Gathering Waters

Time is running out for your chance to win a YETI cooler or tumbler!

About one week remains to tell us about your experience attending a Wisconsin Land Trust Days event or visiting a land trust property.

The deadline is September 30 to enter the drawing! Enter here: bit.ly/GWYETI26

We can hardly believe it, but this is the final week to attend Land Trust Days events! Enjoy the early fall weather at these final two events:

- September 24: Annual Harvest Dinner, Fundraiser, and Friend-raiser hosted by North Central Conservancy Trust 🍽

- September 27: Fall Hike at Beaver Creek Hemlocks Conservation Area hosted by Northwoods Land Trust 🍂

We had a blast during Land Trust Days this year, and we hope you did too!

Find more information about Land Trust Days at HaveFunOutside.org.

For our final staff shoutout post, we’re highlighting Lili Behm, Gathering Waters’ new Staff Attorney! Lili started at Gathering Waters in August and she works with the Land Conservation Law Program to provide technical legal assistance to land trusts.⚖

Lili wanted to find a way to practice law and advance important work that aligns with her values. As a lifelong conservationist, joining Gathering Waters as a staff attorney is a great fit!🌱

When Lili’s not at work, she loves to visit the cranes at the International Crane Foundation and tour prairies throughout the summer and fall.🌾🐦

If Lili could learn any skill instantly, it would be fluency in a new language of her choice! German is the only foreign language she knows, but she would love to learn at least a few more.🇩🇪 🌍

Thank you for tuning in every Thursday to meet our staff!👋

One of most meaningful and important things we get to do is meet land trusts and their supporters where they are. We really value the opportunities when we get to engage in conversations about what's happening with the Wisconsin land trust community, locally and statewide.

Last Thursday, Charlie Carlin spoke to a group of about 120 people at Geneva Lake Conservancy's Annual Meeting and Harvest Dinner at Grassway Organics, a 400+ certified organic farm protected by the conservancy. Charlie introduced Gathering Waters and Team Knowles Nelson, shared some of the challenges facing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and the conservation community generally, and offered practical and inspiring to-dos to support conservation.

It's finally starting to feel like fall and it's the perfect time to spend a day outside!🍂 Here are this week's Wisconsin Land Trust Days events:

- September 17: Ashbourne-An Eschweiler Architecture Tour hosted by Tall Pines Conservancy 🏰
- September 19: Migratory Bird Walk hosted by Restoring Lands: A Wisconsin Land Trust🐦
- September 20: Nature Journaling hosted by Glacial Lakes Conservancy📖🖌

Find more information about each event at HaveFunOutside.org!☀

For our staff shoutout series this week, we’re highlighting Mike Carlson, Gathering Waters’ Executive Director! We’re so excited to welcome Mike back to the office after his three-month sabbatical. Mike enjoyed time with his family and in nature, in the Midwest, and on a trip to Scandinavia!✈️

Mike has been at Gathering Waters for nearly 20 years. As Executive Director, he has the overall responsibility of leading and managing the organization and supporting our team.

When Mike is not at work, he likes to spend time outdoors exploring with his family–his wife Allison, his kids Jonas and Johanna, and dog Clover.🍀

Mike’s favorite outdoor activity is fishing on local rivers and lakes and his perfect Wisconsin day would be a morning spent on a trout stream in southwest Wisconsin, followed by lunch at the Driftless Cafe, and an afternoon exploring the Lower Wisconsin Riverway.🛶

Say ‘hi’ to Mike in the comments and stay tuned for next Thursday to learn about another one of our staff members!👋

We are excited to announce the dates of the 202​7​ Wisconsin Land Trust Conference and Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day! Mark your calendars for March 1​0​ - 12 in Madison.🎉

Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day will start in the morning of Wednesday, March 1​0 and is free and open to anyone interested in garnering support for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The Wisconsin Land Trust Conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12, with learning, a field trip, and networking.🤝

Stay tuned for more information! Find more details at gatheringwatersconference.org.

There are so many Wisconsin Land Trust Days events to choose from this week!!

- September 12: Nature Play and Seed Stewardship Day hosted by Kettle Moraine Land Trust 🌱
- September 12: Butterflies of Borah Creek Prairie State Natural Area hosted by The Prairie Enthusiasts🦋
- September 12: Pollinator Walk hosted by Glacial Lakes Conservancy🐝
- September 12: 7th Annual Land Fest hosted by Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust🎉
- September 12: Science in the Stream: A Mussel Survey hosted by Mississippi Valley Conservancy🐚
- September 12: Seno Woodland Storywalk® Celebration hosted by Seno K/RLT Conservancy📖
- September 13: Fall Prairies at Faville Grove hosted by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance🍁🍂

And September 9 - 13, join Ice Age Trail Alliance to build more than a mile of brand-new trail in Dane County🥾

Find more information about each event at HaveFunOutside.org!☀

Will we see you at the game? Join us to support Team Knowles Nelson and Friends of Wisconsin State Parks!

Tickets are discounted and $5 from every ticket sold benefits the Wisconsin State Park System, supporting Wisconsin’s state parks, trails, forests, and recreation areas.

You don't need to go to the game to join the fun. All are welcome at the tailgate beforehand!

Step up to the plate for Wisconsin’s land & water while cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field! ⚾️

Kick things off at the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks & Team Knowles Nelson tailgate party, from 10:00am to 12:30pm at Pavilion #1 in Uecker Parking Lot, before the Brewers take on the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, September 13. Tailgate eats are graciously provided by Maurer’s Market in Wisconsin Dells and sweet treats are from Neat-O’s Bake Shoppe in Downtown Baraboo.

⏳ Don’t forget your Wisconsin State Parks Fundraiser Night tickets, on sale through September! $5 from every ticket sold benefits the Wisconsin State Park System, supporting Wisconsin’s state parks, trails, forests, and recreation areas.

🔗 Get tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Wisconsinstatepark26

For our staff shoutout series this week, we’re highlighting Amanda Sherer, Gathering Waters’ Donor Communications Manager! Amanda started at Gathering Waters this June and she supports our donor outreach and communication goals by developing stories of impact, creating new ways to reach current and potential donors and partners, and managing annual giving campaigns.

Amanda's favorite outdoor activity is foraging. Although she has been purchasing herbs and making her own tea blends for a while now, being able to identify and harvest some locally has been very satisfying! 🌱🌿

Amanda’s favorite part of Wisconsin is the Apostle Islands and Bayfield area. She has been there on a few different trips in winter and summer, but next she wants to go up to see the gales of November. 🌬

The best concert Amanda has ever been to was The Highwomen at The Gorge Amphitheater in Washington.🎶

Leave a 👋 in the comments and stay tuned for next week to learn about another one of our staff members!