Sustain Dane Programs
Sustain Dane programs help you prioritize and implement sustainability actions. We welcome you wherever you are in your sustainability journey and celebrate your unique experiences and perspectives.
Accelerate Sustainability Workshops
Our Accelerate Sustainability Workshop is a professional development opportunity designed to help you start sustainability initiatives at your organization whether you’re brand new to the subject or well versed. Grounded in current sustainability plans and research, this workshop presents best practices, local case studies, and changemaking strategies. You will leave with a clear action plan for your projects to make change at your organization. This workshop is building on the success of our MPower Program. Download workshop flyer. We surveyed participants in the 2020 workshops and 100% would recommend it to a colleague. Reach out to facilitator Lorenza Zebell to learn more. 2021 workshop dates:
Cohort 1
Thursday, February 25, 8:30—9:30AM
Thursday, March 25, 8:30—9:30AM
Cohort 2
Thursday, May 20, 8:30—9:30AM
Thursday, June 24, 8:30—9:30AM
“Sustain Dane is taking a holistic approach to sustainability in our community with programming for businesses, schools, and community members alike. We all have a responsibility to this community and this world and Sustain Dane is here to hold us accountable.”
—Alex Lindenmeyer, Short Stack Eatery
Sustainable Breakfast Series
The Sustainable Breakfast Series highlights current sustainability topics through expert speakers, case studies, and skill-building opportunities. Breakfast meetings are attended by regional business leaders and individuals who care about integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability into their professional and personal actions. Learn more and register:
Tuesday, January 26: Resiliency & Equity in Urban Water Systems
Tuesday, April 27: Sustainability in Food Systems
SBN members listen to presentation on UW-Health’s sustainability initiatives presented by Tom Thompson.
Speakers Jay A. Patel, Lauren Yang, and JD Stier at our “Sustainability & You = Social Impact” Sustainable Breakfast series meeting.
Members convene at the Wisconsin Energy Institute to explore issues surrounding environmental justice in our community.
Master Recycler
Become a recycling champion with our new program in partnership with the City of Madison. Learn the ins and outs of our local recycling system and get your recycling questions answered. The program will give you the tools you need to be a recycling ambassador for your organization and community.
Cohort 1
Wednesday, April 7, Noon—1:30PM
Wednesday, April 14, Noon—1:30PM
Cohort 2
Tuesday, July 13, 6:30PM—8:00PM
Tuesday, July 20, 6:30PM—8:00PM
Teleworking
We are working to understand the opportunities and challenges of long-term teleworking options as an important component of reducing vehicle miles traveled in Dane County. The Dane County Climate Action Plan targets a 15% reduction in vehicle miles traveled by 2050. Working with a cohort of local businesses, organizations, and individuals, we’re identifying teleworking best practices, equity considerations, and available tools for entities implementing telework and telecommuting policies. This program is developed in partnership with The Greater Madison MPO and made possible by Dane County’s Office of Energy and Climate Change’s Clean Energy Economic Development Grant Program.
Green Team Roundtables & Networking
Our Green Team Roundtables are lunchtime networking sessions designed to connect you with members of other established or emerging green teams and sustainability committees. Participate in peer-to-peer learning sessions, share best practices, overcome roadblocks, and elevate your projects to advanced levels. You will gain leadership, knowledge, and strengthen relationships with other members. Download program flyer.
Learn more and register:
“I support Sustain Dane because they multiply their impact through partnerships with businesses and communities promoting sustainability. Improving our environment and quality of life is a collaborative process.”
—Seth Nowak, Individual Member
Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Project (NOAH)
Through our NOAH Project, we engage with agency stakeholders, property owners and managers, and residents in a series of roundtable discussions to understand the challenges and opportunities to make the NOAH stock in Dane County more sustainable. Reducing energy use in Dane County’s NOAH housing stock is a key climate planning strategy, and providing owners and managers with the means to reduce operating costs is critical to maintaining the affordability of these units. Enhancing resident health and comfort, reducing utility bills, and providing resiliency for these homes is a key strategy to provide a more equitable and sustainable housing market.
Elevate Energy is our partner for this project.
Sustainability Stories
Sustain Dane’s Sustainability Stories platform amplifies the voices of people from different backgrounds, races, ages, genders and geographies that are working on and want to inspire others to build a more sustainable and inclusive community. Share your sustainability stories with us, and be inspired by other people’s stories.
Holly Hollister (left) and Dina Nina Martinez (right) share their stories at a Sustain Dane story slam.