Connecting People and Nature
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY’S efforts to protect important natural areas began in 1951 with citizen action to protect an old-growth hemlock forest from development. Those early efforts quickly spread across the U.S., and Wisconsin became one of the early chapters of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Today, TNC has helped protect more than 242,000 acres of Wisconsin's beautiful and diverse natural places.
In recent years, the organization has also turned its attention to combatting climate change, working with farmers to protect soil health and clean water, and promoting sustainability and increased access to nature in urban areas.
“There's a growing need to add nature to the things that contribute to quality of life in cities,” says Lamont Smith, TNC's Milwaukee program manager. “That includes decreasing the amount of concrete covering the cityscape and replacing it with green infrastructure, like native plant rain gardens, and supporting community-based conservation efforts.”
In Milwaukee, TNC is supporting the efforts of groups like Reflo – a nonprofit that builds green infrastructure and advocates for sustainable water use – to give people of all ages more opportunities to learn about conservation by participating directly in the work.
This year, for example, Dontae Luttrell, a North Division High School student, got an internship at Reflo to assist with its program to design greener, healthier schoolyards. Luttrell visits schools and assesses the quality of their green space. “At the end of the process, we go to a science fair and show Milwaukee Public Schools elementary students what we came up with,” says Luttrell.
“Environmental issues and climate change are gaining more attention these days, and rightfully so,” says Smith. “Everything we do in Milwaukee is about adding to that momentum and collaborating with local organizations like Reflo to find solutions to these challenges.”
What We Do:
The Nature Conservancy uses science to develop innovative solutions to the challenges people and the environment face today, from climate change and habitat loss to growing healthy food and keeping water clean.
Where Your Money Goes:
Donations support the protection and care of Wisconsin's lands, waters, and wildlife, and help promote positive environmental and climate change policies.
Funds also support TNC's work with partners in Milwaukee to use nature-based solutions to more equitably improve people's lives and enhance Milwaukee's natural environment.
633 W. Main St., Madison 608-251-8140 nature.org/wisconsin