Sustainability Action Plans of the Green Team Network of Early Adopters of Sustainability
‘Sustainability’ is a simple concept with broad ramifications. It truly requires systems thinking. Global warming reports and rising fuel costs spotlight the gravity of our work in this area and cause us to think deeply about our goals. It is clear that energy conservation is of paramount importance both environmentally and economically. In order to measure energy inputs and outputs, a baseline assessment of current energy use is key. With help from Focus on Energy, UW-Extension, and TNS-Canada, the Green Team Network received training workshops for assessment skills early in the year. Baseline assessments are complex and some groups were better set up to conduct these assessments than others. The learning curve is steep and member groups will probably succeed in carrying out more baseline assessments in the coming year.
The greatest lesson we learned this year was how important “Sharing Sessions” were to our understanding of the scope of our challenges. We held one in May 2007, and one on March 14, 2008. Dozens of new initiatives began inside our member businesses. We videotaped the presentations of our “Sustainability Action Plans” at our recent sharing session, and have put them online for you to watch.
We hope that you will gain knowledge from the ‘small’ and ‘big’ ideas put forward by our team members – all of them put together could make ‘a world of difference’, and that is what we really need. Wisconsin’s new Office of Energy Independence has raised the bar with its 2025 goals. We would like to join their efforts. We discovered we aren’t just “early adopters” after all. Simply pioneers looking for signposts and putting out some of our own for others to follow…..
Presentations
Each Green Team member of the Network presented their summary of actions taken in year one. Click on the links below to watch videotaped presentations of our March 14, 2008 Sustainability Action Plans. Each video clip runs 8 to 20 minutes. Pick the one you want, or listen to them all. This was a great day and we invite you to enjoy it with us. Many THANKS to Greg David, the videographer.
Introduction to the Green Team Network (GTN) Action Plansfrom Greg David on Vimeo.
This is a videotaped Introduciton by Mary Rehwald tothe day-long Sharing Session of the Green Team Network of Early Adopters of Sustinability (GTN) on March 14, 2008. She explains who the Green Team members area nd gives a concise background about what is happening in this northern Wisconsin region to promote The Natural Step, citizen outreach work, and the Early Adopters Network.
GTN Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is the AINLS Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Peggy Burkman. Highlights include fuel energy assessments which led them to seek biofuels for their boats, and their leadership in the Climate Friendly NPS program.
GTN Ashland Industry's Action Plan Reportfrom Greg David on Vimeo.This is Ashland Industry's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Cyndee Marx. Highlights include their global relationship with Volvo of Sweden, and their need to implement an ISO 14001 environmental management system. Efficiency makes them competitive in the global market.
GTN Ashland School District Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is the Ashland School District's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Tom Grosjean. Highlights include how their addition of a second reset button on their air exchange system saved them $15,000 in the first four months alone.
GTN Bad River Tribe Action Plan from Greg David on Vimeo.This is the Bad River Tribe's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by April Stone-Dahl. Highlights include a 2005 declaration for energy independence & funding to explore three sites for wind energy potential.
GTN BART Bus Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.BART Bus’s Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008, in Ashland, Wisconsin, by Brandon Boys. Highlights include their doubling of ridership due to door-to-door service, increased routes, and more frequent stops.
GTN Chequamegon Food Coop Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is the Chequamegon Food Coop's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008, by Krista Bloomquist and Marchelle Jordan. Highlights include work to increase local patrons & expand their locally grown and produced food items.
GTN City of Ashland Action Plan from Greg David on Vimeo.This is the City of Ashland's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008, in Ashland, Wisconsin by Rob Hom, Alyssa Core, Ryan Nicholson, and Ray Hyde. Highlights include citywide recycling programs, accepting bids for biofuel crops around the airport, plans to set up SMART guidelines for sustainability purchasing and approval reviews, and a centralized purchasing policy for the city .
GTN City of Bayfield Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is the City of Bayfield's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Mayor Larry MacDonald. Highlights include their “Clean It/Green It” campaign, and grants program to businesses that join the Travel Green program.
GTN City of Washburn Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is the City of Washburn's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Mayor Irene Blakely. Highlights include the replacement of high energy lighting with fluorescents and the city’s new sustainable Comprehensive Plan.
GTN Deepwater Grille Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is the Deepwater Grille's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by James Clevette and Kelly Randleman. Highlights include creative ideas from their staff to save water and reduce heating costs in their pizza ovens and plate warmers.
GTN La Courte Oreilles Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is La Courte Oreilles' Sustainability Action Plan Report (8 ½ minutes) to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Denise Johnson and Bobbi Rongstad. Highlights include LCO’s Sustainable Living Institute program and implementation of FOE audits.
GTN Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center from Greg David on Vimeo.This is NGLVC’s Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Susan Nelson. Highlights include plans for a 150-foot wind turbine, LEED-EB certification, solar & geothermal assessments, vermicomposting with worms, annual tree-planting with school children, non-disposable catering guidelines, and plans to become a Zero Net Energy Facility.
GTN Northland College Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is Northland College's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Clare Hintz and Brian Clements. Highlights include the college’s campus-wide energy assessment contract with Johnson Controls and active involvement on many levels by students at this environmental/liberal arts college of 700 students.
GTN Wal-Mart Action Plan from Greg David on Vimeo.This is Wal-Mart's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008, in Ashland, Wisconsin, by Amy Mattila. Highlights include Wal-Mart’s push to implement green policies, their move to require supply chains to change to more sustainable products, and how the changes can impact millions of people around the world.
GTN Washburn Iron Works Action Plan from Greg David on Vimeo.This is Washburn Iron Work's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008, in Ashland, Wisconsin, by Raelyn Pearson. Highlights include their recapture and cleaning of heat they send to the outside, and their adoption of LEAN training.
GTN Washburn School District Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is Washburn Elementary School’s Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 in Ashland, Wisconsin by Mary Rehwald. Highlights include the elementary school’s classroom energy reduction projects and their integration of school gardens and orchards into their local cafeteria food selections. A 28-minute DVD that describes the program is available from Sue Masterson, 715-373-6199 or from the Alliance for Sustainability Office, 715-682-1189
GTN WITC Action Plan Report from Greg David on Vimeo.This is WITC's Sustainability Action Plan Report to the Green Team Network for Early Adopters of Sustainability, presented March 14, 2008 by Ted May. Highlights include the Wisconsin Technical College System’s decades-long policy of assessing energy use, and why the Ashland campus ranks as the lowest energy user per student in the state.
GTN Closing Session to Action Plan Reports from Greg David on Vimeo.This closing session of the Green Team Network for Early Adopters March 14, 2008 sharing session was led by Tom Wojciechowski. Best key points were covered and will be used to plan for Year Two.
