Many of us go the extra mile on behalf of our natural resources by writing letters or making phone calls to state and local officials. But what actually works as we make our case? And are there any pitfalls that we should avoid in these communications? Find out from a person who has been there and heard that ― former State Senator Jim Baumgart. This session is facilitated by Anne Sayers of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters.

In his book Water Follies, University of Arizona law professor Robert Glennon describes how excessive groundwater pumping of our aquifers has created an environmental catastrophe known only to a handful of scientists and water management experts, as well as those unfortunate enough to have suffered the direct consequences. Join professor Glennon as he reviews the culture of water use in the United States and why we are growing increasingly reliant on groundwater. Glennon’s Water Follies was a recent book-of-the-month pick of Scientific American magazine and includes a chapter on the recent fight in Wisconsin against Perrier.

$500 for $35 sounds good, doesn’t it? The WSN is becoming a membership-based, nonprofit organization with a mission of serving other organizations. In this session, WSN Member Services Director Chris Nehrbass shares some ideas on how your group can get a bunch of valuable services by becoming a WSN member organization. For those of you who are already WSN members, you’ll be able to use part of this session to identify some of your group’s needs so we can better help you meet your goals.

Producer responsibility is an emerging global strategy linking waste reduction activists, toxics activists, resource conservationists, designers, and organized labor to shift responsibility for waste off of taxpayers and on to those with the greatest power to eliminate it ― producers and brand owners. Producer responsibility is working in the European Union and is the core strategy uniting multiple corporate and policy campaigns in the US. Join David Wood of the Grassroots Recycling Network for a look at how this campaign is targeting mercury, discarded computers and electronics, beverage containers, and more to make for a cleaner Wisconsin.

The results are in from the fall deer hunt. Officials from the WDNR are here to share what they’ve learned — and what they feel needs to happen next — in the state’s attempt to rid Wisconsin of Chronic Wasting Disease. Plus hear the latest information about the human disease transmission com­ponent of this issue from a someone who has studied similar prion-based diseases.

Be ready to take action at this interactive workshop by Melissa Scanlan and Andrew Hanson of Midwest Environ­mental Advocates. By the end of the session, you will have outlined comments that you can submit on an actual, proposed water pollution permit.  Celebrate Wisconsin’s Year of Water by taking an active role in protecting your local rivers and lakes. This workshop will show you how. 

This session brings together a range of Wisconsin and Midwest water activists, including Arlene Kanno of Concerned Citizens of Newport, Terry Swier from Michigan, Jon Steinhouse of Waterkeepers of Wisconsin, and Derek Scheer of Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade. Joining them is Water Follies author Robert Glennon. These folks are all working to ensure Wisconsin has water for its rivers and lakes without sacrificing agriculture, industry, or other uses. Find out not only what’s happening with Perrier, but what the Midwest states and Canada’s provinces are doing to pass the landmark Annex 2001 Great Lakes water compact to protect against large-scale water withdrawals.

The good news is that for over 15 years the gasoline tax money estimated to have been used in boat motors instead of cars has gone to a special account to support water programs instead of to build highways. The bad news is that this motorboat gas tax formula has not been updated since the law passed. Conservation programs to protect water quality, recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty in Wisconsin are suffering as a result. Join Donna Sefton from the Wisconsin Association of Lakes to explore what groups are doing to increase this formula from an estimated 50 gallons/boat to 100 gallons/boat to reflect today’s larger boat motors and people spending more time on the water.

When Wisconsin was a new state, it was said one could walk from Green Bay to Minneapolis and never leave the shade of a tree. While those days are over, Wisconsin still has many large tracts of contiguous wooded areas. Forester John Schwarzmann is working to identify and catalog our remaining large forest stands. Hear what we stand to lose if this remaining habitat is broken up by scattered development and certain logging practices.

The WDNR has just released their long-awaited Land Legacy report. This comprehensive document identifies land across Wisconsin deemed worthy of targeting for preservation in coming years. Steve Miller, administrator of the WDNR Division of Land, will talk about the background of the report, what it is, and isn’t. You’ll find out how organizations like your will be able to use the report to protect Wisconsin’s best remaining “special places.”

Conservationists and environmentalists do a lot of fighting to protect Wisconsin’s natural resources. Every now and then it’s good to remember what it is we’re fighting for. This session is one such reminder. Join professional photographer Bill Pielsticker of Pielsticker Photography and longtime photographer Dave Wisnefske of Pheasants Forever for some tips on how to photograph nature’s beauty.

We’ve all know that budget cuts will be impacting state agencies over the next several years. Jeff Pagels of the WDNR will help you understand where WDNR monies come from. Could these “pay to play” funding options like the trout and pheasant stamp programs provide more consistent, reliable funding in coming years? Then Russell Hitz, chair of the Conservation Congress Alternate Funding Committee, discusses what the Congress is working on to explore funding options for hunting, fishing, conservation, and other natural resources programs in Wisconsin.

The state has just started a two-year process to rewrite Wisconsin’s shoreland zoning rules. The WDNR Advisory Committee meetings on NR-115 have already been contentious, with squabbles over who should have seats at the table. This is currently a hot-button issue in  northern Wisconsin where some counties are knowingly ignoring state minimum shoreland zoning standards, resulting in potential lawsuits. Find out how the rule revision process is expected to proceed from two people actively involved in the process ― Jim Wise of ECCOLA and Donna Sefton of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes.

Over the years various groups have produced legislative score cards that rate lawmakers based on how they voted on conservation and environmental matters. Last year the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters (WLCV) produced their first such score card that included both “blaze orange” and “green” issues. Join the WLCV’s Bill Pielsticker and others to review various approaches to conservations score cards. You’ll be given a chance to offer the WLCV feedback on whether they’ve “hit it right” in their approach to rating Wisconsin state office holders.