Here at Gathering Waters, we’re always striving to make our programming as vitally useful as it is fun. This is especially our goal as we produce our annual signature event – Wisconsin’s Land Trust Retreat.
This year’s Retreat will be August 8-10 in Trego at the Eagle Lodge in the Heartwood Resort and we are thrilled that West Wisconsin Land Trust is partnering with us to help make it possible. Remember, once you register with us we’ll make all the arrangements for your lodging and meals while you’re at the Retreat.
To get you excited for this summer’s Retreat, we’re offering an inside scoop on all there is to expect. In addition to valuable learning activities, there will be opportunities to network with your peers from around the state, get outdoors in Wisconsin’s beautiful northwoods and float on the Namekagon River, and join in on a few of our less serious traditions, including our inaugural haiku contest.
As usual, our dessert potluck will kick off our event on Thursday evening along with a light supper and drinks in the lounge at the Resort. This tradition has always been one of the highlights of the retreat so make sure to bring your best dessert to share and an appetite to try everyone else’s.
Along with this year’s annual land trust achievement awards we will hold a haiku competition. Non-writers worry not, haikus are simple to construct and can be serious and reflective or funny and light-hearted. Start drafting your entries now! The following are some examples to get your poetry-writing blood flowing and to offer some inspiration:
Trego, Wisconsin
Friends come together and learn
Nature surrounds us
Land trusts are the best
Healthy water, happy souls
High fives all around
Dear bears, birds, and fish,
Pretty great habitat, huh?
You’re welcome, Land Trust
Squirrels are so furry
Oh, their bushy tail is soft
Acorns are yummy
To draw the retreat to a close, we will be take a picnic lunch and then go on a Saturday afternoon float down the Namekagon River. Before getting in our canoes we will hear from National Park Service and West Wisconsin Land Trust staff about the river’s interesting conservation history and the unique tools used to protect the scenic view along the river. We’ll have you on the road by 2pm invigorated about how and why we do our work protecting the places that make Wisconsin special.
As the retreat draws closer we hope that you will consider joining us for this unparalleled opportunity for learning, networking, and fun. We’ve developed a full schedule of events and registration is open through July 24th. We look forward to seeing you in the northwoods!
