LIGHTING THE FIRE WITH WOMEN LANDOWNERS
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
9:30AM-3:30PM
SENTRY WORLD ATRIUM
STEVENS POINT, WI
REGISTRATION $25
$35 AFTER APRIL 1
SPACE IS LIMITED.
SAVE YOUR SEAT NOW!
Join this inaugural convening of Wisconsin conservation educators to collaboratively strengthen outreach and support for women landowners and farmers. THIS CONFERENCE IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT BUT WE ANTICIPATE BEING ABLE TO TAKE A NUMBER OF WAITLIST PARTICIPANTS. PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST.
Hosted by Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC), this first-of-its-kind gathering will bring together conservation educators from across the state to connect, network and empower women working on the land, fanning the flames of Wisconsin’s conservation ethic among this increasingly powerful demographic.
All Wisconsin conservation educators, both men and women, who are interested in learning effective ways of working with women landowners are welcome, from agency staff to non-profit organizations and educators in volunteer roles.
Conservationists early in their careers, including students, are highly encouraged to attend. WiWiC is committed to making sure anyone who wants to come can come. If a complimentary registration to cover the $25 fee would help make that happen, please contact Esther Shekinah: eshekinah@michaelfields.org
The WiWiC Conservation Educator Network launched in 2021 to bring together conservation educators for shared learning and networking, both through state-wide virtual meet-ups and a series of summer happy hours. Based on strong response to these events, the idea of an in-person, centrally-located, day-long conference came together. The beautiful Sentry World venue seemed like a perfect setting to gather.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Come meet other educators who share your dedication to supporting women landowners learn about:
Best practices in effective conservation education for women, including an introduction to Learning Circles by pioneering educators Jean Eells and Rebecca Christoffel
Effective communication & hosting strategies for women-focused events
Cultivating inclusivity and diversity in women landowner education
Fostering leadership to amplify women’s voices in conservation
Conservation career mentoring & support
Queen Bee Awards: Honoring educators who support women landowners
Full agenda at the end of this webpage
MORE INFORMATION
Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) is a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Wisconsin Farmers Union, Renewing the Countryside and Marbleseed (formerly MOSES). A multi-faceted project funded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin women landowners to connect and learn about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities.
Conference Contact:
Dr. Esther Shekinah
614-441-2125
MANY THANKS TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS
CONFERENCE AGENDA
WiWiC Educator Network Conference 2023:
Lighting the Fire with Women Landowners
8:30 - 9:30: Check-in opens
Coffee, Kringle & Pastries
9:30 - 10:15: Circle Round the Fire: Welcome!
Dr. Esther Shekinah, WiWiC Project Lead, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Dr. Annie Jones, Organization Development Specialist and Tribal Nations Liaison
University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension
Melissa Bartz & Betsy Doolittle, NRCS
10:15-11:30: Fueling the Flame: Key elements of women landowner education
Dr. Jean Eells & Rebecca Christoffel, E Resources Group
Specific techniques support women who want to make changes to their land. Take your meetings from embers to roaring success and action as we share best practices.
11:30 - 11:45: Circle Round the Campfire: Meet Your Mentor
Networking break & Visit Organizational Booths
11:45 - 12:30 Fueling the Flame: Lunch
12:30: Awards Presentation: Queen Bee, Baby Bee & Hive Connector
1:00 - 2:30: Sparking Change: WiWiC World Cafe of Ideas
Led by Dr. Annie Jones
Drawing inspiration from Indigenous traditions, come join the circle with conservation educators from across the state to question and process the roles we play and actions we can take. Learn how we can cultivate and amplify the diversity and inclusion amongst the land and our peoples, connecting urban growers, new landowners, historically underserved audiences and more.
2:30 -3:30: Mentoring & Story Sharing Network Hour with Chocolate Charcuterie
A creative opportunity to come together as a community of educators and connect the stories of this diverse array of conservation education professionals attending. From seasoned conservation professionals to young people who have just started their careers to educator volunteers to students, let’s plant seeds for relationships and inspirations that will ripple way beyond this one-day gathering.
ABOUT THE VENUE
The WiWiC Educator Conference will be held in the open, spacious Sentry World Atrium. Sentry World is a premier golf course and event center located in central Wisconsin, near UW Stevens Point. A small city on the shores of the Wisconsin River, Stevens Point has gained a reputation as an outdoor destination, a cultural and artistic hotspot, and a thriving, welcoming community. Its geography is distinctive, as rivers converge and northern forests meet southern fields. Its location—the meeting point of Interstate 39 and US 10, comfortably within four hours of Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Madison—makes it among the most accessible cities in Wisconsin. Home to approximately 27,000 people, the city brings together an array of contemporary amenities while preserving its pastoral small town appeal.
To book a room at Sentry World for $25 off use the offer code WIWIC23 at www.sentryworld.com.
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