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.
Joint Audit Committee Approves Fish and Wildlife Fee Audit
Updates on Funding for Conservation
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the Joint Audit Committee voted 5-4 (all Democrats opposing) to conduct an audit of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) fish and wildlife account. Paul Heinen, Policy Director of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF), was at the hearing to get an early feel for what the …
Read More >WGF Position Statement – Apostle Islands National Park Proposal
In late July 2024, Congressman Tom Tiffany proposed a bill, HR 9111, to change the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore into a national park and preserve. Read our Wisconsin’s Green Fire position statement below, prepared as of August 15, 2024.
Wisconsin’s Green Fire Position Statement
Proposal to Replace Apostle Islands National Lakeshore with a National Park and Preserve …
A Message from WGF Leadership on the Aug 13 Partisan Primary
Post-election update below!
There will be few times when Wisconsin’s Green Fire takes the bold step to ask members to consider voting a certain way.
It is just not how we operate. However, the referendum questions on the August 13th partisan primary ballot have serious ramifications for conservation efforts and further increase the …
Read More >Two Important WI Supreme Court Decisions
Two Important Wisconsin Supreme Court Decisions to Know About
(and an election date reminder for August 13, 2024)
Wisconsin State Capitol, by Warren LeMay via Flickr
There were two important Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions handed down on July 5, 2024.
1) Victory for Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funding for land conservation
In a ruling impacting spending of state Stewardship …
Read More >PFAS News from Gov. Evers and the EPA
This week brings two big updates for PFAS in Wisconsin.
Gov. Evers and representatives from environmental organizations (Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director at center of back row) at veto ceremony of SB 312, April 9th, 2024
1) Veto of SB 312 – the PFAS bill with a “poison pill”
On April 9, 2024, Read More >
Conservation Congress Spring Hearings April 2024
Help shape conservation policies during the Wisconsin Conservation Congress “Spring Hearings” this April.
Photo: Dr. F Eugene Hester, USFWS
Every spring, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seek input from the public on natural resources policies. Since 1934, these “Spring Hearings,” have been an important part of Wisconsin’s conservation …
Read More >Discussing PFAS with Gov. Evers
by Meleesa Johnson, WGF Executive Director
Governor Tony Evers (left) and WGF Executive Director Meleesa Johnson (right) in Marshfield, March 14, 2024
On March 14th, I was proud to represent Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) at an event in Marshfield to discuss PFAS funding with Governor Tony Evers. PFAS are the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances famous …
Read More >2023-2024 Legislative Session is Over
By Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director
Summary of WGF’s Legislative Activities during the 2023-2024 Session
Madison skyline from Lake Mendota. Photo by Michael Cain.
The Wisconsin State Legislature has completed its work for the 2023-2024 session and will not return until early January of 2025. Following the November 2024 elections, the Legislature will have a whole …
Read More >WGF Asks Gov. Evers to Veto SB 312
WGF’s letter to Governor Evers requesting he veto SB 312.
On February 26, 2024, Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers, asking him to veto Senate Bill 312 (SB 312). For months, leaders from WGF worked with the authors of this bill in attempts to make it beneficial …
Read More >Wisconsin’s Green Fire State and Federal Policy Issues for 2024
by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director
Top Issues for 2024
Every January, Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) Policy Director, Paul Heinen, writes a “top issues” report on the policy issues that WGF is prioritizing for the year ahead. This is one way we keep members of WGF updated about the work ahead for this community of conservation …
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