Wisconsin’s lakes are the crown jewels of our state, cherished for their natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and ecological importance. However, these waters face an ever-growing challenge: stormwater runoff. Poorly managed runoff not only causes soil erosion but also carries harmful contaminants—like motor oil, grease, pesticides, fertilizers, and de-icing salts—into our waterways.

We all have a role to play in safeguarding our lakes. By adopting sustainable landscaping, lawn care, and stormwater management practices, we can enhance property values, contribute to a cleaner environment, and preserve our waters for future generations.

Purpose-Driven Leadership for Clean Water

At the heart of the Clean Clear Waters initiative is a mission to inspire action and align individual efforts with a greater vision: healthy lakes, vibrant ecosystems, and thriving communities. By emphasizing sustainable practices, we empower homeowners, builders, and developers to make choices that protect Wisconsin’s water resources while serving the planet and future generations.

How WEI is Leading the Way

• Collaboration and Advocacy:
  WEI actively engages diverse stakeholders—including policymakers, builders, developers, and citizens—to advance effective water stewardship. Through public outreach, legislative advocacy, and community partnerships, we’re driving systemic change to ensure responsible stormwater and shoreline management.
• Vision with Practicality:
  WEI provides actionable tools, such as the Clean Clear Waters Checklist, to help builders and developers implement practical strategies like erosion control, landscape conservation, and stormwater management. These best practices deliver measurable results while protecting our waterways.
• Adaptability and Resilience:
  Green infrastructure and innovative solutions are key to addressing today’s water challenges. WEI advocates for the integration of rain gardens, permeable surfaces, and other sustainable designs to manage stormwater effectively and improve urban environments.
• Legacy Thinking:
  By prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term gains, we’re committed to ensuring that Wisconsin’s lakes remain a source of joy, value, and ecological health for generations to come.

Clean Clear Waters in Action

• Educational Outreach:
  WEI regularly publishes articles and op-eds on clean water strategies, advocating for the adoption of green infrastructure and sustainable urban planning.
• Highlighting Success Stories:
  Our Clean Clear Waters Challenge showcased practical solutions at the first certified sustainable home, demonstrating how small changes can make a big impact. Learn more in the Wisconsin State Journal article highlighting this initiative.
• Advocating for Responsible Development:
  WEI Cofounder & Director John Imes has spoken out against legislative efforts to roll back critical protections for Wisconsin’s lakes and shorelands. His guest columns in The Cap Times, The Daily Reporter, and WisPolitics.com call for responsible development policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Take Action Today

Protecting Wisconsin’s waters starts with each of us. By following simple guidelines and embracing sustainable practices, you can help preserve the beauty, health, and legacy of our lakes. Together, we can ensure clean, clear waters for generations to come.

Green Options for Stormwater Recycling (click on image to read PDF)
Homeowners, leading developers and communities are increasingly turning to these natural drainage systems to capture and reuse stormwater before it enters the waterways.

Clean Water Strategies
The renewed focus on the quality of our lakes, streams and drinking water should cause us to rethink the traditional and prescriptive-driven solutions of the past, and examine innovative strategies and policies that can help clean our waters. Fortunately, the use of green infrastructure, environment-focused, performance-based strategies and new directions in environmental governance can help us achieve the water quality and healthy economic climate we deserve.

End the ‘Sewer Wars’ — Collaboration and a focus on green infrastructure is the key to solving Milwaukee’s water woes

Summary: Shoreland Development in Wisconsin: Balancing a Healthy Economy with a Healthy Environment

This forum brought together more than 150 conservationists, developers, lake association representatives and government personnel to engage in a dialogue about shoreland development practices.

Directions

Graphics link to PDF checklist. Checklist is an active forms. Fill out, save to your desktop and attach to an email...

OR — Print two (2) copies of Checklist. Save one copy of the Checklist for your records and mail the original to WEI:

WEI/Checklist
821 E. Washington, Suite 200
Madison, WI 53703

On the Pay Pal Donation page, please indicate Clean Clear Waters as the program to which you would like to donate by selecting "Add special instructions to the seller."