The Sustainability Fair is held each year on Earth Day in Rhinelander. The fair is designed to showcase Northwoods organizations working toward a sustainable environment.
One of the displays Tuesday at ArtStart in downtown Rhinelander featured the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Their Sustainability Coordinator, Tansey Smith, says Earth Day and sustainability are everyday...
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".....we're using the resources everyday. We're sustaining on our resources to protect the resources for the next generation. Seven generations...it's very meaningful and it's very culturally related to us as Native American people..."
Smith says the tribe has been working toward installing alternative energy systems to run some tribal facilities. The tribe has a biodigester, used to turn waste from the food and beverage industries into energy...
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".....the biodigester is a biogas facility located in Milwaukee behind the Potawatomi Bingo Casino. It was created for fuel to create this clean, sustainable energy...."
Also, solar panels were installed at various office buildings. Smith says it shows a commitment to sustainability...
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"....the tribe has been committed to sustainability to developing the sustainability program which is leading the tribe's long term sustainability and climate change vision...."
About 30 exhibitors attended this year's fair.
