Sustain Dane Programs
“The programs organized by Sustain Dane are truly some of the most informative, impactful, and inspiring. Topics are well thought out and are meticulously addressed. Every time I leave inspired to do more for our environment.”
Learn
Accelerate Sustainability Workshops
This half-day gathering is a leadership opportunity that connects you to the tools, people, and case studies you need to accelerate sustainability at your business or organization. The workshop will include information about how to harness incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. 100% of past program participants would recommend the workshop to a colleague. More about Accelerate Sustainability Workshops.
Sustainable Breakfast Series
Join us for breakfast as we highlight current sustainability topics through expert speakers, case studies, and skill-building opportunities. Connect with business leaders and individuals who care about integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability into their professional and personal actions. More about the Sustainable Breakfast Series.
Recycle Better
Have you ever paused at the recycling bin and wondered if what you’re throwing out is actually recyclable, or what will happen to it after it’s picked up? Then our award-winning Recycle Better program is made for you. More about the program.
Water Steward
Become a steward of our local waters with this course. We all use water every day and can all have an impact on clean water now and for future generations. More about the Water Steward program.
Lunch and Learn
Lunch and learns are midday virtual programs that deep dive into a specific sustainability topic, often something that is topical in the Madison and Dane County community. The programs are an educational and informational opportunity. More about the Lunch and Learn program.
Contractor Accelerator
The Contractor Accelerator Program is a partnership with Latino Academy of Workforce Development and Elevate that brings green energy job training opportunities to South Central Wisconsin.
All Around Dane County
Meet Sustain Dane members and sustainability enthusiasts as we visit communities throughout the county to learn from local leaders and get acquainted. More about All Around Dane County.
Lunchtime Networking
Join us to discuss your current sustainability successes and challenges with members of other established or emerging green teams and sustainability committees. Participate in welcoming peer-to-peer conversations, share best practices, and elevate your projects together. More about Lunchtime Networking.
Volunteering
Sustain Dane offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Volunteer offerings include trash pick up days, food pantry assistance, food scraps collection, and more. These are a great opportunity to give back to the community and connect with others in the Sustain Dane network.
One-on-One Support
Sustain Dane team members are available to present at your business or organization. We offer one-on-one support to address a specific sustainability project, as well as can connect you with a mentor from our network of past program participants. For more information email hello@sustaindane.org
Take Action
Farmers’ Market Food Scrap Collection
Bring your food scraps to our market collection sites to divert food waste from our landfills and participate in composting that regenerates soil for local farming. More about Food Scrap Collection.
Climate Actions
Join the 140+ Sustain Dane community members who have taken climate action. Share your story, browse stories from others, and choose from suggested actions in categories such as transportation, food, and investments. More about Climate Actions.
Restaurant Sustainability Network
Sustain Dane’s Restaurant Sustainability Network aims to bring awareness and action to food waste in local restaurants. The participating restaurants work with us to identify how and when food waste is created and set goals to reduce, repurpose, and divert wasted food. We are also compiling the food waste reduction practices they already employ into a best practices reference document for local restaurants. More about the network and how to join.
School Sustainability
Sustain Dane works with schools and students across Dane County to primarily focus on at-meals recycling and food waste education. This program increases understanding and participation in waste reduction while empowering students and staff as sustainability stewards. We also facilitate an annual reusable bag decorating project during April.
Efficiency Navigator
The Efficiency Navigator program helps small to medium-sized multifamily housing become more efficient, affordable, and resilient while reducing operating costs for owners and energy costs for residents. More about the Efficiency Navigator program.
Powerful Teen Leaders
Powerful Teen Leaders is a summer youth employment program for high schoolers living primarily on the Northside of Madison. They will engage with a curriculum that includes employment skills, leadership skills, community-building activities, S.T.E.M., climate change and sustainability, green jobs, financial literacy, and professional workshops from local businesses. More about the Powerful Teen Leaders program.
Upcoming Sustain Dane Programs
Past Programs
Sustain Dane has launched many programs that are interwoven in the fabric of Dane County sustainability, including the MPower Champions program. More about past programs.