March 2019
Greetings!

Happy Equinox!

Spring has finally arrived in Wisconsin! I saw my first robin this week. The extended daylight, warmer temperatures and increased bird activity have been hopeful signs that spring is indeed on its way. This week we held a vision session to envision the future of The Council and how we can continue to serve businesses with tools and resources for building sustainability programs and integrating sustainability into company DNA and culture. The Council has made tremendous strides in the last decade as sustainability has advanced its reach and we want to remain at the forefront of the movement for the decade to come. If you have thoughts or ideas for how we can better serve you, please email me directly at jessy@wisconsinsustainability.com , subject line WSBC 2.0!
For those of you interested in the Sustainable Business Awards that have traditionally opened in spring, please note that we are moving the application timeline this year. The Awards will open in Summer and award winners will be celebrated at a pre-conference reception in December. The Sustainable Business Awards celebrate a sustainable product, process or leader, rewarding those who are challenging conventional business practices by being innovative while demonstrating the economic performance and environmental and social performance go handinhand. Learn more about the awards here.

University of Wisconsin Sustainable Management: Online Programs

Developed with input from industry leaders, online University of Wisconsin Sustainable Management programs provide the technical, environmental, and business knowledge you need to start or advance your career as a sustainability-minded professional in any industry or sector. If you are a busy adult who would like to make a difference doing business better, but you don’t have time for on-campus classes, these programs may be a great choice for you.

Click the image below to find out more!
Upcoming Events:

Launch of AWS Standard 2.0
March 22 | 11 am - 12 pm CST | Online Webinar
Join AWS on World Water Day for a one-hour webinar to learn more about the AWS Standard 2.0. The webinars will take place across four different time zones and will be led by local AWS staff.

Webinar participants will learn about:

  • Use of the AWS Standard to address water risk and enable sustainability
  • Case studies of implementations of the AWS Standard (regionally-specific for each webinar)
  • Changes that have been made from AWS Standard Version 1.0 to Version 2.0
  • Opportunities for your organization to learn more about water stewardship through AWS
Earth Hour 2019
March 30 | 8:30 pm CST
Earth Hour is an annual event where millions of people, companies, landmarks, and cities turn off their lights to demonstrate their commitment to combatting climate change. This year, while continuing to focus on the fight against climate change, the message is broadening to drive awareness for the need to protect our planet's rich biodiversity. With your voice, the message can be spread even further. 
 
This year, on March 30th at 8:30 p.m. (your local time), join us by turning off your non-essential lights to help bring awareness for the need to slow down the effects of climate change and protect nature for future generations. 
 
In addition to turning off your lights, you can participate in Earth Hour by: 

  • Amplifying #EarthHour on social media using this social media toolkit
  • Encouraging employees and customers to participate at home
  • Making Earth Hour your own
In addition to turning off your lights, you can participate in Earth Hour by: 

  • Amplifying #EarthHour on social media using this social media toolkit
  • Encouraging employees and customers to participate at home
  • Making Earth Hour your own
2019 IMPACT Conference
April 8-9 | Saint Paul, MN
The U.S. Green Building Council’s IMPACT conference is the Midwest’s green building event of the year, attracting hundreds of green building professionals from across the region, and serving as a forum for builders, developers, sustainability leaders and change makers to unite and demonstrate the many innovative ways the Midwest is raising the bar when it comes to green building.

The 2019 IMPACT conference will be held April 8-9 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and will be co-located with the Green Schools Conference & Expo (GSCE), the largest annual event for green school advocates in the U.S. The event will feature two days of conference programing and tours, kicking off with a welcome reception at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The conference will also feature a keynote from Zaria Forman, a world-renowned artist known for her pastel depictions of climate change. 

The IMPACT conference unites industry leaders, experts and professionals to inspire, connect and advance sustainable building across the Midwest. Industry professionals attending IMPACT have a unique opportunity to enhance their understanding of the K-12 schools sector by also attending GSCE. GSCE offers an opportunity for attendees to learn creative strategies to support healthy, sustainable schools. The co-location of the two conferences will bring together experts from diverse industries within the green building world for a unique opportunity to collaborate and share successes.
Alliance For Water Stewardship Training
April 9-11 | 8:00 am - 4 pm CST | Madison, WI
Join us in Madison to be one of the first cohorts in North America to get trained on the AWS Standard v2.0 and receive insights into other changes to the AWS System that will result. The training will provide participants the knowledge required to implement, promote and optimize site-specific water management techniques and watershed-based stewardship strategies.

Also, 2019 is the year AWS is transitioning trainees into its new Professional Credentialing Program. This means trainees will receive an individual Professional Credential upon completion of the training. More details will be provided during this training.
Say it Sustainably: Creating Messages with Impact
Women in Sustainability
April 12 | 7:45 AM to 9:00 AM | Milwaukee, WI
Whether you are communicating with a client, a colleague or talking at a town hall meeting, being able to develop and deliver concise messages is key to helping people understand what sustainability is and how it can have an impact. This 45-minute hands-on workshop is designed to provide tools to improve the clarity and effectiveness of your communications efforts.
2019 Earth Day Conference
April 22 | 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT | Madison, WI
From the rising seas and the rushing flood waters to record-breaking heat waves and shifting landscapes, climate change is transforming the way we live. Our rapidly changing world requires us to adapt to a very different planet while imagining practical solutions to the challenges we face.

The Nelson Institute 2019 Earth Day Conference, Imagine and Adapt: Possibilities in a Changing World, will explore these challenges and resolutions through a number of straightforward, solution-focused sessions on topics such as adaptive infrastructure, environmental leadership, changes in agriculture and the cultural impact of climate change.

Featuring keynote speaker and climate-fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson, climate change adaptation leader Yolanda Joab, and leading thinkers and creative problem solvers, this conference will offer attendees the opportunity to learn about the innovative solutions available to help us adapt to the impacts of our changing reality.
9th Annual Earth Day Fair
April 22 | Time: TBD | Rhinelander, WI
Sustainability Northwoods is a group dedicated to helping educate the community on different environmentally conscious alternatives in the Northwoods and keeping our Earth healthy.

For nearly 9 years, Sustainability Northwoods has hosted an Earth Day Fair at various locations in the Rhinelander area. The Earth Day Fair consists of informational booths, speakers, student experiments/research, foods from various organic farms, etc. Many businesses and organizations with a focus on sustainability will be there; from Local Organizations to Local Farmers, to help share their visions and sustainability initiatives.

The theme of the 2019 Fair is "Here's looking at you, kid!" This theme will focus on youth involvement and much, much more!
 
This year, the Earth Day Fair will be hosted on Earth Day, Monday April 22, 2019 at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. With such a great turnout of over 500 visitors last year, we have the highest hopes of reaching out to more communities in Northern Wisconsin and increasing that number!
Additional Resources
Podcast Highlight: Our 7 Rivers podcast

In this edition of the 7 Rivers podcast, Barbara Nick, CEO of Dairyland Power, talks about sustainable energy production and safety in the workplace, as well as her side project as an author and digital publisher of children's books, with La Crosse Tribune editor Rusty Cunningham.
Video Highlight: World Economic Forum

Greta Thunberg | Special Address, Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum 2019
In the News
How Madison restaurants are leading the way in environmental sustainability
With government on the sidelines, businesses address climate change
The Midwest is calling for a clean energy revolution