December 2016 Newsletter

Our December newsletter is published online. This one will also be printed and mailed to those who have requested it and/or for whom we don't have an email address. If you are able to read the newsletter online, please consider contacting us to remove your name from our paper newsletter mailing list. This will save resources and money. Email CRSierraClub[at]gmail.com.

PEDRETTI HONORED BY JOHN MUIR CHAPTER - The John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club honored Marilyn Pedretti with the 2016 John Muir Chapter Merit Award for her inspiring leadership, commitment to preserving the environment, and personal commitment to and advocacy for sustainability and renewable energy. The award was presented at the November 19 Volunteer Appreciation and Awards event in Madison.  Read more 

ARRIVE TOGETHER: Building a Twenty-first Century Transportation System for Wisconsin - On Saturday, December 3, the Sierra Club and partner organizations will host a statewide conference on the Milwaukee Area Technical College campus. The all day event includes breakfast and lunch, a plenary session with keynote speaker (US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx invited but not confirmed at this time), sharing of transit stories, breakout sessions, a wrap up round table, and a social hour. Tickets cost just $10 for the whole day (including meals) and scholarships are available. Info/Registration  transportationequitysummit.eventbrite.com

HELP US PLAN FOR 2017 - This year so far, the Coulee Region Sierra Club has worked to highlight issues of transportation and solar energy in addition to cosponsoring several local events. What should our top priorities should be for 2017? More importantly, what can YOU do in cooperation with the club and others in our region to make a difference? What changes would you like to see in our club? Read more ...

HUNDREDS VOICE WATER CONCERNS AT EAU CLAIRE EPA LISTENING SESSION - Coulee Region Sierra Club board president Pat Wilson and La Crosse County Board member Mike Giese traveled to Eau Claire to make statements at the Nov. 15 listening session on Wisconsin water quality issues with US EPA Region V Administrator Robert Kaplan and Region V water quality specialist Christopher Korleski. Read more ...

La Crescent NO DAPL 11/15

FOSSIL FUEL PIPELINE NEWS - Many Sierra Club members joined others from Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on November 15 in a Day of Solidarity with those who are fighting to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Demonstrations were held around the country at Army Corps of Engineers buildings. While the pipeline is nearly complete, the Army Corps issued a stop order while it arranges talks with the Standing Rock Sioux. However Energy Transfer Partners, builder of the line, has filed suit to end government “meddling.”

Please continue to call on the White House to end this environmental disaster waiting to happen and donate to support the Water Protectors (and go if you can). Here are several ways you can help in the fight: tinyurl.com/helpnodapl.  Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, the John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club notes that, “Enbridge is upgrading their Line 61 pipeline to become the world's largest tar sands pipeline, outside of Russia." Read more ...

COULEE REGION SIERRA CLUB WINTER GATHERING! TUES., DEC. 20 at 6 p.m.
1965 Valley Road, La Crosse (call 608 788-3914 with questions)  Bring food to share, drinks provided. DON'T NEED TO BE A SIERRA CLUB MEMBER TO ATTEND! Bring a friend!

TAKE ACTION: No Place For Hate In Our Government - “President-elect Trump is naming some truly terrifying people to advise him and fill his cabinet. Their extreme positions and climate denial are dangerous not just to the environment but to our country in general and millions of Americans. We must speak out immediately. If President-elect Trump wants to uphold his word to bring the country together and be a president for all Americans, then he should publicly rebuke these advisers and declare that he will not listen to anyone that propagates hate or science-denial. Anything less is unacceptable. Stand up against hate and ignorance. Tell your senators and representative to oppose any nominee who holds these extreme views.” Michael Brune, Executive Director, Sierra Club  Read more ...

2017 SIERRA CLUB CALENDARS, our group's primary fund-raiser, are now available. Get your calendar at our December gathering or order from Maureen: 784-9324/784-5678 or email. SIERRA CLUB HOLIDAY CARDS are available at the online store. Use code  CARDS20 for a 20% discount. Order at tinyurl.com/sierracards16.


JANUARY FILM AND DISCUSSION - Sierra Club board member Bill Katra will host a film & discussion evening on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 7 p.m. An environmental film will be shown followed by discussion. Refreshments will be available, too. The address is 1008 Avon Street, La Crosse. You don’t need to be a Sierra Club member to attend!

FEBRUARY TOUR AT UWL - On Monday, February 27, Sierra Club members and friends will have the chance to tour UWL’s new student center with special emphasis on its sustainability features. The tour will begin at 7 p.m. Meet at the building’s info counter. Parking in most campus lots is free after 7 p.m. The MTU #4 goes through campus as well. If you have questions, please email CRSierraClub[at]gmail.com.

BOARD NOMINATIONS! - Three of our seven board members have terms expiring in February (not December as previously reported!) Would you like to run for the Sierra Club board and help keep this important organization going in the Coulee Region? Board members meet monthly, sometimes via email. Email CRSierraClub[at]gmail.com BY FEBRUARY 20 to nominate yourself or someone else.