Wisconsin’s Green Tier law serves as a catalyst for collaboration between corporate and nonprofit partners to enhance the protection and stewardship of Wisconsin’s natural resources. Signed into law in 2004, Wisconsin Act 276, commonly known as Green Tier, provides incentives for regulated companies to go beyond compliance of environmental laws and demonstrate “superior environmental performance” in their business activities. Green Tier is a voluntary program that is designed to recognize innovation in protecting the state’s natural resources. In addition to surpassing compliance of existing environmental laws, a company or regulated entity can also address unregulated environmental concerns, as well as enhance natural resources protection and restoration. Green Tier law serves as a catalyst for collaboration between corporate and nonprofit partners to enhance the protection and stewardship of Wisconsin’s natural resources.
NRF’s Role
Recognizing that Green Tier encourages partnerships between the non-profit and corporate communities, NRF assists companies with meeting the third criterion of Green Tier—protecting & restoring natural resources by serving as a catalyst through which they can make a significant and meaningful contribution to the conservation of Wisconsin’s natural resources.
One of the Green Tier applicants approached by NRF was American Transmission Company. ATC was one of the first Wisconsin corporations to be accepted into Green Tier by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in fall 2005. As part of its application for Green Tier, ATC proposed creating the ATC Environmental Stewardship Fund through the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and is providing support for State Natural Area management, endangered species protection, environmental education, and community-based conservation.
· Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin ·
PO Box 2317, Madison, WI 53701-2317 ·
(608) 264-6267 ·
Toll-free (866) 264-4096 ·
info@wisconservation.org