Annual Conference

Our Annual Conference provides valuable networking opportunities, forums to discuss current work and new ideas with colleagues, a chance to build technical knowledge, and space to be re-inspired by the passion for conservation across the state.

Our annual business meeting is held on the last morning of the conference. This meeting includes updates from our Board of Directors and a forum for discussion.

Other events occurring at the conference include the following:

Keynote and plenary speakers
Statewide youth education Poster & Speaking Contests
Honoring our the winners of our Conservation Awards
Networking and social hours
Silent auction to benefit Youth Education programs

2026 CONFERENCE DETAILS

Fees & Deadlines

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. PLEASE REGISTER IN-PERSON AT THE CONFERENCE.
Registration Fees:

Full Conference (W-F) - $385
Wednesday Only - $150
Thursday Only - $200
Friday Only - $130
Spouse/Guest* - $160

You’ll have the choice to receive an invoice or pay via credit card (PayPal). Invoices will be emailed after registration closes in February. Disregard choice of “Operator Payment.” Extra fees apply to registrations after January 30, 2026 and for onsite registration. After February 20 you must register on-site.

Registrations are transferable at any time. Cancellations received on or before February 20, 2026 will be refunded minus a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations or no-shows after February 20, 2026 will be liable for the entire conference fee. Due to covering pre-paid costs, there are ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS to the fee/cancellation schedule.

*Spouse/Guest means a personal guest of the attendee, not a colleague or LCC member.

Breakout Session Details

With 40 breakout sessions, we have a topic for everyone! When registering, please take time to choose which breakout session during each time slot you think you’ll attend, as this helps us determine room sizes. View the 2026 breakout sessions.

Conference Sponsorships

If you are interested becoming a conference sponsor, please view our Sponsorship Opportunities Packet or contact Matt Krueger.

Conference-at-a-Glance

View the conference schedule.

MEET OUR 2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Doug Duren | Wednesday

Doug Duren is a passionate hunter, farmer, land manager, and conservationist. He is the owner of Lone Oak Interests, LLC, specializing in site and land management consulting and contracting services throughout Wisconsin and the Driftless Area. He also manages the Duren Family Farm near Cazenovia, Wisconsin where he has been working and hunting for over 45 years. Current management includes acres enrolled in CRP and other conservation programs, raising grass fed beef, timber management for forest health, as well as a variety of hunting, aesthetic, and recreation objectives.

Doug has worked on a variety of projects with several public and private conservation organizations including American Forest Foundation, Aldo Leopold Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Wisconsin DNR, My Wisconsin Woods/Driftless Forestry Network, NRCS, and FSA. Duren is a frequent contributor to the Meateater television show, the Meateater podcast, and The Meateater Guide to Big Game Hunting. Duren has also been a guest on the Joe Rogan Experience discussing hunting, land ownership issues, and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). He has been featured in various regional and national publications for his work in conservation.

Serge Koenig | Thursday

Serge Koenig has been a Sauk County natural resource professional for over thirty years. He has a Watershed Management degree and a Soils Minor from University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Serge has been working with landowners and various organizations in Sauk County to sustain and improve its natural resources. He is a tireless advocate of managed rotational grazing as tool for regenerating our soils, water and human resources. In his free time he loves spending time with his family gardening, traveling, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and coaching."

Serge will be taking you on a voyage to Madagascar, sharing photos from his youth and the many adaptations he had to make along the way - food, language, weather, culture, school - as a metaphor for the flexibility the job requires and how those experiences led him to conservation. Serge will be describing his approach to the conservation profession, including continually reinventing himself, going the extra mile, and developing the inter- and intrapersonal skills essential to be effective on the job.

GET INVOLVED

Donate to Our Silent Auction

The silent auction is always a fun part of our conference! Proceeds benefit youth education programs such as the Conservation Awareness Poster & Speaking Contest, Wisconsin Envirothon, and two youth conservation camps. To learn more, and view materials to solicit items for the Silent Auction view our Silent Auction materials for 2026. We will continue with the 32Auction website as we have the last few years, therefore you will need to submit all the items via an online form. The link to the form is below and the email to send pictures of the item is silentauction@wisconsinlandwater.org.

Submission Link: https://forms.gle/QNq3rUQiF6g7HkfN8

A few notes about items:

Gift cards are good as long as they are for general stores (Kwik Trip/Walmart/Cabela’s), camping, tastings, an event, or something you can use online. Try to stay away from very specific gift cards like a single gas station, drug store, mechanic shop, or small groceries stores (non-chain stores), these do not get bid on.

Honey, maple syrup, mixers, beverages, cheese, food, all do well and people like to bid on them.

Home décor or homemade products do well in the auction – please include a size of a wall hanging or quilt so people know the dimensions

Something for gardening, pollinators, seed, fishing, hunting, outdoors equipment does well.

Questions: haillie.passow@co.trempealeau.wi.us

Join the Professional Improvement Committee (PIC)

The PIC's main responsibility is to assist in the planning and execution of our annual conference. Visit the PIC's webpage and learn more about why it's important the committee has representation from staff and supervisors around the state.

Become a Volunteer

Like most events, this conference could not happen without the support of the numerous staff and volunteers to help run a smooth event. Many volunteer positions are available including session moderators, A/V set up, raffle ticket sellers, and general set up. Contact Chris Schlutt if you would like to volunteer.

Attend a Future Conference

March 3-5, 2027 | Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells

March 1-3, 2028 | Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells