Last week was a big week for climate action networks in Wisconsin!
From left: Katelynn Samuelson (OSCE), Lizzie Condon (Wisconsin Academy), Christine Kelly (OSCE), Jess James (Wisconsin Academy), Susan Gaeddert
CLIMATE ACTION NAVIGATORS
On Monday and Tuesday, a group called the Wisconsin Climate Action Navigators (WI CAN) met for two days at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society in Milwaukee. WI CAN is organized by the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE) and includes local leaders and nonprofits from across the state. The purpose of WI CAN is to help ensure that OSCE equitably distributes federal Community Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) funds and help connect OSCE with communities statewide in the development of the Wisconsin Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), due to the EPA in May 2025.
Susan Gaeddert attended to represent both 1000 Friends of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Climate Table.
Attendees heard about the process of developing the CCAP;
Christine Kelly, a consultant with OSCE, speaks to the WI CAN network at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society.
We learned about environmental justice action in the city’s northside neighborhoods, including a tour of Walnut Way Conservation Corps;
From left: green rooftop, digital printing business, group leaving for the tour
...and we pitched project ideas to each other to drum up support for collaboration and seed funding.
It was an intense couple of days, and there is more to come this summer and fall as funding opportunities roll out and the CCAP develops!
WISCONSIN CLIMATE TABLE ANNUAL MEETING
On Friday, May 3 the Wisconsin Climate Table met at the Slipstream HQ in Madison for their annual in-person meeting.
We heard about progress on the CCAP from OSCE, learned about the upcoming Climate Fast Forward conference organized by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters in November, and had a lively discussion with members about the work we’ve done and the work ahead of us.
Stephanie Robinson, Co-Executive Director of 350 Wisconsin, presents to the group.
One major highlight was hearing about projects the Climate Table has funded over the last year, including:
A tool kit from 350 Wisconsin designed to break down barriers to engaging with the Public Service Commission on clean energy issues such as energy burden, solar net metering, utility rate increases, and more. The tool kit is still under development and will include materials such as explainer videos and social media posts that help demystify PSC processes and boost public engagement.
A Rural Electric Cooperative Scorecarding Initiative (RESCI) from Green Neighbor Challenge and other organizations in the Midwest. The scorecard will increase transparency around electric coops and encourage member owners to get involved. The scorecard is still under development and will be online later this year.
A storytelling project featuring first person narratives from people and communities on the front lines of climate change. The storymap includes data from historic redlining maps and the Justice 40 screening tool. Stories of Impact is a companion to the Tool Kit for Equity and Justice in Local Climate Action Planning.
