Saturday, October 4, 2025

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:

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