Committee Highlights

Great Lakes Committee

The Great Lakes Committee (GLC) works to support, promote, and develop county land and water programming to protect, conserve, and enhance natural resources in the Great Lakes basin.

• Held five Zoom meetings in 2021, three of which were conducted after sponsoring webinars on emerging environmental topics (USACE Program Overview, Want Freshwater-Then Stop Over-Salting, and Plastics Pollution)

• Due to postponement of the annual tour, had county presentations during the December meeting to showcase special projects remotely. Douglas County presented on the Stop the Spiny Water Flea efforts and Door County presented on the Dunes Lake Restoration efforts

• Approved three mini grants for projects in Door, Douglas, and Marinette counties

Legislative/Administrative Committee

The Legislative/Administrative Committee reviews and takes action deemed necessary on proposed legislation, policies, or procedures that may impact our conservation programs.

• Identified challenges with existing resolution process; proposed new process for vetting WI Land+Water resolutions, incorporating oversight and input on particular resolution proposals from committees of relevance and better integration into advocacy efforts

• Identified challenges and opportunities related to nutrient management, informed by reps from land and water conservation departments, UW-Madison Division of Extension, Dept. of Natural Resources, and Dept. of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection

Professional Improvement Committee

The Professional Improvement Committee (PIC) coordinates the annual conference, which provides high quality training and educational sessions for our membership and the public.

• Helped organize breakout sessions and provided support for sessions at the annual conference

• Managed the member training scholarship program

• Promoted and judged conservation awards

Public Outreach Committee

The Public Outreach Committee assists counties with increasing public awareness and support for locally-led land and water conservation efforts.

• Held two virtual interest meetings to encourage new committee membership

• Developed Outreach and Communications Survey for Counties to track trends in current outreach efforts, and provide guidance as for developing resources, support and training opportunities for WI Land+Water membership.

Technical Committee

The Technical Committee manages technical issues and provides guidance for technical projects across Wisconsin. The Committee welcomed Brian Smetana (Walworth Co.) in 2021. Here are some of our other accomplishments:

• Finalized development of the “Direct Runoff” Guidance Document with DNR

• Coordinated an effort to create a floodplain zoning conservation practice no-rise checklist

• Provided input and representation on the Wetland Rapid Functional Value Assessment

• Provided NRCS State Technical Subcommittee updates

• Promoted soil health principles and interseeding cover crops

• Promoted standardization and simplification of nutrient reduction modelling and reporting

• Coordinated technical sessions for the 2022 WI Land+Water Conference

• Provided quarterly SOC updates and followed progress related to technical standards being created or updated

• Promoted the WI Land+Water Technical Photo Gallery

Youth Education Committee

The Youth Education Committee coordinates all the youth programs - Poster & Speaking Contest, Conservation Camps, and Envirothon.

• Awarded the second Brad Matson Youth Education Award to Tracy Arnold, Portage County and Chair of our Youth Education programs

• Organized our first virtual Conservation Awareness Poster and Speaking Contests

• Conducted our first virtual Silent Auction raising $3,395.00 to support our Youth Education programs

• Organized and restructured our first virtual Wisconsin Envirothon, providing an opportunity for old and new schools to participate and experience Envirothon in a time where many programs were cancelled