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Intro || Mission Statement || History || Why Save Wetlands? || Meet the Staff || Our Board of Directors
The struggle was truly a "David and Goliath" experience for the persistent wetland preservationists, as they were a handful of citizens challenging the powerful Department of Transportation at a time when there were no federal or state laws to protect wetlands. Although the group caused some delays, and some accommodations were made by DOT, the Beltline inevitably was constructed. Nonetheless, citizens and agencies of the region became much more familiar with wetlands and their values as a result of this effort. So began the organization's long and colorful history. In 1977, Southern Wisconsin Wetlands Association changed its name to Wisconsin Wetlands Association (WWA) and published its first newsletter, "Our Wetlands". WWA was incorporated as a non-profit organization [501(c)(3)] in 1982. In the early years, the group held regular meetings, hosted field trips, sponsored workshops and coordinated for several years what has become an annual statewide event now managed by the International Crane Foundation-the spring sandhill crane count. Throughout the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's, WWA was involved in countless local and regional conservation issues, legislation pertaining to wetlands, and ongoing efforts to educate Wisconsin's diverse population about the values of wetlands. During a long period of its history, the group was led by students involved in wetland ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Many Water Resources Management students ("WRMS") have had a chance to gain practical experience with wetland conservation issues through their involvement with the organization. WWA remained a totally volunteer organization
until 1993, when Tom Boswell was hired as the organization's first
paid part-time coordinator. Initial funding for this position
came from the bequest of the late Marge Hoffman. Beginning in
1996, Tom began coordinating a series of "Wetland Watch Workshops"
that served to train citizens in wetland protection efforts. Tom
and WWA Board member Betsey Day developed a "Citizen's Wetland
Protection Handbook" that was distributed to each workshop
participant. In 1998, Charlie Luthin replaced Tom as executive
director and served in this post until 2003. The organization
grew in staff and stature under Charlie's direction, including
expanded programs and advocacy successes - most notably Wisconsin
Act 6, protecting more Over the years, Wisconsin Wetlands Association
has become the "go to" organization for wetlands conservation
in the Wisconsin. Our partnerships with local, state and federal
organizations have increased our effectiveness. WWA is also known
for quality wetlands publications. In 2000, WWA produced a wetland
restoration "how-to" handbook for landowners in collaboration
with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other agencies.
The book received the distinguished document award from the Wisconsin
Library Association and is now in its second edition. Our Purple
Loosestrife Biological Control Manual for Teachers, See
Cella Chow, published January 2003 with the DNR and other
partners, provides fun tips and techniques for educators interested
in bringing bio-control programs into their classrooms. WWA has hosted annual "Wisconsin Wetland
Science Forums" since 1995 for the exchange of current
wetland science. Government and commercial scientists, academics,
wetland professionals and concerned citizens gather to support
important wetland-related research. Past topics include ephemeral
wetlands, big water fringe wetlands, prairie wetlands, and most recently, wooded wetlands. On a regional level, WWA has served as the Wisconsin
"Hub" of the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network since
1996, a coalition of conservation organizations from the eight
states and portions of Ontario that surround the Great Lakes. WWA continues to grow in membership and effectiveness. The organization still coordinates training workshops for citizens interested in wetland protection, publishes useful materials for landowners and educators, and takes a strong advocacy role in wetland conservation issues that affect the state, the region, and the nation. (See the program or issue pages for information about our current activities.) Like those that fought to stop the "Beltline Highway" and save the Upper Mud Lake Marsh, the current Board of Directors and the staff of Wisconsin Wetlands Association will encourage citizens throughout the state to work together to preserve our wetland heritage. |
Concerns
for the impacts of a proposed "beltline" highway on
the south side of Madison brought a handful of wetland enthusiasts
together in 1969-1970. This loosely formed group called itself
the Dane County Wetlands Association, later the Southern Wisconsin
Wetlands Association. At a time when most people didn't know what
a wetland was, the group, led by wetland ecologists Jim and Libby
Zimmerman and colleague Dan Caulfield, was crusading to protect
important wetlands on Madison's urban fringe. Those early fights
against the South Beltline plan continued for many years, generally
based out of the Zimmerman's kitchen. (Ed. Note: Jim Zimmerman
was officially inducted into Wisconsin's Conservation Hall of
Fame in 2003. 
than
1,000,000 acres of Wisconsin's isolated wetlands. In 2003, the
organization hired Becky Abel as Executive Director.