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SAVE THE DATE
Don't Miss This Party!
Join Us In Celebrating 30 Years
1996-2026
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Mark your calendars! Join us on Thursday, October 8, from 5:30p-8:00p at the Goodman Community Center Brassworks Building in Madison, Wisconsin. Our organization will be celebrating 30 years of protecting Wisconsin's natural resources and building healthy communities around the state.
It will be a wonderful chance to reconnect with members and our amazing partners – plus, it will give our staff a chance to share what's on the horizon across our work in land use, housing, and transportation. Watch for more details in the coming months!
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LAST CHANCE!
I-794 Lake Interchange Study
Public Involvement Meeting
TOMORROW! Tuesday, May 5, 4:30-7:30 p.m. (open house)
📍St. Francis High School
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On April 30th, advocates with Rethink 794 and local Strong Towns chapters attended the first of two public meetings for WisDOT's I-794 Lake Interchange Study.
At the meeting, some of the data presented by WisDOT suggested that the removal and boulevard conversion would lead to an increase in traffic conflict points, with only a minimal decrease in vehicle dependency due to traffic dispersion.
Advocates challenged the analysis as being flawed, using rigid VMT growth models, and providing little transparency about crash type and severity. One footnote even admits a major flaw to their safety analysis, stating, "The pedestrian and bicycle methodology in the Highway Safety Manual predictive methodology (the tool used to predict crashes) does not account for all geometric features, traffic control or presence of pedestrian and bicycle facilities."
Ultimately, the high turnout from Strong Towns and Rethink 794 members highlighted a growing demand for a preferred alternative that prioritizes long-term land-use potential and urban sustainability over the maintenance of high-speed regional travel.
Join Raphie for our LAST CHANCE to ask questions and share feedback on Tuesday, May 5, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Come anytime during the open house. Bring a friend, pack the room, and let WisDOT know that Milwaukee is ready to Rethink 794!
Review our updated vision and come ready to discuss the future of the corridor. If you can't make the meeting, please provide input on the WisDOT website here.
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FROM THE FIELD
What We're Hearing About Wisconsin's Housing Needs
By Tehila Cohen, Housing Field Organizer
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What will it take to expand housing opportunities in Wisconsin?
Through coalition conversations across the state, several key priorities are rising to the top, including financing and zoning reform, affordability, accessibility, and anti-displacement strategies. Together, these ideas are helping shape a shared advocacy agenda.
Read more about the priorities taking shape.
| | Photo: Johanna Jimenez of the Community Development Alliance (left) discusses housing policy with Tehila Cohen (right). | | |
COMING FALL 2026
Milwaukee Community Housing Academy
If you've been following 1000 Friends, you may be familiar with our successful Community Transportation Academy model. To date, we've completed six (6) academies across different Wisconsin cities and turned out 200+ empowered community transportation activists as a result!
Up next! We're currently planning for our first-ever Community Housing Academy. Over several weeks of virtual and in-person sessions, we will equip local advocates with the knowledge, tools, and connections to engage with housing policy and expand housing options in their own communities.
STAY TUNED! More details and registration information will be available this summer.
Interested in facilitating or attending our Community Housing Academy? Email Tehila: tehila@1kfriends.org.
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HOUSING
What’s Slowing Home Production in Wisconsin?
By Ken Smith, Housing Policy Director
| | "Having served as a reviewer of zoning permit applications for various residential and commercial projects, I have seen firsthand how discretionary political approvals slow the process." | | | | |
Could simpler local rules help address the housing shortage?
Ken Smith's newest blog looks at how local approvals and permitting can slow development and explores how zoning reform, pre-approved plans, and faster review processes could all help to remove barriers to building more homes in Wisconsin.
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TRANSPORTATION IS PERSONAL
What We’re Learning in the Madison Community Transportation Academy
By Jen Walker, Community Programs Manager
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Transportation shapes every aspect of daily life. In the Madison Community Transportation Academy, 35 participants are exploring those connections firsthand, bringing diverse perspectives to questions about how transportation decisions are made and whom they serve.
A current focus is South Stoughton Road, where participants are examining redesign options that could reshape safety, mobility, and development for decades to come in the Madison area. Last week, participants put their training into action, evaluating the Park Street neighborhood during a walk & roll audit and applying an informed lens with everything they’ve learned so far.
The Academy continues through June with a transit tour and short participant presentations on their own research topics.
| | If you care about safer streets, better transit, and thriving neighborhoods, follow along and stay engaged as our transportation academies continue across Wisconsin. Watch for alumni whose ideas and projects are already shaping their communities. | | |
FORWARD PROGRESS!
Housing Onward May Updates
By Ken Smith, Housing Policy Director
| | April was a full and energizing month for the 1000 Friends housing team! From Milwaukee conversations on community land trusts to housing summits, home tours, and workshops all across the state, we connected with partners and felt real progress toward expanding housing in Wisconsin. Read More... | | |
MILWAUKEE
Give Feedback on 30th Street Corridor Trail Concepts
| Milwaukee County is currently studying potential routes along the 30th Street Rail Corridor to improve safe walking and biking access on the city’s northwest side, with the project still in the planning phase. You can help by providing your feedback on three proposed trail concepts that could connect Havenwoods State Forest to the Hank Aaron State Trail along the corridor. Explore the options, learn more about the timeline, and help shape the future of this important community connection! | |  | |
NEWS
FEMA Funding Opportunity to Help Communities Reduce Flood Risk
| FEMA is rolling out $1.1 billion in new funding to help states, Tribal Nations, and local communities reduce flood risk, which is currently the nation’s most costly natural disaster. The grants support community-led mitigation projects, cover up to 100% of costs, and aim to lower long-term recovery expenses while strengthening local resilience. Full details on eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply are available at Grants.gov. | | | |
THE BIG SHARE
1000 Friends Wins $500 Award from Madison Community Foundation for YOY Fundraising Growth
| | Photo: Jen Walker (center) accepts the award for 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, pictured with other The Big Share award winners and Community Shares of Wisconsin. | | |
BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Western Wisconsin's Bold Bid to Become the Next Blue Zone
By Ali Hoffman, Communications & Digital Manager
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Maybe you watched the 2023 netflix documentary, or perhaps you recall National Geographic's 2005 cover story exploring these mysterious global hot-spots, or Blue Zones, with large populations of centenarians and their fascinating secrets around aging well.
Last week, I listened to speakers in Western Wisconsin as they built momentum around transforming five rural Wisconsin communities into Blue Zones: Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Rice Lake, River Falls, and Menomonie.
Can it be done? They pointed to Albert Lea, Minnesota, which became the first Blue Zone-certified community in the U.S. in 2016.
And guess who's leading the charge? Most surprisingly, it's a Chippewa Falls-based auto dealership owner, Dave Markquart, and his newly formed non-profit: True Wellness, Inc. Western Wisconsin's biggest challenge may be the built environment, shaped by a sprawling, car-centric culture (trust me, I live here). It's something we're watching with curiosity and optimism! 👀
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"We have tremendous opportunity in Northwest Wisconsin to rethink how we build health into the flow of our communities—not just through healthcare, but through the places we live, work, and play every day. Our communities already have strong civic leadership, natural assets, and a spirit of collaboration and resilience. Through our partnership with Blue Zones, we will come together to create a shared vision of well-being by addressing the built environment, strengthening food systems, and fostering social connections and purpose across our communities. Together, we will create a blueprint for environments where healthy choices become easier and our communities thrive."
-Natasha Ward, Executive Director of True Wellness, Inc.
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May 3-8, 2026
MADISON HOUSING WEEK
| | A week of conversations, connections, and events to create more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive communities for all. | | |
Come listen to Sharon Johnson of Madison For More Neighbors on Tuesday, May 5th, 5:30 pm at The Tinsmith.
She'll be participating in AARP Wisconsin's "Six Minutes, One Idea" session, where community voices take turns sharing BIG housing ideas in a rapid-fire format. It will be fun, it will be fast, it will be FRESH with perspective! Join us as Sharon explores how faith communities may be an overlooked solution to the housing shortage.
Register here
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May 3-8, 2026
LA CROSSE HOUSING WEEK
This week-long series of free events highlights La Crosse's community housing challenges, offering opportunities to learn, engage, and take part in solution for the future.
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SAVE THE DATE
Active Wisconsin Networking Call
Tuesday, June 9 @ 3:00p CST
| | | | We'll be joined by Benjamin Schneider, author of The Unfinished Metropolis. He argues that cities are being held back by policies that prevent them from adapting to meet today's needs and challenges. To reclaim city-building, he draws lessons from the past, highlights forward-looking innovations, and offers innovative ideas for housing and transportation policies that could help shape the future. Register here. | | |
MAY IS BIKE MONTH
Calling All Active Transportation Enthusiasts
Did you know? 40% of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, making bicycling a fun and feasible way to get around. National Bike Month in May is a great time to promote biking as both a means of transportation and a form of recreation that brings well-being and joy to the everyday lives of so many people!
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Wisconsin Bike to Work Week
May 31 - June 7th
Organized annually by the Wisconsin Bike Fed, this week-long celebration in communities across the state features rides, classes, commuter stations, parties and more!
Community members and organizations can submit Bike Week events here.
| | Housing Momentum Builds in Madison | | Photo: Sharon Johnson, Lead Organizer of Madison For More Neighbors, at the Wealth Empowerment Conference on April 18, 2026. | | |
April was full of momentum around housing in Madison, from community events to policy discussions.
One message came through clearly: people are looking for practical, attainable pathways to homeownership.
Through new connections and enlightening conversations, themes emerged around the topics of affordability, housing choice, and expanding ownership opportunities (especially through options like condos). Read Sharon’s April update on what we’re hearing and what it means for the road ahead.
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Message from Our Executive Director
Honoring Earth Month and Wisconsin's Environmental Legacy
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By Trevor Roark
Executive Director
| | Photo: Trevor Roark (left) with Governor Tony Evers (right) at the 2026 Earth Day Event in Madison, Wisconsin. | | |
Earth Month was a real treat this year as we celebrated the stewardship to protect and preserve our home, our connection to all of Earth's beings, and 1000 Friends' history of sustainable land use advocacy and education throughout WI. Our place within Wisconsin's environmental movement is something we cherish.
I had the opportunity to connect with friends, meet colleagues, and briefly chat with Governor Evers at the Governor and First Lady's Earth Day Celebration a couple of weeks ago. The Executive Residence was bustling, full of people, and none other than Smokey the Bear was there to brighten the mood!
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After Governor Evers spoke on climate change, PFAS, planting trees, and other issues affecting the environment, we got a chance to network with plenty of leaders from around the state. In meeting the Governor and First Lady separately, they each shared a kind "Thank you for your work" to our team at 1000 Friends of WI.
Receiving those little bits of gratitude meant a lot to me. They were a reminder that 1000 Friends has a long history of doing important work that drives change, long before my time as ED. To continue this legacy, I hope to fill the shoes of EDs before me, helping communities thrive while protecting the natural world around us.
| | Let's Connect @ Upcoming Events | | |
May 3-8, 2026 - Housing Week (Madison & La Crosse) - See websites for events
May 5, 2026 (5:30pm): Six Minutes, One Idea: Everyday Perspectives on Housing
@The Tinsmith, Madison, WI. Join Sharon & Jen! AARP Wisconsin hosts this fast-paced, visual storytelling event designed to keep ideas moving and voices flowing. Catch Sharon's presentation on Faith-Based Housing! Register
May 5, 2026 (4:30-7:30p): Open House: WisDOT I-794 Lake Interchange Study
@ St. Francis High School, St. Francis, WI. Join Raphie. This is our last chance to ask questions and share feedback for a more connected, people-first downtown Milwaukee. Bring a friend, pack the room, and let WisDOT know that Milwaukee is ready to RETHINK 794! Our Vision
May 6, 2026 (4-5p CST): National Bike & Walk to School Day
Explore ways that your community can celebrate the joys of active commuting while building a sense of safety and school spirit. Find resources here for planning your event. Register
May 6, 2026 (12p-1p): Overland Flow Paths: Managing Big Rain Without Big Tunnels
Join Ken for a virtual webinar. With extreme rain on the rise, communities are turning to overland flow paths, which are landscape-based solutions that manage stormwater without costly tunnels or lift stations. Register
May 7, 2026 (8:30a-4p): Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Summit, Milwaukee, WI
Join Tehila & Ken along with community leaders, housing professionals, local officials, and regional partners to understand and address the region’s most pressing housing challenges.
Register
May 13, 2026 @ 12noon: Curds of Wisdom: Foundational Changes to Wisconsin's Housing Future. Virtual Webinar. Join the Badger State Housing Alliance and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities for a webinar on major housing policy changes in the 2025–26 legislative session, including updates to financing tools, planning requirements, plat design, and housing loan programs. Register
May 18 + May 19, 2026: MCTS Freedom on Wheels Bus Training, Milwaukee, WI
Curious about riding the bus but not sure where to start? Join us for a hands-on introduction to riding MCTS. Learn the basics in a classroom setting, then hop on board for a real ride experience. Register
May 18: OASIS (2414 W Mitchell St)
May 19: Milwaukee Marshall High School (4141 N 64th St)
May 31 - June 7, 2026 : Wisconsin Bike to Work Week
Organized annually by the Wisconsin Bike Fed, this week-long celebration in communities across the state features rides, classes, commuter stations, parties and more! Community members and organizations can submit their own Bike Week events. Learn More
May 31, 2026 @ 12-4p: 2nd Annual Legacy Days Street Festival & Resource Fair
14th-18th North Avenue, Milwaukee, WI. Join Raphie & Tehila! A community celebration in Milwaukee’s Lindsay Heights neighborhood that brings residents together through culture, entertainment, and neighborhood pride. It also connects people with local organizations and resources related to services, opportunities, and community support. Learn More
July 29 & 30, 2026: A Home For Everyone Conference, Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee, WI
Join Ken & Tehila. The Wisconsin Collaborative for Affordable Housing brings together advocates, community organizations, government, and private partners committed to expanding and preserving affordable housing. Come discuss solutions for safe and affordable housing for low-income Wisconsinites. Agenda and registration will be available in May. More Info
Aug 24 & 25, Governor's Conference on Highway Safety
Kalahari Convention Center Wisconsin Dells, WI
The Governor’s Conference provides attendees with opportunities to learn about current evidence-based best practices in education, enforcement and partnerships to prevent traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Wisconsin roads. Learn More
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1000 Friends of Wisconsin
608-259-1000 | 1kfriends.org
We work remotely, so please contact us via email:
Trevor Roark
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