In 2020 COVID-19 and racial justice protests caused an unprecedented experience for our society. One forced us to isolate, while the other motivated many to gather for mass protest. The dichotomy of these “dual pandemics” left downtown Madison with both setbacks and opportunity. Downtown Madison, Inc., the downtown business association, commissioned JDog Productions, LLC to create a video for its annual award event. DMI asked that the video depict both the hardship and hope experienced by its members during this extraordinary time.

In this installment of the award-winning documentary series, “Our Wisconsin”, we examine an aspect of our state that has brought both fame and infamy; the drinking culture. In a place with more bars than grocery stores, we look back at the state’s European brewing heritage, how beer brewing became one of Wisconsin’s signature industries and the sense of community that was often centered in taverns. But, Wisconsin’s drinking culture took an extreme turn, and we see where that has led the state in dealing with problems like underage drinking, binge drinking and drunk driving. And, in the face of what a former police chief describes as a ‘heavy duty drinking culture’, we see how some people are trying to create a more moderate, less extreme alcohol environment in the state.

A half-century ago, Wisconsin and the world were in the middle of one of the most eventful, historic years ever. It was a year of social revolution, as everything from the environment to the Vietnam War to women were the focus of major movements and demonstrations. And it was a year of unprecedented violence, as opposition to the war reached deadly levels at the Kent State shootings and the Sterling Hall bombing in Madison. It was the year Monday Night Football began, the Brewers came to Milwaukee and Vince Lombardi died. From the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission to the first Earth Day to Wisconsin’s Woodstock, we’ll watch and listen to the events unfold as they did nearly a half-century ago. So, put on your bell bottoms and plug in your lava lamp, as we spend An Hour In 1970.

The science, politics and repercussions of climate change are the focus of this award-winning documentary.  Climate change is effecting our state right now and quite likely in more extreme ways in the future. Impacts on weather, water and wildlife are being documented by scientists. We also examine how the climate change effect is impacting our economy, from public areas like roads, to insurance rates to home construction to the state’s important agriculture industry. Plus, we explore the politics of climate change and how the issue was used to help break-up one of the nation’s leading environmental science teams at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Former DNR scientists and managers give their first interviews about how the change in political control of state government brought a virtual end to their leading climate change research, and ultimately, many of their jobs. And a former DNR communication specialist shares her experience of being directed to end the use of the term ‘climate change’ in her work. Yet, as we show, despite the official denial of the issue, other state agencies, like transportation engineers, continue to factor-in climate change as they design roads and infrastructure to deal with more intense weather events that are just part of The Climate Change Effect.

In honor of the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, we’re celebrating Earth Month with a series of videos on Wisconsin’s deep connections with the world’s environmental and conservation movements. And what better way to begin than with the Father of Earth Day. 

The 50^th anniversary of Earth Day is this month and you may be surprised how much Wisconsin has influenced the environmental and conservation movements we know today.  Here’s a look at how the big three influencers were inspired.

As we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day this month, we should also remember that the environmental and conservation movements we have today are deeply rooted in Wisconsin.  And it all began with a legend in American history. 

Earth Day was the brainchild of Wisconsin U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson.  As we mark the 50^th anniversary this month, we’re also remembering the people who influenced Nelson and the environmental and conservation movements we have today.  Among them, Aldo Leopold. 

As we mark a half-century of Earth Day this month, I thought it would be helpful to remember the historical context in which the event began.  There was already a lot going on in 1970, especially in Wisconsin, home of ED founder, Gaylord Nelson.  

Despite the many setbacks for U.S. environmental policy over the past three years, there’s still a strong example of how the power of the people can force government to change course.  The first Earth Day still ranks among the biggest social events in history and it’s worth remembering how it came to be, 50 years ago this month. 

We’re celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, one of the most unifying global events in modern history.  It was created by Wisconsin U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who had the political savvy to know that you get more done with compromise than combat.

Fifty years ago, Wisconsin and the world were in the middle of one of the most eventful, historic years ever. It was a year of social revolution, as everything from the environment to the Vietnam War to women were the focus of major movements and demonstrations. And it was a year of unprecedented violence, as opposition to the war reached deadly levels at the Kent State shootings and the Sterling Hall bombing in Madison. It was the year Monday Night Football began, the Brewers came to Milwaukee and Vince Lombardi died. From the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission to the first Earth Day to Wisconsin’s Woodstock, we’ll watch and listen to the events unfold as they did a half-century ago. So, put on your bell bottoms and plug in your lava lamp, as we spend An Hour In 1970.