Announcing our virtual event series: Green Fire Cafe!

These days, we all need opportunities to unwind and connect. We need people around us to talk through our challenges and cheer on our achievements. But how can we do that when life is so busy, and it’s hard to keep up with all the news and responsibilities? We make time to be together. We hold space to get to know each other. We sit down for a good brew and a good conversation. We refuel for the work ahead.

For us in 2025, that means getting together for these monthly gatherings of the Green Fire Cafe.

Part coffee klatsch, part happy hour, all welcoming, the Green Fire Cafe brings free casual opportunities for the WGF community and beyond to share stories, ask questions, and build connections.

We want to cultivate conversations among people of different experiences, backgrounds, ages, and interests.

During each Green Fire Cafe, we’ll mostly hear from each other. In addition, WGF leaders like Meleesa Johnson and Paul Heinen will share policy updates and news about current conservation issues. We want to keep you informed about our work in science-based, knowledge-driven conservation, and we want to hear from you about your questions, concerns, and ideas.

These monthly social gatherings will be hosted via Zoom by Carolyn Pralle, WGF’s Communications and Outreach Coordinator.

All events in the Green Fire Cafe series are free to attend.

If you are already a WGF supporter, we hope these gatherings deepen your connection with our community of Voices for Conservation. Come share your stories! We encourage you to bring a friend or neighbor, too.

If you are new to WGF, welcome! We hope this event provides a fun way to engage with us and the bountiful world of scientific research, environmental policy, science communication, natural resources management and more. Grab a drink and a snack but come as you are!

Students, professionals, retirees—all are welcome. Please share widely!

Mark your calendars for monthly gatherings of Green Fire Cafe!

After our debut on April 9, we will gather on the first Wednesday of the month for May to September 2025.  All meetings will be via Zoom from 3:00-4:00pm Central Time.

• April 9 – Theme: Belonging
• May 7 – Theme: Curiosity
• June 4 – Theme: Integrity
• July 2 – Theme: Growing Wild
• August 6 – Theme: Staying Cool
• September 3 – Theme: Transformation

Register here for one or multiple Green Fire Cafe events May – September 2025.

Each gathering will follow the same basic structure.

• For the first half, we will focus on sharing stories around that month’s theme, asking questions, and networking to build mutual connections in the conservation community. Depending on the group size, we may split into breakout rooms for smaller-group conversations.
• In the second half, we’ll hear from WGF leaders on policy updates or hot topics in conservation. Then, we will have a more specific Q&A time around conservation policy topics and current focus areas for Wisconsin’s Green Fire.
• We hope you’ll stay for the entire hour each month, but we welcome you to attend as much or as little as best suits you.

Reach out to us with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Green Fire Cafe!

Send Carolyn your questions and ideas at info@wigreenfire.org. You can find all the ways to connect with us at WGF on our Contact page.

Attendees at the virtual Green Fire Cafe on April 9, 2025