This year, we brought the land trust community together in Green Bay. It’s a big request to pull land trust leaders away from their work of protecting and restoring our forests, prairies, farms, and natural areas around the state so when we do it, we like to make it a big deal.
We packed everyone up and took them to the Titletown Brewery where the docket was full of sessions that would make it worth 24 land trust’s while:
- Calculating the costs for ongoing stewardship of protected lands
- Using GIS to initiate and grow partnerships in land conservation
- Keeping records in perpetuity
- Setting up conservation endowments for land trusts
- The latest from the DNR staffers on the Stewardship Program
- A few examples of some land management programs from around the state.
We went snow tubing, made a few brewery visits, gave out awards in the spirit of the Great Vince Lombardi, and toasted our successes.
Most noteworthy at the event, the bourbon balls contributed to the annual dessert potluck (recipe below courtesy of Trish Stocking from the Nature Conservancy), an opportunity to glimpse the Packers Hall of Fame during a victory year, and a hike with the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation.
We had record turnout this year – since we host this event at no cost to our land trust members, we’re especially thankful to our terrific and generous sponsors that make it possible. Read more about the event and our other services to land trusts at our Web site.
BOURBON BALLS
Makes about 1/3 pound
Sift together
2 tablespoons cocoa (I used three)
1 cup powdered sugar
Combine and stir in:
1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Add and mix thoroughly:
2 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
1 cup crushed pecans
Roll mixture into small balls. Dredge in powdered sugar.
