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![A bluff overlooking Lake Michigan with text that reads "Knowles-Nelson Sign-on Letter Shows Strong Support](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Knowles-Nelson-Sign-on-Letter-Blog-Photo.png)
Knowles-Nelson Sign-on Letter Shows Strong Support
Fifty-eight conservation organizations, land trusts, outdoor associations, and community government agencies signed-on to a letter showing support for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
![A green yard sign that says Land Trust Days in front of a group of a half dozen people kneeling in a flower bed](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Purpose-of-Land-Trust-Days.jpg)
What is the Purpose of Wisconsin Land Trust Days?
Wisconsin Land Trust Days is a way Gathering Waters can fulfill its mission to strengthen and support the state’s land trust organizations.
![A picturesque view from the top of a hill of Wisconsin countryside.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Franciscan-Sisters-of-Perpetual-Adoration-Blog-Photo.jpg)
Gathering Waters Honors the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration with Wisconsin’s 2020 Land Legacy Award
On October 23, 2020, Gathering Waters presented the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration with the Land Legacy Award during a socially-distanced observance on St. Joseph Ridge.
![A woman and man standing outside holding a paper that says Conservation at Home.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Geneva-Lake-Conservation-at-Home-768x1024.jpg)
Geneva Lake Conservancy Honored as Wisconsin’s 2020 Land Trust of the Year
Geneva Lake Conservancy earned the 2020 Land Trust of the Year for their outstanding conservation work. From its humble beginnings in 1977, as the “Committee to Save Geneva Lake,” the organization has grown to protect and manage environmentally significant land in and around Walworth County, including waterways, natural areas, and working lands.
![An Asian woman selling produce at a farmers market.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Making-Allies-Farmers-sell-fresh-vegetables-at-Fondy-Food-Centers-urban-farm-markets-1024x767.jpg)
Making Allies for Healthier Communities Recognized with Wisconsin’s 2020 Rod Nilsestuen Award for Working Lands Preservation
The recipient of Wisconsin’s 2020 Rod Nilsestuen Award for Working Lands Preservation is not a person, but a partnership: Making Allies for Healthier Communities.
![An older white man standing outside in front of a large fir tree.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/photo-1.3.jpg)
Peter McKeever Honored with Wisconsin’s 2020 Harold “Bud” Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter McKeever’s passion for land protection and his skills as an attorney have made an extraordinary and lasting contribution to the land conservation community across Wisconsin. His lifelong dedication to land and water protection in Wisconsin earned him the honor and recognition of the 2020 Harold “Bud” Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award.
![An older white man and woman dressed in nice clothes sitting at a table together.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Charles-and-Dianna-Colman-no-white-space-1024x701.jpg)
Charles and Dianna Colman Named Wisconsin’s 2020 Conservationists of the Year
Charles and Dianna Colman’s commitment to protecting special places in and around the Geneva Lake area and their impressive leadership have made a positive impact in southeast Wisconsin. Gathering Waters is proud to present them with the Conservation of the Year Award for 2020!
![People sitting around a banquet table signing letters.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Contact-Your-Policymakers-Blog-Photo.jpg)
Contact Your Policymakers About the Great American Outdoors Fund
Please take 15 minutes to call and email your representative about the Great American Outdoors Act to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
![Brown colored water pouring over rocks.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/LWCF-Blog-Photo.jpg)
Thanks to the Land and Water Conservation Fund
On July 22, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Great American Outdoors Act, which would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Contact your representative and ask them to vote for the Great American Outdoors Act.
![A group of people at a conference waving to the camera.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Land-Trust-Membership-2020-Blog-Photo.jpg)
Your Land Trust’s Membership in Gathering Waters Matters
It’s our top priority to connect and support our land trust members as we continue to bring benefits to your organization through advocacy, services, and amplifying the impact of your work.
![A field full of white daisies.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ox-Eye-Daisy-Blog-Photo.jpg)
Connecting During COVID-19 on WI Land Trust Forums
To navigate the changing and challenging terrain together due to COVID-19, Gathering Waters has convened weekly forums via Zoom for land trust staff and board members since mid-March.
![A monarch butterfly on a purple flower in a field.](https://gatheringwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Monarch-Butterfly-George-Floyd-Blog-Photo.jpg)
We Can and Must Do Better
We stand in solidarity with those who are calling for justice and accountability in Wisconsin and across the United States after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, along with the targeted harassment of Christian Cooper.