November Newsletter

 

NOVEMBER 6 CHAPTER AWARDS WATCH PARTY from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at La Crosse People's Food Co-op, 315 Fifth Ave. S. tinyurl.com/WISCAwardsWatch25 or 608-315-2693

Connect, network, and celebrate the individuals and organizations that help the Sierra Club work toward a cleaner, more equitable, more sustainable world! Special guests, 2025 Community Steward Award recipient, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the live stream will start at 6. Refreshments provided (purchase your own beverage if you wish). We’ll be at the People’s Food Co-op Community Room (second floor), 315 Fifth Avenue South. PFC is two blocks from the MTU Transit Center. Or, consider offering rides through our Awards Watch carpool event: https://groupcarpool.com/t/g3phk6

FREE and open to all - you don’t need to be a Sierra Club member to attend! Please RSVP to help us plan refreshments - visit tinyurl.com/WISCAwardsWatch25 or call 608-315-2693.
You can also stream the program from home. Visit tinyurl.com/WISC25Awards.

NOVEMBER 21 - CRSC ACTION GATHERING     Join CRSC members and friends on Friday, November 21 for our last Action Gathering of the year! Did you know that communities who get most of their power from solar energy report fewer asthma attacks, clearer skies, and quieter neighborhoods? Yet fossil fuel interests and the Trump administration are spending millions to slow clean energy progress and protect polluter profits. Now more than ever, we must demand a just transition to a healthy clean energy future. 

That's why this month, we'll come together to defend our clean energy future. We'll learn how we can stem the tide against fossil fuels and build a clean energy economy.
You do not need to be a Sierra Club member to participate! All are welcome! Please RSVP to help us plan for pizza and materials (but not required). Call 608-315-2693 or visit https://forms.gle/ndto4YZgytvz9TS9A

CRSC ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT APPLICATIONS     Every year, the Coulee Region Sierra Club offers grants of up to $200 each for environmental education programming for students in grades K through 8. Teachers, schools, and programs that serve students in the eight-county CRSC area (Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties) are eligible to apply. The deadline will be January 2, 2026.
CRSC hopes to promote student exploration, protection, and enjoyment of the natural environment. 

Projects must:

• Provide hands-on experience for students to learn about and explore the natural environment.
• Promote a world which allows all life forms to live and prosper.
• Show students that they can make a difference in their environment, whether rural or urban.
• Be completed within the school year.  A follow-up report will be due upon completion.
• Grant recipients will be asked to  
• Take pictures and write an article for the CRSC newsletter
• Be open to making a presentation to at a local Sierra Club meeting
• Be accessible to local media if publicity is desired

Visit https://sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/education or email CRSierraClub@gmail.com for more information.

CRSC BOARD ELECTIONS     Elections for the Coulee Region Sierra Club Board will be in December. New terms begin in 2026. Terms are two years. The board meets monthly and plans club activities and events. If you are interested in serving on the board, please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com OR call or text 608-315-2693 by November 10 with your name and a statement about why you are interested and your pertinent experience. If you need more information before deciding, please email, call, or text us. Members will get voting instructions, by email or postcard, later in November with online voting available from November 20 through December 22 and a paper ballot, to print out and mail, in the December newsletter.

OCTOBER REPORT     On September 30, CRSC hosted a Transit 2 Trails event as part of Week Without Driving that also celebrated public lands. About a dozen people caught the Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) bus in La Crosse and rode to Coon Valley where we met up with CRSC and Coon Creek Community Watershed Council, Inc. member, Chelsey Myhre-Foster, and with Emje McCarty, artist and author, and the council’s sustainability coordinator. 

During our bus trip we talked about the SMRT and La Crosse County’s intention to discontinue it at the end of the year. In Coon Valley, Emje hosted a walking tour of her sustainable food-forest-in-progress yard, and talked about how flooding has affected the community and homeowners. Then we toured Coon Valley Veterans Memorial Park, with its mile of paved trail that connects to accessible fishing pads. We lunched in a park shelter and talked more about the watershed, flooding issues, and public transit. Thank you Chelsey and Emje for taking time to teach, share, and guide us! 

If you missed our October Action Gathering on protecting our communities from climate change's "unnatural" disasters, you can watch the issue briefing video clips on our youtube page (https://youtu.be/cKz1lOf8yJ0), then sign and share the Sierra Club petitions below! You can also download a handout about preparing a "go bag" in case of emergencies here: https://www.sierraclub.org/emergency-go-bag.

sc.org/MakePollutersPay petition
sc.org/ProtectFEMA petition

SOLAR ON LA CROSSE SCHOOLS     A group with roots in the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 and Clean Energy School Districts initiatives has successfully helped the La Crosse School District install solar on four schools. Celebrating its final large array installation on October 24 at Southern Bluffs Elementary School, Solar on La Crosse Schools (SOLS) passed the solar torch to the district which has pledged to continue installing solar on its other schools. The group’s renewable energy education component will be taken over by the School District and the Nature Place. The District will still accept donations toward future solar installations through the La Crosse Public Education Foundation at https://lacrosseeducationfoundation.org/what-we-do/solar/  A group with roots in the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 and Clean Energy School Districts initiatives has successfully helped the La Crosse School District install solar on four schools. Celebrating its final large array installation on October 24 at Southern Bluffs Elementary School, Solar on La Crosse Schools (SOLS) passed the solar torch to the district which has pledged to continue installing solar on its other schools. 
The group’s renewable energy education component will be taken over by the School District and the Nature Place. The District will still accept donations toward future solar installations through the La Crosse Public Education Foundation at https://lacrosseeducationfoundation.org/what-we-do/solar/  Learn more at https://solaronlacrosseschools.org.

SMRT BUS ALERT     The Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit system provides public transportation for La Crosse, Crawford, Monroe, and Vernon Counties with routes from La Crosse to Prairie du Chien, to Viroqua, and to Tomah. The system was started in December 2012. In 2019, La Crosse County took over administrative duties. A proposal has been made to the La Crosse County Board to cut the SMRT program at the end of 2025 citing low ridership and a budget deficit. This service offers vital links from rural areas to jobs, health care, education, social and recreational opportunities, and connections to Amtrak, the airport, and intercity bus service. The Sierra Club recognizes the importance of equitable access to public transportation, especially in rural areas. There is a public hearing on Thursday, November 6 at 4:30 p.m. at the La Crosse County Administrative Center, 7th and State Street. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/SaveTheSMRTpage. 

SHARE YOUR SOLAR STORY     Do you have a solar installation on your home or business? Would you like to help encourage others to take the solar plunge? We are collecting short videos for a virtual solar tour library. Virtual solar tour hosts will show their installation with a description of the details, share the installation experience, answer questions they had when they were deciding, and illustrate how adding solar has affected their energy use and costs. 
Hosts may share their decision process and any surprises (positive or negative). If they wish, they can agree to answer questions by email, phone, or in person from those who view their virtual tour. No experience is needed. If you want, we can send someone to interview your or you can do your own video. Be an influencer for the climate! Email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693 for more details.

LAST CALL FOR CALENDARS!     It’s calendar order time. Money we raise from calendar sales is used to help pay for our Environmental Education grants and the High School Environmental Stewardship awards. We have three wall calendars left ( $19 each). To order calendars, please email Maureen Kinney at Maureen@johnsflaherty.com or call 608-797-8442. 

CRSC BOARD MEETINGS     The CRSC board meets monthly on Zoom to plan campaigns and activities for our group. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings. If you would like to sit in on the next meeting, Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m., please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693 for access information.

MORE NOVEMBER EVENTS

• 11/ 1: Nature Saturday - Renewable Energy, 9:30 a.m. The Nature Place, Myrick Park https://tinyurl.com/tnp-111-energy
• 11/ 5: From Sea to Shining Sea - Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of America The Beautiful. Flm & discussion. 3 pm UWL Student Union Theater. https://www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=33217
• 11/ 5: Enviro Wednesdays at The Nature Place 7 pm. https://natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/enviro-wednesdays-3-2025-11-05/
• 11/ 5: Gary Eldred - Healing Wounds, Giving Back to Nature at 2:15, McIntosh Memorial Library, Viroqua. https://mcintoshmemoriallibrary.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=245521
• 11/ 6: Birds of Southern Wisconsin and the Impact of Development 7 pm Online. tinyurl.com/mvcswwibirds
• 11/ 8: Repair Cafe from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at La Crosse Public Library. https://www.lacrosselibrary.org/event/repair-cafe-42432
• 11/13: Music on the Marsh with Dom Flemons 6 pm at The Nature Place, Myrick Park. https://tinyurl.com/tnp-marshmusic
• 11/13: Indigenous Film Series - Sugarcane 5:30 Rivoli. https://www.lacrosselibrary.org/event/indigenous-film-series-sugarcane-44037
• 11/14: Conservation Close to Home Fall Fundraiser 5:30 pm Radisson Hotel https://tinyurl.com/mvcfall25fr
• 11/15: Prairie Restoration,  9 to noon, Boscobel Bluffs. https://tinyurl.com/mvcbbrestore
• 11/17: International Sister City Movie Night 5 pm Rivoli. https://www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=33141 
• 11/19: Dan Jackson - Bumble Bees of Wisconsin at 7 pm at The Nature Place. https://natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/free-bird-program-2025-09-17-2025-10-15-2025-11-19/

    

10/28: Protecting Public Water

PROTECTING PUBLIC WATERS 

October 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region

Registation required. 

Cameron Aker, Trout Unlimited's Engagement Coordinator, will talk about the geology, agricultural practices and cold-water resources in the Driftless Region and similar karst landscapes in Missouri. Like the Driftless Area, Missouri's Ozark region is characterized by thin topsoil and exhibits sinkholes, streams that sink into the ground and extensive caves.

Jim Larew is with Driftless Water Defenders, a group that started in Iowa and and is shaking up the water world there. Driftless Water Defenders is a non-profit Iowa environmental law and advocacy organization founded in May 2024 and focused on reducing farm-related water pollution and pollution-caused threats to public health in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa, and statewide. The DWD got started because some Iowans decided enough is enough, and it’s time to confront head-on industrialized agriculture’s assault on our water resources.

CAFO Alert!

From Crawford Stewardship:

BACKGROUND

In July 2025 Crawford County received two permit applications for two new large hog operations. In the applications the two operations are named Gruber Livestock North and Gruber Livestock South, they are of identical design, located neighboring each other, and list two separate owners who live in the same Illinois county just south of Chicago and who appear to work at the same culinary sourcing company.​ 

Each of the two permit applications is for 999.6 animal units (AU). This is notable because 1,000 AU is the threshold for more stringent state oversight from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Operations between 500-999 AU are overseen by the county.  The CSP report explains that 1999.2 AU is roughly equivalent to the combined weight of 12,103 people, which is roughly equivalent to the population of Platteville.

The report is available here on the CSP website, with a button at the end to download a printable PDF version.

INFORMATION & DEADLINES 

There is a virtual informational meeting to answer questions before the Monday/Tuesday comment period deadlines.

Monday, October 13, 9-10 am

CSP informational meeting (virtual)

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/spq-xqhw-gje

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 218-301-2333‬ PIN: ‪623 389 541‬#

Send questions to forest@crawfordstewardship.org

Monday, October 13, noon

This is the deadline to submit written comment. Send comments to Dave Troester, County Conservationist at dtroester@co.crawford.wi.gov

Tuesday, October 14, noon to 2 pm

Public Hearing for Gruber Livestock permit applications (in-person)

This is the deadline to submit verbal comment.

Crawford County Administrative Building, 225 N Beaumont Rd, Prairie du Chien

The permit application documents can be found on the Crawford County website, here are the links for Gruber North and Gruber South.

TALKING POINTS

If you are looking for inspiration or guidance as you put together comments to submit to the county, this document of advice and ideas was compiled by several members of our local community who have long experience with this sort of 'protecting' work.  A true grassroots effort!

October Newsletter

 

REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITIES IN WISCONSIN Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. ONLINE. Join us for an informative webinar on Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) and their potential to improve transportation in Wisconsin. We'll cover what RTAs are, the benefits they offer, and the history of efforts to establish them in the state. Speakers include Erin Duffer, Transportation Planner, La Crosse Area Planning Committee and Colton Godfriaux, UW-La Crosse Student. Register for the Zoom link at https://tinyurl.com/1025wisc-rtas or call 608-315-2693. 

OCT. 7 - HIGHWAY CLEANUP     Meet up at 5:30 p.m. on October 7 at the pumping station just west of the intersection of Gillette Street and River Valley Drive for our quarterly highway cleanup. Gloves, vests, and bags provided. Call Pat at 608-788-8831 with questions. 

OCT. 15 - BIG AG & RURAL AMERICA     Sonja Trom Eayrs is the author of Dodge County, Inc: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America. The book is a compelling, firsthand account of one family’s efforts to stand against corporate takeover of rural America. Trom Eayrs tracks the changes to farming over the years that ultimately gave rise to the disembodied corporate control of today’s food system. She argues that far from being an essential or inextricable part of American life, corporatism can and should be fought and curbed, not only for the sake of land, labor, and water but for democracy itself. Her book has been nominated as a finalist for the Minnesota book awards as well as the Midwest book awards. Join us for this virtual event on October 15 at noon to hear more! Register for the Zoom link at https://tinyurl.com/wisc-bigag or call 608-315-2693.

OCT. 17 at 5:30 p.m. - CRSC ACTION GATHERING      This month, the Coulee Region action gathering will focus on protecting our communities from climate change's "unnatural" disasters. In a short time, we'll learn how we can prepare for the worst and take action to protect people and the places we call home. Join with others to view an video clip from the Sierra Club's national action hour, discuss, and take action together! Pizza provided. Bring your own non-alcoholic beverage. Enter at the back door. RSVP (not required but it helps):  https://forms.gle/ndto4YZgytvz9TS9A Hope to see you there!

WOLF AWARENESS WEEK     Join us for 2025 Wolf Awareness Week! Everyone who signs up for an event will  receive our 2024 Wolf Awareness Week sticker!
Oct. 19 -  “Sign-up Sunday” Our social media posts on Facebook and Instagram will feature educational content comparing wolves and domestic dogs. 
Oct. 20 - “Ma'iingan Monday” – We highlight the cultural significance of wolves to the Ojibwe and their special relationship with Ma’iingan via social media.  
Oct. 21 - “Wolf Track Tuesday” - We will have some fun with a different type of wolf tracks – on Spotify!
Oct. 22 - “Wolf Country” Wednesday – a special 7 p.m. virtual presentation with wildlife biologist Brian Roell, of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.     
Oct. 23 - Howl-ween Thursday - Join us for wolf-related Halloween ideas!     
Oct. 24- “Fun with Wolves” Friday – Time to have some real fun with wolf-themed activities
Oct. 25 - Show-up Saturday – Advocate for the Roadless Rule that protects critical wolf habitat in Wisconsin!
Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/wisc-25wolf

CRSC ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN     Every year, the Coulee Region Sierra Club offers grants of up to $200 each for environmental education programming for students in grades K through 8. Teachers, schools, and programs that serve students in the eight-county CRSC area (Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties) are eligible to apply. The deadline will be January 2, 2026.
CRSC hopes to promote student exploration, protection, and enjoyment of the natural environment. 

Projects must:
•    Provide hands-on experience for students to learn about and explore the natural environment.
•    Promote a world which allows all life forms to live and prosper.
•    Show students that they can make a difference in their environment, whether rural or urban.
•    Be completed within the school year.  A follow-up report will be due upon completion. 

Grant recipients will be asked to 
•    Take pictures and write an article for the CRSC newsletter
•    Be open to making a presentation to at a local Sierra Club meeting
•    Be accessible to local media if publicity is desired

Visit https://sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/education or email CRSierraClub@gmail.com for more information.

SEPTEMBER REPORT     At September's action gathering celebrating public lands, we heard about the stress facing National Park Service staff due to cutbacks and policy changes, and signed thank-you letters that we'll be sending to five federal public lands sites near us: the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. If you have the opportunity this month (or any time) to thank staff at a park you visit, we hope you'll take it!

ORDER 2026 CALENDARS!     It’s calendar order time. Wall calendars cost $19 and engagement calendars are $20. Money we raise from calendar sales is used to help pay for our Environmental Education grants and the High School Environmental Stewardship awards.
To order calendars, please email Maureen Kinney at Maureen@johnsflaherty.com or call 608-797-8442. Supplies are limited!

OCT. 1-5 - WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING CONTINUES     The Week Without Driving experience was created so those who have the option to drive can learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that non-drivers face and work with non-drivers to create more accessible communities for all. Learn more and sign up to be part of the experience at weekwithoutdriving.org.
CRSC is co-sponsoring La Crosse Area Week Without Driving which will include bus and bike rides, walk audits, panel discussions, a film and more. In addition, WWD Bingo is a is a fun way for all to join in. Events include
•    October 1 at noon - Transportation in La Crosse - Past, Present, and Future - a panel discussion
•    October 2 at 9 a.m. - Bike Ride with Elected Leaders hosted by La Crosse Area Planning Committee
•    October 3 - After Hours Open Shop at Wrench and Roll, 1200 Caledonia Street, La Crosse
•    October 4 - There and Back Again (on the bus), a guided ride for those new to the MTU 
•    October 5 - Week Without Driving Wrap Up from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Root Note in La Crosse. 

Complete a WWD Bingo Card by October 8 to be entered in a prize drawing! More information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/WWDLaCrosse

SMRT BUS ALERT!     The Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit system provides public transportation for La Crosse, Crawford, Monroe, and Vernon Counties with routes from La Crosse to Prairie du Chien, to Viroqua, and to Tomah. The system was started in December 2012. In 2019, the Tomah route was added and administration moved from Prairie do Chien to La Crosse. A proposal has been made to the La Crosse County Board to cut the SMRT program at the end of 2025 citing low ridership and a budget deficit. This service offers vital links from rural areas to jobs, health care, education, social and recreational opportunities, and connections to Amtrak, the airport, and intercity bus service. If you have opinions about the plan to end SMRT service, please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693 to learn more and find out how you can weigh in on this important issue before a final decision is made in November.

SHARE YOUR SOLAR STORY     Do you have a solar installation on your home or business? Would you like to help encourage others to take the solar plunge? We are collecting short videos for a virtual solar tour library. Virtual solar tour hosts will show their installation with a description of the details, share the installation experience, answer questions they had when they were deciding, and illustrate how adding solar has affected their energy use and costs. 
Hosts may share their decision process and any surprises (positive or negative). If they wish, they can agree to answer questions by email, phone, or in person from those who view their virtual tour.No experience is needed. If you want, we can send someone to interview your or you can do your own video. Be an influencer for the climate! Email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693 for more details. 

MORE OCTOBER EVENTS:

• 10/ 1-31: Wisconsin’s John Muir Exhibit at the Black River Falls Public Library. https://tinyurl.com/brfjohnmuir
• 10/ 1-2: Jackson In Action Wazee Lake Hike. https://tinyurl.com/jackson1025hikes
• 10/ 1: Growing Hazelnuts in Coon Creek. 6 pm See link for details. https://cooncreekwatershed.org/
• 10/ 1: Friends of the Blufflands Cutting, treating, seed collecting. Stry Prairie 7-noon.  jonathanrigden@me.com
• 10/ 3: Friends of KVR Spaghetti Supper. 5 to 8 pm at Kickapoo Valley Reserve. http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar
• 10/ 4: Friends of Blufflands Cutting & treating at Marowski Bluff Prairie, Ferryville. 7:30 to noon. jonathanrigden@me.com
• 10/ 4: Author Talk - Peep Light: Stories of a Mississippi River Boat Captain. 10:30 am at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. https://www.facebook.com/events/814346174507510
• 10/ 4: Fall Mushroom Foraging in La Crosse. 9 am to 12:30 pm https://www.driftlessfolkschool.org/classes/fall-mushroom-foraging-october-2025
• 10/ 8-12: La Crosse Adventure Festival lacrosseaf.com
• 10/ 8: Wisconsin’s Youth Climate Lawsuit 1 pm Online. https://tinyurl.com/meayouthclimatesuit
• 10/10: Leave No Trace Work Party at Kaplan Tract/La Crosse Blufflands. 1 to 4:30 pm. https://tinyurl.com/mvclntworkparty
• 10/10: Science Cafe - If Renewable Energy Is So Great, Why Isn’t Everybody Using It? 6 pm JavaVino, La Crosse. https://www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=32973
• 10/11: Prairie Walk Stargazing at Tunnelville Cliffs. 7 pm. https://tinyurl.com/mvctunnelstars
• 10/13: Indigenous Peoples Day. Morning, Myrick Park. Evening, UW-La Crosse. https://www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=32920
• 10/12: What Have We Done to Deserve All These Cranes? 1 pm at The Nature Place. https://www.lchshistory.org/programs-experiences
• 10/14: Fair Maps Coalition La Crosse Hearing at Viterbo University from 6 to 7:30 pm https://www.fairmapswi.com/communityhearings    
• 10/15: Driftless Dialogue - Bobcats 5:30 pm Kickapoo Valley Reserve. http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar
• 10/17-23: Jackson In Action Lunda Community Park Hikes https://tinyurl.com/jackson1025hikes
• 10/18: Seed Collecting at New Amsterdam Grasslands. 9 am to noon. https://www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events/seed-collection-new-amsterdam-grasslands
• 10/23: Dark Sky book club - The Inner Clock 1 pm Online https://darksky-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/sMnrcXo6S6iaO1EqP8jHgg
• 10/25: Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers Fall Meeting, 9 am to 3 pm in Madison and online. https://tinyurl.com/wisarpfall25
• 10/28: Halloween Savanna Restoration at Plum Creek Conservation Area. 9 am to 1 pm https://tinyurl.com/mvchalsavanna

Transit 2 Trails - September 30

On Tuesday, September 30, celebrate public lands, experience regional public transit, participate in a Transit 2 Trails adventure, and learn about the Coon Creek watershed all in one great trip! 

Join the Coulee Region Sierra Club on a SMRT bus ride to Coon Valley's Veterans Memorial Park. Ride the SMRT Yellow, leaving from  various La Crosse stops between 9:45 and 10:15 a.m. to meet up with our guide from the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council. We'll walk the park's one-mile paved trail, learn about accessibility and environmental protection, eat a self-packed (bring your own)  picnic lunch, and head back on the SMRT, arriving in La Crosse in the early afternoon.

Space is limited, but if you live in the Coon Valley area or along the SMRT line in Westby or Viroqua, please join up with the group at the park.

For SMRT riders from La Crosse, please register in advance at https://tinyurl.com/crsct2twwd by September 29. We will send details about where to catch the bus and what to bring. You can also register by calling 608-315-2693. 

This event is part of Week Without Driving, a national initiative to include the experiences and needs of nearly one-third of U.S (and Wisconsin) residents who don't drive cars. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/WWDLaCrosse. 

Celebrate the Energy Saving IRA

 

La Crosse Leaders Celebrate One-Year Anniversary of Inflation Reduction Act with Expanded Energy Savings Program

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 at 10 a.m.

Steps of La Crosse City Hall

Community leaders and partners will gather to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and highlight new opportunities for La Crosse residents to save money and energy. Thanks to leadership from Mayor Shaudel Washington-Spivey, the City of La Crosse has expanded its no-cost home energy assessments from low-income households to include middle-income residents as well. A household of 1 went from ~60k to 103k annually!

This expansion—supported by federal IRA investments—means more families can access energy-saving upgrades such as insulation, heat pumps, and electrical panel improvements, at little to no upfront cost. Local leaders will also spotlight the urgent timeline for residents to take advantage of available grants and tax credits, including the 25C tax credit set to expire soon.

The event will also preview plans for a new local insulation installation team launching later this year, creating good-paying jobs and ensuring La Crosse families benefit directly from clean energy investments.

The Inflation Reduction Act is the most significant investment in clean energy and climate in U.S. history. In La Crosse, these federal dollars are delivering real results—lower utility bills, healthier homes, and good jobs. By expanding eligibility to middle-income households, La Crosse is ensuring even more residents can take advantage of these opportunities.

September newsletter

 

CRSC ACTION GATHERING - Protect our Public Lands! September 19 at 5:30 p.m.
401 West Ave. S., La Crosse. Pizza provided!  The National Park Service was founded on August 25, 1916. For over 100 years, these parks and other public lands have provided open space and clean water for our communities, habitats, plants, and animals. They've connected us to our history and culture. They provide our families with opportunities to get outside together and create lifelong memories. At September’s Action Gathering, we'll fight for legislation that will protect these cherished resources, learn how staff shortages and other cuts are harming public lands, and take action to protect people and the outdoors. No need to register! Everyone welcome! Pizza provided!

WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING, SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 5. If you can drive or afford a car, you may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking for rides. But for nearly a third of people living in the United States – people with disabilities, young people, seniors and people who can’t afford cars or gas – this is every day life. The Week Without Driving experience was created so those who have the option to drive can learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that non-drivers face and work with non-drivers to create more accessible communities for all. Learn more and sign up to be part of the experience at weekwithoutdriving.org.

CRSC is co-sponsoring La Crosse Area Week Without Driving (see https://tinyurl.com/wwdlacrosse) which will include bus and bike rides, walk audits, panel discussions, a film and more. In addition, WWD Bingo is a is a fun way for all to join in. Check the website for more.

TRANSIT TO TRAILS, SEPTEMBER 30 (tentative date). Enjoy public lands, learn about regional public transit and the Coon Creek watershed, experience a Sierra Club Transit 2 Trails event, and participate in Week Without Driving all in one trip! DATE IS TENTATIVE! We’ll catch the Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) bus mid-morning as it circulates around La Crosse, then arrive in Coon Valley where we will walk on the paved, one mile Veterans Park Trail loop, learn about the Coon Creek watershed, and enjoy a self-packed picnic lunch. We’ll return to La Crosse on the SMRT bus, arriving back in the early afternoon.
Transit 2 Trails is a National Sierra Club initiative that draws attention to the need for better access to public parks, natural areas, and green spaces. The SMRT fare will be FREE for this trip (normally, $5 each way). Read more about the SMRT here: https://rideSMRT.com
Register (space is limited!) at tinyurl.com/CRSCT2TWWD or by calling 608-315-2693. If you have questions before deciding, please email (CRSierraClub@gmail.com) or call.

SEPTEMBER IS PUBLIC LANDS MONTH!  Sign up to join us and we'll send you weekly updates with actions you can take and events near you including online and local programs!  https://tinyurl.com/wiscpubliclands

HIGH SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD       Congratulations to Onalaska High School student, Aditi Muduganti, recipient of the 2025 Coulee Region Sierra Club High School Environmental Stewardship Award!

Aditi was honored at a small ceremony on Sunday, August 24 at Summit Elementary School, site of one of Aditi’s many environmental projects, a Miyawaki “pocket” forest.
Aditi’s list of accomplishments are impressive, including her environmental projects. She has been awarded two City of La Crosse Youth Climate Action Fund grants. She is the author and illustrator of a children’s book, “Tech Tales: Heroes for a Sustainable Future,” introducing youth to climate action and sustainable technologies. She has distributed 100 books to schools, libraries, and non-profits. 

One of her apps, Renew Tech Ed, helps local communities implement sustainability projects.
Aditi’s pocket forest project was just completed this summer with community volunteers, including some CRSC members. These small urban forests spur quick growth and rich biodiversity by densely planting native trees and shrubs in very fertile and loose soil. 
In addition to these projects, Aditi is a member of the La Crosse Citizen’s Climate Lobby and the Green Council at Onalaska High School as well as the Indian Youth Climate Network, La Crescent Leos (president), and the Wisconsin Association of Student Councils (region 6 president). 

She is a 2025 National STEM Champion, received an Honorable Mention in the Trust for Sustainable Living 2025 International Student Competition, earned awards at the 2023 Wisconsin Envirothon, the NASA Space Hacks Hackathon in PACE, and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association. She won the Congressional App Challenge Award for the Third Congressional District in 2023.

We were excited to meet and learn about Aditi’s many talents and interests, and inspired by her commitment to environmental sustainability. You can view her recent Sustainability Chat online at https://www.sustaininstitute.com/post/sustainability-chats-ycaf-aditi-muduganti 

NEW CRSC BOARD MEMBER     CRSC Board member Flo Sandok resigned her position in July. The Board invited Colleen Gnabasik, who has been co-hosting the monthly Action Hours, to apply and, at its August meeting,  unanimously welcomed Colleen as its newest member. Her term will end in December 2026.

In her application, Colleen wrote, “Some of you know that I actually worked at the Sierra Club in San Francisco from March 1999 to May 2000. I was a HR Assistant. Carl Pope was the Director and Rosa Malone was my supervisor. It was there that I felt for the first time that I had found my tribe.  

I have been helping Kathy and Chris plan the monthly action hours from the beginning. I believe that during this current administration, anyone who loves nature, and is able, has a duty to counteract the destruction being levied. I take inspiration from Greta Thunberg who has accomplished much at such a young age. I also take inspiration from Jane Goodall who continues to accomplish much at an advanced age.

I am not a scientist, a professor, author, or someone with a high I.Q. I am just a regular person with ideas and a willingness to pick up trash along a highway. Thanks for giving me a chance to work with you in protecting Wisconsin's environment.”

Welcome to the CRSC Board, Colleen! Your experience and enthusiasm will help us make a difference!

AUGUST REPORT     On August 6, CRSC members Pat and Bobbi Wilson, Kathy Allen, and Colleen Gnabasik picked up trash along La Crosse’s River Valley Drive. Thank you!

On August 7, CRSC co-sponsored a Grow Solar Power Hour at The Nature Place in La Crosse. Transitioning from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy is a club priority.

The August 22 Action Gathering focused on the budget appropriations process and how it’s affecting Mississippi River protection and research programs. Two guests, currently working for USGS, provided background and updates before participants made calls. (See page 5 for a script if you are interested in taking action).

On August 21, CRSC and the state chapter hosted a happy hour at JavaVino in La Crosse. Wisconsin Chapter Executive Director, Elizabeth Ward and Campaign Coordinator Jadine Sonoda attended along with about a dozen  CRSC members. We enjoyed the beautiful evening and heard about Sierra Club actions and plans for the coming months.

ENVIRONMENTAL ED GRANT REPORT     In January, CRSC awarded an Environmental Education grant to Liz Ramsay, seventh grade teacher at La Crosse Longfellow Middle School for her class’s Just Recycle initiative. We have received reports over the spring semester and present highlights here. To read all the Just Recycle updates https://tinyurl.com/crscJustRecycle

March 24, 2025: Seventh grade students at Longfellow began the new startup. Students are fully in charge. Student volunteers printed and labeled eight recycling containers and delivered them to participating classrooms. In all, 22 classrooms signed up, but more are asking to participate.

April: In the second week of the program, students collected 212 items. This is a total of about 450 recyclables in our first two weeks. Students are very excited about adding aluminum to the list of items collected. In less than one month, there are 25 total classrooms participating because of a student created and produced morning announcement. And, Just Recycle was showcased at the La Crosse School District Parent monthly meeting

Final report: The Just Recycle concluded for the school year on June 6. Additional funding was secured through the La Crosse Public Education Foundation to expand beyond the original number of participants. The program will continue in the 2025-2026 school year. Increasing numbers of students volunteered and the program was presented before the La Crosse District School Board and the Rotary Club. More than three thousand milk cartons, plastic cups, and aluminum cans were diverted from the landfill.

SIERRA CLUB FUNDRAISER     Team Sierra is an annual fundraiser to support the important work of Sierra Club Teams. The Wisconsin Chapter has seven Issues Teams–Clean Water, Transportation Access and Equity, Moving Beyond Coal to Clean Energy, Public Lands and Forests, Wildlife, Tar Sands Pipelines, and Mining. Led by Chapter staff, these statewide groups of volunteer activists learn and educate about important club priorities. We can support these teams by joining and donating.  This year’s fundraiser goes through September 15. Learn more about teams and how to donate at https://tinyurl.com/wiscteamsfr25. 

Tuesday, September 9 - Locally Grown, Nationally Known.  From popular parks to hidden gems, Wisconsin is bursting with special places that make it possible to connect with nature. We recently asked members of our volunteer teams to tell us about their favorite spaces – places they go to play, rest, relax and be inspired – places they are passionate about and work to protect. Register for the online event here: https://tinyurl.com/WISC25LGNK
When you register you’ll also have a chance to share the name of your favorite outdoor place in Wisconsin. We’ll share the results of this informal survey during the event. 

SEPTEMBER 17 - SOLAR CO-BENEFITS     Clean Wisconsin's Solar Co-benefits report describes some of the co-benefits of solar farms on water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat, and health, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. The research has shown that when solar farms replace conventionally-farmed row crops, like corn, it can reduce sediment and phosphorus pollution runoff into nearby lakes, rivers, and streams by 75-95% and reduce groundwater contamination from nitrates. Join us for a virtual Lunch and Learn event to hear more! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gxqMAagx

CHAPTER AWARDS NOMINATIONS     Every year the Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter recognizes volunteers and organizations for outstanding service and accomplishments on behalf of Wisconsin's environment. Awards recognize new activists, long-time members, chapter supporters, non-club organizations, and more. Learn more about the awards and how to nominate someone at https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/awards

ATTENTION!     Can you help put together the October newsletter? Copy provided - you put it together (be creative!) for online and printed distribution on October 1. Email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693.

The state chapter is seeking executive committee members to help oversee the chapter’s direction. Email Linda@frankenvironmental.com for more info.

GROW SOLAR, SEAL, INSULATE, ELECTRIFY!     Grow Solar is a solar group-buying and education program that makes going solar easier. It’s offered by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), the cities of Onalaska and La Crosse, and La Crosse County. Business and home owners in La Crosse County can pool their buying power to secure significant discounts that make installing solar more affordable.

Learn more at the online Grow Solar Power Hour on September 17 at 1:00 p.m. Learn more register for a Power Hour at https://www.growsolar.org/la-crosse/

Changes in renewable energy programs and incentives have made it even more important to act quickly if you have been considering solar, battery storage, upgraded electrical systems, insulation, heat pumps, hybrid water heaters and more. Most incentives will end by or before the end of the year.

Even without these incentives, climate and financial benefits of upgrading are impressive, and the need for reducing fossil fuel emissions is ever more urgent. Those living in the City of La Crosse may be eligible for the Green Homeowners United partnership program - check https://www.greenhomewi.com/lax.  Vernon County residents can connect with the Vernon County Energy District at https://vced.energy

MORE SEPTEMBER EVENTS

• 9/3, 6, 10, 13: Friends of the Blufflands work days. De-tails: https://www.facebook.com/friendsoftheblufflands
• 9/ 3: Enviro Wednesday at The Nature Place 7 pm https://natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/enviro-wednesdays-3-2025-09-03/
• 9/ 3: Coon Creek Community Watershed Council 4th Anniversary Celebration. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Lindahl’s Swiss Hills, Stoddard. https://cooncreekwatershed.org/
• 9/ 5, 12, 19, 26: Check Out the Trails in La Crosse, a Public Library series.  https://tinyurl.com/lpltrails0925
• 9/ 6: Scouting for Deer & Invasives - Boscobel Bluffs State Natural Area. 9 to noon. https://tinyurl.com/mvcdeerboscobel
• 9/ 6: All Abilities Stroll 10 am District 1 Community Ctr, BRF https://www.jacksoninaction.org/abilities
• 9/ 6: Moonlight Hike 8 pm Wildcat Mountain State Park. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/109486
• 9/ 8: Driftless Dialogue - Brad Steinmetz 5 pm Kickapoo Valley Reserve. http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar/
• 9/10, 20, 23: MVC Volunteer for the Wild Work Parties https://tinyurl.com/mvcsept25work
• 9/10: Friends of the Black River - Beaver Ecology in Wisconsin 6:30 pm https://tinyurl.com/fobr-beavers
• 9/11: Distinguished Lecture in Physics. 5 pm, UW-La Crosse https://tinyurl.com/uwlaxphysicstalks2025
• 9/12: Tundra Swans of the Upper Mississippi River Wild-life and Fish Refuge. 6 pm, JavaVino, La Crosse. https://tinyurl.com/laxscicafe0925
• 9/13: Hemlock Trail Plant Walk 9 am Wildcat Mountain State Park https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/105656
• 9/13: Incredible Insects with Barrett Klein  at the Nature Place.10 am https://natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/driftless-area-bioblitz-5/
• 9/13: Repair Cafe at La Crosse Public Library 10:30 to 12:30 https://www.lacrosselibrary.org/event/repair-cafe-42431
• 9/13: Barrett Klein, author, Insect Epiphany 6 pm Pearl Street Books, La Crosse https://www.pearlstbooks.com/events
• 9/17: BIRDS! at The Nature Place 7 pm https://tinyurl.com/tnp0925birds
• 9/18: Celebrate SOLAR & Ribbon-Cutting at The Nature Place 2 pm https://natureplacelacrosse.org/calendar/solar-array-installation-ribbon-cutting-celebration/
• 9/20: Gardens and Gazing on St. Joseph Ridge. 5:30 to 9 pm https://tinyurl.com/mvcgazing25
• 9/24: Leaf It - Fall Sustainability 4 pm La Crosse Myrick Park Main Shelter. Register by 9/23. https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/9087/17
• 9/29: Week Without Driving film - Free to Ride 5 to 6:30 pm La Crosse Public Library (or online) https://www.lacrosselibrary.org/event/week-without-driving-documentary-screening-free-ride-43443 

SHARE YOUR SOLAR STORY!     Do you have a solar installation on your home or business? Would you like to help encourage others to take the solar plunge? We are collecting short videos for a virtual solar tour library. Virtual solar tour hosts will show their installation with a description of the details, share the installation experience, answer questions they had when they were deciding, and illustrate how adding solar has affected their energy use and costs. 

Hosts may share their decision process and any surprises (positive or negative). If they wish, they can agree to answer questions by email, phone, or in person from those who view their virtual tour.

No experience is needed. If you want, we can send someone to interview your or you can do your own video. Be an influencer for the climate! Email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693 for more details.

Call to Action - Support Local Science and the Environment! 

At our August action gathering, we learned about the federal appropriations process and the risk of budget cuts for environmental science agencies like NOAA, NASA, EPA, and USGS. The funding for the USGS's Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) on French Island could be drastically reduced. The Trump administration even proposed zeroing out the budget of the division that oversees Science Centers, the Ecosystems Mission Area. If the funding is cut, 100 local jobs and decades of scientific research will be in danger! 
You can help by contacting our members of Congress and asking them to support the highest appropriations for environmental science agencies. Learn more about appropriations (and the whole budget process) by watching the video clip on our Youtube page here: https://youtu.be/ugTRmeK_mFA. Then, call your members of Congress! 

Here is a sample script you can use as a starting point, if you're not sure what to say, along with the phone numbers. (Tip: if you’re  nervous about making calls and would rather leave a message, call outside regular office hours and you'll get their voicemail).
You can learn more about UMESC and their amazing work to get more talking points for your call at their website, https://www.usgs.gov/centers/upper-midwest-environmental-sciences-center

“Hi, my name is ________ and I live in ________, my zip code is _____. I'm calling because I want my member of Congress to support the highest appropriations for environmental science agencies in this year's budget, and I want Congress to complete the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process in 2025.

I'm particularly concerned about the U.S. Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center, which is housed in my community. It is one of only 18 such centers in the country. Supporting this USGS center means continued monitoring of water quality, invasive species and ecosystem trends. Its scientific and community outreach work and employment opportunities benefit our community. It stands to benefit from your support of the highest appropriations for science.

Thank you for your time."

Phone Numbers (save these in your contacts!):
Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-CD3): (202) 225-5506
Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI): (202) 224-5653
Senator Ron Johnson (WI): Phone: (202) 224-5323