MADISON, WISCONSIN—Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts will host the 2026 Wisconsin Land Trust Conference from March 11-13 at the UWM School of Continuing Education Downtown Conference Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has more than 40 nonprofit land trust organizations that work with landowners and communities to permanently protect land. The conference is a premier training and networking opportunity for land trust staff, board members, and partners.
“We’re excited to host this year’s conference in Milwaukee,” said Mike Carlson, Gathering Waters’ Executive Director. “The event brings together land trust professionals and volunteers from around the state to learn, grow, and make connections that will strengthen the network of experts in Wisconsin.”
On Wednesday, March 11, the three-day event begins with a welcome plenary and breakout sessions, followed by a field trip in the Milwaukee River Basin. The field trip will be led by a local land trust, Restoring Lands, and will include an exploration of riverfront trails and a preserve with Lake Michigan views. Attendees will learn about restored wildlife habitat and projects intended to improve water quality.
“Restoring Lands’ mission is to protect, connect, and restore the lands and water of southeast Wisconsin for the benefit of all,” said Tom Stolp, the Executive Director of Restoring Lands. “We are so excited for our colleagues from across Wisconsin to explore the places that make our corner of the state so special.”
On Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, the conference continues with more sessions and networking opportunities. Timely topics include fire ecology, storytelling, emerging issues in the land trust community, communications in challenging times, strategic planning, resource management plans, harnessing technology for conservation, social media management, board governance, and more. Networking opportunities, like group dinners and small roundtable discussions, will allow land trusts to connect with and learn from peers.
For more information about the Wisconsin Land Trust Conference, contact Lily Butler at 608-251-9131 Ext. 20.
About the Wisconsin Land Trust Conference
The Wisconsin Land Trust Conference provides educational and networking opportunities for staff and volunteers of Wisconsin’s land trusts. These nonprofit organizations work with landowners and community partners to permanently protect land throughout Wisconsin. For more information, visit gatheringwatersconference.org.
About Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts
Gathering Waters helps land trusts, landowners, and communities protect the places that make Wisconsin special. The nonprofit alliance works to strengthen over 40 member land trusts throughout the state that permanently protect Wisconsin’s land, water, and wildlife. To ensure Wisconsin’s nonprofit land trusts are strong, sustainable organizations, Gathering Waters advocates for public policies and funding, provides resources and educational opportunities, and increases awareness of land trusts and the benefits they bring to the communities they serve across the state. For more information, visit gatheringwaters.org.
