Niagara Escarpment Resource Network

The Niagara Escarpment Resource Network (NERN) was created in 1998 in response to a conference held at UW-Green Bay which was sponsored by the East Central and Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commissions. The event focused on showcasing the unique geology and ecology of the escarpment and sought to engage participants in conversations about its future and its management. A survey of the 100+ participants provided input and guidance on the future direction of conservation and planning efforts for the Niagara Escarpment in Wisconsin. It was 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. The three original founders of this effort were Eric Fowle (East Central RPC), Mark Walter (Bay-Lake RPC) and Curt Wilson (WDNR).