Policy and Programs

To promote strong conservation policy, we:

• Work with members of Wisconsin State Legislature and occasionally members of the US Congress.
• Participate in rulemaking processes to ensure that the law is meaningfully implemented at the administrative level.
• Work in coalition with other organizations to develop and advance policies important to our members.

In developing our policies, our members—individuals and clubs—bring forth specific policies or ideas to our committees. The members of that committee discuss those policies and formulate specific positions as appropriate. Because the committee represents a variety of diverse interests and viewpoints, a policy position that arises from this committee is well developed and defensible. Once the committee adopts a policy position, it brings it to the full board for discussion. If adopted, the board directs its staff and/or the appropriate committee to take action to advance that policy.

All of the policies developed and advanced by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation are grounded in science, not in politics. As such, they may not always be popular, but they do the right thing for wildlife and wildlife habitat.

In 2007/2008, we are working hard to:

Reauthorize and strengthen the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund. In addition to reauthorizing this fund—which is used to buy state wildlife areas, forests, and fisheries—we’re working hard to: 1) Increase the amount of money available to acquire land; 2) Ensure lands are open to the public for hunting and outdoor recreation unless those uses are incompatible with public safety or unique ecological communities; and 3) Appropriate funds to manage these lands e.g., improve wildlife habitat, treat invasive species, and deal with trespass issues.

Adopt a Hunter, Angler, Trapper Bill of Rights. This proposal would amend the state constitution to ensure fish and wildlife stamp funds are used as they were intended to be used—for habitat restoration and stocking. In addition, it would restore the authority of the Natural Resources Board to appoint the DNR Secretary. This would ensure the state’s lead natural resource agency is directed by a natural resource management professional rather than a political appointee.

Protect the quality and quantity of water in the Great Lakes. The practice of discharging ballast water by international ships has led to the introduction of several exotic species (zebra mussels, white perch, round goby, VHS) into the Great Lakes. We’re promoting legislation to require ships to treat their ballast water before discharging it. In addition, we’re working to implement the Great Lakes Compact which would place protective restrictions on proposals to withdraw water from the Great Lakes.

We’re also advancing legislation to reduce the greenhouse gases that are causing warmer temperatures and harming wildlife habitat, particularly waterfowl habitat. And we’re working to eliminate the use of products and emissions containing mercury.