DARLINGTON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources would like to remind Wisconsin residents to begin submitting ideas as proposed resolutions. The deadline is Monday, February 8, 2027, at midnight. An individual may submit two resolutions per year. If the Wisconsin Conservation Congress has taken a position on a resolution within the last five years, the proposal will be rejected. Topics of resolutions could include hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife management, among other discussions.
“The Conservation Congress is the most comprehensive voice in conservation for the citizens of Wisconsin,” shares Paul Reith, Chair of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. “A resolution is how a good idea from a hunter, angler, landowner, trapper or hiker gets feedback statewide, and formal advice to the Natural Resources Board and WI Dept of Natural Resources. You don’t need to be an expert or a club member, just someone who cares about Wisconsin’s natural resources. You must be a resident of the county where you submit the resolution and attend that county’s Spring Hearing to present it. The best time to start is now. Online submissions are open through February 8, 2027.”
Once a resolution is formally submitted, it will be examined and considered by the Wisconsin DNR. Public hearings will be held by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, which may make suggestions that lead to amendments of the resolution. Once the votes occur, approved resolutions are then implemented by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and the Wisconsin DNR.
“Citizens bring forward a broad array of questions, from wake boats, to lead shot, to the state insect; and we ask everyone for feedback during the Spring Hearings in April,” Reith says. “We have in-person meetings in every county, and we also take feedback online.”
All resolutions must meet the same criteria. The concern must have the name and current contact information of the person submitting the proposal; have a Wisconsin statewide impact; written with 2000 characters or less; be practical, achievable and reasonable; and be within the mission and vision of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. The WCC is an independent organization of citizens that advises the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and the DNR on how to responsibly manage Wisconsin’s natural resources.
“A successful resolution meets the published criteria, is clear and specific about the problem and the change being asked for, and is something that can realistically be acted on,” shares Reith. “You also get the opportunity to present your resolution and speak in favor of it. Bring a friend to testify their support too. Online submissions are visible for everyone in that county to review, and WCC delegates can help improve them before the spring hearing. If something needs fixing, the author gets help getting it into shape. Resolutions brought in-person at the Spring Hearing, held in April, are only reviewed by the people who attend that hearing, and there’s no chance to fix problems until next year. That means in-person resolutions carry a higher risk of being rejected for not meeting the criteria. For the best chance of success, I encourage people to submit online and take advantage of the help available. Anyone who is not comfortable with a computer can also ask a friend, family member or library staff to help with the online form.”
According to the Wisconsin DNR website, it is suggested that those interested in submitting a resolution take a look at a few factors. Knowledge of the subject is helpful. Be sure to make a case using facts, evidence, and cite legitimate sources when possible. Interested persons should gather some background on the issue they are proposing, understand the laws that surround that issue, and decide if it requires legislative action or administrative rule changes. At the close of the submission process, the resolutions will be reviewed and the resolutions that meet the necessary criteria will be prepared for the 2027 Spring Hearings.
“All public input at the spring hearing is advisory to the Natural Resources Board, DNR staff and others working on these issues, but it is read and it does shape the conversation, Paul Reith informs. “The in-person hearings on April 12 also include the online survey from 6 p.m. on Monday, April 12 through midnight on Wednesday, April 14, 2027, so everyone can weigh-in on the DNR’s proposed rule change questions and the Conservation Congress advisory questions.”
For those with questions, more information, including delegates’ contact info, can be located at dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing.
