October 19 at 7 p.m. Coal, Gas, and Public Health: The Electric Sector and Public Health. Burning coal to generate electricity is bad for healtha nd the environment. As utilities try to make the case for switching to fossil gas, health and climate advocatesr are pushing back to stop another harmful wave of fossilf uel infrastructure. Join this event to learn about the connections between our electric sector, justice and equity, and public health. RSVP at tinyurl.com/WISC-1019Electricity
This program is part of the Sierra Club of Wisconsin’s Environmental Justice series. Learn more at sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2021/08/introducing-environmental-justice-event-series
Environmental Education Grants and Awards For spring 2022, CRSC will offer grants of up to $200 each for environmental education projects to schools or community organizations involving young people at the elementary and middle school level within the CRSC region: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties.
Applications may be completed online, emailed or mailed. The deadline for applications is December 10, 2021. For more information, visit sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/Education or tinyurl.com/CRSC-Students
The Coulee Region Sierra Club also 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. 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, visit sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/Education or tinyurl.com/CRSC-Students
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.
Sierra Club Calendars Available Now! Sales of Sierra Club calendars help support our environmental education grants. Wall and engagement calendars for 2022 are available. Call 608-315-2693, or email CRSierraClub@gmail.com. Engagement calendars are $16 and wall calendars cost $15. Find other Sierra Club merchandise, including apparel, gifts, things for kids, cards, and outdoor items at store.sierraclub.org/storefront.aspx
CRSC Board Nominations The Coulee Region Sierra Club will hold elections for its board of directors in December. The board meets monthly to plan events, coordinate with the state Sierra Club, and network with local and regional partners and allies on Sierra Club issues.
If you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, please email the name and contact information for the nominee along with a paragraph describing the nominee’s qualifications for the board to CRSierraClub@gmail.com by November 20, 2021.
Qualifications including Sierra Club membership and past work or interest in outdoor activities and/or environmental issues. The board is especially interested in adding members who live outside of the La Crosse area, but anyone is welcome to nominate. If you have questions, please email or call 608-315-2693.
If you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, please email the name and contact information for the nominee along with a paragraph describing the nominee’s qualifications for the board to CRSierraClub@gmail.com by November 20, 2021.
Qualifications including Sierra Club membership and past work or interest in outdoor activities and/or environmental issues. The board is especially interested in adding members who live outside of the La Crosse area, but anyone is welcome to nominate. If you have questions, please email or call 608-315-2693.
Fall Highway Clean Up Calling all CRSC members wishing to help clean up our adopted portion of River Valley Drive! Meet up at the La Crosse Pumping Station just northwest of the intersection of River Valley Drive and Gillette Street (Highway B) at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 11 to get gloves, vests, and bags. Bring your camera! Not only is this section of roadway near the beautiful marsh but you might find something interesting during the clean up. This is a fun distanced outdoor activity that helps keep our local environment clean. Call Pat with questions: 608-788-8831.
October Events
Now through November: Waking Up White Regional Read. www.laxwakingupwhite.com/waking-up-white-regional-read.html
Now through October 25: Western TC Drawdown Challenge. Register at: www.sustaininstitute.com/drawdownchallenge2021
Monday, October 11: Indigenous Peoples Day
Tuesday, October 12: Local and Global Climate Action. Noon. Register at: www.fspa.org/content/ministries/ecological-advocacy/resources-and-events2
Wednesday, October 13: Sierra Club of Wisconsin Virtual Volunteer Night. 6:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/WISC-1013Vol
Saturday, October 23: Autumn Mushroom Foray in Crawford County from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration required: mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events/autumn-mushroom-foray
Wednesday, October 27: Advocate for wolves at Natural Resources Board. 8:30 a.m. Register for training and link at tinyurl.com/WISC-4Wolves
Saturday, October 30: League of Women Voters - Empowering the Wisconsin Vote Virtual Issues Briefing from 9 a.m. to noon ONLINE. Learn more and register at: tinyurl.com/1030-WILWVIssues
Now through October 25: Western TC Drawdown Challenge. Register at: www.sustaininstitute.com/drawdownchallenge2021
Monday, October 11: Indigenous Peoples Day
Tuesday, October 12: Local and Global Climate Action. Noon. Register at: www.fspa.org/content/ministries/ecological-advocacy/resources-and-events2
Wednesday, October 13: Sierra Club of Wisconsin Virtual Volunteer Night. 6:30 p.m. tinyurl.com/WISC-1013Vol
Saturday, October 23: Autumn Mushroom Foray in Crawford County from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration required: mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events/autumn-mushroom-foray
Wednesday, October 27: Advocate for wolves at Natural Resources Board. 8:30 a.m. Register for training and link at tinyurl.com/WISC-4Wolves
Saturday, October 30: League of Women Voters - Empowering the Wisconsin Vote Virtual Issues Briefing from 9 a.m. to noon ONLINE. Learn more and register at: tinyurl.com/1030-WILWVIssues
Rail Passengers Meet 10/23 The Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers (WisARP) will hold its fall meeting on Saturday, October 23 at the Black River Beach Neighbor-hood Center in La Crosse and via Zoom. The main focus will be the second daily passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Paul expected to begin in 2023. Register for the WisARP meeting at tinyurl.com/WISARP102321
A Union of Concerned Scientists study concluded that, for individuals or couples traveling fewer than 1,000 miles, a bus or train is the cleanest option.
A Union of Concerned Scientists study concluded that, for individuals or couples traveling fewer than 1,000 miles, a bus or train is the cleanest option.
WisCorps Grant CRSC environmental education grant recipients for 2020 had to navigate COVID-19, school closing, schedule disruptions, and program cancellations. Our club relaxed the schedule and asked for reports when projects were finished. Justin Holten, AmeriCorps volunteer with WisCorps, Inc., one of the grant recipients, wrote:
WisCorps used the grant money to purchase Leave No Trace education materials. The resources include guides for teachers to incorporate LNT in lessons and activities for children of all ages. LNT materials will provide ongoing training and resources for teachers and activity leaders.
The guide, “Teaching LNT,” has great ways for teachers to learn best practices. This general guide is focused on activities for people of all ages, and pairs well with the book “101 Ways to Teach LNT.”
“Bigfoot’s Playbook,” contains easy, quicker games focused on younger kids that require minimal resources to run. These activities integrate into our school programs. WisCorps runs two different types of school programs: field trips and outreach. Our field trips are generally focused on elementary aged students, as well as a few middle school groups. Our outreach program allows us to travel to schools that may have a hard time traveling to our facility. We had only a few lessons built for this program, so adding in our LNT lessons through the resources bought will help this program grow a lot. Adding in Leave No Trace education to these programs will also help add to the reinforcement of how to better care for our world.
The “Peak Pack” resources can also be used for varying school programs but especially help grow our Camp programs. Given the longer duration and flexibility of these programs, the Peak Pack’s pre-built flexible programs are perfect and reinforce LNT teachings with more in depth and thoughtful activities, as well as more hands on games and learning objectives.
WisCorps is very grateful to be able to buy these activities which have already been immensely helpful in giving us the ability to grow our programs to be stronger in Leave No Trace education.
WisCorps used the grant money to purchase Leave No Trace education materials. The resources include guides for teachers to incorporate LNT in lessons and activities for children of all ages. LNT materials will provide ongoing training and resources for teachers and activity leaders.
The guide, “Teaching LNT,” has great ways for teachers to learn best practices. This general guide is focused on activities for people of all ages, and pairs well with the book “101 Ways to Teach LNT.”
“Bigfoot’s Playbook,” contains easy, quicker games focused on younger kids that require minimal resources to run. These activities integrate into our school programs. WisCorps runs two different types of school programs: field trips and outreach. Our field trips are generally focused on elementary aged students, as well as a few middle school groups. Our outreach program allows us to travel to schools that may have a hard time traveling to our facility. We had only a few lessons built for this program, so adding in our LNT lessons through the resources bought will help this program grow a lot. Adding in Leave No Trace education to these programs will also help add to the reinforcement of how to better care for our world.
The “Peak Pack” resources can also be used for varying school programs but especially help grow our Camp programs. Given the longer duration and flexibility of these programs, the Peak Pack’s pre-built flexible programs are perfect and reinforce LNT teachings with more in depth and thoughtful activities, as well as more hands on games and learning objectives.
WisCorps is very grateful to be able to buy these activities which have already been immensely helpful in giving us the ability to grow our programs to be stronger in Leave No Trace education.
The Kinnard Farms Decision: What does it mean for Wisconsin's Clean Water Future? This summer the Wisconsin Supreme Court handed clean water advocates a hard-fought victory with a decision confirming the authority of the Wisconsin DNR to protect water resources from manure pollution. MEA attorneys worked with Kewaunee residents for eight years on this case. Join Midwest Environmental Advocates on Wednesday, October 6 at 6 p.m. for a presentation and discussion of this important decision. Zoom in: us02web.zoom.us/j/86220043378 or view the program at facebook.com/MidwestEnvironmentalAdvocates
