Eco-municipalities: A Model for Sustainable Communities in Wisconsin
The Eco-Municipality Model for Sustainable Community Change-- A Synopsis
1000 Friends of Wisconsin and Sustain Dane are distribution co-partners for Sustainability 101 and Sustainability: Step by Natural Step™. Click here to learn more about this useful e- learning resource developed by The Natural Step organization.
Recent Fox Valley Natural Step Workshop a Success. Policy Director Lisa MacKinnon assisted organizers and presented at a workshop entitled “A Sustainable Fox Valley—Building Sustainable Communities through ‘The Natural Step’ Approach” on Saturday, November 3, 2007. Featured speakers included: Amy Oberg, Futurist, Kimberly-Clark; Jay Moynihan, Shawano County UW-Extension; Tom Boldt, CEO, The Boldt Company; and Lisa MacKinnon, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. The workshop introduced over 100 participants from local governments, businesses and organizations in the Fox Valley region to the concepts of sustainability, the principles and practice of The Natural Step approach to sustainable communities and the eco-municipality model.
The workshop was sponsored and supported by: Energy Coalition for a Sustainable Fox Valley; UW-Extension, Winnebago and Outagamie Counties; Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Social Action Committee; Fox Valley Sierra Club; UW-Extension Center for Land Use Education; East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission; and Neenah-Menasha League of Women Voters. Fox Valley TNS workshop brochure
There is an ongoing study circle in Appleton using The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns Can Change by Sarah James and Torbjörn Lahti as its text. Another study circle is scheduled for November with the Oshkosh League of Women Voters using the same four-session format as the Appleton group. For information on study circles in the Fox Valley area, contact Catherine Neiswender CNeiswender@co.winnebago.wi.us.
Governor's Task Force on Global Warming Hears About Wisconsin's Eco-Municipalities: On September 20th, 1000 Friends' Policy Director Lisa MacKinnon was invited by the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming to give a presentation on "Emerging Sustainable Community Initiatives in Wisconsin", including the eco-municipality movement, and to address how the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming can support these initiatives. Lisa's Presentation to Governor's Task Force on Global Warming
City of Madison Mayor's Website Outlines the City's Recent Initiatives Implementing the Natural Step Sustainability Framework
Since the City's adoption in December 2005 of the Natural Step sustainability framework, 1000 Friends Policy Director, Lisa MacKinnon, has been working as a part of the City of Madison's Natural Step framework implementation planning team along with City staff, City committee representatives and Sustain Dane to support the efforts of the City as it applies its sustainability framework to operations, management and various projects. For an overview of the City's sustainability framework and recent City staff presentations on some of its initiatives, please see: City of Madison's Natural Step Sustainability Initiatives (Linked on 8-13-07)
2006 Sustainable Sweden Eco Municipality Tour a Success!
Watch this section for information about the 2008 Sustainable Sweden Eco-Municipality Study Tour and International Eco-Municipality Conference
This intensive two-week study tour highlighted sustainable development projects and models in local governments, organizations and businesses throughout Sweden. 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Policy Director, Lisa MacKinnon, served as the U.S. coordinator and promoter of the tour, which was organized and led by the Sustainable Sweden Association.
The Tour brought together 27 participants from the United States (Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and New Hampshire) and Ireland representing local, county and tribal governments, businesses, tourism, planners, public utilities, educators and non-profit organizations. Over the course of two weeks, the tour participants traveled across Sweden to learn first-hand about how local governments are creating and maintaining ecologically, economically and socially sustainable eco-municipalities. They participated in study visits, seminars, cultural events and discussion forums on sustainable development with a broad network of dedicated communities that are working toward the transition to a sustainable society.
The participants met civil employees, community and municipal leaders, business people and residents from these eco-municipalities, who organized special events, meetings and presentations for the participants of the tour in order to share current examples of sustainable development projects and “best practices” in their municipalities, as well as to discuss their strategies, tools and challenges for working toward greater sustainability.
The tour participants are using their experiences and knowledge gained on the 2006 Sustainable Sweden Tour to build greater capacity to promote and support the development of sustainable communities in the United States, Europe and beyond; and plans are already underway for numerous projects and educational events. The tour was professionally documented on video, in order to facilitate the participants’ goals for education and outreach. For more detailed notes and photos from the 2006 tour scroll down to bottom of page.
Eco-municipality related articles from 1000 Friends of Wisconsin's Landscapes newsletters:
As of November 2007, Wisconsin has 12 local communities that have formally adopted "eco-municipality" resolutions indicating an intention to become eco-municipalities and endorsing the Natural Step sustainability principles and framework as a guide. And many more communities are in the process of exploring what it means to be an eco-municipality.
Wisconsin Community Resolutions Adopting the Natural Step Framework (Chronological Order):
City of Washburn
City of Ashland
Ashland City Eco-municipality Resolution
City of Madison
City of Madison The Natural Step Adoption Resolution
Benefits of Using The Natural Step to Guide Madison
Douglas County
Village of Johnson Creek
Village of Johnson Creek Sustainable Community Policy
Town of Bayfield
City of Bayfield
City of Bayfield Sustainability Resolution
City of Marshfield
Sustainable Marshfield Resolution
Sustainable Marshfield Committee Report
City of LaCrosse
City of LaCrosse TNS Resolution
City of Manitowoc
LaCrosse County
City of Neenah
Sustainable Neenah Resolution Mayoral Support Memo
City of Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth Resolution Regarding Planning For A Sustainable Community
Media Coverage on Eco-Municipality Efforts
View a video excerpt from the City of Monona's Natural Step / eco-municipality kickoff event.
Neenah Embraces Ecological Principles (Post-Crescent)
Green group looks to involve leaders, community in sustaining Lake Country (Oconomowoc Focus)
Eco-Forum Stresses Support (Stevens Point Journal)
Portsmouth, NH to Study Sustainability (Seacost Online)
Profile: Jai Johnson: Put Up the Big Green Tent (La Crosse Tribune)
City's Eco-Task Force to get Everyone Involved (Stevens Point Journal)
Starting on sustainability: City-county panel begins working on plans to go green (LCT)
Kewaunee County residents embrace ‘Natural Step’ (DR)
Grassroots greens: Area citizens work locally to try to solve global problems (WDN)
La Crosse adopts plan in effort to be eco-friendly (LCT)
Marshfield becomes sustainable (MNH)
City takes ecology a step further (CT)
Supervisor wants county to get eco friendly (BVN)
But think of the environment! Mayor Dave moves toward sustainability, step by Natural Step (Isthmus)
The City of Bayfield makes commitment to sustainability official (Business North)
City of Bayfield is Wisconsin's Most Recent Eco-Municipality
Mayor of City of Bayfield Radio Interview - Blogs of Bainbridge
Lake Region Working Together (CT)
Wisconsin and U.S. Eco-communities Featured in the Natural Step's International newletter
Sustainability must start at local level, speakers say (SPJ)
New Resource Available: "Toward a Sustainable Community: A Toolkit for Local Government"
A new community resource is available that you might find useful. "Toward a Sustainable Community: A Toolkit for Local Government", a University of Wisconsin Extension publication co-authored by UW-Extension agents, Sherrie Gruder, Anna Haines, Jerry Hembd, Jane Silberstein and 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Policy Director, Lisa MacKinnon, was recently published and made available to the public.
The purpose of this toolkit is to provide ideas and descriptions of specific actions that a local government can take to transform itself into a model of sustainable practices. These are practices that can result in cost savings and increased employment, as well as enhance environmental quality and community well-being. The message of this toolkit is simple: local governments can lead by example.
The toolkit is posted on the UW Extension Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC) website at www.shwec.uwm.edu along with a companion live links document (more easily updatable). It's listed on the SHWEC home page at the bottom with a red-colored NEW in front of it.
There are also limited hard copies available for purchase. Please see the toolkit brochure for more information.
Recent Conferences, Presentations and Events
Lisa continues to present around the state – both solo and on panels -- on the eco-municipalities and The Natural Step framework. Recent audiences have included the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming, Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Academy Alumni Program, the Downtown Madison Rotary, the Baraboo Range Preservation Society, a delegation of representatives from Door County’s Legislative Days, the University of Wisconsin at Marathon County’s Affluenza Speaker Series, the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium , the City of Monona and the Clean Wisconsin Board of Directors.
If you are interested in hearing more or scheduling a presentation for your community or organization, please contact her at Lmac@1kfriends.org or 608/259-1000 ext 107.
The Swedish Trade Council Invited 1000 Friends’ Policy Director, Lisa MacKinnon, to participate in its recent Sustainable Cities Conference Series: Building the Future conference in Washington D.C. on May 7th, 2007. Lisa co-presented on Emerging Sustainable Communities in North America: How Lessons from the Swedish Eco-Municipalities Have Influenced a New Movement with Cindi Contie, Volunteer Sustainable Development Coordinator for Sustainable Pittsburgh. The conference was attended by a diverse group of representatives from Swedish and American business and industry, government and non-profit groups. The conference was co-hosted at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C., by the Swedish Trade Council, the Swedish Embassy, The Swedish Energy Agency and SIDA (the Swedish International Development Agency). For information on the conference or to view conference presentations, please see: http://www.swedishtrade.com/environment/
His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf (left) and 1000 Friends' Policy Director (right)
present to TNS International Summit
Snowy Day in Stockholm and Mayor Melamed (Whistler, BC)
For more information about The Natural Step in North America visit the following websites:
The Natural Step Canada
Oregon Natural Step Network
For more information about The Natural Step International visit The Natural Step's International Gateway website.
2006 Tour Notes and Photos by Lisa MacKinnon
Welcome to Stockholm
Meeting at Stadshuset
Presentation by: Vivi-Ann Gunnarsson – Vice Mayor of Stockholm
1st full day of meetings and presentations
Stockholm, Valentinhuset Conference Center
Presentations by:
- Torbjörn Lahti -- Co-founder of Esam
- Karl-Henrik Robèrt – Founder of The Natural Step
- Jon Möller – Stockholm City
- Mikael Lindell – Stockholm City
Meeting and tour at Sånga Säby Conference Center
Presentations by:
- Alexander Lind af Hageby, Vice President and Environmental Manager
- Ira Sundberg, Ecosopher
Tours of Eskilstuna, ATMOS Climate Exhibition, Ekeby Waste Water Treatment,Municipality of Kungsör, Kungsör Culture and Nature Reserve, & Ecoil
Presentations by:
- Irène Karlbom, ATMOS Climate Exhibition
- Pernilla Norwald, Ekeby Wastewater
- Kungsör Mayor Pelle Stregbom
- Hans Westin, Development Strategist for Kungsör
- Therés Andersson, Environmental Strategist for Kungsör
- Pekka Hedin, Artist and Naturalist
- Mikkel Selder, CEO of Ecoil and Bo Björkman
Tour of Kulturhuset I Ytterjärna, seminar on Ekobanken by Kristoffer Luthi, Tour of Anthroposophical Center at Järna
Presentations by:
- Kristoffer Luthi, Vice Manager of Ekobanken
- Thomas Luthi, Skillebyholm Anthroposophical Center in Järna
Presentation at Kulturgården Björkekullen Brätadal hostel
Tour of Sustainable Vinberg, Falkenberg Municipality and Falkenberg Energi
Presentations by:
- Marie-Louise Wernersson, Mayor of Falkenberg
- Jan-Olof Andersson, Coordinator of Sustainable Development for Falkenberg
- Börje Tönsgård, Chairman of Falkenberg Municipal Council
- Vikar of Falkenberg Parish
- Rolf Landholm, Vice Director of Falkenberg Municipality
- Christer Torstensson, the Global School
- Jörgen Glemme, Falkenberg Energi Director of Marketing
- Ingemar Alenäs, FalkenbergCity Ecologist
Presentations and Tour in Helsingborg Municipality
Helsingborg Environmental Office, SEkom, Dropp In Exhibit and NSR Regional Landfill
Presentations by:
- Gregor Holmgren, Helsingborg’s Environmental Director
- Lars Thunberg, Chair of SEkom; Helsingborg City Council
- Tommy Persson, Coordinator for SEKOM
- Linda Boström, Vice Chair of Hbg Environmental Program
- Ulla Ingers, Assistant Director of Environment
- Marianne Dock, Coordinator / Developer, Helsingborg Dept. of Sustainable Development
- Cecilia Andersson, NSR Landfill
Umeå Municipality
Green Zone Eco-Industrial Park, Bio-fuel Region and Dåva Power and Heating Plant
Presentations by:
- Michael Jalmby, Process Leader for the Biofuel Region
- Anders Nyquist, Architect for the Green Zone
- Umeå Energi Personnel
Robertsfors Municipality
Tour of Västerbottens Östriket (“CheeseKingdom”), Discussions of Sustainable Food Production Strategies, Tour of Mayor Lars Bäckström’s organic dairy farm in Flarkbäcken, Visit to Överklintens Kvarn and Seminar and Closing Meeting for the Conclusion of the Main Tour
Presentations by:
- Lars Bäckström, Mayor of Robertsfors
- Carin Elofsson, Robertfors Industry Development Manager
- Hans Nordin, Mill Administrator
- Torbjörn Lahti, Sustainable Robertsfors and Esam, AB
- Gunnar Brundin, Esam, AB
Day 10 - Tour Notes and Photos
Beginning of the Extended Tour to Northern Sweden
Piteå and Luleå
Tour of Bölebyn’s Garveri (Environmentally Friendly Tannery), Gammelstad World Heritage Site
Presentations by:
- Jan Sandlund, President of the Tannery
- Britt-Louise Nyman, Piteå Regional Eco-Industry
- Lena Bengtén, Luleå Municipality
- Karl Petersén, Mayor of Luleå Municipality
Day 11 - Tour Notes and Photos
LuleåMunicipality
A Bike Tour to the Center of Luleå City, a Visit to Spiran Job Training Center, Luleå Recycling Center and Luleå Lokal Trafik Municipal Bus System
Presentations by:
- Mikal, Hannah and Lena
- Solveig Eriksson, SpiranCenter
- Jan Löfgrun, Director, “Reused Things Market”
- Lena Bengtén, LuleåMunicipality
Day 12 - Tour Notes and Photos
Kalix and Övertorneå Municipalities
Meetings and presentations in Kalix Municipality, Kustringen, Övre Bygden, Övertorneå and the Arctic Circle
Presentations by:
- Valter Lindh, Vice Mayor of Kalix
- Ann-Marie Andersson, Kalix Municipality
- Eva-Lott Wennberg, Chair of Kustringen Nyborg
- Eric Lindbergh, Övre Bygden in Village of Vit Vattnet
- Kurt Larsson, Council Chair of Övertorneå Municipality
Day 13 - Tour Notes and Photos
Övertorneå Municipality
Meetings and presentations in Övertorneå Municipality – Sweden’s First Eco-Municipality
- Kurt Larsson, Council Chair of Övertorneå Municipality
- Arne Hakomaa, Mayor
- Torbjörn Lahti, Esam
- Rune Blomster, Övertorneå Public Works
- Johan Antti, ÖvertorneåTown Manager
- Hans Mörtberg, Managing Director /CEO, Kablia
1000 Friends of Wisconsin
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