Wetlands and Waterways in Wisconsin: Navigating Changes to the Federal Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule – Wisconsin’s Green Fire Opportunities Now 2021-2023 Report
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) new report explains the history of the Clean Water Act and the frequent changes to the definition of “Waters of the United States”, which is critical to interpreting and implementing meaningful protections under the law. The report examines the intersection and overlap between federal and state water protection authority; explains the increasingly important functions, environmental benefits, and ecosystem services provided by wetlands, especially in light of the impacts being experienced as a result of climate change; and concludes with recommendations for policy and actions at the federal and state level that will help assure consistent and effective protections for wetlands and the many invaluable benefits they provide.
Read More >Public Engagement Encouraged as Wisconsin Charts its Energy Future
The first public comment opportunity is the PSC “Roadmap to Zero Carbon” is happening now. The docket will evaluate a wide range of topics, including those from the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change Report, and Wisconsin utilities’ announced goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Public comments to the PSC must be received by May 14, 2021.
Read More >The February 2021 Wisconsin Wolf Hunt: A Preliminary Assessment
Following removal of gray wolves from the Endangered Species List on January 4th, 2021, the State of Wisconsin allowed public hunting and trapping of wolves during an abbreviated three-day season between February 22nd and February 24th. The last time wolves were hunted legally in Wisconsin in February was in 1956. The final reported harvest of 218 wolves over a period of three days exceeded the total quota for state-authorized hunters by 83%. Wisconsin’s Green Fire’s preliminary assessment of the February 2021 Wisconsin wolf hunting and trapping season includes impacts of the hunt on Wisconsin’s wolf population and recommendations to avoid future failures and ensure that future wolf management is informed by science and best practice.
Read More >Wisconsin’s Green Fire Guidance for Public Testimony on the 2021-2023 Budget
Wisconsin’s Green Fire has put together a resource guide to help members and the general public who are interested in conservation issues in Wisconsin engage in the upcoming budget hearings across the state.
Read More >How [your state name here] might avoid losing its deer herd to Chronic Wasting Disease like Wisconsin
Wisconsin, one of this continent’s premier deer hunting states, is on track to effectively lose its deer herd to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the coming decades. This presentation, given by Michael K. Foy and Thomas M. Hauge of Wisconsin’s Green Fire addresses what wildlife managers can do about it.
Read More >Wisconsin’s Green Fire Supports a Safe and Accessible Budget Process
With the state budget process underway, Wisconsin’s Green Fire has joined 100+ local and statewide organizations to encourage the Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairs to set up a state budget process for testimony and engagement that welcomes the voices and experience of all people in Wisconsin.
Read More >The Future is Now: Creating a 21st Century Energy Policy – Wisconsin’s Green Fire Opportunities Now 2021-2023 Report on Energy
Wisconsin needs an updated energy policy. Wisconsin’s Green Fire presents a clear set of recommendations to help Wisconsin chart a path towards an energy system that is cleaner, more reliable, equitable, and increasingly decentralized with local generation and local ownership of power sources.
Read More >PFAS: Forever Chemicals in Wisconsin Webinar Recording
PFAS: Past, Present, and Future – Forever Chemicals in Wisconsin is a webinar that highlights the history, fate, and transport of these chemicals; the latest proposals in the Governor’s 2021 State Budget and action items outlined in the Wisconsin PFAS Action Plan; and key policy recommendations and opportunities for the near and long term.
Read More >Basic Research Leads to Important Discoveries
In this video from UW-Madison, scientist Tom Brock talks about the importance of basic research and how he discovered life in unexpected places. His work in Yellowstone National Park identifying life in thermal pools lead to research that found DNR polymerase used to amplify DNA.
This video is from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel February 12, 2021.
Wisconsin Wolf Hunt Moving Forward
Wisconsin is moving ahead with a wolf hunt in February 2021. Wisconsin’s Green Fire supports delisting wolves but opposes a hunt until the state wolf plan is updated.
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