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SUSTAIN IOWA COUNTY

Who We Are:

Sustain Iowa County is a local citizen action group, founded in 2007, that:

works to preserve the economic, social and environmental health of our community;
builds awareness and appreciation for the unique resources in our Southwestern Wisconsin neighborhood;
works with Iowa County officials, school districts, builders, homeowners, farmers and others to encourage sustainable practices and
believes that by working together we can create communities that fulfill today's human needs while not compromising future generations.

Steering committee members include: Debi Morton, Shirley Barnes, Earl Barnes, Barb Glass, Brad Glass, Amber Westerman, Chuck Tennessen, Karen Tennessen, Doug Huebner, Paula Dail, Lisa Cvengros, Roger Boettcher and Janice Boettcher.

You can see our statement to the Iowa County Board about how we can help the area! Click here to see the package we left them.

What Does Sustainability Mean?

It's meeting the needs of today without compromising the future. It's looking at the whole picture -- being aware that providing power to buildings shouldn't waste our natural resources or growing our food shouldn't damage our environment. It's following the four Natural Steps -- cutting back on fossil fuel dependence and the wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals; cutting back on chemicals and synthetic substances that never break down; protecting our land, water, wildlife, soils and ecosystems; while meeting human needs fairly and efficiently.

Join us for an Energy Fair - Saturday, April 14, 2012
(Registration due by Monday, April 9th)
Learn about the latest in SOLAR, GEOTHERMAL AND WIND for your home and business at the
2012 IOWA COUNTY ENERGY FAIR
Sat., April 14
8:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In Dodgeville at the Health and Human Services Building
(303 W. Chapel Street)
Optional: Open houses at Iowa County solar, geothermal and windpowered
homes are scheduled for the afternoon (12 noon - 3 pm)
Registration necessary (Cost $10).
Light morning refreshments. Lunch on your own,
Register at Iowa County UW Extension, 303 W. Chapel St, Dodgeville OR download the agenda and registration form by clicking here and mailing it to:
UW-Extension Iowa County
303 W Chapel St, Suite 1200
Dodgeville WI 53533
(608)930-9850
Registration is Required!
Help us spread the word by posting this flyer and encouraging others to join us!

Upcoming Events

Wed., Feb. 29, 7 p.m. (Dodgeville) SO WHAT IS ACT 21? The Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host a round table discussion of Act 21 at Stonefield Apartments, 407 E. Madison. People concerned about conservation and environmental issues will want to be there to understand the new rule, Act 21, signed into law by Gov. Walker which some fear may reduce public input and increase political influence in the decision-making process regarding conservation issues. Find out more here.

Sat., March 3, 8:30 to 12:30 p.m. (Dodgeville) LAND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP Learn from the experts about invasive plants, prairie and grassland birds, the merits of prescribed fire, how to discover the environmental and human history of your land and whether your land might support biomass projects. Location: Health and Human Services Building, 303 W. Chapel. Contact Katie Abbott of the Military Ridge Prairie organization, Katie.abbott@rcdnet.net or 935-2791 to register.

What is in the News?

DAILY BUS SERVICE IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM DUBUQUE TO MADISON with stops in Platteville, Dodgeville, Mount Horeb and Verona. For fares, schedules and pick up points click here.

DNR Outdoor Report – The DNR Outdoor Report is updated every Thursday, get the latest report by clicking here.

Wisconsin residents now need to recycle used oil filters! Click here to read more about a new law bans the disposal of used automotive oil filters and oil absorbent materials in landfills in Wisconsin as of January 1, 2011.

Belmont cheese plant installs digester Click here to read more about Belmont's new digester.

Dodgeville's Energy Unlimited Biomass Boiler/Generator Click here to read more about their new installation

Got an interesting news article or resource you want to share with others about Sustainability?
Then go to our Facebook page (click here) and post a link to it with your comments!

Local Resources:

Check out our Directory of "Green Focused Services, Suppliers and Resources for Iowa and Sauk Counties". To add your company to the Sustain Iowa County directory, contact Debi Morton at debi.morton@countryspeed.com

Community Supported Agriculture:

Green Building:

What We Have Done:

The "Green and Healthy Schools" program", fostered by Sustain Iowa County, is active in the Dodgeville School District. This certification program, sponsored by the WI DNR and DPI, encourages school districts to assess and remedy deficiencies in water quality and usage, waste handling and recycling, and efficient use of energy. Students get involved in both the assessment and implication phases, offering important educational opportunities. For further information, contact Chuck Tennessen at ctennessen.K12.wi.us or 987-3835 or Karri Roh-Wasley at kwaley@dsd.K12.wi.us or 935-1030.

Read what the Dodgeville Chronicle had to say about the Earth Day events at Dodgeville Schools, click here. See what the Dodgeville and Ridgeway Schools did for Earth Day in the slideshow below. They established a Lasagna Garden, learned about green building materials, planted trees and pulled garlic mustard, see the photos below.

Iowa County is one of the state's first Eco Counties, a development encouraged by Sustain Iowa County. The County Board of Supervisors passed an Eco-County Resolution in October, 2009. According to the resolution, "The willingness of Iowa County to move in the direction of eco-county designation can serve as a model for our residents, encouraging economic development and industrial initiatives while protecting the ecosystems in which they raise their families." See the resolution by clicking here.