THE IRA PASSED! NOW WHAT? The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes more than 100 programs that will invest about $369 billion in climate action, clean energy jobs, and environmental justice. Collectively, these unprecedented investments will put us on a path to cutting climate pollution by 40 percent by 2030 while creating over 9 million family-sustaining jobs over the next decade and advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice. The act also includes funding to track its labor, equity, and environmental standards and impacts to enable oversight and accountability.
How can you, your community, non-profit, or business take advantage of the incentives? When will they be available, and who will administer them? Will they be tax credits or rebates? Will work done in 2022 count?
On Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m., CRSC will host a one hour Zoom session with Rachel Harvey, a staff member in U.S. Rep. Ron Kind’s office who will provide more information about the IRA and answer your questions. Please register by September 14 at tinyurl.com/CRSC-IRAQuestions. Space is limited.
NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK is September 24 through October 2. There will be at least two electric vehicle education and outreach events in the Coulee Region.
On Sunday, September 25, electric car and bike owners will gather at the Copeland Park large open shelter to show, talk about and and answer questions about buying and owning and electric vehicle. Tablers will include RENEW Wisconsin, City of La Crosse, and more! Register at https://driveelectricweek.org/event?eventid=3360
On Saturday, October 1, there’s a chance to learn more about EVs--from home charging to planning a road trip--at the Prairie Cinema in Prairie du Chien. Register at https://driveelectricweek.org/event?eventid=3392
BLUFF BASH The Coulee Region Sierra Club joined a host of La Crosse area environmental and outdoor groups at the City of La Crosse Bluff Bash on Thursday, August 25. Activities included a family-friendly hike, live music, a hike to Zoerb Prairie led by Friends of the Blufflands, and roasting marshmallows for s’mores.
CRSC board president Kathy Allen tabled for our group, and we got to use our new display board which looks better than the old cardboard displays and should last longer, too.
If you know of an event where CRSC could table and/or if you are interested in helping us table at events, please email us at CRSierraClub@gmail.com.
TEACHING SUSTAINABILITY Nine years ago, Mike Lawrence, a teacher at La Crosse’s School of Technology and the Arts (SOTA I) charter school, needed a way to connect with a couple of students who were having difficulties. He decided to bike with them to school. The ride started at the Hogan Administrative Center, and ended at Hamilton Early Learning Center/SOTA I, on 7th and Johnson. It was great.
So, Mike decided to make it a regular thing. Nine years, later, the Bike Brigade - Donut Fridays crew has swelled to dozens of students and parents. And they added a stop at Mayo Health Center for donuts, which students buy with their own money and take to the classroom. They even have their own checkout line! The kids love it.
“When you have students asking during the summer about when the Bike Brigade will start up again, you know it’s a success.”
To support the Friday rides, Mike is always looking for useable bikes and child-size helmets for students who don’t have their own. Last year, he received a grant from Beer By Bike Brigade in La Crosse and he is always on the lookout for new grant opportunities.
The Bike Brigade is just one part of the everyday sustainable living ideas Mike includes in his classroom. Students also learn to ride the city bus, using public transit to get to a special annual learning event at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. And, they go on walks in the neighborhood, too.
Mike’s latest project is growing lettuce in a self-contained hydroponic “Flex Farm” that includes space for dozens of plants and a central LED grow light. He hopes to start with lettuce and add strawberries and other vegetables as they learn to use the system sold by Fork Farms, a global leader in developing systems to expand the availability of fresh food in all communities. Looking further ahead, Mike hopes to get the whole district involved in growing food indoors for school meals.
Contact Mike at MLawrenc@LaCrosseSD.org.
BOARD ELECTIONS We are seeking candidates for the Coulee Region Sierra Club board. Elections will be held in December and new terms begin in January 2023. Board members meet monthly and plan club activities and events.
If you are interested in serving your club, please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com OR call or text 608-315-2693 with your name and a statement about why you are interested in being on the board and your similar experience. We encourage club members living outside the La Crosse area to self-nominate, but everyone is welcome to run.
We will publish candidates’ statements in our November newsletter which will be mailed, along with information about voting by mail and online in December.
If you might like to run but need more information, please email, call or text us!
SIERRA CLUB CALENDARS It’s time to order your Sierra Club calendars! Wall calendars are $15 each and engagement calendars are $16. Calendar sales help us fund our education grants and awards!
If you are interested, please text or call Maureen Kinney, 608-787-9442 or email Maureen@JohnsFlaherty.com
Other Sierra Club items including prints, note cards, books, and more may be found at store.sierraclub.org/storefront.aspx
MORE SEPTEMBER EVENTS
9/3: Wildlife in Your Backyard at Perrot State Park 7 pm. dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/61701
9/3: Universe in Perrot State Park 7:30 pm. dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/61696
9/3-5: Ho-Chunk Nation Labor Day Pow-Wow in Black River Falls. www.blackrivercountry.net/event/ho-chunk-nation-2022-labor-day-pow-wow/
9/3 & 10: Bluff to Bluff Trolley Tour. explorelacrosse.com/bluff-to-bluff-experience/
9/ 4: Raptor 101. 5 p.m. Perrot State Park dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/61706
9/ 6: Sierra Club Book Club. 7 p.m. tinyurl.com/WISC-922Book
9/ 7: Pedestrian Saftey webinar. Noon tinyurl.com/WISC-PedSafety
9/ 8: Harvest Moon Stargazing Party. Readstown. 8 pm secondnatureatreadscreek.com/events
9/10: Cassville mushroom foray 10 am www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events/cassville-mushroom-foray
9/10: Friends of Black River Paddling in Hatfield. 12:30 pm tinyurl.com/FOBR-SeptPaddling
9/14: Sierra Club virtual volunteer night at 6:30 p.m.
tinyurl.com/WISC-922Vol
9/17: River Alliance of Wisconsin River Rat Chat & Paddle Trempealeau Hotel. 10 a.m. chat, 12:30 paddle. wisconsinrivers.org/get-involved/events-home/
9/17: Exploring the Night Sky at Perrot State Park 6:30 pm dnr.wisconsin.gov/events/61821
9/22: Keeping Wildlife Out of the Garden. Readstown. 6 p.m. secondnatureatreadscreek.com/events
9/25: Insects! Oh My! 1 pm Myrick Park Center. strive2thrivecr.org/event/insects/
9/25: Fungi! Oh My! 3 pm Myrick Park Center. strive2thrivecr.org/event/fungi/
Find Wisconsin Sierra Club paddling events at tinyurl.com/WISCWater
Find events at Kickapoo Valley Reserve at kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar
