29  Our first program of
the new year will be on January 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ho-Chunk Three Rivers House (8th and Main, La Crosse). Local author and sustainable living advocate CS Sherin will share ways to green your lifestyle and reduce your environmental impact. We’ll have more details in our (online only) January newsletter! In the meantime, let’s share ideas online and in our newsletters next year! Email your tips to crsierraclub@gmail.com or share on our FB page or on Twitter!

GO GREEN IN '19!  REDUCE YOUR USE OF RESOURCES! Don’t buy or use single use plastics like straws, bags, and bottled water. Use reusable coffee/tea filters. Carry a water bottle. Stop junk mail. Save and reuse clean-one-side paper. Read online rather than mailed (we still mail HUNDREDS of newsletters to those who could easily read online. If you’re one, tell us ONLINE ONLY! Buy/Sell used items or donate them. Buy in bulk. Take and reuse shopping bags. Take your own reusable “doggie bag” when you eat out. Use washable cloth rags and napkins. Repurpose when possible. Urge others, especially at work and school, to make changes, too!

You can’t hide this truth: without action, global warming will be catastrophic.

COULEE REGION EDUCATION GRANTS  Thanks to a grant from the Paul E. Stry Foundation, the Coulee Region Sierra Club is able to award environmental education grants of up to $200 every year. The application for 2019 grants is available at tinyurl.com/crscedugrantapp. Teachers and organizations who work with elementary and middle school children in the Coulee Region (Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties) may apply. The deadline is January 5, 2019. Call Maureen at 608 784-9324/784-5678 with questions.

SIERRA CLUB 2019 CALENDARS  Your purchase of Sierra Club calendars will benefit our club and environmental programs and protection activities. The calendars cost $14.95 for the wall calendar and $15.95 for the engagement book. Get your calendar at our winter potluck or order from Maureen Kinney: 784-9324/784-5678 or email maureen@ johnsflaherty .com SIERRA CLUB NOTE AND HOLIDAY CARDS are for sale at the online store.

YOUR INPUT REQUESTED!  The Coulee Region Group board is looking for your feedback! Please complete the short online survey so we can find
opportunities, programs, and activities that interest you. Please complete the survey by
January 5 if possible.

READY FOR 100 TEAM  At its October 2018 meeting, the Sustainable La Crosse Commission voted to recommend partner municipalities pursue Ready for 100 resolutions. The John Muir Chapter Sierra Club is producing a sign-on document for allies - businesses, non-profits, individuals, and others - to show broad support for this initiative and welcome more voices to the effort. The document should be available by January 1.

La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat is still the only Coulee Region official on the Mayors for 100 list. Get your mayor onboard! (see sc.org/mayors-action)and join our Coulee Region Sierra Club Ready for 100 team. In January, we will begin educating our communities about the benefits of moving as quickly as possibly to 100% renewable energy sources. If you know of a club, group, or organization we could talk to or to join the effort or for more information, please email or call 608 315-2693 (leave a message).

GREEN NEW DEAL  On November 20, youth activists associated with the Sunrise Movement urged members of Congress nationwide to back a Green New Deal and the Sierra Club redoubled its calls for that platform. “A Green New Deal can create millions of family-sustaining union jobs upgrading our infrastructure, making our communities more resilient to the climate crisis, retrofitting and weatherizing our buildings, restoring our ecosystems, and moving our country to a 100% clean, renewable energy economy.” Michael Brune, Executive Director, Sierra Club.

GO GREEN IN '19!  BE A CLIMATE CITIZEN and VOTER! Monitor how elected officials vote and what environmental legislation they sponsor.  Call and send emails regularly. Attend open office/ town hall meetings and talk about climate and environmental concerns. Connect with environmental groups and participate in online and in person actions. Talk about the importance of voting and citizen lobbying to others. Write letters to the editor or articles for your organizations’ newsletters or websites about voting for the environment. Help people register to vote and get to the polls. If you can, donate to candidates and programs supporting a sustainable environment. Consider running for office.

BOARD ELECTIONS  Bill Katra’s term is expiring and he’ll leave the board after eight years of service. Thank you, Bill! Current board members Maureen Kinney and Avery Van Gaard are on the ballot as well as Nancy Hartje of La Crosse, an environmentalist and retired educator, and Jake
Schnepper, a junior UWL business major from Chicago who wants to further the goal of protecting our planet. You may also write in and vote for another if you wish. Please vote for up to four people to serve from 2019-2021. Bring your ballot to the December 11 Sierra Club event or mail it by December 20 to Maureen Kinney, 620 S 23rd St, La Crosse, WI 54601.

SOLAR GROUP BUY  In October we hosted a program about the Sierra Club’s solar group buy program which allows people to get a discount on solar PV installation from SunVest Solar, a
Wisconsin-based company. So far, 114 kw of installations are set up. You do not need to be a Sierra Club member to sign up for a solar site assessment, a personalized cost/benefit information packet, and, for those who move forward, complete installation of a solar system.

GO GREEN IN '19!  REDUCE ELECTRICITY USE  Most utility provided electricity in the Coulee Region is generated from coal and natural gas. Upgrade to Energy Star appliances, use LEDs, weatherize, and turn things off when not needed. Wash with cold water. Ditch the dryer. Turn an electric water heater down or off for three days or longer. Plan to reduce your use and monitor progress. Use solar for lights, heating, recharging. Be an energy hawk at your school or work. Turn off lights in empty meeting rooms and TVs in empty waiting rooms. Ask merchants what they are doing to conserve energy. Join the Ready for 100 movement in your community.

ARRIVE TOGETHER - EQUITY AND ACCESS  On October 23, the Sierra Club along with 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, WISDOM and WISDOM affiliates, the Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance released a report on transportation in Wisconsin - Arrive Together: Transportation Access and
Equity in Wisconsin. A first of its kind report, Arrive
Together shows how people’s needs are not being met by Wisconsin’s transportation system. The report examines the effectiveness of public transit access to major employers and other areas of interest in nine cities and regions across Wisconsin. It highlights stories from transit riders, opportunities for improvement within transit systems, and the serious barriers and needs for improvement at the state level. A media event at La Crosse’s Grand River Station Transit Center included several speakers highlighting important aspects of the study: Cassie Steiner, co-author; Obbie King of La Crosse Area Transit Advocates/; Maureen Freedland, CouleeCap; and Rep. Jill Billings. Thanks to the MTU staff, local speakers, and local media (see links to coverage in an earlier post). Read the report online.

We’re still looking for CR Sierra Club members around the region to email with news of events and issues in their communities so we can get more people involved . Email crsierraclub@gmail.com.

GO GREEN IN '19!   GREEN YOUR TRANSPORTATION! Vehicle emissions are the biggest source of greenhouse gases. If you can, trade your vehicle for a lower emissions, more
fuel efficient, hybrid, or electric one. Keep tires
inflated and do regular maintenance. Pledge to drive your fossil fueled vehicle less and monitor progress toward that goal. Group errands into one trip. If you can, work from home. Push for online meetings. Walk, bike, car pool, car share, take public transportation or use a combo - your bike on the bus or park and ride. Don’t idle your car! 
Teach your kids to use public transportation. Talk to your school about an anti-idling program. Push for better public transit, workplace rewards for car pooling, and better local transportation policies.

Environment and human health will improve because of election

November 13, 2018

One of the biggest winning outcomes from the election in Wisconsin was the environment!  All of the statewide races were won by pro-environment candidates and in Oneida County, we won the mining referendum. That is because of the tireless efforts of countless volunteers including many, many Sierra Club members that helped register voters and turn out folks to the polls.  The John Muir Chapter was particularly active in the 1st, 5th, 17th and 19th state Senate districts. Thank you for voting, and all the other hard work you did during the election!

Read the entire blog post at Muir Musings.

GO GREEN IN '19!  FOOD The Natural Resources Defense Council reports up to 40% of food is wasted annually in the US. Growing, processing, transporting, storing, and disposing of uneaten food is expensive, wastes resources, and contributes to greenhouse gases. Food is the number one addition to landfills nationwide. Meat and dairy have larger carbon footprints than grain or vegetable products. Organic food has a lower carbon footprint. Eat locally grown organic food and a more plant based diet including some meat/dairy free meals. Use shopping lists and menus. Label and date food. Monitor and rotate refrigerator and freezer items regularly. More tips at epa.gov/recycle/reducing-wasted-food-home

November Newsletter

through November 2, vote absentee in person at your municipal clerk’s office
(contact clerk for details) OR on Tuesday, November 6, vote at the polls.
For complete voting info, please visit myvote.wi.gov.
 

John Muir Chapter endorsements* for Coulee Region Group voters:
US Senate: Tammy Baldwin, 3rd US CD: Ron Kind,

 Governor: Tony Evers, Lt. Governor: Mandela Barnes,
SD 17: Kriss Marion (D-Blanchardville); SD 31: Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire),
AD 49: Mike Mooney (D-Platteville), AD 50: Art Shrader (D-Reedsburg),

AD 51: Jeff Wright (D-Plain) AD 68: Wendy Sue Johnson (D-Eau Claire),

AD 70: Carl Fay (D-Merrilan), AD 92: Rob Grover (D-Galesville),

AD 94: Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska), AD 95: Jill Billings (D-La Crosse),

AD 96: Paul Buhr (D-Viroqua)

* The Sierra Club endorses candidates who are and/or will be strong environnmental and conservation leaders working to stop attacks on recycling, renewable energy, transit, clean water and air, mining protections and more.

 
View all John Muir Chapter Sierra Club endorsements at tinyurl.com/jmcendorsements18

“Polls show that voters connsistently rank environmental issues among their lowest concerns in every election. ... Yet polls also show that tens of millions of Americans strongly prioritize progressive environmental policies - the real problem is that these people do not vote. Indeed, even in recent nation-wide elections, over 15 million individually identifiable environmentalists have stayed at home on Election Day.” - www.environmentalvoter.org/our-mission

Arrive Together: Transportation Equity and Access in Wisconsin  On October 23,  the Sierra Club along with 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, WISDOM and WISDOM affiliates, the Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance released a report on transportation in Wisconsin - Arrive Together: Transportation Access and Equity in Wisconsin.  A first of its kind report, Arrive Together shows how people’s needs are not being met by Wisconsin’s transportation system. The report examines the effectiveness of public transit access to major employers and other areas of interest in nine cities and regions across Wisconsin. It highlights stories from transit riders, opportunities for improvement within transit systems, and the serious barriers and needs for improvement at the state level.  

In La Crosse, a media event at the Grand River Station Transit Center included several speakers highlighting important aspects of the study: Cassie Steiner, co-author; Obbie King of La Crosse Area Transit Advocates; Maureen Freedland, CouleeCap; and Rep. Jill Billings. Thank you to the MTU staff for their gracious and generous support for the event and to local media: WKBT, WXOW, WLAX, WEAU and Wisconsin Public Radio.

"As a former county board member and now as a state legislator, I have seen firsthand how important proper transit funding is to ensuring vibrant communities, a thriving economy and a high quality of life for all of our residents." – Rep. Jill Billings, Assembly District 95.

SOLAR GROUP BUY  On October 16, Elizabeth Ward from the John Muir Chapter and Chris Collins from Sunvest Solar spoke to Coulee Region residents about the Sierra Club's solar group buy program. The solar group buy allows people to get a discount on solar PV installation from a Wisconsin-based company that will make a $500 donation to the Sierra Club for each completed project. So far, the group buy has lined up 114 kw of installations across the state, earning participants a rebate of at least $100 per kw of solar in their system! You do not need to be a Sierra Club member to sign up for this program which includes a solar site assessment, a persoalized cost/benefit information packet, and, for those who decide to move forward, complete installation of a solar system. For more information on the group buy, check out www.sunvest.com/programs/sierraclub/ 

READY FOR 100 IN LA CROSSE  At its October 2018 meeting, the Sustainable La Crosse Commission voted to recommend partner municipalities pursue Ready for 100 resolutions. This official first step will allow staff and elected officials to work on legislation and encourage public discussion. In the meantime, the Ready for 100  team is still looking for Sierra Club members to help educate our communities about the benefits of moving as quickly as possibly to 100% renewable energy sources. Please email us if you’d like to be on the team.

TWO OCTOBER CLEAN UP PROJECTS  On October 2, six Coulee Region Group members did our autumn clean up of La Crosse’s River Valley Drive through the La Crosse River Marsh. It was fairly clean and we completed the task in a little over an hour, after which four of us went to Rudy’s Drive-in to eat and socialize.

On October 20, Coulee Region Group members David Boen and Pat Wilson participated in the Kickapoo River clean up sponsored by the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Pat and Dave were the only ones to paddle a canoe down the river on this cold windy day with occasional snow showers. The photo shows Pat and the heap of trash filling the canoe at the takeout. Unfortunately, there was a lot more we couldn’t get, deposited by the record flooding on the Kickapoo in September. 

GROUNDWATER POLLUTION UPDATE  In October 2017, the Coulee Region Sierra Club hosted a standing room only forum on groundwater pollution in La Crosse county.  A county water task force was set up at the end of 2017 and they have recently released their findings and recommendations.

As reported in the La Crosse Tribune on October 15, the team found that, “Much of the groundwater in the towns of Onalaska and Holland contains nitrate levels considered unsafe for human consumption, with the threat especially high for infants and pregnant women.”

The task force recommends further study, better eduction of residents about the need for proper water filtration systems, better zoning and enforcement, possible re-purposing of currently farmed land, and pursuing local and state legislation to further protect groundwater.

Also in October, three southwest Wisconsin counties (including Grant, a Coulee Region group county) agreed to help fund a new study of private wells to determine the amount and sources of contamination. Well water pollution is among the top issues of residents there.

Groundwater pollution and protecting the state’s water resources is one of the John Muir Chapter’s highest priorities and there is a state water team working to coordinate efforts around the state to help communities protect clean water resources. If you would like to be on the state Sierra Club water team, please call (608) 256-0565 or email cassandra.steiner@sierraclub.org.Also, see facebook.com/WisconsinWaterSentinels/

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS  Again this year, the Coulee Region Sierra Club is offering grants of up to $200 for environmental  education projects involving young people at the elementary and middle school level.

The application and more detalis are available at tinyurl.com/crscedugrantapp OR email crsierraclub at gmail and we can mail you an application. The application deadline is JANUARY 5, 2019. Please spread the word about this opportunity available to those in Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau and Vernon counties. You may also complete the online application form.

SIERRA CLUB 2019 CALENDARS  Again this year, your purchase of Sierra Club calendars will benefit our club and environmental programs and protection activities. The calendars cost $14.95 for the wall  calendar and $15.95 for the engagement book.

Get your calendar at our December gathering or order from Maureen Kinney: 608 784-9324/784-5678 or email maureen @ johnsflaherty.com. SIERRA CLUB NOTE AND HOLIDAY CARDS are available at store.sierraclub.org/calendars--cards-c28.aspx

Thank you Sue Knopf for editing and publishing the October issue of the Coulee Region Sierra Club newsletter!
 

COULEE REGION GROUP BOARD ELECTIONS  We are seeking candidates to run for the Coulee Region Group board of directors! Board members will try to attend monthly meetings - in person or by phone or computer - and work to forward the goals of our club in the community. It would be fantastic if we could add some board members from counties outside La Crosse. Each area in our group has important issues and concerns (and potential programs and outings) and we would like to make sure all important matters are included in our program and event planning.

We will put a ballot in the December newsletter. If you are interested in serving on the board, please complete the online form at tinyurl.com/crscboardform OR call Pat at 608 788-8831 with your name, contact info, county of residence, and a brief description of your experience and interests demonstrating why you would like to serve on the board. 

LA CROSSE COUNTY NATURE GUIDE  The La Crosse County Nature Connections program has developed a one-stop electronic resource for connecting with nature in La Crosse County. This electronic Nature Guide aims to make outdoor, nature-rich places in La Crosse County easier to discover.

The Guide's interactive map allows you to search outdoor places by location with a specific page for each trail, identifying access points, directions, parking, and trail terrain and difficulty. A unique feature of the Guide is a biodiversity rating for each area (variety of different types of life throughout a given environment) and a listing of dominant features (i.e. scenic overlook) expected in each location.

NOVEMBER 14 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPEN HOUSE  Please join the City of La Crosse Muncipal Transit Utility (MTU) for an evening of information, tours, free bus rides, and a celebration of Public Transportation! The OPEN HOUSE will be held on Wednesday, November 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Transit Center, 314 Jay Street. Please call 608-789-7350 with questions.

The private vehicle is a household’s largest contributor to greenhouse gases. By taking existing public transportation instead of driving a car, an individual can reduce annual carbon emissions by an average of 4,800 pounds, (tinyurl.com/apta-businfo), A strong public transportation system is good for the environment.

NOVEMBER 7 RESILIENCE AND EQUITY SYMPOSIUM  Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. This Novmber 7 symposium (8 am at the Lunda Center) will examine how these inequalities affect the entire community, what are the costs, how do land use and other policies contribute, and how to support local organizations and initiatives addressing these equity issues. Registration is $30 per person and includes breakfast. See tinyurl.com/resilequity

 

Arrive Together: Transportation Equity and Access

On Tuesday, the Sierra Club and our partners will release Arrive Together: Transportation Access and Equity in Wisconsin, a first-of-its-kind report that shows how people’s needs are not being met by the state’s transportation system. The report examines the effectiveness of public transit access to major employers and other areas of interest in nine cities and regions across Wisconsin, including La Crosse.

Community members, local leaders, and report authors will give an overview of La Crosse’s transit system, and transit riders will share their personal experiences and challenges using the transit system. With the growing recognition of the challenges in the state’s transportation system, the report’s analysis offers insight into the problems and solutions available to better connect people to opportunity.
Join us for the release and hear from transit riders, report authors, and more.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23

10:00 a.m.

Grand River Station Transit Center

Third & Jay Streets