The Wisconsin Conservation Congress and the DNR are partnering to expand the Youth Conservation Congress. The Conservation Congress advises the DNR on conservation issues. The Youth Conservation Congress is designed by the Conservation Congress to provide young people with an experience like the advisory role of the adult Congress, says Kari Lee- Zimmerman, a liason with the DNR.
"....to get youth involved in both physical aspects of Conservation and also engage them also in the civics of conservation, the rule making process and what all goes into management...."
Current participants do some of the functions the older WCC members do, but the new effort will expand participation.
Lee-Zimmerman says the youth work with DNR staff on projects like wildlife surveys, tagging or marking fish, air monitoring, ride alongs, and water quality sampling. She says it's a type of mentoring. She says the program is especially important for young people interested in a career in natural resources. They also have a Conservation Congress mentor. She says if anyone wants more information on the Youth Congress Initiative to go to the DNR website and type in the search box Youth Congress.
