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Introducing This Month in Conservation!

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Hi John,

Welcome to the first issue of This Month in Conservation! Think of this as your once-a-month “in case you missed it” digest. We’ll highlight the most important updates, inspiring stories, and urgent actions on our priority issues: clean energy, clean water, and democracy.

Here's what's happening this month (scroll down to see more):

• Maxwell, our Central Organizer, successfully launched the Stevens Point Clean Energy Campaign yesterday with a fantastic community-centered event. 
• Last week, our Milwaukee-area members gathered to celebrate the passing of the Milwaukee Climate and Equity Plan. 
• And, right now, we are in the middle of a major campaign pushing for PFAS legislation that will fairly allocate $125 million in funding to communities and ensure the DNR retains the power to hold polluters accountable.
  

There’s a lot happening, and your support makes it possible. Your membership, your messages to your elected officials, and your voice are building a healthier Wisconsin. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of our staff if you have questions, ideas, or want to get more involved.

Thank you for being a conservation voter,

Kerry Schumann

Executive Director

Stevens Point launched its clean energy campaign!

Yesterday we hosted an event in Stevens Point led by our Central Organizer Maxwell Johnson to kick off the Stevens Point Clean Energy Campaign! Check out this video from Maxwell: 

We know that addressing the climate crisis requires both investments from the federal government and leadership in our local communities. Last year, Pres. Biden signed the biggest climate investment in our nation’s history into law. Now, with the help of this funding, local communities across our state have to lead the implementation efforts to make 100 percent clean energy a reality. 

We have successfully helped pass clean energy commitments in Eau Claire, Menomonie, Brown County, and many more communities. Now residents in Stevens Point are leading the work for a healthy future in their city. We’re asking Stevens Pointers to sign this clean energy petition and call their city council members to move this resolution forward.

Last week we celebrated Milwaukee passing its historic Climate and Equity Plan with a member event and group hike.

Thanks to the hard work of local leaders, Milwaukee-area residents, elected officials, and many of our partner organizations, Milwaukee passed its climate plan, which focuses on climate resilience and equitable solutions for communities who have been most harmed by climate change. State Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, who was integral to the planning over the past four years, came to speak at our event in Lincoln Park. 

Following his remarks, we celebrated with a cake-cutting and a guided hike in the park along the Milwaukee River. It was a sunny afternoon filled with hopeful conversations with fellow conservation voters in the region. Thanks to all who attended!

Read this great op-ed by our partners at Citizen Action of Wisconsin >>>

We need to pass legislation protecting communities from PFAS 

PFAS or “forever chemicals” are a major health threat to communities across our state with serious health consequences, especially for kids. For years, we have been advocating for funding in the state budget to address this crisis and, finally, $125 million was allocated to PFAS remediation in this budget cycle. 

Now legislation (SB 312) is being drafted that determines how that money is spent.  But, it currently has a polluter loophole which would damage the Department of Natural Resource’s authority to test for PFAS, begin remediation, and hold polluters accountable for the mess they create.

We've pulled out all the stops to remove this poison pill and make sure a good version of the bill becomes law. We are running digital ads targeting key senators. We're holding news conferences and talking with reporters across the state. We're negotiating inside the Capitol with the bill authors. We're making sure people – especially those most impacted – know what's happening and have the opportunity to weigh in with their legislators. You can help by writing your legislators today. And, you can help us keep the ads on the air and organizers on the ground until this battle is won by donating here.

Learn more about our PFAS campaign here >>>

Green Tie is coming to Madison Sept. 20!

Join us Wednesday, Sept. 20 in Madison at the Garver Feed Mill for an evening of food, drinks, and fun with the people who make conservation victories possible in Wisconsin. We can’t wait to see you, your friends, and your finest green accessories at Green Tie Madison!

Reserve your ticket today or become a sponsor >>>

Wisconsin Conservation Voters is in the news!

Check out some of our recent news clips here: 

• WORT FM: Peter, our Government Affairs Manager, explains the “poison pill” we’re working to fix in the proposed PFAS legislation.

• WBAY Channel 2 News: Jessica, our Northeast Organizer, hosts a press conference with local residents impacted by PFAS contamination.

• PBS Wisconsin: Jennifer, our Government Affairs Director, talks about missed opportunities that could have helped smaller communities get federal funding for infrastructure and clean energy projects. 

• Wisconsin State Journal: Kerry, our Executive Director, wrote an op-ed on her personal challenges with wildfire smoke.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters
133 S. Butler Street Suite 320
Madison, WI 53703
United States

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