Ride with a Guide during Earth Month

If you really want to poke a stick in Big Oil's eye, ride the bus ... or walk or bike. If you really
believe that we must do something to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, ride the bus AND advocate for better bus service.

If you want to try the bus but you've never ridden before and aren't sure how to do it, the La Crosse Area Transit Advocates are offering four Ride with a Guide events for Earth Month. In cooperation with the La Crosse MTU, LATA's Ride with a Guide event will include a pre-ride  information session at the Transit Center with an overview of the system and information about the routes, schedules, real-time bus tracker phone app, and the transfer system. Then, participants and guide will board, pay, and ride one circuit on the bus. When the group returns to the Transit Center, there will be an informal question and answer session. 

The cost to participate is the cost of bus fare: $1.50 for adults, $0.75 for seniors/those with a disability with a Medicare card, $1.25 for youth, age 4 to 17. University students' student IDs are bus passes. Participants will receive a One Ride Free card at the conclusion of the event. PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE!

Dates:

• Saturday, April 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Monday, April 11 from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, April 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 30 from 4 to 6 p.m.
  

Sign up (space is limited) at this link OR call 608-315-2693 and leave your name and number for a call back. 

If you believe that there is a climate crisis, changing transportation habits and advocating for better transportation systems is a great way to make a big difference right away. Be or become a visible bus rider. Ride with your child, invite your neighbor to ride with you. Ask your employer to join the MTU Works program (subsidized bus fares), talk to your city council member about getting more service on the routes you use or new service to places the bus doesn't go right now. Join local and regional transit advocacy groups. Talk to others about their transportation choices.

The best transportation is the one that fits the need. Walk when you can comfortably walk. Bike when it's a bit too far for walking. Take the bus when it's a bit too far to bike and the bus goes where you need to go. Remember, you can take your bike on the bus.

We need better bus service to get more people on the bus and out of their greenhouse gas-spewing cars. We need more people riding and advocating for the bus to get better bus service. Here's one opportunity to make and advocate for change. If you need more reasons to take the bus, check out this article from Tree Hugger.

April 2: Meet progressive candidates

 From Citizen Action Driftless Co-op:

Join the Citizen Action of Wisconsin members and Spring Election endorsed candidates for an afternoon of fun and activism (as we return to in person organizing).

 

Come and meet some of the amazing candidates we endorsed this election cycle.  Catch up with fellow activists you have not seen for a long time.  If you are new to Citizen Action of Wisconsin come out and get to know us.

 

Candidates will even be bringing volunteer opportunities so you can step up and help elect progressives this Spring!

 

RSVP HERE

 

Feel free to bring a dish to pass and drinks!

BSU Reflection's of Ebony

You have to go! Email for ticket info.

March 23: Climate Action Event

City of La Crosse to Share Climate Action Planning in Public Meeting, Banner Dedication

Citizens can learn about the process and provide input on goals and strategies

(La Crosse, WIS. 3/22/2022) – The City of La Crosse Planning & Development Department will be hosting a presentation and question and answer session for its climate action planning.  This in-person event will give residents insight into the process and an opportunity to share their priorities for a cleaner, greener future.

Climate Action Plan Public Meeting

Wednesday, March 23^rd from 6 to 7 p.m. 
Banner dedication at 5:45

Black River Beach Neighborhood Center 
Maplewood Room, 1433 Rose St, La Crosse

The planning process began earlier this year with the formation of a fifty-member Climate Action Plan (CAP) Team who is laying the groundwork for how the City and its residents will tackle climate change by reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  This diverse group includes City staff, representatives from major institutions, and community members. They have convened in workshops that have addressed climate vulnerabilities, adaptation and mitigation, the community’s GHG inventory, and overarching goals. Citizen responses will guide further refinement of goals and actions.

Banner Dedication

Thanks to funds from the City of La Crosse Arts Board, the climate action planning process will include four identical moveable banners placed around the city during the process. Their intention is to get viewers to think about a sustainable future and access a QR code to provide survey responses about climate action they’d liked to see.  The banners were created by the artist team of Monica Durr, Tylar Oehler, and Matthew Bergs, who were selected through a public call to artists. These artists and one of the banners will be present for the dedication before the meeting.  The banners will initially be placed at City Hall, the Main Public Library, People’s Food Coop, and Pump House Regional Arts Center.

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For more information go to www.lacrosseclimateactionplan.org or contact Lewis Kuhlman, kuhlmanl@cityoflacrosse.org or 608-789-7361

Water, Water, Water

What sane species would allow its drinking water, the stuff that keeps beings alive, to be contaminated by chemicals, animal and human poop, pharmaceuticals, and more? 

This week and month, you'll have the chance to hear the answer to that question AND what you can do about it. 

Tuesday, March 15, the Coulee Region Sierra Club hosts an online program at 7 p.m. with Johnson Bridgewater, an organizer with the River Alliance of Wisconsin who has been working on the clean water referendum many (including La Crosse county voters) will see on the spring ballot and Jamie O'Neill, Outreach Coordinator at Viterbo University who will talk about the upcoming Agnes W.H. Tan Science Symposium focusing on clean water issues. The program is free and open to all. Register for access at tinyurl.com/CRSC-0315Water.

On Wednesday, March 16, the Interfaith Leaders Coalition will host an online program at noon called What's In Your Water? featuring Dr. Paul Bradley, U.S. Geological Survey, and Jason Lowery, Wisconsin DNR. For more information, visit Interfaith Leaders Coalition. Livestream the event on YouTube at noon on March 16.

And on Thursday, March 17 at 4:30, the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area will host a "Clean Water NOW" program about the referendum with Johnson and Jamie. Register and get more details at their site. 

All three  programs are worth attending to provide information about the issues and about how we can push for better policies and legislation. I can only imagine what our children will have to deal with by the middle of the century.

And, the programs will prepare you for the all day Agnes W.H. Tan Science Symposiu -  What's in our Drinking Water? - at Viterbo University which will kick off on March 24 with an online address by Erin Brockovich and continue with an hybrid (in-person and online) event featuring many experts from our region and state from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Viterbo. Learn more at www.viterbo.edu/agnes-wh-tan-science-symposium

Help for Homeowners and more

Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) is a new statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more. The program is open to individuals and families who live in Wisconsin with overdue housing-related bills, both with and without a mortgage, who meet income and other eligibility requirements, and have experienced a qualified economic hardship since January 21, 2020.   

Up to $40,000 per household may be available.

You may qualify if you are a Wisconsin homeowner who was economically impacted by COVID since 2020 and your income is at or below county median (for La Crosse County, for a one-person household, that's $79,900!) Get more details at the site: doa.wi.gov/Pages/LocalGovtsGrants/Homeowner-Assistance.aspx

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If you are a business owner OR a non-profit paying your own energy bills, Xcel Energy Partners In Energy wants to help you reduce your energy use.

FREE energy assessment for business and non-profits!

An energy assessment helps building owners determine where and when to invest in new, energy efficient equipment. Helping businesses improve energy efficiency contributes to La Crosse’s carbon emission reduction goals and saves businesses money.

If a business completes an energy assessment, Xcel Energy will offer an additional incentive equal to 75% of the Focus on Energy incentive, up to $4,000, for qualifying

 projects completed within six months of the assessment.

Business/Non-profit renters may be eligible if the energy bill is in their name. To sign up or if you have questions, please contact william.w.hutchens@excelenergy.com

There isn't a deadline but the sooner you sign up, the sooner you can start saving.

Positions available

Bring your passion for social justice, a liveable planet, and sustainable communities.

La Crosse YWCA:

Community Advocate Over the last four years, we've been working to expand our social justice, mission-related advocacy efforts. YWCA La Crosse's social justice program, i.e., mission impact, has grown from a 20 hour a week position to a full time Mission Impact Director and NOW an additional 20-30 hour Community Advocate position. If you or someone you know wants to work for social justice in La Crosse, APPLY NOW for this new advocacy position!

The Community Advocate [CA] is supervised by the Mission Impact Director and is responsible for implementing local advocacy efforts that are in line with the mission of YWCA La Crosse and support YWCA La Crosse programming. The CA will work with other YWCA staff and community partners to increase engagement in advocacy efforts and education; uplift the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color [BIPOC] in our advocacy efforts; amplify the experiences of womxn, girls and gender fluid and nonconforming folx; in collaboration with our partners. 

The Community Advocate will be someone who demonstrates a commitment to the mission of YWCA La Crosse and is a strong advocate for social justice with multiple strategies in public and private spaces. They will have a passion for taking meaningful action, engaging the community,  and working with others to bring transformational change. Learn more about YWCA’s Advocacy Agenda at: https://www.ywca.org/advocacy/advocacy-agenda/.

Please apply by sending a cover letter and resume to Mission Impact Director, Rebecca Schwarz, rschwarz@ywcalax.org or by completing the Open Position Application (link to the left). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Website: https://www.ywcalax.org/who-we-are/careers/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jobs/job-opening/961617647804338?source=attached_post_newsstand

 

Cia Siab, Inc.:

• Social Justice Director (full-time)
• Volunteer and Fundraising Coordinator (full-time)
• ​Elder Program Coordinator (full-time)
• ​Youth Advocate (part-time)

Cia Siab, Inc. was founded in 2016 and is the sole provider of bilingual, bicultural social services in La Crosse County.  Our mission is to provide culturally empowering advocacy to the Hmoob Community through holistic support services, with revitalization of the Hmoob language and culture as the foundation. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a commitment to racial and gender justice. Learn more and how to apply at www.ciasiabinc.org/get-involved

 

Wisconsin Conservation Voters:

 

Regional Organizer     Wisconsin Conservation Voters is seeking to add to our team of passionate, energetic, and outgoing community organizers who use their skills to engage Wisconsinites to fight for climate justice and protect Wisconsin’s air, land, water, and democracy. We are hiring a full-time, permanent Western Organizer position that will be based in western Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters engages voters to protect Wisconsin’s environment. To achieve that, Wisconsin Conservation Voters advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-conservation candidates who will champion our priority issues. Learn more about us at conservationvoters.org.

You will work closely with the field team to build deep, sustainable programs and relationships in local communities to win protections for our water and air; fight climate change; and protect our democracy. Learn more about this position and how to apply at conservationvoters.org/jobs

 

La Crosse Hunger Task Force

 

Community Garden Coordinator    Mid-March through Mid-October (35 hours per week)     The Coordinator works under the supervision of the Executive Director. The Coordinator oversees the Kane Street Community Garden and supervises all garden employees and volunteers. Salary Range-$17-$23 per hour. For details and how to apply, visit the job posting at indeed.

Part Time Garden Worker/Educator     Learn more about this position and how to apply at the indeed posting.