Governor Evers recently convened a Task Force on Climate Change to study the many challenges posed by a warming climate, including those related to our lands and water. The Wisconsin Wetlands Association (WWA) is working to share information with the Task Force about the vital role of healthy wetlands and watersheds in building resilience to climate change.
Water is central to many climate change concerns, from the frequency or intensity of precipitation to the resulting overabundance or scarcity of water on our landscape. At WWA, we often promote wetland restoration and floodplain reconnection as solutions because healthy wetlands are the workhorses that store and slow water flow in a watershed. With respect to shifting precipitation patterns related to climate change, these functions only grow in importance.
Although wetland loss and degradation persists across the state, we can restore wetlands to increase water storage and groundwater infiltration, maintain baseflow, and reduce damages from large storms.
The Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change recently announced public hearings in June and July (details below). WWA will present at one of these upcoming hearings and will post our written comments to the Task Force in a later update to members.
You can help amplify our message on the benefits of restoring wetlands and reconnecting floodplains to increase resilience by sharing your thoughts with the Task Force through written comments or by providing testimony at an upcoming hearing. Please consider providing written comments anytime between now and July 15 by clicking on the “Comments” tab on the Task Force website (https://climatechange.wi.gov). If you would like to take part in a virtual Climate Change Task Force public hearing via Zoom, the public hearing dates are:
- Saturday, June 27, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- Tuesday, July 7, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Thursday, July 9, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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