Testimonials

“It was nice to have the group structure, readings and discussion questions provided, with the understanding that those could be a stepping-stone to other topics.” - Voluntary Simplicity course participant

“I’ve lived in Dane County for 40 years and have been involved in a variety of activities, but the discussion group caused me to take a closer look. I came away with a greater appreciation for the land that surrounds us and I got to know some very nice people whose interests I share.”- Discovering a Sense of Place course participant

“I liked the fact there was such diverse background and that in itself brought just as many different opinions.  It opened my eyes to many areas of my life I know need improvement and gave me the inspiration to do something about it.  I also met some great people!!” - Discovering a Sense of Place course participant

“It (the course) has made many goals I had for me and my children seem not only possible, but also necessary. I am experiencing a renewed feeling of conviction that we can live our lives according to our values and we don’t have to give in to peer pressure or commercials.” - Healthy Children, Healthy Planet course participant

“Like many mid-sized companies, our office shares a distant sense of community. It wasn’t until I sat down with a diverse group of coworkers to take on the Choices for Sustainable Living discussion course that I felt a real connection with people at work. What I found so refreshing is the optimistic perspective that the discussion course gives." - Choices for Sustainable Living course participant

"I developed a much clearer sense of how place is a foundation in my life through this course. It matters more than many other things (career, school). Though place has been a theme for me since birth, I had not full acknowledged its importance in my life before this class." - Discovering a Sense of Place course participant

“The discussion was great in that there was no judgment--it celebrated the small steps our family had already taken, and gave us encouragement to do a little more,” - Healthy Children, Healthy Planet course participant

Results

Other outcomes include the following specific actions initiated by discussion course participants with assistance from Sustain Dane:

• The Natural Step for Communities study circle has increased visibility for sustainable community development. In Feb 2005, The Madison Common Council adopted The Natural Step as the guiding sustainability framework for the Madison’s Sustainable Design and Energy Committee and will be hosting a training of up to 30 employees on The Natural Step this fall. Over eight cities in the United States have already offered these study circles in their own communities.


• Give Away Take Away Day – Course participants at the First United Methodist Church created a project for citizens to donate unnecessary, unused, unwanted, or distracting “stuff,” while helping others who need assistance acquire useful items for free.


• Home Savings Bank - This corporate participant now offers a Green Choices Checking program and a Green Rewards Loan program. They have built Wisconsin ’s first LEED-certified bank.
  


• Rain Barrel Project - Inspired by the examples of Swedish citizens and communities highlighted in the study circles, Sustain Dane volunteers launched the Rain Barrel project. To date more than 400 Rain Barrels have been ordered through Sustain Dane, over 100 volunteers have participated, and the project may become a substantial fundraiser and outreach tool for more courses.
  

Articles

If you want to start a course in your neighborhood, center of faith or workplace, contact Sustain Dane at info@sustaindane.org or call 608.819.0689. We will guide you through the process and provide support and information to get you started.

Places

Several courses have been offered in communities, centers of faith and workplaces around the Madison area:

Courses have also been offered in 550 communities nationwide. See if there is a group in your area