Summary
On Oct 13, 2025, State Representatives announced the introduction of the first Rights of Nature legislation in Wisconsin. Working in partnership with Rights of Nature Wisconsin, the interfaith group WISDOM, and the Indigenous organization Menīkānaehkem, the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (CDER) assisted legislators to develop legislation to recognize the rights of Devil’s Lake State Park and support Rights of Nature law adoption at the local and state level.
Assembly Bill 633 seeks to recognize the legally enforceable rights of Devil’s Lake State Park, which would include rights of the park to “naturally exist, flourish, regenerate, and evolve” and “clean, unpolluted water.”
Devil’s Lake State Park, the most visited park in the state, is headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and is located along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
The announcement by legislators builds on efforts by communities across Wisconsin which are considering Rights of Nature policies. Milwaukee County adopted a Rights of Nature resolution in 2023, the first community in the state to do so, with other communities considering taking similar steps. The introduction of the Rights of Nature legislation also comes as Republican state legislators seek to prohibit local communities from enacting Rights of Nature laws. The preemption legislation would restrict the ability of communities to protect the natural environment.
Involved Organizations
Related Initiatives
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2025. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor.https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/wisconsin-usa-state-law-rights-of-devils-lake-state-park/.
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