Join the WI Land & Water Conservation Association for the 54th Annual Conference on December 5-7, 2007 at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison. Conference highlights this year include a keynote address by Buddy Huffaker of the Aldo Leopold Foundation.

Buddy Huffaker, Aldo Leopold Foundation Buddy Huffaker was the second full-time staff person hired by the Aldo Leopold Foundation, based in Baraboo, Wisconsin in 1996 as the Foundation’s Ecologist. He was promoted to Executive Director in 1999.

Buddy received his undergraduate degree in landscape architecture from Purdue University and completed master’s work at the University of Illinois where he examined various protocols for monitoring ecological restorations. He has worked for engineering and environmental consulting firms and The Nature Conservancy and Lake County Forest Preserve District in Lake County, Illinois.

Under his leadership ALF has undertaken community-based conservation projects that influence the restoration and management of over 15,000 acres in south-central Wisconsin and introduced the concept of a ‘Land Ethic’ to people across the country.

Engaged nationally in the conservation movement Buddy has participated in the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation and was elected to represent the Northeast Region at the US Forest Service’s Centennial Congress. In addition, he has contributed to two books; The Farm as a Natural Habitat (Island Press) and Aldo Leopold and the Ecological Conscience (Oxford University Press).

Conference Schedule

Wednesday, December 5
9:00 am - 6:00 pm Registration
11:30 am - 12:15 pm Welcome Luncheon
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm Opening Session
Welcome: WLWCA President Dale Hood & Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz
Keynote: Buddy Huffaker, Aldo Leopold Foundation
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm General Session: WLWCA Accomplishments and Resolutions Preview
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Area Assn. Meetings and Resolution Discussion— Refreshments Served
4:15 pm - 5:30 pm General Session: The Future of LCDs and LCCs
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Silent Auction Grand Opening Reception—Bidding Begins!
6:00 pm - 9:45 pm Dinner Banquet and Entertainment with The Oak Street Ramblers

Thursday, December 6
8:30 am - 10:00 am Exhibitor Reception and Continental Breakfast
9:00 am - 10:00 am Committee Meetings
8:00 am - 5:45 pm Visit Exhibits
9:30 am - 4:00 pm Spouse Tour
10:00 am - 11:30 am Breakout Sessions
11:30 am - 1:30 pm Luncheon
Welcome: Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk
Speaker: Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
12:00 pm - 5:45 pm Silent Auction Open for Bidding Starting at Noon, Closes Promptly at 5:45 pm
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm Breakout Sessions
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Refreshment Break—Visit Exhibits and Silent Auction
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Breakout Sessions
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Networking Reception
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Dinner Banquet and Award Presentations followed by Live Auction

Friday, December 7
7:00 am - 9:00 am Continental Breakfast
7:30 am - 8:30 am WLWCA Board Meeting SOC Round-Table
9:00 am - 11:30 am WLWCA Business Meeting