Christine Thomas is our keynote speaker at lunch. She was named "1998 Outdoorsman of the Year" as recipient of the Budweiser Outdoor Conservation Award.  As the founder of "Becoming an Outdoors Woman"  (BOW), and an avid fishing and hunting enthusiast, Christine has dedicated her efforts to teaching outdoors skills to women.  As Professor of Resources Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, she has done extensive research on the structure and history of Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, and the Natural Resources Board. She has become nationally recognized as a strong conservation advocate, and brings a knowledgeable and unique perspective to our conference - you won’t want to miss her!

Jim Baldock has been active in the sporting community for years.  Jim has served as president of The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and has also been a leader in the Conservation Congress.  He was also one of the original founders of the Wisconsin Stewardship Network.  He has witnessed the destruction of many lakes around his region in Waukesha County due to over-development and as the chair of the Shoreland Protection Committee is committed to protecting natural shorelands in Wisconsin.  To learn more about the issue and how you can protect your lake or river, you can attend Jim’s shoreland protection breakout sessions.  He has invited a DNR shoreland panel, on which he participates, which meets regularly to research solutions to this problem. 

Tom Dawson received his Juris Doctor degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C., in 1975.  Tom will be facilitating the  "Environmental law 101" workshop and co-facilitate the DNR /Public Intervenor breakout sessions, and here is why:  He is a member of the State Bar Environmental Law Section Board of Directors.  As Public Intervenor for 19 years, Dawson advocated the protection of Wisconsin's natural resources in federal and state forums, including in court cases, agency rule making and trial proceedings, and in legislative committee hearings. He argued cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court on such issues as navigable waters public trust, groundwater, pesticides, toxic substances, land use, mining, wetlands, solid waste, environmental nuisances, and environmental impact assessments and reports. Dawson also teaches Environmental Law at the University of Wisconsin School of Law. 

Rebecca Katers has been the executive director for Clean Water Action Council  of Northeast Wisconsin for 6 years.  Rebecca has led many successful battles in Northeast Wisconsin to protect Green Bay and Fox and Wolf Rivers.  She has also been the WSN northeast hub since 1995, and serves as the chair for the DNR/ Public Intervenors Office Committee.  Her concern about excessive cutbacks and changes within the DNR, and the elimination of the Public Intervenors Office (PIO), have made her a tireless proponent of restoring these offices to their previous status.

Ron Leys has been an avid outdoorsman and fisherman for almost his entire life.was in the newspaper business for 30 years, working at  the Milwaukee Journal for 22 years, and served as the outdoor editor for 8 of those 22 years. Ron has also been a active in the Conservation Congress for 10 years, and  serves on the WSN steering committee. He makes part of his living raising beef cattle near Gays Mills, Wisconsin so he brings a hands-on perspective as the chair of the Factory Farm Committee.  His goal in battling the factory farming trend is to create a broad based coalition comprised of family farmers, sportsmen and women, environmentalists, labor, and religious leaders.  Join Ron as he facilitates the factory farm breakout sessions  and the "Get Your message to the Media" workshop.

Jaime McBrady has been employed in the media-relations field for over 20 years and currently operates a small production company out of her home on Milwaukee’s west side.  She has worked with dozens of organizations and politicians to produce marketing, educational, industrial, and commercial videos.  She has taught video workshops at MPS schools, UW-Parkside, UW-Waukesha, and for Milwaukee’s Non-Profit Center and  has managed press relations for numerous organizations.  Her "Powerful Public Speaking" workshop should be both educational and fun!

Caryl Terrell has been the legislative coordinator for the John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club for over 12 years.  She is considered the most influential environmental advocate working in the Wisconsin State Legislature.  Caryl was one of the original founders of  The Wisconsin Stewardship Network concept.  She has invited State Senator Kevin Shibilski and State Representative DuWayne Johnsrud to assist with her workshop, "Communicating  with your representative".  This workshop is should prove be a real "learn from the insiders" opportunity.

Tom Wilson has been a dedicated sulfide mining activist for over 10 years and as a member of Northern Thunder has focused on educating the public on both the environmental and economic risks of sulfide mining.  As co-chair of the Sulfide Mining Committee Tom is working to get existing mining laws enforced as well as expose the misinformation provided by mining companies and their allies.  If you think the Crandon mine issue is over, it isn’t ! That should be enough motivation to attend the sulfide mining breakout sessions led by Tom and Jim Wise to learn how to help keep Rio Algom and other mining companies honest. 

Jim Wise is a Tomahawk businessman and  has been an activist in environmental politics for over 20 years.  He has been involved in Wisconsin mining issues since the early 80's.  His work to build alliances between often disparate groups such as sportsmen, environmentalists, tribal members, municipalities and business owners has been a shining example of coalition building.  Jim has recently dedicated many of his efforts to stop the construction of the 38 mile pipeline which would dump effluent from the Crandon mine into the Wisconsin River, this would allow one community to dump their "waste problem" into another community.   Jim will co-facilitate the sulfide mining breakout sessions and will provide an excellent opportunity to learn about successful coalition building.
 
 

"Get your message to the Media"  -  Ron Leys
Your organization is involved with a critical issue.  You need to get the word out but your not sure how to proceed.  Someone says, "Lets get this into the news"! Getting the reporters to think your issue is news can seem almost impossible with a world full of "Lewinski Gates".  Our workshop will have experts from both the print media (Ron Leys who was a reporter for 30 years) and television (News director from Channel 7 News in Wausau) to instruct you on how to get noticed. You will get advice from the pro’s on  how to get your message across and how to create a successful media campaign.

"Powerful public Speaking"  -  Jamie McBrady
Learn how to communicate clearly and effectively while your knees are shaking as you speak to those 20 to 200 people.  Jamie McBrady will be facilitating the workshop and has years of experience in teaching people how to be great public speakers.  This workshop will give you the  opportunity to learn the how to address a crowd, how to prepare for speaking and you will have some fun at the same time.

"Environmental Law - 101" - Tom Dawson
Tom Dawson teaches Environmental Law at the University of Wisconsin and served as public intervenor for 19 years.  His workshop is a must if you have ever been stumped in your efforts to get good legal advice to protect your favorite wetland or river.  Tom Dawson’s credentials speak for themselves.  He will discuss the best strategies to use when trying to contact the "Right" person when you need advice on that environmental problem whether it is on a local, state, or a global level. 

"Communicating with your Representative"  - Caryl Terrell
Caryl Terrell has been working in the state legislature as a lobbyist for The John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club for over 10 years and will share her  knowledge on how to get a your message to your representative.  Caryl has invited State Senator Kevin Shibilski and State Representative DuWayne Johnsrud to help with this workshop so you can hear straight from the horse's mouth on how to get their attention, how to get your point across as well as how to educate and influence them.  Be part of the democratic process!

For additional information about Wisconsin Stewardship Network conference call or  write:

The Best Western Royale Inn is located at Hwys 51 and 10 and is seen easily from Hwy 51. Simply exit on Hwy 10 and turn toward Stevens Point and it will be on your right side within the first block.  Sleeping rooms have been blocked and it is best if you call to reserve before January 8 by calling 800-528-1234.  Let them know you are calling for a room that was reserved for this event.  Rates are $45 and $55.

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