By Blake Jackson
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is hosting a series of in-person Local Working Group (LWG) meetings to gather valuable input from the public. These meetings offer an opportunity for residents to shape the future of conservation programs in their communities.
The NRCS emphasizes the importance of local voices. "LWG meetings allow interested individuals and groups to advise us on how best to prioritize and implement conservation programs," explains Josh Odekirk, Acting State Conservationist. Participation is welcome from a diverse range of stakeholders, including farmers, forest landowners, environmental organizations, and representatives of other agricultural and natural resource agencies.
Wisconsin LWGs are organized by geographic regions with similar land use, resources, and agricultural practices. This structure ensures programs address the specific needs of each area. Meeting locations can be easily found using the Wisconsin Local Working Group Resources webpage map.
A key program discussed at the meetings will be the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This federal initiative provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and landowners. EQIP promotes practices that improve water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources, demonstrating that agricultural production and environmental well-being can go hand-in-hand.
Four in-person LWG meetings will be held across the state on June 18th, 20th, and 25th, all from 10:00 AM to noon. Here's a breakdown of the locations:
- Southeast Wisconsin: June 18th at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (Mayville, WI)
- Southwest Wisconsin: June 20th at Phoenix Center (Richland Center, WI)
- Northeast Wisconsin: June 25th at Northcentral Technical College (Wausau, WI)
- Northwest Wisconsin: June 25th at Barron County Government Center (Barron, WI)
These meetings are open to the public. If you're interested in attending but have questions, require accommodation, or cannot attend in person, you can contact your local USDA Service Center.
The Wisconsin NRCS Local Working Groups webpage provides detailed information about the program. If you miss the in-person sessions, you can still provide input by contacting your local NRCS District Conservationist or submitting feedback through the online form.
Photo Credit: usda-nrcs
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy