Kesha Patel

Water Hero: Kesha Patel

“We are slowly degrading our precious water by putting it in the hands of corporations…”
Menominee River
Sturtevant, WI

How do you work to protect Wisconsin’s waters?
I work to organize against things that could potentially harm Wisconsin’s waters, such as the Back Forty Mine, Foxconn and pipelines.

What are your biggest concerns right now?
My biggest concern is that we are slowly degrading our precious water by putting it in the hands of corporations. I think that loosening up our environmental policies or simply ignoring them for big corporation— such as Foxconn, which intends to draw water from the Great Lakes and fill in wetlands—sets a dangerous precedent for our state. It shows that our state doesn’t care about its natural resources and is willing to put them at risk for the benefit of private corporations.

What keeps you strong and inspired in the face of challenges?
What keeps me strong through the hardships is knowing what I am fighting for. As an aspiring zoologist, I want to protect the uniqueness and biodiversity of Wisconsin’s natural areas. I want to keep the water clean for the lives that depend on it. I don’t want to see these things disappear. Knowing what’s at stake keeps me going.

What’s your favorite “water spot” in Wisconsin?
Devil’s Lake, in Baraboo, WI. The surrounding glacial rocks and the beautiful lake are amazing.

More information:
https://gaiacoalitionblog.wordpress.com/

Learn about other Water Heroes in Wisconsin:
River Alliance Water Heroes – 2018