Environment : Multi-issue

WGF work on issues and evaluation of projects that have a variety of environmental and social ramifications.

Federal Funding Pause: Implications for WGF

A snow covered road facing the sun with trees on either side

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 …

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3rd Annual Wisconsin Conservation Retreat

A group photo of college students and conservation professionals in a snowy forest

Students and professionals at our the 3rd Annual Wisconsin Conservation Retreat, 2025

3rd Annual Wisconsin Conservation Retreat

For the third year, we collaborated with the UW-Oshkosh Student Environmental Action Coalition (UWO-SEAC) to host the Wisconsin Conservation Retreat for students and professionals. We gathered at Lowenwood (the former Conserve School) in Land O’Lakes for networking, skill-building, …

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Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar

Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar cover image with QR code for registration

Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar, January 15, 2025. View on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25VMh__kH8. Take the feedback survey at https://s.zoom.us/m/bPFdfXu57

Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar (Recorded Jan. 15, 2025)

On, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 12:00-1:00pm CT, we held our Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar.  During the webinar, we focused on …

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Update on Vista Sands Solar and Greater Prairie-Chickens

Map of Vista Sands Solar development solar arrays

by Meleesa Johnson, WGF Executive Director

Working for Renewable Energy AND Wildlife Conservation
In August 2024, at the administrative law hearing for the Vista Sands Solar Project development, I testified on behalf of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF). In that testimony, we asked for certain solar arrays to be excluded from the final project map. …

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Coalition on Wake Boats and Lakes Grows to 60+ Groups

Ice forming on Lake Mildred with rocky shoreline, evergreen trees, and blue skies.

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 …

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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 …

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Opportunities Now 2024: Wisconsin Forests at Risk

wide vista of forests and lake under cloudy skies

Wisconsin Forests at Risk: Engaging Wisconsinites in Another Century of Forest Conservation
We are proud to announce a new paper in our Opportunities Now series.

Left to right: Upson Lake Fall Forest. Photo Credit: Colleen Matula. Log deck and forwarder in Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Forest. Photo Credit: Paul Koll. Thompson Family Forest. Photo …

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Confluences – Fall 2024

cover page of Confluences Fall 2024 with image of sunlight through a leafy canopy

Wisconsin’s Green Fire’s newest issue of Confluences, our biannual print newsletter is now available.

We pour a lot of care into Confluences. Members of our staff and volunteers worked together on the fall 2024 issue with a special emphasis on the theme of Keeping Hope Alive in Conservation. This fall, we feature the voices of …

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Wisconsin Neonics Forum – Oct. 30, 2024

Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024, attendees in crowd

Written by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director, Edited by Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) co-sponsored the first-ever Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024.

Our attendees to the Wisconsin Neonics Forum included executive director Meleesa Johnson, work group members Mark Asplund and Bill Fisher, agricultural projects coordinator Ben …

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