wnrmag.com spring 2020 $3.50

EARTH DAYat50

INSIDE A CONVERSATION WITH TIA NELSON: ACTIVIST AND DAUGHTER OF EARTH DAY FOUNDER OPENING NOTES

This image from NASA’s archives shows Earth in April 1970, just as the was getting ready to celebrate the first Earth Day. A high-resolution Hasselblad camera image, it was taken during the ill-fated Apollo 13 lunar mission. The flight crew included commander James Lovell, who graduated from high school in Milwaukee and attended UW-Madison. Apollo 13 never made it to the moon. After the explosion of an on-board oxygen tank — “Houston, we’ve had a problem” — the astronauts were able to navigate a safe return to Earth. Lovell, John Swigert and Fred Haise splashed down in the South Pacific Ocean on April 17, five days before the first Earth Day. Read on for more about Earth Day and historic events from 1970 — all celebrating 50th anniversaries this year. NASA

2 wnrmag.com FROM THE SECRETARY Preston D. Cole

This year marks the 50th anniversary of also no legal or regulatory mechanisms to Earth Day — a milestone certainly worth protect our environment. celebrating. There is a very iconic television ad that In 1970, a gallon of gas was 36 cents, the aired at the time featuring actor Iron Eyes U.S. lowered the voting age to 18 and “ABC” Cody’s Native American portrayal that by The Jackson 5 was the No. 1 song, with has always stuck with me. In the ad, he is “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” by B.J. standing on a street littered with trash and Thomas not far behind. surrounded by heavy smog. That same year, the U.S. Environmental The camera zooms in and we see a tear Protection Agency was created. And, of slowly run down his face because of the course, that was also the year of the very overwhelming pollution in our environment. first Earth Day, founded by ’s own That ad promoted the message that we all Gaylord Nelson, who was the state’s 35th have the responsibility to protect the land. governor and three-term U.S. senator. Fast forward to today and our world is getting hotter. The ice is melting. Oceans and Great Lakes are rising. Rivers are flooding. And in some areas of the world, water is disappearing. Wisconsinites of all stripes can agree that a changing climate affects our natural resources, our communities and is a grave threat to our health, safety and economic well-being. Most of Wisconsin has warmed since 1950 and it’s also becoming wetter. Scientists predict there will be more extreme weather events across the state and more days over 90 degrees. Changes in temperature and precipitation could affect Wisconsin’s growing seasons and even dairy productivity. Plants and animals of the forests maintain themselves based on specific climate conditions and may be vulnerable to temperature and season changes. COURTESY OF TIA NELSON The DNR is entrusted to protect the Actions to address His daughter and environmentalist, Tia people’s resources, a job we take very climate change Nelson, has followed in his footsteps. You seriously. As a result, we are working on take many forms can read more about her work in the pinpointing the factors that drive change so including the new Loka magazine’s cover story. we can plan accordingly. Initiative, which brings Up until the 1970s, protecting the planet’s Moving forward, we have a lot of work to people of different natural resources was not a national priority. do — work we can do together. We have faiths together to Factories pumped pollutants into the air, learned from our tribal brothers and sisters work on the issues. A recent event included lakes and rivers with few repercussions. that, “We do not inherit the land from our DNR Secretary Preston Gas-guzzling cars ruled the roads. And very ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” D. Cole, right, along few people even knew about recycling —­ In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth with Tia Nelson,center, let alone actually recycled. Day, let’s take that message to heart and and Sister Mary David Before 1970, there was no EPA, no Clean pass it on — not only this year, but for Walgenbach. Air Act and no Clean Water Act. There were future generations to come.

4 wnrmag.com Girl Scouts take to a canoe to clean trash from the Potomac River on the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, in this photo from the Library of Congress U.S. News & World Environmental Report collection. awakening First Earth Day aimed to stem the tide of environmental degradation and develop commitment to action in future leaders

Kathryn A. Kahler

Dubbed the “environmental it with love and respect.” 1962. Inspired by his roots in Wiscon- decade,” the 1970s were a time of Leopold’s philosophy of a conserva- sin’s Northwoods, Nelson recognized tion ethic would influence another the interdependence of humans and sweeping changes in how we looked Wisconsinite, Gaylord Nelson, a former nature. Throughout the 1960s, he in- at our place on Earth. Terms like governor elected to the U.S. Senate in creasingly used his national platform to “conservation” and “management” made way to “ecology” and “bio- diversity” as traditional conserva- tion agencies took on new roles as environmental stewards. Colleges and universities added majors in environmental sciences. Aldo Leopold, first known as a UW-Madison professor of game management in the early 1900s, became better known for defining humanity’s responsibil- ity toward a “land ethic,” and his book “A Sand County Almanac” became required reading on campuses across the country. In defining his land ethic, Leopold

wrote: “We abuse land because we re- WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY #48103 gard it as a commodity belonging to us. In Madison on the first Earth Day, marchers arrive at the State Capitol When we see land as a community to off State Street, joining tens of thousands of people across the nation which we belong, we may begin to use that day drawing attention to environmental issues.

14 wnrmag.com call out disregard for the environment. CLEANUP ACTS In a speech at UW-Madison in April 1964, he said: “The conservation crisis of which we talk today involves Here’s a look at major federal and state environmental-related legislation almost every form of human activity. It passed in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. involves the air, the soil, the water, the forests, wildlife, minerals and people.” 1970 — National Environmental 1980 — Congress creates the Nelson would go on to found Earth Policy Act is signed into law, outlining Comprehensive Environmental Day in April 1970, patterned after a broad range of environmental Response, Compensation and Liability the teach-ins of the Vietnam War era goals. Act, known as Superfund, to handle and focusing on young people on the emergency and long-term hazardous nation’s campuses. In a speech celebrat- 1970 — U.S. Environmental waste sites. ing Earth Week at UW-Milwaukee on Protection Agency begins operations. April 19, 1971, Nelson retrospectively 1980 — Wisconsin Shoreland explained this emphasis on education. 1970 — Congress passes legislation Protection program is created. “It was necessary for Earth Week designating the Apostle Islands in to become an annual experience to northern Wisconsin as a national 1983 — Wisconsin Legislature educate the youth of the nation, who as lakeshore. enacts Comprehensive Groundwater tomorrow’s leaders will have the under- Protection Act. standing to develop the necessary com- 1970 — Updated Clean Air Act is mitment to support the actions that will signed by President Richard Nixon. 1986 — Acid Rain Law is enacted in solve our environmental problems.” Wisconsin, the first of its kind in the Across the country, on April 22, 1970 — Wisconsin bans the pesticide nation. 1970, 20 million Americans took part DDT, two years before the federal ban. 1987 — Petroleum Environmental in rallies, cleanups and activities to Cleanup Fund Award program is demonstrate a new commitment to the 1972 — Congress passes Clean established in Wisconsin to remediate environment. Here in Wisconsin, UW Water Act. contamination from product storage students marched the now-familiar systems. anti-war route from campus to the 1972 — Wisconsin Legislature enacts State Capitol to raise public awareness state Environmental Policy Act and 1989 — Congress enacts North of environmental issues and how to Wisconsin Endangered Species Act. American Wetlands Conservation Act. solve them. 1989 THOMAS O’HALLORAN 1973 — Federal Endangered Species — Wisconsin Legislature creates New awareness sparks decade Act becomes law. Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program of historic change for protection of public recreational In Washington, the environmental 1974 — Congress passes Safe lands. Drinking Water Act. decade had kicked off on Jan. 1, 1970, 1990 — Federal Wetland Reserve with President Nixon’s signing of the 1974 — Wisconsin Pollutant Program is established under the National Environmental Policy Act Discharge Elimination System Farm Bill. (NEPA), outlining a broad range of goals program is established and first and boosting environmental issues to the permits are issued. 1990 — Wisconsin Legislature passes global forefront. On July 9 that year, the Recycling Law. president proposed a U.S. Environmental 1975 — Federal Energy Policy and Protection Agency to bring multiple fed- Conservation Act is passed. 1994 — Wisconsin Legislature enacts eral environmental programs under one Land Recycling Law to address umbrella. On Dec. 2, the fledgling agency 1976 — Federal Resource abandoned and contaminated began operations. Conservation and Recovery Act brownfields, a year before the EPA’s The year that began with Nixon’s begins governing disposal of solid federal Brownfields Program begins. signing of one key piece of environ- and hazardous waste. mental legislation ended with yet 1995 — DNR’s Remediation and another — the Clean Air Act of 1970, 1978 — Wisconsin Legislature enacts Redevelopment Program begins, signed on Dec. 31. Updating earlier Hazardous Substance Spill Law. dedicated to addressing the federal law, the Clean Air Act autho- investigation and cleanup of rized development of comprehensive 1979 — U.S. EPA bans manufacture hazardous substances. federal and state regulations to control of PCB chemicals. pollution from industrial and other 1997 — National Wildlife Refuge harmful emissions. System Improvement Act is passed, National and state lawmakers didn’t upgrading the conservation system end there. By the time the ’70s came to a first created in 1966. close, there would be more environmen- tal laws passed than in any other decade.

Kathryn A. Kahler is associate editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. DEAN TVEDT

Spring 2020 15 Like her father before, Tia Nelson tirelessly advocates for the environment, with Wisconsin as a constant touchstone Tia’s Time and Place

Tia Nelson finds inspiration in regular visits to Governor Nelson State Park, named for her noted father.

16 wnrmag.com ANDREA ZANI

On Jan. 1, as the calendar flipped With Earth Day’s 50th anniversary to 2020, Tia Nelson welcomed looming — and as a career-long environmental proponent in her the new year as she has so many own right — Tia Nelson has fielded others before: Spending time at an abundance of requests for media interviews, conferences, speeches, youth “Papa’s Park,” hiking, relaxing, projects, event appearances and more. reflecting and recharging for the She’s even done voiceover work for an busy months ahead. animated Earth Day biography special for PBS Wisconsin. “They’re giving Gaylord the digital treatment!” she tweeted about the show. Nelson is accustomed to the spotlight in her role as managing director for climate at Outrider Foundation Tia’s Time and Place“It’s my New Year’s tradition,” in Madison and previous work in Nelson says of her annual visit to Wisconsin state government and with Governor Nelson State Park, the spot The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. on the shores of Lake Mendota in But even she admits this has reached Dane County that’s named for her a new level, with a growing spreadsheet father, the late Gaylord Nelson. “I pay required to keep track of the ever- my respects, reflect on his legacy and expanding list of Earth Day-related ask him to help me be strong for the events, not to mention her usual cause in the new year.” advocacy for environmental issues. Those few hours at the park may Yet as her father before her, Nelson have seemed especially important embraces the challenges and the at the start of this particular year, workload and tirelessly forges ahead, given how busy it promises to be so passionate is she about the issues for the daughter of Wisconsin’s 35th at hand and so determined to make a governor and three-term U.S. senator. difference. Gaylord Nelson, who died in 2005, also was the man behind Earth Day, ‘Luckiest child in the world’ marking its 50th anniversary this year. Two things are quickly apparent in His legacy as one of America’s leading a conversation with Nelson: She is champions of the environment is front open and approachable, and she is and center as celebrations of the April absolutely fervent about matters of the

22 event gear up worldwide. environment. Credit her Wisconsin ANDY MANIS

Spring 2020 17 background and growing up the daughter of Gaylord Nelson for that. “He has influenced me in any number of ways,” she says of her father, an advocate for environmental reforms at a time when they were little discussed and badly needed. “I am the luckiest child in the world being born Gaylord Nelson’s daughter.” Nelson was 2 years old in 1958 when her father, then a state senator, was elected to the first of his back-to-back two-year terms as Wisconsin governor. Born in Clear Lake, Gaylord Nelson was already known for his strong views on protecting the environment. In office, his work to streamline and solidify the state’s natural resources program plus the creation and funding of the Outdoor Recreation Action Program to acquire land for public parks earned Nelson a reputation as “conservation governor.”

In 1962, Gaylord Nelson was elected COURTESY OF TIA NELSON to the U.S. Senate and took his family Papa was the governor back Gaylord Nelson’s 1968 campaign for — wife Carrie, sons Gaylord Jr. and then, sure, but he was still a U.S. Senate meant a whistle stop tour of Jeffrey, and Tia — to live in Kensington, dad — as young Tia Nelson Wisconsin for the entire family, from left: Maryland, while he served for 18 years can attest. Carrie, Tia, Gaylord, Gaylord Jr., and Jeffrey. in Washington. Nelson won reelection, leading to 1970’s As a child, especially when she declaration of Earth Day. reached her teen years, Nelson had a front-row seat for the dogged determination her father showed in working for environmental protections. In an era when such thinking about the environment was only in its infancy, the senator faced often long odds in his efforts to pass the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, for example, or protect the Apostle Islands as a national lakeshore, or encourage a national teach-in on the environment, a.k.a., Earth Day. Yet he persisted and persevered, Tia Nelson remembers, “continuing on with determination in spite of setbacks and defeats.”

Action for the Earth As for Earth Day, Nelson notes it was born out of her father’s approach to the environment in the broadest sense of the word. He pushed for civil rights and an end to poverty, believing these issues were part of creating a better overall environment for living. He also was an early voice of opposition to the Vietnam War and the rising spending it demanded. When anti- war protests began growing nationwide, the senator saw the opportunity to use the same kind of energy to advance the environmental cause. On April 22, 1970, an estimated

20 million Americans gathered in #57066 SOCIETY HISTORICAL WISCONSIN

18 wnrmag.com cities and towns around the country, was on that first Earth Day — picking Love for Wisconsin’s outdoors encouraged by Gaylord Nelson’s idea up trash around the school along Her father’s dedication to the of a national environmental teach-in. with him. environment, and her own, are most People were taking action for the Earth “So I was picking up trash,” she certainly an outgrowth of their ties to and demanding their elected officials do says, chuckling at the memory — or Wisconsin, Nelson says. the same. lack of it. It was not unlike what kids “My father grew up canoeing and Because Earth Day was allowed everywhere were doing that day. fishing the St. Croix River,” she says. to develop organically, on the local “It had an impact such that it became a level rather than planned top-down Power of one makes place he worked to protect.” nationally, it took off, Tia Nelson says. a difference His advocacy led to passage in 1968 “The first Earth Day was successful Nelson marvels at what happened in of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, beyond my father’s wildest dreams,” she 1970 and the “environmental decade” which included Wisconsin’s St. Croix says. “He couldn’t have imagined the that followed, with several milestone and Namekagon rivers among the outcome.” environmental laws signed in that and original waterways protected. Of course, she adds, “There was subsequent years. More legislation Many of her own memories of no way to know a history-making was passed in the decade after the Wisconsin revolve around summer moment was occurring,” which means first Earth Day than at any other time camp in the 1960s and early ’70s — she is herself a little fuzzy on what she before or since. Camp Hilltop in Spring Green. was doing that first Earth Day. The success of Earth Day was a “I spent every summer in Wisconsin,” “I knew you were going to ask that,” fantastic lesson to her in how the she says. she says, remembering she was soon dedication and determination of From about age 8 to 17, Nelson turning 14 and in school at Kensington one person can make a difference. attended the all-girls camp in the Junior High School that day. She likens its evolution — with countryside near Frank Lloyd Wright’s COURTESY OF TIA NELSON She relates a story about being on a mushrooming grassroots events in Taliesin, where she learned archery radio show in recent years and having communities around the country — to and horseback riding, among other this same question come up. When she the Civil Rights Movement tracing its skills, and unleashed her love for the told the show’s host she wasn’t quite beginnings to the humble act of one outdoors. sure on the details of her first Earth Day woman on a city bus. “I cherished those summers,” Nelson experience, the station took a call. “Just like when Rosa Parks sat on says, crediting camp owner Eloise Fritz It was one of her classmates from that bus,” Nelson says, referencing with being a powerful and positive junior high in Maryland, who told the December evening in 1955 influence. Nelson he knew exactly where she when Parks quietly refused to give “She wanted to nurture us to be up her seat to white riders strong and fierce. She looked at our in Montgomery, Alabama. hands — you had to have callouses The ensuing Montgomery from the hard work. But she still Bus Boycott was a watershed encouraged us to walk and talk like a event in the Civil Rights lady.” Then Nelson jokes, “Maybe the Movement. latter didn’t stick as well with me.” “Could she have imagined So influential was Eloise and camp saying one word, ‘no,’ would summers in those formative years and have made such a difference? beyond that “I still dream about her,” She could not have known Nelson says. “She shaped so many that.” young girls’ lives. I don’t know anyone As a more modern who went to Camp Hilltop who example, Nelson cites Greta wasn’t affected.” Thunberg, the Swedish teen Nelson sees that time in her life whose singular protest outside and Eloise herself “as a touchstone her country’s parliament reminder to me of the values she building eventually inspired sought to teach us — integrity, hard young people worldwide to work, kindness.” Being outdoors in the demonstrate on behalf of the unspoiled landscape of Camp Hilltop environment. was invaluable to Nelson growing up “She couldn’t possibly have and remains with her always. known that the simple act of “It’s a reminder of our connection protest would launch a global to nature and how important that youth movement,” Nelson connection is as part of who we are.”

WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY #56790 says of Thunberg, named The Nelsons also returned to On the Namekagon River in 1966, Sen. 2019 Person of the Year by Wisconsin from the D.C. area every Gaylord Nelson drew attention to his efforts Time magazine for her role summer to visit friends in Door to protect the northern Wisconsin waterway in launching the worldwide County and spend time in “Papa’s under the national Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. School Strike for the Climate. favorite place, ” Tia says — the Martin The act passed in 1968 and included both the “No more so than my Hanson compound near Mellen, an Namekagon and St. Croix rivers, where Nelson father could possibly have area now part of the Chequamegon- had paddled and fished in his youth. known.” Nicolet National Forest.

Spring 2020 19 governor in 1982, back to the D.C. area and worked for Nelson returned 17 years at The Nature Conservancy in “home” to join his Arlington, Virginia, before returning to campaign. Wisconsin yet again in 2004. Dan Wisniewski It was about a year later, on July 3, was running 2005, that her father died at age 88. She the campaign, gave the keynote remarks in services eventually held for him at the State Capitol. becoming chief “You know, he’d never miss an of staff when occasion to give you a message, never,” Earl won the she told the audience crowded into the governor’s office, Capitol dome to pay their respects. “To and Nelson was honor him, I must do the same.” so eager to get back to Wisconsin she told him she’d Environment for everybody work for lunch. These days, the message for Tia Nelson “He said, ‘What has landed firmly on the environment, do you eat for specifically the issue of climate change. lunch?’ and I said, She dives right into the topic, speaking ‘PB and J,” Nelson in focused and easy-to-follow terms recalls. She got the with recurring points of emphasis. job — and a big Promoting understanding and PB and J sandwich developing solutions will rely on how from Wisniewski. the issue is framed, she says, and progress “That was my depends on finding ways to “meet COURTESY OF TIA NELSON reward!” people where they live.” Daughter and father Tia and Gaylord Nelson wear When Earl won “It’s a mistake, the idea of using mirrored expressions while attending an event the governorship, a polar bear as a symbol of climate circa 1968. Nelson worked change,” she says, for example. “Who for about a year can really identify with that? It’s about Hanson, who died in 2008, was a in his administration. After that, she asking, what are your values? devout advocate for environmental went to work with Jeff Neubauer, “If you’re an outdoorsman or a causes and a close friend of Gaylord then a member of the State Assembly. fisherman, how are your opportunities Nelson. Both are members of the Neubauer (whose daughter, Greta, for hunting and fishing affected by these Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame. now serves in the Assembly) chaired changes?” the Environmental Resources She pushes the idea that everyone Committee and Nelson worked as a must take stock and understand how From DNR to D.C., committee clerk. climate change affects them. and home again “All the environmental laws came “There’s the mother who sees her Also counting among Tia Nelson’s ties child going through an asthma attack. to Wisconsin, going back to the mid- through our committee,” she says, including 1983’s crucial groundwater Clean air will make a difference for 1970s for this, is time spent working for that child,” she says. “People need to the Department of Natural Resources. protection legislation. Being part of the legislative process, see climate impacts that are local and While pursuing her degree in wildlife relevant to them.” ecology, she spent summers in Bayfield especially seeing important laws to working as a limited-term fisheries fruition, was great experience, she says, and carried her through a few years in technician. She collected scale samples SEEING THE VALUE IN RESOURCES and recorded lengths and counts for the mid-1980s. After that, she headed Nelson credits her father with being whitefish and trout. a visionary in getting people to see “I was the first female to work environmental impacts on a local level the Hack Noyes, at least that’s what and in a broader sense. He regularly they told me,” she said of the DNR’s spoke about the economic impacts longtime research vessel that traveled and social nuances of the environment Lake Superior. decades ago, before such issues were After graduation, she got a full-time even fully informed by science let alone job with the California Department of acknowledged in the world. Fish and Game in the Los Angeles area, “Fifty years ago, my father framed collecting fishing data from anglers for the environmental challenge through a creel surveys. Over time, she gravitated much broader lens than was embraced toward more of the policy side of DNR FILES at the time,” she says, adding that the natural resources. As a college student in the same approach is beneficial today. Wisconsin was never far from her mid-’70s, Tia Nelson worked on “We have an opportunity to take thoughts, and when Tony Earl — who the DNR research vessel named for stock and recommit ourselves. It had been DNR secretary — ran for conservationist Haskell “Hack” Noyes. requires us to work at every level,” she

20 wnrmag.com says. “Individual action matters. How we behave as a community matters. What we ask of our public officials matters.” Protecting our natural resources, she adds, is a vital part of the process. “You can’t deplete those resources and not recognize you’ve done so.” Natural resources truly are assets, she continues, “and we’ve got to count them as assets and treat them accordingly.”

Beyond just preaching to the choir Dozens of references come up as Nelson discusses how various viewpoints can come together on behalf of protecting the environment and the Earth’s resources. She mentions the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, WICCI, which includes participants from the DNR. She talks about the new Loka Initiative, from UW- Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds. “This initiative involves Muslims, ‘You know, he’d never miss Christians, Jews, Native Americans, an occasion to give you a Hindus and Buddhists,” Nelson says of the project that’s reaching beyond message, never. To honor the traditional environmentalist. “It is integrating faith and ecology to create him, I must do the same.’ new opportunities for solving big environmental challenges. — Tia Nelson “For me, the big challenge in 2020 for those of us thinking of themselves as a conservationist or an environmentalist is: How do we COURTESY OF TIA NELSON communicate beyond our own echo Tia and Gaylord Nelson shared a love for the environment and each other. chamber? How do we communicate “Miss you, Papa,” she said when tweeting this photo on his June 4 birthday. beyond the choir?” In discussing environmental challenges, Nelson moves freely along Focus on solutions conservatives who care about climate a historic timeline. At one point, she Nelson mentions someone else in history, change.” reaches back to 1856 to make note of too: Nixon. Yes, that Nixon — Richard “There’s no more conservative value Eunice Foote, an American scientist Milhous — not exactly the first to come than to conserve,” Nelson says. “You who first drew attention to a warming to mind on environmental issues. But, don’t waste it — whether it’s food or effect on the Earth created by carbon as Nelson points out, he did create the water or energy — you don’t waste it.” dioxide gases. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency She also speaks of Project Drawdown, “She was the first to speculate about in 1970. which focuses on research to identify the phenomenon” Such was the national culture then. climate solutions. in research more than 150 years old, And Nixon’s involvement — in “The top 10 are surprising,” she says, Nelson says with admiration. addition to starting the EPA, he also and need not be considered a sacrifice. She brings up George H.W. Bush, signed the National Environmental “No. 3 is reducing food waste. That’s the first President Bush, recalling how Policy Act and the Clean Air Act in not hard. That’s not a sacrifice. We’ve he spoke at the Earth Summit in 1970 — proves you just never know gotten so that we buy bigger and bigger Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Bush’s words what might happen when you set out refrigerators and stuff so much food in encouraged “concrete action to protect to try, she says. there.” the planet.” But the moment passed, Among more recent references, Just do that less, and you’ll cut down opportunities were lost. Nelson speaks of Bob Inglis, a former on food waste and save money, too, she “We could have done better; we U.S. Representative from South adds. should have done better,” Nelson says. Carolina who now serves as executive No. 6 on the Project Drawdown list “It’s not easy. It’s complicated and director of RepublicEn.org, which also gets her attention: Educate girls. it’s hard.” describes itself as “a growing group of “Who wouldn’t want to do that?”

Spring 2020 21 22 crowded restaurant. type ofspotthatmightneed helpinits was abusy andbustling place—justthe challenges oftoday. keenly focusedontackling theenvironmental Tia Nelsonreflects onitslegacywhile remaining As the50thanniversaryofEarthDayapproaches, how about that?” Nelson’s father toldher.how father about that?”Nelson’s country skirace.country At thetime, Telemark of the Birkebeiner cross-American who owned the Telemark Resort, home a callto Tony Wise, aniconinHayward had afew connectionsthere andputin didnext. remembers whatherfather —smilesand still living inMaryland caretaker forher97-year-old mother “And where are you planningtolive?” then withoutmissingabeat, adding: school. she was goingtotake ayear offfrom school, sheannouncedtoherparents time came. was nonetookeen oncollegewhenthe disability,in schoolwithalearning she interesting twist. As onewhostruggled Nelson’s own educationtookan challenges Lessons tolearn, “Y Being from northern Being from northern Wisconsin, he Nelson —whooflatehasbeena “Great,” sherecalls hermothersaying, So whattodo? high After graduating wnrmag.com ou can be a waitress at a ski lodge, lodge, ski ou canbeawaitressa at to meet

it doesn’t discriminate.” significant challenges” athand. depth andsweeping nature ofthe “really university meantshehadtoconfront university andinthecommunity. programs through theirwork atthe key tostatewildlife contributions dedicated conservationists who made Temple. All have beencredited as Rongstad, Joe Hickey andStanley a studentof Aldo Leopold, plusOrrin McCabe,Robert who’d himselfbeen chair professors includingdepartment wildlife ecology from distinguished toUW-Madison,transferred studying for anotheryear. at asmallcampus” —whichwas good — “I thoughtitmightbebettertostart school. Sheenrolled atUW-Superior before, toherword, true goingbackto have beenalotofmoney then.” Telemark. Boy, $7intipsaday would an hourplustipsinthecoffeeshopat Y “Drought, flood, fire, — sea rise level For Nelson, beingatthebig After that, shetooktheleapand She spentayear working at Telemark “I said, ‘Fine, I’min.’ $1.65 Iearned et thesenseof perseverance instilled

ANDY MANIS of beingsmart.” path. themtofindtheir aging own challenges, encour- school groupsabouther sometimes speaksto for theenvironment, ened by youth activism tasks.” ask forhelpwithcertain questions. to Ilearned to trust, how toaskgood she says. people “I learned special powers, inaway,” successful despitethem. dyslexia, tobe andlearn by thendiagnosedas challenges,her learning mouse.” “I feellike avery meek tothetask.of herself despite devoting somuch environmental issues, in addressing critical tomakeefforts headway still feelspowerless inher work, Nelsonsometimes Admittedly inhercurrent In cul Necssary shift “There are lotsofways Nelson,- whoisheart “I thinkitgave me She understands the the She understands tural norms

feel.” And we canhelppeopleshifthow they “We canfeelasenseofempowerment. changed. town. Slowly, though, culturalnorms commonplace inmany an American and junkyards andwaste dumpswere just throw outintheopen, trashright lifetime,” Nelsonsays. People would nationwide. a proponent ofbeautificationefforts LBJ’s presidency inthelate1960swas she suggests. ladyduring The first when itcomestotheenvironment. to help “establish new culturalnorms” by keeps herfather hergoing, striving unimaginable thingscanhappen.”unimaginable you canwithwhat you’ve got, and a placeofyour values. point is, you getup, you operatefrom do tomake adifference,” shesays. “My place they know best. must comeatthechallenges from the in order tofindsolutions, everyone DayEarth 50years from now.” celebrating the100thanniversary of humans tothrive andprosper sowe’re livability. is maintainingEarth’s viabilityand around forbillionsofyears” —asit planet, shesays — “the planet’s been she issopassionate. to advocate fortheissuesaboutwhich on toOutrider, embracingthechance job increasingly difficultsoshemoved but eventually feltpoliticsmakingthe of Public Lands. Sheloved thework Wisconsin’s Board ofCommissioners management asexecutive of secretary mid-2000s, Nelsonworked onland better tomitigateimpacts.” native wetlands —thesework alot ofoursolution.be part Forested lands, notes. potentialto “It hasenormous re-examining everything. how we produce ourfood.” Itrequires quality to “how we produce energy, is aboutsomany pieces, from water Tackling climateimpacts, shesays, ASPIRE TOFINDSOLUTION Wisconsin NaturalResources magazine. A of ndrea Zaniismanaging editorof “We canleadby example,” shesays. —thatwas inmy “Littering Think aboutLadyBird Johnson, “There’s somethingeveryone can Nelson circles backtotheideathat, “We needtosecure aplanetfor It’s notsomuch acalltosave the For inthe about10years starting Land managementalsoiskey, she Y ou do the best ou dothebest Persistence pays in protecting Apostle Islands lakeshore place Tia Nelson can imagine. “I’ve traveled the world from Argen- tina to China,” she says. “To me there’s no more magical place in the world than the Apostle Islands.” So deeply does she love the Apostles that each year on her birth- day — the summer solstice, June 21 — she wants only one thing: to spend time with family and friends enjoying its beauty. “I have a rule,” Nelson says, “no DNR FILES singing, no cakes, no presents. Just get Stockton Island is one of 21 islands, plus 12 miles of mainland shoreline, on the boat with me at the sunset.” included in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The Nelson family also still gathers at the Apostle Islands together every Gaylord Nelson had plenty on his place. How long it took.” August, she adds. plate following his election to the U.S. Finally, on Sept. 26, 1970, Gaylord “It’s the place I return to again and Senate in 1962, but nothing seemed Nelson’s longtime dream became a again. It’s a place my grandfather took more of a personal priority to him reality when federal legislation de- my father and my father took me.” than bringing his home state’s Apostle clared the Apostle Islands a place “to In 2004, Gaylord Nelson’s critical role Islands into the National Park System. conserve and develop for the benefit, in creating the Apostle Islands National “He spent years working Lakeshore was acknowledged when to bring national park status Sen. Gaylord 35,000 acres on all or part of 18 islands to the Apostle Islands,” his Nelson in 1972. were designated the Gaylord Nelson daughter Tia Nelson says. Wilderness. The senator and former Wis- Having his name on Wisconsin’s larg- consin governor had always est wilderness area is a fitting tribute to been a proponent of public the man who worked so diligently and lands, but being from Wiscon- cared so deeply to keep the area safe sin’s Northwoods made this for future generations. endeavor particularly mean- “Persistence is important; not giving ingful to him. From the start of up is essential,” Tia Nelson says. “My his time in the Senate — when father embodied that through his ca- he led an Apostle Islands tour

UW ARCHIVES #S10633/DAILY CARDINAL UW ARCHIVES #S10633/DAILY reer. It looks easy in retrospect but … for President John F. Kennedy “What’s vital is finding common in 1963 — Nelson labored for ground with different people coming protected status for the stunningly inspiration, education, recreational at the issue from different perspectives scenic islands of Lake Superior use and enjoyment of the public.” and different life experiences, working near Bayfield. Throughout 2020, the national lake- to bring together disparate voices. It It was no easy task, as Nelson had shore is planning a variety of special was one of my father’s real talents.” to work all the political angles of events to mark the 50th anniversary. turning the Apostles into a national Perhaps because of the passion her father showed for the Apostle Islands, Andrea Zani is managing editor of Wisconsin lakeshore. Numerous diverse groups Natural Resources magazine. held vested interest in such a move, it remains by far the most special from area landowners and businesses to government officials and tribal INFORMATION leaders to visitors and residents. Specific lands to include or exclude To learn more about the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, including details when drawing the national lakeshore on this year’s 50th anniversary celebration, check nps.gov/apis. For a detailed boundaries took years of painstak- look at Gaylord Nelson’s years-long work to create the Apostle Islands National ing negotiations, with wildly varying Lakeshore, read “Environmental Politics and the Creation of a Dream,” by Harold viewpoints to try to appease. C. Jordahl Jr. with Annie L. Booth. (“Bud” Jordahl was director of the Department “I would hear the stories,” Tia Nel- of Resource Development under then-Gov. Nelson and served on the Wisconsin son says of her father’s labor of love. Natural Resources Board in the early 1970s.) The book from UW Press was “How he so wanted to protect that published in 2011: uwpress.wisc.edu/books/4781.htm.

Spring 2020 23

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS WIKIMEDIA BOEING

From environment to equality to Elvis-Nixon Celebration of the first Earth Day wasn’t the only memorable moment from 1970. Here’s a

CBS TELEVISION CBS sampling of notable newsreel, sports and pop culture highlights from 50 years ago. The Beatles — John, IBERIA AIRLINES Paul, George and Ringo Mary Tyler Moore JanUARY 11 April 7 April 11 The Kansas City Chiefs beat the The Milwaukee Brewers make their NASA launches Minnesota Vikings, 23–7, in Major League Baseball debut at the Apollo 13 Super Bowl IV. County Stadium, having moved from mission to the Seattle where the franchise (as the moon. Astronauts JANUARY 22 Pilots) spent one season in 1969. John Swigert, The world’s first “jumbo jet,” the Fred Haise and Boeing 747, has its first commercial April 7 James Lovell flight on Pan-Am’s route from New At the 42nd Academy Awards, winners soon report York to London. include John Wayne, Maggie Smith an accident and Goldie Hawn, with Cary Grant involving an

FebRUARY 21 receiving an honorary Oscar. oxygen tank but NASA The Jackson 5 make their TV debut return safely to James Lovell, on “American Bandstand.” April 10 Earth on April 17. Apollo 13 News breaks that Paul McCartney March 5 is leaving The Beatles. In a year of April 22 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of musical splits, Simon and Garfunkel First Earth Day! Nuclear Weapons goes into effect also call it quits in 1970, and Diana after being ratified by the United Ross says so long to the Supremes. April 29 Nations. President Nixon orders an invasion of Cambodia by U.S. and South April 1 Vietnamese troops, part of ongoing American households fighting in the Vietnam War. respond to the 1970 census. Numbers show May 4 203 million people in the Four people are shot and killed at Kent U.S., compared to 330 State University in Ohio when National million today. Globally, Guard troops fire on students during a 1970 had 3.86 billion Vietnam War demonstration. people, with nearly 7.7 billion today. June 22 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is U.S. CENSUS BUREAU The 1970 census was the first to rely on amended to lower the U.S. voting residents to mail back data collection forms, with age from 21 to 18. In 1971, the 26th enumerators only sent to collect information from Amendment to the Constitution makes those who did not respond. the change permanent.

24 wnrmag.com July 4 OctOBER 5 NovEMBER 14 Radio host Casey Public Broadcasting In Wayne County, West Virginia, all 75 Kasem first counts Service begins, people are killed in a crash of Southern ’em down when replacing the Airways Flight 932 — including three “American Top 40” National dozen players from the Marshall debuts. Educational University football team plus dozens Television network. more coaches, administrators and fans. AugUST 11 BOEING Muhammad Ali, November 3 banned from boxing Jimmy Carter is elected governor since 1966 after of Georgia and Ronald Reagan is refusing the draft for reelected governor in California. religious reasons, has his

Muhammad Ali IRA ROSENBERG/LIBRARYlicense OF CONGRESS reinstated by the City of Atlanta Athletic Commission, paving the way for his return to the ring.

August 24 A university physics researcher is killed and three others injured when Vietnam JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY NATURAL HAZARDS CENTER NATURAL War protesters bomb Sterling Hall at RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY UW-Madison. Carter Reagan DeceMber 21

IBERIA AIRLINES Elvis Presley meets Richard Nixon in AugUST 26 NovEMBEr 3 the White House. “I’m on your side,” 50,000 women The Bhola tropical cyclone he told the president, reportedly march in New York strikes East Pakistan and India’s asking for a badge from the Bureau of City during the West Bengal, killing more than Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Women’s Strike for 500,000. Equality. December 23 A “topping out” ceremony makes September 13 The National Archives New York City’s One World Trade The New York City devotes an entire online Center (North Tower) the tallest marathon runs exhibit at archives.gov to building in the world at 1,368 feet. for the first time “When Elvis Met Nixon,” chronicling the behind- — Andrea Zani with 55 finishers, POSTER COLLECTION/ YANKER OF CONGRESS LIBRARY the-scenes story compared to of this unusual 52,000 today. and now famous day September 18 — Dec. 21, Musician Jimi Hendrix dies in London; 1970 on Oct. 4, singer Janis Joplin dies in Los Angeles. Both were 27.

September 19 “The Mary Tyler Moore” show premieres on CBS.

September 21 “Monday Night Football” debuts on ABC.

OctOBER 3 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is formed and the Weather Bureau, dating to 1870, becomes the National Weather OLLIE ATKINS Service within NOAA.

Spring 2020 25 Event organizer Doug Scott prepares to kick off the opening rally of the University of Michigan’s Teach-in on the Environment, in March 1970. Held six weeks before the first Earth Day, the teach-in served as a model for many ensuing activities This is the nationwide that spring. Dawning Michigan event drew support from Wisconsin’s senator and set the stage for Earth Day success

Andrea Zani

On March 11, 1970, University of Michi- Doug Scott stood on gan event, includ- ing a meeting with stage at the University Gaylord Nelson. The of Michigan’s Crisler Wisconsin senator Arena ready for his had called for a na- tional environmental moment in the spotlight. teach-in about the The arena was packed by same time ENACT thousands of people, with was making its plans. thousands more outside in Nelson was a the parking lot listening to keynote speaker at loudspeakers and waiting the Michigan kickoff, for Scott to officially kick starting by con- off Michigan’s Teach-In on gratulating those in attendance for their

the Environment. DNR FILES Scott and other organiz- “concern and com- ers from a student group ‘I am greatly mitment” and noting called Environmental the issue at hand was Action for Survival Inc., encouraged by more than just a mat- or ENACT, had never the initiative you ter of survival. dreamed when they began “How we survive planning the event the pre- … have taken.’ is the critical issue,” vious fall that it would turn — Gaylord Nelson he told the audience into a four-day spectacular. according to type- written notes housed at the Wisconsin Crisler Arena It featured national politicians, overflows with celebrities and entertainers — even Historical Society. people attending the cast of “Hair” singing its signature “Our goal is an environment of de- opening night “Aquarius” — and spilled over from cency, quality and mutual respect for all of Michigan’s the Michigan campus to include other human beings and all other living environmental events throughout Ann Arbor. creatures — an environment without teach-in event. In his essay on page 28, Scott recalls ugliness, without ghettoes, without dis- his planning role in coordinating the crimination, without hunger, poverty or

26 wnrmag.com war. Our goal is a decent environment retirees to more anti-establishment thinkers in its broadest and deepest sense.” feel part of the ever-expanding proceed- The giant teach-in was a precur- ings. By the time the kickoff came, it had sor and successful prototype for the grown to the point even the 13,000- first Earth Day, which would come six plus capacity of the Crisler Arena wasn’t weeks later. Michigan had to schedule enough to hold everyone who wanted to its event in March to accommodate the pay the 50-cent admission fee to attend. university’s quarterly schedule. Beyond the first night, the Michigan Because ENACT’s event coincided teach-in included at least 125 separate with Nelson’s promotion of a national events, by one estimate. There were ral- environmental teach-in, their planning ef- lies, school assemblies, workshops, sci- forts received full support from the sena- ence symposiums and, on the final day, tor. It was just this kind of local organizing a mass walk along the Huron River. he was envisioning when he called for a “We never in our wildest imagina- national day to celebrate Earth. tion conceived at the outset how big it “I am greatly encouraged by the ini- was going to be,” Scott said, according to tiative you at the University of Michi- University of Michigan’s account of the gan have taken in the program,” Nelson teach-in. wrote in a telegram to organizers. “We Scott went on from his time at Michi- look to your effort with the first such gan to become a dedicated proponent of teach-in to provide a pattern … which U.S. wilderness areas, with a long career can inspire and guide other teach-ins as a lobbyist and strategist for environ- throughout the country.” mental groups including the Wilderness Scott, then a graduate student in For- Society and Sierra Club. He spent his est Recreation, was named to Nelson’s career seeking congressional action to planning committee for the national protect millions of acres as designated Earth Day teach-in efforts and offered wilderness areas, the strongest form of Michigan’s help to dozens of schools protection for the country’s wildest and to plan their own events. In February most natural landscapes. 1970, ENACT hosted an Earth Day You can listen to his and other Sierra planning workshop for students from Club oral history presentations through about 50 other colleges and universities. the University of California-Berkeley online at: bancroft.berkeley.edu/ ‘Stunning success’ ROHO/collections/subjectarea/natres/ For their event, Scott and his fellow sierraclub.html. ENACT organizers employed a big- As far as today’s Earth Day goes, tent strategy, welcoming all comers and Michigan’s Teach-in on the Environment was the beginning of the beginning,

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NEWS & INFORMATION PHOTOS UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NEWS & INFORMATION making everyone from schoolkids to setting up a national event that now has endured for 50 years. Historian Adam Rome writes of the Michigan event in his 2013 book “The Genius of Earth Day: How a 1970 Teach-In Unexpect- edly Made the First Green Generation.” “The Michigan teach-in,” Rome says, “was the first sign that Earth Day would be a stunning success.”

Andrea Zani is managing editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. INFORMATION

To read more about the University of Michigan’s Earth Day precursor, Teach-in for the Environment, check out “Earth Day Eve,” by James Tobin, an online in-depth story found at: heritage.umich.edu/stories/earth-day- eve. The university’s “Michigan in the World” program has a related online exhibit, “Give Earth a Chance,” at michiganintheworld.history.lsa.umich. edu/.

Spring 2020 27 Press members at Crisler Arena await the start of the University of Michigan’s groundbreaking teach-in rally on March 11, 1970.

Boots on the ground Organizer recalls being center stage for the making of a movement UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NEWS & INFORMATION PHOTOS UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NEWS & INFORMATION

Doug Scott

Activism for protecting America’s environment has deep roots in our history. Starting in the 1890s, for example, establishment of our now-sweeping system of national forests began to offset destruction of forests and water- sheds caused by widespread industrial logging. Today, America’s national forests now cover more than 188 mil- lion acres, including over 1.5 million acres in northern Wisconsin’s Chequa- megon-Nicolet National Forest. Ann Arbor, Michigan, activities got a head start on Earth Day 50 years ago. Similarly, protection for our system of national parks, including Wisconsin’s birds due to widespread use of DDT office as a devoted environmentalist. His Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and and other persistent pesticides. The mas- attitude was captured in his assertion national wildlife refuges such as the one sive 1969 oil spill in California’s Santa that “the economy is a wholly owned in Horicon have a long history. Like Barbara Channel was another wakeup subsidiary of the environment, not forest protection, this, too, was the call, and Ohio’s Cuyahoga River catch- the other way around,” from his 2002 result of persistent work by conserva- ing fire — literally — grabbed headlines book “Beyond Earth Day: Fulfilling the tion organizations including the Sierra that same year. Promise” (UW Press). Club, founded in 1892 with the leader- Spurred by the concern and some- Nelson earned a national reputation ship of Wisconsin-reared John Muir, and times anger of their constituents about the as the conservation governor, espousing the Wilderness Society, dating to 1935. deteriorating environment, elected officials popular reforms to clean up waterways, Despite this good work, restoring increasingly focused on these needs. protect natural resources, create green the quality of America’s polluted air jobs and bolster the state’s recreation and water, cleaning up toxic wastes, Nelson at the forefront infrastructure. Once elected to the U.S. preserving free-flowing wild and sce- One who needed no such pressure, Senate, he spent years trying to rally his nic rivers and other goals have been a already at the forefront of action, was fellow senators around his environmen- work in progress. Gaylord Nelson, Wisconsin’s governor tal agenda. Americans were shocked in 1962 by (1959-62) and U.S. senator (1963-80). Sen. Nelson also was an early oppo- the book “Silent Spring,” Rachel Car- Nelson was born in 1916 in Clear nent of the war in Vietnam. He saw and son’s alarming vision of skies without Lake, Wisconsin, and came to public participated in the outpouring of anti-war

28 wnrmag.com protests in the streets and on campuses was beginning to promote. court decisions that assured these laws across Wisconsin and the nation. To my surprise, I found myself serv- would be vigorously enforced. A seed was planted: Why not har- ing on the board of Environmental Environmental activism was here ness this same kind of grassroots protest Teach-in Inc., the nonprofit Nelson to stay. for environmental protection? Even as founded to coordinate the national the Vietnam War protests continued, teach-in effort. Doug Scott has written previously for Nelson hatched the idea to adapt an Coordinate? Ha! Our small student Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. anti-war tool — the “teach-in” — to staff had to run to keep up with the A longtime lobbyist and strategist for wilder- the environmental cause. mushrooming teach-in movement that ness protection, he resides in Palm Springs, swept across America — and beyond. California. The crisis of environmental pollu- Michigan takes the lead tion motivated at first thousands and The first Vietnam War teach-in had then millions to stage every sort of INFORMATION been held at the University of Michi- action — local teach-ins, rallies, nature gan in March 1965. Led by anthropolo- walks, recycling centers, media events, gy professor Marshall Sahlins and some There’s plenty of support for the Earth ecology centers and more. Day legacy. Here are a few resources 50 other faculty members, it took the “Earth Day worked because of the form of a teaching strike. for information about Earth Day past spontaneous response at the grassroots and present, as well as ongoing work “They say we are neglecting our level,” Nelson later noted. “We had responsibilities as teachers. Let’s show to continue the legacy of founder neither the time nor resources to orga- Gaylord Nelson. them how responsible we feel,” Sahlins nize 20 million demonstrators and the explained at the time, as reported in the thousands of schools and local com- Nelson Institute for New York Times Magazine. “Instead of munities that participated. That was the teaching out, we’ll teach in — all night.” Environmental Studies remarkable thing about Earth Day. It Housed at the University of The event engaged some 3,500 organized itself.” faculty and students in debates, lectures, Wisconsin-Madison, the institute The national effort focused on what focuses on education, research, musical events and films. became the first Earth Day — April Four years later, with that model in community partnerships and 22, 1970. At the University of Michi- service in addressing environmental mind and Nelson’s own calls for an gan, that date did not work for us, environmental teach-in playing in the challenges. Events include an as our university was on a trimester annual Earth Day conference, media, a group of University of Michi- academic calendar, meaning we were gan students, faculty and community which this year will celebrate the heading for finals by late April. Thus, 50th anniversary and look to the members gathered to plan a campus we planned our teach-in for March. event on the environment. future of environmental issues and It became the focus of intense innovations; nelson.wisc.edu. The idea took off, blossoming into a national media attention, and we took four-day affair at the Michigan campus our role as an “Earth Day model” very Wisconsin Historical and spilling over into the city of Ann seriously. We held events to share our Arbor. As one of the co-chairs of the Society teach-in ideas and plans with students In conjunction with the Nelson event, I didn’t sleep those four days … from other campuses far and wide. but, oh, what a high! Institute, the Historical Society The kick-off rally, with Sen. Nelson features an extensive collection as one of the speakers, overflowed the Evolution of activism “Gaylord Nelson and Earth vast basketball arena. It opened with the What did the first Earth Day mean? Day: The Making of the Modern Chicago cast of the hit musical “Hair” It meant that environmental protec- Environmental Movement.” Browse singing their anthem, “Aquarius.” En- tion, far more broadly defined than just for photos, videos, narratives and tertainers Gordon Lightfoot and Arthur forest and park protection, had arrived copies of Nelson’s own materials to Godfrey also participated that night. for good. learn more about the man and the Over the four days, every university In Ann Arbor, for example, grow- event; nelsonearthday.net. department sponsored events — such as ing out of the teach-in, community the first national gathering of environ- activists formed the Ecology Center Earth Day Network mental law experts at the Law School. to promote safe and healthy environ- This international organization There were events in the community ments and created a recycling program seeks to “diversify, educate and Ann Arbor public schools. that has since grown into a wholly and activate the environmental owned green business. In the 1990s, movement worldwide,” working the Ecology Center created one of the with tens of thousands of Mushrooming movement largest land preservation programs in partners in nearly 200 countries; At the outset, as we were first plan- the country with thousands of acres earthday.org. ning the Michigan teach-in, my work protected in southeast Michigan. for wilderness preservation took me to On the federal level, the sense of vast Environmental Capitol Hill to lobby Congress (which public support for the environment led Protection Agency eventually became my career). While to the passage of the National Environ- The EPA has an Earth Day landing there, I walked into Sen. Nelson’s office mental Policy Act, the establishment of page with information about event — the first student to show up and an- the Environmental Protection Agency, history, project ideas for teachers nounce we were mobilizing for just the enactment of the Clean Air Act and and resources on greener living; kind of environmental teach-in Nelson the Clean Water Act, and a slew of epa.gov/earthday.

Spring 2020 29 #EarthDay365

ANDREA ZANI Plastic surgery Cut out the plastic bottles and grocery bags. At the very least, reduce, reuse and recycle. 10 ways to make every day Earth Day Celebrating Earth Day need not be a one-and-done proposition. Every day is a good day to take care of our planet. Plant a seed Adding native plants to your Here are 10 simple things you landscape can be a boost for the ecosystem. They provide food for can do year-round to conserve insects, which can feed other insects, resources and look out for the birds, bats, small mammals, fish and other wildlife. Plus, native flowers world around you — and this is are just plain pretty. For more on only a start! Just remember the going native in Wisconsin, check dnr. hashtag #EarthDay365 to help wi.gov and search “native plants.” do your part all year long. Park it Leave the car at home and walk, bike or bus to work. Sharing a carpool is nice, too, and may even mean making a few new friends.

Hot Water ways (coffee) Make sure faucets don’t drip, consider low-flush take toilets if they’re not Bring your own already in place, don’t run reusable travel the tap when you brush mug to fill at the your teeth. And get clean Light it up corner coffee in the shower, thank you, How many people does it take shop to cut but save some water for to change the world with a light down on waste. the next guy. It all adds bulb? Just one: You! Change up to less … water use, to more energy-efficient bulbs that is. such as compact fluorescent lamps if you haven’t already.

30 wnrmag.com to boot. healthier foodchoices It mightprompt some toward sustainability. little cangoalongway consumption evena Reducing animal-based for ood Thought bit addsup! employers. Everylittle local producers and goods andhelps transportation of fuel neededfor It meansless the area economy. environment and choice forthe possible isagreat businesses whenever Supporting local Shop local

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efficiency. for betterenergy the linttrapeachtime dryer, besure toclean you dousetheclothes Wisconsin winters!)If not alwayspracticalin them outtoairdry(yes, rack forclothesorhang possible, useadrying energy use.Asmuchas maximize waterand to haveafullload dishwasher, alwaystry clothes orrunningthe When washing Laundry list C

on EP for consumers.Findalink including aproduct guide resources ongreener living, Agency offers numerous Environmental Protection for theenvironment. The U.S. more sustainableandbetter specifically developedtobe products andservices on theplanetbychoosing Reduce youroverallimpact greener Go epa.gov/earthday.

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Y PHOTOS: DNR FILES, ISTOCK AND PAUL SKAWINSKI (NATIVE PLANTS) E Fame members. wchf.org for more ontheeventanda full listofHall T UW-Madison professors StephenBornandStanley inductees —landscapearchitect JensJensen,and N, inStevensPoint.Theceremony willhonorthree beginning at9a.m.SentryWorld, 601MichiganAve. invited tothisyear’s inductionceremony onApril25 of Wisconsin’s conservationlegacy. Thepublicis Nelson, HallofFamemembersrepresent thebest and AldoLeopoldtoEarthDayfounderGaylord organization inStevensPoint.From JohnMuir conservation-related groups makeupthisnonprofit Wisconsin ConservationHallofFame: dnr.wi.gov/about/wcc. county eachApril(thisyear’s dateisApril13).Check Hearings tocollectstatewideinputheldcounty-by- meetings are heldyear-round, withannual Spring Board onmanagementissues.Regular advise theDNRandNaturalesources statutory bodyhelpsinformand Input from thepublicthrough this Wisconsin ConservationCongress: wiatri.net. and T Network administersnumerous projects intheAquatic other projects. TheDNR’s Citizen-basedMonitoring and volunteersare neededforstatewidesurveysand the state’s vulnerableplantandanimalresources, Citizen science: topic/lands/naturalareas/volunteer.html fordetails. and more asanSNAvolunteer. Checkdnr.wi.gov/ way. Collectseeds,cutbrush,remove invasivespecies lands, andplentyofhelpisneededtokeepthemthat represent someofWisconsin’s mostpristinepublic SNA Volunteer Program: StateNaturalAreas Pick upandpitchinforEarthDaybeyond. and otherprojects around yourownneighborhood. joining aFriendsGroup. O r getinvolvedincleanup activity tohelpoutatastateparkbyvolunteeringor why stopthere? Makeitayear-round wi.gov/Calendar/workplayearthday. But Work*Play*Earth Dayevents.Checkdnr. System properties sponsor alonglistof Friends Groups atWisconsin StatePark activities are popularforEarthDay, and projects andgeneralmaintenance W Earth andhonorthosewhohave.Here’s how: Join withotherstomakeadifference forMother PEOPLE FORTHEPANET

emple — bringing the Hall of Fame total to 100. See emple —bringing theHallofFametotal to 100.See R S ork*Play*Earth Day:Cleanup errestrial Resources Inventory. Learnmore at Data collection is vital in supporting Data collectionisvitalinsupporting

Spring 2020 More than 35 More than35

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JARED URBAN