Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor Barnes met with the Senate Democrats to discuss their priorities and vision for the next for years. 

I am committed to improving the lives of everyone in the 27^th District, and I feel optimistic that our new administration shares my ideas and hopes to represent Wisconsinites, improve our communities and invest in future generations. 

There is a lot of opportunity this year to ensure that Wisconsin thrives. Together, we will work towards making health care affordable and accessible, improving our schools, and investing in our infrastructure.

I am excited to work with the incoming administration on our shared priorities to improve Wisconsin for all.

State of the State

I was disappointed that I was unable to join my colleagues for Governor Tony Evers’ first State of the State Address. Unfortunately, an illness prevented me from being there in person, and I joined Wisconsinites from across the state in watching the speech from my home.

I was happy to see the Governor salute Dr. Mike Leckrone, who is retiring as the Director of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band after 50 years. I want to congratulate him in his remarkable and unforgettable years at the University.

Governor Evers has proven his dedication to the people of Wisconsin. He has already appointed a diverse cabinet, prohibited discrimination against the LGBTQ employees who serve our state, and laid out a plan to expand Medicaid, fund our schools, and address our transportation funding crisis. He is listening to Wisconsinites’ wishes to move past endless political battles and focus on the issues that our families care about. I was excited to hear his speech, and look forward to getting to work on his vision.

2019 Dane County Environmental Grants
Dane County Natural Resource Education Center (NREC)

The Dane County Environmental Council competitively awards grants to support projects that improve, protect and enhance land and water resources to the benefit of Dane County residents. The deadline for 2019 proposals is Thursday, February 28, 2019 by 5 pm CT.

Environmental Grants are awarded in two categories:

1. The Capital Equipment Program will provide funding to assist with equipment purchase, rental or lease; construction of conservation measures; or maintenance of previously constructed conservation measures that improve, protect and enhance land and water resources in Dane County.
   
   
2. The Community Partners Program provides funding for projects that promote environmental education, conservation and restoration.

Applicants must designate the program for which they are applying. Applicants may apply for both programs. Note that your submitted grant application may be subject to an open record request. Additional information; including application forms, eligibility requirements, proposal guidelines and review criteria for these programs is provided on the following pages.

More information can be found here.

MacKenzie Center’s Maple Education Program is Looking for Volunteers - Letter from the program: 

Each spring the MacKenzie Center welcomes students to our sugarbush (a grove of maple trees) to learn the process and history of making maple syrup in Wisconsin through our annual Maple Education Program. During maple season, we tap over 100 trees and reach over 1,200 students in the education program. We typically collect around 1000 gallons of sap and produce around 35-40 gallons of pure maple syrup.

MacKenzie Center’s annual education program begins in March and your help is needed in many areas. Volunteers will be trained to conduct student tours, boil sap, process maple syrup, and/or assist with other behind the scenes sugarbush duties. Volunteers are needed throughout the month of March as we host 4th graders from all over South Central Wisconsin for this special spring program.

Maple field trips occur twice a day, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in March. Volunteers can sign up for just a few days or for the entire month of the education program. Many education volunteers will participate in 3 or more days throughout the month. No previous experience is necessary, but we do caution you that this experience is addicting! This is a great chance to learn from experienced volunteers and try something new. Our training session will be held this year at the MacKenzie Center lodge on Thursday, February 14th from 9am until 3pm.

If you are interested in this opportunity please email Hayley Parsons at hayley.parsons@wisconsin.gov or call (608) 635-8112 prior to February 13th.

The MacKenzie Center is located two miles east of Poynette on County Road CS. For more information on the MacKenzie Center please visit us on the web at http://dnr.wi.gov, and search MacKenzie.