MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today wrapped up his statewide tour celebrating Earth Week, which included visiting local parks, communities, conservation groups, and more across the state to highlight the Evers Administration’s work to fight the climate crisis, protect and conserve natural resources, and bolster clean energy and conservation statewide. In addition, this week, Gov. Evers also gave an update on the state’s progress in meeting the goals of the Trillion Trees Pledge and held his annual day of service with members of the Evers Administration, in celebration of Earth Day.

“Here in Wisconsin, the birthplace of Earth Day, we’re proud to be building upon our state’s proud heritage by leading efforts to protect our environment, conserve our natural resources, and leave our state a better place for future generations. It’s also more important than ever that we continue our work to adapt to an ever-changing climate and bolster clean and innovative industries that will prepare Wisconsin’s economy and our workforce for the future,” said Gov. Evers. “Our state’s future success depends on having the vast, vibrant natural resources Wisconsin is known for, from our agricultural heritage to forestry to outdoor recreation to tourism and so much in between. Especially as we celebrate the Year of the Neighbor, we must continue to do everything we can to mitigate and respond to the climate crisis and leave a better future for our kids than the one we inherited. This is part of our DNA as Wisconsinites, and it’s on all of us to celebrate Earth Week all year round by protecting our environment as we continue to honor our state’s proud tradition of conservation.”  

Earlier this year, Gov. Evers declared 2026 the Year of the Neighbor, underscoring the importance of community, togetherness, and doing the right thing, and that includes taking care of and protecting the state’s vast and vibrant natural resources for future generations to enjoy. In addition to his travel, this week, the governor also shared ways Wisconsinites can celebrate by taking action around their own homes and communities to reduce waste, recycle, conserve water, and take small steps that can have a big impact.

As he has done every year, Gov. Evers proclaimed April 22, 2026, as Earth Day in Wisconsin, in addition to recognizing Forest Appreciation Week, which runs from April 20 to Arbor Day on April 24. 

From the 12 Native Nations in Wisconsin that have been stewards of the land since long before Wisconsin became a state to Wisconsin’s farmers and producers to hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreational enthusiasts, Wisconsin has a long and proud history of environmental stewardship and conservation. Founded in 1970 by former Wisconsin Governor and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day was created to raise awareness about air and water pollution, and more than 50 years later, Earth Day is observed around the world.

As noted above, this week, Gov. Evers celebrated the release of Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge 2025 Annual Report. The report shows that Wisconsin planted nearly 12 million trees and conserved more than 7,800 acres of forestland in the state in 2025 as part of Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge. On Earth Day 2021, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #112, joining the global Trillion Trees Pledge and committing to plant 75 million new trees in rural and urban areas and conserve 125,000 acres of forest in Wisconsin by the end of 2030 in collaboration with public, private, and non-governmental partners. On Earth Day in 2024, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #221, increasing the state’s tree-planting goal to 100 million trees by the end of 2030.

In the fifth year of the state’s Trillion Trees Pledge, Wisconsin has already achieved over half—nearly 55 percent—of its tree-planting goal and almost 68 percent of its forest conservation goal. Wisconsin’s pledge is in collaboration with public, private, and non-governmental partners and focuses on planting, managing, and conserving forests and trees in both rural and urban areas throughout the state.  

More information about the Trillion Trees Pledge, Wisconsin’s Tree Planting Map, the list of partners, and the full report of 2025 accomplishments is available on the DNR’s website.

On Mon., April 20, to kick off his statewide tour celebrating Earth Week, Gov. Evers visited Central Waters Brewing Company in Amherst. During the visit, the governor toured the facility and heard about the brewery’s efforts to become one of the most environmentally sustainable breweries in the nation, including using solar power to produce energy and heat for the facility and brewing process, having motion-censored LED lighting throughout the brewery, using recycled materials for packaging, and more. Photos of the visit are available here and here.

On Tues., April 21, continuing his travel, Gov. Evers started his day by visiting The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor—Wisconsin’s first land trust. During the visit, the governor toured parts of the sanctuary and heard about its efforts to preserve, protect, and research one of the Midwest’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, in addition to learning about its expansive environmental early childhood education programming. Photos of the visit are available here and here.

Then, the governor continued the day by visiting Hope Village in Chippewa Falls, which provides transitional housing to unhoused folks and families. During the visit, Gov. Evers toured the Hope Village community center and learned about the efforts of Chippewa Falls High School’s “Green Team” to install solar panels on the property. These solar panels provide over half the power for the campus and help save the nonprofit money on its energy bills. Photos of the visit are available here and here. 

To conclude his day, Gov. Evers visited the Burke Center for Ecosystem Research’s restoration site at North Fish Creek. During the visit, the governor toured the restoration site and heard about the Burke Center’s work to protect Lake Superior from sediment runoff and conserve the important ecosystem in the town of Keystone. Photos of the visit are available here and here.

On Wed., April 22, Gov. Evers, together with his cabinet and members of the Evers Administration, in celebration of Earth Day, hosted an annual day of service at Mirror Lake State Park in Baraboo. During the event, the governor and his administration planted trees and shrubs, cleaned up campsites, and celebrated the announcement of the release of Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge 2025 Annual Report. Photos of the event are available here and here. Following this, Gov. Evers joined stakeholders for a hike at Tower Hill State Park to thank partners for their work to preserve and protect Wisconsin’s parks and outdoor spaces. 

On Thurs., April 23, Gov. Evers joined students, parents, and educators of the School District of Lodi for their annual Lodi Grows Together Week at the Lodi School Forest, where they planted trees in celebration of Earth Day and Earth Week. Photos of the visit are available here and here. Following this, Gov. Evers hosted stakeholders and members of his administration for the first-ever Earth Day celebration at the Wisconsin Executive Residence.

To wrap up his statewide Earth Week tour, on Fri., April 24, Gov. Evers delivered remarks at the Ice Age Trail Alliance Annual Conference in Madison. One of only 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail is located entirely in Wisconsin, and it is the only trail in the state designated as a State Scenic Trail. During the visit, the governor highlighted the work of many dedicated volunteers who help protect, support, and clean the trail for visitors.

A comprehensive, but not exhaustive, list of efforts Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration have taken to protect the environment, conserve Wisconsin’s natural resources, build a clean energy future, and be a good neighbor during Earth Week is available in a previous press release. 

An online version of this release is available here.