What is WALCE?
Established in 1979, the Wisconsin Association of Land Conservation Employees (WALCE) is a non-profit organization of county staff that share similar responsibilities in the field of land and water conservation.  Generically referred to as "land conservation" employees, members of WALCE are frontline professionals employed by Wisconsin counties to carry out local programs aimed at conserving soil, water and related natural resources.  They often work in cooperation with other local, state and federal conservation agencies and organizations.

What County LCD Employees Do
The county Land Conservation Departments (LCDs) and Land Conservation Committees (LCCs) function together with a common purpose of conserving the county's natural resources.  The LCD is the vehicle by which LCC policies are carried out.  According to Chapter 92, LCD staff may exercise the powers granted to the LCC.  This key provision allows LCD staff to carry out LCC powers and directives.  All LCD staff are employed by the county.  In summary, the LCC provides leadership, support and advice and constructive criticism to its Land Conservation Department.  The LCD carries out LCC policy on a daily basis.  Although the LCD is indispensable to the success of any county's conservation effort, the LCC is ultimately responsible for the conservation of the county's natural resources.

County land and water conservation employees are primarily charged with providing technical and educational services to local farmers, landowners and units of government to control soil erosion and nonpoint source water pollution.  However, each county may be involved with a variety of other resource management activities, depending on local needs and priorities.  Some common examples of what we do include:

Providing Technical Services to:
-Natural resource problem assessment
-Planning and design of Best Management Practices (BMPs)
-Soil interpretation/hydrological studies
-Construction inspection and quality control
-Wildlife damage and abatement (crops)
-Construction site erosion control
-Stormwater management and watershed protection planning

Promoting environmental education and action through:
-Conservation planning with landowners and managers
-Distribution of educational materials
-Tours and workshops
-Newsletters, public speaking and other media work
-Environmental programs for local schools
-Award programs for leaders in local conservation

County land and water conservation employees and departments are also involved with the administration of local, state and federal programs, including management of grants, distribution of cost-sharing dollars and evaluating progress. 

What WALCE Does
The ultimate purpose of WALCE is to promote the conservation of our soil, water and related natural resources.  We do this through collectively representing and serving the interests of local conservation staff, including:

-Promoting and providing high quality professional improvement training opportunities
-Providing a forum for statewide exchange of information and ideas between county departments and staff
-Improving communications and working relationships with other natural resource management agencies
-Providing input on program rules and policies, legislative initiatives and the activities of other related organizations

How WALCE Does It
WALCE is continuously involved with or sponsors a variety of activities including training workshops, committee assignments, conferences and interagency meetings.  We may also draft position papers or resolutions on current issues. Despite the never-ending need to "put out fires", the activities of WALCE are ultimately guided by the WALCE Strategic Plan which serves as the roadmap from which the association operates and charts its own course.

The organizational structure of WALCE assigns specific duties to its four elected Officers and eight elected Board of Directors (each representing a different area of the state).  Whenever representation or leadership is needed for a given assignment, the Board may 1) authorize a member to represent WALCE (on groups or committees outside WALCE); 2) use a standing committee of the association; or 3) form an ad-hoc group.  Examples include:  WALCE having an advisor role on the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association (WLWCA) and the Wisconsin Land and Water Board; WALCE membership (as chair) on the State Interagency Training Committee; the WALCE Legislative Committee; and the (ad-hoc) WALCE Conference Planning Committee.

The duties of the WALCE Board (as outlined in the By-Laws) are to ensure accountability and to establish effective communications within and for the association.  Committee assignments, meeting notices, minutes, and various membership voting rights encourage active participation by the full membership.  

Has WALCE Been Effective? 
County land and water conservation employees have a unique perspective on natural resource management issues and related challenges due to their local experience and relationships with landowners, elected officials and other conservation agencies and organizations.  This, in combination with a solid organizational structure and dedicated members, has proven to be a successful combination. 

WALCE has been recognized for their leadership and contributions in a number of areas, such as developing statewide program policy, drafting new legislation, revising technical standards, coordinating programs and providing first class training opportunities for all conservation employees within the state.