1000 Friends started a series to highlight the dynamic efforts that communities across Wisconsin are taking to meet both local needs and address climate change. Visit our website to read about more Forward Thinking efforts.

City of Racine – Embracing Commuter Rail

1000 Friends salutes the City of Racine’s forward thinking to build a more sustainable and equitable transportation system in tandem.

Racine’s City Council remains committed to the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail line more than a decade after efforts were ended by the legislature. The City of Racine recognizes that climate change is a growing threat to their Lake Michigan fronting community and that commuter rail could help reduce transportation emissions and better connect the region. Looking at the opportunities for passenger rail in the new federal infrastructure bill, Racine’s Common Council voted 15-0 to approve Alder Trevor Jung’s resolution of support for the construction of KRM commuter rail line.

Racine’s Common Council recognizes that commuter rail is more than a climate solution, it’s a generational investment in its community. “This is about jobs, this is about opportunity, and this is about equity,” said Alder Trevor Jung. Their ongoing commitment to the KRM line will support local economic growth and have positive climate impacts. Wisconsin needs more innovative leaders, like Racine’s Common Council who strive to meet both local needs and address climate change.

CSW Workplace Giving Campaign

Please Support 1000 Friends of Wisconsin through Community Shares of Wisconsin’s 2021 workplace giving this fall.

Employers that offer payroll deductions for charitable donations make it easy to pledge and make a one-time donation or steady contributions throughout the year. If your employer offers workplace giving, we hope you’ll choose to support 1000 Friends of Wisconsin and the many Community Shares member organizations that are working to transform our community.

Community Shares of Wisconsin has been funding systemic change for 50 years in Wisconsin.

To learn more please go to:

2021 CSW Workplace Giving

As you may know, WisDOT is proposing a $1.1 billion dollar highway expansion for a 3.5 mile stretch between the Marquette Interchange and Zoo Interchange, passing through Milwaukee neighborhoods. This is a generational investment in Milwaukee’s transportation system and if we are going to spend a billion dollars, we should do it right! The project should be context-sensitive to the communities that are adjacent to the corridor.

That's why our coalition commissioned expert transportation planner and 25-year NJDOT veteran Mark Stout to review the feasibility of options beyond expansion. Options that will promote better access for the surrounding neighborhoods, reduce carbon emissions, and improve access to jobs, healthcare, and basic goods for everyone, not just suburban commuters. Check out our report here.

Welcome Susan Gaeddert

Our new Special Projects Manager

Susan graduated from UW-Madison with a Masters of Science in Urban/Regional Planning in 2020, where she specialized in transportation, land use, and recreational trail planning. Susan has experience working in the affordable housing sector, comprehensive plan development, and community engagement. Susan came to urban planning after a long career in music performance; she studied piano and played and taught professionally in the Madison area for many years before going back to graduate school.

If Susan isn’t at work or at the piano, she can be found outside in the garden, exploring local trails, and advocating for outdoor education and advanced learning opportunities in schools. She also keeps her hands busy knitting socks, hats, mittens, and sweaters to keep herself and her loved ones warm all year long.

Susan is excited that her new position at 1000 Friends will allow her to combine her passion for advocacy and safe, active, equitable transportation in communities around Wisconsin.

Rebuilding Yesterday: The Power of Untold Stories, a Conversation with Shelton Johnson

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Lecture: 6:30–7:30 p.m.

(in person and online via Zoom)

Networking reception: 7:30–8:30 p.m. (in person)

H.F. DeLuca Forum, The Discovery Building

1000 Friends is excited to partner with the Nelson Institute for the Jordahl Public Lands Lecture. We invite you to join us for a conversation with Yosemite National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson, who will be joining us virtually to discuss the stories we tell and how those stories are critical to better diversity, equity, and inclusion in our national parks.

The event is free but you must register!

Budget Update

As the summer comes to a close, 1000 Friends felt it was important to revisit the final State budget which passed in early July. This budget will impact everyone in the state for the next two years. Unfortunately, this budget will continue our unsustainable transportation policies that have left local roads and transit behind, while continuing to expand highways. Both Madison and Milwaukee experienced a one-time 50% cut to transit.This funding was partially filled with federal COVID-19 relief funds. However, Governor Evers was unable to completely restore funding, leaving a one-time $13M cut to Milwaukee and $3.4M cut to Madison. At the same time, the State committed to I-94’s expansion, a $1.1B fiscal, social, and environmental mistake.

There were some items to cheer about, including the extension of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. However the program remains far below its peak funding and was extended for a shorter period of time than hoped. We will be back defending the program in four years rather than ten. In the end, this budget fails to meet the Governor’s goal of reducing emissions and preserves a transportation status quo that will hurt every non-drivers in Wisconsin. Go to our website for a detailed list in the final budget.