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 were invited to regional roundtables starting in late February 2010 and leading up to the Sustainable Communities Public Policy Forum, March 25-26, 2010.

Central Wisconsin Roundtable

Contact: Center for Land Use Education, 715-346-3783

De Pere Roundtable

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

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

Contact: Andrew Dane, andrew.dane@ces.uwex.edu, 715-226-1347

Chequamegon Bay Roundtable

Contacts: Timothy Kane, timothy.kane@ces.uwex.edu, 715-373-6104
Tom Wojciechowski, tom.wojciechowski@ces.uwex.edu, 715-682-7017

Rhinelander Roundtable

Contact: Daniel Kuzlik, dan.kuzlik@ces.uwex.edu, 715-365-2750

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 presented 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.