The public is invited to a forum entitled “Let’s Talk: Climate Crisis & Monroe County” from 2–5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Sparta American Legion, 1116 Angelo Road, Sparta.
There is no charge to attend. Cookies and coffee will be served.
This event is sponsored by Monroe County POWER (Protect Our Water and Environmental Resources), a newly formed citizens’ group building awareness and taking action on climate change. “Let’s Talk” is the first event planned to motivate, inspire, inform, and encourage local responsibility and positive action.
The event includes a panel and tables with local resource people and organizations representing a range of issues and strategies related to the climate crisis.
At the start of the event, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gather information at eight information stations. The program itself will start at 2:45 p.m. with an opening presentation by Rekumani and Kristin Pomykala, community liaisons for the Ho-Chunk Nation Legislative Workgroup on the Rights of Nature.
A panel will follow and includes a diversity of voices and responses to climate change. The topics and panelists include the following:
• County responses: Ron Luethe, Monroe County Climate ChangeTask Force
• Water quality and flooding: Dan Helsel, Wisconsin DNR (invited)
• Youth leadership: Kristen Clark, Sparta High School senior
• Voter engagement: Kate Beaton, Wisconsin Conservation Voters/Voices
Attendees will have time to visit the tables after the panel. The event will end at 5 p.m.
These groups will offer information tables: Ho-Chunk Nation Working Group on the Rights of Nature, Wisconsin Conservation Voters/Voices, League of Women Voters, Frac Sand Sentinel, Citizen Science Initiatives, Monroe County Health Department, Simple Ways to Reduce Waste, Photo Exhibit on Sand Mines, and a local solar business.
For more information, visit POWER Monroe County on Facebook and/or email the group at powermonroecounty@outlook.com.
