Organization: Gathering Waters Inc
Mission: Gathering Waters (Wisconsin's alliance for land trusts) strengthens land trusts to protect Wisconsin's special places and grow healthy, vibrant communities.
Activities: Technical training and assistance to land trusts: build the capacity of Wisconsin land trusts and conservation organizations through one-on-one mentorship and technical assistance, conferences, and workshops. The "land trust education and advancement program" (LEAP) works intensively with selected land trusts to move them closer to accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance, a national association of land trusts. Since 2011 Gathering Waters has provided LEAP assistance to over 30 land trusts across Wisconsin. During 2019 Gathering Waters organized a statewide conference for conservation organizations attended by approximately 100 participants. In addition, during 2019 Gathering Waters initiated "Land Trust Days," an effort to promote opportunities for nearly 2,000 people to participate in activities organized by Wisconsin's land trusts on land that they have protected.
Education and public outreach: educate the general public, professionals, and landowners about the importance of private land conservation and voluntary tools available to set aside private land for conservation. Gathering Waters maintains an interactive website and publishes paper and electronic newsletters throughout the year. In addition, Gathering Waters organized an awards celebration to honor significant contributions made by leaders in land conservation that drew over 200 attendees.
Policy and government relations: work with decision makers at all levels of government to promote state, local, and federal policies that support the work of land trusts and the conservation of private land. Specifically, Gathering Waters advocates for continuation of funding for the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Fund, a program of public financial support for the preservation of land in Wisconsin. Partly as a result of this effort in 2019 the state of Wisconsin renewed the Stewardship Fund for another two years and provided funding of $66 million for land and water conservation.
NTEE category: Environment
Secondary category: Animal-Related