The Wisconsin Stewardship Network will be hosting its 5th annual conference on January 28 and 29 in Stevens Point.  The Network has over 100 member organizations from the sporting and environmental  communities.  They come together to build bridges and work on  four key conservation issues.  This year the Network will offer many exciting workshops, from a discussion of the proposed mega-transmission line in northern Wisconsin, to an exciting proposal for citizen-powered water testing, to a presentation about Wisconsin wildlife.

Last January's conference attracted a full  house.  Over 200 people came to discuss how to preserve  Wisconsin’s conservation heritage.  This year's gathering will cost $45 for both days, $30 for Saturday only, 1/2 price for low-income or students.  The charge includes meals.  We have a 200 person seating limit at the facility so consider registering early.  Watch this space for more details or contact Ann Finan, the WSN state coordinator for more information.  The meeting will again take place at the Best Western Royale motel in Stevens Point and we have reserved a block of rooms at the motel that are available on a first come, first serve basis.

The Wisconsin Stewardship Network’s priority issues include shoreland protection, family farm preservation, protecting Wisconsin’s northwoods from destructive metallic mining, and supporting DNR independence and the restoration of the Public Intervenor’s Office.  The Network is a direct result of the 1995 State Budget in which Wisconsin’s environment bore the brunt of Governor Thompson’s political power play.  The DNR Secretary was made into a cabinet level position, appointed by the governor rather than the citizen Natural Resources Board.  The Public Intervenor’s Office was defunded, and the DNR in general took massive budget cuts.

Apsanahkwat, the Menominee tribal chairperson, will be the keynote speaker at the conference in January.  Workshops will educate participants about the Wisconsin Stewardship Network’s priority issues, help them connect to other concerned individuals and organizations, offer fun outdoors skill-building, and explore additional issues.  The proposed transmission line in northern Wisconsin will be an exciting topic of discussion.

DNR Independence is currently at the top of the  Network’s priority list.  The State Senate recently passed  legislation that would restore the appointment of the DNR Secretary to the citizen-controlled Natural Resources Board.  The legislation is now before the Assembly’s Natural Resources committee.  It is very important to urge the members of that committee to pass the legislation on to the Assembly floor for debate.  Members of the Natural Resources Committee include Representatives Johnsrud (Chair), Powers, Ott, Gunderson, Handrick, Boyle, Hubler, Lehman, Steinbrink, Gronemus, Kedzie, Brandemuehl.

Currently,  the Governor appoints the Secretary, which makes the DNR subject to the corrupting influence of special interest campaign contributions and short-term political considerations.  Contact Ann Finan, the Wisconsin Stewardship Coordinator, at (608) 251-7020 for more information.