Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address Celebrating Earth Week

Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address in celebration of Earth Week, including Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Forest Appreciation Week, in Wisconsin.

The governor and his administration are inviting Wisconsinites to celebrate Earth Week by taking action around their own homes and communities to reduce waste, recycle, conserve water, and take small steps that can have a big impact on helping protect and conserve Wisconsin’s natural resources, improve local neighborhoods and communities, outdoor spaces, and parks, and help respond to and mitigate climate change. A list of five steps Wisconsinites can take to protect the state’s natural resources and celebrate Earth Week, including links to DNR resources to help, is available here.

From the 12 Native Nations in Wisconsin that have been stewards of the land since long before Wisconsin became a state to Wisconsin’s farmers and producers to hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreational enthusiasts, Wisconsin has a long and proud history of environmental stewardship and conservation. Founded in 1970 by former Wisconsin Governor and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day was created to raise awareness about air and water pollution. More than 50 years later, Earth Day is observed around the world.

On Earth Day 2021, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #112, joining the global Trillion Trees Pledge and committing to plant 75 million new trees and conserve 125,000 acres of forest in Wisconsin by the end of 2030. Last year, on Earth Day, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #221, increasing the state’s tree-planting goal to 100 million trees by the end of 2030.

This week, Gov. Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), released Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge 2024 Annual Report. The report shows that Wisconsin planted nearly 10.7 million trees and conserved more than 57,000 acres of forestland in the state in 2024 as part of the pledge. More information about the governor’s Trillion Trees Pledge update is available here.

Since Day One, Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration have made it a top priority to conserve and protect Wisconsin’s vast and valuable natural resources, invest in sustainable industries and expand clean energy infrastructure, and fight the climate crisis.

In his first year in office, Gov. Evers joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, of which he is now the first Midwest governor to serve as an executive board member. The governor, along with his fellow U.S. Climate Alliance governors, is committed to collectively achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat climate change and has established an ambitious goal of ensuring 100 percent carbon-free electricity consumption in Wisconsin by 2050. Gov. Evers also created the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change in his first year in office, which advised and assisted the governor in developing strategies to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change for the benefit of all Wisconsin communities.

In 2025 the Year of the Kid, Gov. Evers is building upon this work and prioritizing tackling the climate crisis head-on to help ensure Wisconsin’s kids can enjoy Wisconsin’s vast and vibrant natural resources for years to come. Additional information on the governor’s 2025-27 Executive Budget proposals to protect the state’s natural resources and advance climate resilience in Wisconsin is also available here.

The governor’s 2025 Earth Day proclamation is available here. Gov. Evers has also proclaimed Forest Appreciation Week, which runs from April 21 to Arbor Day (April 25). The governor’s Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day proclamation is available here.

Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here. Happy Earth Week!

Protecting our natural resources, cleaning up our lands, waters, and air, and leaving Wisconsin and our world better than we found them are part of our state’s proud heritage and tradition.

As governor, I’m proud that we’re continuing to build upon this important work and history.

Since I signed an executive order to take the Trillion Trees Pledge, Wisconsin has planted more than 42 million trees, with over 10 million trees planted in 2024 alone.

That means we’re almost halfway towards our goal!

We also have to continue investing in protecting our land and water resources and expanding Wisconsin’s clean energy economy so we can leave our kids and grandkids with a better world than the one we inherited.

My budget plan reauthorizes the successful Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for another decade at the highest level ever to protect our green spaces, parks, and trails.

We’re also investing in ensuring folks have clean, safe water. I want to get the lead out of our drinking water for good, help private well owners fix or replace their contaminated wells, and protect kids, families, and farmers from PFAS contamination.

I also recognize that farmers are some of our most ardent stewards of our land and water. So, my budget also invests in their efforts to keep our land and water clean through our Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program.

My budget also works towards building a new future in Wisconsin for renewable energy and helps homeowners make home efficiency upgrades to lower out-of-pocket costs.

I encourage you to join me in celebrating Earth Week this week—pick up trash in your local neighborhood or park, fix a leak at home, weatherize your windows, cut down on food waste, plant a native plant or tree, recycle your old electronics.

It’s going to take all of us working together to make sure to leave our communities, state, and planet better than we found them.

Happy Earth Day and Arbor Day, Wisconsin. Let’s make it happen!

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.