Are you a Wisconsin woman landowner, farmer or conservation enthusiast ready to discover new ideas and resources to care for your land? BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Starting THIS THURSDAY, we will be hosting a second year of our Summer Camp series, an opportunity to join women landowners from across the state who share your passion for stewarding the land and connect with expert advice, resources, and opportunities around the virtual campfire. Wisconsin Women in Conservation is hosting four sessions from May through August on the last Thursday of the month. The topics were chosen based on surveys of participants at 2021 events.
Whatever your background, from beginners to experts, all women are welcome and we want to hear your story, your challenges, your hopes and your questions. Feel free to bring your lunch. S’mores optional. These aren't webinars - they are interactive presentations, so feel free to bring your questions and throw them in the chat.
Women are the superhero allies of prairies, as we understand the importance of championing a healthy, diverse ecosystem on our land. Join the session on all things prairie, from identifying what’s on your land to next steps in developing a plan to enhance prairie habitat on your land. Connect with conservation experts, meet other inspiring Wisconsin women that share your love for the land and prairies, and learn about NRCS resources to support your conservation goals. Session will be recorded and link sent to all registrants. Britta Petersen from Pheasants Forever Wisconsin and prairie expert Marci Hess of Driftless Prairies will be presenting.
We’re buzzed up talking about pollinators this session, digging into what you can do to increase the population of bees, butterflies, beetles and why pollinators are so vital to creating and maintaining a healthy habitat and ecosystem. Learn about identifying what pollinators are already on your land along with resources to increase the population. Connect with conservation experts, meet other inspiring Wisconsin women that share your love for the land and pollinators, and learn about NRCS resources to support your conservation goals. Session will be recorded and link sent to all registrants. Presenters will be Laura Jach Smith, Project Wingspan Wisconsin State Coordinator, Wisconsin NRCS Pollinator Liaison; Pollinator Partnership and Deirdre Birmingham of The Cider Farm.
Women landowners and the Lorax are kindred tree-protecting spirits, although instead of Truffula Trees we embrace our Wisconsin species like Aspen, Sugar Maple and Red Pine. Woodlands offer unique opportunities as well as challenges to manage. In this session, we’ll be talking all things forest and how to develop a long-term conservation plan for your woodlands that reflects your conservation values. Connect with conservation experts, meet other inspiring Wisconsin women that share your love for the trees, and learn about NRCS resources to support your conservation goals. Session will be recorded and link sent to all registrants. Presenters will be Lauren Larsen, Natural Resources Educator, Forestry, UW Extension and Adena Rissman/NLO Project, along with landowner Margaret Parsons, Women of WWOA Steering Committee.
“I wish I had a way to ensure that the conservation measures I’ve put in place will not be bulldozed by a developer or reversed by a future landowner -- but I guess can’t control the future.” Have you had this thought?
The truth is that you can take steps to dictate what will happen on your land even after you no longer own it. In this session we’ll cover the basics of an agricultural conservation easement – including who are the parties involved, how conservation easements are funded, and the tangible ways you can use this tool to protect your land from non-farm development and ensure appropriate stewardship for generations to come. Resources and next steps will be available for you. Session will be recorded and link sent to all registrants. Presenters will be Kara O’Connor, Midwest Philanthropy Officer, American Farmland Trust, and Kirsten Jurcek, Brattset Family Farm.