News Room

Our Mission

Gathering Waters Conservancy helps land trusts, landowners and communities protect the places that make Wisconsin special. Our goal is to increase the amount of protected land in Wisconsin through private, voluntary action.

Contact Information

For most inquiries, please contact Executive Director Mike Strigel office: 608-251-9131 x 14 cell: 608-333-9495

If you're looking for other staff, our email and phone extensions are here

Recent Press Releases

March 2, 2011 Land Trust Community Responds to Governor Walker's Budget Announcement on the Stewardship Program

February 8, 2011 Land Trust Community Responds to Hold on Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program

September 20, 2010 Madison Area Shines with Three Winners Among Statewide Conservation Achievement Awards

September 20, 2010 West Bend Ornithologist Honored for a Lifetime of Conservation Achievement

September 20, 2010 Milwaukee Alderman Celebrated as Wisconsin Conservation Policy Maker of the Year

photo courtesy of Gil Grib

What's New

Three New Land Trusts Accredited!

We're pleased to announce that Mississippi Valley Conservancy, Bayfield Regional Conservancy, and Caledonia Conservancy are recipients of a national seal. This status demonstrates proof that a land trust is operating beyond reproach in a series of operational and programmatic standards and practices.

So Much Snow, So Little Time!

The snow came late in the season but there's still lots of opportunities to get outside and enjoy winter on a land trust property. Check in on the events in your backyard and join us at a preserve this weekend!

LEAP Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program - Application Round Extended!

There's still time to join us! Through the Land Trust Excellence & Advancement Program, we've developed a mentoring program with our colleagues in Michigan to foster relationships and advance learning and sharing opportunities in the land trust community. We look forward to rolling out this new program for land trusts and hope you'll apply today.

Local and National Gains in Voluntary Land Conservation

The Land Trust Alliance released the first national census of land trusts in 5 years and found that 10 million new acres have been conserved nationwide since 2005, including noteworthy acreage protected in Wisconsin. The story was picked up by USA Today.

Stewardship Program Update—AB311

As expected, the full Assembly passed an amended version of AB 311 (also known as the Sporting Heritage Bill) on Tuesday, November 1st. The Senate companion bill to this legislation, SB 226, has now been referred to the Senate Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources, and we are expecting that this committee will hold a public hearing on the legislation either later this year or early in 2012.

The 9th Annual Awards Celebration was a great success!

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, or donated to the Land Conservation Leadership Awards Celebration. This year's event was a wonderful evening recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of individuals, policy makers, and land trusts who are working to protect the places that make Wisconsin special. And, once again, congratulations to all of this year's winners.

1,500 of our land trust colleagues gather in Milwaukee

In mid-October over 25 Wisconsin land trusts participated in the Land Trust Alliance's Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference in Milwaukee. Attendees had endless opportunities to learn in workshops, get outside together, share with colleagues, and hear some pretty spectacular plenary speakers including Milwaukee's own Will Allen.

2011 Land Conservation Leadership Awards Silent Auction Catalog

Businesses and individuals have generously donated several items to Gathering Waters Conservancy’s silent auction. This is where the fun begins! Know what you want before you arrive. Take a moment today to check out all of our great silent auction items.

Stewardship Grants Open

We’re happy to report that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program grants for land trusts. The deadline for the upcoming round of grants is September 6th. The Stewardship Program will provide land trusts with $12 million in matching grants this fiscal year to help them protect the places that make Wisconsin special.

Parade of Preserves

Wisconsin’s land trusts work hard to protect our state’s special places. This summer and fall they will also host field trips and tours, work days and educational events for everyone who loves Wisconsin. There’s something afoot almost every day all season. So, want to take that hike this weekend? Gathering Waters Conservancy has a constantly-updated list of land trust excursions and events.