Tuesday, July 9, 2024

July newsletter

 

AUGUST 3-4: KID FRIENDLY CANOE TRIP ON THE BLACK RIVER     The very popular kid-friendly overnight canoe-camping trip  on the Black River (Irving to North Bend) is  back! This longstanding annual trip is open to families with kids and to the young-at-heart. Trip leaders will take it slower, stop to play/swim, and explore along the way. Hike up a little waterfall, sleep on a sandbar, and engage in creative outdoor play. This year’s trip will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 3 and end at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 4 (Times are tentative).
Participants must provide their own boat(s), gear, drinking water, and food. All camping gear, food, and water must fit in your boat(s). Each individual or family group is expected to be able to set up their camp and provide their own meals on the trip. The cost to participate is FREE.
This is an EASY level (moving water with camping) trip, but each boat must be able to navigate a nine to ten mile stretch of river each day. There are no rapids on this stretch. Everyone must wear a good-fitting PFD (life jacket) whenever they are on the water. A carpool shuttle option will be available right before the trip starts, and right after the trip concludes. (Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.) All registered trip participants will be notified if the trip is canceled. Participants MUST pre-register with the trip leaders, Carol and Kevin Olson, by emailing olsonfam44@rucls.net or calling 608-963-2688 or 608-963-2678. 

LINE 5 COMMENTS     If you missed the Sierra Club’s  Line 5 comment workshop in La Crosse on June 25, you still have time to write and submit comments to the Army Corps of Engineers about Enbridge Energy’s plans to continue moving oil through northern Wisconsin.

Right now, a dangerous pipeline threatens the water, sustainability, and livelihoods of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, trespassing on their land and ignoring their sovereignty. Now, Enbridge is trying to expand that pipeline and operate it for years to come, putting at risk the water, fish, plants and animals, humans, and so much more, with the threat of an oil spill. The Biden Administration is taking comments on Enbridge's proposal and they need to hear about the dangers of the pipeline and the need to deny permits for the reroute. Comments are due by August 4.

Learn more about the issue and how to submit comments at https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2024/06/your-comment-needed-stop-line-5
For a deeper look at the issue, you can now stream or buy the new documentary BAD RIVER at https://www.badriverfilm.com/order. This link also provides information about hosting a community screening.

JUNE 1 TRANSIT 2 TRAILS     While the rain on June 1 kept us from our intended hike,  it did not dampen the spirits and will of eight Sierra Club friends and members to take a hike. Transit to Trails events are part of a national Sierra Club initiative to highlight recreational and natural areas that are available by public transportation or need better transit options to be accessible for all.

With a last minute substitution due to wet conditions at the planned site, we welcomed Cassie Steiner-Bouxa, Senior Campaign Coordinator with the Wisconsin Sierra Club, as our trip leader. Most of us met at the La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility (MTU) Grand River Station Transit Center in downtown La Crosse to catch a regular MTU route. A couple of participants hopped on the bus as it passed closer to their homes. Our substitute site, the Hass Tract Trail near La Crosse County’s Hillview Health Care Center, proved to be perfect for conditions as the forested sections helped shield hikers from the occasional light drizzle. This location also offered a less strenuous alternative–the trails at Chad Erickson Memorial Park. A donation by Kwik Trip, arranged by CRSC board member Carol Miller, resulted in fruit and cookie snacks for hikers. Participants regrouped at Chad Erickson park to walk the few blocks back to the bus stop and our trip back to the Transit Center. Following the trip, a few hikers had lunch at Pickermans, right across from the Transit Center, to discuss the event and upcoming Sierra Club programs. We hope to host or co-sponsor more Transit to Trails events, including a hike on the La Crosse River Conservancy trail, our original destination.
Learn more about this important initiative, at https://www.sierraclub.org/outdoors-all/transit-trails

JUNE 5 CLEAN ENERGY RALLY     A group of Sierra Club clean energy advocates and Rural Electric Co-op members gathered in front of the La Crosse Center on June 5 as Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) held its annual meeting inside. The group encouraged meeting attendees to ask DPC to move away from fossil fuels and ask questions about  plans to move ahead with construction of a fossil gas facility, Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC), in Superior, Wisconsin. They also want DPC and its member co-ops to be more transparent and democratic in their decision-making and operations. Sierra Club and co-op members spoke to these issues during a press event. You can read more about the issues  in the Sierra Club’s press release (https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2024/06/coalition-demands-dairyland-power-cancels-plans-ntec) and view local media coverage at these links:

 CRSC POTLUCK     Members and friends of the Coulee Region Sierra Club gathered at the amazing Goose Island County Park on June 18 to talk, plan, network, and eat delicious food. The weather was mild, the river was beautiful, and the conversations were intense! Thanks to those who attended and contributed!

JULY 16 HIGHWAY CLEANUP     Join Sierra Club friends as we clean up l along “our” stretch of River Valley Drive on Tuesday, July 16. We’ll meet  at 6 p.m. at the pumping station just west of the Gillette Street and River Valley Drive stop light to get bags, gloves, and vests and work for about an hour. After the cleanup, there’s an optional gathering at Rudy’s on La Crosse Street. 

AUGUST 13 PARTISAN PRIMARY     An important statewide elections is coming up on August 13. Please make sure you read up on the candidates and issues and are registered to vote! Visit https://myvote.wi.gov for more information.

RECs AND CLEAN ENERGY     Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs) were established during the Franklin Roosevelt administration to bring electricity to rural residents across the country. In the 1930s, most rural homes were without electricity making life difficult and discouraging business development and other economic opportunities in these areas. Even after incentives were authorized, investor-owned utilities weren’t interested in expanding to rural areas, so the federal government turned to farmer cooperatives to move the process forward.

Cooperative principles, laid out by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in 1844, aimed to give the power of decision-making and equitable financial benefits to co-op members rather than outside investors or individuals who have less interest in the services provided than the profits generated.

Modern RECs are supposed to be governed by these cooperative principles: open and voluntary membership; democratic member control; member economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training, and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for community.

Unfortunately, many REC members have found co-op boards to be unresponsive to new conditions such as the climate crisis, undemocratic in practice, and, apparently,  in some cases, uninterested in playing a role in moving forward with cheaper, cleaner, climate-friendly renewable energy.

There are many aspects to these issues which we hope to cover over the rest of the year. The June 5 Clean Energy rally aimed to highlight the lack of democratic control and lack of concern for community.

Another area of concern is lack of support for owner-member renewable energy installations. While some RECs are  investing in community solar gardens and battery storage, many are also) actively discouraging individuals from installing their own grid-tied systems. Here is a report from a Riverland Energy Cooperative member. 

Riverland Energy Co-op (serving Buffalo,Trempealeau and portions of La Crosse counties) just announced new rates and policies that will completely discourage any members from acquiring new solar energy systems on their homes or properties within the REC system. 

Many studies have shown that solar customers have a positive impact on local utility finances because they reduce electricity demand and, therefore, the tremendous expense of adding capacity. In simple terms, the excess energy provided back into the REC grid from solar customers goes directly to supplying our neighbors demand and, most often, during the exact times of day when demand is the highest.

Up until now, Riverland has used net metering, the fairest rate system, that allows members to calculate their potential payback period for a solar system and encourages new solar production by members. Net metering enables customers who generate electricity from their own solar systems to receive a full value bill credit for any energy they export to the grid. Now, Riverland has announced hugely regressive new solar rules and rates, supposedly in the interest of fairness. They will no longer support net metering and plan a minimal payback for the energy solar customers provide into the system. 

The very worst part is the new demand charge. While Riverland proposes to reduce peak demand, it now considers solar output as a demand on their system and will charge a “bidirectional demand fee” of $1 per kW based also on the largest solar output, not just on consumption. This misguided policy is grossly unfair to their existing solar members and will also greatly reduce any fiscal reason for members to install new solar systems.

Wisconsin needs all the clean solar power we can generate to help combat climate change and these regressive policies will move us in exactly the wrong direction. If you are a Riverland member, I urge you to contact the manager and your board representative and ask them to completely reconsider this new direction.

Riverland board members and the management team (but no contact information) are listed here: https://www.riverlandenergy.com. Please email CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-3158-2693 for more information.

This 2015 article by the Energy and Policy Institute (https://energyandpolicy.org/edison-electric-institute-campaign-against-distributed-solar) documents the utility industry’s campaign to block home solar. “The rapid growth and emergence of solar energy in the electricity market along with net metering policies have caused investor-owned utility companies and their trade association, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), to create a strategic campaign to prevent distributed rooftop solar energy from gaining more share of the market. … Documents show the detailed plan to convince regulators, lawmakers, and consumers that distributed rooftop solar is unfair to other rate-payers.” 

Co-ops are supposed to benefit their members. We need to counter disinformation among members and elected officials. Next month we’ll have ideas for taking action to promote clean energy in your REC.

MORE JULY EVENTS     


 

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June newsletter

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 1: TRANSIT 2 TRAILS   The Sierra Club’s national Transit 2 Trails 4 All campaign aims to highlight lack of access to local, state,and national recreation and wild areas for nondrivers, and advocate for more cleaner, safer transportation options. CRSC is hosting its first ever T2T event with Wisconsin Sierra Club’s Senior Campaign Coordinator, Cassie Steiner-Bouxa on Saturday, June 1, National Trails Day! We’ll meet at the Grand River Station Transit Center, 314 Jay Street, La Crosse a bit before 8:30 a.m. and catch the MTU #2 bus to get to the trailhead near HIllview Health Care/Hass Park on La Crosse’s south side. Then, we’ll hike
on the Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s Hass Tract trail before we catch the 11:00 a.m. bus back to the Transit Center. NO BUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! We will have guides available and send details when you register. Email us or call 608-315-2693 for more information. Register so we can send details and contact you if plans change at tinyurl.com/LaXT2TRegister or by calling.

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. CRSC SUMMER POTLUCK at GOOSE ISLAND SHELTER 3.  Make or buy some delicious food to share, grab your personal picnic kit (plate, utensils, cup or bottle), and bike, carpool or drive to Goose Island Shelter #3 on Tuesday, June 18 starting at 5:30 p.m. The club will supply beverages. The shelter is near the river so bring your bug stuff, too. We’ll have activities for children and adults, news about current Sierra Club campaigns, and some surprises! Ride your bike, or, If you are driving, consider offering a carpool ride - use this link: groupcarpool.com/t/0gz93w to add your vehicle or to
seek a ride, or call 608-315-2693. You do not need to be a Sierra Club to attend, though the Sierra  Club is doing some pretty important work and welcome new talent, energy, passion, and ideas. Bring your friends and family, too! 

JUNE 5 - RALLY FOR CLEAN ENERGY!  We need clean renewable energy, not dirty fossil fuels! Please join us at a rally outside of the Dairyland Power Cooperative annual meeting calling for Dairyland to commit to:
•    No new fossil fuels or dirty energy including gas like the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) or wasteful and expensive nuclear reactors
•    Retire all coal like the existing Madgett Coal Plant
•    Invest in affordable clean energy and renewable solutions like wind, solar and battery storage

Bring: Comfortable shoes, weather appropriate clothes, signs about NTEC (we will also provide some) Speakers will begin at 10:45 a.m. RSVP at  https://tinyurl.com/June5-NONTEC
Want to learn more about the NTEC campaign? On May 23, our group chair, Kathy Allen, joined members of Neighbors Against NTEC for an educational webinar about the plant and its connection to Dairyland Power Cooperative. Watch the recording here: https://www.facebook.com/CRSierraClub/videos/812753133758314 

JUNE 4 LINE 5 HEARING. On June 4, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will hold a public hearing in Ashland, Wisconsin regarding a forthcoming environmental assessment (EA) of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline expansion, and the May 20, 2024, USACE Draft Combined Decision Document.

This is an opportunity to tell the USACE and the entire Biden administration about your concerns around the Line 5 pipeline. Enbridge Energy, a multi-billion dollar corporation, is moving oil dangerously through northern Wisconsin every day illegally in trespass, violating the Bad River Band’s sovereignty. They are trying to expand that pipeline and operate it for years to come, putting at risk the water, fish, plants and animals, humans, and so much more, with the threat of an oil spill. You can help stop them by participating in the upcoming public input opportunities.

Please consider adding your comments online or in person by attending and speaking at the hearing. The Sierra Club is arranging buses and car pools and can help prepare those who wish to speak. Learn more about getting to and participating in the Line 5 public hearing at https://tinyurl.com/June4-Line5Hearing

Written comments may be submitted at any time to CEMVP-WiL5R-CDD-Comments@usace.army.mil before the expiration date of the DCDD comment period, which will be 31 days after the June 4, 2024 public hearing (July 5, 2024). Additionally, written comments may be submitted in person durin the public hearing. All written comments received will be included in the administrative record on this action. Please note that all verbal and written comments, including names and addresses, become part of the administrative record, and may be available to the public under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. If you are unable to submit comments via email, you may send your written comments with a postmarked date no later than July 5, 2024, to the following address:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
St. Paul District, Regulatory Division
332 Minnesota Street, Suite E1500
St. Paul, MN 55101-1678

If you have any questions concerning this Public Notice, please email the address shown above, or contact the Corps by phone at 1-651-290-5525.Comments will not be accepted via phone or voicemail.

The Wisconsin Chapter Sierra Club will host Line 5 related comment writing parties around the state in June. The La Crosse comment party is on Tuesday, June 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. with the location to be determined. RSVP here for details: https://tinyurl.com/LaXLine5Comments

CLIMATE ACTION IN A RIVER CITY. On Tuesday, May 21, La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds spoke at a virtual gathering on Climate Action in a River City. Mayor Reynolds addressed the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations (“The Treaty”) which he attended in Ottawa earlier this year, and his role as co-chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI). Both efforts are addressing the pollutants—specifically plastics—that end up in our waterways. Given that the Mississippi River watershed extends through 31 states and two Canadian provinces, waste from much of Middle America has the potential to reach the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, diminishing human health and water quality on an enormous scale.

An essential component of The Treaty, as well as the COP 28 Climate Conference (which Mayor Reynolds also attended as co-chair of MRCTI), involved bringing local government representation into negotiations to make global ideas actionable at a local level. As the only U.S. mayor in attendance at the Plastics Treaty Negotiations, Mayor Reynolds represented not only the voice of La Crosse but every municipality in America. The Treaty is meant to create a legally binding approach to eliminate unnecessary single-use and short-lived plastic products. Treaty development remains ongoing until the next session later this year.

Meanwhile, Mayor Reynolds recently directed City of La Crosse departments to complete plastics "self-audits" to make sure the city is not contributing to the problem. Reducing local plastics usage down to those currently recyclable, and eliminating Styrofoam/styrene, are two clear paths toward reducing pollution in the watershed.

Mayor Reynolds also discussed how the City's Climate Action Plan is further deploying natural infrastructure to mitigate the effects of climate change. Wetland restoration efforts are underway to offset the effects of flood and drought. By utilizing EPA grants to build lift stations to move water throughout the city to the La Crosse River and by working alongside Ducks Unlimited to enhance and restore wetland areas to improve floodwater storage, Mayor Reynolds is hopeful that the city can prevent and mitigate future flooding events in the region. You can watch a recording of the program on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CRSierraClub/videos/973407544785494

YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION GRANT  The City of La Crosse has been selected to participate in the Youth Climate Action Fund, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.Microgrants of $1,000 to $5,000 will support youth-led initiatives to combat climate change. La Crosse youth and aged 15-24 are eligible to apply. The application deadline is July 31, 2024. More information will be available at a Youth Forum during the week of June 22. The City will also host a grant-writing webinar in mid-July. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/LaXYCAF 

JUNE 22 - THE REFUGE AT 100!  The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (refuge) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a FREE open house for people of all ages on June 22. 

Activities at the La Crosse District Visitor Center (N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska)
10am - 2pm: Guided walks on the short, paved trail loop, including partner booths, visits from Puddles the Blue Goose, arts and crafts, and vote on your favorite 100th Anniversary Photo Contest winner. Take the River Rat Relay challenge
Live animal programs (seating is first-come, first-served):
•    River Valley Raptors: 10:05 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. in the large outdoor tent
•    Coulee Region Humane Society: 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. inside the visitor center
12:00 p.m. Birthday Celebration Ceremony and Visitor Center Dedication as a Great River Road Interpretive Center, followed by birthday cake! Keynote remarks will be delivered by honored speakers who will share their connection to this special place.
1:00 p.m. Audubon Upper Mississippi River history presentation inside the visitor center multipurpose room.

Activities at the Fred Funk Boat Landing (W8023 County Rd ZB, Onalaska - Please park at the Swarthout Park parking lots located on County Road ZB across from the boat landing)
Barge boat tours: 9:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m. Advance registration is required for boat tours and seating is limited. Registration will open Monday, June 10. More details to come! Life jackets are required and will be provided.

Electroshock fishing demonstrations by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m.  

Learn more at https://www.fws.gov/rivers/event/100th-anniversary-celebration-la-crosse-district

JUNE 22 - 33RD ANNUAL ENERGY FAIR     The Energy Fair, in Custer, Wisconsin, is the nation’s longest-running event of its kind. Part trade show, educational event, and grassroots festival, the Fair brings thousands of industry professionals and sustainable living enthusiasts together for workshops, exhibits, demonstrations, networking events, and much more. Tickets are on sale now ($25 or $15 for seniors) or join MREA and get into the fair free.  Enjoy live music, vegan food options, and lots more. View all the special events and workshops here:  TheEnergyFair.org. Join in the clean energy transition and help make clean energy and sustainable living accessible to all!

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Thursday, May 2, 2024

May Newsletter

Tues., May 21, 7 p.m. online, Climate Action in a River City (rescheduled) with La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds     La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds is co-chair of the
Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, an organization that collaborates to heal and protect the health and sustainability of the Mississippi River system. Globally, he’s worked with river city mayors from around the world on challenges and solutions. Locally, he has championed a community-wide climate action plan to reduce carbon emissions and address and mitigate adverse effects of drought, floods, and storms. We’ll hear from Mayor Reynolds about his work and plans, with time for questions and answers during this online program.
To register, call 608-315-2693 or visit tinyurl.com/CRSC-MayorReynolds-Climate  This event is rescheduled from April. If you registered for the April program you don’t need to register again.

MAY 1 CHAPTER FUNDRAISER     Join us online on Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. for the annual  fundraiser, Locally Grown, Nationally Known fundraiser for the Wisconsin Chapter Sierra Club! This year we will take a journey around the state, meeting with some Wisconsinites who not only share our vision for sustainability, but have put it into action! Guests include the proprietor of a vegan restaurant, a candlemaker, a food co-op, a sheep farm that uses guard dogs and a home weatherization service. We'll connect the dots between these unique ventures and our advocacy efforts, play a few rounds of trivia, and more. To learn more and register, visit https://tinyurl.com/wisc24-lgnk. Chances to donate will be shared during the evening. Or make your gift in advance at https://teamsierrawi.rallybound.org/LGNK2024

SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. TRANSIT 2 TRAILS 4 ALL - MTU to La Crosse River Conservancy Trail with Cassie Steiner-Bouxa, WI Sierra Club    [UPDATED] The Sierra Club’s national Transit 2 Trails 4 All campaign aims to highlight lack of access to local, state, and national recreation and wild areas for nondrivers, and advocate for more cleaner, safer transportation options. CRSC is hosting its first ever T2T event with Wisconsin Sierra Club’s Senior Campaign Coordinator, Cassie Steiner-Bouxa on Saturday, June 1, National Trails Day! We’ll meet at the Grand River Station Transit Center, 314 Jay Street, La Crosse a bit before 8:30 a.m. and catch the MTU #2 bus to get to the Hass Tract trailhead near Hill view Home/Hass Park. Then, we’ll hike on the trail before we catch the 11:00 a.m. bus back to the Transit Center. NO BUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! We will have guides available and send details when you register. Email us or call 608-315-2693 for more information. Register so we can send details and contact you if plans change at tinyurl.com/WISC-T2T-June1 or by calling. 

EARTH MONTH EVENTS     April 9 - Spring into Energy Savings   Thank  you to co-sponsors, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Citizens' Climate Lobby, and the City of La Crosse) and presenters (Maxwell Johnson and Mackenzie Mindel) for our program about financial incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the city's community-wide climate action goals. Thanks also to our attendees and to The Nature Place for hosting! You can find information on IRA incentives from WCV at https://conservationvoters.org/priority-campaigns/clean-energy-plan. Find more information about the Carbon Free Challenge at  https://brightaction.app/westernwi/lacrosse

Our April 23 talk with La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds had to be postponed because of a schedule conflict. We will now host the talk on May 21.

Our April 27 highway clean-up on La Crosse’s River Valley Drive was the first of the year.  Thank you volunteers!

The April 28 La Crosse Earth Fair ran into stormy weather which meant tablers in tents, like CRSC, and the Ask Me About My EV event were canceled. We will try to reschedule the EV event at a later date.

On Monday, April 29, BAD RIVER, the new documentary about the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa was shown twice at the Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria in La Crosse. The film highlights the band’s ongoing struggle against Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline. Co-sponsors included CRSC, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, the Rivoli, Citizen Action of Wisconsin Driftless Co-op, the La Crosse Ho-Chunk Nation La Crosse Youth and Learning Center, La Crosse Public Library, UWL ALANA, UWL Students for Sustainability, and Viterbo Student Sustainability Club. The film is now available to stream online. See https://www.badriverfilm.com for details.

MAY 4 VALLEY CONSERVATION DAY - On Saturday, May 4, the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council (CCCWC) and partners will host a FREE Conservation Day at Coon Valley Dairy Supply (S688A WI-162, Coon Valley). Events kick off at 9 a.m. with an artisan market featuring over 50 local vendors. The Conservation Fair will run from noon to 4 p.m. This event celebrates the watershed and its conservation traditions. The Coon Creek Watershed was home to the nation’s first large-scale conservation demonstration project in the 1930s, which changed agricultural practices across the country. Learn more: https://cooncreekwatershed.org/coon-creek-conservation-day.

MAY 7 CHAPTER BOOK CLUB     "My desire is not to leave readers feeling hopeful, but to leave you feeling efficacious."  Join the Wisconsin Chapter's book club at 7:00 for a discussion of A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet by Sarah Jaquette Ray. Drawing on a decade of experience leading and teaching in college environmental studies programs, Ray has created an “existential tool kit” for the youth movement that is re-energizing global environmental activism (and more seasoned advocates). Combining insights from psychology, sociology, social movements, mindfulness, and the environmental humanities, Ray explains why and how we need to let go of eco-guilt, resist burnout, and cultivate resilience while advocating for climate justice. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/may24-bookclub to receive the meeting link. 

MAY 19 - BUILDING COMMUNITY     Echo Valley Hope and Building Unity will host a free, inclusive, educational and community-building event at Eckhart Park from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 19. Participating organizations include: Crawford Steward-ship Project, Vernon County Energy District, SOUL of Wisconsin, River to Ridge, Valley Stewardship Network, Driftless Palestine Solidarity, Driftless Green Burial Alliance, Threshold Care Circle and more. Speakers will start at 3:00, followed by open discussion and questions and answers. Please bring a chair. Food available from Jovita's Kitchen, an authentic Mexican food truck. Find event updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/397788679839534

MORE MAY EVENTS

5/ 1: Adventures in Ornithology - Borneo at Myrick Park Nature Place, 7 p.m. tinyurl.com/myrick0524

5/ 4: Tree Planting at Plum Creek Conservation Area in Crawford county 10 to 4 https://www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events/volunteer-wild-tree-planting

5/ 4: Spring foraging class ($) in Viola at 9 a.m. driftlessfolkschool.org/classes/spring-foraging-may-2024

5/ 9: What to Do About PFAS 6:30 p.m. ONLINE tinyurl.com/WILWV-PFAS0524

5/11: Wildflower Hike in Black River Falls 9:30 a.m. tinyurl.com/brfflowerhike

5/15: Friends of the Black River meeting 6:30 p.m. Lunda Ctr tinyurl.com/fobr052

5/18: Wyalusing bird hike, 6 a.m. tinyurl.com/wyalusingmaybird

6/ 1: National Trails Day at Kickapoo Valley Reserve kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Annual-Events 

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY EVENTS

  • 5/ 4: Event at Myrick Park, La Crosse 6:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  • 5/11: Hike at Sugar Creek Bluff 7 to 9 a.m. tinyurl.com/sugcrkbrd
  • 5/11: Event, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge tinyurl.com/tnwrbrd24

BAD RIVER REVIEW by Emily Grandy     Bad River (dir. Mary Mazzio) is a powerful new documentary chronicling the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s ongoing fight for sovereignty. The film centers on the Tribe’s battle against Enbridge, a negligent, rapacious Canadian oil company and their Line 5 pipeline, which transports crude oil through the Great Lakes Region, including the Bad River Reservation. 

The band sued Enbridge in federal court, arguing that there is a profound risk of a catastrophic rupture that could send oil pouring into the reservation’s complex watershed. Any spillage would not only jeopardize essential habitat including the only remaining extensive coastal wild rice wetland in the Great Lakes Basin, but it would inevitably end up in the Great Lakes. This is not some idle threat: the most shocking footage showed the extent of erosion around the pipeline leaving full sections dangerously exposed. 

The film’s well-orchestrated series of historical footnotes captures not only the ongoing and continuous trend of exploitation of indigenous people and their land, but the immeasurable resilience of Native people. It is a painful, heartbreaking history. And yet, Native resistance continues to lead in the fight against injustice and devastating environmental degradation. It is a story so universal, yet so particular to the Lake Superior watershed.

PEOPLE, PLACES, AND PARTICIPATION FIRST by Cassi Gersbach

As a senior at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, I have lived here for the last four years without a car, and that has made me grateful for all that I have experienced and the challenges I have overcome. As the spring semester wraps up, I look forward to taking some time to discover myself, new cultures, countries and environments as I solo backpack across Europe.
This has been a dream of mine–to take only the things I can carry and set off to discover what life has to offer. I am most excited to experience and use the convenience of a well-connected public transportation system. I’ll be able to carry everything I need on my back and only move forward. As much as one can plan every step of the process, reality will never be as predictable. And to me, that is the beauty of the discovery.  
I plan to get an EU rail pass and make my way north, capital by capital, starting with Geneva, Switzerland. By having access to such an accessible transportation system, I will be able to travel through eleven countries without needing a vehicle. I'll have my rucksack, my own two feet and an entire continent ahead of me.   

My love for traveling sparked during my semester abroad in New Zealand in 2023. I studied at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand and loved it so much that I extended my trip an extra month to see the Southern Island by van. Although New Zealand is a very rugged country with less public transportation between villages, I felt the freedom of movement within each city. Each city that I stopped at along my van tour was beautiful and very walkable. Because it is a tourist country, the cities put emphasis on aesthetics and social welfare. The cafes were lovely, and there were murals in every city depicting the rich culture or the art of the land.  

As I travel, I will find myself more dependent on community welfare than ever before. As I have grown up in the United States, I have realized how divided we can be from the communal enjoyment of the cities. Reliable public transportation and beauty is a must when it comes to an enjoyable city. In the US, our intercity transportation lacks heavily for a fully “developed” country. Places that prioritize the good of the community and the individual's well being find themselves creating a safe space for arts, community, appreciation and happiness. When it comes to the simple things like transportation and pedestrian friendly cities, every country should prioritize the needs of the people first

As I reflect on my time in La Crosse over the last four years, I realize that the extent of my travels are just a glimpse into its developmental history. Even with some flaws, La Crosse is on its way towards ergonomic sustainability because of the passion in the community. I have come to appreciate those who advocate for social welfare and for the importance of public transportation and infrastructure. As I witness the uphill battle that citizens and policy makers put into La Crosse’s foundation, I am that much more grateful for the people who put the effort to make the community more like the seemingly glamorized cities in Europe and New Zealand. People who advocate for transportation, who attend sustainability events, and who prioritize art and happiness know that every little effort matters to turn our city into an ideal place for ourselves and our future. 

So, thank you for every effort you put into making your city better, and thank you for letting me share.  

[We thank Cassi for sharing her thoughts with us this semester and wish her well on her Grand Adventure!]




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Monday, April 8, 2024

April 23 event postponed!

Due to schedule conflicts, our April 23 talk with the Mayor about climate action in a river city has been postponed. We hope to reschedule at a later time.

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Sunday, April 7, 2024

April 9 - Spring into Energy Savings

Don't forget - find out how you can become more energy efficient, reduce your fossil fuel use, and save money!

Tuesday, April 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Myrick Park Nature Place in La Crosse, learn how you can use federal Inflation Reduction Act funds and other incentives to upgrade your home or business with cleaner, more efficient appliances and building components. Find out how much you might be eligible for and how to finance the upgrades. There is no charge for this event!


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Monday, April 1, 2024

April Newsletter

 

Tuesday, April 9, 6 to 8 p.m. Spring Into Energy Savings! Save Money, Protect the Environment. The Nature Place, Myrick Park, La Crosse     Learn about how you and your family can benefit from the largest climate investment in US history! Sign up to learn about the benefits available to help you install energy efficient appliances and solar panels, reduce your home's energy usage, buy electric vehicles, and much more – all with major cost savings! Guest speakers: Maxwell Johnson of Wisconsin Conservation Voters and Mackenzie Mindel, chair, City of La Crosse Climate Action Plan Steering Committee. This is an in-person event that is free and open to everyone. Please register so we can be sure to have enough materials: https://tinyurl.com/SpringIntoEnergySavings. The event is co-sponsored by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Citizens Climate Lobby - La Crosse Chapter, City of La Crosse, Coulee Region Sierra Club, and Wisconsin Conservation Voters.

Tuesday, April 23, 7 p.m. online Climate Action on the Mississippi with guest, Mayor Mitch Reynolds of La Crosse     La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds is co-chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, an organization that collaborates to heal and protect the health and sustainability of the Mississippi River system. Globally, he’s worked with river city mayors from around the world on challenges and solutions. Locally, he has championed a community-wide climate action plan to reduce carbon emissions and  address and mitigate adverse effects of drought, floods, and storms. We’ll hear from Mayor Reynolds about his work  and plans, with time for questions and answers during this online program. To register, call 608-315-2693 or visit  tinyurl.com/CRSC-MayorReynolds-042324. 

BAD RIVER     A special screening of the film BAD RIVER will be held on Monday, April 29 at 5 p.m. at the Rivoli, 117 4th St.  North,  in La Crosse. Doors open at 4 p.m. It is free and open to all, but registration is required. To register, call 608-315-2693 or fill our the form at  https://tinyurl.com/BadRvrFilmInLaCrosse. Co-sponsors include Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Coulee Region Sierra Club, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and The Rivoli Theatre & Pizzeria.

The film is also being shown on April 5 in Sparta. See  https://www.spartacinema6.com/movie/Bad_River for details.

BAD RIVER chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and the Band’s ongoing fight for sovereignty, including the battle over siting of the Enbridge Line 5 fracked oil pipeline.
Read more about the film at www.badriverfilm.com and about line 5 at sierraclub.org/wisconsin/line-5.

EARTH FAIR, SUNDAY, APRIL 28 FROM 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M. AT MYRICK PARK IN LA CROSSE

KNOW YOUR CO-OP, OWN YOUR CO-OP      On March 14, the Coulee Region Sierra Club and the Wisconsin Chapter Sierra Club joined several other organizations to present a program about grassroots citizen action. Guest speakers included
•    Dean Eakles of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice
•    CRSC board president Kathy Allen who gave background on Dairyland Power Cooperative and Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC)
•    Lee Sandok Baker with the League of Women Voters of Douglas County who talked about Neighbors Against NTEC,
•    Dr. Cameron Kiersch, Assistant Professor in Viterbo University’s School of Nursing and member of Healthy Climate Wisconsin discussing health effects of fossil fuel use and climate change
•    Samantha Laskowski from Vernon County Energy District describing their neighbor-to-neighbor efforts to educate and motivate, and
•    Forrest Jahnke of Crawford Stewardship Project who talked about efforts to rein in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

If you are a rural electric co-op member, we encourage you to attend your co-op’s annual member meeting! Learn more about the March program at https://www.facebook.com/CRSierraClub

WISCONSION DNR     The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Wisconsin DNR will offer their annual opportunity for public input on a variety of natural resource-related questions with an in-person opportunity April 8, 2024, at 6 p.m. in each county or online starting at noon April 10 to noon on April 13, 2024.  Get the spring hearing questionnaire and find out how you can attend your county’s event at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will meet on April 10 at 8:30 a.m. to consider several proposed rulemaking documents, a proposed land sale,  and donations. The public is able to watch the meeting on the DNR’s YouTube channel. Learn more at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/90111.

The deadline to register for public appearance requests and to submit written comments is 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted.

GREEN GOOSE CHASE     The Green Goose Chase is a mission-based game meets scavenger hunt for ALL AGES that runs from April 19 through April 28. Download the app then create or join a team. Your team will complete missions by snapping photos, texting in answers, or submitting GPS location tags. Each mission is tied to at least one of the Good Life Goals. As you complete missions, your team will accrue points at a chance to win great prizes! Learn more about how to form a team, how to complete missions, and what great prizes are available at the Green Goose Chase site:  https://www.sustaininstitute.com/greengoosechase.

EARTH FAIR TABLERS NEEDED     CRSC will table at the La Crosse Earth Fair on Sunday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are looking for a few people to help table for one or two hours. You don’t need special knowledge or skills! We will set up the table and give you the information and materials needed to talk to our friends and neighbors about the club’s activities, goals, and advocacy!  Please call us at 608-315-2693 or email CRSierraClub@gmail.com to help with this important outreach effort.

APRIL 27 HIGHWAY CLEANUP     It’s time to clean up the CRSC stretch of River Valley Drive! We’ll meet on Saturday, April 27 at 9 a.m. at the pumping station just west of the Gillette Street and River Valley Drive intersection to get bags, gloves, and safety vests then pick up trash until about 10:30. See you there!

Better Bike Parking Promotes Sustainable Transportation by Cassi Gersbach     Everyone has an inherent right to freedom of mobility, which is the ease of moving freely, forward and unrestricted. Bicycle and pedestrian mobility are personal investments that are good for mental, physical, and ecological health.  

But how can we satisfy our freedom of mobility when our investments are not properly protected? Bicycle theft rates are running rampant downtown, on campus, and in residential areas of La Crosse. Students are getting their bikes stolen in broad daylight right between their classes, property owners are getting robbed directly out of their backyards, and inadequate bike locks are getting snipped and dipped. Investing time and money into a bike is a financial and ecological choice of transportation.

To work towards a carbon neutral future, we need to protect our investments in electric bikes, and eco-friendly modes of transportation. 

James Longhurst, has a PhD in history and policy. He’s a history professor at UWL with an emphasis on urban and environmental policy, including transportation and bicycle history, is a member of the Committee on Transit and Active Transportation of the La Crosse Area Planning Committee.  He points out, “Better bicycle parking infrastructure is in the interest of the government. It means fewer vehicles on the road, which means less money spent on construction, structure, and maintenance. The addition of more cars and increasingly heavy vehicles results in roads deteriorating faster, which accumulates government expenses. Ultimately, money spent on bikes saves money.”

We can try renovating unused areas of parking ramps and installing secure entrances, which could repurpose existing negative spaces. We could also invest in protective bike cages which would add security and and encourage more to live in the neighborhoods. Progressive implementation of bike security ensures freedom of mobility and protection of investment and ecological concerns for the future.  

The Bike-Ped Advisory Committee is now revising the City’s 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to improve bicycle infrastructure, education, safety, and security for those of all ages and abilities. Now is the time to offer input via survey on the Foward La Crosse website: https://forwardlacrosse.org

As we work toward a decarbonized future, it is time to use an open mind and provide freedom of movement for everyone. To create a necessary change, we need people who care about investing their time, money, and future on sustainable and secure bike infrastructure. Through constructive public forums, anyone can voice their ideas and solutions for a safer community.

VIROQUA PLASTIC FREE     Viroqua Plastic Free is a local organization devoted to educating people about the dangers single-use plastics present to the environment and to human health.  The group has recently concluded their Choose to Reuse cloth shopping bag campaign during which local businesses offered for sale their recycled cotton shopping bags at a minimal mark up from the wholesale cost.  The goal was to offer cloth shopping bags at a price everyone could afford.  Nearly 400 bags have been distributed.  

Their on-going Plastic Conspiracy events have included “Beyond the Myth of Plastic Recycling,” “How Plastic Is Making Us Sick,” and “Are You Being Greenwashed?”  
Their most recent project is a Zero Waste Event Initiative.  They are partnering with the Viroqua Chamber of Commerce to assist in zero waste events by supplying organizations with reusable dishware, napkins and utensils for their gatherings.  

VPF meets every other Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 207 in the Landmark Center in Viroqua.  Visitors are always welcome.  Email us at viroquaplasticfree@gmail.com for the next meeting date.

Check out their website (viroquaplasticfree.org) and our Facebook Group and Facebook page.

MAY 1 - CHAPTER FUNDRAISER     On May 1, the Wisconsin Chapter will host its annual, online celebration of sustainable production and grassroots activism. This year, we’ll take a journey around the state to feature several local vendors who have a close connection to the Chapter’s work to protect land, water, and wildlife and stop the worst impacts of climate change. In addition to some great conversation, we’ll play trivia and share some favorite recipes. This event is free, with opportunities to donate during the evening.  Find out more and register here: https://tinyurl.com/wisc24-lgnk

SOLAR FOR GOOD     RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good initiative fosters the expansion of solar power among mission-based nonprofits and houses of worship in Wisconsin. Grant applications open April 1 and will close on May 1. Learn more about the grants at: www.renewwisconsin.org/solarforgood/

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS     The Coulee Region Sierra Club is offering a $300 award for a high school student graduating in 2024 or 2025 who  demonstrates leadership, action, and environ-mental stewardship, and who understands the importance of civic engagement in protecting our environment.
Applicants need not be Sierra Club members. They should live in one of the Coulee Region’s counties: Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, or Vernon. This is not a scholarship! Any eligible student may apply no matter their postsecondary plans.
The application includes essays and submission of a portfolio. The deadline for applications is July 1, 2024 with the award to be given by the end of July, 2024. Learn more at https://sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee/education.

DRIVE ELECTRIC EARTH MONTH     Drive Electric Earth Month is a national campaign to share information about electric vehicles during the month of April. In addition to being better for the environment, electric vehicles are more fun to drive, more convenient to fuel and less expensive to operate than gasoline vehicles. There are two DEEM events scheduled in the Coulee Region. Check https://driveelectricearthmonth.org for updates. 

On Saturday, April 20, the Vernon County Energy District will host a Drive Electric B-Earthday Event from 9 a.m. to noon at the Viroqua Food Co-op. Vernon County Energy District is celebrating it's fourth anniversary, so, in addition to electric cars, there will be cake!

On Sunday, April 28, visit the Ask Me About My EV display at the La Crosse Earth Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Myrick Park. The EVs will be in the lower parking lot next to The Nature Place and the Rod & Gun Club Shelter. 

CRSC BOARD NEWS     The CRSC board meets monthly to plan club events, discuss advocacy campaigns, and seek ways to connect with the chapter and regional organizations on our priorities. Email us at CRSierraClub@gmail.com or call 608-315-2693 for access information. The next board meeting will be Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

MORE APRIL EVENTS

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Friday, March 15, 2024

Viroqua Plastic Free March 20


Viroqua Plastic Free will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, March 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 207 at Youth Initiative High School, 500 E. Jefferson St., Viroqua.  The group will share all that they have accomplished in the last year and what's on the agenda for 2024.  The annual meeting will be followed by our regular every other Wednesday meeting.

For more details, visit viroquaplasticfree.org
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