Grabbing a bottle of water might seem like no big deal. But in Northeast Wisconsin, that same bottle is helping protect the waters we all rely on.
Through a partnership between Oneida Nation Retail and the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, every purchase of Oneida-branded water helps fund water restoration in the region. The latest donation totaled $4,427.25, all from bottled water sales.
“Most people agree that water is important, and that part’s easy,” said Taylor Oudenhoven, who helped launch the idea at Oneida Retail. “But how do you live that?”
Taylor saw a contradiction in their business. “We’re actively, in my mind, damaging or being part of the problem by selling water in plastic. So one way we can mitigate that is to provide funds for an organization dedicated to improving that water source.”
That’s where Fox-Wolf comes in. “What better organization to pick than the one that’s right here in our backyard,” he said.
Phil Wisneski, interim assistant general manager for Oneida Retail, echoed that thinking. “We’re part of the Oneida Nation, and the Oneida Nation is in the Fox-Wolf watershed. Duck Creek runs right through the middle of our reservation,” he said. “As a retail area, it just made sense for us to do something that helps with the environment.”
Phil also emphasized the deeper connection. “We always view ourselves as stewards of the land. That’s almost ingrained in each of us.”
The water bottle’s label features a muskrat, an intentional symbol. “In our creation story, the muskrat went down to the bottom of the ocean and grabbed up some land,” said Taylor. “There’s synergy there. The muskrat represents all life. And that’s perfect for what water is. It sustains all life.”
Oneida One Stop Donates to Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance
From left to right: Taylor from Oneida Retail, Katie from Fox-Wolf, Jessica from Fox-Wolf, and Phil from Oneida Retail during the presentation of a $4,427.25 donation from Oneida Water sales.
On the Fox-Wolf side, the support has been impactful. “The support that we’ve gotten from Oneida Retail over these last few years is that financial gift that gives us underlying support for the work we do,” said Katie Woodrow, Fox-Wolf’s Lower Fox Program Director. “It opens the doors for us to do different things, to try new things, and gives us base-level support that isn’t possible through a lot of our other funding sources.”
Jessica Schultz, Executive Director at Fox-Wolf, added, “They’re showing up to support us every year with a check that helps keep our lights on. That kind of base support with no strings attached is so important to a nonprofit.”
More than anything, it’s the example that stands out. “What’s really cool about Oneida Nation,” Jessica said, “is they see the bigger picture. They’re excited about all of the conservation efforts happening upstream, and they’re supportive.”
Want to help protect local water?
As Katie said, “Everybody has a piece to play, and there’s a place for everyone to fit in.”
Donate to Fox-Wolf and help keep Wisconsin’s waters clean for generations to come.
Because small actions, done together, make a big impact.