CONSERVATION
VOTER
Wisconsin’s spring election matters for conservation.
72 candidates across the state have earned YOUR conservation voter endorsement, including Wausau’s Mayor Katie Rosenberg, a leader for clean water and climate.
Mayors matter for conservation. As we work to move our state to 100 percent clean energy, ensure every Wisconsin resident has clean water to drink, and increase voter participation, we need the support and action of municipal leaders. Wisconsin Conservation Voters is proud to endorse Mayor Katie Rosenberg for re-election on April 2.
Mayor Rosenberg is a young, energetic leader known for getting serious work done while not taking herself too seriously. Her exemplary conservation leadership in her first term has drawn national attention, getting her an invite to the White House to participate in the Lead First Communities panel (pictured above). She has cleaned up Wausau’s drinking water, prepared the city for a clean energy future, and even brought in goats to remove invasive plants from the parks! Her combination of big ideas and practical solutions is working for Wausau.
“We can lead on environmental issues that affect not just our local communities but the entire nation and world.”
– Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg
When the Mayor learned that all six of Wausau’s wells were contaminated with PFAS “forever chemicals” she took action: informing the public, joining the successful fight for statewide standards, and securing federal infrastructure funding to filter every drop of the city’s water.
The Mayor has also created a first-in-the-nation private-public partnership to replace Wausau’s 8,000 lead service lines. What would a second Katie Rosenberg term mean for conservation? Rolling out the lead replacement partnership, increasing affordability of clean water, planning a municipal solar array, and exploring transportation electrification.
Rosenberg’s combination of creative ideas, talent for finding practical solutions, and clear, effective communication make her a powerful force for conservation, and that’s why she’s earned our endorsement.
You’re kind of a big deal
The impactful program you helped us launch last fall to educate Wisconsinites about President Biden’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan is getting noticed nationwide – even by the White House!
Kerry recently visited Washington D.C. where she presented to senior administration officials about the work we’re doing in Wisconsin to make sure consumers know how they can save money and fight climate change through the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history.
Our program has quickly grown to one of the leading Inflation Reduction Act education programs in the country. And, we’re gearing up to knock another 200,000 doors this spring and summer! For more information and to see what benefits are available to you, scan the QR code or visit our website: conservationvoters.org/clean-energy-plan
YOU DID IT!
We’re heading into the fall with FAIR MAPS!
The victory for fair maps in Wisconsin was the culmination of years of organizing by a wide range of fair maps advocates. Congratulations! Your vote, your work, and your generosity helped to make this victory possible! This fall, voters will have a much stronger voice at the ballot box and Wisconsin’s pro-conservation majority can make its voice heard in November and beyond.
On Feb. 19, Gov. Tony Evers signed Wisconsin’s new, fair voting maps into law!
Executive Director Kerry Schumann met with John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, at the White House in February.
These candidates are among more than 70 we’re endorsing across the state for the spring election. They share our values – clean water, clean energy, and an equitable, safe democracy.
Joey Prestley, Green Bay City Council District 6
Joey is one of seven candidates we’ve endorsed in Green Bay who are running to take back their city council from election conspiracy theorists and climate change deniers so that Green Bay can prioritize climate resilience and the transition to a clean energy future.
Tess Carr, Columbia County Board District 25
Tess is one of seven candidates we’ve endorsed in Columbia County who are running to flip the county board to a pro-solar, pro-jobs, pro-environment majority. Big Oil is funding anti-solar candidates in Columbia County to undermine renewable energy development. Tess pushed back against fossil fuel industry influence, and her re-election is critical to continuing to build a clean energy future.
Vinnie Mirese, Portage County Board District 1
Voters can flip the Portage County Board to a pro-conservation majority that will work to protect drinking water from pollution caused by factory farms. Vinnie has been a tireless advocate for clean drinking water, and is one of 12 candidates we’ve endorsed for Portage County Board.
Kelly Liebold, La Crosse County Board District 1
We’ve endorsed 17 candidates for La Crosse County Board who will keep the county moving to 100 percent clean energy, proactively address PFAS contamination, build resilience to flooding, and keep local government working for the people it represents. Kelly’s opponent was one of Donald Trump’s fake electors in the 2020 election. We can’t trust our democracy to someone who doesn’t trust democracy. We need leaders like Kelly.
You can find our full slate of endorsements at conservationvoters.org/elections/the-spring-2024-election
Vote NO on extreme ballot measures
No matter our race, background, or zip code, Wisconsinites know that voting is a fundamental right. Yet, Republicans in the state legislature placed binding constitutional amendments on the April ballot. If approved, these would limit local government’s ability to receive funds from outside organizations or individuals to assist with election administration and restrict who can help with elections. During the pandemic, some municipalities were able to provide hand sanitizer and masks and use grant funds to hire more staff to minimize long lines and frustrating waits.
In April, vote NO on both of these extreme ballot measures.
Learn more about why voting NO on these measures is critically important
Celebrating 20 years of leadership
A message of gratitude from Executive Director Kerry Schumann: Thank you for believing in the power of Wisconsin Conservation Voters!
Community, hard work, and conservation – these values have been my guide through 20 years at the helm of Wisconsin Conservation Voters.
I grew up in a big family on a farm in Waukesha County. My family was always deeply involved in our community. Growing up on a farm, I was no stranger to hard work. In our family, if you could walk, you were expected to help out. That ethic extended to community activities like 4-H, Special Olympics, church and school, and it showed up in a love for the outdoors – and a commitment to protect our environment. These values are also hallmarks of the conservation voter movement.
I’m so grateful to you for how hard you’ve worked to build this movement as you live out your commitment to protecting the environment and the health of our communities. We’ve accomplished big things together over the past two decades! The biggest climate investment in U.S. history, Wisconsin’s first Clean Energy Plan, the Great Lakes Compact, saving the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, striking down the Open-Pit Mining Bill…the list of victories we’ve won for conservation goes on and on.
Whether you’re a longtime member or you’re new to our conservation voter movement – I’m so glad to be working alongside you to protect our water, air, land, wildlife, and the health and well-being of all who call Wisconsin home. Thank you.
SAVE THE DATE: Green Tie Milwaukee is Sept. 18, 2024
Honoring:
Kerry Schumann, for 20 years of leadership as Executive Director of Wisconsin Conservation Voters
Sharon Adams, for exceptional leadership on conservation initiatives in Milwaukee and statewide
Law Forward, for visionary work to defend voting rights and advance the fight for fair maps
Join in the celebration with a gift to grow the movement! Find sponsorship details and more info at
We invite you to congratulate these awardees by placing a message in the program booklet for this year’s event. Placement in the printed program booklet is a benefit of sponsorship at the $250 level and above. You may also congratulations with a gift using the card and envelope enclosed.
