 "Earth Day has roots right here in Wisconsin. Responding to widespread environmental degradation, Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an environmental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated that year, and Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22 by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries. (Excerpt reprinted from the LEWC 2009 Earth Week Brochure)"
In 2007, both the City of La Crosse and La Crosse County became an
eco-municipality, based on “The Natural Step“ (TNS) framework developed in Sweden in 1983. The La Crosse Earth Week Coalition’s theme for 2009 is “Let’s Go Green Together” which is also based on The Natural Step principal: “Because we are all both consumers of our resources and stewards of our environment, we must incorporate the principles of sustainability – and that sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” Therefore, the activities and events of 2009 Earth Week are an invitation to all sectors of our community – from public, private, and non-profit organizations to individuals – to seek ways to reduce our “carbon footprint” not only during Earth Week, but throughout 2009 and beyond."
The Earth Week Coalition is a group of stakeholders from various institutions and organizations in the Coulee Region interested in providing and promoting a more sustainable community through Earth Week events.
The group formed out of the University of La Crosse’s Environmental Council once other local institutions and organizations became involved.
In 2007 both the La Crosse Common Council and La Crosse County Board of Supervisors adopted resolutions endorsing The Natural Step model for sustainable community development and established the Joint Oversight Committee on Sustainability to oversee the development of the Strategic Plan for Sustainability.
Earth Day has roots right here in Wisconsin. In response to widespread environmental degradation, Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an environmental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated that year, and Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22 by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries. Earth Week events are generally held during the week in which Earth Day falls each year.
GreenLaCrosse.com was started in 2009 here in Wisconsin as a community website designed to bridge the Green efforts in and around La Crosse, Wisconsin and support local business.
Everyone is invited to participate at any level to share their stories, events, and ideas on this website.
GreenLaCrosse.com unites the Public, Private and Non-Profit organizations that are working together to improve the quality of the environment in the Upper Mississippi River Valley, strengthen the local economy, and improve the health of the community.
Everyone on Earth shares the same air, water, soil and food, so our efforts impact every single living organism on this planet. We invite anyone to participate who is interested in making the world a cleaner and more sustainable place...even if you don’t live in the area.
“Every little bit – together – can make a big difference.”
- Founders of GreenLaCrosse.com |
