June 11: The Role of Land Trusts in Your Community

Thursday, June 11
6 PM at Water Street Grille (1410 3^rd St, Stevens Point)

Featuring:
Betsy Kerlin, Executive Director
North Central Conservancy Trust

Central Wisconsin enjoys the aesthetic mix of open farmland, forests, wetlands, and lakes, with smaller towns and villages that nearly everyone finds appealing. These rural landscapes often provide wildlife habitat, ecological services, and recreational opportunities that enhance the lives of residents. Decisions made by private landowners on these rural landscapes can have long-reaching impacts on the ecological, social, and economic benefits rural landscapes provide all stakeholders. Further, over the next 20 years, most of central Wisconsin’s privately owned land will be passed on to the next generation.

As large properties are split up and sold as individual lots, impervious surfaces grow, non-point source pollution increases, habitats and viewsheds are affected (sometimes permanently), and the number of landowners controlling the management on these fragmented pieces multiplies. To counter this dilemma, land trusts have emerged as a powerful, non-governmental interest that have the potential to promote permanent conservation.

Come learn more about North Central Conservancy Trust, Stevens Point’s local land trust, and the role NCCT plays in the permanent protection of central Wisconsin’s rural landscapes.

RSVP by posting a comment below, or by contacting Betsy (edncct@gmail.com) or Nathan (nathan.sandwick@ces.uwex.edu).

May 29: Ideas for Safe and Vibrant Streets

Friday, May 29

6 PM at Tokyo Steakhouse (1617 Academy Ave., Stevens Point)

Sizzling meals could compliment dialogue and perhaps command some of our attention during this particular Point and a Pint! session that is sure to test the limits of informality and spontaneity for such an hour intended to be educational and constructive. Join Aaron Kadoch, Tori Jennings, Trevor Rourk and others as we talk about a variety of street design options for Stevens Point. We’ll begin by recalling some of the thoughtful critiques and suggestions shared by Strong Towns founder Chuck Marohn upon his visit to Stevens Point last month. It will then be interesting to see what ideas for local experimentation or orchestration of an ‘open streets’ event may emerge.  You (everyone) are warmly invited to bring your perspectives to the discussion - whether you bring an understanding of people in social settings, experience as a parent, design know-how, financial sense, a finger on the pulse of the community, or just a healthy appetite for food and conversation.

RSVP by posting a comment below, or by contacting Nathan (nathan.sandwick@ces.uwex.edu).

April 16: Talk about LIFE (Learning Is ForEver) with Ron Weseloh

Thursday, April 16
6 PM at Hilltop Pub & Grill Restaurant (4901 Main St., Stevens Point)

All are welcome to join this informal talk to connect with Ron Weseloh and to discuss and find out about the many different classes available to adult learners in the community through the LIFE program.

LIFE (Learning Is ForEver) is a membership based organization of adult learners providing an opportunity to share learning experiences and discover new joys.  It is sponsored by UW - Stevens Point and hosted by UWSP Continuing Education and Outreach.  LIFE can enrich your life.

Participants will learn what LIFE has to offer them. For example, more than 90 classes are offered each semester on a wide variety of topics, including art, nature, music, philosophy, drama, science politics and history.  Also, participants may want to share their expertise by teaching a LIFE class.

Ron serves on the Board of Directors as the officer for membership and promotion.

RSVP by posting a comment below, or by contacting Ron (weseloh@wi-net.com) or Nathan (nathan.sandwick@ces.uwex.edu).

March 19: Public Session - Idea Exchange at Scarobocchio

March 19 @ 6:00 pm at Scarabocchio Art Museum (800 Main Street, Stevens Point)

You’re invited to join ReVisioning Point, Arts Alliance of Portage County, Portage County Can, and others for a special public session and exchange of ideas on strategies to enhance the livability, appearance, and long-term economy of Stevens Point.

This is an opportunity for anyone to connect - over light refreshments - with leaders of several local initiatives to improve quality of life in Stevens Point and Portage County. This special public session and exchange of ideas is organized and hosted by several local groups that seek to enhance the livability, appearance, and long-term economy of Stevens Point. It will be somewhat like recent "A Point and A Pint" events where plenty of discussion, exchange of ideas, and networking around opportunities follows a short introductory talk about ideas or possibilities related to community development. Differences are that there will be a few speakers and topics; they might use a few powerpoint slides; and some light refreshments will be provided at no charge. Featured discussants (and their association or topic area) include include Ann Huntoon (CWSO), Nathan Sandwick (Portage County UWEX), Greg Wright (Arts Alliance of Portage County), Annie Wetter (Portage County Can), Tori Jennings, Garrett Ryan and Aaron Kadoch (ReVisioning Point).

January 29: Northwest Earth Institute Discussion-and-Action Groups Forming Locally

6 PM at Point After (801 Second St., Stevens Point)

The concept of sustainability is the over-arching theme for a series of small discussion/action groups that will be offered to our community starting this winter. In these groups, people concerned about sustainable use of resources and the future impact of climate change are invited to share their insights and explore possible action projects using guidebooks published by the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI) in Portland, OR.

Readings in these guides are engaging and brief while offering interesting and in-depth information. Discussions are shaped by the values, experiences and feelings of the participants - who find these groups helpful and energizing.

This Point and a Pint! gathering, led by Leo Jacoby, will serve as one of several community informational meetings about the upcoming discussion groups, and about the opportunity for anyone to join a group as they take shape. Two such informational meetings have already taken place at Portage County Main Library in downtown Stevens Point. Two more informational meetings on the UWSP campus are coming up on January 27th - one at noon in room 110 at the Daniel O. Trainer Natural Resources (TNR) building, and another at 7 pm in room 372 at the TNR, (see campus map.)

If you’re not able to attend one of these meetings but would like to have more information or join a group please contact Mary Maller at 715-544-4859 or Leo Jacoby at 715-341-2790 or discuss on the Central Wisconsin Earth Institute facebook page.

Possible themes for this round of groups could include (not limited to): Choices for Sustainable Living OR Menu for the Future OR Voluntary Simplicity.

December 18: Engaging Citizens in Local Government, Shaping Stevens Point

6 PM at Kristin's Riverwalk (1140 Clark St., Stevens Point)

Elected local government officials often receive input from citizens. At times local decision-makers might struggle to find the patience to hear what citizens have to say; and other times they might actively seek constructive input from many citizens. Now through at least January is certainly a time when citizens of Stevens Point are called to get involved in the current comprehensive planning effort and provide input that may help to shape their neighborhoods and the City of Stevens Point.

At this special learning hour, a discussion about citizen engagement in Stevens Point will be led by Kyle Kearns, Economic Development Specialist and Associate Planner for the City of Stevens Point. Kyle will describe Stevens Point’s progression from historic efforts to accommodate citizen attendance in local government proceedings to the latest efforts going on right now to actively seek input from citizens and engage people in a friendly manner.

Prominent among the City’s current proactive efforts are eleven neighborhood meetings designed to encourage citizens to provide input for the comprehensive planning update that is now underway. Beyond these neighborhood meetings, the overall public participation process for this comprehensive planning effort includes public hearings, information and questionnaire on the City’s website, open house meetings, committee meetings, television, media and press releases, presentation to professional and civic groups, and one-on-one meetings with government and public service officials.

More than a thoughtful discussion of best practice for open and responsive decision-making in local government, this learning hour is a chance for you to learn directly from Kyle a little more about the immediate opportunities for people to get engaged right now in a meaningful way to help shape the future of Stevens Point.

Important note: The upcoming neighborhood meetings are set for the evenings of December 17^th, January 8^th, and January 26^th in various locations (details here). It is at these neighborhood meetings and other communication channels convened by the city government that your ideas will be heard.

September 12: Bike-Share Systems to Get From Point to Point

The essence of bike-share is simple: anyone can pick up a bike in one place and return it to another. Bike-share programs have been emerging and growing rapidly throughout the world in recent years, and more than 600 cities now have their own bike-share systems, (source: Bike-Share Planning Guide, ITDP, 2013).

Bike-share systems may offer different locations to pick-up and to return a bike. This introduces a flexible transportation option for local trips. For example, you can drive to work and bike to lunch on the same day. Not having to return the bike to its original location may simplify travel and increase independence in many cases where you might otherwise need to ask for a ride. You can fluidly diverge and connect with people, leave one vehicle here, and make use of transit or carpooling opportunities to get there - all without the worry of being stuck somewhere without access to a vehicle. A bike-share system can be as useful to tourists and visitors as it is to local residents.

Jean Rosekrans and Carol Davis will share their experiences working to develop the River Riders Bike Share program that is forming in Wisconsin Rapids this year with a broad base of community support and partners. We'll also talk about other new developments and opportunities in this region, as well as characteristics of different bike-share systems and how they work.