Sustainable Communities Public Policy Forum

Roundtables

Local community development professionals, local government officials, sustainability board members, organizations and grassroots groups, consultants, businesses, community leaders, and faculty and students who have been engaged in local sustainability efforts are invited to regional roundtables starting in late February and leading up to the Sustainable Communities Public Policy Forum. Please contact organizers in your area for information on how to join the discussion and contribute to a document designed to shape policy directions for sustainable communities in Wisconsin.

Central Wisconsin Roundtable: Date: Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-noon; Location: Travel Guard, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point; Contact: Center for Land Use Education, 715-346-3783
De Pere Roundtable: Date: March 2, 1-3:30 p.m.; Location: Kress Family Library, 333 N. Broadway, De Pere; Contacts: Judith A. Knudsen, judith.knudsen@ces.uwex.edu, 920-391-4651
Catherine Neiswender, catherine.neiswender@ces.uwex.edu, 920-232-1972
Southeast Wisconsin Roundtable: Date: March 2, 9 a.m.-noon; Location: Waukesha County Administration Center, Room 255, 515 W. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha; Contacts: Karen Fiedler, kfiedler@waukeshacounty.gov, 262-896-8014
Jerry Braatz, jbraatz@waukeshacounty.gov, 262-548-7786
Steven D. Brachman, steve.brachman@ces.uwex.edu, 414-227-3160
Chippewa Valley Roundtable: Date: March 3, 9-11 a.m.; Location: Eau Claire County – UW-Extension, 227 1st Street West, Altoona; Contact: Andrew Dane, andrew.dane@ces.uwex.edu, 715-226-1347
Chequamegon Bay Roundtable: Date: March 3, 6-8 p.m.; Location: Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County Highway G, Ashland; Contacts: Timothy Kane, timothy.kane@ces.uwex.edu, 715-373-6104
Tom Wojciechowski, tom.wojciechowski@ces.uwex.edu, 715-682-7017
Rhinelander Roundtable: Date: March 5, 9-11 a.m.; Location: University Transfer Center, Room 200, Nicolet College, 5364 College Drive, Rhinelander; Contact: Daniel Kuzlik, dan.kuzlik@ces.uwex.edu, 715-365-2750

The Transition Movement

Like The Natural Step, the Transition Movement offers a framework that communities such as Northfield, Minn., are using to move toward a sustainable future.

"Transition is a grassroots movement that builds community resilience in response to the challenges of peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis," says Patricia Benson, who will present the Northfield case study at the Sustainable Communities Public Policy Forum. She is part of the initiating group for Transition Northfield and also serves on the Transition US board of directors.

"It's looking at a balance of economic well being, ecological well being and human well being," she continues. "It invites everyone in the community to the table and together we craft one solution for all three."

One solution is the goal. Many voices contribute.

Northfield's Transition group has initiated conversation with church congregations; student groups in middle, high school and college; businesses; city council representatives; and other stakeholders. The effort now is focused on networking and raising awareness about sustainability through a film series, monthly suppers with an issue focus, a community resource sustainability directory, Earth Day event, and more.

"Transition gathers everyone at the table and trusts the wisdom of Northfield's citizenry to design a vision of a low carbon community within our capacity and resources, resulting in a life that is more abundant, fulfilling, equitable and socially connected," says Benson.