Another busy month of news to share in the latest September issue of Compass Points! Check your email inboxes for news about our responses on federal changes at the EPA, USFS, and DoD, plus info about events and opportunities. wigreenfire.org/make-a-diffe... #newsletter #conservation #Wisconsin

After serving in many different roles within Wisconsin's Green Fire, Fred Clark is stepping away to focus on other work. We are grateful to Fred for all his work with WGF over the years! Read more: wigreenfire.org/fred-clark-s...

As of today, it's officially autumn. Happy fall equinox! Let's make this another season full of fresh air, time in nature, great food and time with loved ones. What's your favorite thing about fall in Wisconsin?

ICYMI: WGF's climate expert Keith Reopelle was interviewed Friday for WJFW Newswatch 12. He talks about the EPA's proposed rule to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding. www.wjfw.com/news/local/e... Comments are open until 11:59pm EDT on www.regulations.gov/document/EPA...

Do you ever feel worried about climate change? You're not alone. The YPCC has ranked global warming among the "top 10 public worries in the U.S." All these topics are connected. It's why we try to take a systems-thinking approach to conservation. climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications...

The Roadless Rule is one of America’s most successful conservation policies. We will be submitting comments in opposition to the rescission to the Federal Register by the Sept 19 deadline. You can act too. More details: www.backcountryhunters.org/take_action#... #conservation #RoadlessRule #action

While policy action on neonics may not be coming immediately, we're sticking to this important issue for clean water, pollinators, and human health. Read more >> wigreenfire.org/informationa... #neonicotinoids #cleanwater #conservation #wisconsin

Thanks to WisPolitics for publishing our article on Wisconsin's Fish and Wildlife Account! One of the main points is that the DNR properly managed the account, but more funding is needed to properly take care of our state's fisheries and wildlife populations. www.wispolitics.com/2025/wiscons...

Read our news release this morning on the audit of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Fish and Wildlife Account: wigreenfire.org/news-release...

Not sure what to make of all the federal changes impacting science in America? Check out this new technical report from the American Society of Naturalists surveying ~1400 members of 14 scientific societies in ecology, evolution, and marine science. www.firsthandaccounts.org/impacts/2025...

ICYMI on wake boats from Wisconsin Public Radio: “We’re representing in our coalition hundreds of thousands of people across the state who vote, and this is a big issue,” said Meleesa Johnson, executive director of the conservation group Wisconsin’s Green Fire... www.wpr.org/news/wiscons...

Join us at 3pm today for Green Fire Cafe! This month's theme is Transformation. All are welcome at this free virtual event to share stories, ask questions, and make connections. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #science #conservation #Wisconsin #freeevent

For 60+ years, Keith McCaffery has been standing up for science-based deer management. We're proud to have him within our ranks at Wisconsin's Green Fire as one of our wildlife experts! Read more about Keith in this article by Pat Durkin >> www.patrickdurkinoutdoors.com/post/biologi...

*Opportunity for Action* Deadline is Sep 2nd! Federal amendments would undo progress in cleaning up PFAS that contaminate water and harm human health. Consider contacting your representatives and senators to speak up about PFAS. See wigreenfire.org/opportunity-... #PFAS #conservation #Wisconsin

ICYMI: Bill Berry shared an opinion piece in The Capital Times earlier this week remembering Bill Horvath as "an unsung hero of Wisconsin conservation." We appreciate the mention of Wisconsin's Green Fire and some of our partners in the article! captimes.com/opinion/gues...

This was an easy one. We're proud to co-sign this letter from Michael Fields Agricultural Institute opposing the USDA's planned reorganization. Read the letter and consider co-signing at www.michaelfields.org/post/action-...

Check your email inboxes for another action-packed issue of Compass Points, our monthly e-newsletter! Become a WGF supporter at: wigreenfire.org/make-a-diffe... Read past issues at wigreenfire.org/newsletters.

WGF is now a proud partner of the Izaak Walton League of America Nitrate Watch program! Will you join us and help test the waters you care about? >> Details at wigreenfire.org/wgf-joins-ni... #nitratewatch #waterquality #cleanwater #Wisconsin #conservation #communityscience

As the wake boat controversy continues making waves, we're proud to continue sharing our science-based approach. Big thanks to the Downtown Madison Kiwanis for inviting our Meleesa Johnson to present earlier this month! #wakeboat #Wisconsin #lakes #conservation #presentation #science #kiwanis

Have you been following the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline reroute process? The contested case hearings on the WDNR water permits for the pipeline reroute in Wisconsin begin August 12 in Ashland, WI. Read more >> wigreenfire.org/enbridge-lin... #Wisconsin #water #infrastructure #Line5 #wetlands

August 4th we were proud to attend a press conference in La Crosse where over 50 friends of the Upper Mississippi River gathered to show concerns about proposed near elimination of federally funded scientific staffing and research on the river. #MississippiRiver #science #conservation #Wisconsin

Coming up tomorrow, Aug 6 at 3pm! Join us for our August gathering of Green Fire Cafe. Our theme this month is "Staying Cool." Join us and feel free to share this invitation with a friend! Details and registration at wigreenfire.org/green-fire-c...

We are proud to announce the return of our Northern Lakes Toolbox Workshops in the fall of 2025 for Vilas and Oneida Counties. These workshops offer a new toolbox to help lake property owners and lake associations protect and improve your lakes! Details here: wigreenfire.org/northern-lak...

Can solar and wildlife coexist? Coming up on August 21 at 6pm at the Middleton Public Library, our Executive Director Meleesa Johnson is presenting on "Balancing the Needs of Wildlife with Solar Development." www.cityofmiddleton.us/CivicSend/Vi... #freeevent #Wisconsin #cleanenergy #wildlife

Wisconsin Conservation Voters released a powerful new video on the nitrate pollution issue in Nelsonville, Wisconsin. Check out Part I here and sign up for the premiere of Part II on YouTube coming up on July 31st! www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqCC... #cleanwater #Wisconsin #nitrate #conservation

For this midsummer #FridayPoem we offer you "Orchards in July" by Polish poet Zbigniew Machej, translated by Czeslaw Milosz and Robert Hass in *A Book of Luminous Things.* Wishing you peaceful and joyful summer adventures around Wisconsin!

Last week, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a new interactive map showing PFAS contamination by public water system and congressional district, including in Wisconsin. You can search by district or community. www.nrdc.org/resources/ne... #PFAS #drinkingwater #maps #Wisconsin

Thanks to Gov. Evers for spending time (and putting $ in the state budget) for #cleanwater and #infrastructure in Wisconsin. We're grateful for the tours last week in #Madison and #Appleton. All people in Wisconsin deserve safe clean drinking water! wigreenfire.org/governor-inv...

The WI Supreme Court recently ruled unconstitutional 5 statutes that allowed the JCRAR to "pause, object to, or suspend administrative rules for varying lengths of time, both before and after promulgation..." We see this ruling as a positive step for conservation. wigreenfire.org/wi-supreme-c...

Yesterday, our ED Meleesa Johnson met with Gov. Tony Evers for a tour of the Appleton water treatment facility. We're grateful for the invitation and focus on clean #water infrastructure ($732M in the new state budget!), #PFAS in biosolids, and funding conservation in Wisconsin.

Looking for some quick and helpful info on PFAS in water? Read this new 6-pg "Wisconsin Resource Guide - PFAS in Your Water" from Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, Midwest Environmental Advocates, National Wildlife Federation, S.O.H2O, and Wisconsin Green Muslims. wisconsingreenmuslims.org/water/

For this week's #FridayPoem, we offer you an excerpt from "All Rivers at Once," a short poem by Rumi, the 13th century Sufi poet. As we get deep into summer, let's celebrate all the connections of water, our bodies, and our full selves.

"What we really think the state needs is a strategic focus on developing new forest products and helping expand and refine forest products markets so that we’ve got places for our wood to go.” -Fred Clark, WGF forests expert wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/07/07/s...

"...over the last three years, Wisconsin residents have expressed concerns and shared testimony over wake boats causing increased shore erosion, damage to aquatic vegetation and fish habitat, disturbance of bottom sediments and conflicts with other lake users." www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

🌞🍃Let's celebrate nature together at our upcoming *FREE* summer event, Prairie Day! Join us Aug. 16 to learn from prairie-expert Neil Diboll and explore the lush grasses, flowers, and wildlife of a restored prairie in Central Wisconsin. 🌻🌼 Details and registration at wigreenfire.org/join-us-for-...

Sharing this opportunity from our friends at the Bumble Bee Brigade! This free training at Schmeeckle Reserve on July 14th 5:30-8:30pm will teach you to identify bumblebees and attract bees to your garden. More info at www.uwsp.edu/wcw/bumble-b...

What are some of the natural resources highlights in the new Wisconsin state budget? Read this overview from WGF's Policy Director, Paul Heinen, and the budget's "mixed bag" of funding for clean water, parks, forestry, and more. wigreenfire.org/wisconsin-st... #Wisconsin #budget #conservation

"Among all the directives being given to the Forest Service, it seems that the measurable few are to “Cut the Budget,” “Cut the Workforce,” “Cut the Paperwork,” and “Cut More Timber.”" Read this new essay explaining the changes and what they may mean for Wisconsin. wigreenfire.org/a-new-chapte...

ACTION UPDATE! The comment period for proposed drilling for copper/gold in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has been EXTENDED to July 31, 2025. We provide info on how to make your comment and who to send it to. You can use our comments to help inspire your own. wigreenfire.org/metallic-min...

We're excited to see you this afternoon for Green Fire Cafe, our free virtual monthly event at 3pm CT! Don't forget to bring an item that represents the "wild" for you. It could be a photo, fresh wild food, tea, or something else! We'll use it for some storytelling. wigreenfire.org/green-fire-cafe

Alongside Environmental Law & Policy Center, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Sierra Club Wisconsin, we submitted formal comments to the USFS calling for an environmental assessment before permitting more exploratory drilling in the Bend deposit in northern WI. wigreenfire.org/metallic-min...

Now at 80 groups, we believe this is the largest coalition of its kind in the country! Our Exec. Director, Meleesa Johnson says: “When facing controversial issues and well-funded opposition, the power of people gathering to create change is what this is all about.” wigreenfire.org/coalition-to...

Reminder! Green Fire Cafe is coming up again on July 2nd at 3pm. Join us for this free virtual event, all about sharing stories, asking questions, and making connections. Our theme this month is "Growing Wild!" Details at wigreenfire.org/events

With the recent rains in Wisconsin, this week's Friday Poem had to be about water. May Wendell Berry's poem "Water" slake your thirst. Read the full poem at www.poetry.monster/water-by-wen... Feel free to send us your suggestions for future #FridayPoems

Mining activity at the Bend deposit in Taylor County is expected to begin this week with up to 8 exploratory drill holes in areas of copper-bearing sulfide ore. The drilling sites are within the Chequamegon National Forest and Ceded Territory of the Ojibwe. wigreenfire.org/company-expl...

🌞Newest issue of Compass Points out now!🌞 Info about upcoming events like Prairie Day, plus news about mining, supporting science research, TWO essays by Dr. Stan Temple on birds and rare species, 10 conservation job posts, and more! Subscribe and read past issues at wigreenfire.org/newsletters

Feeling worried and outraged by the pace and scale of federal changes for conservation? You're not alone. We're organizing and acting strategically, keeping our focus on Wisconsin while broadening at the national level. Here are two examples from our inner workings: wigreenfire.org/board-reaffi...

Thanks to over 135 donors, we raised over $28,000 during our summer solstice match from June 1-20. The WGF community showed up in big ways, going way above and beyond our goal of $15,030! When we combine those amazing gifts with the match, the total is over $43,030! wigreenfire.org/help-wgf-rai...

Happy Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! Today is the last day of our special fundraising drive, when gifts will be doubled up to $15,030. This amount was inspired by the 15 hrs and 30 mins of daylight in WI on the solstice! Please donate at wigreenfire.app.neoncrm.com/forms/10 Thank you!

As we celebrate the summer solstice, this long day with long shadows, we offer you this prescient poem from Adrienne Rich (1929-2012) on subtly special places, political tumult, and talking about trees. Read the full poem at www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51092/....