Climate Charter Collaboration Projects
The Green Tier Charter for Climate Action (Charter) empowers organizations to collaborate on projects that address local climate resiliency. Projects must be mitigation, adaptation, or resiliency based and support environmental justice.
Active Collaboration Projects
We want to work with you! Collaboration projects are not restricted to members of the Charter and anyone can participate in an active project. A list of active collaboration projects can be found below. Click on each project to learn more about how these initiatives are helping Wisconsin become more resilient. When you expand the heading, you will find a short description of each project, a list of members, resources and links to other key information.
Trillion Tree Pledge
The State of Wisconsin, in collaboration with public, private and non-governmental partners, is pledging to conserve 125,000 acres of forestland and plant 75 million trees by the end of 2030, including planting 1 million trees in urban areas. When fully realized, this pledge will result in sequestering an additional 28.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next 50 years.
The pledge renews Wisconsin’s more than century-long commitment to manage our public lands, work with private landowners and engage with organizations across Wisconsin to sustain and grow the environmental, social and economic benefits that forests offer, in both urban and rural environments. This work is a true public-private partnership to manage and grow Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of forestland which is vital to our social, ecological, and economic well-being. The wide variety of forest-based activities and products enjoyed by the public are crucial to our state and local economies. Wisconsin's pledge is not only a recognition of the importance of our forests today, but it is a call to grow our forests and the benefits they provide for citizens well into the future.
Members of the Green Tier Charter for Climate Action can commit to supporting the Trillion Tree Pledge as a collaboration project under the charter. Members must follow certain requirements and track progress in their annual reports as described in the Charter Agreement and the Trillion Tree Pledge Collaboration Project Outline (EA-022-2023).
Project Resources
- Trillion Tree Pledge
- Personalized Tree Planting Plan – learn how to make your tree planting project a success with assistance on site preparation, species recommendations, maintenance, equipment and other questions.
- i-Tree Tool – tool to estimate benefits of tree planting.
- Wisconsin Tree Planting Map – add newly planted trees to the map to count towards Wisconsin's Trillion Tree Pledge.
- Tree Planting Tips
- Urban Tree Planting Resources
- Reforestation Supplies
Project Members
- ABB
- ESCI
- Lakefront Brewery
- The Ariens Company
- Waupaca Foundry
- Wildlife Habitat Council
For more information about this collaboration project, please contact GreenTier@Wisconsin.gov.
Brillion Works Redevelopment
Brillion Iron Works (BIW) was founded in the late 1800's and was primarily used for foundry and manufacturing operations. Over time, numerous buildings and additions were constructed throughout the 145-acre site located at State Highway 10 and North Francis Street in Brillion, Wisconsin. The BIW ceased operation in 2016, resulting in major economic impacts to the community and leaving environmental contamination on the property. In 2018, The Ariens Company (AriensCo) created Brillion Works, LLC. (BWLLC) with the intent to clean up the site and bring new life to the property through a modern redevelopment that will benefit the community and the environment.
The Brillion Works Redevelopment collaboration project goes beyond the business activities on the site to create a hub for collaboration. The collaboration project is intended to attract community services and businesses with similar environmental goals to locate on the property. It will establish strong relationships between stakeholders, which may include businesses, local governments, property owners, tenants and community members. These groups will work together to maintain and improve the climate resiliency of the property.
The expected outcomes of this collaboration project are to:
- Avoid future emissions by incorporating renewable energy in new construction.
- Reduce environmental impacts by installing building features that improve water and energy efficiency.
- Contribute to public health by creating and maintaining publicly accessible greenspaces and walking trails that provide healthy options for recreational activities on the property.
- Restore and maintain the waterways and wetlands on approximately 60-acres of the property.
- Restore ecosystem quality by daylighting two streams to create a natural stream design.
- Increase flood resiliency by installing green stormwater infrastructure and erosion control features.
- Maintain wildlife habitats by restoring natural corridors to provide habitat connectivity.
- Introduce biodiversity by utilizing native plant species throughout the site.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources acknowledges the potential for positive outcomes related to climate change and has made the Brillion Works Redevelopment an option for members of the Green Tier Charter for Climate Action to satisfy the collaboration project requirement. Members must follow certain requirements and track progress in their annual reports as described in the Charter Agreement.
Project Resources
Project Members
- The Ariens Company
- Brillion Works, LLC.
- Ariens Hospitality Group, LLC.
For more information about this collaboration project, please contact Chuck Vanden Boom via email at CVandenBoomJr@ariensco.com or by phone at 920-810-7855.
Local Development of Certifiable Renewable Energy Credits in Waupaca
Waupaca Foundry is a leader in the metalcasting industry with strong commitments to improving its environmental footprint. The company has made significant progress towards its goals and continues to look for additional opportunities for improvement. As a member of the Green Tier Charter for Climate Action, Waupaca Foundry has developed a community-based collaboration project concept to improve its local environment and produce renewable energy credits.
The members of this project will plan and implement local environmental reforestation projects using a holistic approach to improve climate resiliency within the City of Waupaca. The projects will be designed to contribute towards the Trillion Tree Pledge and generate renewable energy credits. Waupaca Foundry will ensure that the credits are verifiable and can be purchased to offset some of its greenhouse gas emissions.
The expected outcomes include several co-benefits for the environment, Waupaca Foundry, the City of Waupaca, and local stakeholders. The project will improve local habitat and provide ecosystem services that assist in mitigating pollution. Additional benefits include rainfall interception at the site, air quality improvements and community aesthetics.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources acknowledges the potential for positive outcomes related to climate change and has made the Local Development of Certifiable Renewable Energy Credits in Waupaca an option for members of the Green Tier Charter for Climate Action to satisfy the collaboration project requirement. Members must follow certain requirements and track progress in their annual reports as described in the Charter Agreement.
Project Members
- Waupaca Foundry
- City of Waupaca
- Kari Esbensen
- Curator, OZ Natural Area & Center for Biodiversity Education in Waupaca
- Coordinator, Demonstration Forest Affiliation with Golden Sands RC&D
- Vice-President, Waupaca, Portage, Wood County Chapter, Wisconsin Farmers Union
- Farm Manager, B'Haven Organic Farm
For more information about this collaboration project, please contact Bryant Esch, Waupaca Foundry Corporate Sustainability Manager via email at bryant.esch@waupacafoundry.com or Justin Berrens, City of Waupaca Director of Public Works via email at justin.berrens@waupacawi.gov.
Please note that some projects may allow new members to join, while others may be intended for specific groups of organizations. It is important to review the project-specific information before joining an active project.
Developing a Collaboration Project
Recognizing that the possibilities are endless for climate action in Wisconsin, the Charter allows members to design and implement collaboration projects that are important to their communities by submitting a proposal that is approved by the department. If you would like to develop a new project, please see the Collaboration Project Proposals publication (EA-025-2023) for more information about the requirements that each project must meet.
Ideas for Future Collaboration Projects
The concepts below are intended to offer ideas for activities that could qualify as a collaboration project under the Charter. The list is not all-inclusive, and the department encourages members to explore ideas for other projects that fit the needs of their community.
Energy Efficiency with EnergyStar
Work with the USEPA to become an EnergyStar Partner, implement the EnergyStar Portfolio Manager, join the EnergyStar Challenge for Industry, or conduct Energy Treasure Hunts!
Green Power Partnership
Work with the USEPA on the Green Power Partnership by purchasing and advancing the market for green power in Wisconsin. Partnership members reduce their air emissions and pollution and encourage the development of new renewable energy sources.
Producer-Led Watershed Groups
Partner with the Wisconsin DATCP, your county extension team or local producer-led groups to protect soil health or local watersheds and find innovative solutions to building climate resilience for Wisconsin’s agricultural resources.
Wonderful Waters of Wisconsin
Partner with the Wisconsin DNR on the Wonderful Waters of Wisconsin (Healthy Watersheds, High-Quality Waters) initiative. Help protect and maintain high quality water resources in your area. Share information to help others understand the importance of protecting our pristine natural resources.
Local Community Resilience
Partner with your local government or members of your community to improve climate resilience in your backyard. This could include flooding preparedness, wetland improvements, or other work to improve the overall climate health of your community.
Mentorship
Mentorship of another organization or supply chain member on climate action topics. A few examples could include calculating scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions or developing renewable energy cooperatives.
Outreach and Education
Conducting outreach and education related to climate change. Recruiting additional members to join the Charter. Supporting local education on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM).
If your organization would like to explore one of these ideas or develop a new concept of your own, simply contact us or submit a proposal to the department by emailing GreenTier@Wisconsin.gov.
