Committee Highlights

We have multiple committees—comprised of LCC and LWCD members, WI Land+Water staff, and agency partners—that help oversee our programs.

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

» Sponsored a webinar on Microplastic Debris Pollution.

» Met twice in 2022 with the Annual Tour being Postponed due to Covid concerns.

» 2023 Annual Meeting and Tour is tentatively scheduled to be in Ashland County.

» Committee elections results: Chair - Greg Coulthurst; Vice Chair - Ashley Vande Voort; Secretary - Scott Frank; Treasurer - Isabelle Paulsen.

» Approved a mini grant to Douglas County for a Stop Spiny Waterflea Prevention Campaign.

» MaryJo Gingras is now leading a separate Statewide Workgroup on Recycling Plastics.

» The Great Lakes Committee is also known as the “Coolest” Committee within WI Land+Water... (It’s always cooler by the Lake(s)).

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.

» Engaged on legislative and policy topics related to: wildlife damage abatement programs, improving nonpoint source management, expanding county capacity to implement land and water resource management plans, and clarifying the statutorily defined makeup of LCCs.

» Solicited statewide input to help develop 2023-25 State Biennial Budget Priorities.

Professional Improvement Committee

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

» Helped develop and 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 five virtual meetings and increased total committee membership to 15 people.

» Completed the Outreach and Communications Survey for Counties and assessed current outreach efforts.

» Committee elections results: Chair - Katie Abbott; Vice Chair - Dani Santry; Secretary - Paul Backhaus.

» Met in-person for an all day workplan development session in Stevens Point.

Technical Committee

The Technical Committee manages technical issues and provides guidance for technical projects across Wisconsin.

» Welcomed Zach Mohr (Eau Claire Co.), Ketty Clow (Chippewa Co.), Jonathon Lisowe (Calumet Co.), and Chad Trudell (Oconto Co.).

» Established a subcommittee to create a companion document to WDNR’s Direct Runoff from Feedlots Guidance.

» Created a conservation practice no-rise checklist for floodplain Zone A.

» Surveyed counties to establish a baseline and methodology for standardizing navigability determinations.

» Established a process for assisting counties with hydrologic and hydraulic studies in floodplain Zone AE.

» Reviewed Chapter 30 permitting status.

» Provided input and representation on the Wetland Rapid Assessment Methodology.

» Coordinated technical sessions for the 2023 WI Land+Water Conference.

» Provided NRCS State Technical Subcommittee updates.

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

» Promoted the WI Land+Water Technical Photo Gallery.

» Held the Fall Technical Tour (pictured left).

Youth Education Committee

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

» Awarded the third Brad Matson Youth Education Award to Anne Bartels, Marinette County.

» Organized a second year of virtual Conservation Poster and Speaking Contests.

» Conducted our second virtual Silent Auction raising $4,606 to support our Youth Education programs.

» Organized and restructured the WI Envirothon into a hybrid event. The Current Issue presentations were conducted virtually and the station exams were conducted in-person outside at the Central WI Lions camp.

» After two years, we welcomed high school students back to camp at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, and we created a new middle school camp held at Upham Woods in the Wisconsin Dells.