Continuing Education

Session Descriptions

All sessions take place at the Dreyfus University Center

Session #A The Impact of Climate Change in Wisconsin

Facilitator: John Young – Director, WI State Climatology OfficeThe climate in Wisconsin is changing but what will that mean for your community? Learn the latest projections for Wisconsin and the potential impact this may have on local resources such as agriculture, tourism, storm water management, and heating and cooling needs.
Co-presenter: John Magneson

Session #B Dealing with Risk, Uncertainty and Local Capacity for Change

Facilitator: Pete NowakA sudden and unplanned for crisis can be devastating for a community budget. This session will focus on local decision-making in a time of climate uncertainty. Learn about preparing for floods, fire, severe storms, increased snowfall and other crisis events. Planning for fluctuating costs of fuel and power will also be discussed.

Session #C Energy Options

Facilitator: Amy Heart – Ex. Director, Midwest Renewable Energy Asoc.The cost of energy is a budgetary challenge for many municipalities in Wisconsin. Explore ways local governments and communities can reduce energy consumption through conservation, efficiencies, capture of waste energy, and through the development of renewable sources such as wind and solar. Examples will be given on how to establish guidance and regulations for local energy management, and available incentives and support.
Co-presenters:

• Donald H. Keck, Energy Advisor, Schools and Governments Sector of Focus on Energy
• Jeanne Hoffman, City of Madison Facilities and Sustainability Manager
• Bill Schutten, Renewable Energy Program Coordinator at Focus on Energy
• Leo Udee, Wisconsin Geothermal Association, Alliant Energy.

Session #D Transportation Options

Facilitator: Steve Hiniker – Ex. Director, 1,000 Friends of WisconsinMunicipal and citizen transportation choices have a major budget as well as greenhouse gas emissions impact. Examine the challenges of establishing and improving mass transit and look at alternatives for communities who do not currently provide this service. Improving walking and biking facilities will be addressed as well as overall roadway design for more efficient traffic flow. An update will be given on current programs to assist communities with improving local transportation options. The advantages of alternate fuel vehicles will also be discussed as part of a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Co-presenters:

• Complete Streets - Charlie Weeth, Executive Director of Wisconsin Walks
• Transit Options - Greg Seubert, Transit Director, Wausau
• Alternative Fuel Vehicles - Francis Vogel, Executive Director, Wisconsin Clean Cities - Southeast Area, Inc.

Session #E Waste Management Options

Facilitator: Joe Van Rossum – Recycling Specialist, UW ExtensionIncreased fuel and disposal site costs can have a major budget impact for waste management. Learn ways to get a handle on costs to better manage municipal solid waste, as well as the latest trends in recycling.
Co-presenters:

• Meleesa Johnson, Administrator, Portage Co Solid Waste Department
• Pat Walsh, Professor, Biological Systems Engineering, UW Madison

Session #F Planning and Infrastructure

Facilitator: Anna Haines – Director, Center for Land Use EducationTaking a systems approach to managing climate change will produce the greatest efficiencies for your community. Learn how to incorporate climate change issues into your local planning documents while continuing to provide the quality of life amenities that help communities keep and attract citizens and businesses. Presenters will discuss the challenges of introducing sustainability and climate change at the local level.
Co-presenters:

• Tom Wojciechowski, UW Extension, Ashland County
• Paul Moderacki, Administrator, Village of Johnson Creek
• Larry MacDonald, Mayor, City of Bayfield, WI

Session #G Developing Local Food Systems

Facilitator: Eric Olson – Land Use Specialist, Center for Land Use EducationConcern over cost and safety of our food has led to increased interest in developing local food markets. Learn about direct marketing opportunities such as farmers markets, farmer to buyer programs, and community supported agriculture. Presenters will discuss issues related to planning for agriculture in and near communities and provide examples of ordinances that support these programs.
Co-presenter:

• Brent Wiersma, co-founder of Moondance Meadows farm in Scandinavia, Wisconsin

Session #H Community Purchasing

Facilitator: Mark Stevens – Wisconsin Partners for SustainabilityGreen purchasing not only reduces the environmental impact of local governments and communities but also improves worker and citizen health through reduced pollutant and hazard exposure. It also has the potential to save money at the same time. This session will explore purchasing efficiencies, products with recycled content, total life cost of equipment, pollution reduction, and sources for local or regionally produced supplies.
Co-presenters:

• Venu J. Gupta, Superintendent/Buildings & Fleet for the City of Milwaukee
• Jeff Griffith, Facility Manager at the City of Madison's LEED-EB Silver certified Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Session #I Biofuels and Bioenergy

Facilitator: Bob Govett – UWSP –Forest Products SpecialistWisconsin is moving forward in the production of biofuels and bioenergy. Crops and residuals from forests and farms and waste streams are the source of fuels and feedstock for this proposed expansion and technologies range from the well established to emerging. Communities need to consider what is possible now, what might be possible in the future, what the tradeoffs might be and what concerns exist regarding sustainability. This session will provide a brief overview of the topics and issue and offer considerable time for question/answer and discussion among panelists from industry, government and university working in the field. Panel:

• John (Rusty) Dramm S&PF USFS – involved in tech transfer and research and USFS woody biomass program grant administration.
• Bill Gilbert – Futurewood/Johnson Timber – involved in procurement for major biomass boiler and in research related to study of a FT-diesel biofuels facility for Flambeau River Paper
• Don Guay – UWSP – biofuels (ethanol) research
• Terry Mace – WI DNR U&M Specialist – considerable involvement in WI-DNR biomass projects
• TJ Morice – Marth Manufacturing – residue brokering and pellet manufacturing
• Dick Wolkowski – Extension Soil Scientist – UW-Madison – focus on soil quality, erosion and long-term productivity
• Scott Bowe – Extension wood products specialist

Session #J Opportunities for Innovative Businesses

Facilitator: Rick Brooks, UW Professional Development and Applied Studies Where Do Concern for Climate Change and Profit Meet for Small Business?On the national level much of the attention to climate change has focused on what large corporations can do. But small businesses may actually have an equal or greater impact on quality of life. And "the environment" is not separate from how we make, distribute and sell products and services. What are the roles of elected officials and small business owners? Who is doing things well, and how can we relate profit and loss to climate change on the regional as well as local levels? Early adopters of the Wisconsin Green Exchange model will share ideas about public/private partnerships, and offer practical tools for businesses and municipalities. The focus will be on opportunities for cities, counties, citizens, advocacy groups and businesses to work together for the benefit of all concerned.