UW-Extension, UW Colleges: UW-Fox Valley to host sustainable community development forum

Contact: Sandra Kallio, 608-890-3558

sandra.kallio@uwex.edu

Wisconsin Idea Forum Focuses UW Resources on State’s Toughest Challenges

MADISON, Wis. – The Sustainable Communities Public Policy Forum to be held March 25-26 at UW-Fox Valley’s LEED-certified Communication Arts Center in Menasha will offer an opportunity for community and business leaders, labor leaders and union members, elected officials, citizen activists and others to connect with sustainability experts, share ideas from their own communities and contribute policy recommendations to help Wisconsin create strong, equitable and sustainable communities.

This forum is the third in a series of Wisconsin Idea Forums focusing University of Wisconsin System resources on Wisconsin’s most vexing economic, environmental, and social challenges. It is sponsored by University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Wisconsin Colleges, University of Wisconsin System, UW-Extension Sustainability Team, and Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service.

Information and registration is at http://sustainablecommunitiesforum.wisconsin.edu/. The registration cost is $100 ($75 before March 1), $50 for one day, and $30 for students.

March 25 will feature:

* Case studies of sustainable communities including La Crosse, Neenah and Chequamegon Bay in Wisconsin; Duluth and Northfield in Minnesota; and Greensburg, Kansas

* David Morris, vice president of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Minneapolis, will discuss the importance of designing local rules to promote sustainability, in particular for energy production and consumption locally

* Satya Rhodes-Conway, senior associate at the Center on Wisconsin Strategy at UW-Madison, will talk about sustainability policies, including how to create green economic development opportunities, and various approaches citizens can take to influence local policy making

* Optional entertainment with Big Top Chautauqua performers in “Wild Waters and Woods”

March 26 will be roll-up-the-sleeves time through a hands-on, half-day session including:

* A keynote address by Michael Dombeck, professor of Global Conservation at UW-Stevens Point, who will talk about the role of public policy in creating a healthy environment, offer an overview of significant achievements to date, and share his perspective on how citizens can influence the policy making process

* Breakout sessions through which participants will develop policy recommendations to support community sustainability, with those recommendations later compiled – and credited – in a document for local and state leaders.

The University of Wisconsin-Extension includes Cooperative Extension offices in 72 counties and three tribal nations, 12 Small Business Development Centers and Outreach and E-Learning programs delivered via the 26 UW System campuses and distance-learning channels, as well as the statewide networks of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television. The University of Wisconsin Colleges is comprised of 13 freshman-sophomore campuses which offer an associate degree in arts and science and prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for baccalaureate and professional programs.