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.

Gathering Waters is thrilled to report that 2019 was a big year for Wisconsin’s land trusts. Twenty-four land trusts protected more than 5,000 acres around Wisconsin.

Read an article by Madison Community Foundation highlighting the work of Gathering Waters and Wisconsin’s land trusts in the Spring 2020 issue of Madison Gives.

Geneva Lake Conservancy recently completed a large conservation easement in their service area, named the Holzinger Memorial Preserve. Read more about it in this post written by our friends at Geneva Lake Conservancy. 

Right now, Wisconsin’s state parks and natural areas are open and free to visit if we abide by the “Safer at Home” order Governor Evers signed in March. We can keep our vital green spaces open by practicing some simple guidelines.

Gathering Waters applauds Representatives Loudenbeck and Kitchens for proposing legislation to renew the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program through the end of the decade.

Planning events early gets staff engaged, enables effective marketing, increases event attendance, AND helps raise funds through sponsorships and other major gifts. 

Thanks for making the second year of Land Trust Days a success! Whether you planned, promoted, hosted, or attended events, we thank you!

Read on for some tips for land trusts to help prepare, host, and follow up on Land Trust Days events. 

The Yawkey Lumber Company was honored with the 2019 Land Legacy Award for their donation to Northwoods Land Trust of 431 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and natural shoreline in Hazelhurst.

After careful deliberation, two land trusts merged in 2018 to form Landmark Conservancy to further their impact on land conservation. In honor of this successful merger, Landmark Conservancy was named the 2019 Land Trust of the Year.

Four women that make up the Chambers Island Nature Preserve Executive Committee have helped protect nearly 850 acres on Chambers Island, making them the 2019 Conservationists of the Year.