La Crosse community members gather for an art event and press conference to speak on local climate solutions

LA CROSSE – As part of its Build Back Better Wisconsin Month of Action, Wisconsin Conservation Voters is hosting a community art event and press conference on Thursday, Aug. 26. The community is coming together to speak out on local actions they are taking to combat climate change and asking Congress to invest in La Crosse’s future.

The community art gathering will begin at 12 p.m. followed by the press conference at 1 p.m. featuring clean energy leaders from the La Crosse area, including La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds, Casey Meehan, the Director of Sustainability and Resilience at Western Technical College, environmental activist Abby Siakpere, and K.C. Cayo, Student Vice President of UW-La Crosse and queer activist.

The Driftless area is already facing severe flooding, droughts, and many threats to safe drinking water. It is clear that we cannot wait to take action. Local citizens and children will be painting a handprinted banner and rock art with rocks from their homes along the Mississippi and Driftless area. These artworks will be brought to Rep. Ron Kind’s office to encourage him to invest in clean energy jobs locally.

During the press conference, local climate activists and elected officials will be talking about the pro-climate initiatives they are working on to protect La Crosse communities from the impacts of climate change and how we can protect our future generations.

WHAT: Painting La Crosse’s Future: Community Art Event and Press Conference. Link to Facebook event.

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 26. The community art event begins at 12 p.m. and the press conference begins at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Western Technical College at the Courtyard (Business Education Center and Integrated Technology Center), 400 7th St N La Crosse, WI 54601.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Mitch Reynolds (he/him), Mayor of La Crosse
• Casey Meehan (he/him), Director of Sustainability and Resilience at Western Technical College
• Abby Siakpere (she/they), UW-La Crosse student and environmental activist
• K.C. Cayo (they/theirs) Student Vice President of UW-La Crosse and queer activist

QUOTES:

Mitch Reynolds (he/him), Mayor of La Crosse said:
“As we have seen in our community, the need is extreme for sustainable solutions to ensure resiliency in clean water supplies and managing stormwater. Having access to federal funding through proposals like the Build Back Better Plan is critical to future health and environmental equity in La Crosse.”

Casey Meehan (he/him), Director of Sustainability and Resilience at Western Technical College said:

“Responding to the climate crisis now affords us the opportunity not only to create cleaner, healthier, and safer communities, but to do so by creating good paying, in-demand jobs that will benefit urban and rural areas alike.”

Abby Siakpere (she/they), UW-La Crosse student and environmental activist said:

“July 2021 was the hottest month on earth in history. Intense heat, widespread drought and torrential downpours have stressed our current infrastructure to the brink of collapse. Readily available resources previously taken for granted, like clean water are becoming scarce and members of our community, especially those in low-income communities and communities of color, are being left behind. Having access to a clean, sustainable and affordable water source in La Crosse has become a privilege, when it should be a basic human right.”

K.C. Cayo (they/theirs), Student Vice President of UW-La Crosse and queer activist said:

"No matter how many people cut out plastic straws, bags, or containers, no true climate change reversal is going to happen until large corporations do something to reduce their massive amounts of waste and CO2 emissions. We need all levels of government to support climate justice and climate crisis initiatives so we can create a future where everyone can live safely and freely."

Contact Ryan Billingham, Communications Director, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, 608-208-1129 (office), 608-213-6972 (mobile/text), or ryan@conservationvoters.org