Conservation Training

We build teams of well-trained conservation professionals that teach cutting edge best management practices for soil and water conservation.

Sitcom

The State Interagency Training Committee (SITCOM) is a partnership effort with a mission to maintain and strengthen a statewide team of well-trained conservation professionals that carry on Wisconsin’s rich history of conserving soil and water resources through a coordinated and efficient partnership. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection provides funding to WI Land+Water for trainings and SITCOM.

Annual Conference

Each March, we hold an annual conference to provide networking opportunities and forums to discuss programs, practices, and new ideas. Breakout sessions allow attendees to build technical knowledge and be inspired by others’ passion for Wisconsin conservation. Our Professional Improvement Committee provides leadership in developing the conference agenda with support from the Technical Committee and SITCOM.

WI Land+Water is committed to providing our members with high quality, relevant trainings to develop and maintain highly trained conservation staff and supervisors. This program is comprised of consistent learning programs that enhance skill development.

Annually WI Land+Water, along with members of SITCOM, identify educational needs and collaborate to provide trainings. SITCOM is comprised of staff from WI Land+Water, DATCP, DNR, NRCS,

UW-Madison Division of Extension, UW-Madison College of Ag and Life Sciences, Area Interagency Training Committees, Professional Improvement Committee, Technical Committee, and member at large-professional engineering practitioner. A statewide training needs survey was conducted to help develop the statewide training workplan. More information about SITCOM can be found at wisconsinlandwater.org/our-work/ conservation-training/sitcom

2021 Conservation Awards

WI Land+Water provided trainings virtually during the pandemic with very high participation numbers. Online trainings are recorded and later posted on the WI Land+Water website which makes them available as needed boosting utilization of training materials. When determined to meet specific qualifications, our trainings offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs). These trainings are a collaborative effort with various statewide partner agencies and organizations. WI Land+Water continues to offer a robust training program as shown in the following deliverables:

1,998 people attended 37 live webinars hosted by WI Land+Water. Webinar recordings are posted on our website.

Farming for the Future: A Forum for Exploring Ecosystem Markets offered five webinars and over 30 organizations from five states joined to provide farmers with transparent and practical information about ecosystem market opportunities.

26 people attended one in-person training session offered by WI Land+Water and partners.

30 training sessions were offered at the virtual 68th Annual Conference with more than 425 attendees. Prerecorded sessions were also provided.

167 people attended the two virtual County Conservation meetings

160 people attended the Conservation Observance Day event in Vernon County.

• Fay Amerson, Walworth Co. – Outstanding Employee, Senior Urban Conservation Technician

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• Dan Nankee, Iowa Co. – Outstanding Supervisor (bottom left)

• Drew Zelle, DATCP – Special Recognition/Friend of Conservation

• Short Lane Ag, under the leadership of Matt and Craig Oehmichen – Conservation Steward (bottom right)

WI Land+Water distributes a SITCOM Training e-newsletter every other week to over 1,500 people. This e-newsletter offers a wide variety of training opportunities. WI Land+Water trainings and other training opportunities are posted on our website’s conservation training calendar.

To find out more, contact WI Land+Water Conservation Training & Membership Services Manager.