Water Wise in Wisconsin

The Water Wise in Wisconsin Conference was held on March 15 at Carroll College, with speakers presenting hard data supporting calls for action and conservation agendas. Dr. John Magnuson of UW-Madison shared ice on/ice off and other data from around the world indicating that temperatures are warming with grave consequences for nature and humans. Dr. Douglas Cherkauer of UW-Milwaukee convincingly argued for recycling groundwater in order to preserve lowering water levels. Tami Jackson of WI Association of Lakes demonstrated that most lawns have an overabundance of phosphorus which causes increased algae blooms in water bodies. Jodi Habush-Sinykin (Esq.) of Midwest Environmental Advocates, Chris Honecker of Sierra Club and Melissa Mallot (Esq.) of Clean Wisconsin participated in panel discussion in which they outlined why the Great Lakes Compact legislation and Restoration efforts are important for preserving and managing the vital resource of the Great Lakes. 

I wish I could have cloned myself to hear the other concurrent speakers at the conference which the Sierra Club, Clean WI, Grassroots of Waukesha, Herr Environmental, League of Women Voters, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Plowshare, Town and Country RC and D, Waukesha Environmental Action League, and Waukesha State Bank sponsored.  I know I will be calling my legislators, writing letters, avoiding bottled water, educating myself, and getting involved in my community because of what I heard at Water Wise.  I look forward to becoming even wiser again next year.

-Demaris Kenwood

Special Projects Director