Youth & Education Programs

Smokey Bear This program is presented to 2^nd graders in the Pepin County school district. It provides awareness and education of fire prevention.  The presentation is given by the DNR Forester with Smokey Bear making a guest appearance.

Conservation Poster Contest is held in the schools of Pepin County early spring.  3 winners in each category are selected at the county level and receive trophies. Their posters are entered into the Area Contest where first place winners advance on to the State contest in November.  Posters shall depict an area of environmental awareness or conservation of natural resources .

Conservation & Environmental Awareness Speaking Contest Youth in Grades 5-12 are eligible to participate in the contest.  Speeches must promote the conservation of natural resources and the protection or enhancement of environmental quality.  Topics should address soil and water conservation.  Emphasis should be placed on the subject as it relates to Wisconsin. The county level contest is held every fall at the Durand Government Center . First place winners in each division compete at the Area Level. First place Area level winners compete at the State level in Stevens Point in November.

State Summer Conservation Camp

Held annually in June at the Trails Ends Camp, Bruce, WI, Rusk County.  Open to students who have completed grades 8, 9 and 10.  Students will have the opportunity to better understand and appreciate nature.  Scholarships may be available through the Pepin County Land Conservation Department.

Land Judging Contest

A Tri-County Soil Judging Contest is held each year in September or October.  Students from schools in Dunn, Buffalo and Pepin Counties participate in the event.  The contest is rotated amongst the 3 counties.

Conservation Grocery Bag Project
In celebration of Arbor Day, Earth Day and Soil & Water Stewardship Week, schools in Pepin County decorate grocery bags donated by Econofoods of Durand, WI. The bags are decorated with environmental messages. The bags are passed out to happy shoppers at Econofoods who receive a clear and positive message that the students in our schools care about the environment.

Arbor Day Free Tree Program for Fourth Graders
In celebration of Arbor Day, the DNR along with Pepin County Land Conservation, arrange for free tree seedlings for all 4 th graders in Pepin County to plant. To obtain more information on this program, contact the LCD.

For more information visit Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association’s website  www.wlwca.org