News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Pamela Porter (608)251-7020

Wisconsin's conservation and environmental groups are joining forces to build a statewide cooperative association. Today the Wisconsin Stewardship Network, consisting of 100 hunting, fishing, wildlife and environmental groups, announced its kick­off at a news conference on Wednesday, October 23 in five locations across the state.

"Our goal is to recapture and strengthen Wisconsin's stewardship ethic for the betterment of both our people and natural resources," said Pamela Porter, Executive Director of Wisconsin's Environmental Decade and southern coordinator for WSN. "A lot of us were angered and disappointed by actions taken by our state legislature over the past two years which have politicized the Department of Natural Resources, gutted state environmental watchdogs like the Public Intervenor, and promoted hazardous mining projects," Porter added. "For most of the past 70 years, our state has enjoyed a bipartisan tradition of natural resources protection. Recent actions in the legislature threaten this and that's why the Wisconsin Stewardship Network has stepped up to bat."

The Wisconsin Stewardship Network will also unveil a statewide web page on the Internet at the news conference. "Our web page will electronically link geographically separated groups and individuals into a powerful democratic force," Porter said. "We intend to use this new technology to help us change the face of government and to amplify our ability to work together on common goals and issues." A demonstration of the web page will take place at the news conference.

"Many of the groups in the WSN work on local issues with very small budgets," Porter said. "Our new website will be a cost effective resource for conservation and environmental groups across Wisconsin who need information and technical assistance."

The Wisconsin Stewardship Network has received a project grant from the C.S. Mott Foundation to seed organizing efforts in Wisconsin over the next two years. The Network has already established satellite offices in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Superior, Tomahawk, Madison and Milwaukee with part­time staff. The Mott foundation, based in Michigan, is funding efforts helping restore and protect the health, diversity and functioning of the Great Lakes' ecosytem.

For further information on the news conference or the new WSN web site, contact any of the six regional hubs: in Madison - Wisconsin's Environmental Decade (608)251-7020; Milwaukee - Citizens for A Better Environment (414)271-7280; Green Bay - Clean Water Action Council (414)468-4243, Minocqua - Environmentally Concerned Citizens of the Lakeland Area (ECCOLA), (715)453-6015; Duluth/Superior - Lake Superior Greens (218)567-5947 or Eau Claire - Northern Thunder (715)839-7731.