Tuesday, June 27, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Summer Potluck Get Together, Shelter #3, Goose Island County Park, Highway 35 just south of La Crosse Make something delicious to share, bring your own plate and utensils, and join us on Tuesday, June 27! The club will supply beverages. The shelter is near the river, so bring your bug spray, too! We’ll have horseshoes (adult and child), as well as information about upcoming events and environmental news. Maybe we’ll even have a little volunteer task! If you are driving, consider using this link to sign up to ride or drive with others: groupcarpool.com/t/8iyd7w or call 608-315-2693. The park is also accessible by bike. You do not need to be a Sierra Club member to attend, though the Sierra Club is doing some pretty important work and we welcome new energy! Bring friends and family, too, if you want!
HIGH SCHOOL STEWARDSHIP AWARD APPLICATION DUE JULY 1!
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2024! The Coulee Region Sierra Club wants to recognize your environmental achievements with an Environmental Stewardship Award. We will award $300 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 2024 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 July 1, 2023 with the award to be given in August. You do not need to be a CRSC member to apply!
Visit www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/education to lean more.
APPLY TODAY!!!!
Help the River Alliance of Wisconsin celebrate its 30th anniversary on Saturday, June 24, by paddling and learning about the Kickapoo River. Registration includes a guided paddle, river history talks, and a lunch, catered by Driftless Cafe, at Wildcat Mountain State Park. Gather at 10 a.m. at the launch and paddle to the park for lunch and speakers. Then, paddle to the take-out, arriving at about 4 p.m. Those who just want lunch and discussion at the park should choose the “lunch only” option when registering. Sliding scale fees make the event accessible for all. Learn more at www.tinyurl.com/RvrAllKickapo.
The Energy Fair in Custer, Wisconsin, near Stevens Point, is a world-famous gathering to learn about, discuss, plan, and advocate for a clean, sustainable world. The Wisconsin Sierra Club will table at this event and is seeking a few more helpers. To learn more about the fair, which will be held from June 23 through 25, visit TheEnergyFair.org. If you can help table, please email cassie.steiner@sierraclub.org.
KNOW YOUR UTILITY THANK YOU to everyone who joined the Wisconsin Chapter's virtual and in-person "Know your Utility" events in May to learn and share about your electric utility! Whether you're a customer of an investor-owned utility like Xcel, a rural electric co-op, or a municipal utility, we all can learn more about where our energy comes from and how
it could be greener. Stay tuned for more opportunities to learn and act this summer, as the Sierra Club and our partners urge Dairyland Power to apply for Empowering Rural America (ERA) funding for clean energy projects rather than building a new fossil gas plant! You can
watch a recording of the virtual Know Your Utility session at this link: https://youtu.be/XYPSVWEoRfY, and then learn more about the New ERA program at www.tinyurl.com/WISC-KYU
IMAGINE SOLAR EDUCATION Join Solar on La Crosse Schools as it imagines an
outdoor solar classroom at Summit Environmental School on Thursday, June 29 from 9 to 10 a.m. In addition to viewing solar demonstrations, including a solar-charged battery and solar oven, participants will be invited to draw their ideals for how a planned solar canopy can expand and enhance students’ education. The Summit School solar canopy is one of two large projects SOLS volunteers are supporting and helping to fund in 2023. A solar array and mini-grid at the downtown La Crosse Polytechnic High School is expected to be completed this fall. Learn more about the group and the June 29 event at SolarOnLaCrosseSchools.org.
JUNETEENTH at RIVERSIDE PARK, Sunday, June 18 from 11 to 7. CRSC members are encouraged to check out this year's Juneteenth event where sustainability is a focus! The event will include community organizations sharing information, music, speakers, education, food, and more. Sustainability features include a staffed bike corral for those who ride to the event and a commitment to reduce plastic use by nixing plastic water bottles and offering bulk water in paper cups or for water bottles. Food vendors will use non-plastic foodware as much as possible, too. For more information, visit JuneteenthLaXWI.weebly.com
CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER REFUGE Friends of the Refuge Headwaters is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Mississippi River Refuge by hosting a photo contest. All photos must be taken at or of the Upper Mississippi River
Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The deadline for submissions is October 27, 2023 with judging completed by January 1, 2024. Winning photos will become part of an exhibit displayed at
public events throughout the Refuge in 2024. Cash prizes will be given for top entries. For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/RefugePhotoInfo
CITIZEN SCIENTISTS - BIRDS! This summer, the New York Times is partnering with the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology to gather observations about the birds around us, filling in data gaps and giving researchers a clearer picture of biodiversity in places that birders frequent less. Nearly half of all bird species worldwide are known or suspected to be in decline, and
climate change could accelerate this trend. You don’t need to be an expert or have special
equipment. Training is part of the project, which lasts through September, and apps will help with identification and reporting. To learn more, visit www.tinyurl.com/NYTBirdProject
MORE JUNE EVENTS
June 3 is WORLD BICYCLE DAY!
6/ 3: National Trail Day at Kickapoo Valley Reserve kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar
6/ 3: Friends of the Black River Paddle Hatfield whitewater at noon. www.blackrivercountry.net/event/friends-of- the-black- river-2023-paddleevents/2023-06-03/
6/ 8: Gardening in a Changing Climate. 2:30 p.m. Black River Falls Public Library. www.tinyurl.com/BRFClimateGardening
6/10: Robinson Creek Preservation Society annual breakfast and paddle starting at 8:30 a.m. Please RSVP www.blackrivercountry.net/event/friends-of-theblack-river-2023-paddle-events/2023-06-03/
6/10: Plant I.D. Hike. 9 a.m. at Kickapoo Valley Reserve kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Calendar
6/10: All Abilities Stroll. 10 a.m. District 1 Community Center, BRF. www.jacksoninaction.org/abilities
6/14: Virtual Sierra Club Volunteer Night at 6:30 p.m. online www.tinyurl.com/WISC-0623Vol
6/14: Landmark Conservancy stewardship specialist Katie Hahn program on Land Trusts. 6:30 p.m. in The Hub at the Lunda Community Center, BRF. www,tinyurl.com/BRFLandTrusts
6/15: Family Hike at 3:30 p.m. Castle Mound Trail Head, BRF. www.blackrivercountry.net/event/hiking/
IRA HELPS YOU HELP THE EARTH The Inflation Reduction Act’s many credits and
incentives to help people, non-profits, businesses, and governments move from fossil fuels to
renewable energy are extensive. Now is the time to learn what’s available and begin planning your own transition over the next several years. From appliances and vehicles, to energy efficiency and equipment upgrades, the Act can help transform our lives and, in many cases, save money. A good place to start is the state’s Focus On Energy page: focusonenergy.com/blog/ira-federal-tax-credits which describes the federal incentives and how they work together with state incentives. For example, in addition to federal tax credits for
solar, FoE offers a rebate of $500 per residential system, with many rural residents eligible for an additional $500.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR NEEDS HELP! Email CRSierraClub@gmail.com OR call 608-315-2693
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