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Living respectfully, responsibly and reverently with one another and with Earth.
Fall Newsletter 2012
Coulee Partners for Sustainabilityʼs 5th Annual Harvest Dinner
Don & Barb Frank, Glen Jenkins & Chris Schnieder
Sixty people enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Nellʼs City Grill & Catering to celebrate Coulee Partners for Sustainabilityʼs fifth year. Guests were updated on our communities sustainable efforts and honored the recipients of our “Earth First” recognition. Barb & Don Frank were recognized for their many years of commitment and service to preserve and protect the land that surounds the La Crosse community. Chris Schneider was recognized for his efforts to educate the community about hybrid technology and founder of La Crosse Green Drinks.
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Living Green Expo: Past, Present and Future Event Details What: The 2nd Annual Living Green Expo When: Saturday, October 13th, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Where: Western Technical College, Lunda Center and Parking Lot B, 319 7th St. North and County Health Parking Lot at 4th & Vine
Join us for the 2012 Living Green Expo on Saturday, October 13th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Westernʼs Lunda Center and County Health Parking Lot. Coulee Partners for Sustainability is pleased to partner with the City and County of La Crosse, the La Crosse Area Builders Association, and Western Technical College as we turn ideas into action by showcasing local sustainable building and living practices. You can also enjoy celebrating La Crosseʼs past, present and future as we partner with Downtown Mainstreet Inc. for their 17th Annual Historic Downtown Day along with State Bankʼs 21st Annual Chili Cook-off held only a block away. Vendors and Activities The Living Green Expo will feature local sustainable building practices and transportation vendors as well as “green living” vendors and sustainable initiatives from non-profit organizations, government agencies, area businesses and schools. Featured talks will promote sustainable living practices such as efficient lighting, heating, and cooling for homeowners and renters alike. Weʼll also have a farmerʼs market, live music, children's activities, a green book and magazine exchange, and a vendor discussion area. Green workshops include: topics on energy savings, composting, and whole trees architecture. There will be a bike valet, and free bike inspections by Bikes Limited. The first 500 families will receive a reusable bag from Kwik Trip! Continued next page>
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Door Prizes and Grand Green Prizes Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day, as well as a grand green prize drawing at the end of the day that will include:
Free two-week use of a Honda Civic from Honda Motorwerks (including fuel) One year of free Organic Valley products A complete home energy rating provided by EnergyElements A childʼs bike from Bikes Limited
Attendees who walk, bike or bus will get a second entry into the grand green prize drawing! “Living Green Hero” and “Urban Garden” Contests Thanks to the involvement of UW-Lʼs “Principles of Sustainable Business” students, we are holding our first “Living Green Hero” and “Urban Garden” contests! Go to the “Living Green Hero” and “2012 Urban Garden” facebook pages and “like” your favorite entry. The three most “likes” for both contests will be on display and voted on at the Living Green Expo, so come to the Expo and vote for your favorite “Living Green Hero” and/or “Urban Garden”! Recycling Fair – Westernʼs Parking Lot B (Corner of 7th & Vine) Shred Right will be on-site performing confidential document shredding. Dynamic Recycling will hold an on-site electronic waste collection. Dynamic Recycling will accept old cell phones, stereos, DVD players, computers, and other small electronics for free. Televisions will also be collected ($10 fee for businesses, free for homeowners). No appliances, thermostats, or smoke detectors will be accepted. Hunger Task Force will also be collecting non-perishable items. Shuttle service – Come enjoy La Crosseʼs past, present and future by attending the Living Green Expo and Historic Downtown Day all within a few blocks walking distance or take the free shuttle, trolley, bio-diesel bus, or electric car! A complete schedule of the Living Green Expo including a list of sponsors, partners, and vendors is available at www.livinggreenexpolacrosse.com or on Coulee Partners for Sustainability Website at cpslax.org. Also, follow us on Facebook at: Living Green Expo-La Crosse. Green Homes Tour – Sunday, October 14 – 12:30-5:00 A “Green Homes” bus tour to the homes of Roald Gundersen and Amelia Baxter (aka Whole Trees Architecture) and Guy and Joan Wolf will be held on Sunday, October 14. The cost is $5 per person (adults only) and registration is at the Peopleʼs Food Co-op. For more information go to www.livinggreenexpolacrosse.com and click on “Green House Tour” tab.
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Whatʼs Happening in La Crosse Gundersen Health System and La Crosse County Landfill Turning methane gas from a landfill into electricity and heat on the Gundersen Lutheran – Onalaska Campus. The project produces as much energy as the Gundersen Lutheran – Onalaska Campus consumes, making the campus 100 percent energy independent. This unique landfill gas-to-energy partnership allowed the Gundersen Lutheran – Onalaska Campus to become the first known energy independent medical campus in the country.
Organic Valley and Gundersen Lutheranʼs Envision Program Wisconsinʼs first community wind project * Expected to generate nearly 5 megawatts of energy for Cashtonʼs power grid — enough to power 1,000 home each year * Offset electricity used at Organic Valleyʼs Cashton Distribution Center and its La Farge headquarters facilities * Represents about five percent of Gundersenʼs energy independence goal
Gundersen Health System * Installed a geothermal well field on our La Crosse campus that will help power our new hospital. * Partnered with the Ho-Chunk Nation and Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center to create a healing garden on the La Crosse campus. It has a plaque that acknowledges the Ho-Chunk ancestors and their descendants who lived/live here * Recycled more than 600 tons of material last year not including construction. It saved the organization more than $81,000.00 * Construction projects have recycled/reused more than 97% of the waste stream associated with construction... more than 20,000 tons * Gundersen won a sixth elite level national award in a row, Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Leadership Circle award * Gundersen partnered with Coulee Region RSVP to come up with a creative solution for surgical blue wrap. RSVP won a national award for their part of the program * We installed solar thermal panels on the Onalaska renal clinic to heat our hot water for dialysis
Viterbo University Environmental Sustainability (B.A. or B.S.) The environmental sustainability majors are interdisciplinary areas of study with either a humanities or science emphasis.
Sustainable Management (B.B.A.) The sustainable management major focuses primarily on the business sector to incorporate sustainability and sound leadership principles into the business operations at a local and global level to meet future needs. Continued on next page>
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Viterbo University Green Initiatives (2011-12) • Replaced water heaters in McDonald Terrace with tankless natural gas units • Added a 2012 Ford Fusion hybrid to the fleet which replaced an older, less fuel efficient vehicle. 5 total hybrids in the fleet • Replaced lighting in the Fine Arts Center with more energy efficient T8 lights. This is an ongoing project. • We are in the process of obtaining LEED Silver Certification for the School of Nursing Installed four outdoor recycling containers • Upgraded the building controls in Rose Terrace which has allowed better control and monitoring of the building temperatures
Western Technical College Angelo Dam Project * Vision 2020 plan to invest in energy, energy efficiency and energy management * Will power the Sparta WTC campus * Crank out about 1 million kilowatt hours a year, far more than the 250,00 kilowatt hours the Sparta campus annually uses
Greenhouse Part of Vision 2020 Currently, Western is leasing space at the Hillview Greenhouse to accommodate some of its programs. Building a greenhouse on campus would: • • • •
Allow access for more programs, including landscape horticulture, culinary, and science. Introduce students to both conventional and organic growing practices. Replace the leased space. Create a partnership with the Hillview Urban Agriculture Center.
Sustainability Institute The Sustainability Institute will serve as a center for sustainability leadership through outreach, communications, shared resources, advocacy and education in the 7 Rivers Region utilizing the infrastructure of Western Technical College and strong, strategic partnerships with organizations throughout our communities.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse • • • • • •
New campus exterior LED lighting from Badger Street south Complete re-lamping of Mitchell Hall field house to high-output, energy efficient, florescent lighting All residence halls and some academic buildings were converted from 32 watt to 25 watt fluorescent light bulbs. Low flow shower heads in all residence halls saved 11.1 million gallons of water this past year. Thatʼs over 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Two new heating plant boilers with 90% efficiency (replacing boilers with 65% efficiency) Storm water management with rain gardens and biofiltration basins to meet EPA suspended solids requirements
La Crosse County Landfill • The La Crosse County Solid Waste Department became Wisconsin's first publicly– owned solid waste disposal system to join the state's Green Tier program. • Shingle Recycling Asphalt shingles arenʼt a waste. Ground shingles can be added to asphalt pavements, minimizing the need for petroleum products. Putting less in the landfill and reusing it in our community can help you save money. • Hiking Trail, habitat restoration Continued next page>
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La Crosse County Landfill • The La Crosse County Solid Waste Department became Wisconsin's first publicly– owned solid waste disposal system to join the state's Green Tier program. • Shingle Recycling Asphalt shingles arenʼt a waste. Ground shingles can be added to asphalt pavements, minimizing the need for petroleum products. Putting less in the landfill and reusing it in our community can help you save money. • Hiking Trail, habitat restoration
Kwik Trip !
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* All New and Rebuilt Stores LEED certified 18 complete, and 21 in process…. # 16.2% Less Energy # 40% Less Water 10,600,000 Gallons Saved to Date # 23% of Energy in Stores is for Lighting * Piloting conversion from diesel to liquefied natural gas green fleet – 12 vehicles already in service * All new stores built with electric car charging stations to promote green transportation * Installation of compressed natural gas fueling stations in select stores * Cardboard (Recycle 100 Tons per Year) * Shrink Wrap (Recycle 20 Tons Per Year) * Purchase of Renewable Energy Sources * Purchase of natural gas truck fleet and Installation of compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas alternative fuel fueling station at La Crosse Campus * Occupancy & Light Sensors * Installing Energy Management Systems (E2) * Additional Windows for Day Lighting * Heat Recovery Water Heaters * Refrigeration Waste Heat Recovery * Use 50% Forest Stewardship Council Certified Lumber * Recycling (75% or More) of Construction Waste * Using Concrete vs. Asphalt (Less Lighting & Heat) * Milk-In-A-Bag – 95% Reduction in Compacted Volume in Landfills & 75% Reduction in Package Weight * Electric Car Recharging Stations at All New Stores * Purchasing local (Wisconsin) food products
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*Reduced waste by 80.9 percent. Locally that equates to 79 tons per store every month diverted from landfills. That includes cardboard plastic and organic material. * 2011 Walmart integrated a Sustainability Index into our business. You can read about it online-it helped us to # develop category scorecards to help our buyers evaluate products. #
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La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility 2011 Annual Report !
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* Ridership highest in 29 years * Hybird bus put into servace * Replaced heating/ventilation & lighting systems in bus garage * Will add 3 Hybrid buses in 2013 * Purchased 2 Toyota Prius sedans for support vehicles * Green roof on the Grand River Station to reduce storm water run-off * New bus shelter at Walmart on Mormon Coulee Road has solar powered lighting * Considering CNG to power future bus replacements
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Complete Streets June 2010 – June 2012 Policy 1. La Crosse is the 1st county in Wisconsin to pass a Complete Streets resolution ~April 2011 2. West Salem is the 1st village in Wisconsin to pass a Complete Streets resolution ~May 2011 3. City of La Crosse becomes 1st city in Wisconsin to adopt a Green Complete Streets ordinance ~ October 2011 4. Holmen becomes second village in Wisconsin to adopt a Complete Streets resolution October ~ 2011.
System 1. La Crosse Area Planning Committee adds a Health Advisor position to their Technical Advisory Committee. 2. League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Businesses increased from 2 to 13 the most of any city per capita in Wisconsin. 11,812 La Crosse employees now work at Bicycle Friendly businesses.
Environment 1. 17.5 lane miles (sharrows and bike Lanes), a seven fold increase from 2010. 2. 7 new miles of sharrows, the first in Western Wisconsin 3. Downtown bike parking spots increased from 219 to 321. 4. Bike Counts doubled from 277 in 2010 to 559 in 2012. 5. Short Range Bicycle Projects completed from 2035 Coulee Region Bicycle Plan completed 22% 6. Medium Range Bicycle Projects completed from 2035 Coulee Region Bicycle Plan completed 42% 7. 64 Share the Road signs installed
Earthʼs temperature is on the rise and Wisconsin is no exception But what does that mean for farmers, home owners, hunters, anglers and families in the Driftless Area? And, how do we ensure that local voices are accounted for as Wisconsin plans for the future? Dan Vimont of the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI), will discuss potential effects to agriculture, water and natural resources, local economies, and public health in Southwest Wisconsin. WICCI is embarking on a new effort to evaluate the impact of climate change on the Driftless Area and create new approaches for building a healthy and sustainable future. Join the conversation, register at www.driftlessconservancy.org. Guest Speaker Dr. Dan Vimont serves as the co-chair of the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) Science Council and the WICCI Climate Working Group. He is an Associate Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and is the Bryson Distinguished Professor of Climate, People, and the Environment. We hope you plan to attend! Visit our website for additional details and registration. RSVP is appreciated by October 8, at driftlessconservancy.org or call 608-930-3252. $20 per person Sunday, October 14, 2012 3:00# Enjoy music, hors dʼoeuvres and/or stroll the grounds of beautiful Folklore Village. 3:30# Welcome & Program Working together: Climate Change and a Sustainable Future in the Driftless Area. 5:00# Continuing the Conversation- all are welcome to stay and visit with friends. Folklore Village 3210 County Highway BB Dodgeville, WI 53533 Co Rd YZ Dodgeville
Madison Ridgeway
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Become a Member of:
Living respectfully, responsibly and reverently with one another and with Earth. Purpose: Promote sustainable practices in the Coulee Region. Business: Advocate Natural Step Principles: • Educate • Foster and showcase sustainable practices • Facilitate “Green Group” networking With the realization that human welfare is directly dependent on the health of the planet and that our welfare cannot be achieved at the expense of the planet. Coulee Partners for Sustainability will work with individuals, environmental organizations, educational institutions, businesses and governmental bodies to educate and create environmentally sustainable practices.
NAME: ______________________________________ ADDRESS: ______________________________ City: ________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: _______________ PHONE: _______- _______- _____________ EMAIL ADDRESS: _________________________________
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_______$25 Family
_______$100 Business/Institution
_______$10 Student
Would you like to get involved in CPS sustainable projects? (please check all that apply) _____Occasionally for specific projects!
______Planning or Administration
Study Circle Facilitating: _____The Natural Step _____Northwest Earth Institute_____Film/Other Books Join a Committee: _____ Suggestions for CPS: ____________________________________________________________________________ Send to: CPS, c/o Glen Jenkins, 2642 Hackberry Lane, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 CPS is a 501-C3 non-profit, organization. All contributions are tax deductible. Coulee Partners is on Facebook Check us out at: www.facebook.com/couleepartnersforsustainability