SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITES
Individuals and groups across Wisconsin are calling upon local government to enact policies and take actions that build sustainable communities. Several communities and a county in Wisconsin have recently adopted resolutions stating their intent to follow be sustainable communities or eco-municipalities.
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GreenLeaf Market—Think Global, Eat Local
Are you a farmer interested in selling directly to local restaurant chefs? Are you a grocery buyer looking to stock the finest foods from Wisconsin’s artisan processors? Greenleafmarket.com is an internet-based tool designed to match farmers and processors with local grocers, restaurants and institutions that want those products. Training session to learn how to use the online tool are available.  GreenLeaf Market Flyer (1 page, 584 KB)
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RIDESHARE now available in Central Wisconsin
RIDESHARE is a free service through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation which brings commuters together—regardless of vehicle ownership, and leaves it up to you and your fellow commuters to form a carpool that works for all riders. Your origin and destination are processed to provide a list of possible carpool matches. Computer software maps those locations and then matches them with others. A match report will show individuals with similar commutes and work hours. The RIDESHARE system is now available to match riders in Central Wisconsin >>>
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Invasive Species Field Trip & Community Work Party — October 17 & 18
Join volunteers and students Friday, October 17
with a hands-on identification and control workshop at Fern Island in Wausau 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Then on Saturday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm join a in community effort
to “take back” Fern Island! Species targeted are Buckthorn & Non-native
Honeysuckles. Pre-registration appreciated.
Call Amy, at Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development, at
715-343-6215. Fern Island Field Trip & Work Party flyer (1 page, 166 KB)
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Northcentral Wisconsin Stormwater Coalition
Stormwater runoff is the rain, melting snow and other water that flows off streets, rooftops, lawns and farmland. Stormwater washes pollutants off streets, parking lots and lawns and into our lakes and streams. Since stormwater crosses borders, municipalities in the area and Marathon County are working cooperatively to manage the quantity and quality of the stormwater reaching local water bodies. Learn more about the Northcentral Wisconsin Stormwater Coalition >>>
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Presentations from the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Summit
Many of the excellent presentations from the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Summit: Green Jobs Growing Wisconsin’s Economy held in Milwaukee in March are accessible via the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Summit website. Even the keynotes are accessible. Learn about everything from solar, wind and biomass to jobs, policy and research. |
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Community Connections Newsletter
Marathon County's Environmental Resources Committee, responsible for coordinating land use policy for county government, has debuted a periodical newsletter. The current issue's topics include: Pharmaceutical Take-Back Event, Firewood in Marathon County Parks & Forests, Gypsy Moth Suppression Program, and more. The Community Connections newsletter is available online >>>
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Edgar Schools Invest in Wind Energy
The Edgar School District is getting into the wind business to generate some cash flow and to integrate the study of renewable energy sources into its schools' curriculum. The district will work with 20 other schools that are investing in a six-turbine wind farm operated by Johnson Controls.
The energy generated will be sold to utility companies, and the school districts will receive part of the profits. Read the full article on the Wausau Daily Herald's website >>>
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Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center Newsletter
The Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center's (SHWEC) mission is to enhance Wisconsin's environment and economy by providing quality education, information and technical assistance to promote the sustainable use of natural resources. July's newsletter includes: Energy Saving Tips for Summer;
Factsheet Guides Forklift Buyers;
Product Stewardship Initiatives Moving Forward;
Wisconsin Clean Sweep Funding Program Announced;
Air Issues in Wisconsin; Environmental News Briefs of Interest,
also includes news briefs and an events calendar. The SHWEC newsletter and previous editions are available at the SHEWEC website >>>
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Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee
Many Marathon County municipalities have adopted comprehensive plans which meet the requirements of the recent state planning legislation. The Marathon County Board adopted the County Comprehensive Plan on May 23, 2006. Plan implementation at the county level is led by the county’s Environmental Resources Committee, which is responsible for coordinating all land use policy throughout the county, including Smart Growth, utility policy, and other issues related to transportation, groundwater, demographics. Learn more about the Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee >>> |
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Planning for Sustainability
On February 27, 2007, the City of Marshfield Common Council voted 9-0 to endorse the principles of sustainability developed by the American Planning Association, view the Policy Guide on Planning for Sustainability. The resolution also directs the City to create a Sustainable Marshfield Committee, which would advise the mayor and Common Council on implementation of sustainable practices. The report created by the Sustainable Marshfield Committee and the resolution passed by the Common Council are available on the City of Marshfield official website. |
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Sustainability Toolkit Available for Local Government
Interested in how your local government can learn more about becoming a sustainable community? A publication, Toward a Sustainable Community: a Toolkit for Local Government, was published by UW-Extension and Focus on Energy, to provide ideas and specific actions that government can take to embrace sustainable practices. Toward a Sustainable Community: A Toolkit for Local Government (48 pages, 2.76 MB)
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