Policy
WGF analyses and statements on broad policy about science in natural resource management, as well as legislation and actions with wide-ranging policy implications for Wisconsin’s environment.
Public Testimony on Wolves and Elk
Members of the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, March 4, 2025, photo by Paul Heinen
On March 4, 2025, WGF testified before the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage.
Adrian Wydeven (left) and Peter David (right) at the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage hearing …
Read More >Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Updates – March 2025
Enbridge Line 5 Updates: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Denies Water Quality Certification for Enbridge Line 5 Oil Pipeline Re-route
Will Trump Administration Energy Emergency Executive Order Affect Line 5?
Prepared by Nancy Larson, WGF Water Resources Specialist
Inter-Related Regulatory Decisions
Existing pipeline on east end of the Bad River Reservation, 2022, photo …
Read More >NRB Testimony on Lake Trout Fishery
WGF Comments to the NRB on Opening a Lake Trout Fishery
Juvenile Lake Trout, photo by Katie Steiger-Mesiter, USFWS, via Flickr
Nick Hahlbeck of WGF’s Fisheries Work Group testified at the February meeting of the Natural Resources Board (NRB). WGF also submitted written testimony to the NRB with more details about our current opposition …
Read More >Message from Meleesa – Let’s Cut to the Chase
by Meleesa Johnson, Wisconsin’s Green Fire Executive Director
One of the books on my desk is Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More With Less. Written by the founders of Axios and Politico, it lays out an argument and a guide for how to pierce through the avalanche of information in clear and concise ways. The heading …
Read More >Highlights from Gov. Evers’ 2025-27 Budget
Highlights from Gov. Evers’ 2025-27 Budget
Wisconsin’s Green Fire’s Executive Director, Meleesa Johnson, attended Governor Tony Evers’ State Budget address on February 18, 2025. In the address, Gov. Evers kicked off the “Year of The Kid” with his 2025-2027 State Budget. He highlighted several critical announcements to ensure all Wisconsinites have access to safe, clean drinking …
Read More >Federal Funding Pause: Implications for WGF
A message from Meleesa Johnson, WGF Executive Director
Responding to the Trump Administration’s Pause on Federal Funding, January 28, 2025
The flurry of Trump Administration executive orders, actions, and memoranda has set forth a snowstorm of speculation, concern, uncertainty and, for some, fear. The White House memo issued today (M-25-13) announcing a …
Read More >WGF Meetings with Legislators – January 2025
by WGF Policy Director, Paul Heinen
WGF Staff Met with Legislators in Madison
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) Executive Director Meleesa Johnson and Policy Director Paul Heinen have been spending time at the State Capitol, meeting with many of the new 2025-2026 State Legislators from both parties. Many of the legislators knew about our past work and asked …
Read More >Coalition on Wake Boats and Lakes Grows to 60+ Groups
The coalition to protect Wisconsin lakes from the effects of wake boats has grown to over 60 groups.
The strength of the coalition comes from the shared commitment to sound, science-based policy. The coalition will be active in the new Legislative Session starting this month, January 2025.
We are proud and grateful for the role of Wisconsin’s …
Read More >Updates on Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline – December 2024
Enbridge received permits from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for oil pipeline Line 5 Reroute to cross streams and wetlands in northern Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, crude oil spilled from Line 6 in southern Wisconsin.
Enbridge Line 5 Segment Relocation Map, 2020
Prepared by Nancy Larson, WGF Water Resources Specialist
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) has followed and commented …
Read More >Update on 2025 Fish and Wildlife Account
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Briefs Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) and State Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Groups on 2025 Fish and Wildlife Account
Prepared by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director
As the Governor prepares his 2025-2027 State Budget for release in late February, he has invited Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) Executive Director Meleesa Johnson to bring …
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