Earth Day 2023
The Northwoods of Wisconsin is defined by its most abundant and rewarding resource, a resource that impacts the region’s economy, its residents, its visitors, and its image. This resource is the forest land that makes up the greater part of the Northwoods region.
These forests are plentiful with opportunities and natural wealth. They are a source of recreation for people enjoying a wide variety of activities. A few examples include abundant trails and terrain, acreage accessible for hunting and fishing, and a variety of scenery offering pleasurable sightseeing...
Pelican River Forest
In a spectacle more suited to a third world dictatorship than a vibrant democracy, the Oneida County board made a strong statement against conservation of working forest lands on May 16. Ignoring the comments made by over two dozen folks including grandmothers longing for a harmonious future, the board shot a blow to the Pelican River Forest Legacy proposal.
While the action was not entirely unexpected, more than one board member’s comments raised my ire. A board member rambled on about the people in Madison removing the severance (yield) tax on Managed ...
Big Turnout at Wausau’s First-Ever Environmental Health Summit
Individuals, environmental groups, and elected officials packed the room at the Midwest Environmental Summit in Wausau’s Jefferson Street Inn on Saturday. Attendees from Wausau to Madison to Door County came to listen to state and nationally renowned speakers and groups. Because Citizens for a Clean Wausau, the host of the event, received a grant to put together the regional summit, the public paid absolutely nothing to attend the day-long event and came out in droves.
Some featured speakers at the event had actually made national and international ...
Madison Action Day
Many of us from the Wausau area attended Madison Action Day on April 27. We were in full force with many other WISDOM affiliates throughout the state. Thank you to Ron Alexander and NAOMI for providing bus transportation. We heard from many speakers, we watched a Drum Circle and a stellar performance from the Raging Grannies. In the afternoon we met with our elected officials to talk about issues we care about and that affect all of us! The following is a few of the issues in the state budget:
Restoring driver's licenses for all Wisconsinites
Accepting the ...
Great Local Authors
Local reads are the best reads.
Starting with Gina Ramsey's "Burnt Gloveboxes: Embracing Life When it Goes up in Flames." This is a book of misguided adventures and blunders. Trust me I worked with Gina for a short time, the girl is hilarious. Her book has hit the Amazon best seller list. Give it a read, you won't be disappointed!
Nick Vander Puy recently gave a book talk at the Eagle River Library. Having visited the H.E.L.P. Campaign for the Penokees years ago and learning so much from there, I had to see what more I could learn through the book talk. I asked ...
The Address of an Uninvited Keynote Speaker
I wrote the following in one fell swoop after receiving a call from a young friend. He was relaying a tentative invitation—or the possibility of a tentative invitation—that immediately excited me into eight hand-written pages without a pee break. That was quite an accomplishment for an old man.
Well, the possible tentative invitation fell through. It failed to materialize. I’m not sure why. My inner hermit was relieved. My constricted soapbox manager was, at least for a while, beside himself with deflated bubbles.
But here are the hastily scribbled pages, ...
Saving the Porkies
Let’s work together to protect our water, air, soils, aquatic life, wildlife and people from the dangers from metallic sulfide mining.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has a bountiful beauty; the waterfalls, Lake Superior, and the endless forests. The Porcupine Mountains State Park, especially the Presque Isle scenic area, all resting on the shores of Lake Superior, is absolutely priceless. Why would anyone want to destroy this?
Highland Copper aims to mine under State Park land, under the Presque Isle River, and possibly even under Lake Superior. This would be ...
Potential for Mining in Taylor County
The potential location for the Taylor County Mine (Green Light Wisconsin) is along the Yellow River in Taylor County, Wisconsin. The Yellow River enters into the Chippewa River at a location in Chippewa County near Kamp Kenwood (Wisconsin Farmer's Union).
It appears there is not an organized group in Taylor County concerned about this mine. If there was a spill or breach at this mine, no doubt it would flow into the Yellow River. Sludge and heavy metals could then flow downstream into Lake Wissota which is part of the Chippewa River system.
This is a metallic ...