The Note | Winter 2023

THE NOTE

Volume 32 | Issue 3 FOR OUR CONSERVATION COMMUNITY

GRASSLAND 2.0 ACADEMY’S INAUGURAL CLASS

Learn more about the collaborative peer-to-peer approach to professional grazing training (Page 8)

Upcoming Events:

Inside this issue: Conference Registration opens Dec. 18

December 14 Board of Directors Meeting

January 19 Lake Winnebago Area Association Meeting

December 15 Technical Committee Meeting

March 6 Board of Directors Meeting

Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 WI Land+Water office closed for holidays

March 6-8 WI Land+Water Annual Conference

Learn more about the latest federal report on climate change impacts Page 6

January 10 Professional Improvement Committee Meeting

April 9 Professional Improvement Committee Meeting

Save the Date for Envirothon & Camp

Read more about our 71st Annual Conference in Green Bay, WI Page 4

Fifth National Climate Assessment released

Mark your calendars for our exciting 2024 Youth Education Programs

To learn more about supporting locally led conservation visit wisconsinlandwater.org.

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MESSAGE FROM MATT As a new year approaches and we put a bow on 2023, upon looking back on the year, I’m struck at how this year mimicked what conservation work at the local level can often look like – some opportunistic victories, but not without a challenge or two.

We in the county conservation community know well that if we are going to make progress on soil and water challenges, we need to build the professional capacity of our land and water conservation departments. As such, we were disappointed when the 2023-25 state biennial budget didn’t deliver the increase in staffing support we were seeking. However, we remain optimistic that by continuing to build broad support for county conservation, both in and outside of the Capitol, we will achieve that goal in the next budget.

Apart from that, there are reasons to celebrate the year past, and for me, reasons to be grateful. First, WI Land+Water enjoyed its fourth consecutive year of full membership from all 72 counties. We do not take this partnership and support for granted, and we will continue to work to earn the support of every county in the state.

We had some legislative successes to celebrate that will benefit county land and water conservation. Act 42 (AB 133) improved and modernized the Farmland Preservation Program, hopefully resulting in more acres of farmland protected and meeting conservation standards. Act 32 (AB 131) provided much-needed clarity on land conservation committee (LCC) membership. I am grateful for all WI Land+Water members who advocated in support of both of these bills.

Our Annual Conference in Wisconsin Dells this past March was the biggest and best we’ve ever hosted, attended by more than 500 people. This continues to become a “can’t-miss” conservation event every year, made so by those who choose to spend their time and money to participate.

We launched an exciting new Health and Conservation Committee, as well as a new SITCOM mentorship program, both of which will meet the evolving needs of our members in new ways. I am grateful for everyone involved with making both of these a reality.

Last, but certainly not least, I’m grateful for my colleagues at WI Land+Water. I could fill an entire newsletter singing their praises. They are smart, dedicated, adaptable, funny, and compassionate. I couldn’t ask for a better team to be a part of, and I am so proud of the work we did together in 2023, and what lies ahead, in 2024 and beyond.

I hope that your 2023 and your holiday season provides you with as much gratitude as mine have for me.

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE: 2

@wisconsinlandwater

@wisconsinlandwater

Matt Krueger Executive Director @wisconsinlandwater

Familiar Face, New Role We are pleased to announce that Christina Anderson will be stepping into the new role of Associate Director of WI Land+Water.

She will lend her talents to internal support of our great staff team, and external engagement of our

members and partners in service of our mission. Christina has been an invaluable part of our team for the past 10 years, contributing her skills and dedication across various roles.

She will also continue to oversee our Climate Resilience Program.

Gov. Evers signs Act 42, enhancing Farmland Preservation Program Some GREAT NEWS from the Capitol!

Governor Tony Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 42 (AB 133/SB 134) into law. This bipartisan legislation, a top priority for WI Land+Water for the past three legislative sessions, improves and modernizes the Farmland Preservation (FP) Program.

The concept for the bill can be directly traced to a proposal that emerged from Rock County and the Southern Area Association at our 2019 annual conference.

We have our fingerprints all over this legislation, and we should celebrate its passage! Many county conservation staff and committee members played a role in advocating for it, and their efforts were instrumental in getting it passed into law.

The Farmland Preservation Program is unique, as it is the only program in Wisconsin that provides incentives for farmers to maintain working lands in exchange for meeting conservation standards. It’s a win-

win for soil health and water quality, and these improvements will only make this important program better.

We are grateful to Gov. Evers, as well as the offices of Rep. Oldenburg, Sen. Testin, and Sen. Spreitzer in getting Act 42 across the finish line inside the Capitol. A coalition of agricultural and conservation groups partners were also important in championing this sensible piece of legislation.

County land and water conservation department staff play a key role in the FP Program, working to support farmers in meeting the required conservation standards, and verifying their eligibility for the tax credit.

We see opportunity to further improve the FP Program in the future by providing counties with support for their work in implementing the FP Program. We will continue to work with partners within and outside of the Capitol to pursue the allocation of funding to support counties’ implementation of FPP.

Highlights of Act 42: • Effective 2023, increases and simplifies FP Program tax credits, which have not been adjusted for a decade. Consolidating and increasing the three incentive tiers of $5, $7.50, and $10 per acre, to two tiers of $10 and $12.50 per acre will modernize the program, potentially leading to greater landowner participation.

• Adds agricultural conservation easements in a farmland preservation area as a new $10/acre category of farmland that qualifies for the FP Program tax credit.

• Demonstrates responsiveness to Wisconsin taxpayer concerns.

The FP Program changes in 2023 Wisconsin Act 42 remove barriers to participation that were previously indicated in landowner surveys.

• Protects more Wisconsin farmland, which is rapidly declining. From 19502000, farmland acreage declined by nearly one-third. Additionally, the FP Program requires that enrolled acres meet agricultural conservation standards, which provides greater protection of soil and water resources.

• Decreases FP Program agreement length from 15 to 10 years.

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Join us for our 71st Annual Conference!

Get ready for an exhilarating conference packed with networking and professional development, a celebration of conservation across Wisconsin and beyond. Registration opens on December 18!

2024 WI Land+Water

Conservation Awards There is still time to nominate a conservation champion who has gone above and beyond!

Please consider nominating someone who deserves recognition for their outstanding efforts. Our Professional Improvement Committee judges the nominations, and winners are celebrated at the Awards Banquet, held on Thursday night of the conference. Awards include:

Attend a range of breakout sessions covering agroforestry, groundwater, communications, sessions tailored for newbies, partnerships, technical round tables, and more!

During Wednesday’s opening luncheon, we’ll announce the winners of the Youth Education Speaking Contest and hear speeches from the next generation of conservation stewards. Before heading to our breakout sessions and social hours, we’ll hear from our plenary speaker, Matt

Dannenberg, Senior Tribal Liaison for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. On Thursday, we are excited to welcome our keynote speaker and acclaimed author, Dan Egan. After a discussion, his books will be available for purchase and signing.

We’ll also have our crowd favorite events, such as our Poster Contest, cash raffles, Silent Auction, and Conservation Awards Banquet, with Emcee Monte Osterman.

For more details about the sessions, registration process or hotel, visit wisconsinlandwater.org/conference.

CLICK FOR

MORE DETAILS

» Outstanding Conservation Employee (three categories) » Outstanding LCC Member » Farm Family of the Year » Friend of Conservation » Brad Matson Outstanding Youth Educator » Conservation Legacy Award Nominations are due by Dec. 31, 2023. Learn more at wisconsinlandwater.org/ conservation/awards.

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March 6-8, 2024 KI Convention Center Green Bay, WI

Meet Our Conference Speakers

YOUTH EDUCATION EVENTS

Silent Auction

From handmade goods to delicious treats, take home some incredible items AND support our youth education programs. Every dollar raised from the Silent Auction supports these initiatives.

Dan Egan

Environmental Journalist

Matt Dannenberg Senior Tribal Liaison

Dan Egan for many years covered the Great Lakes for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Now he writes occasional long-form pieces about climate change for national media outlets, including the New York Times, and is a senior water policy fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences. He is the author of THE DEVIL’S ELEMENT: PHOSPHORUS AND A WORLD OUT OF BALANCE and THE DEATH AND LIFE OF THE GREAT LAKES.

Dannenberg is the Senior Tribal Liaison for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy. He grew up with a passion for meteorology which led to a career in civic engagement and lobbying to impact climate change. Dannenberg is a proud member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Donated items will be brought to the conference for viewing, but bids will be exclusively accepted online via the 32Auctions website. By incorporating online bidding alongside the in-person conference, we aim to attract higher bids and reach audiences beyond conference attendees.

We encourage you to set up your 32Auctions account before the event, but our staff and volunteers will be available on site to offer any assistance.

Bidding will open in February before the conference and conclude on Thursday, March 7, at 6:00 p.m.

To learn more about donate items, visit wisconsinlandwater.org/conference.

If you’re interested in helping with the Silent Auction at the conference or have questions, contact Haillie Passow at haillie.passow@co.trempealeau.wi.us.

67th Annual Poster & Speaking Contest Our 67th annual State Conservation Poster and Speaking State Contest will held in-person and kick off our conference on Wednesday, March 6.

LEARN the latest conservation practices and programs.

NETWORK with your colleagues from across the state.

CONNECT with other passionate conservation professionals.

The 2024 poster theme is: May the Forest be with You, Always.

Area poster and speaking winner information needs to be submitted by Wednesday, February 7.

All submission forms and more information can be found at wisconsinlandwater.org/contests.

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Fifth National Climate Assessment Now Available This federal report brings together technical and cultural climate experts to update our understanding on current trends by region and sector, as well as highlight the progress made toward adaptation and mitigation goals.

The report is meant to inform a broad audience of decision makers, including national, state, local, and Tribal governments, city planners, public health officials,

Quick Links: Explore the full report, and contact Christina Anderson with any questions.

adaptation specialists, nurses, farmers, business owners, community organizers, researchers, water utilities, educators, students, the media, and concerned individuals who need to make timely decisions about the climate impacts they are facing.

There are many downloadable graphics and one-page summaries to help guide local planning and community understanding.

» Guide to the Report » Midwest Regional Chapter » National Topics of Interest: - Agriculture - Forests - Water » Downloads - Search all downloadable content. » Companion Podcast - Listen to NCA5 on all streaming platforms for another way to take in the content of the report

TANYA BEYER // ICE-BURST IN A GHOST MARCH Artist’s statement: This artwork depicts the meltdown of traditional northern winters’ icy streams and lakes. The sun rises, heat trapped by cloud cover. The river forms a flooding current, invading an abandoned building. Red-throated loons, normally migrants south from the Arctic, ride the current. Remnants of swamp trees, common in the boreal bogs of the Upper Midwest, pose themselves like goblins, totems of the past, part of the region’s lingering character. I work in watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and ink, often taking weather into account to create a mood.

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Art × Climate is the first art gallery to be

featured in the National Climate Assessment.

The US Global Change Research Program issued a call for art with the understanding that, together, art and science move people to greater understanding and action.

View the Gallery »

‘Tis the Season for Standards The Standards Oversight Council (SOC) work isn’t slowing down for the holidays. We’re in full swing right now, with SIX standards underway using the Full Process, four of which will be brand new standards.

These standards include: » NRCS 590 Nutrient Management » NRCS 635 Vegetated Treatment Area » WDNR 1011 Vegetated Dry Storm Water Ponds » WDNR 1012 Enhanced Dry Treatment System » WDNR 1013 Enhanced Settling and Phosphorus Removal » WNDR 1014 Episodic Additive Dosing

Our dedicated technical stakeholder teams meet regularly to discuss the issues and develop language for the standards.

In 2024, be on the lookout for the release of draft standards for public review – some arriving very soon!

Your input as technical standard users is invaluable to the SOC process, so we eagerly welcome your comments.

To stay informed about these comment periods and other SOC news, sign up for the SOC urban or agricultural email lists using the form on our website.

Join a WI Land+Water Committee!

If your New Year’s Resolution is to get more involved, then we encourage you to consider joining one of our eight committees!

Our committees address a range of important conservation issues and are comprised of county land conservation committee members, county land and water conservation staff, WI Land+Water staff, and agency partners.

These committees work to support our organization, from advising on important legislative priorities to planning our conference sessions to

organizing youth education events. We invite you to find your place on a committee: - Great Lakes - Health & Conservation - Legislative/Administrative - Mississippi River Basin - Public Outreach - Professional Improvement - Technical Committee - Youth Education

wisconsinlandwater.org/members-hub/committees

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Q&A

Grassland 2.0 Academy

Throughout Wisconsin, conservation professionals continuously work to protect natural resources in ways that support landowners, producers, and communities. In agriculture spaces, managed grazing on perennial lands has been gaining traction as an effective and valuable practice in fulfilling these efforts. While professionals and producers may be aware of these solutions, implementing these practices and writing management plans is a complex blend of knowledge and skill.

And with more and more conservation professionals in Wisconsin coming from non-agriculture backgrounds, it’s becoming even more important that agencies, teams, and departments develop training programs that more effectively close the knowledge, practice, and experience gaps that exist.

To address the need for professional training related to managed grazing, various groups comprised of conservation professionals and community members have been coordinating their efforts to identify gaps and develop effective training programs. The G-Team, for example, is a statewide network of grazing professionals that focuses on developing train-thetrainer experiences. GrassWorks, a “grassroots membership organization that provides leadership and education to farmers and consumers,” hosts their next annual conference February 1-3, 2024 in Wisconsin Dells.

Grassland 2.0 is another group working to address the need for managed grazing training and education by bringing conservation professionals, farmers, researchers, and members of the public together. The Grassland 2.0 Academy practices a unique approach to professional training, focusing on peer-to-peer relationships and hands-on projects.

Michael Hook, Statewide Training Coordinator with Wisconsin Land+Water, attended the Academy’s Fall Grazing Planning Retreat in September in an effort to support program leaders and capture what it is that makes this experience unique and powerful for participants.

Throughout the retreat, participants attended a pasture walk, asked questions of experts, practiced fundamental skills, and received real-time feedback. Participants were assembled into groups of mixed experiences levels and geographic locations around Wisconsin. Each group received a specific farm scenario and was mentored by an experienced grazing planner. Over the course of the three days, participants gathered all pertinent information for their scenario by walking the site, analyzing soil samples, conducting a farmer interview, calculating potential yields, and pouring over maps. At the end of the retreat, each group presented a full grazing plan based on their given scenario.

Michael recently sat down with program coordinators Alex Steussy-Williams and Carl Wepking to learn more about the mission and vision of the Grassland 2.0 Academy.

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What has drawn you to be part of Grassland 2.0 and the Grassland 2.0 Academy?

weird now doing project management and course coordination, but it’s for things I’m passionate about.

Carl Wepking: Although my professional training is as a scientist, I feel like we know enough about our agricultural ecosystems that it’s time to take action. I’m happy to hang up my lab coat and think more about implementation and how we can effect change. It does feel a little

Alex Steussy-Williams: I’m here because I am excited about building a community of agriculture professionals who care. To help coordinate a curriculum that emphasizes building a lasting community and connections with each

other and with land – that’s what I’m here for.

Was this community focus always part of Grassland 2.0’s work?

CW: There is a need and demand for more community-driven change.

The current way we manage our agroecosystem is failing us as a society when we can’t swim in the lakes and drink the water. The leadership of the Grassland 2.0

project is committed to developing agroecosystems that feed people and create healthy communities, so the community aspect of that is front and center.

CW: Four Seasons is more for experienced folks who want to improve their year-round planning skills, specifically planning in the nongrowing seasons, late Fall into Spring.

ASW: I have seen participatory, community-centered processes ingrained in everything Grassland 2.0 does. Grassland 2.0’s Collaborative Landscape Design empowers folks in rural communities to have a say in what happens with their landscape: with their air, water, and soil; with the things that affect their day-to-day lives.

It’s the backbone of the project.

What makes the Grassland 2.0 Academy different from other training happening around the state?

Can you describe the Grassland 2.0 Academy experience?

CW: So far, there are two offerings: Foundations and Four Seasons. Both have a similar format, which is a series of webinars followed by a field day that attempts to “put the pieces together” from the webinars.

ASW: Foundations is for anyone who wants to dive into grazing planning, regardless of experience level. One thing we loved about the Foundations course was the wide variety of experience of participants, which created the need and space for community-building and mentorship.

By the end of the Foundations course, everyone has written a grazing plan.

CW: Many training sessions are oneoff experiences where you attend to obtain some form of credit. Our effort with the Grassland 2.0 Academy is a continuous cohort where people help and learn from each other. There’s no way you can have that in a single-day, “a’la carte” style of training. The threeday retreat at the end of the experience is the culmination of our community approach to training.

ASW: I’d advise people: don’t enroll in the Grassland 2.0 Academy if you’re not ready to invest the time. That’s what makes it special. We’re asking people to commit time to build skills, knowledge, and connections. There is a flexibility in when you watch the webinars, but participants are still committing time to this academy and to their cohort. As we were developing the Academy, we heard that technical service providers wouldn’t have the time to commit, but we filled our first course within three days and now have a waiting list for next year.

CW: Here, we want you to be engaged.

We want that cohort experience, instead of participants fading in and out of courses.

ASW: The Academy is unique in that we are committed to more than just teaching the technical aspects of grazing management. We’re not afraid to get real about why we care about bringing back more grasslands to the landscape of the upper Midwest. Also, the Academy sets a high standard for participant engagement. Participants engaging with content allows it to be tailored and personalized to participant experience and knowledge. We can then focus the content of each course based on where participants are coming from and what their real problems are.

What’s next for the Grassland 2.0 Academy?

CW: We’re thinking about ways to expand. From the beginning, our goal has been to grow the academy’s focus beyond technical service providers to include farmers, youth, and the general public. We’ve talked about developing courses centered around engagement in our agroecosystem, learning about what we eat and the decisions we make, and how we all benefit from or suffer from the ways agriculture is managed.

The Grassland 2.0 Academy stands as an example of what collective learning can and should be. As Wisconsin’s professional conservation landscape continues to grow and change, so too must its professional training programs. It’s a scientific truth that adults learn best when they are challenged to use their knowledge, skills, and experience to solve real-world, pertinent situations related to their work.

The Grassland 2.0 Academy successfully caters to the needs of adult learners by providing genuine, personalized learning activities where participants can learn through experience and collective work.

Visit www.grasslandag.org for more information about the broader Grassland 2.0 effort. For more information about the Grassland 2.0 Academy, Contact Carl Wepking at cwepking@wisc.edu or Alex Steussy-Williams at alex.steurssywilliams@wisc.edu.

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Conservation Camp Scholarship Information

BRAD MATSON

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP To commemorate Iron County Supervisor and WI Land+Water Board of Directors member Brad Matson, the Youth Education Committee has created a camp scholarship in his honor. Brad, a dedicated advocate of youth conservation, leaves a lasting legacy by providing students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend our summer camps and experience the outdoors.

Application details will be posted on our website soon.

COUNTY LWCD SCHOLARSHIPS

If you are a county that offers camp scholarships please reach out to Peyton@wisconsinlandwater.org to make sure we have the most up-todate information on our website.

Interested in developing a scholarship program in your county? Reach out to Kim@wisconsinlandwater.org to be connected to other counties that have established camp scholarships.

Camp scholarship information is provided on our website for families registering for camp.

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Get ready for summer weather and camps!

Middle School Conservation Camp

High School Conservation Camp

at Upham Woods Wisconsin Dells

at Discovery Center Manitowish Waters

JUNE 9-12

JUNE 17-20

We are in the early planning stages for our 2024 Middle School Conservation Camp, for students going into grades 6-8 in 2024. We are recruiting Middle School Camp counselors (especially male) to volunteer. Our High School Conservation Camp will be held at the Discovery Center, for students entering grades 9-12 in 2024.

Our camps allow students to meet new friends and natural resources professionals, while participating in exciting hands-on learning opportunities and field trips that connect students to conservation education and the great outdoors. If you are interested in learning more about camp or interested in volunteering as a camp counselor please reach out to Kim@wisconsinlandwater.org.

Learn more: wisconsinlandwater.org/camp

WISCONSIN

ENVIROTHON APRIL 19, 2024

ROSHOLT, WI WISCONSIN LIONS CAMP wisconsinlandwater.org/envirothon

Founded in 1988, Wisconsin Envirothon is a collaboration between educators and natural resource professionals to host the state’s ultimate hands-on environmental science team competition.

This day-long event is an excellent opportunity for middle and high school students to develop the leadership and communication skills that champion a more sustainable and environmentally-aware community. Field professionals and conservation educators challenge students to work as a team whiles exploring the many facets of current environmental topics. Together, they provide coaching at the following Outdoor Testing Stations:

Aquatic Ecology

Soils & Land Use

Study aquatic ecosystems, identify aquatic organisms, and discuss watershed management.

Learn about soil structure, interpret maps, evaluate land forms, and discover soil characteristics.

Forestry

Wildlife

Explore the practices and tools used for maintaining healthy forests, identifying species, and measuring trees.

Gain knowledge about wildlife tracking, animal populations, and habitat conservation.

The Current Issue Team Presentation provides an opportunity to join fundamental knowledge and reasoning ability to understand and articulate today’s most critical environmental concerns.

Engaging with the Current Issue scenario offers an opportunity to develop the skills needed to communicate the conservation ethic in whatever scholastic, career, or civic choices lie ahead.

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We want to wish our entire conservation community a wonderful holiday season!

May the upcoming weeks be filled with an abundance of joy, laughter, and moments spent with family and friends.

Here are a few of the holiday traditions that our staff hold near and dear to their hearts!

Matt’s family holiday tradition (a few generations running) is doing jigsaw puzzles, and early signs indicate his daughter will keep that going.

On Christmas morning Chris volunteers at Heartland Farm Sanctuary to help care for the animals. Here are Billy and Zeus staying warm and munching on upcycled Christmas trees. Delicious!

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A favorite Anderson tradit

Kim gets crafty and m and her son’s teacher sugar cookies are alw

The products of Kate’s many days cookies, cakes and monkey bread.

tion is making (and eating!) lefse!

Apart from the tradition of the Airing of Grievances and the Feats of Strength (neither pictured), we always set up our collection of nutcrackers and full Christmas village to make the house festiv[us] during the holiday season.

makes homemade gifts for friends, family rs—homemade Irish Cream and Christmas ways a big hit!

Kristin’s favorite tree to decorate is this vintage ceramic Christmas tree, which her grandmother made by hand.

baking with her husband and kids: .

Peyton’s favorite Christmas tradition is playing a fun and competitive gift exchange game called “7/11” with her cousins. They have been playing this game on Christmas for as long as she can remember!

Micheal gets into the holiday spirit by putting up decorations, both inside and out!

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PINES ABOVE THE SNOW It is in midwinter that I sometimes glean from my pines something more important than woodlot politics, and the news of the wind and weather. This is especially likely to happen on some gloomy evening when the snow has buried all irrelevant detail, and the hush of elemental sadness lies heavy upon every living thing.

Nevertheless, my pines, each with his burden of snow, are standing ramrod-straight, rank upon rank, and in the dusk beyond I sense the presence of hundreds more. At such times I feel a curious transfusion of courage.”

- Aldo Leopold, Sand County Almanac

Become a 2024 Conference Sponsor!

Our annual conference brings together over four hundred dedicated conservation professionals from across Wisconsin. With designated networking times and exhibition space, our conference offers sponsors the opportunity to connect with natural resource professionals. We offer a range of sponsorship levels to ensure all organizations and partners have the chance to engage with our members.

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Matt@wisconsinlandwater.org.

THE NOTE Volume 32 | Issue 3

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wisconsinlandwater.org 121 S. Pinckney St. #420 Madison, WI 53703 (608) 441-2677