Peter Burress

About Peter Burress

As a lobbyist with Wisconsin Conservation Voters, I work in coalition with community partners and nonprofit advocates to advance bipartisan policies that help ensure every Wisconsinite can breathe clean air, drink safe and affordable water, and enjoy healthy, accessible outdoor spaces. Much of my work focuses on building relationships with legislators and agency officials to secure durable water infrastructure investments, set public health-based standards, and prevent contamination from entering our environment. My work is grounded in a commitment to community, curiosity, and constructive conflict — shaped by my upbringing in Northeastern Wisconsin, early career experiences in food service, housing, and voting rights, and interdisciplinary research on leadership development, Great Lakes governance, and administrative rulemaking.

Experience

1. Government Affairs Manager

   Wisconsin Conservation Voters

   Jun 2021 — Present · Madison, WI, US

   As the Government Affairs Manager with Wisconsin Conservation Voters, I build relationships with organizational members, partner organizations, and government officials to advance policies related to safe and affordable drinking water, clean energy, and a healthy democracy. As a part of that work, I track 100+ bills every legislative session through our public Conservation Vote Tracker, providing real-time insight on proposed environmental policy. I also lead outreach, planning, and advocacy for our Clean Water for All program – designing our advocacy campaigns, identifying key opportunities for members and partners to engage, and participating in a range of water-related coalitions with other stakeholders. This work recently included a 7-month, multi-partner campaign launched on the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act. In partnership with 30+ stakeholders across the state, we helped secure $732 million in new revenue bonding authority to support Wisconsin’s drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure.

Education

• The University of Edinburgh

  Master of Science, International Relations

  2018 — 2019

• Carroll University

  Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Organizational Leadership

  2012 — 2016

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  PhD Student, Environment & Resources

  2023 — 2029

• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

  Master of Science, Urban Studies

  2016 — 2018