Youth & Education Programs

  • Conservation Field Days
    Offered Spring and Fall to 5th and 6th Graders in the Pepin County School District. Education is structured around the environment and conservation as it relates to various natural resource issues. Examples: Water, Forestry, Agriculture, Wildlife, Recycling etc.
  • Rick Wayne Conservation Kids Award
    Starting in 2024, two awards are handed out to kids in elementary school and 6th grade or above for their conservation efforts in Pepin County. Kids can be nominated by parents and/or teachers and must include a visual aid and summary of conservation projects the student took lead on. Students must be attending a public, private, or homeschool within Pepin County. Nomination forms can be found on the department's home page. 
  • Conservation Poster Contest
    The poster contest is held in the schools of Pepin County during early winter.  3 winners in each category are selected at the county level and receive plaques. Their posters are entered into the Area Contest where first place winners advance on to the State contest in March.  Posters shall depict an area of environmental awareness or conservation of natural resources.
  • Conservation & Environmental Awareness Speaking Contest
    Youth in Grades 5-12 are encouraged 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 early winter at the Pepin County Government Center. First place County winners in each division compete at the Area Level in February. First place Area level winners compete at the State level in March. Contact the Land Conservation and Planning Department for more detailed information.
  • Land Judging Contest
    The Tri-County Land Judging Contest is held each year in September or October. Students from schools in Buffalo, Dunn and Pepin Counties participate in the event as well as other schools in various counties.  The contest is rotated between Buffalo, Dunn and Pepin County.
  • 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 Durand Fresh Market of Durand, WI. The bags are decorated with environmental messages. The bags are passed out to happy shoppers at Durand Fresh Market 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 will arrange for free tree seedlings for all 4th graders to plant. To obtain more information on this program, contact the Wisconsin DNR.