Go green 2017

WRITERS Tom Giffey, Pan Thao LISTINGS James Johonnott DESIGN Eric Christenson

BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY

B R O U G H T T O YO U I N PA R T B Y

FIRST CHOICE IS A GREEN CHOICE award-winning company keeps your electronic junk out of the landfill WORDS: PAN THAO

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ifteen years ago, Greg and Bobbie DeVoll came across a newspaper article about how computer and electronic refuse was going to be the next big waste concern for the United States because of harmful materials such as lead and mercury. With advancing technology, it’s no surprise e-waste (electronic waste) is being generated at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always break down easily and builds up in the environment. How bad is it really?

Well, let’s just say a circuit board doesn’t even start to disintegrate for 200,000 years. Before the laws changed, a lot of

computers and electronics were landfilled.

After doing some research, the couple decided to help the Chippewa Valley live a little greener by opening a family-owned recycling business called First Choice Computer Recycling. They provided services out of a tiny warehouse, and from there, they gained new customers, brought on more employees, and moved to a larger facility on Park Ridge Court on Eau Claire’s west side. This year, they were honored for their work, winning a 2017 Sustainable Eau Claire Award for Waste Reduction, Composting or Recycling.

About eight years ago, Wisconsin passed a law banning all electronics from landfills. Before that, folks threw printers, televisions, and other electronics right into the landfill even though they weren’t wanted there. With the state Department of Natural Resources getting involved,

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“IT’S STILL CHEAPER TO RECYCLE COPPER, ALUMINUM, AND STEEL THAN IT IS TO MINE IT, AND RECYCLING ALLOWS US TO PUT IT ALL BACK INTO THE INDUSTRY.” -Greg DeVoll, First Choice Computer Recycling recycling has really come a long way. Even with the new law, however, the biggest issue continues to be televisions, which contain leaded glass.

According to the DNR, there are about 8 million televisions to recycle in Wisconsin with every household averaging about five TVs. Last year, the DeVolls and their team processed about 600,000 pounds of television, and this yea, that number will double. Unfortunately, televisions aren’t the only component of electronic waste: Each year, the team recovers 7-8 million pounds of waste!

“It’s still cheaper to recycle copper, aluminum, and steel than it is to mine it, and recycling allows us to put it all back into the industry,” Greg said. “We try to keep our scraps as close to home as possible and within the Wisconsin border to help create jobs here.”

If you have e-waste to dispose of, there are things First Choice Computer Recycling won’t charge for and can dismantle right in its warehouse, such as keyboards, cell phones, and laptops. They’ll charge to take other items – such as TVs and major appliances – off your hands. For a full list, check out firstchoicerecycling.com.

First Choice Computer Recycling is open six days a week, and offers a pick-up service for consumers and businesses within an 80-mile radius. They also have a Spring Cleanup Earth Day Event and a Fall Cleanup in October for residents of Eau Claire and Chippewa counties.

With a growing business, Greg and Bobbie have brought on two new partners with lots of energy to help expand. The couple is confident their new partners are right for the job because of their background in the industry and the fact that they too call Eau Claire home.

Future plans for First Choice Computer Recycling include creating programs to get more homeowners from surrounding counties involved. With an increase in volume, the team hopes to bring lower pricing to the Valley, making every day feel like Earth Day. “If we can make it so people want to recycle, it will be better for everyone and the planet,” Greg said. “It’s always about trying to streamline and make it better.”

First Choice Computer Recycling • 525 Park Ridge Court, Eau Claire • (715) 833-2005 • firstchoicerecycling.com

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HOW DOES YOUR SOLAR GARDEN GROW? SUBMITTED IMAGE

Xcel’s sun-powered project ready to rise in Eau Claire WORDS: TOM GIFFEY

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uring the latter half of summer, gardens across the state flourish, and the solar garden being built across from Xcel Energy’s Wisconsin headquarters in Eau Claire will be no exception.

This is no typical garden plot, of course: Instead of zinnias and zucchini, more than 3,000 solar panels will be popping up along West Hamilton Avenue. The first Solar*Connect Community project in Wisconsin will produce 1 megawatt of electricity for Xcel customers who have subscribed to a special program.

A ceremonial groundbreaking on the 7.5-acre site was held last fall, and this summer crews have started preparing the site for construction, said Xcel spokeswoman Chris Ouellette. Solar panels are expected to be delivered by the end of July, and construction of the garden will begin shortly thereafter, she added. If all goes as planned, 3,225 solar panels – each of the 3 feet by 6 feet – will begin generating electricity by this fall.

The City of Eau Claire had been exploring building a solar facility on the property for a few years, even before Xcel created its community solar garden program, Oullette said. The city

This aerial image shows the future site of Xcel’s Solar*Connect project. The yellow lines represent solar arrays.

has leased the site to San Franciscobased solar developer Pristine Sun. As it happens, the property is close to Xcel’s infrastructure, allowing for the newly generated power to be pumped into the electrical grid efficiently.

“The city has been a great partner in the community solar program, and we are excited to see the solar garden going in across the street,” Oullette said.

Xcel customers who are interested

in the program can still subscribe on a first-come, first-served basis, and 250 kilowatts are still available. The minimum subscription is 200 watts for $356, or $1,780 per kilowatt. After that upfront investment, subscribers will receive a bill credit for the solar energy for the next 25 years.

A similar Solar*Connect project is underway in la Crosse, and Xcel is considering other renewable energy proj-

GROWING UP

THIS IS NO TYPICAL GARDEN PLOT, OF COURSE: INSTEAD OF ZINNIAS AND ZUCCHINI, MORE THAN 3,000 SOLAR PANELS WILL BE POPPING UP ALONG WEST HAMILTON AVENUE. THE FIRST SOLAR*CONNECT COMMUNITY PROJECT IN WISCONSIN WILL PRODUCE 1 MEGAWATT OF ELECTRICITY FOR XCEL CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO A SPECIAL PROGRAM. ects elsewhere in the state, although Oullette added that “we don’t know what that looks like just yet.”

Solar*Connect is one part of Xcel’s strategy to reduce its carbon emissions.

“We have a plan to transform our energy system away from coal to clean energy sources,” such as solar, wind, and natural gas, Oullette said. Overall, the goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 60 percent and to have a 63 percent carbonfree energy mix by 2030, she said.

If you’re an Xcel customer who is interested in becoming part of the Solar*Connect Community, visit xcelenergy.com/solarconnectcommunity or call (800) 824-1688.

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TRYING TO CLEAR THE AIR SUBMITTED IMAGE

he thought I could make a contribution to the team,” Cleary said.

Cleary is working to develop an unmanned aerial vehicle platform for doing atmospheric measurements and for some time she has worked to WORDS: JUDY BERTHIAUME / UW-EAU CL AIRE understand the air quality around Lake Michigan.

Her hope, Cleary said, was to get faculty-student team of indicates that levels often exceed the a drone plane operable for the sumBlugold researchers is help2015 National Ambient Air Quality mer project, but there were multiple ing scientists better underStandards for ozone. According crashes so she opted not to fly it near stand how ozone is proto the Environmental Protection Lake Michigan. duced over Lake Michigan, Agency, breathing ozone can cause “Instead, we took our ozone senfindings that could help chest pain and coughing, irritate the sor over to the Sheboygan area and communities and industries in three throat, and exacerbate asthma, bronconducted ozone gradient studies states identify strategies for improving chitis, and other by car,” Cleary air quality. ailments. said. “We had “This project can impact comProduction to drive to difmunities and industries in Wisconsin, of ozone over ferent locations, Illinois and Indiana,” said Dr. Lake Michigan take measurePatricia Cleary, an assistant profescombined ments, drive to sor of chemistry at UW-Eau Claire. with onshore another location “If we have a better understanding daytime “lake and take more of how ozone gets produced over the breeze” airflow measurements. lake, we can better predict and model is thought to They were long when bad air quality episodes occur. increase ozone days, but pretty That understanding may potentially concentrations fun. In all, we provide solutions to bad air quality in preferentially at conducted five the long term.” locations within different sam-Dr. Patricia Cleary, UW-Eau Claire The Lake Michigan area has a coma few miles of pling days over assistant professor of chemistry plicated history with non-compliance the shore. the course of the of air quality standards because of the When pollutcampaign when urban emissions from the Milwaukeeants move back onshore, we tend to see ozone was predicted to be high at or Chicago-Gary urban areas as well as higher ozone at shoreline communities near the lake.” the confinement of those emissions in Wisconsin, Cleary said.

The UW-Eau Claire team did its over Lake Michigan, Cleary said.

Cleary became involved with the fieldwork in May and June, acquiring Elevated spring and summertime 2017 Lake Michigan Ozone Study after significant amounts of data. ozone levels are an ongoing air quallearning about it from Tim Bertram, a “Now begins the long process ity challenge along the lake’s shore, colleague at UW-Madison. of analyzing all of the data that Cleary said, noting that monitoring “I shared my research with him and was acquired by all of the different

UWEC research team works to improve air quality along Lake Michigan shorline

A

“I THINK PARTICIPATION IN THIS ACTIVITY HAS BROADENED THEIR VIEWS ON HOW SCIENCE OPERATES WITHIN A GREATER COMMUNITY, SOMETIMES WITH SETBACKS AND FAILURES.”

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research teams,” Cleary said. “We will all pool the data into one large archive and use the data sets from multiple platforms – including aircraft, field sites, auto routes, and shipping – to better understand how ozone was being produced over this period. We must get to work on what it all means.”

Six student researchers are working on the project with Cleary this summer.

It’s a great opportunity for the students because atmospheric field campaigns are unique experiments that involve an incredible amount of collaboration, Cleary said.

Having that kind of experience as an undergraduate student will help them gain important research skills, which will serve them well in the future, she said.

“I have seen my students understand how to prioritize their work to acquire decent data under time constraints,” Cleary said. “They need to figure out what we get done by when, and what the minimum achievable goals are that we can meet. They have also seen that sometimes fieldwork requires long hours and short notice.

“I think participation in this activity has broadened their views on how science operates within a greater community, sometimes with setbacks and failures.”

The students already have been invited to present and interpret some of the project results to experts in the field. The current project is a collaborative multi-agency field study that brings together university researchers with federal and local agencies.

B R O U G H T T O YO U I N PA R T B Y

CAN I RECYCLE THAT? dos and don’ts about what to put in the blue bin and what to pitch COMPILED BY TOM GIFFEY

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f you’re taking the time to read this section of the magazine, you undoubtedly are the kind of person who takes pains to separate your recyclables from your trash. You rinse and sort. You fold and bag.

And you probably feel pretty good about it afterwards. But sometimes you get a nagging feeling that you aren’t doing things right. “Should I be recycling that pizza box?” you ask yourself. “What about those No. 5 yogurt containers?”

Even with the best of intentions, conflicting information, half-remembered school lessons, and varying local standards can make recycling complicated. With the help of the Eau Claire County Recycling Program, we’ve prepared this brief guide as a refresher course in what can – and cannot – be recycled. (Please note that this information applies to people in Eau Claire County who have curbside trash collection or bring their recyclables to a county drop-off station. If you live outside the county or have a specific question, it’s best to contact your waste-hauling company or county recycling office.)

WHAT YOU CAN PUT IN THE BIN

Aluminum Cans – soda, beer, cat food containers Tin/Steel Cans – soup, fruit, and dog food containers, steel bottle tops and lids Glass Bottles & Jars – jelly, spaghetti sauce, beer #1 Plastics – water, soda and ketchup bottles; clamshell berry containers #2 Plastics – detergent, coffee, milk, shampoo, and conditioner containers #3 Plastics – vegetable oil containers #4 Plastics – squeeze bottles (such as honey)

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#5 Plastics – yogurt, cottage cheese, and medicine containers #7 Plastics – Tupperware, reusable bottles Cardboard – shipping and dry food boxes, manila folders, paper bags Mixed Paper – magazines, newspaper, office paper

WHAT YOU CAN’T PUT IN THE BIN:

NO Styrofoam or styrene items such as packing peanuts, egg cartons, foam cups, etc. These are typically labeled as #6 plastics. (Non-Styrofoam #6 plastics may be recycled, but check with your trash hauler.)

NO plastic bags or film (Bring these to the stores that take them.)

NO toys or hangers NO 5-gallon buckets NO motor oil or transmission fluid bottles NO flowerpots (Bring them to a nursery for reuse or recycling that accepts them.)

NO cookware or dishes NO light bulbs NO beer and soda boxes, freezer and refrigerator food boxes, or milk and juice cartons (They have a moistureproof coating that makes it hard to break them down.) * NO greasy pizza boxes NO napkins, tissues, or gift wrap * Items accepted by Advanced Disposal and Earthbound Environmental

HERE’S SOME OTHER STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW: APPLIANCES

Most major appliances are banned from Wisconsin landfills, including air conditioners, washers and dryers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers/humidifiers, freezers, furnace boilers, microwaves, stoves/ ovens, refrigerators, and water heaters.

However, the following companies can help you recycle them: • First Choice Recycling, 525 Park Ridge Court, Eau Claire, (715) 8332005.

• Max Phillips, 3532 White Ave., Eau Claire, (715) 832-3431.

• Northern Metal Recycling: 8010 Olson Drive (County Q), Eau Claire, (715) 834-6677

COMPUTERS, TVs, AND OTHER ELECTRONICS

• First Choice Computer Recycling (accepts computer equipment, electronic equipment, and appliances), 525 Park Ridge Court, Eau Claire, (715) 833-2005, firstchoicerecycling.com.

• Best Buy (takes most electronics, but there is a size limit on TVs and computer monitors), 4090 Commonwealth Ave., (715) 833-0666, bestbuy.com

LIGHT BULBS

Old-fashioned incandescent bulbs can be thrown in the regular trash. However, florescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should be recycled.

Compact florescent bulbs (CFLs) – the

new twisty kind that (usually) lasts forever – can be recycled at many retailers.

Check recycleabulb.com for one near you. Florescent lamps – the long, tubular kind that look light Star Wars lightsabers – also can be recycled at: • Eau Claire Ace Hardware, 2618 Birch St., Eau Claire, (715) 836-7788.

• Waste Management, (715) 723-7241.

• As part of the county’s Clean Sweep program.

BATTERIES

• Common household alkaline batteries (the kind you put in toys and flashlights) can be safely thrown in the trash or recycled for a fee at First Choice Computer Recycling, Batteries Plus, or Eau Claire County’s Clean Sweep events.

• Button batteries (the little ones in watches, hearing aids, etc.) and lithi um batteries can be recycled through the county Clean Sweep program.

• Rechargeable (nickel cadmium) batteries can be recycled at many retailers: Go to call2recycle.org and enter your ZIP code to find one near you.

• Old automotive batteries can be recycled free of charge by any retailer who sells you new ones. (Retailers may charge a nominal fee if you aren’t buying a new one.)

CLEAN SWEEP

Several times a year Eau Claire County holds a Clean Sweep event to help residents dispose of household hazardous waste. The remaining Clean Sweep for 2017 will be Saturday, Sept. 9, from 8am to noon at WRR Environmental Services, 5200 Ryder Road. (To reach WRR, follow Highway 93 south of Interstate 94, turn east onto Lorch Avenue (the first road south of I-94) as if heading to the car dealerships, and then immediately turn left onto Ryder Road, which goes south parallel to Highway 93.)

Materials accepted at no charge include oil, solvent-based and heavy metal-based paints and paint-related materials (thinners, turpentine, strippers, shellac, stains, varnish), corrosives (including photographic and pool chemicals), solvents, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, old fuels, cleaners, polishes, lead acid batteries, aerosol cans, and anti-freeze. Clean Sweep is open to household waste from Eau Claire County residents. Small businesses that qualify as very small quantity generators may also dispose of waste during the Clean Sweep.

(Businesses should call BJ Michalek at WRR Environmental Services at (715) 834-9624 to register and to get more information.)

BETTER FOR YOU.U. BETTER FOR WISCONSIN. BETTER FOR FO THE PLANET. Seibel's Organic Dairy Bloomer, WI

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Chippewa Falls, WI

Sedge Wood Farms

NorthStar Bison Farm

Cornell, WI

Rice Lake, WI

Shepard's Kiva Farm

Slippery Hill Farm

Cadott, WI

Barron, WI

Square Roots Farm

DragSmith Farms

Fall Creek, WI

Barron, WI

Moonshadow Gardens

Blaeser Farms Grass Fed Meats

Fall Creek, WI

Chippewa Falls, WI

Haaken Hill Farm

Jeramiah’s Bullfrog Fish Farm

Fall Creek, WI

Menomonie, WI

HyLine Orchards

Sunbow Farm

Fish Creek, WI

Eau Claire, WI

LaClare Farms

The Brewing Projekt

Malone, WI

Eau Claire, WI

Fromagination

Together Farms

Madison, WI

Mondovi, WI

Bleu Mont Dairy

Sacred Blossom Farm

Blue Mounds, WI

Gilmanton, WI

Uplands Cheese Company

Solheim Market Garden

Dodgeville, WI

Eleva, WI

Castle Rock Organic Farms

Hook's Cheese

Osseo, WI

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

• Eau Claire County Recycling Program: (715) 839-2756 • Dunn County Solid Waste & Recycling: (715) 232-4017 • Chippewa County Recycling Program: (715) 726-7999

Amanda's Eggs & Pasture Poultry

Zebarth Farms Osseo, WI

Mineral Point, WI

Roelli Cheese Haus Shullsburg, WI

Monday - Friday 6 am–11 pm

Celebrating the terroir of the Chippewa Valley and greater Wisconsin.

Saturday & Sunday 8 am–11 pm

Because sourcing locally is supporting sustainability.

205 South Barstow Street Eau Claire, WI 54701 715-318-7399 theinformalist.com

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GO GREEN AND KEEP GOING! EVENTS, GROUPS, PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, AND BUILDERS KEEPING THE VALLEY SUSTAINABLE

EVENTS Citizen’s Climate Lobby Monthly Meeting Second

Saturday until Dec. 9, 11am-1pm • L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St, Eau Claire • citizensclimatelobby.org Citizen’s Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that empowers people from all walks of life to become effective advocates for a livable world. Learn proven ways to speak effectively and powerfully about climate solutions to friends, neighbors, business leaders, and elected officials.

Annual Celebrate the Lower Chippewa Valley River Conference Usually held early September.

Watch Facebook for more information. An event that bridges communities, natural resource professionals, and concerned citizens with a coordinated initiative to protect and celebrate the Chippewa River. Day 1 is usually held at the Heyde Center, while Day 2 is held at Phoenix Park in Eau Claire. Watch Facebook for more information and updates.

GreenLifeXpo Energy Exposition Sep. 9, 9am-4pm

• Exhibits and speakers at the Jackson County Fairgrounds inside the Milt Lunda Memorial Arena, Black River Falls. Other events held around the community at “green locations”, • (715) 964-7155 • greenlifexpo.com GreenLifeExpo is an event aimed to educate the public to live “greener”.

GreenLifeExpo hosts exhibitors, speakers, and events at “green” locations. In previous years, attendees learned about renewable/alternative energy, recycling, conservation, and sustainable living with exhibits, tours, speakers, prizes, food, and workshops for kids.

Chippewa Valley Sustainable Future Fest Watch

for this event in Mid-September, 1pm • Forest Street Gardens, Eau Claire • FREE • sustainablefuturefest.com Learn sustainable living ideas. Green living demonstrations, exhibits, tours of the Forest Street Gardens, food, music, and more.

HAZARDOUS WASTE PICKUP

Eau Claire County Residential Clean Sweep Sep.

9, 8am-noon • WRR Environmental Services, 5200 Ryder Road, about 1/4 mile south of Interstate 94, Eau Claire • co.eau-claire.wi.us Clean Sweep is an annual program sponsored by Eau Claire County for the safe disposal of hazardous household wastes generated in resident’s homes. With the exception of Very Small Quantity Generator business collections, Clean Sweep is a residential program. This means that hazardous wastes generated in a commercial enterprise, even if it is a home-based business, may not be brought to Clean Sweep.

Dunn County Hazardous Waste Collections On Sep.

13: 4-6pm for farms, businesses and households at the Colfax Fairgrounds, 831 E. Railroad Ave., Colfax // On Sep. 14: 2-3pm for businesses, 3-4pm for farms, 4-7pm for households at the Dunn County Transfer Station, E3900 Hwy 29, Menomonie // All farms and businesses must pre-register by Sep. 8. • (715) 2324017 • co.dunn.wi.us Hazardous waste collections are imperative to keeping the environment clean. They also keep residents safer and healthier by limiting their exposure to hazardous chemicals. Improper storage and disposal of these products can cause fires, groundwater contamination and injuries to people and animals. Please do not throw away hazardous waste with regular garbage or pour it down the drain. Save any or all hazardous waste for a hazardous waste collection in your area.

Chippewa County Household Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep Oct. 14, 8am-noon • Northern

Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 306 Jefferson Ave., Chippewa Falls • (715) 726-7999 • co.chippewa. wi.us Chippewa County is making it easy for residents to get rid of household hazardous waste.

See contact info for the full list of items you may or may not bring.

INTEREST GROUPS

Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance (CVTA) • (715)

835-4835 • chippewavalleytransitalliance@gmail. com • facebook.com CVTA is a united voice for transit riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians in Eau Claire and neighboring counties of West Central Wisconsin. Meets monthly. Check Facebook for more.

Citizens Climate Lobby - Eau Claire Chapter •

(715) 829-8620 • eauclaire@citizensclimatelobby. org • citizensclimatelobby.org A non-profit, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. Trains and supports volunteers to reclaim their democracy and engage elected officials and the media to generate the political will for solutions that will stabilize the Earth’s climate. Check Facebook for schedule.

Clean Wisconsin • (608) 251-7020 • info@clean-

wisconsin.org • cleanwisconsin.org Clean Wisconsin protects Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Find Clean Wisconsin on Facebook.

Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners Association •

(715) 839-4712 • Erin.LaFaive@co.eau-claire.wi.us • eauclairemastergardeners.weebly.com This UW Extension volunteer group provides horticultural education, community service and environmental stewardship. The Eau Claire Master Gardeners community invites you to join its efforts to educate and beautify the area. They organize several events, seminars, plant sales, garden tours, and manage public gardens for all to experience.

River Country RC&D • (715) 579-5229 • Info@

RiverCountryRCD.org • facebook.com Known for collaboration and grassroots efforts among private citizens, land-owners, government agencies and businesses.

They work with land-owners to cut through red tape and implement programs that improve land-use, foster resource development, and enhance habitat value and beauty of the region.

Sierra Club - Chippewa Valley Group • (608) 256-

0565 • john.muir.chapter@sierraclub.org • wisconsin. sierraclub.org/chippewa This is a local chapter of the international environmental group based in San Francisco. Programs include slide presentations of trips, talks about environmental issues, guest speakers & seminars, and suggestions & campaigns for action.

Sustainable Dunn • sustainabledunn.org This grass-

roots organization is devoted to promoting decisions that meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Monthly programs are held covering a variety of sustainability topics. Its website includes “green” news, a discussion group, and more.

Tainter Menomin Lake Improvement Association, Inc. • rverdon@att.net • tmlia.org Atively engaged in

activities to promote Tainter Lake and Lake Menomin, along with those bodies of water which are immediate to the lake, namely the Red Cedar River and the Hay River. Their aim is to support the protection and improvement of Lake Menomin and Tainter Lake waters by providing educational information on water quality and environmental issues affecting these bodies of water and their corresponding watersheds.

Eau Claire Climate Action Now (CAN) • (612)

220-1970 • eauclairecan@gmail.com • facebook. com CAN’s mission is to organize to fight climate change through education, advocacy, and bold proposals that sharply reduce fossil fuel extraction and emissions by fostering a clean energy economy and creating sustainable communities. CAN takes on the moral responsibility to use their collective power to influence the city, county, state, nation, and world to respond appropriately and end climate change.

Eau Claire Garden Club • facebook.com/ecgarden-

club The objectives of the Club are to educate members in all phases of gardening and to promote the enjoyment of gardening among its members and other people in the community Organizes plant sales, garden tours, guest speakers, and more.

GreenSense • studentorgs.uwstout.edu/org/

greensense GreenSense is UW-Stout’s student environmental organization since 1990. GreenSense cleans up Galloway Creek, participates in an Adopt-a-Highway program, cleans up the campus, and manages annual events at UW-Stout including RecycleMania, Earth Week events, a film festival, and they sponsor environmental speakers.

Joining Our Neighbors, Advancing Hope (JONAH): Environmental Task Force • jonahjustice.org JO-

NAH’s Environmental Task Force aims to live together in a mutually sustaining relationship with the Earth so the integrity for all is preserved and honored. They educate and inspire others to get involved in preserving our quality of life in the Chippewa Valley.

Lower Chippewa River Alliance (LCRA) • (715)

835-4829 • ellewolf1@hotmail.com • wisconsinrivers.org Supports the conservation, preservation and stewardship of the Lower Chippewa River and Lower Chippewa River Basin extending from the Dells dam in the City of Eau Claire to the Mississippi River. LCRA organizes two educational open-car train rides into the Tiffany Bottoms each year, the proceeds from which are donated to prairie and oak savanna restoration, invasive species eradication, and scientific research projects.

The Prairie Enthusiasts: Chippewa Savannas Chapter • stahland@centurytel.net • theprairieen-

thusiasts.org A chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts, a non-profit grassroots conservation organization.

Works throughout Dunn, Eau Claire, and Pepin counties, to restore remnants of prairie ecosystems still remaining in the Chippewa Valley that have not already been lost to development or habitat degradation.

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UW-Stout Sustainability Office • (715) 232-5254 •

rykals@uwstout.edu • uwstout.edu/sustainability/ Fosters a community of sustainability at UW-Stout.

Coordinates the campus’s sustainability priorities &initiatives, works with local, regional, and national organizations, and promotes UW-Stouts efforts in the area of sustainability. Oversees the UW-Sprout campus garden, CSA market garden, and Volunteers for Veggies program. Makes weekly donations to the Stepping Stones pantry.

The UWEC Conservationists Club • uwec.c.club@ gmail.com • facebook.com/uwec.c.club The purpose of The Conservationists is to strengthen ecological awareness and environmental ethics in the community and campus. The primary goal is to work with the community and university in restoration, conservation, and management efforts.

UWEC Student Office of Sustainability • (715) 836-

4646 • sos@uwec.edu • uwec.edu A Student Senate commission responsible for allocation of the UWEC “green fund” to make UWEC a more sustainable campus. Funds projects, programs, and events addressing the various sustainability areas of transportation, energy, waste, climate change, water, food systems, campus ecology, education, and outreach.

UWEC Watershed Institute for Collaborative Environmental Studies • (715) 836-4175 • watershed@uwec.

edu • uwec.edu/watershed/index.htm Its core goal is for UWEC students to develop an increased environmental awareness, vital ecological literacy, a commitment to conservation and sustainability, and a respectful, appreciative, and ethically intentional relationship between human society and the natural world in the Lower Chippewa River Watershed and beyond.

Wisconsin Bike Fed • (414) 431-1798 • info@wiscon-

sinbikefed.org • wisconsinbikefed.org The Wisconsin Bike Fed, celebrating 27 years of bicycle advocacy in 2015, is a statewide organization representing thousands of members across Wisconsin and has staff based in Eau Claire. Its mission is to inspire, motivate, and unite a strong community of civic, business and political leaders, motorists and bicyclists to move bicycling forward in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Green Building Alliance • (414) 224-9422

• info@wgba.org • usgbc.org/usgbc-wisconsin This organization’s mission is to promote ecologically sustainable development practices and provides resources such as an annual conference, educational forums and site visits to demonstration projects.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Eau Claire • (715) 225-3344 • info@conservationvoters.

org • conservationvoters.org A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to electing conservation leaders, holding decision makers accountable and encouraging lawmakers to champion conservation policies that effectively protect Wisconsin’s public health and natural resources.

Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice • (608)

250-9240 • info@wnpj.org • wnpj.org Founded in 1991 as a coalition of activist groups and citizens of conscience within Wisconsin. WNPJ facilitates activities, cooperation and communication among Wisconsin organizations and individuals working toward the creation of a sustainable world.

ENERGY PROGRAMS

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative • ecec.com A locally operated, energy efficient, member owned cooperative.

Provides renewable energy in the form of solar, wind, and geothermal to its members.

Energy Audits • xcelenergy.com Xcel Energy offers

a Community Conservation Program in which small businesses and area residents can audit buildings to check heating, air conditioning, lighting, windows, doors, and air filtration for energy efficiency.

Focus On Energy • 800-762-7077 • Focusinfo@

focusonenergy.com • FocusOnEnergy.com Works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect the environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas.

ECO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION

ADG: Architectural Design Group 800 Wisconsin St. (Banbury Place Bld D4, Suite 202), Eau Claire • (715) 832-4848, (715) 832-4850 • adg-architects.com With over 20 years of experience, Architectural Design VolumeOne.org 42 July 26, 2017

Group (ADG) has grown to become a leader in architectural and sustainable design. Theirstudios specialize in business, energy & technology, government & public safety, health & wellness, learning, living, and spiritual facilities.

Badger State Inc. 2507 Fortune Drive, Eau Claire

• (715) 874-7777 • info@badgerstateinc.com • badgerstateinc.com/index.php This plumbing and heating contractor now offers residential and commercial solar water heating.

Bubbling Springs Solar 408 Red Cedar St. #5,

Menomonie • (715) 231-1885 • bss@wwt.net This family owned Menomonie business offers solar thermal collectors for hot water.

Chippewa Valley Alternative Energy • (866) 460-8656

• info@startsomewhere.co • startsomewhere.co/home. html Dedicated to lowering heating costs using solar thermal, waste oil heaters, and biomass pellets. CVAE services include Solar PV sales, design, accessories and installation, solar site assessments; used-oil heater parts, repair, troubleshooting, rebuilds and accessories; pellet mill sales, accessories and more.

Energy Concepts 2349 Willis Miller Dr., Hudson •

(715) 381-9977 • energyconcepts.us Energy Concepts provides turn-key commercial and residential solutions for all your renewable energy project needs—including wind, solar and high-efficiency Garn wood-burning boilers.

Heritage Builders N6160 370th St., Menomonie • (715) 235-7910 • info@heritagebuildersmenomonie.com • heritagebuildersmenomonie.com This home repair, remodel, and builder from Menomonie is dedicated to making homes more energy efficient. They also do drywall art.

Jim Erdman • (715) 235-8941 • jiminwis@yahoo.

com A certified site assessor, Jim will survey your property to find out if wind or solar energy systems could work.

MEP Associates 2720 Arbor Court, Eau Claire • (715) 832-5680 • info@mepassociates.com • mepassociates.com This consulting firm specializes in designing sustainable mechanical, electrical, plumbing, medical gas, and geothermal systems.

Next Step Energy Systems 612 Wagner St., Eau Claire • (715) 830-9337 • nextstepenergy.com A full service installer of renewable energy, high efficiency radiant heating systems and more recently urban design.

Specializes in consultation, creative design and installation of solar electric, solar thermal and unique heating systems. They have provided service for over thirty years to the greater Chippewa Valley region of Western Wisconsin.

Red Cedar Steel 4621 Domain Drive, Menomonie •

(715) 235-0618 • redcedarsteel.com/project/solar/ Red Cedar Steel does solar power assessments as well as installations across the Midwest.

SDS Architects 7 S. Dewey Street, Eau Claire • (715)

832-1605 • info@sdsarch.com • sdsarch.com This LEED-certified architectural firm specializes in higher education, K-12 education, industrial, commercial, community, religious, health care, and government projects, while focusing on energy conservation and sustainable design.

SpaceGrower Menomonie • (715) 231-6174 • info@

spacegrower.com • spacegrower.com Provides interior and architectural green design services. Interior services include furniture, recommendations, lighting, and layout. Architectural services include drawing, modeling, site layout, space programming, design, documentation, sustainable material research, and more.

Tiry Engineering 220 1/2 North Bridge Street (P.O. Box 44), Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-6777 // (866) 9446777 • contact@tiryengineering.com • tiryengineering. com Among other services, Tiry Engineering provide clients with conservation designs that take the environment into careful consideration. Services include dams, erosion control, water supply, wetland delineation and restoration, air dispersion modeling, and anaerobic digestion services.

Water Source Heating & Cooling 3650 Greenway

Street, Eau Claire • (715) 833-9001 • watersourcegeothermal.com Services include geothermal heat pumps, radiant floor heating, solar PV systems, geothermal loop systems, and ductwork, air filters, and humidifiers.

WRR Environmental Services 5200 Ryder Road,

Eau Claire • 800-727-8760 • wrrstaff@wrres. com • wrres.com Serving the community and the environment with services including solvent recycling, fuel blending, wastewater treatment, hazardous waste collection, hazardous material spill response, site remediation, chemical processing and more.

VolumeOne.org 43 July 26, 2017