FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2019
CONTACT: Elizabeth Ward, Programs Coordinator (608) 256-0565
Liz Wessel, Parks Team Leader (608) 238-9934
Conservationists around the State Say “Yes” to Restoring State Park Funding
Madison, WI – The Conservation Congress Spring Hearing results were announced last night and demonstrate that across the state, conservationists say “Yes” to restoring critical state park funding, as Question 70 asked.
“Last week, thousands of citizens across Wisconsin made their voices heard on a variety of issues at the Conservation Congress meetings. We are very excited that the question about restoring funding for the state parks was approved by 86% and passed in 71 of 72 counties” said Liz Wessel, team member on the Wisconsin Sierra Club’s Land and Wildlife Team. “Our Wisconsin Loves parks campaign is asking Legislators to restore operating funds for the state parks in the 2019 – 2020 state budget” continued Wessel.
In recent weeks, the Sierra Club has launched a campaign, Wisconsin Loves Parks, to restore and enhance state park general revenue funding to the level of five million dollars per year, allowing the parks to increase staffing and make up for years of neglect. “Restoring $5 million costs less than a dollar per resident and is well worth it as a step towards renewing this amazing public resource that helps fuel our tourism economy” explained Elizabeth Ward, Programs Coordinator.
Lee Balek, a Couderay resident, and Sierra Club ‘Executive Committee member explained how important our state parks are for all Wisconsinites, “For many in Wisconsin, the parks are the only way to get out of the city and into nature. I think the park experience will be the foundation for many people of all ages to support and protect our environment."
“The Legislature should take note that the people of Wisconsin love their parks,” said Will Stahl, of Neenah, Sierra Club Fox Valley Group leader.
###
Question 70 on the ballot asked, “Would you support the Conservation Congress working with the Natural Resources Board, state legislature and the people of the state to provide adequate budgetary finances to maintain, manage and develop public lands to their full potential for the benefit of the residents of Wisconsin?”
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. In Wisconsin, the Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter’s 18,000 members work to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin.