Getting Started with Stewardship – Field Day

Calling all new and prospective landowners, and anyone getting started with land stewardship in Wisconsin. You are invited to the Sauk County Farm on Saturday, July 19th, to connect with peers and conservation professionals. We are coming together to look at conservation in action and discuss ways to achieve your goals for your land.

Many resources are available to help landowners, but finding the specific people and programs to help manage your unique property is not always easy.  Whether you’ve got questions about farmland, forests, water, wildlife, prairies or pollinators…. we’ll have people to help!

The event takes place on an active farm and will feature 4 unique walking tours showcasing the following topics:

Prairies, pollinators, and grassland birds (1 hr)

Interested in restoring prairies and grasslands to support pollinators and wildlife habitat? This tour will discuss prairie strips, cost-share programs that support prairie habitat, management strategies for prairies – new and old, and the benefits of prairies and grasslands for native bird populations.

Farmland, grazing, and soil health (1 hr)

Whether you farm or not, agricultural acres are critical components of the landscape. Learn about the connection between soil health and water quality as we showcase a rainfall simulator, cropland demonstration plots, and an active cattle grazing operation. We’ll cover the basics of conservation agriculture and discuss ways non-operating landowners can work with farmers to implement conservation practices on their land.

Invasive species and riparian areas (2 hr)

Invasive species are pervasive in much of Wisconsin. This is a longer walk (approx. 1 mile) along pastures, field edges, and a riparian forest buffer. We will dive deep into the topic of invasive species management. We’ll also look at stream restoration and agroforestry opportunities in riparian areas (where land and surface waters meet).

Woodland walk with a forester

(Optional tour at second location on farm – 12:30pm start time)

The afternoon will feature a hike in the woods with a forester and natural resources professionals who work with private woodland owners. Reminder to bring your sack lunch, water, and hiking boots as the woodland walk will cover over 1 mile and last until approx. 2 PM. Also, don’t forget to bring your questions about your trees and woodland, as we discuss:

• Where to find woodland assistance
• How to get a free property walk-through with a DNR forester
• How to plan, maintain, or upgrade your trail system
• What to look for to know if your trees are healthy
• When to harvest trees in your woods
• What makes one tree more valuable than another
• How to promote wildlife habitat in woodlands
• And more!

REGISTER BY JULY 14TH