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Happening at the Crossroads
April 10, 2008
by Coggin Heeringa At
Crossroads, Earth Day is so important, we celebrate it four times each
spring. The first Earth Day... a brainchild of a U.S. Senator
Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, was first celebrated in 1969... long
before Crossroads came into being. This year, three area schools will
celebrate in May (when the weather might possibly be better) and new in
2008, Crossroads at Big Creek will be the site for a
Sustainability Fair on Sunday, April 20 from 1:00-5:00
Serval
years ago at Crossroads, Mary Rehwald of Ashland presented a lecture
titled "Sustainable Sweden and Its Lessons for Northern
Wisconsin" Ms. Rehwald had traveled to Sweden to tour the
“eco-municipalities” in that country which have been successful in
reducing their ecological footprint while promoting economic
development. Upon her return to the United States , she began to
present the vision and process of sustainable development which the
Swedes employ to save their communities’ money while reducing their
contribution to global warming, air and water pollution.
The
movement she described has come to be know as "The Natural Step."
It is described in detail in the book, The Natural Step for
Communities: How Cities and Towns Can Change to Sustainable Practices
by Sahrah James and Torbjorn Lahti.
Following the program, a
group of concerned citizens expressed a desire to continue learning
about "The Natural Step" and formed a study circle which
met for several months on Saturday mornings at Crossroads.
Since
that time, a number of Natural Step study circles have
formed to explore all aspects of sustainability. Many of the study
circle participants have banded to gather to become members of Sustain
Door. These people will return to Crossroads to share what they
have learned in the Sunday afternoon event, which will be held in the
Collins Learning Center and the Historical Village at the Crossroads.
The fair will serve as a forum for individuals, businesses,
and government to create a local network that
will foster a sustainable economy, society, and environment for Door County.
The
event will feature vendors, fabulous door prizes, musical
performances by Jerry Johnson, kite making, hands-on crafts
(using recycled items) for the kids, nature hikes to see the sucker run
(if the fish cooperate) and a variety of lectures and presentations
focusing on sustainable practicies.
•12:10-12:25
Welcome
and
Introduction
Ann Hippensteel, a founding member of Sustain Door, will introduce the fair and Sustain Door as an organization.
• 12:30-12:50
Renewable Energy Options
John
Hippensteel, owner of Lake Michigan Wind and Sun, Ltd, will present the
basic information about renewable energy options covering both home
systems and commercial alternatives.
• 1:00-2:00
Keynote Address: “Sustainability: Core Concepts & Tools”
Jay
Moynihan is the UW-Extension Community Development Educator for Shawano
County and speaks regularly about the sustainability process. He will
present a general overview of what sustainability means, touching on
the principles of the natural step framework, and will also explain
specific ways to move towards sustainability.
•2:10-2:55
Sustainability in the Home
This
panel presentation will feature local homesteaders, Linda Cockburn,
Peter Witt, and Ann Hippensteel sharing their tips on how to make
everyday lifestyle choices that support sustainable societies. The
panel discussion will be moderated by Renny Lea.
• 3:00-3:20
Travel Green Wisconsin Certification
Donna
Lash, owner of the Bridge Café and Book Store in Egg Harbor, will talk
about the steps required to receive Travel Green Wisconsin
Certification for your business and will also share her experiences of
having gone through the certification process for the Bridge.
• 3:25-3:45
Supporting Sustainable Food Systems
Kevin
Kiehnau, a dairy recruitment specialist for Organic Valley and organic
dairy and meat farmer from Jacksonport, will discuss sustainable
agricultural practices and how they support the sustainable societies.
• 3:50-4:10
Sustainable Building Design and Technique
Virge
Temme, owner of Virge Temme Architecture, will provide an overview of
how our homes affect the global community, and discuss what we can do
to make new and existing homes more environmentally sustainable.
•4:15-4:35
Fossil Fuel Depletion
Dave
Lea, a founding member of Sustain Door, will present a synopsis of the
rapid depletion of global fossil fuel supplies and the resulting
implications for the need to move towards energy sustainability.
• 4:40-5:00
Addressing the Contamination of Door County Waters
Peter
Sigmann, Coordinator of the Partnership for Phosphate Reduction, and
Brian Forest, Door County conservationist, will speak about measures to
limit ground and lake water contamination within Door County.
Crossroads (where everyday is Earth Day) is located at the Intersection of Highway 42/57 and Michigan Street (county TT)
The
Collins Learning Center at Crossroads is located at on County Highway T
across from Whitetails Unlimited. To reach the Leif Everson Observatory
and Stonecipher Astronomy Center, use the Utah Street Entrance. If
skies are clear, call 746-5896 for a recorded message announcing
whether the observatory will be open.
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