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Winter Newsletter 2013

Living respectfully, responsibly and reverently with one another and with Earth.

Become a Member of Coulee Partners for SustainabilityItʼs time to JOIN or RENEW your Coulee Partners Membership! Your membership will allow us to continue providing the community with these valuable programs:

• The 5th annual “Earth Fair” : last year over 3,000 people participated, learned and enjoyed the Earth Fair at the EcoPark!

• In 2013 we held the 2nd annual “Living Green Expo” at Westernʼs Lunda Center

• Five of Northwest Earth Instituteʼs discussion courses held at Peopleʼs Food Co-op and La Crescent-Hokah Community Education. 400 community members have participated in the discussion courses over the past five years.

• April 2013 sponsoring the film “Switch” at UW-La Crosse, Viterbo and Western. All screenings open to the public. The film does not advocate for one technology over another but tries to determine how it actually would happen, based on scientifically-sound investigation and the practical realities of the world of energy as we discovered them.

• Publishing Coulee Partners for Sustainabilityʼs “Guide for Local Sustainability”.

• Public lectures on The Natural Step and other topics related to sustainability.

• Presentations on sustainability at local public schools and universities.

• Sponsoring the Northwest Earth Instituteʼs 2013 National Gathering that will be held at UW-La Crosse in July of 2013

• Purchasing books on sustainability for the La Crosse Public Libraries

SIGNUP TODAY with Paypal at: www.cpslax.org/

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NWEI Bi-Annual Conference:Cultivating a Community of Leaders

July 18 - 21, 2013La Crosse, WI

Formerly known as the North American Gathering, NWEI's bi-annual conference is coming up in July 2013. The conference is being co-hosted by NWEI partner organization Coulee Partners for Sustainability, and will be held in beautiful La Crosse, Wisconsin. On the campus of the University Wisconsin-La Crosse.

We hope you will join us as we convene our North American partner organizations, community organizers, higher education professionals and students, for a weekend of inspiration and learning. We will explore the mission of NWEI through the lens of our conference theme: Cultivating a Community of Leaders. The weekend will feature guest speakers, workshops, field trips and plenty of opportunities for rejuvenation and community building. The conference experience will provide participants with the inspiration, direction and tools needed to create positive change in their communities. NWEI is also be celebrating its 20 year anniversary in 2013 and we will celebrate with you--the partners helping us achieve our mission for all these years!

Featured Speakers and Programs:

Zoe WeilIn 2010, Zoe gave her first TEDx talk “The World Becomes What You Teach” which became among the 50 top-rated of more than 12,000 TEDx talks. Since then she has given three other TEDx talks including “Solutionaries,”  “Educating for Freedom,”  and “How to Be a Solutionary.”

Echoing GreenOur mission is to unleash next generation talent to solve the worldʼs biggest problems.

Our newest program, Work on Purpose, inspires and equips the next generation of social innovators. Rooted in scientific research, and the best life- and work-practices of Echoing Greenʼs world-changing Fellows, Work on Purpose disseminates: best practices for success in high-impact careers; frameworks and methodologies that help emerging professionals identify their unique role within the ecosystem of social innovation; and the stories of those who have built careers that are both right for them and good for the world. Program features include workshops and keynote speeches, an interactive online platform, the Work on Purpose book, the Be Bold: Create a Career with Impact book, and much more.

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On Tuesday, January 9th Craig Thompson of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), held the attention of 40 plus attendeeʼs at the LWV monthly program series. Craig began working for the (WDNR) here in 1987 and shortly after began his involvement in the preservation efforts of the La Crosse River marsh. Today that process continues, giving credence to the old adage, “Itʼs the journey and not the destination.” Many community members are confident that Craig personally has the best interests for the marsh foremost

in his mind. He has had a long history with the project and hopes, along with the rest of the community, the protection of the diverse habitat and wildlife comes to fruition. The “wetland” provides other benefits beside a tourism anomaly, it filters the water that flows through it, provides protect when flooding occurs (acting as an enormous sponge), provides resting/feeding ground for migratory populations and provides a place of recreation. This inner city wetland is most certainly a jewel.

Craig shared a brief history of the wetland area being a sand prairie, a lake, and the marsh itself was twice the size it is now prior to development. In 1997 the city approved the “Land Use Management Plan 6.” That land use document ʻs objectives were to have the marsh owned and managed by the DNR and discussed a transportation corridor plan 5-B1. In 1998 the corridor plan was taken to a referendum and city residents voted no 5-B1, meaning, “No Road.” As of late, the DOT has come to the DNR and asked them to work with them, but the DNR said not until the land is transferred. There has been resistance by the city engineer to transfer the land parcels ownership to the DNR for more than 14 years. Presently the community is waiting for that process to occur.

In spite of the delay, citizens of this community have been able to enjoy the “jewel”. As one walks the many paths through the marsh they can enjoy rich wildlife and a very diverse plant life. With the water low this past year numerous plants have rebounded. The marsh supports multiple species of frogs (Green, Leopard, Tree and Chorus), herons (Green, American bittern), hummingbirds and during migration an additional 150 species of birds. When the community experiences the migration influx of birds it is a reminder that we needs to think with a hemispheric perspective and understand the critical need for the La Crosse River marsh. As one walks they can take in our own resident eagles and their eaglets, the pesky beavers and my favorite the river otters. If you feel enticed, Craig has volunteered to lead a spring journey through the marsh.

We had an opportunity to ask Craig difficult questions, such as, who is the best agency to own/manage the marsh? There were concerns that the present climate in the state and the leadership of the DNR may not be the best but many challenged with a lack of faith in the city as well. It will take a community to ensure protection.

La Crosse River Marsh, “A Jewel”Carolyn Mahlum Jenkins

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In 2009, documentary filmmaker Harry Lynch and geologist Dr. Scott Tinker set out to make a film on our energy transition. The goal was not to advocate for one technology over another, not to suggest how the transition should happen — but to try to determine how it actually would happen, based on scientifically-sound investigation and the practical realities of the world of energy as we discovered them. The result, is Switch.

KEY FACTS• Filmed in 11 countries• 27 world-leading energy sites for all energy types• Includes 53 expert interviews• 24 renewable energy specialists• 19 fossil energy specialists• 11 plant managers for all energy types• 10 of the world's leading energy experts in government and academia• 9 CEOs of international energy companies, fossil and renewable• Switch took 2 years to film using 2 primary and 8 additional cameramen, shooting more than

500 hours of footage• Switch took over 1 year to edit (for the film and the web videos), using 2 primary and 7

additional editors• Dr. Scott Tinker has given over 450 invited lectures on energy in the past 10 years

Coulee Partners is sponsoring screenings at:

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: April 23, 2013 at 7:00PM$ $ $ $ 1309 Centennial Hall (UW-La Crosse campus, 1725 State Street)$ $ $ $ Audience: students, staff and open to the public (free to all)

Western Technical College: April 22 Viterbo University: To Be Announced

Atina Diffley Speaking at Pearl Street BooksIf anyone in the La Crosse area has time, an author who wrote about, among other things, a fight against threat of a crude oil pipeline, will speak in La Crosse on Feb. 20.

She is Atina Diffley-book is Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works. 7 p.m. at Pearl Street Books, 323 Pearl St. Might be inspiring. Her challenges, according to blurb in co-op newsletter, included "corporate politics.

For more about Atina go here: http://atinadiffley.com/

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“Go  Green  in  2013!”  at  the  5th  annual  Earth  Fair  presented  by  Coulee  Partners  for  Sustainability,  the  La  Crosse  Area  

Family  YMCA,  and  the  Earth  Fair  CommiFee!  This  FREE  event  will  feature  children’s  acMviMes,  live  music  and  

performances  (including  Hans  Mayer!),  and  Grand  Green  Prizes!  There  will  also  be  “green”  vendor  booths  and  a  

farmers’  market,  eco  presentaMons,  interacMve  displays,  and  so  much  more!  

For  details  on  Earth  Fair  2013  and  coinciding  events,  the  Recycling  Fair  and  Spring  Cleaning  Day,  visit  

www.EarthFairLaCrosse.org  and  follow  event  updates  on  Coulee  Partners  for  Sustainability’s  Facebook  page!

What:  Earth  Fair  2013

Date:  Sunday,  April  21,  2013

Time:  11:00  am  to  5:00  pm

Where:  EcoPark,  789  Myrick  Park  Drive,  La  Crosse,  WI

Websites:  www.cpslax.org;  www.earthfairlacrosse.org

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Go Green in 20135th Annual Earth Fair

Wanted: Volunteer to Coordinate/Edit Sustainability Articles

CPS is look for a person who would be interested in working with The Joint Oversight Committee on Sustainability in organizing potential writers of sustainability articles for the La Crosse Tribune. The coordinator would organize a list of potential monthly topics for a year, find writers with expertise in that topic, be involved in the editing/finalizing of articles, and act as a liaison to the La Crosse Tribune so articles meet deadline, etc.

If interested contact us at: info@cpslax.org

Green DrinksWho: Everyone interested in the environmental health of the Coulee Region What: Informal conversation and fun Where: Fayze's When: The 3rd Tuesday of every month. Why: The Coulee Region’s environment deserves our focus

Green Drinks is an international concept with gatherings all over the world. There are several gatherings in Wisconsin. This is the first in La Crosse. There are no dues, fees, agenda, board, minutes, attendance or programs. We hope you will find a lively mixture of people with similar interest in environmental health and learn new ideas as well. A calendar of upcoming events will provide an opportunity to choose areas of interest. Pay for a drink, stay for the conversation.

contact: Chris Schneider at chris-hybridguru@centurytel.net

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CPS Spotlight !

A new feature of the CPS newsletter is to spotlight members of our community and the CPS Board of Directors. For many years CPS has been part of the Coulee region but not many know the people behind the scenes, practicing the principals of The Natural Step. The first spotlight is of the CPS co-chairs, Glen Jenkins and Rob Tyser.

What are you personal interests, related to The Natural Step?In my spare time I enjoy biking, birding, camping, hiking, cutting wood, reading etc.!

What would you like to see CPS and its members accomplish within the next couple of years?I would like us to continue to engage more folks in sustainability discussions. I also think it would be neat for small groups to form study specific topics (climate change in Wisconsin, alternative transportation, for example) and to write 2-3 page summaries to share with the community.

Glen Jenkins (pictured right)Glen Jenkins is one of the Founders of Coulee Partners for Sustainability, which was established five years ago. He and his wife Carolyn are both retired educators. In addition to serving on the CPS Board of Directors, Glen is also part of Friends of the Upper Mississippi Fisheries Service. What about The Natural Step and CPS interests you?The fact that it is based on scientific information and provides a common language for people to discuss issues related to sustainability.

What are your personal interests, related to The Natural Step?We hike, bike, kayak, ski and enjoy the out of doors as much as possible. It is our hope that our grandchildren and all future generations will be able to have similar experiences in the out of doors.

What would you like to see CPS and its members accomplish within the next couple of years?I would like to see our CPS membership to continue to grow and reach as may people as possible for participation in the Northwest Earth Institute's Discussion Courses.

If you have someone you would like to recommend for the CPS Spotlight, please email info@cpslax.org.

Rob Tyser (pictured left)Rob Tyser is an original member of Coulee Partners for Sustainability. Rob has been teaching at UW-L for the past 30+ years (of which he enjoys immensely). He and his wife, Kathie have two sons and two grandchildren. In addition to CPS, Rob also serves on the Sustainable La Crosse Commission and the joint Committee for Environmental Sustainability at UW-L.

What about The Natural Step and CPS interests you?What I like about The Natural Step is that it provides a common framework for us to use when we talk about sustainability, which is a pretty broad topic. I think all important ideas have to be address from the top down as well as from the bottom up. CPS is our attempt to address sustainability at the bottom, grassroots level.

Become a Member of:

Living respectfully, responsibly and reverently with one another and with Earth.

NAME: ______________________________________

ADDRESS: ______________________________ City: ________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: _______________

PHONE: _______- _______- _____________

EMAIL ADDRESS: _________________________________

_______$15 Individual _______$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: https://www.facebook.com/CouleePartnersforSustainabilityLaCrosse

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.