In this issue:
- Network Call Recap
- Avoid High Gas Prices: Tips for New Bike Riders
- Community Highlight: Terrace Town
- Invitation to our 2022 Webinar series
- News from 1000 Friends
- Spotlight on Earth Month
- Resources and Funding Opportunities
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On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, more than two dozen Active Wisconsin network members convened for our quarterly network call via Zoom. We shared updates and learned about each other's work around the state. We also had a real treat - a presentation from Brian Housh from Rails-to-Trails and Alesha Emmert from Wisconsin Bike Fed about how to access federal infrastructure funding. You can watch the presentation on the Active Wisconsin website or click on the video to see it on YouTube.
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Avoid High Gas Prices: Tips for New Bike Riders |
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In light of rising gas prices and the advent (supposedly) of warmer weather, Active Wisconsin issued a statewide press release on March 22 with tips for new bike riders. The article includes quotes from our own Gregg May, two of our steering committee members, James Longhurst of UW La Crosse and Michelle Bachaus of Bike Fed, and shop owners around the state. The story led to some follow-up radio interviews and was picked up by several media outlets, and even landed on the front page of the La Crosse Tribune! Read more on the Active Wisconsin website here.
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Community Highlight: Terrace Town |
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People of all ages benefit from learning about sustainable land use! When the opportunity came up to mentor elementary classrooms for Terrace Town, I (Susan) jumped at the chance. It may sound cliché, but kids really are the future, and engaging them in hands-on activities about sustainability is crucial...
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Upcoming Webinars in 2022 |
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April 20, 2022 - Group Presentation - "Reclaiming the Streets for Living, Together"
Hear from Joyce Tang Boyland (Alverno), Susan Gaeddert (Active Wisconsin), Caressa Givens (Wisconsin Bike Federation), Lori DiPrete Brown (UW-Madison), and Amber Miller (AARP-Wisconsin) about how street design and the built environment shape us, how we shape the streets, and what we can do to reclaim public space and combat social isolation in a changing world.
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In case you missed it...
Our March webinar featured experts from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change in Wisconsin (WICCI). Dr. Adam Bechle of Sea Grant and Dr. Anna Haines of UW-Stevens Point shared findings from the new WICCI report and strategies for communities in Wisconsin to address climate change. It was our most well-attended webinar yet! Click here to view the recording on YouTube.
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April 27 from 10am-12:30pm - Advocating for Clean Transportation in Wisconsin
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We've partnered with Target Circle! Vote by June 30 to support 1000 Friends of Wisconsin and Active Wisconsin. If you are a member of the Target Circle rewards program, just log into your account, click or tap on the Community Circle to vote for your favorite nonprofit and look for 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.
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1000 Friends believes that every day should be Earth Day, but since the month of April contains the actual holiday, here are some resources and events that deserve a spotlight:
Project Drawdown has a wealth of information from experts, including a new series of videos called Climate Solutions 101 that are solution-focused educational tools for anyone to use.
The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW-Madison is hosting Earth Day 2022: Water on the Rise on April 21. The day-long event will examine how communities across the globe are facing, responding to, and mitigating critical water issues. Learn more and sign up here.
Season 5 of the Scene on Radio podcast is called "The Repair." In it, co-hosts John Biewen and Amy Westervelt "...explore the cultural roots of our current ecological crisis and the deep changes Western society will need to make to save the Earth and our species." Every episode is deep, comprehensive, and very thought-provoking. Click here to learn more.
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Sign-ups are now open for Ride Across Wisconsin, which will be August 20-21, 2022. Ride Across Wisconsin was founded to promote great riding in the state of Wisconsin and is a fundraiser for Wisconsin Bike Fed. There are several options for joining the route from La Crosse to Milwaukee for either 1 or 2 days.
Bike Week 2022 is June 4-11 and celebrates all things cycling with events and activities around the state. Click here to learn more.
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Access Ability Wisconsin strives to make Wisconsin's natural and outdoor spaces accessible to people with mobility challenges. One goal is to provide each of Wisconsin's 72 counties with an outdoor wheelchair with an enclosed trailer for community use. Learn more about the organization here.
Recreation.gov is looking for stories of adventures and experiences of visitors to America's national parks. Submissions accepted through April 30, 2022. Click here to share your story.
Safe Routes Partnership and BikeWalkKC have published Taking on Traffic Laws: A How-To Guide for Decriminalizing Mobility. This report outlines racial disparities in enforcing pedestrian laws and provides solid guidelines for changing city-level policy to address the over-policing of Black and Brown people, using Kansas City, MO as a case study.
YOUR INPUT NEEDED! Smart Growth America is conducting a Rural Transportation Field Scan and is looking for case studies to interview covering stories of successes and challenges for increasing transportation access, improving physical activity, and supporting economic development in rural areas. If you would like to participate or recommend someone for participation, take this survey or email Ahushka Thakkar at athakkar@smartgrowthamerica.org
Did you know that women make up over half of transit ridership? 55% to be exact! And yet, women are woefully underrepresented in leadership positions and in decision-making. The Transit Center seeks to change that through their Women Changing Transportation program. They just launched a new Zine called Subtext, which is a fresh, exciting compilation of essays, poems, and even a playlist representing many points of view from women in transportation leadership positions.
UW Transportation Services will be hosting two bicycle safety courses taught by League of American Bicyclists instructors. COVID precautions will be taken. General information can be found here.
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Projects for Public Spaces is accepting applications for Community Placemaking Grants. One award of $40,000 will go to help a major destination in a town or city engage and improve the visitor experience for underserved members of the community. The deadline is April 15. Read more here.
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is accepting applications for a number of grants:
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Teachers' Environmental Education Outdoor Fund awards up to $1000 for teachers of public school students who want to bring meaningful outdoor experiences to their classrooms. The application is open until May 1, 2022. Learn more and apply here.
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The Go Outside Fund provides $100 or $500 to teachers or partner organizations seeking to connect youth to outdoor, nature-based experiences. The next application deadline is June 30. Learn more and apply here.
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The C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund supports grassroots conservation and education projects that benefit Wisconsin's land, waters, and wildlife, and connects people to natural resources. Awards range from $500-$2000 and the application deadline is September 1. Learn more and apply here.
Applications for the Nelson-Knowles Stewardship Local Assistance Grant Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Federal Recreational Trails Program are due to the WDNR Monday, May 2, 2022. Click here for more information. If you are considering applying, please contact your regional manager.
WisDOT is accepting applications for the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP). Proposals are due by 5pm on June 3, 2022. Click here for more details.
The Trail Fund from American Trails is accepting grant applications for trail maintenance until April 15, 2022. Learn more and apply here.
The US Department of Transportation is accepting Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant Program applications through April 14, 2022. Bike/ped projects are eligible. Learn more and apply here.
The US Department of Transportation is accepting proposals for the Low or No Emission Grant Program and the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program through May 31, 2022. Learn more here.
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Did you know we have TWO e-newsletters? Along with Active Wisconsin, 1000 Friends sends out e-news every month. If you would like to be on the mailing list for 1000 Friends, sign up here.
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What Active Wisconsin provides to participating communities:
- Resources (grant opportunities, tool kits, etc.)
- Local and statewide advocacy opportunities
- Collaboration and educational presentations during network-wide calls
- A platform (social media and email newsletters) to share your work
Please reach out with questions or comments. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Stay safe and stay active! |
We are working remotely
so please contact us
via email at:
New Address:
1000 Friends of Wisconsin
P.O.Box 259704
Madison, WI 53725
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