The following organizations serve on a state level. They focus on state-wide issues.

BeSmart Waste Reduction Coalition
The BeSmart organization aims to inform Wisconsin residents on how reduce, reuse and recycle. It offers a variety of ways for Wisconsin residents to cut down on waste. Visit their website for further information at http://www.besmart.org/.

Relevant Issues: Recycling

Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation
This group is a volunteer and member-based non-profit organization that seeks to protect and maintain the Ice Age Trail which is a thousand mile footpath located entirely in Wisconsin. Membership packages range from $25 to $500. For more information visit www.iceagetrail.org

Relevant Issues: Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats

The Nature Conservancy: Wisconsin Chapter
The Nature Conservancy is a global nonprofit organization whose land protection spans across 50 states and in 31 countries. The organization works to conserve natural land and water for people and nature. The Wisconsin Chapter has protected over 140,600 acres of land since it was founded in 1960. There are five Wisconsin offices working to target threatened land that needs urgent protection. For more information and volunteer opportunites, go to: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/wisconsin/

Relevant Issues: Water, Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats

River Alliance of Wisconsin
The River Alliance is an organization that advocates for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of Wisconsin's rivers and watersheds. It fulfills its mission through on-the-ground projects, advocating certain water protection policies, educating citizens about Wisconsin's northern rivers, and supporting local river and watershed protection groups. It has over 3200 individual, organizational, and business members. Joining is easy and can be done via the organization's website www.wisconsinrivers.org.

Relevant Issues: Water

Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Its mission is to explore and protect the wild places of the earth, to practice and promote responsible uses of resources, and to educate individuals to protect the environment. There are more than 1.3 million members involved with the Sierra Club. Although it is a national organization, the Sierra Club has many different chapters within Wisconsin and the other states. Be sure to check out the Wisconsin page for more information about events in your area. Along with living its mission, the Sierra Club is also known for endorsing congressional candidates during election time. For the 2008 election, the Club has endorsed five different congressional members/candidates: Tammy Baldwin, Ron Kind, Gwen Moore, David Obey, and Steve Kagen.
For more information visit www.sierraclub.org.

Relevant Issues: Climate Change, Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats, State Parks

Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education
The WAEE is a non-profit organization composed of teachers, youth leaders, professionals, and naturalist dedicated to educating of all people about the natural environment. Located at UW Stevens Point, the organization sponsors numerous conferences and workshops across the state to promote networking opportunities and professional growth. The group offers different levels of membership including: individual, student, corporate, and family memberships. Prices range from $15 for students to $350 dollars for a lifetime membership. Visit their website: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/ for further details and membership applications.


Relevant Issues: Environmental Education

Wisconsin Audubon Council:
The Wisconsin Audubon Council promotes, fosters and encourages the conservation, preservation and study of all wildlife, plants, soil, water, air and other natural resources for the benefit of nature and society. In furtherance of those goals we work to combine the efforts of our member organizations in any pursuits as may be a part of the stated purpose of the National Audubon Society. Their are sixteen member organizations to this council that is chaired by President Randy Korb. Further information on members and the organization's efforts can be found on their website http://wisconsinaudubon.org/wisconsinaudubon/.

Relevant Issues: Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats, Lake Michigan, Development and Sprawl, Return of Bears, Moose & Wolves, State Parks, Deer & Hunting, Invasive Species

Members of the Council:
Aldo Leopold Audubon Society (Stevens Point) Website
Chappee Rapids Audubon Society (Marinette) Website
Chequamegon Audubon Society (Ashland)
Coulee Region Audubon Society (LaCrosse) Website
Fond du Lac County Audubon Society (Fond du Lac) Website
Friends of Hunt Hill Sanctuary (Sarona) Website
Green Rock Audubon Society (Beloit)
Hoy Audubon Society (Racine) Website
Lakeland Audubon Society (Lake Geneva)
Madison Audubon Society (Madison) Website
Milwaukee Audubon Society (Milwaukee) Website
Northeastern WI Audubon Society (Green Bay) Website
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (Milwaukee) Website
Sheboygan County Audubon Society (Sheboygan)
Winnebago Audubon Society (Oshkosh) Website
Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society (West Allis) Website

Wisconsin Environment:
This is a Wisconsin based organization that focuses its agenda on global warming solutions, clean water, new energy solutions, preserving Wisconsin, and clean air. The organization looks to make changes through the State Legislature and State funding. More information regarding this organization can be found on its website http://wisconsinenvironment.org.

Relevant Issues: Climate Change, Water, Wind Energy, Ethanol, Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats

Wisconsin Resources Protection Council
Founded in 1982 in help counter the lack of information about the effects of large-scale metallic sulfide mining, this group strives to educate the public about the consequences of allowing international mining corporations to develop a new mining district in northern Wisconsin.
Membership fees are $15, except for seniors and low-income individuals ($5).
For more information go to www.wrpc.net.

Relevant Issues: Mining

Wisconsin Wetlands Association:
The Wisconsin Wetlands Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and enjoyment of wetlands and associated ecosystems through science-based programs, education, and advocacy. There are currently 1500 members from Wisconsin and 26 other states who are actively involved with the group.
The Association relies heavily on donations (about 30% of the budget comes from donations).
There are 6 different levels of membership: student $15; $30; $50; $100; $250; $500
For more information go to www.wisconsinwetlands.org or call (608)250-9971.

Relevant Issues: Conservation of Wildlife and Species, Water

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
This group has a dual mission to engage in conservation education and to advocate for sound conservation policy. It puts its main focus on protection of fish and wildlife as well as their habitats. The group also teaches different skills including hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational pursuits.
Members can join for $25, $50, $100, $250, or $500 levels. The higher levels provide members with more added benefits.
Call toll-free 1-800-897-4161 to join.
For more information go to www.wiwf.org/index.htm

Relevant Issues: Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats, Deer and Hunting, Return of Bears, Moose, and Wolves