Air Education and Outreach
Public involvement is essential to the DNR's mission to protect the environment and human health through our programs and regulations. The Air Management Program has several resources to help members of the public stay informed about air quality issues and learn about opportunities to provide feedback on proposed rule changes and other efforts to improve and preserve air quality.
On this page you will find links to publications and web resources about air quality and air pollution, including resources for teachers and kids; information on what citizens can do to improve air quality; and details on how to stay informed and involved through email lists, public hearings and advisory committees. Policy, procedural and technical guidance related to the Air Program can be found using our Publications and Guidance Portal. (The portal works best in a modern web browser, such as Chrome or Edge.)
Publications
Publications
The following publications are available in print and/or electronic format. If an electronic version is available, there is a link to that publication for downloading. All titles are followed by the publication number for easy ordering. Email DNRAirEducation@wisconsin.gov to order.
- Air Repair brochure [PDF] (AM-320)
- Air Quality Index poster [PDF] (EI-7054)
- Change in the Air – DNR Natural Resources magazine article
- Citizen's Guide to the Air Permit Process [PDF] (AM-338)
- Creating the right atmosphere: [PDF] (CE-7047)
- Open Burning Quiz [PDF] (CE-7021)
- Ozone and Your Health [PDF exit DNR] (English)
- Ozone y Su Salud [PDF] (Ozone and Your Health in Spanish)
- Particle Pollution and Your Health [PDF exit DNR]
- Vehicle Care for Clean Air [PDF] (AM-522)
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent chemicals that have been linked with negative health effects in humans. To investigate whether PFAS are transported in the air and scavenged by rain drops, the DNR conducted sample collections of rainwater at eight air monitoring sites in the late spring and summer months of 2020. The DNR partnered with the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) on the publication of an academic journal outlining the study.
The DNR worked with the publication to allow for the sharing of the article titled "PFAS concentrations and deposition in precipitation: An intensive 5-month study at National Atmospheric Deposition Program - National trends sites (NADP-NTN) across Wisconsin, USA" upon request. Reach out to Pam Foy-Gilmore (pamela.foygilmore@wisconsin.gov) if you are interested in formally requesting the manuscript.
K-12 Education
K-12 Education
Educational programs available from the DNR for preschool through high school audiences. Many resources are available in print and/or electronic format. If an electronic version is available, there is a link to that publication for downloading. All titles are followed by the publication number for easy ordering. Email DNRAirEducation@wisconsin.gov to order.
- Air, Air Everywhere — Teachers use this guide to teach about the composition of air, what air pollution is, where it comes from and what we can do about it. The 10 teacher-led, hands-on activities in this guide are aimed at third through fifth grades, but can be adapted for other levels. Activities:
- Air Defenders: The Quest for Clean Air — A community educational resource on open burning, air quality and respiratory health for teachers, health officials and other non-formal educators. Air Defenders is an interdisciplinary, multimedia educational program organized as a kit. Kids team up with the Air Defenders — Seeker, Identifyre and Recyclotron — to pursue their quest to clean the air and protect community health. Air Defenders to the rescue! (CE-7029)
- Air Defenders coloring book
- Give Burn Barrels the Boot! [PDF] — Use this guide filled with background information, activities and facts to teach children about open burning, air quality and human respiratory health (available on-line only). (CE-7001)
- Clean Air, Healthy Children [PDF] — Introduce preschool through third-grade children to the concepts of respiratory health, air quality,and caring for the environment with these in-class and take-home activities. (CE-454)
- Aire Limpio, Niños Saludables (Clean Air, Healthy Children - in Spanish) [PDF] (CE-7026)
- How Lungs Work poster — This poster shows the respiratory system and how asthma affects the lungs. (EI-7023)
- Como Funcionan Los Pulmones — How Lungs Work poster in Spanish. (CE-7025)
- Where's the Air? — Teachers activity guide that introduces students to the concept of atmospheric structure and the formation of ground level ozone.
- EEK! [exit DNR] — This website is for kids in grades 4-8.
Multimedia
Wild Wisconsin Podcast Episode
DNR Videos
- DNR Using Cutting Edge Techniques in Enhanced Ozone Monitoring Efforts
- Committed to Clean Air: Ozone
- Committed to Clean Air: Particle Pollution
- Committed to Clean Air in Wisconsin
- Do A Little, Save a Lot...of Energy
- Do a Little, Save a Lot...of Fuel
- Travel Wisely - For Clean Air
- Visit a Wisconsin Wind Farm