05/22/09 Wisconsin’s Wetlands Gem List Launch
5/29/2009
Monday, May 18 – Wisconsin Wetland Association’s Gem List launch 
Lt. Governor Lawton participated in the statewide launch of the Wisconsin Wetland Association’s Gem List Monday at the Cherokee Marsh in Madison where she discussed the economic and ecological importance of Wisconsin’s wetlands. She noted Wisconsin’s historic conservation ethic, one that includes the legacies of Gaylord Nelson and Aldo Leopold.
Wisconsin’s wetlands cover nearly a quarter of the state’s land. They control flooding, prevent erosion, and facilitate recreation wherever they sit. The Gem List identifies 100 of these sites that are ecologically valuable and representative of Wisconsin’s biodiversity. The Gem List launch was the first event in a six-month series of celebrations across the state that will recognize Wisconsin’s seven wetland regions, beginning May 21-23 with the northeast region and concluding October 4 with the northwest region.
Left) Lt. Governor Lawton, Sun Prairie Mayor Joe Chase and photographer Mario Quintana.
Lt. Governor Lawton’s Art in the Office exhibit currently displays photographs and artwork of the Cherokee Marsh, one of the wetland habitats included on the Gem List. The “Art of the Marsh” exhibit is the result of a partnership between the Friends of the Cherokee Marsh and the Northside Artists Group.
Tuesday, May 19 – Superior Sustainability Roundtable
Lt. Governor Lawton was the keynote speaker via video for a green jobs roundtable Tuesday hosted at the Rothwell Student Center in Superior. The Sustainability Roundtable series, hosted by the UW-Extension School for Workers, encourages participants from the labor and business communities to consider strategies for creating green jobs in their own communities, brainstorm ideas for cross-sector collaboration, and design an action plan for driving sustainable economic development.
Racine Art Museum Legacy Awards
Lt. Governor Lawton delivered the keynote address for the first annual Racine Art Museum Legacy Awards (RAMMYs) ceremony on Tuesday. The RAMMY awards honor individuals and corporations that have made significant contributions to the Racine Art Museum.
As chair of the Wisconsin Arts Board, Lawton highlighted the profound economic impact of the Racine Art Museum in reshaping Racine’s downtown business district, drawing in thousands of tourists from across the United States for events, and providing a strong cultural heartbeat in an area suffering from high unemployment and job loss.
Pictured above: Lt. Governor Lawton, Wisconsin Arts Board Member Bruce Bernberg, President of the Racine Art Museum Board Charles Creecy and Roger Dower of the Johnson Foundation and his daughter.
Thursday, May 21 – La Crosse Sustainability Roundtable
On Thursday, Lt. Governor Lawton keynoted via teleconference the fourth and final green jobs roundtable hosted by the UW-Extension School for Workers at the Western Technical College Academic Research Center in La Crosse. Community and business leaders, labor union representatives, and members of environmental organizations met to discuss strategies for stimulating the green economy.
The Green Economy Agenda is a central pillar of Lt. Governor Lawton’s work for the people of Wisconsin. She launched it with introduction of the resolution passed by the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) establishing specific goals to combat global warming and invest in renewable energy. Nearly half of the country’s lieutenant governors signed the resolution, which pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, and by 60 to 80 percent by 2050.
Virginia Hart Award Ceremony
Lt. Governor Lawton recognized the historic and ongoing leadership women in state government provide on Thursday as the keynote speaker of the annual Virginia Hart Award Ceremony. The ceremony took place in the ornate Senate Parlor Room of the State Capitol and honored women in state service who have made exemplary but perhaps less visible contributions to clients, colleagues, and the general public.
Virginia Hart served as Wisconsin’s first woman cabinet member as secretary of the Department of Regulation and Licensing from 1973 to 1977.
