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Fall Newsletter 2013

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

Coulee Partners for Sustainabilityʼs 6th Annual Harvest Dinner

Glen Jenkins, Carolyn Mahlum Jenkins, Guy Wolf and Hank Koch were all honored at the 2013 Coulee Partners for Sustainability Harvest Dinner for the work they have done to promote and champion sustainability in the Coulee Region and beyond. Glen and Carolyn are both retired educators, school administrators, board members of Coulee Partners for Sustainability and passionate sustainability advocates. Guy Wolf is widely recognized in the Midwest as a tireless community organizer, activist, environmentalist and educator. La Crosse County Solid Waste Director Glen Jenkins, Carolyn Mahlum Jenkins, Guy Wolf and Hank Koch

Hank Koch oversees the first publicly-­owned solid waste disposal system to join Wisconsinʼs innovative Green Tier program. There is no one more passionate about sustainable waste management than Hank. All four honorees received citations of recognition from Wisconsin legislators Jill Billings, Jennifer Shilling and Steve Doyle. Glen, Carolyn, Guy and Hank, congratulations and thanks for all that you have done for our region and our communities!

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Northwest Earth Instituteʼs biannual conference on Cultivating a Community of Leaders, co-hosted by NWEI partner Coulee Partners for Sustainability, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Participants gathered from around the nation to explore the powerful relationship between leadership and change. The documentary A Fierce Green Fire, a film synthesizing major environmental movements of our time, was screened and the filmʼs director, Mark Kitchell, skyped in to discuss his vision and motivations behind the film. Participants engaged the questions: Where do we see ourselves in the environmental movement? How can we take leadership and light our own fierce green fires in our communities at home?

Jeff Thompson from Gundersen Health Systems offered one of the weekendʼs keynote addresses, showing participants how a large health organization spanning three states must take responsibility for its contribution to pollutants and greenhouse gasses released in our atmosphere and watersheds. As a result the Gundersen Health System will be energy independent with only renewable energy sources by 2014. 

Tia Nelson (daughter of Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson) talked about her fatherʼs success at capacity building, the story of  Earth Day, and how both shifted the environmental movement.

Richard Kyte, the Director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership, showed us how servant leadership can be applied as an ethic and approach to support oneʼs mission. Participants also had the opportunity to put inspiration into practice by learning about tools, programs and stories from NWEIʼs sustainability leaders.

Sister Lucy Slinger offered an Awakening the Dreamer Symposium, which offered an opportunity to explore each participantʼs unique role in transforming our future. Sister Slinger also led a tour of the garden where she and others work with 7th graders to grow and harvest food and teach students about sustainability.

Carson Main of the Aldo Leopold Foundation spoke on Land Ethic Leadership. Participants also had the opportunity to tour local sustainability sites, including a field trip to the Peopleʼs Food Coop, a local example of sustainable food and community in action.

Jeff Thompson, Gundersen Health Systems, one of the keynotesTia Nelson offers a keynote on leadership and Earth Day

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Northwest Earth Institutes Discussion Courses for 2013-2014

The Northwest Earth Institute is recognized as a national leader in the development of innovative programs that empower individuals and organizations to transform culture toward a sustainable and enriching future.

Today, NWEI offers eight discussion courses for small groups. These self-guided discussion courses are offered in workplaces, universities, homes, faith centers, neighborhoods, and community centers throughout North America. Each program encourages participants to explore values, attitudes, and actions through discussion with other people.

The following four courses can be taken individually or in any combination. Viterbo University offers each individual course for one credit for those interested. Each course requires participants to purchase a book at a cost of $20.00 per discussion course. Contact Glen and/or Carolyn Jenkins at cgjenks@earthlink.net or (608) 782-5727 for further information in regard to requirements for the credit or to sign up for the discussion courses. Registration for Viterbo credit will be done at first class. We will get the book to you prior to the start of each discussion course. It is preferable that session one of each discussion course is read prior to the first meeting. Each session readings are no more than about 20 pages.

A World of Health: Connecting People, Place and PlanetA healthy environment is essential for human health and well-being. A World of Health helps participants explore the connections between the health of our communities and the health of our planet. You also learn about the limitations of the current medical model and the places where our personal health intersects with the environment—from our food and homes, to our communities and society. Together, you discover actions that promote good health and in turn, promote a healthier environment.

DATES: Wednesdays: October 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11CREDIT: Viterbo University 1CR $110.00LOCATION: Peoples Food Co-op 6:00-8:00 PM

Menu for the FutureOver the last century, the way we grow, harvest, transport, and consume food has changed significantly. Itʼs easy to overlook the impact this process has on our environment. Menu for the Future helps you explore the connection between food and sustainability. Participants learn more about the many cultural, social, and ecological implications of what we eat and discuss the importance of our eating habits. Together, you discover food choices that are good for you and the health of our environment.

DATES: Wednesdays: January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19CREDIT: Viterbo University 1CR $110.00LOCATION: Peoples Food Co-op 6:00-8:00 PM

Reconnecting With EarthOur world is changing at such an astoundingly fast pace. We get caught up in our daily lives and the problems we face—we end up losing touch with that deep connection we have to our planet. Reconnecting with Earth helps participants explore how our cultural beliefs and personal values affect the way we view and treat Earth. Together, you discuss how our well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being of our planet. Participants discover a deeper respect for the planet and a renewed commitment to act—a shift that could be the key to real and lasting change.

DATES: Wednesdays: February 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9CREDIT: Viterbo University 1CR $110.00LOCATION: Peoples Food Co-op 6:00-8:00 PM

Contact Glen and/or Carolyn Jenkins at cgjenks@earthlink.net and/or (608) 782-5727 for further information or to sign up for the discussion courses. Registration for Viterbo credit will be done at first class. Course starting and ending time can be flexed to meet the need of participants. Time of class will be discussed at first class.

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Coulee Partners for Sustainability Budget

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Coulee Partners Year in Review

54 people participated on the NWEI Discussion Courses

at the Peoples Food Coop

2000 Community Members Attended 2012 Earth Fair

CPS purchased the rights to screen the movie Switch at Western Technical College, Viterbo University, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Over 100 community members and students viewed the film.

CPS purchased the rights to screen the movie A Fierce Green Fire 73 people viewed this documentary.

Sponsored the Northwest Earth Instituteʼs National Biannual Conference at UW-La Crosse: Leadership, Action and Community.

Made presentations at Logan Middle School, Viterbo University, UW-La Crosse, Evergreen Elementary & Bethany on Cass.

Living Green Expo: Past, Present & Future October 2012 at Western Technical College

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Green Measures: -­  

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Coulee Partners Sustainability Map

Go to our website at: cpslax.org and checkout our Sustainability Map

CPS Sustainability Calendar

Find dates, times and places for whatʼs going on in the Coulee Region with sustainability.

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The SwiPHt Homes Neighborhood Project will be the second Passive House project in Wisconsin, but the first that incorporates an educational component. It will serve as a model development for the entire Upper Midwest. By working with experts in the sustainable design movement and in collaboration with faculty and students, as well as community partners, the SwiPHt Homes Project will shine as a model of community and education integration at its finest!

A Passive House is Unique!A Passive House utilizes a design and construction model that focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency. Utilizing the sunʼs energy, proper siting of the property, energy efficient building materials and techniques, and a quality ventilation system, homeowners can realize a 90 percent cost savings in their utilities. By using minimal renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic or residential wind, passive homes can be easily converted to zero-energy homes.While the energy cost savings are impressive, a passive house is more than an affordable, low-energy building. It is also comfortable and ecological.With Westernʼs commitment to sustainability, its position as an educational leader in the community, its history of collaborative homebuilding, and its Vision 2020 plan, it made sense to explore a sustainable, integrated, and innovative solution for the neighborhood.

A Model of Partnership and InnovationOver the next three years (2013-2015), Western faculty and students will work in partnership with Mayo Clinic – Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Hillview Urban Agriculture Center (HUAC), and the La Crosse Community Foundation to transform a residential pocket in La Crosseʼs 24th Street Neighborhood. Currently, the 100-year-old Hillview Greenhouse sits on the property. Beginning in summer 2013, the greenhouse will be deconstructed and removed from its current location at 737 24th St. North. All reusable building materials will be up-cycled and donated or sold to interested parties. In its place will be three professionally-designed and -constructed small footprint, energy efficient, Passive House certified homes. The project is being led by Westernʼs new Center for Building Innovation and their certified Passive House instructor and consultant as well as the Minneapolis-based Passive House and high performance architectural firm, Intep.

Westernʼs SwiPHt Homes

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

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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

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.