Sunday, March 1, 2026

March Newsletter

 

MARCH 20 AT 5:30 P.M. ACTION GATHERING - DATA CENTERS     Join CRSC friends and members as we learn about an important environmental issue and then take meaningful action together. All are welcome - you don’t need to be a Sierra Club member to participate.
This month's topic will be data centers - what are the potential impacts in Wisconsin? What regulation is being proposed? What can we do to protect our communities? RSVP (optional) by calling 608-315-2693 or at https://forms.gle/34yPvEL5putiuUtR7 to help us know how much pizza to have on hand. Please enter at the back door. BYO non-alcoholic beverage.

(NOT) TALKING ABOUT CLIMATE      Climate scientist and communicator Katharine Hayhoe notes in her blog, Talking Climate, that “climate hushing,” the lack of or deliberate blocking of discussion of the climate crisis, is becoming a dangerous global issue. She quotes Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, “When leaders don’t talk about something, enthusiasm falls among voters.”

In a joint statement issued in late 2025, the German Meteorological Society and the German Physical Society warned that, “Global warming has entered a phase of acceleration. By around 2050, warming could even reach 3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels … Climate model results indicate that warming of up to 5 degrees Celsius is likely by the end of the century. This can only be prevented by a fundamental shift in human behavior.” 

A February 6 Mother Jones article (There May Be No Turning Back This Climate Crisis) explains, “The reason for the escalation is that the climate system is in a pincer grip. First, emissions of planet-warming gases remain stubbornly high, and second, natural carbon sinks are weakening. The result is an accelerating rise in atmospheric concentrations of CO2—2024 saw the biggest jump ever.”

In the UK, ITV News has seen a “classified government intelligence report which appears to show some of the most worrying potential impacts of our loss of nature weren't disclosed to the public.” The study was to have been released in late 2025 but only a summary came out, after public pressure, in January 2026. View their report at https://tinyurl.com/26ukclimatereport

Unfortunately, the EPA is rolling back and ending climate action programs and policies, as detailed in this February 15 Sierra Club magazine article: Environmental Groups Vow to Stop Trump’s EPA From Revoking the Endangerment Finding. The Sierra Club, the Environmental Defense Fund, and other environmental groups are preparing to take legal action. 

The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) has released its 2026 Assessment Report which offers a five-year update on how Wisconsin's climate has continued to change. “Wisconsin continues to experience significant climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, increased precipitation, and more frequent extreme weather events. … Additional impacts include the arrival of new pests, infrastructure stress from heavier precipitation and temperature swings, and growing mental health concerns linked to climate uncertainty.” https://uwmadison.app.box.com/s/a4r2o4wpzoqrmogfeud6po3ughu2f9j0

HELP OUT AT THE APRIL 26 EARTH FAIR!  CRSC will table at the La Crosse Earth Fair on    Sunday, April 26. Can you take a shift to help let others know about our club? Or, can you participate in the Ask Me About My EV event at the fair? Call 608-315-2693 or email CRSierraClub@gmail.com.

COULEE REGION YOUTH     by Aditi Muduganti, Grade 12, Onalaska High School

You’re walking down your favorite, everyday La Crosse sidewalk in Riverside Park. People are talking, peaceful mornings galore, and the sounds of the river are flowing through your ears… except, on this particular morning, a group of students isn’t walking here. Instead, they are in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison with Wisconsin Blue Books in hand. This act of engagement must have been done by none other than a group of La Crosse County students.

In conversations with Senator Pfaff and Representative Johnson, the students discussed farming and soil practices common in the Driftless Region and how state policies intersect with agriculture. They also discussed renewable energy projects, including local efforts such as the rooftop solar installation at The Nature Place in Myrick Park and solar panels on county public buildings as part of La Crosse County’s climate planning work.

During the visit, the students met with researchers from the Wisconsin Energy Institute to learn about ongoing energy research being studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During this session, they learned about work connected to air quality research and planning in Kampala, Uganda, where UW-Madison researchers have contributed to developing air quality action plans. They also heard how to optimize roads for bikers… and yes, downtown can get busy enough to make even a squirrel nervous.

The topic of AI data centers was also part of the discussion. Across Wisconsin, multiple data center proposals have raised questions about energy demand. The students listened to Midwest Environmental Advocates as they explained how these facilities are evaluated and how energy planning is addressed.

Back in La Crosse County, these discussions connect to ongoing projects in our own community. Clearwater Farm in Onalaska developed a wetland habitat and education space designed to demonstrate water conservation. In the Coulee Region, solar projects continue to develop nearby, including construction on a solar farm near Lake Hallie intended to provide renewable energy.

Every part of the trip offered the students a chance to hear from those working on environmental and agricultural issues in both regional and global contexts. From the Capitol halls to the labs at the Energy Institute, and even to skies over Uganda, the students carried knowledge and a little bit of awe back to the Coulee Region.

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Aditi will be the featured speaker at this month’s Enviro-Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at the Nature Place in La Crosse. She will talk about her work on her sustainable technology book and her Miyawaki forest projects, both of which she did with funding from the Youth Climate Action Fund. She will also discuss sustainability and climate education in schools and how it is so important for the younger generation to be informed. The program is free and open to all. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/tnpew0426 

MORE MARCH EVENTS     

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Tuesday, February 17, 2026

February Newsletter

 

February 20 at 5:30 p.m. CRSC Action Gathering Join together to make a difference! 401 West Avenue South, La Crosse     Are you looking to get more involved in 2026? Join us 
to learn about an important environmental issue and then take meaningful action together. 
This month we'll be exploring changes you can make at home or in your everyday life to reduce your environmental footprint. All are welcome, whether you're new to environmental activism or a seasoned campaigner! Enter at the back door. RSVP (optional) by calling 608-315-2693 or at https://forms.gle/34yPvEL5putiuUtR7 to help us know how much pizza to have on hand. BYO non-alcoholic beverage and your energy to make change!

FEB. 4 & 6 - TRANSIT EQUITY DAYS     Public transit is the primary means of transportation for one-third or more of Americans. Public transit is often overlooked and usually underfunded, meaning transit riders have longer travel times, harder connections, missing service, and less access to their lives than car drivers. Transit Equity Day, on February 4, Rosa Parks’ birthday, recognizes that transit is a civil right and a key strategy to confront climate change. Sierra Club goals of increasing transportation access and equity, working for cleaner air and water, and taking climate action are all wrapped up in transit equity. Learn more about this issue and how you can be involved at https://tinyurl.com/TED-LaCrosse-2026

DATA CENTERS     The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) will decide how much data centers in We Energies & WPS territory will pay for their electricity and infrastructure. We must ensure that Wisconsinites don’t subsidize Big Tech billionaires through higher energy bills. Big data centers could more than double electricity demand. The PSC must take action. 
Learn more at a Feb. 4 6 p.m. webinar about No Discounts for Data Centers and attend the PSC hearings online on Feb. 10 and 24 at 1 or 6 p.m. to give your opinion OR submit written comments by Feb. 17. Learn more about how you can take action at https://tinyurl.com/WISC-PSC210 

SPECIAL EARTH MONTH GRANTS!     The Coulee Region Sierra Club will provide grants of up to $200 each for teachers or others who work with K-8 students to help fund Earth Month projects or lessons! Please apply by February 28 at https://sierraclub.org/Wisconsin/Coulee/Education (use the Environmental Education Grant application). If you have questions, please call 608-315-2693 or email CRSierraClub@gmail.com.

FEB. 13-16 BACKYARD BIRD COUNT     Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. People all over the world count as many birds as they can and report them to help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.Learn how to participate at https://www.birdcount.org

FEBRUARY 17 - SPRING PRIMARY ELECTION DAY if needed. myvote.wi.gov 

COULEE REGION YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION     by Aditi Muduganti, Grade 12, Onalaska High School

As we ring in the new year, students from across La Crosse County are taking a stand for climate action. Currently at Onalaska High School, the lead plaintiff in the Our Children’s Trust case is present.

"The bluffs on the Mississippi River in Wisconsin brought my ancestors to this great state in the 1860s because of its beauty. However, as a result of the climate crisis in Wisconsin, the bluff where my family and I lived became unstable and dangerous, and we were forced to move,” said plaintiff Kaarina D. “Having lived this trauma in my home state was almost unthinkable and is directly linked to climate change. This fight to protect my right to life and liberty, to a stable climate system, and to access and enjoy our waters does not end with my actions, but begins with my state doing its job: protecting my fellow youth plaintiffs.” 

Aditi Muduganti, a fellow student at Onalaska High School, said, “Moving from California, where students with asthma were constantly threatened by poor air quality, we were forced to stay indoors most days, depriving us of our rights. Moving to Wisconsin, I noticed a lack of climate education in schools, which led me to create a Miyawaki Forest that now serves as an outdoor classroom for students at Summit Elementary School and write a sustainable technology children’s book and read it to kids across Wisconsin. It is really amazing to see these students feel inspired, which is why I got involved with the case as well to bring the efforts and impact to the legislative level.”

Students from Onalaska High School have attended meetings with senior policy advisors from Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office and representatives from Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s office.

Plans are also underway for students to visit Madison, Wisconsin, in February to meet with Representative Jill Billings and Midwest Environmental Advocates to discuss climate policy and youth-led initiatives. 

At the La Crosse Citizens Climate Lobby meetings, students are urged to continue emailing their local representatives about climate policy, especially since this winter storm, hitting Wisconsin hard, is a direct effect of climate change.

Additionally, students in Onalaska High School’s Green Council continue their work on weekly recycling, a long-standing tradition that reduces the school’s plastic and bottle waste while promoting environmental awareness among peers.

At the Youth Climate Action Fund Awards, organized by Bloomberg Philanthropies, students were recognized for their dedication to sustainability and their creative approaches to environmental challenges.

Through these efforts, students in La Crosse County are proving that meaningful climate action can start at any age. From school projects and recycling programs to meetings with lawmakers and statewide advocacy, their work shows that youth leadership can drive real change and inspire the community to take action for a sustainable future.  

MORE FEBRUARY EVENTS

 

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Monday, January 12, 2026

January Action Gathering Canceled

We are canceling our JANUARY Action Gathering but hope you can join us on February 20!

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Sunday, January 4, 2026

January newsletter

Big Tech Unchecked: A toolkit for community action on Tuesday, January 13 at 6 p.m. on Zoom     Join Healthy Climate Wisconsin, the Midwest Environmental Advocates, the Sierra Club-Wisconsin Chapter, and Wisconsin's Green Fire as we walk through the new toolkit: Hyperscale Data Centers in Wisconsin: Big Tech Unchecked, A toolkit for Community Action.
Call 608-315-2693 for dial-in information or register for the link at https://tinyurl.com/11326-bigtech

Many Wisconsin communities are racing to deal with new resource-hungry data centers proposed around the state. Common concerns about data centers include their massive energy consumption needs, water usage, land use, and their impact on the cost of utilities for ratepayers. We can all benefit from understanding the information and options available to our communities. In this toolkit, readers will learn what hyperscale data centers are, their potential impacts, and ways to mitigate the worst impacts.The toolkit is packed with background information about data centers and their impacts. We also include information about local and state permitting, and some important laws. Additionally, the toolkit contains several pages on different ways that ordinary people can take action, either as individuals or as organizations. Each section is only 1-2 pages, including lots of vibrant photos and graphics. We wanted this toolkit to be convenient to break down into smaller segments so different readers can find and share the information they need with ease. 

Jan. 16 - CRSC Action Gathering     Join us for the first action gathering of 2026 on Friday, January 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 401 West Ave. S. (accessible by MTU bus). Enter at the back. We are looking forward to continuing our momentum from last year with our first action gathering of 2026! Join with others to view a short informational video clip, discuss, and take action together. All are welcome, whether you're new to environmental activism or a seasoned campaigner! Pizza will be provided but please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage. Enter at the back door. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/126crscaction

Jan. 27 - Virtual Volunteer Fair     Start the new year by learning how you can get involved and make a difference. There are countless ways to volunteer with the Sierra Club and we would love to help you find your fit and get started. We have in person, virtual, regular or occasional opportunities that fit all types of schedules. Join our virtual volunteer fair to learn more, ask questions and meet others who are also looking for ways to make a positive impact and protect the environment. Register here for the 6 p.m. event. https://tinyurl.com/wiscjan26volfair

CRSC's 2026 Board     Congratulations Kathy Allen, Ned Gatzke, Larry Sleznikow and Cathy Van Maren who were elected to the  CRSC Board of Directors for 2026-2028! Thanks to all who voted! The CRSC Board meets monthly to plan club activities and coordinate actions with local and state club members and allies. The next board meeting will be online at 6:30 p.m. on January 21. CRSC members may attend. Email or call for access information. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration on Monday, January 19 at 7 p.m. at the Viterbo Fine Arts Center or online. See more information here: https://www.viterbo.edu/social-justice-and-equity/mlk-jr-community-celebration-program

Year In Review      by Kathy Allen, CRSC Board president      

Our Coulee Region Group kept busy this year, hosting our own programs and co-hosting events with partners! Here are some highlights from each month.

  • January - We hosted a virtual program about the Outdoor Recreation Alliance's (ORA) new community trail farm project with Josh Hein, the Trail Farm Project Administrator (and a Sierra Club member). If you missed it, you can still watch a recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrXiqi0NbLg. Update: The Community Trail Farm is now open to the public! Learn more at https://www.oratrails.org/trail-farm/. In January, we also awarded three environmental education grants: to the Coon Valley Library's after school program for a guest speaker from the National Eagle Center; to 7th graders at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse to expand their classroom recycling program; and to 3rd grade classrooms at Northside Elementary in La Crosse for a cave tour field trip.
  • February - We co-sponsored local Transit Equity Days activities, and hosted our first-ever Coulee Region action gathering, focused on protecting the clean energy programs in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
  • March - We hosted our second local action gathering, where several members wrote letters to the editor about the IRA that were published by the La Crosse Tribune!
  • April - Earth Month was a busy time! We hosted a virtual program on Local Governments and Climate Action, featuring Joe Ledvina from the School District of La Crosse, Bob Micheel from the Monroe County Land Conservation Department, and Lewis Kuhlman from the City of La Crosse Planning Department (the recording is still available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSe4OphhVY). We also hosted an action gathering in support of public lands and completed our spring roadside cleanup along River Valley Drive. We tabled at UW-La Crosse's "Earthapalooza" and La Crosse's Earth Fair, where we folded origami fish to contribute to the Wisconsin Chapter's "Fish for the Future" world record attempt. 
  • May - We tabled at the "Refuge Strong" event hosted by Friends of the Refuge - Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8 and hosted a local action gathering for the fourth month in a row!
  • June - We hosted our annual summer picnic, at Goose Island County Park along the Mississippi this year, and had an outing to explore Holland Sand Prairie. The monthly action gathering focused on endangered species, and included calling on our members of Congress to keep the gray wolf on the Endangered Species list.
  • July - We took a month off from action gatherings, but we tabled at the Youth Outdoor Fest at Pettibone Park 
  • August - This was another busy month! We completed our summer roadside cleanup, co-sponsored a Grow Solar La Crosse "Power Hour" about the local group buy program, and hosted our first-ever group Happy Hour at JavaVino. Our monthly action gatherings returned with an information-packed session about the federal budget appropriations process and the potential impacts on conservation agencies. Lastly, we awarded our high school environmental stewardship award to Onalaska's Aditi Muduganti. 
  • September - Our monthly action gathering focused on public lands and the managers who care for them and their visitors. We sent thank-you letters to the staffs of five nearby federal park sites. We also held a "Transit  to Trails" outing to Coon Valley on the SMRT bus for Week Without Driving.
  • October - We completed our final roadside cleanup of the year, and our action gathering prepared us to protect our community from climate change's "unnatural" disasters. 
  • November - We hosted a "watch party" for the Wisconsin Chapter awards, with special guest and Community Steward Award recipient, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region. Our final monthly action gathering of the year focused on defending our clean energy future.
  • December - We wrapped up the year with good food and great conversation at our holiday potluck!
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