Organization History

The Network's history dates back to 1998 when a conference was held at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay that highlighted land use and conservation issues facing the Niagara Escarpment.   Over 100 attendees to this event provided input and guidance on the future direction of conservation and planning efforts pertaining to the Niagara Escarpment in Wisconsin.  This input suggested that such an effort be 'bottom-up' (i.e., grassroots) versus 'top-down' (i.e. statewide regulation) and that the two advisory Regional Planning Commissions lead the efforts with the assistance of the WDNR.   Over the next several years additional meetings and discussions were held to formulate a strategic plan to lead such efforts.  With the assistance of numerous participants, the efforts were formalized in 2002 and became known as the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network.  

The Network is essentially a coalition of federal, state, and regional agencies; local and county governments; academia; non-profit organizations, and; individual landowners and citizens whose purpose is to provide a common forum for discussion and action which promotes the short and long term planning for the protection and conservation of this resource.  The Network IS NOT a non-profit organization and has no regulatory control over private lands.  The Network exists to function as its name suggests.....linking people with information.

You might think of it as your ‘one-stop-shop’ for all your Escarpment needs.  A lot of information, knowledge, and expertise about the Niagara Escarpment is held by Network’s individual members, partners, and their respective agencies or organizations.  By joining the network, or requesting assistance from us, this information (and perhaps a unique perspective) can be made more accessible to individuals or communities, in a manner suitable to the issue at hand.