E-M:/ GREEN State Biodiversity Network

[JN Sanders <johnnick@execpc.com>]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enviro-Mich message from JN Sanders <johnnick@execpc.com>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

GREEN (the GrassRoots Environmental Effectiveness Network)is working to
build a biodiversity network in Michigan, I hope that you can take a
moment of your time to read this brief email describing the State
Biodersity Network -- and will become interested in getting involved at
some level.  GREEN, in conjunction with Defenders of Wildlife, is
looking for activists and organizations who are working to make a
difference on state wildlife and wildlands legislation. As federal
budgets are being cut and national legislation weakened, more burdens
for biodiversity protection are being placed on individual states.  In
response to this, we are building a network of concerned citizens across
the country so we can pass stronger and more effective state
environmental legislation.  You can join us in our fight to protect
biodiversity at the state level by becoming a District Captain, Partner
Group and/or subscribing to WILDLines.

DISTRICT CAPTAINS
An ideal state network would consist of at least one activist or
District Captain in each of the state's legislative districts.  The
district captains can put grassroots pressure on every legislative
representative when a pressing issue surfaces--and thus we can begin to
influence state level environmental policy decisions from the ground up.

What does it mean to be a district captain?
District captains are the links from GREEN to the grassroots
environmental community in their State Legislative Districts. As a
District Captain you agree to help generate grassroots pressure in your
district at the crux of a campaign and/or when a key piece of
legislation is going through the state legislature (i.e. make phone
calls to your legislators, write letters to the editor, circulate
information amongst other local activists). Our fundamental mission is
to provide you with the information, materials, support, and other tools
you need to be an effective grassroots activist. As a GREEN District
Captain, you will get a copy of our activist ‘Skills Manual’ as well as
ongoing information on the latest issues to help you work efficiently.
Our Midwest office serves as a "mini-clearinghouse “of information and
as coordinator I am available to answer questions, help with research,
put information in the mail or whatever you need.

GREEN Partner Groups
GREEN is always searching for new organizations to join us in our fight
to protect public lands and wildlife.  Our network of Partner Groups
nationwide has been instrumental in bringing about many of the public
lands victories of the last Congress.  GREEN invites you to partner with
us in any capacity that meets the needs of your organization.

What does it mean to be a Partner Group?
GREEN partner groups are not expected to pay dues, attend meetings, or
sacrifice their autonomy.  Rather, GREEN acts as an information source
and networking agent for regional and local conservation organizations
across the country. We disseminate information and action alerts to our
Partner Groups and ask them to pass GREEN information and materials on
to their members when it is compatible with the mission
and policy of your particular organization.

It is hoped that our Partner Group program will not only tighten up the
networks of organizations working on state-level issues within a
particular state, but will also combine networks of all the states into
one network.  The idea is that some states are further along than others
in passing laws to protect biodiversity.  Rather than reinventing the
wheel in every state, we should open the lines of communication amongst
groups throughout the country working on similar issues.


WILDLines. . .
WILDLines is the information arm of the State Biodiversity Network. We
provide you with news and information of up-coming state legislation and
share strategies, tactics, successes, and misfortunes between you and
other organizations. If you would like to subscribe, send a message to
listproc@envirolink.org with the message: subscribe actwild
firstname lastname in the body of the message. (For example: subscribe
actwild Jane Doe. (You can also help generate story ideas for WILDLines.
If your local campaign becomes news worthy or calls for urgent
attention, send information to me at jsanders@defenders.org or call
(608) 294-6871

To find out more about the program or to inquire about becoming a
District Captain and/or Partner Group please contact me by giving me a
call or filling out and sending back to response form below.  Looking
forward to the potential of working with you to protect Michigan's
biodiversity in 1999 and thereafter.

Thanks for your time
John

John Sanders
Midwest State Organizer
State Biodiversity Network
GrassRoots Environmental Effectiveness Network
1121 University Ave.
Madison, WI  53715
(608) 294-6871
http://www.defenders.org/grnhome.html



==============================================================
ENVIRO-MICH:  Internet List and Forum for Michigan Environmental
and Conservation Issues and Michigan-based Citizen Action.   Archives at
http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/enviro-mich/

Postings to:  enviro-mich@great-lakes.net      For info, send email to
majordomo@great-lakes.net  with a one-line message body of  "info enviro-mich"
==============================================================