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March Newsletter Content

Moving Forward Together

Happy Spring! 

Yes, it’s true, spring is early this year and it’s probably the best news you’ve found in your inbox all week!  For much of the last century, the spring equinox has occurred on March 20 or 21. This year, however, the equinox happens on the 19th making it the earliest spring we’ll have seen in our lives (so far). The last time spring arrived this early was in 1896—a whopping 124 years ago! Let’s hope the weather follows suit. 

Amidst the global pandemic of Covid 19, I invite you to celebrate the arrival of longer days, the promise of sunshine and spring flowers, and where you might need to draw more balance into your work or your life . This might be a much needed time for you to slow your pace, breath some deep breaths, and enjoy the sunshine and quality time with your loved ones. Nature is not a carrier of coronavirus, so it’s a good time to find a state or county trail to visit as a way to release anxiety and stress about these uncertain times. Look for the good around you, where there are examples of plenty. Yes, follow the guidelines of the CDC and the WHO, but also don’t let fear consume you or stop your important work. Sustainability is another word for resilience, our ability to bounce back, both in our businesses and in our personal lives. Take time to reflect on where you can make improvements to become more resilient and mitigate risks and if so inclined, reach out to me to share your insights. 

Our organization has become virtual for the coming weeks, so all in person events have been postponed. There are a few ways to engage with us virtually, with a Green Masters Program Webinar and a Cool Choices informational session . Our Carbon workshop will also be online to celebrate E arth Day with the Nelson Institute , virtually.

If there is a topic you are looking to hear more about, please email me . I am planning some virtual learning experiences for the coming months and your needs will help us prioritize. This will also give me a sense as to what to prioritize for the conference!

I leave you with a Wendell Berry poem, The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me

And I wake in the night at the least sound

In fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be

I go and lie down where the wood drake

Rest in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

Who do not tax their lives with forethought

Of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above my the day-blind stars

Waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and I am free. 

New Addition to the Team

Riley Herzog, Communications & Marketing Intern WSBC

I am currently an undergraduate senior studying environmental sciences and atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Wisconsin Madison. "Go Badgers!"

I fell in love with our environment at a young age and discovered it was my goal to be apart of the fight to preserve and respect it. What better way to to accomplish this goal than to make the world more sustainable? I am very excited and honored that I am now apart of WSBC's inspiring and progressive team, where our mission is to advance sustainable principals and practices forward through the power of business.

In addition to working with WSBC I currently work in the Center for Sustainability and Global Environment (SAGE) research facility. Here, I work with a wonderful group of people conducting air quality research. My main focus is discovering how the increase in Solar PV production positively impacts air quality and public health.

My goal at WSBC is to continue to promote sustainability by advertising our ingenious events and programs while creating an environment that normalizes conversation and action revolved around sustainability.

2020 Green Masters Program

 NOW OPEN

If your business has been taking strides to become more sustainable, but need help finding the right resource to track, measure, and improve your progress, then this program is right for you. The Green Masters Program is being used currently by over 130 business in Wisconsin and our list continues to grow.

Next week, on March 24 we are gathering virtually via webinar to discuss the Green Masters Program. If you would like to learn more about how to use the program or how to leverage your participation, join us virtually.

Earth Month Promotion on Cool Choices

It is essential for your workforce understand the idea that sustainability can be apart of everyday life, at work and at home. Cool Choices helps make this concept a reality by using a fun game-based platform to inspire individuals and teams to adopt sustainable practices and share/celebrate those practices with peers, creating a culture where sustainability is the new normal. 

*This game is played virtually and therefore a safe way to engage your workforce in a time of crisis. We have the ability to add custom cards that address health and safety of your workplace and workers, in addition to reiterate messages you want to share internally.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we are offering 25% off the price of a game, NOW through April, for your businesses or community.

If you are interested to learn more about the game and how it works, join us for a Webinar on April 7 at noon.

If you have questions, or to get a quote for a discounted game, please email Randy Bertram.

WSBC now 1% for the Planet Nonprofit Partner

Sustainability Events

For businesses operating in Waukesha County, this workshop will highlight the free resources offered by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council , WOW Workforce Development Board and The County. The program will focus on the Green Masters Program, employee engagement and environmental resources available to businesses.

The event will take place at Retzer Nature Center. You can still sign up to be on our list of the first to know when we reschedule.

The Green Masters Program is action manager tool for sustainability that offers recognition, bench marking and self certification.

The Green Masters Program (GMP) helps translate sustainability success into business success and gives you a way to organize and share information with your employees, supply chain, and customers. Whether your business has a sustainability program or not, the Green Masters Program is a tool that can help move your organization forward. It provides a framework for developing systems for your sustainability programming and overall engagement.

Whether just starting to use the GMP or a seasoned veteran in sustainable practice, you will hear about how to produce value with the program and how to develop strategies to increase overall breadth and depth of your sustainability participation.

In response to the COVID-19 situation, the Nelson Institute will offer alternative programming to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Instead of holding the conference at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center on Monday, April 20, as originally planned, we will offer a free, online experience that day.

**This year WSBC and Evolution Marketing (in collaboration with The Nelson Institute) are co-hosting a inset workshop by business for business on Carbon called Tactics and Tools for Carbon Strategy and Management. This workshop will now be presented online and is essential for businesses grappling with understanding what carbon means, how to track and manage it as well as determine a strategy for reduction.

Internship Opportunity

The Sustainability intern will engage in a variety of activities to address a wide range of sustainability initiatives. Under the direction and mentorship of our Corporate Sustainability Team, the Sustainability intern will undertake projects directed at quantifying and benchmarking current sustainability metrics and provide recommendations for continuous improvement within the framework provided.

Inspiration Corner

Replacing fuels with sunlight

Source: Heliogen

" Cost-effectively replacing fossil fuels solves the world’s CO2 problem and Heliogen is developing the technology to do just that ."

Established in 2013, the up and coming renewable energy company Heliogen is ready revolutionize the clean energy industry. Backed by world-renowned Bill Gates, the innovative company is making stunning multifaceted technological breakthroughs by using computer controlled mirrors, the ever radiant renewable energy received by the sun.

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