Established in 1953, the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association (WI Land+Water) is a non-profit organization that supports the work of county staff in land and water conservation departments (LWCDs) and county officials on land conservation committees (LCCs). We represent more than 800 county conservation staff and officials who work in every county of the state to provide boots-on-the ground support for local communities across Wisconsin.
Locally led conservation is the foundation of Wisconsin’s natural resource stewardship. It is driven by dedicated professionals, engaged community members, and strong partners working together to find innovative solutions to complex challenges. This year, we focused on strengthening our connections. By bringing the right people together—whether through advocacy, education, or hands-on networking opportunities—we are building a stronger, more resilient conservation community. We are committed to empowering our members, elevating conservation as a priority at every level, and ensuring that the next generation is prepared to carry this vital work forward. Together, we are shaping the future of conservation—one local effort at a time.
- Matt Krueger, Executive Director
OUR MISSION:
We empower our county conservation members to protect, conserve, and enhance Wisconsin’s natural resources for current and future generations.
Our LWCD Members
A workforce of 380 conservation professionals who work directly with landowners and communities to implement projects that protect our lands and waters.
Our LCC Members
More than 450 county officials who are statutorily empowered to oversee conservation priorities and programs implemented by county conservation staff.
MEET OUR TEAM
Kate
Statewide Training Coordinator
Outreach Assistant
Training & Membership Services Manager
Associate Director Climate Program Manager Standards Oversight Council Manager
Kim Warkentin
Kristin Teston
Chris Schlutt
Youth Education Director Communications Director
Training & Events Manager
Lou Warpinksi Office Manager
Michael Hook
Peyton Mueller
Kelli Myers
Christina Anderson
Jenny Pethan
Brunner
OUR CONSERVATION COMMUNITY
Area Assocations
Our member counties are divided into eight area associations, each representing the interests of county conservation programs within their specific regions. They facilitate information exchange and sponsor educational and training events. Areas meet several times each year to share experiences, coordinate with partners, and discuss local issues and policies.
Board of Directors
Our organization is governed by a 16-member board that sets the strategic direction, manages finances, and serves as ambassadors for county conservation. The Board consists of two members from each of the eight geographic area associations, with one member representing LCCs and the other representing LWCDs.
WI Land+Water Committees
We have eight statewide committees with over 120 members, including LCC officials, LWCD staff, WI Land+Water staff, and agency partners. Led by chairs noted on the map, our committees support youth education, provide project grants, develop training and resources, guide policy decisions, build interagency partnerships, offer technical insight, and enhance professional development.
Advisors
We work closely with agency and partner advisors who provide key insights for conservation issues. This includes WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR), USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, and Wisconsin Counties Association.
Northwestern Area
Area Coordinator: Heather Palmquist, Iron County
LWCD Board Rep: Eric Wojchik, Polk County
LCC Board Rep: Charles Ortman, Ashland County
West Central Area
Area Coordinator: Rod Webb, Pierce County
LWCD Board Rep: Chase Cummings, Dunn County
LCC Board Rep: Ken Gerhardt, Clark County
Health & Conservation Co-Chair: Chase Cummings, Dunn County
Mississippi River Basin Comm. Co-Chair: Rod Webb, Pierce County
Western Area
Area Coordinator: Gaylord Olson II, Jackson County
LWCD Board Rep: Bob Micheel, BOD Vice Chair, Monroe County
LCC Board Rep: Mary Henry, Vernon County
Technical Comm. Chair: Matt Hanewall, La Crosse County
Youth Education Comm. Chair: Haillie Passow, Trempealeau County
Southern Area
Area Coordinator: Katie Abbott, Iowa County
LWCD Board Rep: Amy Piaget, Dane County
LCC Board Rep: Meg Turville-Heitz, Jefferson County
Leg/Admin Chair: Kurt Calkins, Columbia County
Outreach Chair: Katie Abbott, Iowa County
North Central Area
Area Coordinator: Kirstie Heidenreich, Marathon County
LWCD Board Rep: Tom Boisvert, Lincoln County
LCC Board Rep: Mike Ritter, Marathon County
Lake Michigan Area
Area Coordinator: Ken Dolata, Oconto County
LWCD Board Rep: Scott Frank, Shawano County
LCC Board Rep: Tom Mandli, Marinette County
Great Lakes Chair: Greg Coulthurst, Door County
Lake Winnebago Area
Area Coordinator: Keifer Sroka, Adams County
LWCD Board Rep: Tony Reali, Calumet County
LCC Board Rep: Mike Hofberger, Calumet County
Professional Improvment Comm. (PIC) Chair: Tony Reali, Calumet County
Southeastern Area
Area Coordinator: Stephanie Egner, Washington County
LWCD Board Rep: Marissa Castello, Waukesha County
LCC Board Rep: Monte Osterman, Chair, Racine County
Advocating for County Conservation
We are dedicated to advocating for our members by ensuring county conservation has a strong voice at the local, state, and national levels. We actively engage in policy discussions, coalitionbuilding, and representation to advance conservation efforts across Wisconsin. At the national level, we represented our state within the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). At the state level, we served on key
committees, including the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Steering Committee, the Interagency Water Quality Working Group, and the NRCS State Technical Committee. We continued our worked with coalitions such as the Clean Water Initiative, Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin, and Conservation Lobby Table to strengthen partnerships. We also responded to member concerns on policy issues like drain tiling, wake boats, and PFAS contamination.
Building Thriving Landscapes
We expanded our statewide climate work by adding a climate specialist to our staff and by working with counties to support their climate efforts through Land and Water Resource Management (LWRM) planning To support those efforts, we are developing an online climate resilience toolkit, a collaborative effort between WI Land+Water and DNR staff, that will serve as a resource for counties. We have also partnered with The Savanna Institute to promote agroforestry adoption in Wisconsin by increasing education and training for county conservation staff.
Legislative Field Visits Showcase Success
To effectively advocate for county conservation, we bring key decision-makers to the field—allowing them to see firsthand the impact of conservation work at the local level. DATCP provides funding for county conservation staff through the Soil and Water Resource Management (SWRM) Grant Program. Given the importance of this investment, we make it a top priority to demonstrate the state's return on investment. DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski visited the Beyrer Family Farm in Dunn County to observe how conservation staff and farmers collaborate to find innovative solutions, such as the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP).
HIGHLIGHTING THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT
We hosted Rep. Karen Hurd and Sen. Jesse James at Miltrim Farms in Marathon County to showcase the relationship between farmers and county conservation staff, highlighting the return on investment Wisconsin receives from supporting county conservation staff in the DATCP budget.
SUPPORTING PRODUCERLED WATERSHED GROUPS
Senators Howard Marklein and Joan Ballweg joined Sauk County conservation staff on the Bindl Farm, participants in DATCP’s Producer-Led Watershed Grant Program, to see how county conservation staff assist with technical advice, grant applications, and field day outreach.
Creating collaborative spaces
To help advance conservation in Wisconsin, we focus on bringing together the right people to address our most pressing concerns. We know that strong relationships between all those working to find solutions is key to success. This means using our connections with state and federal agencies to
find and fill gaps in programs and policies. But it also means bringing our members together by creating intentional networking spaces. From our sold out conference to new mentorship initiatives, our members, partners, and local communities were able to connect and share their unique experiences and perspectives.
Each summer, we hit the road for tours highlighting county projects and the dedication that drives conservation in Wisconsin. This year’s visits spanned Buffalo, Chippewa, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marquette, Rock , and Walworth Counties.
The Young Conservation Professionals Network launched with great success. The kick-off event attracted 65 attendees, from LWCDs, NRCS, DATCP, and DNR. The initiative addresses teh need for connection among new conservation staff. AREA & COMMITTEE TOURS
The State Interagency Training Committee Mentorship Program launched with 16 matches and 38 participants, including staff from LWCDs, NRCS, DNR, and DATCP, with seven interagency matches, all thoughtful paired.
71st Annual Conference: A SOLD OUT Event
Our 71 st Annual Conference brought together over 500 conservation professionals from across the state, including county staff, supervisors, agency partners, and conservation organizations. We were honored to welcome Governor Tony Evers, who spoke at our luncheon. With support from 32 sponsors, the event featured 40 breakout sessions led by over 100 presenters.
With a focus on collaborative problemsolving, 83 attendees represented 51 counties. The revamped event featured interactive sessions that focused on resource-sharing among county staff and strengthening in-person connections.
The Standards Oversight Council led robust collaboration in technical standard development, with 10 leaders making up the Council, working on seven standards, engaging over 40 team members who contributed their expertise to the process.
Our Conservation Partnership Training provided newer conservation employees, along with those seeking a refresher, to connect with state, federal, and non-profit partners through interactive sessions and real-world project examples.
Elevating Our Member Engagement
Elevating member engagement strengthens the foundation of our conservation community. By creating meaningful opportunities for participation, we empower our members to contribute their unique talents and perspectives to our shared mission. Through enhanced communication channels, targeted volunteer initiatives, and responsive feedback systems, we ensure that every
voice is heard and valued. Our member-focused events and programs not only celebrate individual achievements but also reinforce our collective impact. By investing in the member experience—from streamlined digital platforms to personalized training—we create a sense of belonging that transforms supporters into passionate advocates for Wisconsin's natural resources.
LCC Training Events foster connections
LCC Training Events were held in 5 locations across the state, bringing together 140 attendees from 46 counties. These sessions attracted both new and returning LCC members, along with LWCD staff. The two-hour training sessions focused on the role and responsibilities of LCC members, with an emphasis on the critical relationship between county officials and county conservation staff. One of the key highlights of these training events was the distribution of the newly redesigned LCC Handbooks. These handbooks are developed to serve as a comprehensive resource for our LCC members, equipping them with the information and resources needed to become more engaged and effective leaders in their communities.
Virtual LCC Coffee & Conversation
Inspired by our successful in-person event at the Annual Conference, we're hosting ongoing virtual chats for LCC members. Our kick-off event focused on Land and Water Resource Management Plans, with an overview of Chapter 92 and a Q&A with LCWD staff and LCC members on their experiences with the plan and review process.
Streamlined Events Calendar
Over the last year, we promoted 964 events across Wisconsin, including area association meetings, committee and board meetings, professional trainings, partner events, community workshops, and field tours. We also developed advanced filtering options for the calendar, allowing users to search by date, training topic, delivery format, and location.
THE FIELD NOTE
Your Source for Locally Led Conservation
Along with a new look and name, "The Field Note" gained 298 new subscribers. Through impactful storytelling, our revamped newsletter continues to highlight the important conservation work being done by Wisconsin's counties and WI Land+Water staff and committees.
Scan to browse our recent newsletters:
Enhancing conservation knowledge and skills
Education and outreach are at the heart of conservation.
Ongoing learning and professional development equip our members with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to be effective problem solvers. By sharing the story of conservation, we not only strengthen our community’s
understanding but also inspire decision-makers and the next generation of conservation leaders. Through strategic partnerships, training opportunities, and youth education, we ensure that our members—and the field as a whole—are prepared to meet the challenges ahead.
WI Envirothon
Our annual hands-on environmental science competition drew 18 teams including 6 new schools. Firsttime competitor Cedarburg High School took the Overall title and represented Wisconsin nationally in New York. The event success is due to the 45 dedicated volunteers who mentor students in environmental sciences and communication skills.
Our generous sponsors make the WI Envirothon possible:
» USDA-NRCS
» The Nature Conservancy
» McKnight Foundation
» Smithfield Foods, Inc.
» Wisconsin County Forests Assocation, Inc.
» Petenwell and Castle Rock Stewards
» North Central Area Association
» Lake Winnebago Area Association
» Southeastern Area Association
» Northwest Area Association
» Northwind Solar
» Brown County Conservation Alliance
» Pickerel Crane Lake Preservation Protect and Preservation Dist.
» Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
» County LWCDs across Wisconsin
Connecting at conservation summer camps
This year, 50 middle school students attended the conservation summer camp at Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells, while 16 high school students attended the conservation summer camp at North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters. 37 scholarships were provided for local students thanks to the Brad Matson Memorial Scholarship, Fond du Lac Audubon Society, Transcendent Technologies, Green County Conservation League, and LWCDs across the state. This support ensures that all students can experience nature firsthand, explore career paths, make new friends, and develop a lasting connection to the outdoors.
Poster & Speaking Contests
2,935 posters submitted by K-12 students in local area and poster contests.
77 speeches presented at local and area
Conservation Awareness Speaking Contests.
42% increase in poster entires, with 864 more submissions than we received last year.
Jenna Collins, Washington County, named as a 2024 NACD National Poster Contest Winner in Grades 10-12
