Celebrate & CONNECT
with Local Sustainability
Sustainability is commonly framed through a lens of scarcity and fear of the future, but the Sustainability Institute takes a different approach. We believe that embracing sustainability leads to an abundance of well-being, clean air and water, nutritious food, decent jobs, and biodiversity, pointing us toward a more vibrant future for our communities. At the Sustainability Institute, we help the Driftless region create a positive vision of what could be by celebrating regional sustainability efforts and connecting individuals to them and each other.
Founded in 2012 and formally a 501(c)3 in 2015, the Sustainability Institute has been serving the La Crosse and surrounding counties with a variety of programming and events in hopes to help inspire our community to work together towards a positive vision of sustainability and resilience.
The Sustainability Institute catalyzes sustainable Action in the 7 rivers region.
​
We do this by:
- Educating about local sustainability issues and solutions
- Advocating for climate and sustainable action
- Connecting like-minded organizations and people to each other
- Inspiring a positive Vision for a sustainable future.
SUSTAINABILITY INSTITUTE
EXECUTIVE BOARD
LEE RASCH
Board Chair
Leadership Ethics
DOROTHY LENARD
Vice Chair
Community Member
MAGGIE MCDERMOTT
Board Member
UW - La Crosse
BRANDON PRINSEN
Treasurer
Johns, Flaherty & Collins, S.C.
LAURA OLSON
Board Member
Eneration
KENNA CHRISTIANS
Board Member
Community Member
NAO TSUMAGARI
Board Member
Trane
JACOB SCIAMMAS
Board Member
UW- La Crosse
ROB TYSER
Board Member
Community Member
MIKE POELLINGER
Board Member
Western Technical College