Gathering Waters exists to support a strong land conservation community across the state, and we couldn’t do it without our member land trusts. Thank you for your work protecting the places that make Wisconsin special!
In 2021, your land trust’s organizational membership supports these vital initiatives.
Advocacy for the Future of the Stewardship Program
The campaign for reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is in its most critical period. A final strong push to legislators, constituents, and organizations is vital to getting us across the finish line. Our staff is working as hard as they can to drive this momentum and secure the outcomes our state needs. We want to thank the many land trust organizations who have partnered with us in this work specifically by making a donation above and beyond their membership dues. We are grateful for the trust and value you place in us to advance this initiative.
Wisconsin Model Conservation Easement
We are thrilled to be able to roll out a model conservation easement tailored to Wisconsin soon! This is the result of dedicated effort, over the past 18 months, working with a task force, comprising attorneys and land trust practitioners. The model easement will be a vital guide for you to draft easements that follow best practices and offer legal agreements consistent with conservation goals and current laws. Stay tuned for information about workshops introducing the model easement and how it can benefit your land trust and the land trust community for years to come.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
We are committed to maintaining and updating the statewide geographic database of easements and fee lands protected by land trusts. Despite a challenging year, you achieved a lot! Furthermore, we are continuing to assist individual land trusts in accessing their data and mapping tools, as well as leveraging the database to facilitate collaboration. This year, leveraging GIS has also helped us make a strong case, visually, for our Knowles-Nelson campaign and provide an interactive map for people to explore land trust properties throughout the state when COVID-19 made outdoor access all the more essential.
We are available to you every day to work through the challenges unique to your organization and connect you with a statewide network. We are here to support your capacity for core functions as well as pursuing innovative conservation strategies. Together we can achieve lasting land conservation that meets community and ecological needs throughout Wisconsin.
If you have any questions regarding your land trust’s membership with Gathering Waters, or these initiatives, please contact Meg Domroese, Director of Programs and Impact.
