WASSAU, WI.- The Woodson Art Museum is a Travel Green Wisconsin destination after receiving certification from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

Travel Green Wisconsin is a voluntary program that reviews, certifies, and recognizes destinations that have made a commitment to reduce their environmental impact. It promotes sustainable tourism and the state’s long legacy of protecting precious natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations.

The Museum’s application scored 65 points, well above the 30-point minimum required for Green recognition. It scored highest in waste reduction, reuse, and recycling; local community benefits; air quality; energy efficiency, conservation, and management; and landscape conservation and management.

Evaluators praised several innovative and ongoing best practices at the Woodson, including its reliance on donated recycled items that are used for children’s craft projects; reuse of artwork packing materials; downward illuminating parking lot lights that reduce light pollution; and trees planted around property perimeters to reduce erosion and conserve moisture.

Kelli A. Trumble, Department of Tourism Secretary, notes that sustainability and business operations need not be mutually exclusive. “All signs point to a burgeoning consumer demand for green travel in the nation, and the Wisconsin tourism industry is poised to serve this niche market, all the while continuing to grow tourism revenue for the state.” She went on to say that, “With our state’s history of land stewardship, it’s most fitting that Wisconsin lead the nation in this.”