Our Impact

Since NERN’s formation in 1998, dozens and dozens of important and impactful projects and positive outcomes have resulted from its efforts.  This includes fostering the development of research and reports that were critical to NERN’s early efforts. 

During the past 24 years, over 30 Ledge Tours have been held. Nearly a dozen conferences and educational seminars were hosted. Numerous dinner events were held celebrating our local foods. Countless public and invited presentations were given by active NERN members about the Niagara Escarpment. These events have touched and informed tens of thousands of residents and visitors over the years. In fact, in 2010, it was estimated that our Year of the Niagara Escarpment schedule of events, held by NERN or partner organizations, likely touched over 13,000 people directly. We look forward to building upon these accomplishments with your help and support.

Our Mission

Protecting Wisconsin’s Niagara Escarpment through geotourism, interpretation, education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Our Vision

A protected Niagara Escarpment corridor that provides economic, social, and environmental values for generations to come.

Our Purpose

The Niagara Escarpment Resource Network (NERN or The Network) is a volunteer-based organization whose purpose is to provide a common forum for discussion and action which promotes awareness and education about the Niagara Escarpment, ultimately leading to increased conservation of its resources. NERN also facilitates short/long term planning for the protection and conservation of this resource. The Network is advisory and has no regulatory control over private lands and exists to function as its name suggests…..linking people with information.

You might think of NERN as your ‘one-stop-shop’ for all your Escarpment needs. Tremendous amounts of information, knowledge, and expertise about the Niagara Escarpment is held by Network’s individual members, partners, and their respective agencies or organizations. By joining the Network, you can become part of our efforts to inform and educate residents of the value of this resource while enhancing opportunities for its permanent protection and enjoyment.

In 2019, NERN embarked on the preparation of a new Strategic Plan. In doing so, NERN also elected to “re-brand” its efforts to provide more focus and attention to five separate mission-aligned programs. Hence, the introduction and use of our “WI-LEDGE” moniker – a direct reference to our location as well as the main vernacular term utilized by many for describing this landscape feature. The WI-LEDGE set of programs now include: Conservation, Geotourism, Learning, Tours, and Events.

from 1998 through today

Our History

The Niagara Escarpment Resource Network (NERN) is a non-profit organization formed in 1998. It is dedicated to the conservation, education, and sustainable use of the Niagara Escarpment in Wisconsin. Over the past 24 years, NERN has been involved in numerous projects and events that have positively impacted the Niagara Escarpment.

The idea of the organization began in 1998 in response to a conference held at UW-Green Bay, sponsored by the East Central and Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commissions. The event focused on highlighting 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+ attendees provided guidance on the future direction of conservation and planning efforts for the Niagara Escarpment in Wisconsin. An informal, ‘bottom-up’ (i.e., grassroots) organization was created by the two advisory Regional Planning Commissions with the assistance and support 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).

Over the next several years, many meetings took place with numerous participants and in 2002, the effort was formalized as the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network. After many additional years of work, a State Joint Legislative Proclamation designating 2010 as Year of the Niagara Escarpment (AJR-1, 2009)was proposed by (then) Rep. Al Ott (3rd Assembly District), and approved unanimously.   2010’s resulting momentum propelled the Network into associating itself with the existing non-profit Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership and thusly became one of several regional programs housed under its umbrella.

Some of the most notable accomplishments of NERN include the Niagara Escarpment Conference held in 1998 at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the publishing of the Niagara Escarpment Overlay Zoning Guide in 2007, the Wisconsin Ledge American Viticultural Area Designation in 2012, the release of “The Great Ledge” documentary film in 2017, the publishing of “Geoscience Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s Niagara Escarpment” in 2016, and the launch of the WI-LEDGE Geotourism Program & WI-LEDGE Rambler Map Guide in 2022.

In addition, NERN has hosted over 30 Ledge Tours, nearly a dozen conferences and educational seminars, numerous dinner events celebrating local foods, and countless public and invited presentations about the Niagara Escarpment. These events have touched and informed thousands of residents and visitors over the years, with an estimated 13,000 people directly impacted by NERN’s Year of the Niagara Escarpment schedule of events in 2010.

NERN is committed to building upon its accomplishments with the help and support of its members and the community. The organization looks forward to continuing its efforts to conserve, educate, and promote the sustainable use of the Niagara Escarpment in Wisconsin.

 a Proud regional network Partner of

Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership

Niagara Escarpment Resource Network (NERN) is a regional network partner of the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP), the region’s leading environmental advocate for the waters of Lake Michigan. LNRP fosters stewardship and takes action to champion the environment through education and support for local community’s efforts to protect and enhance our greatest natural resources. LNRP builds partnerships and collaborations, provides funding and support, and promotes a forum for discussion and action. With LNRP support, FOHB advocates for a balance between land use and natural resource conservation and protection. For more about LNRP visit www.lnrp.org.