I expect most everyone I know holds a subscription to the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. It’s my husband’s and my favorite environmental magazine. I’ve referenced articles from it a number of times in my posts in this blog. It is a money-maker for the State of Wisconsin. But, the Governor wants to discontinue publishing the magazine because they feel “the DNR can reach more people through social media.”
I try not to get involved with politics publicly; it’s one of my peach crate subjects that tends to make me crotchety. But I don’t buy that argument. One has to develop the same information used in the magazine to reach “people through social media.” The difference is the printing which is being paid for by subscribers — Oh, that’s right. The magazine makes money!
The real reason is the current administration’s minimizing science and education at WDNR and elsewhere.
Unfortunately, even if magazine subscribers convinced the powers-that-be to continue the magazine, it might not be the same. According to former Editor Natasha Kassulke, WDNR “executives began vetting content after a story on climate change ran in 2013…. they spiked a story…on the endangered American pine marten because it included a map showing…an area near Lake Superior…slated for a contentious iron mine project….they also killed a story…on how mammals will cope with climate change, telling her the terms ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ were forbidden.” (Quotes taken from Chicago Tribune.)
Governor Walker has included the elimination of the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine in his budget which is now being reviewed by State Congressmen. If you feel as I do that continuing to print this magazine is worthwhile, but only if it continues in its previous scientific and educational format, be sure to let your Congressmen know.
Go to Wisconsin State Legislature to find your legislators and let them know how you feel about the demise of the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. Do it right now.
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