WorkGroups
Wisconsin’s Green Fire has formed work groups to analyze issues and provide information based on science and our experience with natural resources management. Work groups are comprised of volunteer members with extensive experience in their topic area. Work groups:
- write issue papers to explain natural resource issues
- analyze proposed natural resource policy and legislation
- provide testimony and comments on policy initiatives and implementation procedures
- develop education materials
- answer questions from citizens and the media.
Work groups and their current focus or priorities and work products to date are listed below.
In addition to the issue-based work groups, three committees are working on effective operation of Wisconsin’s Green Fire: Communications, Membership, and Development.
If you are a member interested in joining a work group or committee, please contact us at info@wigreenfire.org.
Aspiring Conservation Professionals (ACP) Work Group
- Creating deeper, more sustained engagement among ACP members through events and mentor/mentee relationships.
- Engaging with other WGF Work Groups to set up specific tasks/roles ACP members can do (see the Project Intake Form)
Read more about the ACP Work Group here!
Contact: acpchair@wigreenfire.org or info@wigreenfire.org.
Climate and Energy Work Group
- Produce and share science-based climate information with Wisconsin’s citizens
- Provides expertise and recommendations on sustainable, reliable, clean, and equitable energy sources in Wisconsin.
Read: The Future is Now - Creating a 21st Century Energy Policy (2021), and Monroe County Climate Readiness and Rural Economic Opportunity Assessment
Work Group Chair: Mike Meyer, mmeyer@wigreenfire.org
Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Work Group
- Recent focus is on PFAS contamination throughout Wisconsin
- Respond to state legislative proposals, policies, and administrative rule making process through comment letters, written and oral testimony, participation on the PFAS External Advisory Group
Read: Opportunities Now 2.0: PFAS in Wisconsin Drinking Water (2023) and PFAS - Forever Chemicals in Wisconsin (2020)
Work Group Chairs: John Robinson, robinson.john@hotmail.com and Mark Thimke, mthimke@foleyretiredpartners.com
Environmental Education Work Group
- Monitor and respond to state policies on K-12 environmental and science education
- Support WI Green Fire education activities
Work Group Co-Chairs: Dolly Ledin, daledin3@gmail.com and Karen Mesmer klmesmer@gmail.com
Environmental Rules / Water Resources Work Group
- Agriculture and Clean Water
- Metallic Mining
- Non-metallic mine abandonment
- High Capacity Wells
- Surface Water Quality Standards - including water quality trading, sediment disposal, and PFAS
- Oil pipeline construction
Work Group Chair: Paul LaLiberte, plaliberte@wigreenfire.org
Fisheries Work Group
- Work with other WI Green Fire work groups on aquatic ecology issues
- Support funding for fish and wildlife
- Provide input on fisheries management plans
Work Group Chairs: David Vetrano, vetrano.david@gmail.com and Bill Fisher, wmlfisher@live.com
Public Lands and Forestry Work Group
- Develop foundational principles for work group based on sustainable forestry, wildlife habitat and biodiversity
- Provide input on Silviculture Guidelines
- Seek funding for economic / ecological study of the impact of deer on forests
- Work with other organizations to support reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program in support of public lands in Wisconsin.
Work Group Chairs: Ron Eckstein, roneckstein@charter.net
Public Trust and Wetlands Work Group
- Analyze and comment on proposed legislation, rules, and implementation guidance for state regulation of
waterways and wetlands - Educate citizens about the Public Trust Doctrine and wetlands.
- Click here to view a factsheet on Public Trust in Wisconsin.
- Seek projects to evaluate impacts to public rights from legislation and legal action
Read: Opportunities Now 2.0: Wetlands and Waterways in Wisconsin: Navigating Changes to the Federal Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule (2021)
Work Group Chairs: Michael Cain, cainmjc@gmail.com and Ron Grasshoff, rgrass66@yahoo.com
Wildlife Work Group
- Chronic Wasting Disease
- Deer Management
- Species Plans (Ruffed Grouse, Bear, Wolf)
- Funding for Fish and Wildlife
Wisconsin’s Green Fire supports efforts to address Chronic Wasting Disease as a member of the CWD Action Initiative
Read: Conservation Bulletins: The 350 Wolf Goal in Wisconsin, An Analysis of Wisconsin's 2022 Draft Wolf Management Plan, The February 2021 Wisconsin Wolf Hunt (2021); Opportunities Now 2.0: Meeting Wisconsin's Deer Conservation Challenges (2021) and Creating a Shared Vision for Wolves in Wisconsin (2020)
Work Group Chair: Tom Hauge, thauge.1953@gmail.com
