CLEAN GREEN ACTION LISTS 2016 PROJECTS
Clean Green Action (CGA) is beginning its ninth year of working on projects that focus on sustainability and reducing impact on the environment. In 2015 we continued to build on successes in previous years, and in 2016 we will maintain some past projects while adding some new projects.
Continuing projects include the following:
Choose to Reuse – This event, which is organized by different area townships (e.g. Rome, Grant, Grand Rapids, Saratoga, Seneca), allows people to drop off useful items for others to have for free. Check with your local township for dates.
Recycling Rangers – This activity will continue to provide recycling containers and volunteers at local community events.
Sustainable Wisconsin Rapids – This involves working with Wisconsin Rapids officials to move the city towards becoming a sustainable community by getting involved with the Mayor’s Sustainability Council.
Earth Care Booklet – This booklet contains information on items to recycle, energy saving tips, buying locally, and money saving options with respect to food and transportation. To review the electronic version of this booklet, go to the Clean Green Wisconsin Rapids Area Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/cleangreenwr.
Bird City – The Bird City designation for Wisconsin Rapids earned the High Flyer certificate and was renewed with a June event at Lake Wazeecha in conjunction with the Kiwanis Youth Outdoor Day. In 2016 work will continue on a woodlot project behind Lincoln High School.
Highway Pickup – Our adopted stretch of highway is cleaned up twice each year so our group can walk the talk in a very public and noticeable way.
Nonpartisan legislative committee – This committee keeps the group abreast of pending legislation and policies that impact the environment. Booth at local/area fairs – Look for us at events like the Grand Affair to learn more about our group.
Event Reycling Ordinance – We continue to advocate for the adoption of ordinances that would require event recycling as part of an event permit.
Gleaning – collecting food donations from the vendors at the Wisconsin Rapids farmers market and distributing them at places like Neighborhood Table.
We are also involved in projects for which other agencies have the lead. Our members are assisting with the River Riders Bike Share program, which is led by the Wood County Health Department. Clean Green Action members also help out at the Growing Friends Community Garden which has completed three successful growing seasons.
New projects for 2016 include the following:
Creation of Ahdawagam Trail Map & Guide brochure – This brochure can be used to promote the trail system within Wisconsin Rapids.
Sustainability Film Series – This project would be to show a series of films on topics related to sustainability, such as food, recycling, and alternative energy
Clean Green Action Sustainability Awards – The goal of the CGA Sustainability Awards would be to recognize an individual. non-profit agency, and/or a business that have been promoting the values of sustainability and a green footprint.
Plastic Wrap Education – This project would be an education campaign informing the public about the benefits of recycling plastic bags.
Publicize Chicken Ordinance – We were successful in 2014 in getting the City of Wisconsin Rapids to approve an ordinance that allows city residents to raise chickens. This project would make people aware of this ordinance and promote the benefits of raising chickens.
Restore Pickup Site – The purpose of this project is to locate a site at which items suitable for sale at the Habitat Restore in Mauston can be stored until the Mauston Restore is able to pick them up.
Tire Pressure Day – members plan to have a one-day Tire Pressure Day during which customers at a local gas station will learn about the benefits of keeping tires inflated at the proper pressure.
The success of our on-going and new projects depends upon our selfless volunteers. With more help, our chances of success will improve. Clean Green Action is a local grassroots, citizen-led group working to create a sustainable community through education, recycling and conservation efforts in the south Wood County area.
If you are interested in joining our group and helping out on one or more of these projects, we invite you to attend our meetings which occur at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month (except for June, July and August) at McMillan Library.