City Unveils First-Ever List of Green Honorees

Tom Giffey |

The Sustainable Eau Claire Awards live up to their name in more ways than one. The awards, which were given out for the first time ever on April 22, were created to “recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that are making a difference and creating a more sustainable Eau Claire.” The awards are also literally sustainable: They were crafted from reused city trees by Eco Urban Timber. In addition, the city forestry department will plan five trees in honor of each winner. And speaking of winners, they include a wide range of businesses, groups, and individuals who are committed to making Eau Claire cleaner and greener. Winners, listed by category, include: Lynn Thompson, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative (Energy, Renewables, Efficiency or Conservation); SDS Architects (Environmental Education); Mike and Connie Olson, Micon Cinemas (Exception Natural Resources Steward); Zach Halmstsad and Pablo Properties (Green Building Design); Earthbound Environmental Solutions (Green Products or Practices); David Duax (Special Award); Student National Environmental Health Association, UW-Eau Claire (Student Leadership); Rod Bonesteel (Sustainable City Staff); Jeremy Gragert (Transportation Innovations); REACH Inc. and Phillips Medisize-Phillips Medical-Eau Claire (Waste Reduction, Composting or Recycling). To learn more about the awards program, visit eauclairewi.gov and search for “Sustainable Eau Claire Awards.”