Local conservation organizations are offering an opportunity, at no charge, for local landowners to learn more about resources available to help them achieving their land management goals. 

The ‘Know Your Land’ workshop will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Gays Mills Community Center, 16381 Highway 131, Gays Mills.

The workshop will feature conservation specialist Megan Kabele of the Mississippi Valley Conservancy, who will explain Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) mapping as a planning tool. Mapping can support a wide range of planning efforts such as conservation easements, wildlife habitat enhancement, protecting endangered species and timber management. 

Participants will also learn tips on researching the pre and post settlement history of their property, the value of ecological assessments by a naturalist and how to integrate this information into their land stewardship decisions.

“Many landowners want to restore areas on their property, and knowing what was there, knowing what you are restoring to helps with the success of your project,” explained Jennifer Nelson of the Lower Kickapoo Initiative.

The Lower Kickapoo Initiative was formed in 2007 by a group of landowners operating in the area between Wauzeka and Gays Mills with an interest in conservation and education. The group’s naturalist, Cindy Ramseyer, will cover the use of professional land assessments as a landowner tool.

A naturalist can assist landowners identify areas of interest on their property, develop an understanding of it’s inventory, and develop and prioritize goals so they are achievable, according to Nelson.

Come to hear and interact with professionals who will present free online tools for developing a better knowledge of your property, its history and its future.

Refreshments will follow the presentations.

The event is co-hosted by Mississippi Valley Conservancy, Lower Kickapoo Initiative, Valley Stewardship Network, Kickapoo Woods Cooperative and Crawford Stewardship Project.

The Lower Kickapoo Initiative is an informal group of approximately sixty landowners working cooperatively to increase contact and information sharing and encourage partnerships for management and protection options.