University of Wisconsin - Extension

Madison, Wis.--Community and environmental groups, business, industry, workers and local governments will join forces in a series of Sustainability Roundtables to be held around the state this spring.

UW-Extension’s School for Workers, Cooperative Extension’s Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development program, UW-Superior, and Environmental Intelligence, Inc., a private company engaged in sustainability projects, are holding the roundtables to expand collaboration and advance green economic development in Wisconsin.

“The main goal is to help groups make connections that could lead to broader collaboration in sustainable economic development--the creation of good, green jobs,” says Corliss Olson of the UW-Extension School for Workers.

The roundtables will help ensure that workers and organized labor are at the table in discussions about green economic development, the greening of business, green jobs and other related topics as the country moves toward a “green collar” economy.

“The roundtables will encourage communication and collaboration between labor and economic development folks who might not otherwise connect with each other,” says Olson. “And they may help communities position themselves to take advantage of stimulus funds for sustainable development.”

Building on the expertise of UW-Extension and leaders in sustainable ideas and technologies, the roundtables will link representatives from agriculture and industry, workers and unions, entrepreneurs, communities and other key stakeholder organizations. Other groups involved include Labor in the New Energy Economy, Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, and the Blue-Green Alliance (an alliance between the United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club).

The roundtables are scheduled for Apr. 30 in Milwaukee, May 5 for the Appleton/Green Bay area, May 19 for Duluth/Superior, and May 21 for La Crosse. Locations will be announced.