Autumn Assembly
CHECK BACK FOR DETAILS ON THE 2010 AUTUMN ASSEMBLY!
Details of the 2009 Autumn Assembly: October 9-11 at Beaver Creek Reserve, Fall Creek
The John Muir Chapter’s 2009 Autumn Assembly was hosted by the Chippewa Valley and St Croix Valley Interstate Groups on October 9 – 11 at Beaver Creek Reserve near Eau Claire. The Autumn Assembly is an educational and enjoyable weekend gathering featuring workshops, speakers and hands-on nature activities for kids of all ages! The diverse activities will inform and inspire you in the company of Sierra Club members and friends from across Wisconsin
- Read below for details on the speakers and activities
- See the Schedule of Events (PDF)
The keynote presentation will feature nationally prominent public health scientist Dr. Michael Osterholm explaining the connection between climate change and the threat of infectious disease outbreak. Dr. Osterholm is director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), director of the NIH-supported Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance within CIDRAP, a professor in the School of Public Health, and an adjunct professor in the Medical School, University of Minnesota. He is the author of the New York Times best seller, Living Terrors: What America Needs to Know to Survive the Coming Bioterrorist Catastrophe.
Other featured speakers include children’s author Marybeth Lorbiecki and Mike McCabe, Executive Director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Lorbiecki, author of an Aldo Leopold biography, will spark commitment to conservation ideals through her presentation, “Setting Aflame a Fierce Green Fire: An Ecological Ethic for the 21ST Century.” McCabe will focus on the importance of implementing state campaign finance reform to curtail the legislative influence of special interests. His topic is how "Clean Water Doesn't Flow from Dirty Politics".
Wisconsin Natural Resources Board member John Welter, Tom Stolp of the League of Conservation Voters, western Wisconsin grassroots mining activists, and John Muir Chapter leaders will address an array of state environmental issues. A three-person panel of educators will discuss the crucial role of green charter schools in the development of a sustainable society. Steve Betchkal, author of “The 50 Best Places to Find Birds in Wisconsin,” will highlight some of Wisconsin’s natural treasures and photographers Patty and Jeff Henry will portray the beauty of our state with their slide show, “Wisconsin, A Gathering of Waters.”
In addition, attendees will have opportunities to explore the 360-acre Beaver Creek Reserve with its upland woods, two trout streams, and bottomland forests bordered by the Eau Claire River. There will also be access to Hobbs Observatory which offers one of the most powerful telescopes available for public use in Wisconsin. Folk dancing led by Eau Claire Sierran Paul Wagner and a saw-whet owl banding demonstration will round out Saturday night. And, as always, count on plenty of fun and socializing with fellow Sierrans.
The Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter thanks our silent auction donors: Absolutely Art, American Players Theatre, B - Side Compact Discs, The Better World Club, Budget Bicycle Center, The Creamery,Creative Energy, Eagle Optics, Hong Kong Cafe, The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Just Coffee, Lamps USA, Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, Orange Tree Imports, Bob & Jody Palzer, Pielsticker Photos, The Progressive Magazine, A Room of One's Own Books and Gifts, The Vinery Stained Glass Studio, The Weary Traveler, and Whole Foods Market.
Please bid generously on these unique, eco-friendly items. It's a great way to support the Sierra Club - AND get your holiday shopping done early!
The Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter thanks our 2009 Autumn Assembly Sponsors:
Click here for highlights of last year's Autumn Assembly