New location leads to new exhibits, events

BY ANN ESHELMAN
Co-Chair, Sustainability Northwoods
Special to StarJournalNow.com

Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day?

For the seventh year, the Northwoods Sustainability Fair will be held on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. This year the fair is at a new location, Nicolet College’s Lakeside Center, Rhinelander.

More than 40 exhibitors are expected to attend, including organic farmers, local nature and wildlife protection groups, crafts people focusing on natural products, cheeses, bakeries, and other foods, plus a few surprises.

This year the theme of the fair is “If you build it . . . .” which honors the sustainable building trades that were the original focus of the annual activity. Exhibits will include home energy assessments, sustainable design, re-modeling and building, and even using environmentally safe products in interior home decorating, as well as sustainable landscaping.

In the evening a round table discussion led by John Brown from Gimme Shelter builders in Amherst, Wisconsin, will be held from 6–8 p.m. in the Nicolet Theatre.

Food will be available both during the day and the evening. In the evening, a gourmet dinner will be presented by the Big Easel Gallery and Bistro, Wabeno, with both dining in and carrying out available. The Earth Day Fair band will be playing from 4–6 p.m.

For more information, visit the Sustainability Fair website. 

The full schedule as follows:

SUSTAINABILITY FAIR 2017

Celebrating environmentally-conscious alternatives in the Northwoods

Special activities

11:30 a.m.  “What’s New in Solar Power?”  Presented by Marc DeBrock (MMK Solar Thermal) and Mark Yeager (Sun and Daughters) on recent innovations and best practices both in photovoltaic and in solar thermal home systems

1 p.m.  “Introduction to the Passive House—you can heat it with a hair dryer!” presented by award-winning passive home builder Randy Nilsson and home energy efficiency professional Rich Urban

2:15 p.m.  “Sustainability and Wildlife” presented by The Masked Biologist, as seen in the Northwoods Star Journal and heard on 91.7 FM WXPR  and on Facebook and Instagram

3:15 p.m. “Sustainability at Home” presented by Emma Schmidt,   on how many of the products we buy at the store are not only harmful for the environment but also have the potential to negatively impact our health.  Come learn how to make more natural alternatives to simple household products such as toothpaste, laundry soap, and bug spray!  Containers will be provided, or you can bring your own!

4:15 p.m. “Sustaining Wisconsin Bats”  presented by Joel Knutson, Wisconsin Bat Project, who works with all ages on heightening awareness of the value of bats in northern ecosystems as well as the threats facing bats. Visitors will be able to learn about bat monitoring programs, bat houses, and find out about the new “Bats on the Landscape” project, working with landowners to include bat-friendly habitats and roosts in planning for healthy shorelines and woodlands.

EVENING ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
6 p.m.
Nicolet Theater

Led by JOHN BROWN, Co-Owner of GIMME SHELTER CONSTRUCTION INC., an award-winning design-build construction company located in Amherst, WI.

They have been building high performance homes for over 25 years.  Their projects have been featured in Solar Power magazine and Home Power.  They have had intimate involvement with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association as a perennial workshop presenter and proud board members.

The company is recognized as an established authority on residential green building and continues to adapt modern building science as technology evolves.

Joined by area builders and green home building specialists.

EVENING ACTIVITIES

5:30– 7:30 p.m.  Featured gourmet meal presented by the Big Easel Bistro, Wabeno

4–6 p.m. Live Music presented by the Earth Day Band