Eco-Minute

Happy 75th birthday to Wisconsin’s State Natural Areas Program created in 1951—the first program of its kind in the country and the largest. There are nearly 700 natural sites cared for and protected through the program. Our very first state natural area was Parfrey’s Glen in the Baraboo Hills. How often do you think about […]

Tue May 26, 2026

1:00

The EPA says it wants to toss out a rule that keeps coal power plants from releasing hundreds of millions of gallons of toxic metals into nearby waterways. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said the rule is so hard to comply with that it could cause coal plants to shut down, and that would deprive AI […]

Tue May 19, 2026

1:00

The US House has voted to remove controversial provisions from the Farm Bill that would have weakened pesticide protections and given chemical companies legal immunity. The provisions sought to strip states of their authority to pass stronger protections against pesticides, allow pesticide applications near schools and playgrounds, and block people harmed by exposure from suing chemical […]

Tue May 5, 2026

1:00

New research from Clean Wisconsin shows it’s not great to live next to an AI data center. Turns out air pollution from diesel generators on the sites can harm your health. The research shows the hyperscale Vantage data center in Port Washington could cause $960,000 to $1.29 million in annual public health costs statewide. Most of […]

Tue Apr 28, 2026

1:00

Just when you thought there might be a lull in the push to build AI data centers in Wisconsin, another project has been announced – this time along the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Rapids. Few details have been made public, but there will be a hearing at the city’s Planning Commission on May 4th. Residents […]

Tue Apr 21, 2026

1:00

More details about a possible AI data center in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. The small Mississippi River town of Cassville is reportedly being eyed for what could be the biggest construction project ever in Grant County. County officials have refused to name the tech company behind the project, but say it’s a famous one. Some residents […]

Tue Apr 7, 2026

1:00

A coalition of public health and environmental groups – including Clean Wisconsin – has filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA’s repeal of tighter standards that protect people from toxic air pollution. The standards limit the amount of mercury, lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals emitted from coal-fired power plants. Since EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics […]

Tue Mar 31, 2026

1:01

The State of Wisconsin is joining health and environmental advocates across the country, including Clean Wisconsin, that are suing the EPA over its repeal of climate protections. The cases center on the EPA’s repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding, which found that climate pollution is a threat to public health and welfare. Since that finding, […]

Tue Mar 24, 2026

1:00

Take a listen to the sound of an endangered species – maybe not happy that he’s being followed. That’s an American Marten – caught on video by a DNR biologist in Wisconsin’s north woods this month. That rare footage has now gone viral. The cute weasel-like creatures are endangered here because of habitat loss from […]

Tue Mar 17, 2026

1:00

The DNR is investigating manure contamination in Trempealeau County. The agency got calls to its confidential warden hotline complaining about animal waste washing off nearby farm fields – and into local waterways. Officials collected dead fish, including brook trout. Farm operators are strongly discouraged from spreading animal waste on land during the winter when it […]

Tue Mar 3, 2026

1:00