New “Climate Action Playbook” Offers Groundbreaking Framework for Nurturing Climate-Resilient Children

(Madison, Wis.) —In an era marked by a rapidly changing climate, the newly published Climate Action Playbook is a vital resource for museum professionals, educators, caregivers, and others who work with children from birth to age eight.

The Climate Action Playbook addresses a critical gap in existing climate resources by focusing on the developmental needs of early learners.

Caretakers of Wonder, a consortium of children’s museums led by Madison Children’s Museum in partnership with Environment & Culture Partners, the Association of Children’s Museums, and Verdis Group, developed this innovative, holistic approach to preparing young children for a changing world while fostering compassion, excitement about the natural world, agency, and hope for a bright climate future.

Children’s museums are leading on the issue because the well-being and healthy development of children are their top concern.

“Our approach to early learning climate education is to center our work on cultivating curiosity, agency, empathy, hope, and deep connections with nature, rather than burdening young children with problems they are too young to solve,” says Brenda Baker, the Caretakers of Wonder project manager and vice president of exhibits, facilities & strategic initiatives at Madison Children’s Museum. “We’re equipping adults to be effective role models who can help grow resilient children capable of flourishing in a warming world.”

David Sobel, children’s environmental education expert and advisor to the Playbook, sums up the approach succinctly. “If we want children to flourish… then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.”

Developed through a collaborative effort between nine children’s museums and science centers, along with experts in neuroscience, climate psychology, early childhood education, climate science, and equity, the Playbook offers practical tools to improve the lives of young children and families:

• Creating norms of self-care and connection
• Cultivating children’s well-being and capacity to flourish
• Establishing enduring relationships with Earth’s living beings and systems
• Building capacity for hope through action 

The Playbook is divided into two sections: one for Museum Visitors and one for Museum Professionals. Each section divides the content into age bands: birth to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 8 years old. Content is subdivided into three areas of emphasis: Nature & Well-being; Empathy & Resilience, and Hope & Collective Action. The Playbook also includes a comprehensive literature review of published pieces at the intersection of children and climate change.

The timing of this resource is particularly significant, as data from the World Health Organization shows that children are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts. An overwhelming 88% of the disease burden attributable to climate change afflicts children under five years of age, and studies show these impacts are felt the hardest by Black and brown children. In addition, recent research shows that over half of children feel “eco-anxiety” and many “feel sadness, anxiety, anger, helplessness, and guilt all at once.”

Consequently, adults who care for young children need guidance on what to do and say so their kids feel safe and hopeful. The Playbook provides the practical guidance these concerned adults need.

“Continue to foster a love of nature with young children,” advises the Playbook. “Catch fireflies, collect dandelions, and ford streams. You’re sowing the seeds of good stewardship and future action.”

The Climate Action Playbook is available now for museums, educators, and caregivers committed to nurturing the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens. Visit www.caretakersofwonder.org to learn more.

Caretakers of Wonder, a consortium of children’s museums led by Madison Children’s Museum in partnership with Environment & Culture Partners, the Association of Children’s Museums, and Verdis Group, was launched in 2022 with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services MG 252083-OMS-22. Nine museums participated in the project’s first two years. That grant has been terminated by the federal government, though all promised funds have been received and the grant work is mostly complete. 

Phase II of Caretakers of Wonder was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Climate Smart grant. That grant has also since been terminated—with no money disbursed. Madison Children’s Museum and partners remain committed to the coalition and the work.

Savant Wealth Management Recognized by InvestmentNews Special Report

Inaugural report recognized five Savant teams located in four states

ROCKFORD, Ill. (May 12, 2025) — Savant Wealth Management, a fee-only registered investment adviser (RIA), announced that its Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, GA, Rockford and Lincolnshire, IL, and Middleton, WI, teams were recognized by InvestmentNews as 5-Star Wealth Management Teams 2025. The honor recognizes top wealth management firms in America that excel in growing and retaining clients. Savant did not pay a fee to be included in the recognition. InvestmentNews announced the rankings on May 12, 2025.

“We’re honored to have five of our teams named among InvestmentNews’ 5-Star Wealth Management Teams for 2025,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO of Savant. This recognition reflects our deep commitment to putting clients first—helping deliver advice that’s not only personalized and proactive but also grounded in trust. In a fast-changing industry, we believe the future belongs to firms that combine innovation with empathy. That’s how we hope to continue to earn our clients’ confidence—and why we’re so proud of the work our teams are doing every day.”

Rockford: Savant’s Rockford team specializes in comprehensive wealth management, including trust services as well as estate and tax planning. The team consists of 19 members, 16 of whom are Savant employee owners. The team typically assists financially established individuals and families nearing retirement but also works with executives, professionals, business owners, university administrators, and physicians.

Lincolnshire: Savant’s Lincolnshireteam also offers comprehensive wealth management, including trust services as well as estate and tax planning. The team consists of nine members, six of whom are Savant employee owners. The team typically assists financially established individuals and families nearing retirement but also works with executives, professionals, business owners, university administrators, and physicians.

Middleton, Wisconsin: The Savant University Wealth Management team in Middleton partners with university leaders to provide comprehensive wealth management strategies that keep their financial well-being at the forefront. The team uses a holistic approach that embodies all the core pillars of financial planning while understanding and adapting to the nuances of university benefits plans and the unique life and career paths of higher education professionals. There are four team members, three of whom are Savant employee owners.

Atlanta, Georgia: Savant’s Atlanta team offers clients comprehensive wealth management, with some team members also providing turnkey asset management services and one team member specializing in working with retirement plan sponsors. There are seven members of the team, five of whom are Savant employee owners. The team typically assists financially established individuals and families nearing retirement but also works with executives, professionals, business owners, university administrators, and physicians.

Birmingham, Alabama: Savant’s Birmingham team is comprised of 11 members, nine of whom are Savant employee owners. The team offers comprehensive wealth management, including trust services as well as estate and tax planning. Typically, the team assists financially established individuals and families nearing retirement but also works with executives, professionals, business owners, university administrators, and physicians.

For more information about Savant Wealth Management, visit savantwealth.com. 

2025 InvestmentNews 5-Star Wealth Management Teams: This inaugural rating was published in May 2025 and identifies and ranks leading registered investment advisory firms based on these key focus areas: meaningful contributions to clients and the financial industry, deep understanding of client needs, notable impact achieved over the past 12 months, and standout performance based on assets under management (AUM) and team results. Firms must manage a minimum of $10 billion in AUM for consideration. Savant did not pay a fee to be considered for this rating.

About Savant Wealth Management

Savant Wealth Management is a leading independent, nationally recognized, fee-only firm serving clients for nearly 40 years with approximately $29.6 billion in assets under management and $1.2 billion in assets under advisement (as of 03/31/2025). As a trusted advisor, Savant Wealth Management offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plans, and family office services to financially established individuals and institutions. Savant also offers corporate accounting, tax preparation, payroll, and consulting through its affiliate, Savant Tax & Consulting, and estate planning document preparation and other legal services through its affiliated law firm, Savant Legal LLP.

Savant is a registered investment advisor. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Savant is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Please read our Important Disclosures at savantwealth.com.

The InvestmentNews 5-Star Wealth Management Teams 2025 was announced in May. The special report highlights the nation’s top teams providing exceptional advice in the wealth management industry.

Newly renovated Bergstrom Cadillac dealership opens in Madison

(Madison, WI – May 12, 2025) – Bergstrom Automotive announced the grand re-opening of the state’s largest Cadillac dealership after completing its renovation at 1200 Applegate Road, Madison. This newly renovated dealership aligns with the Cadillac brand’s new world-class luxury product and design direction. 

Bergstrom Cadillac of Madison is located on the larger Bergstrom Automotive campus, off the West Beltline at the exit of Fish Hatchery Road. The campus also encompasses Chevrolet, used vehicles and a body shop repair facility. 

Bergstrom Automotive has continued its growth in Madison with five automotive facilities and over two hundred team members in the Madison market. John F. Bergstrom, Executive Chairman, states “The opening of this new state-of-the-art facility marks an exciting milestone in our commitment to the Madison market, and the luxury experience our Cadillac owners have come to expect from Bergstrom Automotive. We remain focused on delivering an exceptional guest experience as part of our commitment to being the right choice for our guests’ automotive needs.”

Bergstrom Cadillac of Madison is the top-selling, single Cadillac dealership in the state of Wisconsin. Bergstrom operates six Cadillac stores across the state, also making it the largest Cadillac dealer in Wisconsin.

The newly renovated Madison dealership offers the full lineup of Cadillac vehicles from the best-selling CT5 sedan, to the full-size Escalade and the all-electric Lyriq, Optiq and Escalade IQ, plus a full range of services including expert maintenance, repairs, and GM parts. 

Everyone is welcome to visit the dealership for the Ribbon Cutting event. Details are as follows:

Wednesday, May 14, 2025
4 – 7 PM with Ribbon Cutting at 5PM
Bergstrom Cadillac of Madison
1200 Applegate Road, Madison, WI 53713

(608) 271-2211

The grand re-opening on May 14^th will also feature the must-see and truly rare 2025 Cadillac CELESTIQ, a custom-commissioned and hand built ultra-luxury electric sedan. 

About Bergstrom Automotive

Bergstrom Automotive, headquartered in Wisconsin, is the largest dealer in Wisconsin and one of the top automotive retailers in the U.S. The company employs over 2,500 teammates statewide and is focused on delivering outstanding guest service.

The Bergstrom organization sells and services the following franchises:  Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, FIAT, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Ram, Sprinter, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo in 40 facilities located throughout Wisconsin.

The Creative Company Wins Big, Six WisCOMsin PRSA Awards

The Creative Company, a leading PR and digital agency, swept the 2025 PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Madison and Northeast Wisconsin Chapter’s WisComsin Awards Ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, earning six accolades, including one Award of Excellence and five Awards of Distinction.

Each award-winning campaign represents a unique story and sector, highlighting the diversity of our clients and the breadth of categories in which we excel. From education and community initiatives to corporate milestones and public service campaigns, our work spanned a range of industries and communication disciplines. The awards covered categories ranging from Public Affairs & Community Education to Multimedia Tactics, reflecting both the breadth of our expertise and the depth of our commitment to impactful storytelling.
 

Award-Winning Campaign Highlights

• “Finish Your FAFSA” – Award of Excellence, Public Affairs & Community Education. This statewide initiative encouraged students to complete their federal financial aid applications. Working alongside education and community partners, our campaign raised awareness and helped more students access the resources they need for college. 
   
• Gorman & Company 40th Anniversary Campaign – Award of Distinction, Events & Observances. A commemorative campaign celebrating Gorman & Company’s 40 years in business, this project honored the company’s legacy in community development. We helped turn a corporate milestone into an engaging story of growth, gratitude, and community impact.
   
• Impact Christian Schools’ Response to Abundant Life Christian School Shooting – Award of Distinction, Crisis Communication. In the wake of a tragic school shooting, we worked with Impact Christian Schools to communicate with compassion, clarity, and care. This crisis response effort kept the community informed and united, demonstrating the power of thoughtful communication during difficult times.
   
• Ascendium Education Group and Black Men Coalition of Dane County eCornell Certificate Program – Award of Distinction, PR/Media Relations Tools. A collaborative educational initiative, this campaign highlighted a partnership offering an Ivy League credential program to local Black men. By sharing success stories and engaging with the media, we helped Ascendium and the Black Men Coalition showcase how strategic partnerships can create opportunities and inspire change.
   
• Madison Police Department HR Creative Campaign – Award of Distinction, Multimedia Tactics. An innovative recruitment and HR campaign for the Madison Police Department, this project used engaging multimedia storytelling to connect with potential recruits. The Creative Company crafted videos and digital content that reflected the department’s values, diversity, and commitment to community service, helping to humanize the badge and attract qualified candidates.
   
• “Home Again – A Restoration Story” for Mathetria Press – Award of Distinction, Multimedia Tactics. A heartfelt multimedia storytelling project produced for Mathetria Press, “Home Again” tells a powerful journey of restoration and hope. Through creative video, narrative, and design, we brought this story to life in a way that resonated with audiences, underscoring the impact of hope, faith, and community support.

Each of these awards is a testament to our team’s excellence in community-driven storytelling, strategic communication, and meaningful impact. We are incredibly proud of our team members, whose passion and creativity made these recognitions possible. Being honored by PRSA – our industry’s leading professional organization – reinforces the value of the thoughtful strategies and heartfelt stories we strive to deliver every day. 

Thank you to our clients for entrusting us with your stories and missions. These awards are as much yours as they are ours. We also congratulate our entire Creative Company team for their hard work and dedication. Together, we will continue to create strategic, impactful campaigns that inform, inspire, and make a positive difference in our communities.

About PRSA: Chartered in 1947, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the world’s largest and foremost organization of public relations professionals. PRSA provides professional development, sets standards of excellence, and upholds principles of ethics for its members and, more broadly, the multi-billion-dollar global public relations profession. We also advocate for greater understanding and adoption of public relations services and act as one of the industry’s leading voices on our time’s important business and professional issues.

About Creative Company: When companies are building, growing, or changing, they hire The Creative Company to tell their story. The Creative Company is a leading PR and Digital Agency representing nonprofits, businesses, and cooperatives, helping them evolve, promote, and protect their brands and reputations. The Creative Company is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise by the State of Wisconsin and is the 2022 Dane County Small Business of the Year Winner. Representing leading brands and creating purposeful work for 35 years. Learn more.

Iconica Wins Three IIDA Wisconsin 2025 Celebrate in Design Awards

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Wisconsin Chapter has recognized three recent Iconica projects in the 2025 Celebrate in Design Awards. These awards honor exceptional interior design that blends creativity, function, and innovation. We’re proud to see our work included among this year’s standout projects.

The award-winning designs include Hickory Hill Academy, Madison School & Community Recreation – West, and our very own Iconica Office. Each space reflects our commitment to thoughtful, purpose-driven design—and, in the case of our office, the seamless integration of architecture, construction, and engineering through our design-build model.

We’re honored by this recognition from the IIDA Wisconsin Chapter and deeply grateful to the clients and partners who trusted us to help bring their visions to life. Each award represents a shared commitment to collaboration, problem-solving, and the power of well-designed environments to enhance everyday life. You can explore each of the projects in more detail on our blog.