Wisconsin Land+Water Conservation Association

Congratulations to our Small Communities, Big Challenges Prize Competition winners! Local governments are on the frontlines for working with rural communities on environmental public health issues. To gain a better understanding of environmental and public health challenges facing rural communities, EPA and our partners launched the “Small Communities, Big Challenges” Competition. The goal of this Competition was for local governments to identify innovative and effective ways to holistically engage rural communities around environmental health issues and to identify any associated barriers to better protecting human health. Learn more about each winner’s innovative strategy for engaging with rural communities to understand their environmental public health needs >>> https://lnkd.in/g6-rbwx5

Andrea Topper is a Nutrient Management Outreach Specialist in DATCP’s Bureau of Land and Water Resources. Andrea works closely with farmers, agronomists, and conservationists throughout the state to educate about the benefits of nutrient management planning. Last fall, Andrea was accepted into the Soil and Water Conservation Society’s Emerging Leaders Program along with conservation professionals from 36 other states, provinces, and territories! Congratulations, Andrea, and thank you for all that you do! #StaffHighlight #Congratulations #DATCP

The Marathon County Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Department (CPZ) strives to protect our community’s land and environment through a variety of programs and services. Did you know…. 🏡 CPZ works with hundreds of landowners every year via voluntary and regulatory programs to assist with a variety of topics relating to land use, land management, property listing, and land division. Staff also work very closely with City-County IT and the Sheriff’s Office to ensure our 911 response system is functioning with the best data to assist in getting first responders to the right place at the right time. 🚽 Maintaining functional septic systems is crucial for safeguarding public health and preserving our natural resources. In partnership with MCDEVCO, Inc., CPZ provides a low-interest loan program tailored for landowners needing to upgrade their failing septic systems. For more information about MCDEVCO’s POWTS Loan Program, call CPZ at 615-261-6000 or visit: https://lnkd.in/eMpmHMWr. 📝  CPZ provides a range of educational programs, incentive programs, and technical assistance tailored to farmers. This support covers crucial areas such as nutrient management, farmland preservation, managed grazing, cover cropping, stream buffer protection, water quality monitoring, animal waste management, livestock licensing, and lake and watershed protection. Additionally, CPZ staff collaborate closely with community-based soil and water conservation groups such as the Eau Pleine Partnership for Integrated Conservation (https://lnkd.in/eSruVJ85). 🤝 CPZ strives for high quality, personalized customer service in every interaction. Staff educates landowners on laws and best practices, connecting them with resources to meet their goals while minimizing impacts. When addressing community concerns, the department focuses on working together for lasting solutions, providing connections to technical and financial resources to work toward mitigating the underlining cause of concern. It's known as the #MarathonMethod! #NCGM #NACO #WisCounties #Counties #CountiesWork #MarathonCountyWI 📸 : CPZ staff conduct training for Water Action Volunteers (WAV) in 2023. This volunteer-based effort does ongoing monitoring of streams to help guide decisions related to management around these waters. To volunteer in 2024, visit https://lnkd.in/eYWrrJgM or contact the CPZ office.

It’s tree sale week at Polk County. Land and Water Resources staff have prepared over 300 individual orders and will send 17,000 trees and shrubs home with happy customers for the weekend. Spring is here!