In our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, Wisconsin Wetlands Association highlighted the important values that guide our work: we strive to be Collaborative, Enthusiastic, Non-Partisan, Science-Based, Solution-Oriented, and Impact-Driven. I’ve written about some of these values in past columns, and today I want to talk about how we work to make our efforts Impact-Driven.
Our vision is a big one: We envision a state where wetlands are healthy and plentiful and support ecological and societal needs; and where citizens care for, appreciate, and interact with these natural resources. Given that Wisconsin has already lost half of its historic wetland acreage, achieving this vision is a challenge. We need the right amounts of the right kinds of wetlands in the right locations, addressing the many water-related issues facing Wisconsin’s communities.
To make that happen, we have to be influential—we have to make an impact. Our work is most effective when it generates statewide landscape-scale improvements to wetlands and watersheds. This is what we mean by Impact-Driven.
How we do this is much too large to address in one short Director’s column. We cover pieces of it, however, in our newsletter articles, blog posts, community presentations, and anywhere else we can spread the word. But here’s the short take: given that we don’t own or manage land or plan and implement restoration projects directly, our programs are designed to create the enabling conditions needed for others to implement wetland conservation across the state. This involves activities to build understanding among key audiences about the many ways that protecting and restoring healthy wetlands can solve problems.
Today’s Wisconsin Wetlands Association Board, staff, and members (all of us!) are motivated, but we’re also impatient. At the end of our personal terms/careers/lives, we want to be able to look back and see real-world lasting results of our efforts. But the impact of Wisconsin Wetlands Association did not begin with our current Board, staff, and membership, nor will it end with us. This organization will continue working toward our vision, caring for the wetlands of Wisconsin as long as wetlands remain on the landscape (a long time).
And though Wisconsin Wetlands Association is not going anywhere, each of us eventually is: we, as individuals, are on this earth for a limited time. Because wetlands will still be here, we need to plan for their future and extend our impact. A great way for each of us to do that is to include Wisconsin Wetlands Association in our estate plans. Visit our Legacy Gving page to learn how you can extend your impact and support wetlands beyond your lifetime as part of your legacy.
Thank you again for all you do to protect and care for the wetlands of Wisconsin. The future looks bright for wetlands because of your support and action.
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