2022Spring Appeal
Support Wisconsin's Green Fire in 2022
Wisconsin's Green Fire has emerged as one of Wisconsin’s most trusted and valued voices in conservation. In addition to our core work in addressing natural resources and environmental policy, this year we’re building on our strengths by expanding into new program areas. This spring, please consider supporting the emerging programs below!
Your gift this spring will support three emerging programs:
Conservation Pathways
Our Conservation Pathways program will engage and support young people from all backgrounds and abilities in conservation and environmental careers. Underserved communities including communities of color, Indigenous communities, and first-generation students in particular face many barriers to careers in conservation, including historical marginalization, feelings of isolation, lack of community or family support, and even outright discrimination. Yet historically underserved communities, including both urban and rural communities, often face unique environmental challenges where leadership skills in environmental and conservation related fields could provide impactful, long-lasting benefits.
Wisconsin’s Green Fire is uniquely positioned to help address this need by working together with interested students to become environmental leaders through career education and networking.
Goals:
- Introduce high school students and young adults to conservation and environmental careers, with a special focus on environmental or conservation priorities centered in, rural, urban, and native communities.
- Prepare young people to become environmental leaders in their communities through career education and networking with retired and career professionals. The program strives to establish a culture of mutual learning and friendship between students and “mentors” in the conservation field that lasts beyond the program timeline.
- Provide scholarship support and provide an on-going peer-based support network for students in conservation programs and help address their biggest challenges to success.
This pilot program will build on WGF’s unique assets as a science-based conservation organization by providing support for students who will benefit from financial, professional, and cultural support to help overcome their biggest challenges to succeeding in conservation careers.
Your support will help us supporting more students in conservation careers in 2022.
While state and federal governments play an essential role in developing climate policy, leading climate research, and delivering climate-focused resources, the on-the ground actions most needed to address climate change impacts still occur at the community level. With our deep expertise in conservation of natural resources, Wisconsin’s Green Fire brings a unique capacity to address many of the primary climate risks and vulnerabilities experienced by both rural and urban communities. Our Monroe County Assessment team reflects some of the best expertise in climate change in conservation and natural resources available in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s Green Fire and partners launched the Monroe County Climate Readiness and Rural Economic Opportunity Assessment (CRREOA) in Monroe County, Wisconsin in May, 2021 and completed our assessment in April 2022. Details and report products are available here.
Our community climate work has allowed WGF to develop expertise and new methods in climate adaptation needs and opportunities at a local level. We’ve developed a data-driven approach to help identify the places and practices where investments in climate readiness have the greatest impacts.
Your support will help expand our community climate resilience work and the partnerships behind it in 2022.
Northern Lakes Toolbox
Wisconsin’s Green Fire is partnering with Nova Ecological Services on a series of workshops for members of lake associations and other shoreland property owners in the Northern Highlands region who want to protect and enhance the quality of their lake and its habitats.
Participants will learn how to assess current watershed development and identify existing shoreline threats to water quality and habitats critical for fish and wildlife on their own lakes. Our Northern Lakes Toolbox will help participants better understand how to use all the information to prepare management plans aimed at restoring lake and shoreland resources.
Armed with practical tools and knowledge, lake property owners will be more likely to take actions that protect lakes and lake habitats for the benefit of all users and values.
Your support for Wisconsin’s Green Fire will help expand our Northern Lakes Toolbox program to more lakes and lake users in the Northern Highlands.
Questions? Email us at info@wigreenfire.org
