Celebrating Sustainably: How We Approached the Summer Solstice Soirée

At the Urban Ecology Center, sustainability isn't just something we talk about. It is a practice we strive to live out. This commitment comes with its share of challenges, particularly given that traditional non-profit practices like fundraising galas typically carry heavy environmental footprints.

Each year, the UEC hosts the Summer Solstice Soirée, our annual fundraiser filled with celebrations and connections with a goal to raise vital funds for the organization. To minimize the environmental impact of this event, our development team makes intentional, eco-friendly choices for every detail, from table centerpieces to the desserts served. While stories, community, and our mission take center stage during the event, a multitude of deliberate behind-the-scenes decisions work quietly to ensure the evening is much gentler on the planet. 

A Green Venue

The Soirée was held at Prairie Springs on Park, our own all-electric, solar-powered event space. Hosting our gala there allowed the event to benefit the environment before the first guest stepped through the door, utilizing renewable energy at every turn.

Homemade Experiences and Games

Instead of using imported bouquets (which can generate up to 30 kgs of CO2 each, equivalent to driving 70 miles in a gas-powered car) our table centerpieces were crafted using repurposed glass jars and plants clipped straight from a backyard garden. No single-use packaging, no shipping emissions, just a little creativity and a lot of heart.

Our fundraising game, roots and branches (UEC’s version of heads or tails) uses reusable “wood cookie” necklaces as a ticket. These wood discs (“cookies”) are made with scrap wood from a local furniture store.

A Plant-Forward Menu

When it comes to dinner at events, the carbon footprint can add up quickly. Over the years, we have implemented incremental improvements to minimize our environmental impact, such as partnering with green caterers, transitioning to seated dinners to curb food waste, front and back of the kitchen composting, and utilizing sustainable single-use alternatives when reusables are impractical. 

Striving for even greater progress, we decided to try a new approach this year. We introduced a plant-forward menu designed with guidance from Greener by Default, an organization that helps institutions make plant-forward food the default while still giving diners the freedom to choose. A huge thank you to their team! We couldn't have approached this as thoughtfully without them.

Together with our caterer, Brazen Standard Hospitality, we crafted a menu featuring vegan salads and desserts, entirely vegetarian appetizers, and a default entrée of portabella mushroom with mozzarella, while still offering a meat choice.

Of the 230 guests at the Soirée, 122, more than half, chose the vegetarian entrée. That's meaningful. This highlights how small, intentional shifts in our food choices can yield a real environmental impact. We also gained a valuable new perspective, learning that cheese is the third-highest-emitting animal-based product. Even small, thoughtful shifts in what we put on the plate can add up to real impact. These insights give us excellent food for thought (pun intended!) as we plan our next Solstice event.

Composting Food Waste

We contracted with Compost Crusaders to handle all food waste from the evening, ensuring nothing headed to the landfill. It's a behind-the-scenes choice that nobody sees, but one that matters enormously.

Reducing Single-Use Plastics

This year we were intentional about reducing single-use plastics throughout the event. A great example was our dessert partner, Chillwaukee, who made shaved ice fresh on site with no pre-packaged, plastic-wrapped product, and served it in fully compostable bowls with compostable spoons. From first scoop to last, virtually no waste. And it was delicious!

Reducing Print

We leaned on Prairie Springs' screens to display information we might otherwise have printed, including the evening's timeline, which in past years would have sat on every table as a paper program. Small shifts like this add up, and having a venue equipped to support them makes it easy to keep improving.

What We Learned

This year we challenged ourselves to try something new, and the plant-forward menu taught us more than we expected. The biggest takeaway? A simple default can go a long way. We're grateful to Greener by Default for the guidance, and we'll carry that thinking with us as we continue to evolve our events.

‍

If you believe celebrating and caring for the planet can go hand in hand, consider making a donation to support the Urban Ecology Center's work all year long. Together, we're creating a healthier Milwaukee for people and nature alike.