Photo, Bill Berry. (Contributed photo)

For the City-Times

Discover a pivotal moment in the birth of the modern environmental activist era in a new Wisconsin Historical Society Press book, “Banning DDT: How Citizen Activists in Wisconsin Led the Way.” The book portrays the historic movement that led to a meaningful December day in 1968 when DDT went on trial in Madison, Wisconsin.

That six-month-long DDT hearing was one of the first chapters in contemporary environmental citizen activism. Author Bill Berry documents the hearing and shares the compelling story of how citizen activism, science and law merged to form Wisconsin’s DDT battles, effectively forging a new way to accomplish public policy.

“Banning DDT” (Paperback: $18.95, ISBN: 978-0-87020-644-3) by Bill Berry, details how citizens, scientists, reporters and traditional conservationists drew attention to the harmful effects of the “miracle pesticide” DDT, which was being used to control Dutch elm disease.

Berry tells of hunters, fishers, bird-watchers and garden-club ladies like Lorrie Otto, who dropped off 28 dead robins at the Bayside village offices. He tells of university professors and scientists like Joseph Hickey, a professor and researcher in the Department of Wildlife Management at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, who, years after the fact, wept about the suppression of some of his early DDT research. He tells of activists like Sen. Gaylord Nelson and member of the state’s Citizens Natural Resources Association who rallied others to the cause.

“Banning DDT” is the story of citizen activists who were motivated by the belief that we all deserve a voice on the health of the land and water that sustain us. An e-book edition is also available.

The Wisconsin Historical Society Press, publishing since 1855, is the state’s oldest publisher.

About the Author

Bill Berry grew up in Green Bay and earned undergraduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. After more than 20 years as a reporter, columnist and editor for several daily newspapers, he redirected his energy to communicate about conservation and agriculture. This work has taken him across the United States to learn and teach about private lands conservation. A columnist for The Capital Times newspaper in Madison, Berry lives in Stevens Point.

Upcoming Book Events

Tuesday, April 22 — Book Signing
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Nelson Institute’s Earth Day Conference, Monona Terrace, Madison. Bill Berry, author of the new Wisconsin Historical Society Press book, “Banning DDT: How Citizen Activists in Wisconsin Led the Way,” will be at the Wisconsin Historical Society Press booth to sign copies of the book and talk to conference attendees one on one about the historic Wisconsin fight to ban the “miracle pesticide.”

Tuesday, May 13 — Book Launch Event and Signing
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee. Join author Bill Berry as he celebrates the publication of his new Wisconsin Historical Society Press book, “Banning DDT: How Citizen Activists in Wisconsin Led the Way,” with a book talk that includes stories and details of the citizens, scientists, reporters and traditional conservationists who drew attention to the harmful effects of the “miracle pesticide,” DDT. A book signing will follow.

Thursday, May 15 — Book Talk and Signing
Time: 7 pm
Location: Marathon County Public Library, Wausau. Join author Bill Berry as he celebrates the publication of his new Wisconsin Historical Society Press book, “Banning DDT: How Citizen Activists in Wisconsin Led the Way,” with a book talk that includes stories and details of the citizens, scientists, reporters and traditional conservationists who drew attention to the harmful effects of the “miracle pesticide,” DDT. A book signing will follow.

Thursday, May 22—Book Talk and Signing
Time: 6 pm
Location: Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Join author Bill Berry as he celebrates the publication of his new Wisconsin Historical Society Press book, “Banning DDT: How Citizen Activists in Wisconsin Led the Way,” with a book talk that includes stories and details of the citizens, scientists, reporters and traditional conservationists who drew attention to the harmful effects of the “miracle pesticide,” DDT. A book signing will follow.