Learn Forest and Prairie Care Online
Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) is launching its annual Conservation Camp Webinar Series starting July 17. This free, virtual four-part series is designed to help women landowners, farmers, gardeners, and conservation workers across Wisconsin deepen their knowledge of land stewardship.
Each webinar will take place over the lunch hour from 12:00–1:00 p.m., covering topics such as prairie care, pasture management, agroforestry, and forest conservation. The goal is to create an inclusive space for women to connect, share, and learn from experts and peers about practical conservation strategies.
The sessions will feature experienced speakers and real-world examples. Julie Peterson, a Farm Bill Biologist with Pheasants Forever, and landowner Debbie Boetcher will present the first session, “Caring for Your New Prairie,” on July 17.
“When I was a young child, growing up outdoors was not an option but a way of life,” said Julie Peterson, “Taking care of land was something that was instilled in me as a kid - from “leaving no trace” in my wilderness adventures to cutting hay every summer with my grandfather on his beef farm. This way of living connected me to the land and fostered my career in conservation.”
Peterson is passionate about conservation and works across the state to support landowners. On her own family farm near Green Bay, she manages a mix of tillable land, pastures, hay fields, pollinator plots, wetlands, and 98 acres of woodland. “It’s not OUR LAND, but OUR TURN to take care of it so future generations can enjoy fresh air, clean water, and diverse wildlife populations,” said Peterson.
The webinar series continues on August 21 with pasture care, followed by agroforestry on September 18, and forest conservation on October 16.
Registration is open at www.wiwic.org/upcoming-events. This program is supported by Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and Renewing the Countryside, both dedicated to sustainable agriculture and rural communities.
WiWiC helps bring women in agriculture together to learn and lead in conservation efforts throughout Wisconsin.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski