In fall 2023, Milwaukee County signed a Rights of Nature resolution. This legal and jurisprudential theory asserts that ecosystems should have “legal personhood” – the right to survive, thrive, and to be represented in court by a guardian. Per this Wikipedia article, “Proponents argue that laws grounded in the rights of nature direct humanity to act appropriately and in a way consistent with modern, system-based science, which demonstrates that humans and the natural world are fundamentally interconnected.”
I have been alerted that there is activity fostering awareness of this legal theory in Madison now. Guy Reiter, Executive Director of a Menominee Indian community organization called Menikahnaehkem, will be talking about the “Rights of Nature” movement at the Madison Friends Meetinghouse (Roberts Court) on Sunday April 21 at 9:45am. In addition, Clean Lakes WI is sponsoring another speaker on the Rights of Nature on April 17, 8-9am. https://www.visitmadison.com/event/clean-lakes-101%3a-rights-of-nature/66374/
WingraSprings 