Information about Committees

There are WALCE committees and committees that have WALCE representation, but are sponsored by other agencies (non-WALCE).  WALCE committees are created by the association or the board of directors in accordance with Article VI of WALCE's by-laws.  Non-WALCE Committees are those where members represent WALCE as advisors to, or members of, committees or other groups outside the association.  The board of directors must confirm member assignments on non-WALCE committees.  Please refer to our By-Laws for more information.  Also see our Guiding Principles for Committee Representation to learn more about the responsibilities of WALCE representatives on these committees.

I)  WALCE Committees

Administrative Committee

This Standing Committee shall review and take action as deemed necessary by the Committee on any proposed legislation, administrative rule or other policy and procedure that may significantly impact the administration of conservation programs. The Committee is also charged with initiating action that may me needed to improve the administration of conservation programs and coordinating statewide information exchange among all count Land Conservation Department administrators.

MEMBERS:

Professional Improvement Committee

This Standing Committee is charged with developing and implementing an annual Professional Improvement Conference for the Association. This includes selecting the site, developing agendas, scheduling presenters, establishing fees, advertising the event, and all other activities associated with carrying out a successful conference. The committee is also charged with facilitating other Land Conservation related professional improvement activities (i.e. Scholarship Program) that are sponsored by WALCE or other organizations, including but not limited to training materials, workshops and peer-to-peer networks. (See our  Scholarship page).

MEMBERS:

Technical Committee

This Standing Committee is charged with addressing issues relating to Land Conservation technical activities, including but not limited to: Conservation planning, inventory and evaluation tools, technical certification, and conservation practice design and implementation. The committee may also serve to coordinate county review comments on draft technical standards produced by other agencies and organizations.

MEMBERS:

DNR River & Stream Shoreline Protection Stakeholder Group

                                                                                Bob Micheel / Monroe County

Manure Managment Task Force Technical Advisor

                                                                                Shawn Esser / Marathon County

National Conservation District Employees Association

                                                                                Greg Banek / Outagamie County

North Central Association of District Employees

Non Metallic Mining Advisory Committee                    

                                                                                  Bryce Richardson / Monroe County

NR243 Technical Advisory Committee

                                                                                   Andy Johnson / Marathon County

                                                                                    Steve Olson / St Croix County (alternate)

NRCS Design Tools

                                                                                    Paul Sebo / Washington County

                                                                                    Dave Nashold / Chippewa County

State Technical Committee      

                                                                              Bob Micheel / Monroe County

                                                                              Doug Denk / Lincoln County (alternate)

SITCOM (State Interagency Training Committee)

This committee coordinates statewide training activities for local, state and federal conservation employees.  It works closely with the area-level training committees to arrange state-level training events on topics that are not feasible to put on locally.  SITCOM also provides input to the Conference Planning Committee to help customize sessions where it has identified a need based on area training surveys.   WALCE has one representative on this committee who also serves as its Chairman.  DATCP currently supports a State Training Coordinator who works closely with SITCOM to fulfill its objectives. 

WALCE appointee: DBA

SOC (Standards Oversight Council)

WALCE appointee:  Bruce Olson / LaCrosse County

                                    Perry Lindquest  / Waukesha County

WLWCA (Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association)

The Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, Inc., (WLWCA) is a nonprofit organization which represents Wisconsin's 72 county Land Conservation Committees (LCCs) and Departments (LCDs).  WLWCA works with various state and federal agencies including DATCP, WDNR, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, and the UW Cooperative Extension Service.  These agencies provide the LCCs with technical assistance, recommendations, guidelines, or financial support for program implementation.

For nearly a half century WLWCA has been working to improve the understanding of conservation issues and achieve tangible improvements in land use management.  Land Conservation Committees and Departments are the public's vital link with local landowners to promote the implementation of conservation practices and to achieve greater environmental stewardship of the land.

WALCE appointee(s):  Dale Hanson / Barron County

WI Buffer Initiative

Bill Hafs / Brown County

Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Board

The Land and Water Conservation Board (LWCB) consists of the Secretaries of the Departments of Administration, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; three members of County Land and Water Conservation Committees; and five representatives appointed by the Governor.  The LWCB responsibilities include overseeing many DNR and DATCP nonpoint pollution programs, policy review and program administration, and establishing priorities for the allocation of state funds.

WALCE appointee(s):  Dale Hanson / Barron County

Conservation Hall of Fame

The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization composed of 22 Wisconsin conservation related organizations.  The WCHF was established to encourage the growth and practice of a conservation ethic as a legacy for the people of the state.  The inductees into the Hall of Fame have significantly contributed to conservation programs, projects, public understanding and conservation ethics within the state of Wisconsin and the nation.

The WCHF is located in the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center, providing visitors with a wide range of information through an interactive museum portraying the progression of natural resource conservation in Wisconsin, a formal Hall of Fame Gallery, and a meeting room/class room.  Click here to learn about newly-elected members.

WALCE appointee:  Dan O'Connell/Portage County