RECONNECT & REENERGIZE. Eau Claire's forthcoming Earth Week Earth Fest event, slated for April 18 at The Sonnentag Center (1075 Menomonie St., Eau Claire), will feature immersive workshops, activities like yoga and off-site "field trips." The decision to relocate the festival was driven by the venue's green building certifications, carbon neutrality accolades and more. (Submitted photo)

April’s arrival in Eau Claire often signals its residents to focus on on the city and county’s environmental initiatives. As Earth Day draws near, county stakeholders, area universities and small businesses will come together to organize accessible events to share their goals outward.

With these goals in mind, the former “Earth Week Open House,” previously hosted in late April at the Brewing Projekt in downtown Eau Claire, will transform into the “Eau Claire Earth Fest” on Saturday, April 18 at The Sonnentag Center (1075 Menomonie St., Eau Claire).

This rebranding effort involves the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the Joining Our Neighbors Advancing Hope (JONAH) Environmental Task Force, Eau Claire County staff and other community businesses and entities.

Regan Watts, the recycling and sustainability program manager for Eau Claire County, has often served as a coordinator the former open house series and now, brings new visions to the Eau Claire Earth Fest on behalf of the county.

The decision to relocate the festival was primarily driven by the Sonnentag Complex’s green building certifications, carbon neutrality accolades – including its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status – and the other science and technology amenities within the space.

This move will also allow for future growth and a wider range of interactive activities for guests, Watts added.

"When you talk about having these community events – the strongest outcome is what do we do after and how do we continue this momentum beyond just the day of the event."

REGAN WATTS

RECYCLING & SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER, EAU CLAIRE COUNTY

“(Eau Claire Earth Fest is) a great opportunity to connect with people who are interested in similar issues,” Watts said of its accessible entry points to subjects in the umbrella of sustainability. “It is just a good opportunity to say, ‘what else can we do?’ Or, ‘what’s really happening in our community?’ ”

The planning team for the day-long festival consists of approximately 12 individuals from various organizations, including the county’s recycling program, Beaver Creek Reserve, the UW-Eau Claire Student and Administrative Offices of Sustainability, among other small businesses with an environmental focus.

Eau Claire Earth Fest will be held at The Sonnentag for the first time later this month.

Since March of last year, planners have ideated interactive workshop opportunities with an intent to immerse locals within the social, economic and environmental tiers of sustainability – pillars which coincide with Eau Claire’s collective goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

For Lily Strehlow, the sustainability coordinator for UW-Eau Claire, her work lies at the nexus of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and the externalities of these phenomena on communities.

At a broader level – and as an organizer for the Eau Claire Earth Fest – Strehlow works to ensure the Chippewa Valley has ample resources to implement sustainability initiatives at the area university and beyond.

“When JONAH and the County of Eau Claire approached me with the goal of re-imagining the Earth Month Open House at the Sonnentag, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to better connect the Chippewa Valley with our campus community,” Strehlow said. 

“Our curriculum and research teach students how to use critical thinking and identify solutions to wicked problems like climate change,” she continued.

Attendees of all ages are encouraged to participate in its special programming, Strehlow said. The Sonnentag Complex will host specialized workshops to showcase environmental justice concepts, as well as yoga classes within its recreation facilities.

In addition, off-site field trips are planned for nearby locations such as Braun’s Bay and the Town of Union Conservancy.

Strehlow and Watts both believe these workshops are intended to serve a launchpad for anyone who wishes to continue their environmental education or volunteer with area organizers, who will help maintain these sustainability goals after the one-day event concludes.

“I have connected with so many people, learned about great work that is happening (locally) and how we might be able to leverage the work that people are doing in a better way to benefit the community,” Watts said. 

“When you talk about having these community events – the strongest outcome is what do we do after and how do we continue this momentum beyond just the day of the event,” she continued.

Eau Claire Earth Fest will remain free for the public to attend, with special emphasis on alternative modes of transit to get there – a value which remains from the former Earth Week Open House.

This is your chance to savor the trails which run along the Chippewa River and take you right to the Sonnentag Center by walking or biking to the event!

Eau Claire Earth Fest is free to attend, slated for April 18 at The Sonnentag Center (1075 Menomonie St., Eau Claire). Visit the Eau Claire Earth Fest webpage online, to view the complete schedule of special programming and special workshops available for attendees.