May Newsletter

 

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 5 p.m.  Kane Street Garden - Why We Need Local Food Systems     Local food production can reduce carbon emissions and alleviate food insecurity. The Kane Street Community Garden has produced an average of 30,000 pounds of healthy, organic produce per year since its founding in 1998. Under the direction of the garden staff, hundreds of volunteers help with weeding, watering, planting, and harvesting each season.

We’ll volunteer for an hour and then, CRSC member, Todd Huffman, who recently retired as the Kane Street Garden Coordinator, will tell us more about the garden and its importance in the community.

The garden is accessible via the #5 MTU bus. If you would like to carpool, please use the groupcarpool.com site. Please wear appropriate clothing. In case of rain, we will skip the volunteering and go straight to the program. For more information about the garden, please visit LaCrosseHTF.org/The-Kane-Street-Community-Garden

MAY 7 MIGRATORY BIRD DAY     May 7 is World Migratory Bird Day. Land use changes and the climate crisis are threatening vulnerable migratory birds. It’s important for us to learn about how we can protect these beautiful fellow travelers.

The Mississippi Valley Conservancy will host a Mother’s Day Migratory Bird Hike on May 7 at Sugar Creek Bluff near Ferryville. You must register in advance at tinyurl.com/MVC-0507Birds  The La Crosse Audubon Society will host a Migratory Bird Day event at the Myrick Park Center from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. including a bird-banding demonstration, bird walks at 6:30 and 9:30 a.m., bird-related activities for kids, and more. See couleeaudubon.org/html/events.html

CELEBRATE WISCONSIN MAY 17     Celebrate Wisconsin food, drink, and grassroots activism at the Wisconsin Sierra Club’s annual virtual house party, Locally Grown, Nationally Known. Special guests Diane and Kevin Cain, from Cain’s Orchards in Hixton, will talk about running a sustainable orchard and protecting nature and wildlife. Attendance is free, but donations will be welcomed throughout the evening.  Learn more at tinyurl.com/WISC-LGNK22

APRIL EARTH FAIR     We hope you had an opportunity to spend Earth Day appreciating our amazing natural world and considering how we can do more to protect the precious Earth we all call home. In La Crosse, CRSC tabled at the April 24 Earth Fair with information about our programs, events, activism, and priorities. In addition, the National Sierra Club sponsored more than 200 Drive Electric Earth Day events around the country including one in Viroqua and one at the La Crosse Earth Fair. In addition to electric bikes and cars, the new La Crosse electric bus was on display. Within about a year, the buses will be fueled by electricity generated from methane gas from the city’s wastewater treatment plant. 

HIGHWAY CLEANUP     By Pat Wilson     The Coulee Region Group contributed to the Earth Fair Marsh Cleanup by doing the spring cleaning on our adopted roadway--River Valley Drive. We had a great turnout enabling us to cover almost the entire section. We collected 21 bags of trash plus two tires. The photo shows just part of the haul; there were six more bags that wouldn’t fit on the truck.

Thank you to the cleanup gang: Kathy Allen, Carol Miller, John Papenfuss, Nancy Hartje, Marty Sellers, Maureen Kinney, David Bange, and Bobbie and Pat Wilson.

Our next group cleanup will be in July.

SOLAR SCHOOLS BIKE TOUR      On Saturday, April 23, CRSC members joined students, parents, teachers, and others for a bike tour hosted by Solar on La Crosse Schools (SOLS). The tour began at Hamilton Elementary School which holds almost 100 kW of solar panels. The riders continued to City Hall to learn about the City’s climate action planning and how solar installations on public facilities help reduce carbon emissions. With a beautiful loop through the La Crosse River marsh, the group headed to Summit Environmental School, home of the first solar installation sponsored by SOLS, a stand-alone solar powered marquee sign. The final stop was Northside Elementary School, home of the next full solar installation expected to be completed later in the year. For more information about this initiative, visit SolarOnLaCrosseSchools.org.  

CLUB OPPORTUNITIES!     The Wisconsin Chapter Sierra Club is seeking two people to join its Executive Committee Board. This is an important leadership position that will help the club set priorities and policies. ExComm members attend monthly meetings (online option available) and should plan to join at least one of the chapter’s teams. For more information, please email us at CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call Pat at 608-788-8831.

Would you like to help lead official Sierra Club outings? The Wisconsin Chapter is offering online Outing Leader training over two days, May 18 and May 25. To become a leader, in addition to completing the two training sessions, you must co-lead an outing with a veteran leader and acquire Basic First Aid training (on your own). Sign up for the two training sessions at tinyurl.com/WISC-LeaderTraining. To learn more, please email us at CRSierraClub@gmail.com or contact Pat Wilson, a certified Sierra Club outings leader, at 608-788-8831. 

MORE MAY EVENTS

5/3: Wisconsin Chapter book club meeting about the book, Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food. 7 p.m. ONLINE Register: tinyurl.com/WISC-BookClub0522

5/3 and 5/10: Myrick Marsh Bird Walks at 6:30 a.m. Meet at head of main trail. couleeaudubon.org/html/events.html

5/5 and 5/12: Hixon Forest Bird Walk at 6:30 a.m. Meet at parking lot. couleeaudubon.org/html/events.html

5/6-8: High Cliff State Park Camp and Service Outing in Menasha. SIGN UP BY 5/3. tinyurl.com/HCSPOuting

5/7: Astronomy Day at Riverside Park in La Crosse 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m.  LCAAS.org

5/11: Wisconsin Chapter Virtual Volunteer Night 6:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/WISC-VolNite0522

5/11-14: Forest Management Tree Planting at Kickapoo Valley Reserve

5/14: Moonlight Hike, Wildcat Mountain State Park. 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Meet at amphitheather Parking Lot. dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/55976

5/14: Plant ID hike at Kickapoo Valley Reserve 9 am to noon KVR.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar

5/14: Wyalusing Birding Field Trip sponsored by the Coulee Region Audubon Society couleeaudubon.org/html/events.html

5/15 Total Lunar Eclipse viewing in La Crosse from 9 to 11 p.m. in Crowley Park, La Crosse.  LCAAS.org

5/18 “Reinventing Power” virtual film screening. 5:30 p.m.  tinyurl.com/WISC-PowerFilm

5/21: Bumblebee Conservation with Susan Carpenter 9:30 a.m. KVR.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar

For Wisconsin Chapter water outings, please visit tinyurl.com/WISC-WaterGroup

SUPPORT SCHOOL CLIMATE ACTION!     Local climate activists are pressing the La Crosse School District to create a climate action plan and commit to using 100% clean renewable energy by 2050 or sooner. Other schools in Wisconsin have taken these steps. It will ensure district plans do not increase carbon emissions or work against the city’s goals of reducing community emissions. If you live in the School District of La Crosse and have not yet signed the petition, please do so now at tinyurl.com/LaXSchools-ActOnClimate.

HELP with our newsletter! Write regular updates about environmental events and activities outside of La Crosse! Also, we are seeking one or two people to help put the newsletter together every month. Please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com

April Newsletter

 

LA CROSSE EARTH FAIR, APRIL 24  The Coulee Region Sierra Club will table at the La Crosse Earth Fair, Sunday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Myrick Park. If you are available to help, please email us at crsierraclub@gmail.com or call - 608-315-2693. We will supply all the materials, you let people know why you are a member of the club! Whether you can help for an hour or three hours or more or less, please volunteer to help out! Earth Fair: www.sustaininstitute.com/earthfairlacrosse

CONSERVATION CONGRESS, APRIL 11-14     The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) is a board of elected delegates from each county that gives input to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) and DNR on what priorities they should focus on. The WCC spring hearings will be ONLINE again this year. The survey about Wisconsin natural resources will be open from April 11-14, with questions covering areas such as wildlife, water, land use, and
recreation. There may even be Sierra Club-authored citizen resolutions introduced in your county! If citizen resolutions pass in a county, they move on to the statewide survey the following year. This year's survey will include questions about PFAS and wolf management. RSVP at tinyurl.com/22WisCongress to learn more.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES!     Drive Electric Earth Day (DEED) is a national campaign to share information about electric vehicles throughout the month of April. In addition to being better for the environment, electric vehicles are more fun to drive, more
convenient to fuel and less expensive to operate than gasoline vehicles. Drive Electric Earth Day is presented by Plug In America, the Electric Vehicle Association, the Sierra Club, and EVHybridNoire. There are at least two DEED events planned in the Coulee Region. On Saturday, April 16, learn more about EVs at the Viroqua Food Co-op, 609 North Main Street, between 8 a.m. and noon. See driveelectricearthday.org/event?eventid=3161 On Sunday,
April 24, visit the DEED event at the La Crosse Earth Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Myrick Park! Learn more at driveelectricearthday.org/event?eventid=3050

MARCH 15 WATER PROGRAM     We hope you enjoyed our March 15 online program about The Fight for Clean Water in Wisconsin. Thanks to our guests, Johnson Bridgwater of Wisconsin River Alliance and Jamie O’Neill of Viterbo University, we learned about the statewide Clean Water referendum movement and the March 25 Clean Water Symposium at Viterbo University.

There were several great questions from participants which prompted more details from our speakers on what actions state groups and individuals are taking to advocate for stronger water quality regulations and laws. If you missed the program, you can watch it online at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CRSierraClub/videos/4938740156216465

APRIL 5 ELECTION DAY     Election Day is Tuesday, April 5, but absentee ballots are being delivered now and absentee in person voting is underway. Learn what’s on your ballot and get more voting information at myvote.wi.gov or contact your municipal clerk for details. If you are voting an absentee ballot please make sure to sign and date the envelope and have a witness sign and fill in their address. You must return your own absentee ballot to your clerk’s office. Drop boxes are no longer an option. Do not mail your ballot after March 28.

LA CROSSE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN     Work by more than 50 community volunteers continues as the City of La Crosse creates a climate action plan under the guidance of paleBLUEdot llc. On March 23, a special banner inviting public input was unveiled followed by the first public input session of the process. More public sessions are planned, and a “Meeting in a Box” resource is available for groups who want to learn more and have meaningful input.

You can learn more about the process, share your climate story, get a schedule of upcoming input opportunities, and more at www.lacrosseclimateactionplan.org

HIGH SCHOOL AWARD DEADLINE EXTENDED!

AWARD AMOUNT INCREASED! ELIGIBILITY EXPANDED!

UPDATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON EARTH DAY
WITH APPLICATIONS DUE THIS SUMMER!

MORE DETAILS IN OUR MAY NEWSLETTER! 

DRIFTLESS AREA BIOBLITZ   Nature Challenge April 24 through September 30, 2022 Strive2ThriveCR.org/dabb

EARTH DAY 2022 - WATER ON THE RISE       Water and life are inextricably intertwined. Without access to adequate water, humanity suffers. Yet, water in extreme abundance can also become a destructive force. We invite you to join us as we explore these concepts and more during the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Earth Day 2022: Water on the Rise. This day-long community learning event, featuring both in-person and virtual experiences, will examine how communities across the globe are facing, responding to, and mitigating critical water issues. This event will be in partnership with Water@UW, which will continue the conversation on Friday, April 22, 2022, at the annual Water@UW Symposium. See speakers, sessions, and schedules at earthday.nelson.wisc.edu 

MORE APRIL EVENTS    
April 5: “Defending Water, Defending Life” with Dr. Al Gedicks 7 p.m. UWL Student Union Room 120  www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=26021

April 6: “Social Impacts of Environmental (In)Justice” 5:30 p.m. UWL Centennial Hall  www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=25987

April 6: “Envisioning Intersectional Environmental Justice in Urban America” 7 p.m. UWL Student Union  www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=26022

April 7: “Native Plants for Improving Stormwater” Register by 4/3  tinyurl.com/wild-stormwater

April 10: Cold whitewater paddling on the Black River from Hatfield to Halls Creek. 10 a.m. at Clayschool Rd.     www.blackrivercountry.net/event/the-friends-of-the-black-river-paddling-event/2022-04-10/

April 12: Cultural Coffee Hour: Environment at 5 p.m. ONLINE. www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=25674

April 13: Wolf Advocacy by Diane Cain of Hixton at Friends of the Black River meeting. 6:30 p.m. at Lunda Community Center, BRF  www.blackrivercountry.net/event/friends-of-the-black-river-april-meeting-the-hub-at-the-lunda-community-center/

April 14: “Native Plants for Outdoor Air Quality” Register by 4/11  tinyurl.com/wild-stormwater

April 14: What is clean water worth?  6 p.m. UWL Centennial Hall   www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=26006

April 20: “Year of the Electric Vehicle” Noon to 1 p,m, and EV show 1 to 1:30 English Lutheran Church, La Crosse  www.interfaithleaders.org/

April 20: “Two American Families” film screening 5:30 p.m. Online tinyurl.com/WISC-2Fams

April 20: “Climate Change and the Pursuit of Truth in a Post-Truth World” 6:30 p.m. Kickapoo Valley Reserve  http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar

April 21: “Native Plants for Outdoor Air Quality” Register by 4/11  tinyurl.com/wild-stormwater

April 22: Protect the Future rally and press conference  at noon. Weigent Park, La Crosse  secure.every action.com/X6sFYvSoIE2g55INxeAqTg2

April 22-30: International Dark-Sky Week    idsw.darksky.org

April 23: Solar on La Crosse Schools bike ride. Start at Hamilton Elementary School, 1111 7th St. S. at noon.  www.solaronlacrosseschools.org/solar-on-schools-bike-tour/

April 23: Clark County River Cleanup, Listeman Park, E. 15th St. Black River Falls from 8 to 11 a.m.   www.blackrivercountry.net/event/friends-of-the-black-river-hiking-events/2022-04-23/

April 30: Jackson County Forest cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon at Castle Mound parking lot.  www. blackrivercountry.net/event/friends-of-the-black-river-hiking-events/2022-04-23/

CRSC AT WATER SYMPOSIUM     Viterbo University sponsored the timely Agnes W. H. Tan Science Symposium at Viterbo last Friday – What’s in Our Drinking Water? Erin Brockovich did a presentation on personal empowerment and standing up for clean water on Thursday night, followed by a Friday morning keynote presentation by Jeannie Purchase, a 26-year-old woman who earned a PhD in engineering after observing the water problems in Flint, Michigan and Denmark, South Carolina. She now works for the Washington, DC water district, working on providing water there, including getting lead pipes replaced.

The Coulee Region Sierra Club had a booth at the event and made contact with students, adults, and other groups concerned with our water quality crisis. There were breakout sessions by experts on PFAS, nitrates, bacteria, salt, endocrine disrupters, and all of the above, along with a presentation on the challenge of supplying safe fresh water to the low income people of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The River Alliance of Wisconsin was there supporting their Clean Water Now for Wisconsin initiative to get a clean water referendum passed in every county in Wisconsin. Some presentations are available online at tinyurl.com/ViterboWater

ADVISORY WATER REFERENDUM ON LA CROSSE BALLOTS     Eau Claire and La Crosse County voters will find this advisory referendum question on their April 5 ballot:

    Shall the State of Wisconsin establish a right to clean water to protect human health,
    the environment, and the diverse cultural and natural heritage of Wisconsin?

LINE 5 COMMENTS     Since mid-December, the Wisconsin Sierra Club has encouraged people to send comments to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regarding the expansion of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline. The DNR has received more than  10,000 comments and they’ve extended the comment period deadline to April 15.

To learn more about the issue, please visit www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/line-5 and if you wish to comment, use this link: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/EIA/Enbridge.html

GET INVOLVED!     The Sierra Club is a grassroots movement. That means we rely on volunteers to make things happen. There are many ways Sierra Club members can get involved.

Help us produce the newsletter by reporting on events and issues in your community or volunteering to be the back up editor when needed.

Suggest ideas for programs, from speakers to places to visit. Attend our programs and events.

Attend a volunteer night. Volunteers help with graphics, writing articles, doing online work and more. The next Virtual Volunteer Night is online on April 13 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Register at tinyurl.com/WISC-04Vol

Help us table at the La Crosse Earth Fair on Sunday, April 24 at Myrick Park. It’s easy and fun.

Volunteer to join a Sierra Club team or be on a Sierra Club committee. Email us at CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693 to learn more!

APRIL 23 HIGHWAY CLEANUP     Our first highway cleanup of 2022 will be on Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. Meet at the pumping station near the intersection of River Valley Drive and Gillette. Gloves, bags, and vests provided.

March 15 - The Fight for Clean Water in Wisconsin

 

From nitrates and phosphorous to PFAS and lead,  contaminants in Wisconsin’s waters have become an
increasing threat to health, farms, businesses and wildlife.

Johnson Bridgewater, current organizer with River Alliance of Wisconsin and former director of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club, will talk about the statewide clean water referendum initiative and weigh in on recent developments regarding PFAS regulation in the state. 

Jamie O’Neill, Event Planner and Outreach Coordinator with the College of Engineering, Letters and Sciences at Viterbo University, will discuss the upcoming Agnes W.H. Tan Science Symposium (March 25) which will focus on clean water issues.

Register: tinyurl.com/CRSC-0315Water

The program is free and open to anyone.

March newsletter

MARCH 15 at 7 p.m. ONLINE - The Fight for Clean Water in Wisconsin with guests, Johnson Bridgewater, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Jamie O’Neill, Viterbo University.  From nitrates and phosphorous to PFAS and lead, contaminants in Wisconsin’s waters have become an increasing threat to health,farms, businesses and wildlife.Johnson Bridgewater, current organizer with River Alliance of Wisconsin and former director of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club, will talk about the statewide clean water referendum initiative and weigh in on recent developments regarding PFAS regulation in the state. Jamie O’Neill, Event Planner and Outreach Coordinator with the College of Engineering, Letters and Sciences at Viterbo University, will discuss the upcoming Agnes W.H. Tan Science Symposium (March 25) which will focus on clean water issues. Join this important online discussion by registering at https://tinyurl.com/CRSC-0315Water. The program is free and open to anyone.

MARCH 1 - THE BIG SHARE     Support the important work of the Wisconsin Sierra Club by participating in The Big Share on Tuesday, March 1. The Big Share, hosted by Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW), is an easy portal to supporting 70 state nonprofits dedicated to building an equitable and just community and protecting our environment. CSW and its members envision a future where all voices are heard, where we all have clean water and air, where all neighbors have access to family-supporting jobs, and all communities in Wisconsin are safe and thriving.

On Tuesday, March 1,  from 4 to 5 p.m., the Wisconsin Sierra Club will join with  partners and fellow Community Shares member groups to talk about collaborative efforts, including the environmental and social justice impacts of fossil fuel infrastructure and equity and access issues surrounding transportation policy in Wisconsin. Watch the livestreamed discussion  at www.facebook.com/events/1055416265325165

MARCH 25 SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM     Where does our drinking water come from and why does that matter? As contaminants are making their way into our drinking water, we are finding it hard to keep them out. With bottled water being less sustainable and also containing contaminants, we want to come together to learn the science behind how to keep our water clean. This symposium strives to empower attendees with scientific knowledge and inspire hopeful paths towards cleaner water.  The conference begins with a Thursday, March 24 talk by Erin Brockovich. There will be in-person and virtual options. Learn more at www.viterbo.edu/agnes-wh-tan-science-symposium

MARCH 15 DEADLINE FOR HIGH SCHOOL AWARD!     The Coulee Region Sierra Club seeks to promote environmental stewardship through enduring, fair, and equitable action. Protection of air, water, land, wildlife habitats, and the climate is a primary goal. CRSC believes that all people of all ages can help protect the natural environment for present and future generations through active engagement. New for 2021-2022, CRSC will recognize the achievements of and award $150 to a high school senior who demonstrates leadership, action, and environmental stewardship, and who understands the importance of civic engagement in protecting our environment.

Eligible students are those graduating from high school in 2022 who reside in the CRSC region: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties. The application includes essays and submission of a portfolio. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2022 with the award to be given by the end of April, 2022.

For more information and an application form, visit www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/education

Funding for these environmental grants and awards is possible thanks to an annual grant from the Paul E. Stry Foundation, shared dues from Sierra Club memberships, and donations made by community members. To learn more about donating, please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com.

MARCH 1: THE SALTY FACTS     UWL Students for Sustainability will host a March 1 program about salt pollution in surface water featuring Shawn Giblin, Wisconsin DNR, and Allison Madison, Wisconsin SaltWise at 7 p.m. on the UWL campus AND online. Join by zoom: Program ID 923 0299 3225 and password: saltyfacts

MORE MARCH EVENTS:
March 3: Women Supporting Mental Health training for Vernon, Crawford, and Grant county women hosted by Wisconsin Women in Conservation from 10 a.m. to noon online.   www.wiwic.org/upcoming-events

March 3: Restoring the Driftless - Science, Studies and Strategies for Improving Our Region’s Fisheries 9:40 a.m. tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Restoring-The-Driftless-Day-2-59832

March 3-5: Aldo Leopold Weekend including speakers and activities. Hosted by Mississippi Valley Conservancy www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events/aldo-leopold-weekend

March 10: Wisconsin Women in Conservation Educator Spring Meetup 10 a.m. online  www.wiwic.org/upcoming-events

March 10: “What IS a climate action plan?” at 6 p.m. online. Host: Citizen Action of Wisconsin Driftless Co-op  secure.everyaction.com/NIOwVs1WY0GeXLx7XJ_29w2

March 16: Clean Water Referendum at noon ONLINE  https://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishLutheran

March 24:  “What’s in our drinking water?” 7 pm ONLINE  www.viterbo.edu/agnes-wh-tan-science-symposium/symposium-schedule-and-presenters

March 27-30: National Bike Summit hosted by the League of American Bicyclists. Online option.  bikeleague.org/summit

CELEBRATING TED 22 WITH SMRT     By Barbara Richards, Viroqua     Transit Equity Day (TED) began in 2018 sponsored by The Labor Network for Sustainability (LNS) to promote transit options for environmental, economic, and accessibility reasons. TED is celebrated annually on February 4, the birthday of Rosa Parks who ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott in December, 1955.  SMRT is Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit which operates four commuter bus routes weekdays in Crawford, Vernon, Monroe and La Crosse Counties.

As a member of the Wisconsin Sierra Club’s Transportation Team I wanted to support TED 22.  I contacted the central office of SMRT and got a positive response from Charlie Handy.  I found a visual and some text on the LNS website, composed a poster, and had it printed and laminated at Proline Printers in Viroqua.  I ordered roses from Quillin’s to place on a bus seat with the poster on February 4. I also purchased a gift card for each of the five drivers as front-line worker “thank yous”.

The logistics were handled in a marvelous way.  My friend who lives in the same home as I uses SMRT for medical appointments in La Crosse and as a link to long distance bus and train routes in La Crosse.  She, being quite gregarious, has made friends with the drivers.  Carl, in particular, has become a good friend.  She decided to call him and let him know about the plans.  The result was that he stopped by our house the week before the event to discuss the logistics of getting roses and posters to each of the buses the morning of February 4.  We had a final meeting at the Running, Inc office in Viroqua.  They handle the day to day operation.

As my friend was traveling on February 4 she was able to share in the experience directly and hear the driver, Carl, giving information to passengers about the special day as they boarded.

I was also able to have some schedules printed at Running, Inc for a poster display at the Viroqua Co-op and also on the electronic bulletin board at the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua.

TRANSIT EQUITY DAYS IN LA CROSSE     La Crosse celebrated five days of talking and thinking about transit equity from January 31 through February 4. A coalition of groups including Coulee Region Sierra Club, La Crosse Area Transit Advocates, and the La Crosse MTU hosted educational displays, media events, a collection of riders’ stories, and “Ride with Your Rep” ride-alongs to help elected officials learn more about how public transportation is an important tool in the goal of increasing equity and decreasing carbon emissions. Thanks to La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds and La Crosse County for releasing proclamations in support of Transit Equity Day and the City of La Crosse for its resolution of support.

Statewide, the Wisconsin Sierra Club worked with the state Coalition for More Responsible Transportation and the AARP  to plan and prepare actions including a Transit Equity Day proclamation from Governor Tony Evers. Regionally, CMRT partners met with other transit advocates from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan through the RE-AMP Network And all groups worked under the founding organization - the Labor Network for Sustainability.

If your city, town, or county would like to organize TED events in 2023, email crsierraclub@gmail.com.

AN INVITATION TO GET INVOLVED     If you can help with any of these upcoming or on-going projects, email  crsierraclub@gmail.com

Staff a CRSC table at the La Crosse Earth Fair on April 24 any time between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Report on environmental activities and events in your community for our newsletter.

Help produce the newsletter or be a back-up editor as needed.

SPRING ELECTIONS     The spring non-partisan election will be held on Tuesday, April 5, but in many communities, absentee-in-person voting will start March 21. Your in-person absentee voting locations and dates are based on where you live and what your municipal clerk’s office offers. View your options at myvote.wi.gov.where you can also check your registration and learn what’s on your ballot. In some communities, a referendum on clean water will be on the ballot. Remember, that DROP BOXES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE SPRING 2022 ELECTION. If you have questions, contact your local municipal clerk.

February Newsletter

 Sorry for the delay!

On February 4, a network of transit rider unions, community organizations, environmental groups and labor unions celebrate Transit Equity Day–a national day of action to commemorate the birthday of Rosa Parks by declaring that public transit is a civil right. We make the connection to this act of resistance to highlight the rights of all people to high-quality public transportation run on clean/renewable energy.

The Wisconsin Sierra Club and other members of the Coalition for More Responsible Transportation will highlight the importance of strong state and local support for public transit, a powerful tool in the effort to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. The club’s 2018 white paper, “Arrive Together: Transportation Access and Equity in Wisconsin,” notes that state funding for public transportation has remained minimal and flat as money for large projects, like the billion-dollar I-94 expansion in Milwaukee, and debt service has risen. www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/arrive-together-transportation-access-and-equity-wisconsin

From January 31 through February 4 in La Crosse, the Coulee Region Sierra Club will join La Crosse Area Transit Advocates, the La Crosse MTU and others in hosting educational displays at the La Crosse Public Library and Grand River Transit Center, collecting transit riders’ stories, hosting Ride with Your Rep ride-alongs, thanking essential transit workers, helping first-time riders, and more. https://tinyurl.com/LaXTED2022

On February 4, Coulee Region Sierra Club members in the Viroqua area will celebrate Transit Equity Day with a display of support for public transit at Running, Inc., 318 West Decker St., which operates several  transit services in smaller Wisconsin communities, including Viroqua Cab, a shared-ride taxi service. Running is also the operator of the Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) buses connecting Viroqua, Prairie du Chien, Tomah, La Crosse and other communities in the region.

Learn more about Transit Equity Day and events at www.labor4sustainability.org/transit-equity-2022

February 10 at 7 p.m.  Update on CAFO permits with guests from Kewaunee Cares and Midwest Environmental Advocates Hosted by Fox Valley Group Register: tinyurl.com/0210-CAFOUpdate    Learn the latest about the fight for clean water and the legal issues surrounding proposed expansion of Kinnard Farm n Kewaunee County. Learn about the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision about DNR permitting and monitoring of potential water polluters. Invited guests include Lynn Utesch of Kewaunee Cares and Adam Voskull, Midwest Environmental Advocates. This event is hosted by the Fox Valley Group. 

FEBRUARY 2 - REJECT LINE 5 PUBLIC HEARING     The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Enbridge Energy’s controversial plan to construct a new segment of the Line 5 oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin. Under state law, the draft EIS must contain information about how the project would impact people, natural resources, and the economy.

We know that if built, Line 5 could lead to catastrophic damage to local communities, lands, and waterways, including Lake Superior. Tar sands are also the dirtiest form of energy on the planet, and would wreak havoc on our climate at a time when we need to be transitioning away from the fossil fuel industry, not investing in it.

The DNR is taking comments on the draft EIS and will host a public hearing on February 2. This is a critical time period to demonstrate the broad range of concerns around the pipeline. This is your opportunity to tell the DNR that the Line 5 pipeline jeopardizes our waterways, undermines Bad River's decision not to allow Enbridge in the watershed, and threatens our climate.

You must RSVP with the DNR to get the Zoom link! RSVP here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CzO_Cc1KSjGp0Sqijzt5OA

La Crosse School Board Primary     “Small” elections matter. There are eight candidates running for three seats on the La Crosse School Board. A February 15 primary will narrow the field to six. Absentee voting  has started. It is very important to know who you are voting for and what their priorities are. The La Crosse Tribune has published candidate survey responses that can be found at their website. Club members and other environmentalists are encouraged to participate in the political process by learning about candidates and voting in every election.

Government and Environment     On January 20, Sierra Club members from across the state tuned in for an online discussion of government and the environment in Wisconsin with Sarah Godlewski and Tia Nelson. The two are connected by their service on the state’s Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL). As State Treasurer, Sarah currently has a seat on the Board and has been its chair since 2019, while Tia served as the BCPL’s Executive Secretary from 2004 through 2015. Tia resigned from her position shortly after the Commissioners banned employees from discussing climate change while working; Sarah’s first action as Chair of the BCPL was to lift that ban.

The conversation, moderated by Coulee Region group chair Kathy Allen, ranged from clean energy and the importance of forests to clean water and environmental justice. Common themes were holding corporations responsible for their environmental impacts, the importance of local government action, and the value of public advocacy.

Sarah shared the work that the BCPL has done to protect the state's forests and, more recently, to help municipalities transition to clean energy. Tia talked about how things have changed (or stayed the same) within the environmental movement. With regards to equity and justice, she feels the environmental movement "has taken too long to address issues of disparity in how pollution has affected poorer communities in this country, but I'm heartened by the resonance and strength of that movement today." Both speakers are hopeful that government can make progress in improving environmental quality - to hear what gives them hope, watch the recording at www.youtube.com/c/SierraClubWisconsin/featured.

Climate Action Plan Program     Thank you to Ted Redmond of paleBLUEdot llc, the consultant working with the City of La Crosse on its climate action plan. Ted was guest speaker at the CRSC January 25 online program, “What IS a climate action plan?” He explained the process in general terms, shared tools and plans they use, and invited audience members to get involved. There is a “Meeting in a Box” tool available at the web page to empower community groups, businesses, or residents to host their own climate action plan listening session. Learn more and sign up at www.lacrosseclimateactionplan.org/about There is also a survey:  www.lacrosseclimateactionplan.org/survey and anyone who lives in, visits, or does business in La Crosse may complete it.

The program was recorded and may be viewed at tinyurl.com/CRSCCAP0125

FEBRUARY EVENTS:

February 2: “Climate Disruption Locked In - The Next Moves Will Be Crucial” at 7 p.m. online. Hosted by the Chippewa Valley Group tinyurl.com/CVSCClimate0202

February 3: Virtual Volunteer Fair online from 6:30 p.m. How do your passions and skills fit with Sierra Club needs? https://tinyurl.com/WISCVolFair0203

February 4:  9th Annual Perennial Farm Gathering online 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.savannainstitute.org/perennial-farm-gathering/

February 5: Black River Forest Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe 5:30 p.m. Smrekar Parking Lot, four miles east of Millston off County Road O. dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/51421

February 9: Wisconsin Sierra Club Virtual Volunteer Night at 6:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/WISCVolNite0209

February 9: “Millston Cranberry Research Center” hosted by Friends of the Black River at 6:30 p.m. at The Hub, Lunda Community Center, 405 State Highway 54, Black River Falls www.blackrivercountry.net/event/friends-of-the-black-river-meeting/

February 12: Valentine’s Snowshoe Hike at 10 a.m. Trailhead kiosk next to Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, 3060 S. Kinney Coulee Rd, Onalaska. ***REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 9 *** at this website: mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events/valentines-snowshoe-hike-1

February 12: Wyalusing State Park Candlelight Hike 5:30 p.m. Start at Wyalusing Observatory.  dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/51581

February 17: Wisconsin Farmers Union Virtual Farm and Rural Lobby Day tinyurl.com/WFULobbyDay22

February 21: African American Environmental Pioneer Awards at 6:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/AAEPA0221

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT     Each February, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over four days, people spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find. Their observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one o f their annual migrations. This year’s Great Backyard Bird Count will take place from February 18 through 21. Learn more at www.birdcount.org

Climate Interviews  By Adrian Cuff

I have interviewed several people with differing opinions and ages. In this final interview, I will be interviewing myself, and wrapping this interview series up.

What is your opinion on the climate crisis, and what is the best thing that can be done to fix the crisis?

I am a complete believer in climate change and the terrible crisis that everyone is living with every day. Even before I came to UWL and started my minor in Environmental Studies, I had a strong belief in climate change. Now at the end of my minor, I have realized so much more, and why humans need to make changes fast before it is too late. It is depressing sometimes seeing the bad things happening in the news, and realizing how bad the mess is, but I do have faith that we will turn this around. Everyday new technology is being invented and being produced that will make an impact on our future.

One thing that really stands out to me is the creation of the internet. No would ever imagine in a million years that the internet would exist and would be this popular when it came out. That is a perfect example of something new that came into our lives out of nowhere and has changed the world forever. Now we can’t just rely on a savior of technology to show up tomorrow. Humans need to start making changes to lower our carbon footprint and lower our resource consumption. Another thing that is a necessary change is power production. The U.S. is already on the right path in this category and has shut down over half the country’s coal power plants. Power production is one of the biggest polluters in the U.S., and the only move is to switch to clean energy. I wish I had all the answers to fix this problem that has been ignored for many years, but I do not. I will still be doing my part in trying to keep my carbon footprint low and will pass on the message to others about the crisis. The only way to beat this issue is to work together. It will not be easy, but if we all work together, anything is possible.

Overall, the goal of the interviews was to show the readers that even though it seems like the crisis is not being heard and no one cares, there is hope, and people, of varying ages and backgrounds, do know about the crisis. Were there some radical ideas? Yes. But, not everyone is going to have the same opinions/ideas and that is the beauty of humans - that we are all different and think differently.
 
HIGH SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD     The Coulee Region Sierra Club seeks to promote environmental stewardship through enduring, fair, and equitable action. Protection of air, water, land, wildlife habitats, and the climate is a primary goal. CRSC believes that all people of all ages can help protect the natural environment for present and future generations through active engagement. New for 2021-2022, CRSC will recognize the achievements of and award $150 to a high school senior who demonstrates leadership, action, and environmental stewardship, and who understands the importance of civic engagement in protecting our environment.

Eligible students are those graduating from high school in 2022 who reside in the CRSC region: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties. The application includes essays and submission of a portfolio. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2022 with the award to be given by the end of April, 2022.

For more information and an application form, visit www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/education

Funding for these environmental grants and awards is possible thanks to an annual grant from the Paul E. Stry Foundation, shared dues from Sierra Club memberships, and donations made by community members. To learn more about donating, please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com.

MARCH 15 PROGRAM ON CLEAN WATER NOW     The Coulee Region Sierra Club will host an online program on clean water issues and the move to pass clean water resolutions in many Wisconsin counties at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15. Guests will be Johnson Bridgewater, an organizer with River Alliance of Wisconsin, who has been working on the “Clean Water Now” referendum campaign and Jamie O’Neill who is helping to organize a water symposium at Viterbo University and who serves on the La Crosse County Board.

This program is earlier in the month than our normal meeting time. More details, including registration link and information about speakers, will be published in our March newsletter.

Comment on WisDOT 2050 Transportation Plan

  Cross-posted from La Crosse Area Transit Advocates.

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease." 

The recent surprise announcement by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation--that it will drop its decades-long push to build a new highway through the marsh--does give hope that constant, relentless, uncompromising noisy advocacy can make a difference.

Without scrutiny and comment, projects are in the pipeline that will continue down the path of inequity, wasteful spending, unhealthy priorities, and environmental degradation. And, often, you must comment decades before a project's inadequacies are revealed, because the process is so compartmentalized and circuitous, that something decided in 1998 cannot be undone or fixed in 2023 when it is unveiled for a final review. 

Now is the time to comment on plans being made by the Wisconsin DOT for 2050. This is from Mary Pustejovsky, a Wisconsin transportation equity advocate. 

I wanted to remind everyone that Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is collecting comments on their draft 2050 plan.The website is here:

https://connect2050.wisconsindot.gov/plan

The last day to submit comments is January 24th, so there is not much time.  I am sharing my comments here in case anyone wants talking points. There is a lot more that could be said, and your comments would be helpful. The more voices they hear, the better. If it's not obvious from my comments, I think the plan is more of the same that we've gotten from them for years. It's time for them to do better.

--------------------

My comments: 

As a citizen of Wisconsin, I welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the Connect 2050 plan.

Goal 4 states that “The department will continue to prioritize reducing congestion”. A few things: it was *not* a priority from looking at most of the comments from Wisconsites all over the state. The most common priority was “alternatives to driving”, with 700 comments mentioning it, more than any other comment type (https://connect2050.wisconsindot.gov/outreach). It’s embarrassing that WisDOT states its priority is to reduce congestion yet ignores the cheapest option: reducing vehicle miles traveled. When people have alternatives to driving alone, congestion decreases. Yet in your own documents, you show VMT continuing to go up! At least Minnesota DOT has made decreasing VMT a priority. Wisconsin should look to their plans, as our states are similar and have similar challenges.

Also on the interactive website, when selecting Goal 4, then Mobility, you tout “what we are doing now” by presenting a bicycle plan from 1998. REALLY? A 23 year old plan is what you are doing now? You should be ashamed of yourselves. It would have been better not to show it at all because it shows how little you are doing for people outside of motor vehicles.

For Objective 8b: Prioritize emissions reduction and alternative fuels to improve air quality.

Again, WisDOT ignores the most straightforward way to do this: reduce VMT. With fewer miles traveled, emissions go down, and air quality improves. Even electric vehicles won’t save us as they have tires that turn into micro particles that pollute our water (https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1131916_report-microplastic-pollution-from-vehicle-tires-is-a-serious-global-issue).

WisDOT states “Balance transportation needs with those of the natural environment, socioeconomic, historic and cultural resources.” Yet the federal guideline states: “Protect and *enhance* the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and state and local planned growth and economic development patterns.”

WisDOT’s statement is NOT actually what the federal guideline calls for. What does “balance” mean here? If vehicular delay is reduced by 1 minute is that a “good balance” with the environment? It is so vague as to be meaningless, and allows for vehicular delay to be seen as equivalent with our need for a livable planet.

Federal guideline: 8. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.

WisDOT:

• Pursue continuous improvement and expand data-driven decision-making processes.

• Maximize technology benefits.

This is NOT the same! WisDOT should be focused on repairing existing systems rather than expanding them. We do not have infinite money, and we need to keep our existing system in good repair. Even WisDOT states that it’s important to pay attention to funding sources (goal 1).

Your section on safety is disappointing. You use the talk of Vision Zero “zero traffic deaths” and “5 Es” yet you don’t seem to properly understand them, nor how they work in a hierarchy. The standard 5 Es are: Evaluation, Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Encouragement. Some have swapped out Enforcement for Equity because it has been well established that the current system of traffic enforcement in our country can result in discriminatory outcomes. Still, I have NEVER seen anyone state that EMS or “Everyone” is part of the 5 Es. It is a complete abdication of your responsibility as a state transportation department to say that “everyone” is responsible. You continue to design roads that encourage speeding. You prevent ENGINEERING changes to East Washington in Madison that would provide more safety on a road where multiple people are killed each year. Yet “everyone” is responsible? That is some next level gaslighting, or maybe you truly are that oblivious to transportation research on appropriate traffic engineering measures that have measurable impact in reducing road violence. 

Your idea of safety is laughable. You state that you want to decrease traffic deaths, yet your own GOALS for 2021 were *higher* than 2020! Your scorecard (https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/about-wisdot/performance/mapss/scorecard.pdf)  stated that the goal for traffic crashes was 127,892. In the same line it states that 2020 was 114,697.  I realize that this 2050 plan does not have individual metrics, which will be found in other plans, but you can see why I am skeptical of your “goals” and “objectives”. Your goals clearly state that you will do worse than before, then if you come in under your absurdly high goal, you will get a green arrow showing what a good job you’ve done. This is unconscionable.

Finally, the second most common comment was around funding. As I’ve mentioned previously, decreasing VMT is the fastest, cheapest way to ensure that our roads are able to last longer and stay in good condition. The next area that needs to be explored and proposed by WisDOT to the legislature is increasing fees based on vehicle weight. Any engineer will tell you that more weight causes more road damage. It is simple physics. As people switch to (heavy) EVs that do not pay gas tax, they need to pay for their use of the road. As drivers choose heavier vehicles such as oversive SUVs, they need to pay for the damage they do to roads. France is doing this and it is one of the only ways to make it fair for all road users. People who do more damage to the road need to pay for funding the improvements. It is as simple as that. This needs to be considered in all your discussions around fiscal responsibility (ie Goal 1).

Join us - What IS a Climate Action Plan?

What is a CLIMATE ACTION PLAN?
(and why do we need one?)
Tuesday, January 25 at 7 p.m.  ONLINE
with guest, Ted Redmond, paleBLUEdot llc

In 2019, the City of La Crosse passed a “Ready for 100” resolution pledging to cut carbon emissions to zero and transition to 100% renewable energy community-wide by 2050. Now, the city is working on  a plan to reach those goals.

Ted Redmond is co-founder of paleBLUEdot, llc, a consulting firm which helps local governments, community organizations, and businesses understand and  improve their climate resilience through climate planning.

Ted will talk to us about what a climate action plan is? Who is making climate action plans and why they are important? What is included in the process? How organizations, businesses, governments and individuals can get started and get involved. A brief Q&A session will end the program.

Please register for the event at tinyurl.com/CRSC012522

Questions? Email CRSierraClub@gmail.com