Blog
![Graphic with party streamers and Thank You to Alliant Energy Foundation.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Thank-You-Alliant-Energy-Blog-Graphic-1024x1024.png)
A Special Thank You to Alliant Energy Foundation & Ways to Maximize Your Giving
We thank the Alliant Energy Foundation for their continued support of Gathering Waters. They also support a lot more great environmental work like conservation, education, improvements for parks and trails, and more.
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Gathering Waters Land Trust Membership: Celebrating 30 Years
2024 marks an exciting milestone—Gathering Waters’ 30th anniversary! A lot has changed over the last three decades, but our mission has remained a constant: we help land trusts, landowners, and communities protect the places that make Wisconsin special.
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2023 Wisconsin Land Trust Highlights
In celebration of what Wisconsin land trusts can accomplish together, we offer these with thanks and best wishes for 2024!
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Giving Tuesday 2023: Twice the Impact
We are so thankful for the many friends who contributed to Gathering Waters on Giving Tuesday, which was November 28, 2023.
![Two middle aged white men in suits posing for a photo with an award certificate and ceramic vase.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mike-Carlson-and-Tom-Stolp-scaled-e1699890015927-1024x938.jpg)
Tom Stolp: 2023 Land Trust Professional of the Year Award
Gathering Waters presented Tom Stolp, executive director of the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT), with the 2023 Land Trust Professional of the Year Award November 9, 2023 at Ozaukee Washington Land Trust’s Cocktails for Conservancy event in West Bend.
![The Wisconsin Supreme Court Chamber with an elaborate wood seating area, large framed painting, and marble columns.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/6928925462_10351b9bf0_k-1024x678.jpg)
Team Knowles Nelson Updates: Knowles-Nelson Goes to Court
Gov. Tony Evers is suing legislative Republicans for violating the Wisconsin Constitution by obstructing basic government functions, including blocking already-approved Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program grants.
![Three people standing outside on a sunny day displaying an award certificate and ceramic vase.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carpenters-Award-1_photo-credit-Tim-Eisele-1024x768.jpg)
Steve and Susan Carpenter: 2023 Land Legacy Award
Gathering Waters presented Stephen (Steve) and Susan Carpenter with the 2023 Land Legacy Award on October 21, 2023 at a small private celebration at the UW Arboretum in Madison.
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Sarah Perry creates a legacy of land conservation
“I believe providing for land protection is an investment that will last. The land needs to live forever, to secure the well-being of all those who come after us.”
![Two men wearing sport jackets standing next to each other for an award presentation.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mike-Carlson-and-Bill-O-Connor_photo-credit-Rhianon-Morgan-scaled-e1698169730986-1024x813.jpg)
Bill O’Connor: 2023 Harold “Bud” Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award
Gathering Waters presented William (Bill) O’Connor with the 2023 Working Lands Preservation Award on October 13, 2023 at a Fall Celebration event hosted by Gathering Waters at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton.
![Dozens of people walking toward the camera on a hike during a summer day.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hike-at-Hauge-Historic-District-Park_Roberta-Herschleb-2-1024x685.jpg)
2023 Wisconsin Land Trust Days Was a Smashing Success!
The sixth annual Wisconsin Land Trust Days celebration just wrapped up on September 30. With 43 events hosted by 21 land trusts, we’ve been having so much fun for the past three months!
![Four adults standing outside in a field on a cloudy day for an award presentation.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Marilyn-Houck-Award-Presentation_Chris-Kirkpatrick-1008x1024.jpg)
Marilyn Houck: 2023 Working Lands Preservation Award
Gathering Waters presented Marilyn Houck with the 2023 Working Lands Preservation Award alongside staff from Mississippi Valley Conservancy on September 28, 2023 at a small celebration on Marilyn’s farm.
![Three adults standing in front of a screen with a PowerPoint slide on a projector showing the title slide for a presentation.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AFP-Presentation-Flow-of-Nonprofit-Funding-1024x768.jpg)
Why Nonprofits Should Engage in Advocacy
Advocacy is very important to our mission of helping land trusts, landowners, and communities protect the places that make Wisconsin special. Without access to public funding and effective legal tools, our land trust members would be severely limited in the amount of land they can protect.