Political Digest

Wisconsin’s Green Fire publishes new paper on the future of Wisconsin’s forests

Forests in Wisconsin, covering over 17.5 million acres of land and supporting a $37 billion forest products sector, face serious environmental and economic threats, a new study by Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF), “Wisconsin Forests at Risk: Engaging Wisconsinites in Another Century of Forest Conservation,” contends.

“If we want to continue enjoying the benefits provided by our forests, from sawlogs and pulp to clean air and clean water, Wisconsin needs to take new steps as leaders in forest conservation,” said WGF executive director Meleesa Johnson. “We want everyone at the table to plan for the future of our forests.”

Johnson called for renewed statewide action to address the threats to forests and the forest-based economy.

Johnson also said one opportunity to join the conversation will be at the WGF webinar on Wisconsin Forests at Risk on Jan. 15, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

Key themes in the report describing the threats to the stability and resilience of forests include declines in forest productivity and forest health; changes in the economics of forest management, and changes in forest ownership and owner objectives.

“Just when we need healthy, diverse, and productive forests more than ever, our forests are facing threats that can prevent them from serving as effective solutions to our greatest conservation challenges,” the lead contributor to the paper, Fred Clark, said. “Our goal with this paper is to show the seriousness of these threats and spark big conversations throughout Wisconsin that help shape the next century of forest conservation.”

DOJ receives $7 million federal grant to expand substance use treatment access

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has been awarded a $7 million Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to implement the Wisconsin Deflection Initiative (WDI).

“Making treatment more accessible is important not only for those struggling with substance-use disorder but for public safety as well,” said attorney general Josh Kaul. “This grant will allow for more to be done to help fight addiction.”

The initiative aims to connect individuals struggling with substance use disorders to treatment and support services before they experience crisis, overdose, or criminal justice involvement. Through partnerships between law enforcement, emergency services, and healthcare providers, the WDI will create multiple pathways for accessing treatment across Wisconsin communities.

The funding will strengthen efforts to connect individuals to stabilization, treatment, and recovery services, the DOJ says. By intervening early and connecting people to appropriate care, the state DOJ says it can help break the cycle of addiction and reduce involvement with the criminal justice system. 

Key components of the initiative include self-referral and officer intervention programs; active outreach to at-risk individuals’ enhanced response to overdose incidents; coordination between law enforcement and treatment providers; and comprehensive support services including mental health care and recovery support.