Gathering Waters is excited to welcome participants to the 2026 Wisconsin Land Trust Conference in Milwaukee from Wednesday, March 11 to Friday, March 13, 2026. The conference will be held at the UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education Downtown Conference Center, with lodging available at the nearby Courtyard Milwaukee Downtown Hotel.
Whether you’re a seasoned land trust professional or attending your first conference, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect with peers, learn from experts, and have fun along the way.
Read on for tips to help you prepare for this event, with a special focus on the networking and social highlights that make the conference so special.
Building Connections Over Breakfast
One of the best ways to start your day at the conference is by enjoying breakfast with our wonderful land trust community.
On Thursday, March 12, kick off day two of the conference with a breakfast buffet and the chance to join one of our peer groups to discuss what’s most relevant to you and your work. If you aren’t already aware, Gathering Waters organizes monthly virtual peer group meetings for executive directors, land and stewardship staff, communications and development staff, and operations and finance staff. At the conference, you’ll be able to choose your table by area of expertise and connect with fellow land trust professionals!
On Friday, March 13, you’ll have an opportunity to ask experts your burning questions or reflect on something you learned at the conference. Grab breakfast from the buffet and choose from over 10 table topics where you can share ideas, voice your questions, and get feedback.
During these networking breakfasts, you might find yourself brainstorming with conservationists from across Wisconsin or discovering a new collaboration opportunity!
Field Trip: Conservation in Action
One of the most anticipated parts of the conference is Wednesday afternoon’s field trip. You’ll visit several stops in the Milwaukee River Basin on a field trip hosted by Restoring Lands to see conservation projects in person.
Buses will depart promptly at 2 pm for a tour of protected properties in this important watershed. We will stop at Bratt Woods Preserve, Donges Bay Gorge, and Turtle Park. Speakers from Restoring Lands, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Greenseams Team, and the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy will share the history of these properties and the collaboration that led to their permanent protection. Weather permitting, there will be short hikes at each stop. Snacks will be provided throughout the day—just bring your own water bottle and wear weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable footwear.
Happy Hour and Dinner
Wednesday’s field trip culminates at Cozumel Mexican Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy dinner and drinks while continuing your conversations from the day. Restoring Lands’ Milwaukee office is right next door, so you can pop over to see their space and learn more about their work if you’d like. Buses will head back to the hotel by 8 pm.
After sessions wrap up on Thursday, head to the Starlight Room at the 3rd Street Market Hall at 4:30 pm for happy hour and dinner. You’ll receive a food voucher to purchase dinner from a vendor of your choice. This is the perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with land trust colleagues in a more casual setting, and enjoy drinks and great food. You’ll also hear a brief presentation by David Calle, the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) Board of Directors Chair, about the latest LTA news and 2026 priorities.
More Opportunities to Learn at Office Hours
In addition to a planned Geographic Information Services (GIS) session, our GIS expert Mike Koutnik will be holding private office hours during the conference to discuss topics tailored to your needs—from using our decision support tool and implementing GIS at your organization, to brainstorming creative projects like showcasing your publicly accessible properties. Reserve your one-on-one time slot through this sign-up sheet. Questions? Reach out to Charlie Carlin.
Interested in exploring how to align your strategy with board roles? Megan Motil of Parallel Solutions, who will also be presenting a session at the conference, is offering free 30-minute advisory sessions on-site. Book your time here.
And Don’t Forget the Dessert Competition!
This year marks the return of a beloved Wisconsin land trust tradition: the Dessert Potluck Competition. The Competition will take place on Wednesday after lunch. If you have a signature dessert you’re proud of, bring it along! A panel of judges will select a winner, and everyone gets to sample the delicious homemade treats. It’s a fun, delicious way to celebrate our community.
Have you Registered?
Registration is open through February 27, 2026. Get more information about the conference here and view our list of breakout sessions here.
We’re looking forward to connecting with you in Milwaukee!
For any questions, please contact Lily Butler.