The first of 8 Conservation Listening Sessions being held all around the state start next week! Members of a wide range of conservation groups–including local lake associations, sportsmen groups, environmental organizations, farming groups and more will come to voice their conservation concerns. From polluted lakes and invasive species to renewable energy and mercury pollution, we’re sure there will be no shortage of issues to discuss!

Please join us at a Listening Session near you and help pick the Conservation Priorities for 2011-2012. If you are a member of a conservation organization, involved in a local group, or simply concerned about conservation, we encourage you to attend and share YOUR OPINION!

Dates and locations of the Conservation Listening Sessions

Eau Claire Listening Session
Tuesday, August 10 6:30-8:00 p.m.
L.E. Phillips Public Library (Chippewa Room)
Contact: Tom Stolp tom@conservationvoters.org

La Crosse Listening Session
Wednesday, August 11 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
La Crosse Public Library (Auditorium)
Contact: Tom Stolp tom@conservationvoters.org

Green Bay Listening Session
Thursday, August 12 – 6:00-7:30 p.m/
Brown County Public Library
Contact Staush Gruszynski staush@conservationvoters.org

Fond du Lac Listening Session
Wednesday, August 18 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Fond du Lac Public Library
Contact: Staush Gruszynski staush@conservationvoters.org

Madison Listening Session
Thursday, August 19 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Madison Central Public Library
Contact: Matt Dannenberg matt@conservationvoters.org

Stevens Point Listening Session
Thursday, August 26 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Portage County Library (Pinery Room)
Contact: Matt Dannenberg matt@conservationvoters.org

Kenosha Listening Session
Wednesday, September 29 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Northside Library
Contact: Jennifer Giegerich jennifer@conservationvoters.org

Milwaukee Listening Session
Thursday, September 30 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Urban Ecology Center (Community Room)
Contact: Jennifer Giegerich jennifer@conservationvoters.org

Two years ago, after a series of Listening Sessions around the state, local groups and citizen like you helped pick four Conservation Priorities, including Restoring an Independent DNR Secretary and Protecting the Great Lakes from water diversions. Because these issues were top concerns of citizens, they became top priorities for legislators as well.

If you are a member of a organization, involved in a local group, or simply concerned about conservation, we encourage you to attend one of the 8 Conservation Listening Sessions and share YOUR OPINION!

Jennifer Giegerich, Capitol Liaison, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, 133 S. Butler St. Suite 320, Madison, WI 53703, Office: 608.661.0845 | Fax: 608.260.9799, Email: jennifer@conservationvoters.orgconservationvoters.org

GULF OIL DISASTER AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP

Help Make a Statement - Join Hands Across the Sand! Gulf Oil Disaster Vigil Sat, June 26 Law Park 11 a.m.

We are all very concerned about the huge BP oil disaster occurring in the Gulf and the effect it may/will have on the millions of birds - and other wildlife species - that are nesting and breeding in the path of what could become America's worst environmental catastrophe. What can we possibly do to help?

From the beginning, National Audubon has been involved, joining with other national groups to coordinate efforts to help where needed, working with local chapters along the Gulf, and posting the latest information on their website (http://audubon.org/). Coordinating efforts at the national and local levels, volunteers are being linked with specific tasks as the disaster unfolds. To volunteer, especially if you have specific skills in wildlife rescue or other emergency support, sign up on the website above.

Here are additional ways we can all help:

• Stay informed. The latest news, especially about the effect of the oil on birds and wildlife, can be found on Audubon's homepage: http://audubon.org/
• Take action. Contact your legislators and urge them to fully fund efforts to restore habitat along the Gulf coast, particularly Louisiana, and to support safer energy solutions.
• Donate money. All funds will be used wisely for restoration, volunteer efforts, and sound energy policy work. More information can be found on Audubon's homepage: http://audubon.org/
• Do all you can to save energy. Consider biking, walking, or taking mass transit whenever possible. Consolidate or share trips. Try doing a BIGBY (Big Green Big Year - see Green Birding), a fun, carbon-neutral way to see how many bird species you can see by walking or biking (or paddling) from home or work. Make it a competition if you like - several people in Wisconsin already are!
• Do whatever you can to restore and improve habitat. From planting a few native species in your yard to attract birds and the insects they depend upon, to using fewer (or no) pesticides, to encouraging your community to become a "Bird City Wisconsin" (see http://www.birdcitywisconsin.org/), there are a myriad of ways to bolster declining populations of birds that breed, winter, or migrate through Wisconsin. For more ideas see: http://www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/Healthy_Yard.html