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As a dedicated conservationist and lakefront property owner for 30 years, I have always admired and respected the great work that Golden Sands RC&D does in Central Wisconsin. By building partnerships, engaging with citizen groups, and working alongside County and Government Agency partners, Golden Sands RC&D has a long history of filling in the gaps with efficient and outstanding boots-on-the-ground conservation work.
I had previously worked for Golden Sands RC&D from 2010-2014, initially starting as the Administrative Coordinator then moving up to the Assistant Director. I returned in October of 2023 as the Executive Director. My understanding of our unique business model coupled with my experience and education in finance, accounting, and business management has allowed me to jump right in and start utilizing my skills to help enhance the organization.
As Golden Sands RC&D continues to grow and expand, we are adding specialized staff with the expertise to address specific resource concerns within our 13 county service area and beyond allowing us to increase our service offerings, build efficiencies into our processes, and reach more people with our initiatives and educational efforts.
I am so excited to be back and see so many friends and colleagues that are actively engaged with us in helping to make Central Wisconsin a better place to live and work! I hope that you will join us or support us as we continue our work. You can help by becoming an At-large Council member, volunteering, donating, attending our events, and spreading the word about our organization and “Conservation That Works!”.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Glad
Jennifer Glad
Executive Director
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
A Letter from the Executive Director
WE PROMOTE
CLEAN WATER
Our Clean Boats, Clean Waters program assisted five lakes in Central Wisconsin with hiring and training nine Watercraft Inspectors. Our team of inspectors, which included local college and high school students, were hired to talk with boaters at boat landings about the importance of removing plants and draining all water to prevent the spread of invasive species. In total, our team inspected over 4,000 boats and spoke with over 8,000 people about how to inspect their boats for hitchhiking invasives. Their efforts helped boaters to recognize that they play a big role in keeping our lakes beautiful!
Photo Credit: Amanda Gurklis
SOME OF OUR EVENTS
Hover over the images to learn more!
WAUPACA COUNTY
CONSERVATION FIELD DAY
We coordinated and hosted our annual Waupaca County Conservation Field Day (WCCFD) for 293 fifth grade students from three Waupaca County Schools. The Field Day took place in September at Hartman Creek State Park and offered students 18 different hands-on field stations, each highlighting a different conservation concept or career. Field stations covered the following topics: Managed Grazing, Conservation on the Farm, Compass Navigation, Fisheries Management, Snapshot Wisconsin, Boating Safety, Soils, Aquatic Plants, Terrestrial Invasive Species, Team Building, Wetlands, Solar Energy, Trapping, Forestry, Composting, Forest Fire Safety, and a tour of the Hellestad pioneer house!
GRAZING EVENTS
In addition to multiple pasture walks throughout the year, in August, we had the pleasure of hosting a full day grazing event at the UW-Stevens Point Campus featuring Dr.Temple Grandin as the keynote speaker. The day was focused around the different landscapes in which grazing can take place. Speakers and topics included Ryan Parker (Quail Forever) on Warm Season Grasses Grazing, WI-DNR on Public Land Grazing, Great Lakes Audubon on Grazing to Support Grassland Bird Habitat, and Dr. Temple Grandin on the Importance of Managed Grazing in Sustainable Agriculture. It was a successful event with over 80 attendees. Thank you to our multitude of sponsors that helped make this event possible
NORTHEAST WI INVASIVES PARTNERSHIP FIELD TRIP
Golden Sands RC&D coordinates the Northeast Wisconsin Invasives Partnership (NEWIP). One of the great events this year included a field trip held by NEWIP through the Natural Resources Foundation. This field trip was held at the Emmons Creek Barrens State Natural Area so that participants could see the federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly! The field trip matched up perfectly with the first flight of the Karner Blues, so we got to see them all day, as well as lots of beautiful prairie plants and we also took a hike through the state natural area!
Photo Credit: Asa Plonsky
WATER APPRECIATION DAY EVENT
We coordinated and hosted the Water Appreciation Day Event (WADE) for 68 fourth grade students. The Field Day took place in May at the Little Plover River Park and offered students six different hands-on field stations, each highlighting a conservation concept or career. Field stations covered the following topics: Fly Casting, Fly Tying, Aquatic Invasive Species, Enviroscape, Water Quality, and Trout Shocking.
WE OFFER
GIS Mapping
Our expert staff provide GIS mapping services for a variety of purposes. In 2023, we provided this service to Paul Daigle, of Water and Land Solutions, as a contracted service. Golden Sands RC&D created high quality maps for his managed grazing plans. Additionally, in 2023, 15 different maps for three different producers were created. This partnership keeps Paul, an experienced and expert grazing specialist in the field, assisting producers in reaching their managed grazing goals while staying current with NRCS guidelines and requirements for grazing plans.
OUTSTANDING MEMBER
Retirement Highlight! A special thank you goes out to Ed Hernandez! Ed retired in January from his position with Golden Sands RC&D and Waushara County. We are very grateful for Ed's guidance as our Council President over the past few years, along with close to 20 years of service in our organization. His work and dedication to Golden Sands RC&D has been invaluable. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Ed!! You will be missed!
Click on the button below to see a list of our current council members.
WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT
Thank you to our 2023 partners, sponsors, and donors for your generosity! Please click on the donate button below if you support our mission to manage natural and human resources, in ways that are consistent with sound conservation principles, by working across county lines to address local concerns.
2023 INCOME SOURCES
