WGF Blog
Posts by WGF members on a variety of conservation-related topics.
WGF Celebrates the Conservation of the Pelican River Forest
Pelican River Forest WI, photo copyright Jay Brittain, courtesy of Gathering Waters
After years of conservation efforts, over 67,000 acres of the Pelican River Forest in Oneida, Forest and Langlade counties are now protected forever under conservation easements. Leaders and volunteers from Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) collaborated with partners …
Read More >Ron Grasshoff Re-Appointed to Land and Water Conservation Board
Ron Grasshoff, co-chair of WGF’s Public Trust and Wetlands Work Group, has been re-appointed to Wisconsin’s Land and Water Conservation Board (LWCB). Wisconsin’s Green Fire congratulates Ron on this important role!
On January 24th, Ron Grasshoff provided this summary and comments on his re-appointment to the LWCB.
Summary of LWCB From Section 92.04 of WI …
Read More >Reflection for MLK Day 2024 – by Jim Perry
MLK on the stage of Marathon County Park Youth Building, 1967.
How Dr. King Inspires Our Work at Wisconsin’s Green Fire
A note from Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications Coordinator:
As we commemorate MLK day on January 15th, 2024, Board Vice President of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF), Jim Perry reflects on his connection to Rev. Dr. …
Read More >Q & A with Meleesa Johnson, Executive Director
Meleesa Johnson, WGF Executive Director
Getting to know our new Executive Director
by Ruth Oppedahl
Recently, Ruth Oppedahl spoke with the new Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF), Meleesa Johnson. Meleesa took on this role at the end of October 2023, enthusiastically steering the organization with continued leadership in science-based conservation of natural resources. With …
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 …
Read More >Annual Meeting 2023 – Watch the Recording
Thank you for attending our 2023 Annual Meeting!
We were thrilled to see so many Wisconsin’s Green Fire members at our virtual meeting on December 27th, 2023. Watch the recording below and on our YouTube channel. Please contact us with any questions!
Read More >Four New Natural Resources Board Appointees and the Wolf Rule Get a Capitol Hearing
by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director
After the last four Natural Resources Board (NRB) appointees were rejected by the State Senate in September 2023, Governor Evers immediately appointed four new members, including two who are Wisconsin’s Green Fire members. Todd Ambs and Robin Schmidt, both long standing Wisconsin’s Green Fire members, joined Patty Schachtner and Douglas …
Read More >Annual Meeting Dec. 27th 4-6pm
Register to attend our 6th Annual Meeting!
The virtual annual meeting is Dec. 27th, 2023, from 4-6pm CT via Zoom.
Please note this meeting is for Wisconsin’s Green Fire members only. You can check your membership status here. We also invite you to become a member (student membership …
Read More >WGF Statement on WDNR’s request for JFC action on PFAS funding
On December 19th, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) released a letter to the Co-chairs of the Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance (JFC), requesting the release of PFAS funding. The WDNR’s letter requests release of segregated funds to support affected communities and private well owners, and to support monitoring, research, and public health needs around PFAS. …
Read More >New Opportunities Now Paper: PFAS 2.0
Read the new report on PFAS in Wisconsin Drinking Water.
Since the late 1930s, many consumer goods and industrial materials have contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals famous for their non-stick and firefighting properties. However, PFAS are now known to threaten human health and the environment. A team of experts at …
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