Wisconsin Stewardship Network 
Annual Meeting Report
5/00
One hundred seventy five people from the four corners of Wisconsin and representing dozens of different groups and clubs came to the Wisconsin Stewardship Network’s annual meeting this past January 28-29 in Stevens Point.

The hunting and fishing enthusiasts joined with state environmental activists to share information, learn new skills, and strategize over the Network’s priority issues.  The participants also had an opportunity to learn about local and state issues of concern to the various organizations from the numerous information tables scattered about the conference facility.
 

Ken Fish offers insights on cooperation during his luncheon keynote address.
The WSN conference featured workshops covering the Network’s priority issues:  sulfide mining, factory farming, DNR independence and return of the Public Intervenor’s Office, and shoreland protection.  Additional workshops covered message development and coalition building, citizen-powered environmental monitoring programs, creating an electronic action network, protecting Wisconsin’s biodiversity, river fishing for walleyes, and list enhancement.

A highlight of the gathering was the keynote address from Ken Fish of the Menominee Nation.  Fish described his personal experiences and that of his tribe that have built a strong appreciation for the need to cooperate with other interests to reach common goals.

Conference attendees also had the opportunity to learn about issues involved with the proposed construction of a controversial 345,000 volt transmission line across northern Wisconsin.  A six member panel provided various viewpoints on the project.  Of particular interest was information tying the transmission line to construction of the Crandon mine and the social and environmental impact of the line’s power source – flooding of  forest lands in Manitoba for hydro power – on the Cree Nation.
 

Pierce Co. sheep farmer Julie Kenefick discusses efforts to control factory farming.

The theme of this year’s annual meeting, Strengthening Our Alliance, was emphasized throughout the workshops and conference as a key to the future and critical to the Network’s goal of protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources for current and future generations.

Early arrivals to the WSN annual meeting had the opportunity to attend a special workshop on Wisconsin’s wolves.  The workshop addressed the history, myths, and controversy surrounding the reintroduction of wolves into the state’s northwoods.
 

Town of Nashville Chair Chuck Sleeter helps define strategy aimed at blocking construction of the proposed and unwanted Crandon mine.

The 18 member steering committee for the Wisconsin Stewardship Network met for the better part of a day prior to the formal start of the conference.  The meeting allowed the steering committee to assess progress made during the past year on WSN priority issues and explore future directions for the Network.

With the successful conclusion of one short-term WSN goal – refunding of the state’s Stewardship Fund for another 10 years – attention turned towards the possible adoption of additional priority issues.
 

Todd Ambs, of the River Alliance of  Wisconsin, opens Saturday's proceedings.

Considerable discussion went into the topic as it’s always a balancing act between effective use of limited resources and the abundance of natural resource issues worthy of action and support.

In the end, the steering committee elected to adopt two further issues as points of emphasis over the coming year.  These two issues are:

As usual, the steering committee also spent considerable time discussing finances and fundraising.  One positive outcome from the annual meeting was the nearly $6000 raised by the WSN’s Get Away From It ALL Raffle.
For more information, contact WSN’s state coordinator Ann Finan at 608-251-7020.

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