Valley Stewardship Network will be hosting their annual Agency Collaboration meeting on Thursday, March 26 from 1- 4 p.m. at Conservation Connections, the collaborative resource and information center at 110 South Main St. in downtown Viroqua.
This annual meeting, hosted by Valley Stewardship Network, brings together representatives from local, state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and local businesses working on conservation and natural resource issues in the Kickapoo Valley and surrounding watersheds. All are welcome. Interested individuals may contact Shelly Brenneman, VSN Executive Director, at 608-637-3615 or shelly@kickapoovsn.org.
Conservation Connections is a fitting location for the collaboration event, as the facility itself is a collaborative office designed to provide tools and information to efficiently respond to local conservation resource needs. The concept was initiated by Valley Stewardship Network to offer a visible and accessible Main Street location for non-profit and cooperative conservation organizations to promote their services while reducing office expenses. The collaborative office reduces service duplication and serves as a referral “hub” for area residents, farmers, landowners and visitors interested in pursuing conservation projects and practices which enhance and protect our unique resources and environment. Kickapoo Woods Cooperative and The Prairie Enthusiasts currently share the space with VSN.
“Conservation Connections allows our collaborating groups to offer technical assistance and resources to respond to the water, woods and prairie stewardship needs of local residents, farmers, landowners and visitors,” explained Shelly Brenneman, Executive Director of Valley Stewardship Network.
Conservation Connections includes educational displays, resource library, a public computer terminal and publications with information about water quality, sustainable forestry, native prairie restoration, fish and wildlife habitat, rotational grazing, nutrient management and much more. Valley Stewardship Network would like to thank Organic Valley, Gundersen Health System, and Viroqua Area Foundation for funding the creation of Conservation Connections.
Conservation Connections is open for office hours Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m., or by appointment. Retail items available include books and tools for forest and prairie management and water quality monitoring. The meeting and resource area, along with a projector and screen, restroom and kitchenette area is available for a small fee for evening and weekend meetings and events for community groups. For information contact info@kickapoovsn.org or call 608-637-3615.
