(Watertown) - The newly formed Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters (WLCV) has hired a Capital lobbyist to defend important conservation and outdoor recreation programs that may be targeted for funding cuts as legislators seek to fill the budget gap.

Sean Dilweg, who was actively involved in the landmark wetlands legislation last year, has been retained by WLCV to keep an eye on the budget adjustment process and work to prevent cuts to important programs such as the Stewardship Fund, the Public Benefits Energy Conservation Program, the Parks Department and Water Quality operations at DNR, and others.

"There’s not a lot of fat in our conservation programs," said Bill Pielsticker, Chair of WLCV. "WLCV is working to see that the legislature maintains its commitment to current funding levels."

"We understand the tough situation the state is in, but environmental conservation is not a luxury or a frill.  We think it would be shortsighted to make big cuts to programs that are needed to maintain our natural infrastructure," Pielsticker said.

WLCV is a new bipartisan group that works to elect conservation leaders to the state legislature, supports existing conservation leaders, and lobbies in coalition with other groups in order to better protect public health and natural resources in Wisconsin.  WLCV will be grading and rating lawmakers’ voting records on conservation issues later this year.

"We hope legislators don’t make hasty cuts to conservation that will have negative long-term ramifications.  A healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand," said Barry Ashenfelter, Executive Director of WLCV.
  

For more information contact

Bill Pielsticker at 608-592-4718  Barry Ashenfelter at 920-206-6257