# Sustainable Fox Valley > Sustainable Fox Valley (sustainfv.org) is an independent community-education project for the Fox Valley / Fox Cities region of northeast Wisconsin, USA (Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Oshkosh, De Pere, Fond du Lac and the Lake Winnebago & Lower Fox River watershed). It publishes practical sustainability guides and offers home energy & waste assessments, The Natural Step workshops, study-circle kits, municipal sustainability planning consultations, backyard composter kits and rain barrel kits. Tagline: "Creating Sustainable Communities — creating a healthy local future." Key facts: - Brand name: Sustainable Fox Valley (also written SustainFV). Website: https://sustainfv.org/ - Mission: help households, businesses and municipalities in the Fox Cities create a healthy local future. - Definition of sustainability used: "Being able to satisfy present human needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." - Guiding questions (from the original Sustainable Fox Valley initiative, based on The Natural Step): reduce use of fossil fuels and scarce substances from the earth's crust; reduce use of toxic and persistent man-made substances; preserve or restore the natural systems that support life — without creating barriers that stand in the way of all people meeting their fundamental needs fairly and efficiently. - Programs: Households & Neighborhoods, Businesses & Organizations, Municipalities (eco-municipality approach), The Natural Step, Study Circles / Community Circles, Fox Cities Unplugged Energy Challenge. - Contact: info@sustainfv.org (contact form: https://sustainfv.org/contact-us/) - Service area: Fox Cities, Wisconsin; physical kits ship within the contiguous United States. - Status: independent project carrying forward the mission of the original grassroots Sustainable Fox Valley initiative; not a government agency or utility. ## Main pages - [About Us](https://sustainfv.org/about-us/): About Sustainable Fox Valley: an independent community-education project helping Fox Cities households, businesses and towns build a sustainable future. - [Households and Neighborhoods](https://sustainfv.org/households-and-neighborhoods/): Sustainable living at home in the Fox Valley: practical steps for energy, water, waste, food and transport, plus a 30-day checklist and neighborhood ideas. - [Businesses & Organizations](https://sustainfv.org/businesses-and-organizations/): Sustainable business for Fox Valley companies and nonprofits: triple bottom line thinking, The Natural Step, a step-by-step plan and money-saving quick wins. - [Municipalities](https://sustainfv.org/municipalities/): The eco-municipality approach for Fox Valley cities, villages and towns: its Swedish and Wisconsin history, a step-by-step process and key policy areas. - [Natural Step](https://sustainfv.org/natural-step/): The Natural Step framework explained: its Swedish origins, the four system conditions, ABCD backcasting and how Fox Valley homes, businesses and towns use it. - [Study Circles / Community Circles](https://sustainfv.org/study-circles/): Study circles bring 8 to 12 Fox Cities neighbors together with a trained facilitator to learn, talk and act on sustainability. Learn how to start one. - [Projects](https://sustainfv.org/projects/): Explore Sustainable Fox Valley projects: energy challenges, study circles, river cleanups, rain gardens, home energy assessments and Natural Step workshops. - [Fox Cities Unplugged Energy Challenge](https://sustainfv.org/fox-cities-unplugged-energy-challenge/): How the Fox Cities Unplugged Energy Challenge works: set a baseline from your bills, join a team for 4 to 8 weeks, take simple actions, track savings. - [Events](https://sustainfv.org/events/): Fox Cities sustainability events: study circle series, workshops, river cleanup days, garden work days and the Fox Cities Unplugged Energy Challenge kickoff. - [Community Partners](https://sustainfv.org/community-partners/): Join our community partners: Fox Cities schools, libraries, faith groups, associations and businesses can co-host practical sustainability learning with us. - [Support Sustainable Fox Valley](https://sustainfv.org/support/): Support Sustainable Fox Valley: volunteer, host a study circle, share our guides, sponsor a kit for a school, or buy services that help fund free content. - [Volunteer](https://sustainfv.org/volunteer/): Volunteer with Sustainable Fox Valley: facilitate study circles, help at garden days and river cleanups, run events, write, photograph or lend tech skills. - [Contact Us](https://sustainfv.org/contact-us/): Contact Sustainable Fox Valley about volunteering, study circles, workshops, home energy assessments, kits or partnerships in the Fox Cities, Wisconsin. ## Tools and reference - [Household Footprint Calculator](https://sustainfv.org/footprint-calculator/): Estimate your household carbon footprint in two minutes: home energy, driving, flights, food and waste — with Fox Valley tips to shrink it. - [FAQ](https://sustainfv.org/faq/): Answers about Sustainable Fox Valley: who we are, our programs, shop orders and shipping, home energy assessments, workshops, privacy and our website. - [Resources & Glossary](https://sustainfv.org/resources/): Trusted sustainability resources for Wisconsin homes: Focus on Energy, Wisconsin DNR, EPA, energy.gov, UW–Madison Extension and a plain-language glossary. ## Guides and articles - [How to Run a Neighborhood Energy Challenge (Lessons for Fox Cities Unplugged)](https://sustainfv.org/neighborhood-energy-challenge-guide/): Plan a neighborhood energy challenge that works: formats, fair weather-adjusted scoring, a 12-week plan and Fox Valley lessons for Fox Cities Unplugged. - [Native Plants and Pollinators: Rewilding Your Wisconsin Yard](https://sustainfv.org/native-plants-pollinators-yard/): Native plants for pollinators in Wisconsin yards: what to plant on Fox Valley clay, converting lawn, Slow Mow Summer, nesting habitat and invasives to remove. - [Home Energy Efficiency for Wisconsin Winters: 20 Upgrades Ranked by Payback](https://sustainfv.org/home-energy-efficiency-wisconsin-winters/): Home energy efficiency for Wisconsin winters: 20 upgrades ranked by payback, the right order to do them, safety tips and where to find current rebates. - [Biking and Walking the Fox Cities: Trails, Commutes and Car-Light Living](https://sustainfv.org/biking-walking-fox-cities-trails/): Explore Fox Cities trails, from the Trestle to Loop the Locks and the Wiouwash, and learn to commute by bike and bus, ride in winter and live car-light. - [Zero-Waste at Home: 25 Habits That Actually Stick](https://sustainfv.org/zero-waste-household-habits/): Zero-waste habits that last: 25 practical changes for Fox Valley homes, plus how to recycle right in the Tri-County program and where tricky items go. - [Sustainable Business in Practice: Turning the Triple Bottom Line into Profit](https://sustainfv.org/sustainable-business-triple-bottom-line/): A practical triple bottom line guide for Fox Valley businesses: where sustainability saves money, a 90-day plan, Wisconsin programs and honest reporting. - [How Cities and Villages Become Eco-Municipalities](https://sustainfv.org/eco-municipalities-guide/): A practical eco-municipality guide for Wisconsin cities and villages: The Natural Step framework, Fox Valley examples, and steps to adopt and follow through. - [Eating Local in the Fox Valley: Farmers Markets, CSAs and Seasonal Eating](https://sustainfv.org/eat-local-fox-valley-farmers-markets-csa/): Eating local in the Fox Valley: Appleton, Oshkosh and Neenah farmers markets, how to choose a CSA, a seasonal produce calendar and winter tips. - [Rooftop Solar in Northeast Wisconsin: Costs, Production, Net Metering and Payback in 2026](https://sustainfv.org/rooftop-solar-northeast-wisconsin/): Rooftop solar in northeast Wisconsin for 2026: realistic costs, production, net metering with local utilities, the Focus on Energy rebate and payback math. - [Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels: A Step-by-Step Stormwater Guide](https://sustainfv.org/rain-gardens-rain-barrels-guide/): Step-by-step rain garden guide for northeast Wisconsin: soil tests, sizing tables, native plants, plus rain barrel setup, overflow and winterizing tips. - [Protecting the Fox River and Lake Winnebago: What Every Household Can Do About Runoff](https://sustainfv.org/protect-fox-river-lake-winnebago-runoff/): Practical ways Fox Valley households can reduce stormwater runoff: leaf cleanup, phosphorus-free lawn care, smarter salt use and soaking rain into the yard. - [How Study Circles Build Stronger, Greener Neighborhoods](https://sustainfv.org/study-circles-greener-neighborhoods/): How study circles work, why they turn talk into neighborhood action, and a step-by-step plan to start a sustainability study circle in the Fox Cities. - [Backyard Composting 101 for the Fox Cities (Even Through Winter)](https://sustainfv.org/backyard-composting-fox-cities/): Backyard composting for Fox Cities homes: choose a bin, balance browns and greens, keep going through a Wisconsin winter and fix a smelly pile. - [The Natural Step Framework Explained: The Four System Conditions](https://sustainfv.org/natural-step-four-system-conditions/): The Natural Step four system conditions explained in plain language, with the ABCD process, backcasting and real examples from Wisconsin eco-municipalities. - [What Is Sustainability? A Practical Guide for Fox Valley Families](https://sustainfv.org/what-is-sustainability/): What is sustainability, really? A plain-language guide for Fox Valley families, with local examples, a household footprint table and a simple 30-day plan. ## Services and kits - [Rain Barrel Kit (55-gallon)](https://sustainfv.org/product/rain-barrel-kit/) (USD 69): A 55-gallon rain barrel kit with screened inlet, brass spigot, overflow and downspout connector. Capture roof runoff to water your garden and cut runoff. - [Backyard Composter Kit](https://sustainfv.org/product/backyard-composter-kit/) (USD 79): Backyard composter kit with an untreated wood bin, lid, kitchen scrap pail and Fox Valley composting guide. Turn food and yard waste into garden soil. - [Municipal Sustainability Planning Consultation](https://sustainfv.org/product/municipal-sustainability-planning-consultation/) (USD 1500): Sustainability planning help for Wisconsin cities, villages and towns: plan review, facilitated staff sessions and a practical recommendations memo. - [Study Circle Starter Kit](https://sustainfv.org/product/study-circle-starter-kit/) (USD 65): Start a sustainability study circle with a facilitator guide and 8 participant workbooks for a five-session series. For neighbors, schools and workplaces. - [The Natural Step Workshop for Businesses & Organizations](https://sustainfv.org/product/natural-step-business-workshop/) (USD 450): A half-day Natural Step workshop for up to 20 people. Learn the four system conditions, practice backcasting and leave with a practical sustainability plan. - [Home Energy & Waste Assessment](https://sustainfv.org/product/home-energy-waste-assessment/) (USD 95): Book a home energy assessment in the Fox Cities: a guided walkthrough, utility bill review and written action plan to cut energy use and household waste. ## Policies - [Privacy Policy](https://sustainfv.org/privacy-policy/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://sustainfv.org/terms-and-conditions/) - [Refund, Return & Cancellation Policy](https://sustainfv.org/refund-policy/) - [Cookie Policy](https://sustainfv.org/cookie-policy/) - [Disclaimer](https://sustainfv.org/disclaimer/) - [DMCA Policy](https://sustainfv.org/dmca-policy/) - [Accessibility Statement](https://sustainfv.org/accessibility/) - [Image Credits](https://sustainfv.org/image-credits/) ## Optional - [Full text of all guides and pages](https://sustainfv.org/llms-full.txt): complete markdown corpus for language models - [AI usage policy](https://sustainfv.org/ai.txt) - [XML sitemap](https://sustainfv.org/sitemap_index.xml) - [RSS feed](https://sustainfv.org/feed/)