We’re excited to share more details with you about the 2025 Wisconsin Land Trust Conference and first ever Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day!
WHAT is this event? A networking, training, and inspirational event, plus an opportunity to advocate for conservation funding at the state level.
WHO is invited? You and everyone interested in land conservation in Wisconsin.
WHEN is it? March 12-14, 2025
WHERE will it be? Madison, Wisconsin
Read on for a preview of what to expect, and find all the details about the conference and Lobby Day here.
Location and Lodging
The 2025 Wisconsin Land Trust Conference and Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day will be held at the Wisconsin Masonic Center in downtown Madison. The facility is historic and unique, crafted in Art Deco style, and versatile with a variety of meeting spaces.
Lodging for the 2025 conference will be available at the nearby Madison Concourse Hotel. The hotel is within walking distance of the Masonic Center (about 1 block away). Take advantage of our group rate by booking here. The cutoff date for the room block is Monday, February 10.
Lobby Day
The conference begins on Wednesday, March 12 with Lobby Day. This advocacy, networking, and educational event is for all who value Wisconsin’s land, water, wildlife, and way of life.
In the morning, we’ll present a slate of advocacy programming to prepare you for meetings with your legislators in the afternoon. You’ll get prepped on how to talk to legislators, then will be split off into small groups to attend pre-scheduled meetings at the Capitol to garner support for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Conference Sessions
On Thursday and Friday, March 13-14, you’ll be able to attend a variety of traditional conference sessions and a field trip, plus take part in networking opportunities.
This year, our breakout sessions fall under three tracks:
- Land Stewardship
- Communications and Fundraising
- Conservation Planning
You can mix and match tracks or stick to the same one for the whole conference. It is totally up to you!
On Thursday, March 13, we’ll have two blocks of concurrent sessions, one before and one after lunch. Session topics include:
- Building strong foundations for perpetual protection
- The process known as “buy-protect-sell” for land conservation
- Geographic Information Systems (two sessions to really allow you to dig in and learn)
- Communicating about finances to your board of directors
- The concept of a “Triple A Board” to empower board members to be Ambassadors, Advocates, and/or Askers
On Friday, March 14, we’ll offer a longer learning opportunity in the morning. You’ll be able to choose from the following:
- Anatomy of a Land Trust Deal – back by popular demand, this session was presented at the 2023 conference, and will include updates, plus a new, hypothetical conservation project
- Storytelling Workshop – learn effective strategies for communicating the great stories in the land trust community (with tips for both development and communications staff)
Field Trip
On Thursday, March 13, join us for a field trip to some of Groundswell Conservancy’s conservation easement and fee simple properties in the Black Earth Creek Valley. Since 2001, Groundswell has protected 1,000 acres of land in the valley through the purchase of land and conservation easements. Hear from landowners, local decision makers, and land trust staff, then hike through this beautiful area (weather permitting).
This field trip is a chance to visit a really special place in Wisconsin. Black Earth Creek is a Class I trout stream known nationally for the quality of its fishing. The stream is rated as one of the top 100 trout streams in the nation by Trout Unlimited. The Black Earth Creek Valley also has a lot of high quality prime farmland and wetland areas that are characteristic of the valley floor. Learn more here.
Networking
Make time for networking and fun! On Thursday, March 13, connect with your peers in similar roles over breakfast. Then, later that evening, enjoy a night out on the town with land trust friends. We’ll provide some recommendations of the best places to go in downtown Madison.
Registration
Early Bird Registration ends Sunday, January 26. Register now to take advantage of these savings and secure your spot at the 2025 Wisconsin Land Trust Conference and Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day!
