Wisconsin Conservation Congress citizen resolution submission open Jan. 5 to Feb. 9

Each year Wisconsin residents have the opportunity to be involved in a process that is unique to the state, that of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress citizen resolution process. In this process, residents are able to put forth a resolution that they would like to see become a regulation in relation to any of the state’s natural resources.

Each year the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC), together with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), holds their spring hearings meetings in each county in the state. This is the public’s opportunity to weigh in on issues involving the state’s natural resources. Not only do citizens have the ability to weigh in on questions posed by the Congress and DNR advisory groups, but starting in January of each year, they also have the opportunity to bring forth their own concerns and effect real change in the state through the citizen resolution process. While this is a multiple-year process, involving several step, regulations have been changed through this process, and these ideas can become reality for stakeholders.

On Jan. 5, the 2026 Citizen Resolution Form will go live on the DNR website. This form will stay active until Feb. 9. The author of each resolution submits their resolution through the form, with the ability to first discuss their ideas with their WCC delegate for their county. Each author must be present at the in-person meeting in their county of residence on the second Monday in April. The concern address must be of statewide impact, be within the mission and vision and be practical, achievable and reasonable. Resolutions need a concise title and must specifically define the concern. 

Not only does a resolution need to express a concern, but the author must present their idea for a solution and give a description of the action desired to address the concern. Citing facts, studies and data to support the resolution is also important, all within the 2,000 character word limit, which is exclusive of the title and author contact information.

Only two resolutions per year are allowed per individual.

Once the resolution deadline hits, a committee of WCC delegates will review each resolution to ensure all criteria are met. If there are any issues, a committee member will work with the author of the resolution to help to bring it into compliance. 

Once resolutions pass this phase, the will first be introduced at the next year’s spring hearings in-person meeting in the county of residence of the resolution. The same resolution may be submitted in multiple counties, but the author of each resolution must live in the county in which they are introducing that resolution.

From there, if the resolution passes in the county in which it is introduced, it will then go to a WCC advisory committee for review. This usually happens in the fall of the same year. Should a resolution pass that step, it can then find its way to the next year’s spring hearings. 

Resolution authors should note that results from the WCC spring hearings are advisory, rather than binding. However, questions that pass in the majority of counties are considered more closely through the process. Spring hearings results are delivered to the DNR. From there, the DNR brings the results to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) for further review. At the end of it all, resolutions can, and have, been turned into law. While the process is lengthy, it is an unique way in which Wisconsin allows for input directly from citizen stakeholders who are often hunter, trappers and anglers whose voice may not be otherwise heard as loudly through other channels. 

For more information on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, the citizen resolution process, or to access he resolution form, head to the DNR website dnr.wi.gov and input the search term, “Wisconsin Conservation Congress.”

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].