Text Box: An outreach program of John Denver’s Windstar Foundation www.wisconsinwindstar.org www.wstar.org Text Box: Text Box: The Wisconsin Windstar Connection is a family-friendly organization with a mission to inspire people of all ages to act locally, make responsible choices and take direct personal action to achieve a peaceful and environmentally sustainable future. Through local environmentally-based projects and partnerships, the WWC creates opportunities for individuals and families to learn from each other while raising environmental awareness. This is the first of bi-monthly newsletters that will keep our members and others interested in the Windstar vision informed of current Text Box: and coming events. It is also a place to share environmental tips, projects and success stories. Fall is the time to plan for 2008 and work on increasing our membership and awareness on what the WWC and the Windstar Foundation is all about. Tell your friends, tell your family members, tell your co-workers. There is something for everyone to do that is at their own comfort level, environmental interest and within their own community. Working together we can, “Think globally and act locally.” Text Box: Welcome Text Box: EARTHcamp 2008 Text Box: Our main focus right now is getting an EARTHcamp 2008 off the ground. EARTHcamp is a unique daycamp program that encourages kids to hike, crawl, dig, sing and create their way towards learning about the land on which they live. This would be the very first EARTHcamp held in Wisconsin. At the WWC booth at the Renewable Energy Fair we received many positive and enthusiastic comments about Text Box: hosting an EARTHcamp somewhere in the state. The next step is selecting a location where we can offer this great daycamp program to a youth population who will benefit. We also need to coordinate our volunteers, instructors and staff from Windstar who have offered to come and assist in the running of this inaugural event. If you can help, please let us know! Text Box: Coming events: Sunday, November 4 A Wisconsin Windstar Connection meeting at Marsh Haven Nature Center, Hwy. 49 between Waupun and Brownsville. It’s right near the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Refuge. Meeting starts at 2 p.m. and snacks and beverages will be served. Join us as we plan events for the coming year, and take in views of the scenic marsh in the fall. Everyone is welcome, members, non-members and friends, come and find out more information on the WWC and John Denver’s Windstar Foundation. “Together we can make a world of difference.” - John Denver

HELP WANTED

EARTHcamp Coordinator—Are you a teacher, retired educator or just someone who loves nature and working with youth? We need someone like you to take on the task of working with the Windstar Foundation to develop the WWC EARTHcamp in 2008. The curriculum is in place and we have staff from the Foundation coming to help us, we just need someone to take on the coordinating, planning and details for this wonderful opportunity.

LOCATION– Do you have a facility that would accommodate 20-30 youth in a daycamp setting to learn about and experience nature hands-on?

INSTRUCTORS— Do you have a special skill to share that would help our youth understand more about themselves and their connection with the environment? Would you be willing to spend half a day teaching this skill?

Please contact Renee with questions about these volunteer positions—thank you!

(920) 318-9518

Wisconsin Windstar Connection News
Text Box: An outreach program of John Denver’s Windstar Foundation www.wisconsinwindstar.org www.wstar.org Text Box: Text Box: January 2008 Text Box: Wisconsin Windstar Connection News Text Box: With this issue of the Connection News it is time to look ahead to 2008. A brand new year—new ideas, new members, a new resolve to make a positive impact on the sustainability of our planet. Goals for 2008: Summer EARTHcamp at Marsh Haven Nature Center, Waupun for school-age children Educational booth at the Renewable Energy Fair—June 20-22, 2008 Workshops on composting, water conservation, birdhouse construction, recycled crafts for kids...sharing the talents of WWC members and educating the public Gain many enthusiastic new members Text Box: Build the website into an educational resource for teachers/parents Educational booth with hands-on activities for kids at local family and environmental-themed events Build Connection Circles so members feel empowered to take on local environmental issues in their own communities Partner with local organizations to assist communities throughout the state in creating educational events that promote sustainability The Wisconsin Windstar Connection needs you to make these goals a reality. Won’t you join us by sharing your time and talents to make our future a more peaceful and sustainable one? Text Box: Welcome the New Year Text Box: “ I see more clearly now what I can do about (the Earth’s needs), and I see that it needs doing as I live my life, daily, reverently. This isn’t the reverence of “holier than thou,” it’s the reverence that says, “Do thyself no harm, for we are all here together.” Not you or me, but you and me." - John Denver Text Box: Mission: The Wisconsin Windstar Connection is a family-friendly organization with a mission to inspire people of all ages to act locally, make responsible choices and take direct personal action to achieve a peaceful and environmentally sustainable future. Through local environmentally-based projects and partnerships, the WWC creates opportunities for individuals and families to learn from each other while raising environmental awareness. “Together we can make a world of difference.” - John Denver

Looking Back…

What we did in 2007

As part of the Wisconsin Windstar Connection’s Annual Report we include a listing of 2007 accomplishments:

· Meetings at the following scenic and educational locations: UW Arboretum, Madison; International Crane Foundation, Baraboo; ReNew the Earth Institute, Custer; Paradise Springs, Eagle; and Marsh Haven Nature Center, Waupun.

· Educational booth at the Renewable Energy Fair in June.

· Recycling Made Easy flyer distributed through Beaver Dam Community Library

· Guest on “Public Report” local cable show discussing environmental tips for families

· Launched website -wisconsinwindstar.org

· Volunteered at the “Move Some Earth Day” cleanup at ReNew the Earth Institute

· Launched bi-monthly newsletter