Resources for Wisconsin Land Trusts
Land Trust Membership
Tools, expertise, and resources at your fingertips
Gathering Waters helps ensure Wisconsin land trusts have the tools, expertise, and resources they need to be strong and effective organizations.
We advocate for public policies and funding to support land conservation, and we promote the value of land trusts and land conservation across the state.
Membership benefits include technical support, advocacy expertise, and access to a statewide network of peers.
All land trust members attest to Land Trust Membership Principles and are committed to pursuing sound operations defined by nationally agreed Land Trust Standards and Practices.
Read about our 2025 priorities in this blog article.
Learn more about membership benefits and required elements of membership below.
Membership Benefits
Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts provides technical assistance, advocates for public policies and funding that support land conservation, and fosters a community of practice to strengthen Wisconsin’s land trusts. A strong alliance benefits your organization and the land trust community across the state. As a land trust member, you have access to a variety of benefits, including:
Public Policy Advocacy & Government Relations
Access professional government relations staff. Participate in a network of advocates for state & federal policies and funding that support land conservation.
Resources & Updates
Receive timely updates through Currents, Gathering Waters’ e-bulletin for land trusts. Access GIS tools, sample policies, and other resources.
Peer-to-Peer Networking
Engage in peer networking opportunities to share information and best practices.
Training & Technical Assistance
Tap into support for organizational development, conservation planning, and more. Take advantage of member discounts to events and training programs.
Legal Expertise & Assistance
The Land Conservation Law Program offers legal services to land trusts and educates attorneys about conservation easements and other important topics. Note that additional fees apply for the Law Program.
Publicity
List your land trust on our website in an interactive online map, and in print materials. Promote your successes and participate in Wisconsin Land Trust Days.
Required Elements of Membership
- Current list of the board of directors with mailing addresses, emails, and phone numbers.
- Current list of staff (if applicable) with titles, emails, and phone numbers.
- Response to periodic surveys. Gathering Waters may request information about a land trust’s recent land protection efforts and current organizational structure to inform our planning and to demonstrate the scope and quality of land trust work in Wisconsin.
- Accreditation earned and maintained, OR a board-approved attestation to the membership principles for Wisconsin Land Trusts. Note: For non-accredited land trusts, Gathering Waters’ staff may request additional documentation supporting the land trust’s commitment to the membership principles.
- Payment of annual membership dues, based on 1% (up to $2500) of your land trust’s operating expenses.
Membership Form
Membership materials and dues payments are due by Friday, March 7, 2025.
Submit your membership form online and upload required documentation digitally, or download the form and mail the required information to Gathering Waters at:
211 S Paterson St, Suite 270
Madison, WI 53703
If you have questions about Land Trust Membership, please reach out to Rhianon Morgan, Operations Coordinator, at 608-251-9131 x16 or rhianon@gatheringwaters.org
