It’s hard to believe this is already the eighth

edition of our annual green section. It wasn’t

so long ago when we first noticed “green is the

new black; seriously, it’s everywhere.” Now

green is beyond everywhere. It’s even in places

it doesn’t belong. Basically everyone is calling

themselves green these days – even those

short-sighted folks who saw green as “some

hippie fad” have now seen an opportunity to

capitalize. But rest assured, our annual guide

will separate the phonies and give it to you

straight. This section highlights the interesting

happenings around the area and what trends

you need to watch out for.

BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY

EDITORS Eric Christenson & Tom Giffey • WRITERS Barbara Arnold, Laura Lash, Sam Peters, Mike Seitz

LISTINGS Tyler Griggs • PHOTOGRAPHY Andrea Paulseth, Kelsey Smith • DESIGN Serena Wagner, Eric Christenson

Lake Menomin and the surrounding watershed are intertwined with the animals, farms, and people of Menomonie. Like so many Wisconsin communities, the city shares a geographic, social, and economic relationship with the local water resources. Unfortunately over time,

elevated levels of phosphorus have led to overwhelm-ing blue-green algae blooms in the lake each summer. The algae makes the water toxic to humans and other mammals. These blooms severely limit recreational activity in Menomonie and endanger the citizens, pets, and livestock in the area. To once again have algae-free summers, the sources of the phosphorus pollution must be found and regulated. Luckily, a group of UW-Stout professors and undergraduate students from around the country are now working under a three-year grant from National Science Foundation to do just that.

The program, dubbed Linking Applied Knowledge in Environmental Stability Research Experience for Undergraduates – or LAKES REU for short – is taking a novel approach to tackle a thorny problem. As the program explains on its website, “A complex mix of social, economic, and environmental factors influences phosphorus use and misuse.”

I chatted with Dr. Nels Paulson and Dr. Chris Ferguson, who lead the team that spans a broad range of academic fields and regional branches of govern-ment. Paulson brings a Ph.D. in sociology to the table while Ferguson has a doctorate in economics. Joining them are professors Tina Lee (cultural anthropology), Stephen Nold (microbiology), and Matt Kutcha (geol-ogy). The solutions to this and all environmental chal-lenges require support and information from many disciplines.

Both Paulson and Ferguson recognize the learning opportunities that arise from such a diverse academic and local team. “I’ve learned a lot about the ecological origins and the tools that economists use to put value on things not traded on the market,” Paulson said. “I’ve also learned so much from the National Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), the county board of con-servation, and the (Department of Natural Resources). The best way to research a problem is to understand all of the components.”

While the professors thought up and implemented the project, the students are highly involved and essen-tial to the work. The grant pays for 10 students to live in Menomonie and work on the project for two months during the summer. They collaborate in pairs under a professor versed in their interests while working along-side all the other disciplines. These undergraduate research experiences are intended to prepare students for graduate style research while making a tangible impact with their work. “To me it’s the ideal teaching format,” explained Ferguson. “The students are there all day, every day for eight weeks. I feel like I’m able to cover three classes worth of stuff. It’s a dream teaching gig.”

The success of this unique teaching method is easy

to see with one look at the students’ weekly blog, “The Good, the Bad, and the Algae.” (lakes-reu.blogspot.com). The students – who come from as far away as California and North Carolina – are given a prompt each week for the blog. The topics include the concept of freedom, environmental justice, and social activism, just to name a few. “On the blog, we want the students to reflect on their work and experiences publicly to put it out into the world and connect to the community,” Paulson said.

“We targeted students interested in the bigger pic-ture,” added Ferguson. “This year we pushed them to get involved with other parts of the project.”

Beyond the academic success, this REU is generat-ing a public interest in the health of Lake Menomin not seen before. This is the second summer for the three-year grant, and last year the students and professors hosted an information and discussion session for area residents. “We want to show that this project is not just something we are doing behind the walls of UW-Stout. Last year we had a great dialogue at the event. The conversations fueled ideas outside of our research,” Paulson said.

The enthusiasm has continued, Ferguson added. “We are getting the community to think about it a little more and the fatalism is turning around,” he said. A community event is planed again this year: All are wel-come to come and share dialogue and ideas at 5pm Aug. 5 at The Raw Deal, 603 Broadway St. South, Menomoie.

The future looks reasonably bright for the lake. Paulson, Ferguson, and the others recently finished an implementation plan, explaining how to reduce the manmade phosphorus levels going forward. These sug-gestions will eventually becoming policy designed to regulate the environmental impact of farming and other practices in the area. The professors also plan to seek a renewal of the grant next year. These are some of the first steps in a long journey. “It’s a little bit like chip-ping away at something you can’t see the end result of, but I think incremental change is possible,” Ferguson said.

If the project succeeds, there will be a few more days of usable time on the water each summer and hopefully year down the road, a summer full of clear water activities. “I hope the town can take pride in the lake again,” he concluded.

To learn more about the project, visit www.uwstout.edu/lakes/ or www.facebook.com/LAKESREU.

LAKE MENOMIN: GOOD, BAD, AND ALGAEUW-Stout program attracts undergrads from around the coun-try to confront toxic lake problem.B Y S A M P E T E R S

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Students take a water sample from Lake Menomin during the 2014 program.

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for eight weeks. I feel like I’m able to cover three classes worth of stuff.

It’s a dream teaching gig.” CHRIS FERGUSON, UW-STOUT PROFESSOR, ON THE LAKES REU PROJECT,

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While on a road trip in California, driving from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, I came upon a stellar sight. As the landscape got drier, past the city limits and pushing

into wide open space, I was greeted by miles of wind turbines at work. It was a beautiful sight; having never seen such a large display of them before, it struck me as a piece of landscape artwork. The grand display and the large number of units overwhelmed me with the idea that the planet was at work, and in front of me was a way for us to harness energy and put it toward a greater good.

I know I’m waxing philosophical, but we are all subject to being humbled in the presence of large gestures such as these.

On a recent warm summer morn-ing I drove out to the West Campus of Chippewa Valley Technical College, off of Highway 12, and met with Adam Wehling, associate dean of agriculture and energy, to learn more about the wind turbine installation they have upcoming at their Energy Education Center.

The campus is already an impressive display of buildings and equipment used with their curriculum for rescue, HVAC, and agricultural training. North of their newly redesigned building is a large low pitch. Standing in front of small collec-tions of pines, Wehling told me more about the 90-plus-foot tower that will

stand there, generating wind power and sending it back to their internal grid.

The Ventera Wind VT10 Wind Generator, the first turbine of its kind installed in the city, is in the “small wind” category. “Small wind is defined as wind turbines with a capacity rat-ing of less than or equal to 100 kW,” according to the American Wind Energy Association. CVTC's 10-kW turbine, with its 11-foot blades, could generate up to 10,000 kWh annually, enough to supply the maintenance energy their building needs for one year.

The pole will travel on a semi-truck to campus with the blades arriving by box truck. It will be fitted with a hydraulic cylinder to lower the conduit down for repairs and study. Noise produced by the turbine will be masked by wind noise. It can operate at wind speeds up to 130mph and will self-manage itself to quicken or slow based on power absorption. Now that the Eau Claire City Council has approved the project, the foundation and pole should be installed by August with the generator installed and operational come September.

The new large-scale turbine will be a hands-on educational tool to teach stu-dents how to install, regulate and repair a wind turbine. It is also a fine example to the large and small energy coopera-tives in our area of what is possible in the region with the generous space and natural resources we have available.

CVTC prepares for power-generating turbineB Y L A U R A L A S H

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HARNESS THE WIND

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Most people love summer for the same reason: the sun. It warms us up after the harsh winters our state is notorious for – at least for a few months. But that great big burning ball

of gas in the sky gives us more than a free tan: Many people are recognizing its abil-ity to provide us with a renewable ener-gy source. According to a 2014 Member Satisfaction Survey by Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, 55 percent of co-op members felt it was important that green power be provided to customers. With this recent surge of interest, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative and Xcel Energy are both launching major solar energy projects that will impact the future of Eau Claire’s energy situation.

Xcel Energy“The community solar garden pro-

gram is going to be a great option for customers who want to use solar energy but don’t want to or can’t install it on their own property,” said Deb Erwin, the manager of regulatory policy for Xcel. Through the new Solar*Connect Community program, which was recently approved by the state Public Service Commission, Xcel plans to provide a source of renewable energy to customers in western Wisconsin. Three megawatts have been approved for the program, which means that Xcel has the potential of installing three “solar gardens” pro-ducing one megawatt of power each. With the help of participating customers, Xcel

plans to have the solar gardens installed by 2016.

With that in mind, the program requires help from some of Xcel’s cus-tomers. Those who agree to take part will pay an upfront cost for their subscrip-tions; the number of gardens built will depend on the number of people who sign up. (Customers who don’t take part in the program won’t be charged.) If member participation is only high enough to build one solar garden, then that’s what will be built. If there is enough support to exceed three megawatts, Xcel will begin explor-ing the option to expand the program.

Eau Claire Energy CooperativeWhen I met with Lynn Thompson and

Mary Kay Brevig about the co-op’s solar energy program, MemberSolar, I got a chance to see the piece of land between Eau Claire and Fall Creek where 2,816 stationary panels will be installed. Nine stakes were stuck in the ground where nine rows of panels are slated to be built and operational by Oct. 1. The co-op has hired Able Energy Co. to install the panels; the company specializes in solar energy and has installed fields like this throughout the United States.

Similar to Xcel’s program, this is a community solar project that requires help from members, but only those who want to take part. If people don’t want renewable energy, then they won’t have to pay for it. Members can make a one-time payment for one unit of power, all the way up to 30 units depending

on how much energy they need. Those who purchase units will receive credit toward their monthly energy bills, which Thompson, the co-op’s president and CEO, believes makes a lot of sense eco-nomically. “You’re essentially pre-pay-ing for your electricity upfront,” he said.

Eau Claire Energy Co-op recently held three informational sessions about MemberSolar, and more than 100 people attended. “The response has been over-whelmingly positive,” Thompson said. “I haven’t had any negative comments or concerns about it at all.”

What are some advantages to all this? One benefit of both programs is having access to renewable energy with-out the burden of maintaining solar

panels. For example, as Brevig – the co-op’s communications manager – pointed out, if the panels are damaged then it’s the utility companies’ responsibility to fix them. Furthermore, many customers simply don’t have room on their prop-erty for solar panels. By using their own land for the solar arrays, Xcel and Eau Claire Energy Co-op have solved this problem as well.

No matter how beneficial these programs are, their success relies on customers’ willingness to participate. Studies have shown an interest in solar energy within the Chippewa Valley, and now we can tap into it. If you are inter-ested in either program, learn more at www.xcelenergy.com or www.ecec.com.

LET THE SUN SHINE INTwo Chippewa Valley utility companies launch solar power programs.B Y M I K E S E I T Z

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Red wiggler earthworms served as the initial inspiration for Zacharious and Jamie Pappas’ newly created business, Earthbound Environmental Solutions, which will offer

curbside composting to individuals and families in the Eau Claire area. The company will pick up food scraps and other organic material at a customer’s curb, and at its facility will create an end product – compost – which can be used in customers’ gardens.

Composting is a process that occurs in nature every day. Organic matter, such as fruit and vegetable table scraps, decompose and form what looks like dark dirt. This compost is rich in nutri-ents and is used to fertilize soil natu-rally.

“Earthbound is an idea that evolved from our desire to impact our commu-nity and environment in ways greater than any one individual can achieve,” the couple says. “For us, our journey started with red wigglers, which quickly progressed into coming up with a pro-gram that would make in-home organics

recycling easy while also resulting in far greater environmental outcomes.”

With Earthbound Environmental Solutions, the husband and wife team (along with their dog, Charlie), who have made the Chippewa Valley their home for the past decade, aim to raise the bar and scalability of composting.

“When looking at the current waste management landscape, we determined that a marriage between organics recy-cling, traditional recycling, and garbage collection would result in a landfill

diversion program, eventually creating additional green jobs as well as extend-ing the life of our local landfill,” the couple continues.

The couple says Earthbound’s resi-dential curbside service for garbage, recyclables, and compostable materi-als will be offered at a competitive quarterly price, based on the current hauling market in the area. Due to posi-tive community support, the couple are offering a sign-up form available on their website for early adopters of the program.

They hope to be able to serve a lim-

ited number of residences as soon as this fall, and then progressively grow to serve the broader Eau Claire market. Customers will have the same day of service and same number of curbside receptacles. They will be provided with compostable bags and a countertop organics collection bin.

While not yet operational, progress is being made to scale up the 52-acre site that will be used to turn organic material into compost.

To learn more, visit www.earthbound-enviro.com, search for “Earthbound Environmental Solutions” on Facebook, or call (715) 952-5608.

CURBSIDE COMPOST: GARBAGE INTO GOLD

new Eau Claire business will turn your kitchen waste into compost – and take out the trash, tooB Y B A R B A R A A R N O L D / P H O T O B Y K E L S E Y S M I T H

Zacharious and Jamie Pappas

“Earthbound is an idea that evolved from our desire to impact our community and environment in ways greater than any one

individual can achieve.”ZACHARIOUS AND JAMIE PAPPAS, FOUNDERS, EARTHBOUND ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

Kitchen: Food scraps (veggies, fruits, grains, frozen foods, etc.); soiled paper; pizza boxes; tissues; paper towels; paper cups and plates, etc.; coffee grounds, filters, teabags, etc.; paper towels, napkins, tissues, etc.; plant-based utensils (BPI Certified Products).

Bathroom: Tissues and paper towels (compostable paper products must not be soiled with fecal matter, blood-born pathogens, chemical-based solvent cleaners, etc.);

beard clippings; hair clippings; pet hair clippings; Q-tips (paper middles).

Around the Yard: Grass clippings (herbicide/chemical free); leaves; shrub clippings.

Miscellaneous: Houseplant clippings; dead houseplants; dust and dirt sweepings.

Source: Earthbound Environmental Solutions website

SO WHAT CAN I COMPOST?

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GREEN GROUPSChippewa Valley Master Gardeners Association (715) 723-6711 • talloaks@charter.net • wimastergardener.org/?q=ChippewaValley The goal of this organization is to promote environmental stewardship in collabora-tion with UW Extension by developing an appreciation for and understanding of horticultural practices for all Master Gardeners and residents of the Chippewa Valley.Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance (CVTA) (715) 835-4835 • chippewavalleytransitalliance@gmail.com • Find this group on Facebook CVTA is a united voice for transit riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians in Eau Claire and neighboring counties of West Central Wisconsin.Citizens Climate Lobby - Eau Claire Chapter (715) 829-8620 • eauclaire@citizensclimatelobby.org • citi-zensclimatelobby.org  CCL  is  a  non-profit,  grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. We train and support volunteers to reclaim their democracy and engage elected officials and the media to generate the political will for solutions that will stabilize the Earth’s climate.Clean Wisconsin (608) 251-7020 • info@cleanwiscon-sin.org • cleanwisconsin.org • Find Clean Wisconsin on Facebook Clean Wisconsin protects Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable.Concerned Chippewa Citizen wisair.wordpress.com Featuring tons of resources related to frac sand min-ing in this area of Wisconsin.Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners (715) 839-4712 • Erin.lafaive@ces.uwex.edu • eauclairemastergarden-ers.weebly.com This UW Extension volunteer group provides horticultural education, community service and environmental stewardship. The Eau Claire Master Gardeners community invites you to join its efforts to educate and beautify the area. They organize several events, seminars, plant sales, garden tours and we man-age public gardens for all to experience.Eau Claire Climate Action Now (CAN) (612) 220-1970 • eauclairecan@gmail.com • Find this group on Face-book  CAN’s  mission  is  to  organize  to  fight  climate change through education, advocacy, and bold proposals that sharply reduce fossil fuel extraction and emissions by fostering a clean energy economy and creating sus-tainable communities. CAN takes on the moral respon-sibility to use their collective power to influence the city, county, state, nation, and world to respond appropriately and end climate change.Eau Claire Garden Club First Baptist Church, 416 Ni-

agara St., Eau Claire • 715-855-7749 • nancyspak@gmail.com • Facebook.com/ecgardenclub To educate members in all phases of gardening, promote civic beauty, and promote conservation of Natural Resourc-es. Summer meetings consist of tours of local gardens.Foodlums foodlums@gmail.com • Facebook.com/food-lums • Foodlums.blogspot.com The Foodlums make up UWEC’s new academic and social organization serving both the university and the broader Eau Claire commu-nity. The organization sponsors events such as public lectures, creates service learning opportunities for Eau Claire and beyond and raises awareness of sustainable, local and delicious foods.Frac Sand Alliance Find this group on Facebook An online gathering of members of the Chippewa Valley concerned about frac sand mining in our area.GreenSense uwstout.orgsync.com/org/greensense and find GreenSense on Facebook GreenSense is UW-Stout’s student environmental organization since 1990. GreenSense clean up Galloway Creek, participate in an Adopt-a-Highway program, clean up the campus, and manage annual events at UW-Stout including Recy-cleMania, Earth Week events, a film festival, and they sponsor environmental speakers.Joining Our Neighbors, Advancing Hope (JONAH): En-vironmental Task Force JONAH, 2233 Birch St., Eau Claire • (715) 579-1186 • jonahorganizer@gmail.com • jonahjustice.org JONAH’s Environmental Task Force aims to live together in a mutually sustaining relation-ship with the Earth so the integrity for all is preserved and honored. They educate and inspire others to get in-volved in preserving our quality of life in the Chippewa Valley.Lower Chippewa River Alliance (LCRA) (715) 835-4829 • ellewolf1@hotmail.com • wisconsinrivers.org LCRA was organized to support the conservation, preservation and stewardship of the Lower Chippewa River and Lower Chippewa River Basin extending from the Dells dam in the City of Eau Claire to the Missis-sippi River. LCRA organizes two educational open-car train rides into the Tiffany Bottoms each year. Train ride proceeds are donated to the Natural Resources Lower Chippewa River Foundation account, which provides funding for prairie and oak savanna restoration, invasive species eradication and scientific research projects.The Prairie Enthusiasts: Chippewa Savannas Chap-ter stahland@centurytel.net • theprairieenthusiasts.org Chippewa Savannas is a chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts,  a non-profit grassroots conservation orga-nization. We work throughout Dunn, Eau Claire, and Pepin counties. We work to restore remnants of prairie ecosystems still remaining in the Chippewa Valley that

have not already been lost to development or habitat degradation.River Country RC&D Various dates • PO Box 2187, Eau Claire, WI 54702-2187 • (715) 579-5229 • Info@RiverCountryRCD.org • rivercountryrcd.org • Find this organization on Facebook River Country RC&D is known for collaboration and grassroots efforts among private citizens, land-owners, government agencies and businesses. They work with land-owners to cut through red tape and implement programs that improve land-use, foster resource development, and enhance habitat value and beauty of the region.Sierra Club - Chippewa Valley Group (608) 256-0565 • john.muir.chapter@sierraclub.org • wisconsin.sierra-club.org/chippewa This is a local chapter of the inter-national environmental group based in San Francisco. Programs vary from slide presentations of trips to talks about environmental issues and suggestions of actions members could take.Sustainable Bag Committee ci.eau-claire.wi.us Charged with the task of exploring the various possibilities to reduce, reuse or recycle plastic and paper bags and examine what others have done.Sustainable Dunn sustainabledunn.org This grassroots organization is devoted to promoting decisions that meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Monthly programs are held cover-ing a variety of sustainability topics. Its website includes “green” news, a discussion group, and more.Tainter Menomin Lake Improvement Association, Inc. PO Box 185, Menomonie • rverdon@att.net • tmlia.org The Tainter/Menomin Lake Improvement Associa-tion is actively engaged in activities to promote Tainter Lake and Lake Menomin, along with those bodies of water which are immediate to the lake, namely the Red Cedar River and the Hay River. Their aim is to support the protection and improvement of Lake Menomin and Tainter Lake waters by providing educational informa-tion on water quality and environmental issues affecting these bodies of water and their corresponding water-sheds.UW-Stout Sustainability Office 715-232-5254 • rykals@uwstout.edu • uwstout.edu/sustainability/ The mission of UW-Stout’s Sustainability Office is to foster a culture of sustainability among the university com-munity.The UWEC Conservationists theconservationists@uwec.edu • Facebook.com/TheUWECConservation-ists The purpose of The Conservationists is to strengthen ecological awareness and environmental ethics in the community and campus. The primary goal is to work

with the community and university in restoration, con-servation, and management efforts.UWEC Student Office of Sustainability (715) 836-4646 • sos@uwec.edu • uwec.edu/sustainability/ The Student Office of Sustainability is a Student Senate commission responsible for allocation of the green fund. The green fund is comprised of student segregated fees for the pur-pose of improving sustainability at UW-Eau Claire.UWEC Watershed Institute for Collaborative Envi-ronmental Studies (715) 836-4175 • watershed@uwec.edu • uwec.edu/watershed/index.htm The mission of WICES is to unite the efforts and expertise of fac-ulty, staff and students across disciplines, enhancing the strong liberal arts experience offered at UW-Eau Claire by fostering interdisciplinary education, scholarship and community outreach. Its core goal is for UW-Eau Claire students to develop an increased environmental aware-ness, vital ecological literacy, a commitment to conser-vation and sustainability, and a respectful, appreciative, and ethically intentional relationship between human society and the natural world in the Lower Chippewa River Watershed and beyond.Wisconsin Bike Fed (414) 431-1798 • info@wisconsin-bikefed.org • wisconsinbikefed.org The Wisconsin Bike Fed, celebrating 27 years of bicycle advocacy in 2015, is a statewide organization representing thousands of members across Wisconsin and has staff based in Eau Claire. Its mission is to inspire, motivate, and unite a strong community of civic, business and political lead-ers, motorists and bicyclists to move bicycling forward in Wisconsin.Wisconsin Grassroots Network wisconsingrassroots.net Connecting progressive grassroots groups through-out the state of Wisconsin.Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (414) 224-9422 • info@wgba.org • wgba.org This organization’s mis-sion is to promote ecologically sustainable development practices and provides resources such as an annual con-ference, educational forums and site visits to demonstra-tion projects.Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Eau Claire (715) 225-3344 • info@conservationvoters.org • con-servationvoters.org A  nonprofit,  nonpartisan  organiza-tion dedicated to electing conservation leaders, holding decision makers accountable and encouraging lawmak-ers to champion conservation policies that effectively protect Wisconsin’s public health and natural resources.Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (608) 250-9240 • info@wnpj.org • wnpj.org Founded in 1991 as a coalition of activist groups and citizens of conscience within Wisconsin. WNPJ facilitates activities, coop-

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GREEN LISTINGS

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GROWING UPeration and communication among Wisconsin organiza-tions and individuals working toward the creation of a sustainable world.

GREEN EVENTS & CLASSESSummer Wild Edibles Jul. 30, 6-8:30pm • Wise Nature Center, Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 Cty Rd. K, Fall Creek • Friends $5 Nonmembers $8 • 877-2212 • beaver-creekreserve.org/naturecenter.htm Join a Beaver Creek Naturalist for a taste of some summer wild edibles. Take a  hike  and  look  for  some  common,  easily-identified, wild edible plants. Nibble a few things on the hike, and then sample some cooked greens and a wild beverage or two. Registration and full payment required by July 28.Exploring the Farmers Market in Menomonie Aug. 22, 11am-noon • Menomonie Farmers Market at Dunn County Recreation Park, 620 17th St., Menomonie • FREE but registration required • 715-233-7464 • mayo-clinichealthsystem.org Kids are welcome to join Mayo Clinic Health System to explore the Menomonie Farm-ers Market. They will learn about and sample locally grown veggies and fruit. For June 27 register by June 25. For Aug. 22 register by Aug. 20.Celebrate the Lower Chippewa River Conference Day

1 Aug. 28, 1-9pm • The Heyde Center for the Arts, 3 South High St., Chippewa Falls • Friends and Nonmem-bers $20 • 715-877-2212, ext. 118 • beavercreekreserve.org This event is a chance to learn, share experiences, and celebrate the Chippewa River. Spencer Black (Sier-ra Club) along with other natural resource professionals will speak on local river topics, local organizations will have informational booths, and posters and Chippewa River artwork will be on display. Cost includes catered dinner and live entertainment.Celebrate the Lower Chippewa River Conference Day 2 Aug. 29, 8am-noon • Meet at the Great Lawn of Phoe-nix Park at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chip-pewa Rivers, • FREE • Activities include guided river paddles (Phoenix Park to Porterville Landing), a guided bike ride (GreenLifeXpo Energy Exposition Sep. 12 • Exhibits and speakers at the Jackson County Fairgrounds inside the Milt Lunda Memorial Arena, Black River Falls. Other events held around the community at “green locations”, • 715-964-7155 • greenlifexpo.com GreenLifeExpo is an event aimed to educate the public to live “greener”. GreenLifeExpo hosts exhibitors, speakers, and events at “green” locations. In previous years, attendees learned about renewable/alternative energy, recycling, conserva-tion, and sustainable living with exhibits, tours, speak-ers, prizes, food, and workshops for kids.Sustainable Future Fest Sep. 12, 10am-4pm • By the Forest Street community gardens, north of Madison St. in downtown Eau Claire, • sustainablefuturefest.com Come enjoy a festival that hundreds of people attend and experience presenters, exhibitors, kid’s activities and meeting new people. The Chippewa Valley Sustain-able Future Festival focuses on educating people about creating a more sustainable lifestyle through workshops and speakers. This event is free and open to the public.The Amazing Eau Claire Clean-upUsually in April • A variety of locations in Eau Claire • 715-839-5032 • pr@eauclairewi.gov Presented by Eau Claire Parks, Rec, & Forestry, this event sends volunteers to locations throughout the city including commu-

nity parks, neighborhood playgrounds, picnic areas, and recreational trails where they clean the areas and prepare  flowerbeds. A  post-clean  up  party  usually takes place afterwards.

HAZARDOUS WASTECOLLECTIONSHazardous waste collections are imperative to keeping the environment clean. They also keep residents safer and healthier by limiting their exposure to hazardous chemicals. Improper storage and disposal of these prod-ucts can cause fires, groundwater contamination and in-juries to people and animals. Please do not throw away hazardous waste with regular garbage or pour it down the drain. Save any or all hazardous waste for a hazard-ous waste collection in your area.Dunn County Hazardous Waste Collections On Sep. 9: 4-6pm for farms, businesses and households at the Col-fax Fairgrounds, 831 E. Railroad Ave., Colfax // On Sep. 10: 2-3pm for businesses, 3-4pm for farms, 4-7pm for households at the Dunn County Transfer Station, E3900 Hwy 29, Menomonie 715-232-4017 • co.dunn.wi.us All farms and businesses must pre-register by Sep. 4.Eau Claire County Residential Clean Sweep Sep. 12, 8am-noon; Nov. 14, 8am-noon • WRR Environmental Services, 5200 Ryder Road, about 1/4 mile south of Interstate 94, Eau Claire • co.eau-claire.wi.us Clean Sweep is an annual program sponsored by Eau Claire County for the safe disposal of hazardous household wastes generated in resident’s homes. With the excep-tion of Very Small Quantity Generator business collec-tions, Clean Sweep is a residential program. This means that hazardous wastes generated in a commercial enter-prise, even if it is a home-based business, may not be brought to Clean Sweep.Chippewa County 2015 Household Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep Oct. 17, 8am-noon • Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 306 Jefferson Ave., Chippewa Falls •

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nity parks, neighborhood playgrounds, picnic areas, and recreational trails where they clean the areas and prepare  flowerbeds. A  post-clean  up  party  usually takes place afterwards.

HAZARDOUS WASTECOLLECTIONSHazardous waste collections are imperative to keeping the environment clean. They also keep residents safer and healthier by limiting their exposure to hazardous chemicals. Improper storage and disposal of these prod-ucts can cause fires, groundwater contamination and in-juries to people and animals. Please do not throw away hazardous waste with regular garbage or pour it down the drain. Save any or all hazardous waste for a hazard-ous waste collection in your area.Dunn County Hazardous Waste Collections On Sep. 9: 4-6pm for farms, businesses and households at the Col-fax Fairgrounds, 831 E. Railroad Ave., Colfax // On Sep. 10: 2-3pm for businesses, 3-4pm for farms, 4-7pm for households at the Dunn County Transfer Station, E3900 Hwy 29, Menomonie 715-232-4017 • co.dunn.wi.us All farms and businesses must pre-register by Sep. 4.Eau Claire County Residential Clean Sweep Sep. 12, 8am-noon; Nov. 14, 8am-noon • WRR Environmental Services, 5200 Ryder Road, about 1/4 mile south of Interstate 94, Eau Claire • co.eau-claire.wi.us Clean Sweep is an annual program sponsored by Eau Claire County for the safe disposal of hazardous household wastes generated in resident’s homes. With the excep-tion of Very Small Quantity Generator business collec-tions, Clean Sweep is a residential program. This means that hazardous wastes generated in a commercial enter-prise, even if it is a home-based business, may not be brought to Clean Sweep.Chippewa County 2015 Household Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep Oct. 17, 8am-noon • Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 306 Jefferson Ave., Chippewa Falls •

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(715) 726-7999 • co.chippewa.wi.us Chippewa County is making it easy for residents to get rid of household hazardous waste. See contact info for the full list of items you may or may not bring.

GREEN BUILDERS & CONTRACTORSADG: Architectural Design Group Banbury Place Bldg D04 Suite 202, 800 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • 715-832-4848, 715-832-4850 • adg-architects.com With over 20 years of experience, Architectural Design Group (ADG) has grown to become a leader in architectural and sus-tainable design. Our studios specialize in business, en-ergy & technology, government & public safety, health & wellness, learning, living, and spiritual facilitiesAgOilPress - Cold Press Oil Extractors 3839 W Folsom St., Eau Claire • (877) 645-7737 • sales@agoilpress.com • agoilpress.com Our oil presses are ideal for any-one who desires to produce their own plant based oils for bio-fuels, culinary arts cooking or direct consump-tion. Extracts oil from: soybeans, sunflower seed, canola seed, sesame seed, ground-nuts, poppyseed, inseed, flaxseed, peanut, mustard seed, cotton seed, and more! Produces 80-110 gal./acre (with sunflower or canola).Badger State Inc. 2507 Fortune Drive, Eau Claire • (715) 874-7777 • info@badgerstateinc.com • bad-gerstateinc.com/index.php This plumbing and heating contractor now offers residential and commercial solar water heating.Bubbling Springs Solar 408 Red Cedar St. #5, Menomonie • (715) 231-1885 • bss@wwt.net This fam-ily owned Menomonie business offers solar thermal col-lectors for hot water.Chippewa Valley Alternative Energy • (866) 460-8656 • info@startsomewhere.co • startsomewhere.co/home.html Dedicated to lowering heating costs using solar thermal, waste oil heaters, and biomass pellets. CVAE services include Solar PV sales, design, accessories and installation, solar site assessments; used-oil heater parts, repair, troubleshooting, rebuilds and accessories; pellet mill sales, accessories and more.Energy Concepts 2349 Willis Miller Dr., Hudson • (715) 381-9977 • energyconcepts.us Energy Concepts provides turn-key commercial and residential solutions for all your renewable energy project needs—includ-ing wind, solar and high-efficiency Garn wood-burning boilers.Erin Designs, LLC See contact info for location details • 715-456-1850 • erin@erindesigns.com • ErinDesigns.com Sustainable, eco-friendly interior design consulting. Erin is committed to understanding the environmental impact of all her design projects. By incorporating “Green Building” practices, she helps clients create healthy places to live and work.Focus On Energy • 800-762-7077 • Focusinfo@focu-sonenergy.com • FocusOnEnergy.com Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas.Heritage Builders N6160 370th St., Menomonie • (715) 235-7910 • info@heritagebuildersmenomonie.com • heritagebuildersmenomonie.com This home repair, remodel, and builder from Menomonie is dedicated to

making homes more energy efficient. They also do dry-wall art.Jim Erdman • (715) 235-8941 • jiminwis@yahoo.com A certified site assessor, Jim will survey your property to find out if wind or solar energy systems could work.MEP Associates 2720 Arbor Court, Eau Claire • (715) 832-5680 • info@mepassociates.com • mepassociates.com This consulting firm specializes  in designing me-chanical, electrical, plumbing, medical gas, and geother-mal systems.Next Step Energy Systems 612 Wagner St, Eau Claire • (715) 830-9337 • info@nextstepenergy.com • nextste-penergy.com Specializes in designing and installing ra-diant heating and renewable energy applications such as solar and wind applications.Red Cedar Solar (715) 379-6315 Certified solar site as-sessments.SDS Architects 7 S. Dewey Street, Eau Claire • (715) 832-1605 • info@sdsarch.com • sdsarch.com This LEED-certified architectural firm specializes  in higher education, K-12 education, industrial, commercial, com-munity, religious, health care, and government projects, while focusing on energy conservation and sustainable design.SpaceGrower Menomonie, WI 54751 • (715) 231-6174 • info@spacegrower.com • spacegrower.com Providing sustainable residential design among many other ser-vices.Tetra Tech 1837 County Highway OO, Chippewa Falls • (715) 832-0282 • tetratech.com Providing environ-mental engineering and consulting services addressing complex water contamination, cultural resource man-agement, and other environmental concerns.Tiry Engineering 220 1/2 North Bridge St. (P.O. Box 44) Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-6777, (866) 944-6777 • contact@tiryengineering.com • tiryengineering.com Among other services, Tiry Engineering provide clients with conservation designs that take the environ-ment into careful consideration. Services include dams, erosion control, water supply, wetland delineation and restoration, air dispersion modeling, and anaerobic di-gestion services.Water Source Heating & Cooling 3650 Greenway Street, Eau Claire • (715) 833-9001 • watersourcegeo-thermal.com Providing geothermal heating and cooling systems to the Eau Claire area.WRR Environmental Services 5200 Ryder Rd., Eau Claire • 800-727-8760 • wrrstaff@wrres.com • wrres.com Serving the community and the environment with services including solvent recycling, fuel blending, wastewater treatment, hazardous waste collection, haz-ardous material spill response, site remediation, chemi-cal processing and more.

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