Partners
Many of the Organizations and agencies listed here have partnered with the Driftless Area Initiative in one way or another. This is by no means an exhaustive list of all conservation related organizations and agencies in the area. Any group that is not included but would like to be, send your information to the contact person listed under contact us.
Partners with a Signed Memorandum of Understanding
The Driftless Area Initiative was originally established by six Rural Conservation and Development Councils (RC&D Councils). The purpose of these organizations is to accelerate the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and to enhance the environment and standard of living in designated RC&D areas. This mission statement is very similar to the mission statement of the Driftless Area Initiative. Each of these councils is a separately chartered not-for-profit corporation and is has the right to appoint a member to the Driftless Area Initiative Board of Directors. Each of these RC&Ds has signed a MOU with the Driftless Area Initiative, and is listed below. If you live in the Driftless feel free to contact the Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&D) in your area.
Additional information for MOU Partners
Rural Conservation and Development Councils (RC&Ds)
Blackhawk Hills RC&D -- Northwest Illinois
blackhawkhills.comBlackhawk Hills RC&D
102 East Route 30
Rock Falls, Illinois 61071
(815)625-3854
Julie Jacobs, Executive Secretary
Hiawatha Valley RC&D
Hiawatha Valley RC&D
1485 Industrial Drive NW
Rochester, MN 55901
(507) 282-6153 ext. 123
George Poch, Board Chair gapoch@hotmail.com
Limestone Bluffs RC&D -- Eastern Iowa
limestonebluffsrcd.orgLimestone Bluffs RC&D
1000 East Platt Street
Suite 4
Maquoketa, Iowa 52060
(563) 652-5104
Sheri Rutenbeck, Executive Director rutenbeck@limestonebluffsrcd.org
River Country RC&D -- West Central Wisconsin
www.rivercountry.orgRiver Country RC&D
1304 North Hillcrest Parkway
Altoona, Wisconsin 54720
(715) 834-9672
Linda Luberda, Office Manager Linda@rivercountryrcd.org
Southwest Badger RC&D -- Southwest Wisconsin
www.swbadger.comSouthwest Badger RC&D
1370 North Water Street
Suite 3
PO Box 753
Platteville, WI 53818
(608) 348-7110
Angie Wright, Interim Executive Director angie.wright@swbadger.org
Other Partners with a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The Nature Conservancy
www.nature.orgA leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important land and waters for nature and people.
Trout Unlimited
www.tu.orgContact: Jeff Hastings
E7740 Hastings Lane
Westby, Wisconsin 54677
(608) 606-4158
jhastings@tu.org
Works to conserve, protect and restore North America's cold water fisheries and their watersheds.
General Partners
Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts
www.ilconservation.comGrassroots organization to serve Illinois 98 soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Ducks Unlimited
www.ducks.orgDucks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Several chapters in the area.
Farm Service Agency
www.fsa.usda.govThe Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices.
Green Lands Blue Waters Initiative
www.greenlandsbluewaters.orgSupports development of and transition to a new generation of agricultural systems in the Mississippi River Basin that integrates more permanent plants and other continuous living cover into the agricultural landscape.
Illinois Department of Agriculture
www.agr.state.il.usWorks to promote and regulate agriculture in a manner which encourages farming and agribusiness while protecting Illinois' consumers and our natural resources.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.state.il.usOur mission is to manage, protect and sustain Illinois' natural and cultural resources; provide resource-compatible recreational opportunities and to promote natural resource-related issues for the public's safety and education.
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
www.iatp.orgThe Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy promotes resilient family farms, rural communities and ecosystems around the world through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
www.agricuture.state.ia.usDedicated to increasing Iowa's agriculture market share, developing new avenues for Iowa producers to market their products, add value to Iowa agriculture by developing new products, preserve Iowa's soil and water quality and protect consumers by assuring the quality of Iowas agriculture products and animal health.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
www.iowadnr.comResponsible for maintaining state parks and forests, protecting the environment, and managing energy, fish, wildlife, and land and water resources in Iowa.
Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Districts
www.agriculture.state.ia.us/swcdistrictsProvides support to Iowa's 100 SWCD's through staffing, financial incentive programs and funding for commissioner expenses and field office operations.
Land Stewardship Project
www.landstewardshipproject.orgThe Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1982 to foster an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture and to develop sustainable communities.
Land Trust: Driftless Area Land Conservancy
www.driftlesslandtrust.orgCovers 4 counties in southwest Wisconsin.
Land Trust: Gathering Waters Conservancy
www.gatheringwaters.orgCovers all of Wisconsin.
Land Trust: The Prairie Enthusiasts
www.theprairieenthusiasts.orgCovers northeast Iowa, southwest Wisconsin and northwest Illinois.
McKnight Farm Policy
www.mcknight.org/hotissues/overview_farmbill.aspxThe McKnight foundation is a Minnesota based philanthropic organization, seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. Through grant making, coalition building and encouragement of strategic policy reform, we use our resources to attend, unite and empower those we serve.
Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
www.maswcd.orgProvides leadership and a common voice to Minnesota soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
www.mda.state.mn.usWorks toward a diverse agriculture industry that is profitable and environmentally sound, protects public health and safety regarding food and agricultural products, and to ensure orderly commerce in agriculture and food products.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
www.dnr,state.mn.usWorks with citizens to conserve and manage the states natural resources, to provide outdoor recreational opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable way of life.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
www.pca.state.usDeals with all forms of pollution including cities, landfills and manure management.
National Wild Turkey Federation
www.nwtf.orgPromotes conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of our hunting heritage. Has several local chapters in the area.
Natural Land Institute
www.naturalland.orgCovers northwest Illinois.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
www.nrcs.usda.govUSDA agency that provides technical assistance based on sound science and suited to a customer's specific needs. We provide financial assistance for many conservation activities. Participation in our programs is voluntary. Each state also has their own website. Nearly every county has a local office.
Pheasants Forever
www.pheasantforever.orgA nationwide organization dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.
Websites of state PF organizations:
- Iowa: www.iowapheasantsforever.org
- Minnesota: www.minnesotapf.org
- Illinois: www.illinoispf.org
- Wisconsin: no state website, some local chapters have websites
Quail Forever
www.quailforever.orgDedicated to the protection and enhancement of quail, pheasant and other upland wildlife through habitat improvement, public awareness, education and advocacy for sound land management policy.
State Wildlife Action Plans
www.fishwildlife.org/action_plans_states.htmlAs our communities grow, the wildlife action plans will give us the ability to fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and the lands and waters where they live for future generations. This website has links to each states plan.
The Minnesota Project
www.mnproject.orgThe Minnesota Project is a nonprofit organization that connects people with policy to nurture collaborations. Our programs are focused on clean renewable energy and efficient use of energy; farm practice and policy that promote profitable farms that protect the environment; and the production and consumption of local and sustainably-produced foods.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
www.fws.govWorks with other groups and individuals to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitat for the continuing benefit of the American people.
U.S. Forest Service
www.fs.fed.usManages public lands in national forests and grasslands which encompasses 193 million acres.
Whitetails Unlimited
www.whitetailsunlimited.comSupports educational programs, habitat conservation and preservation of our hunting tradition. Has several chapters in the area.
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
www.datcp.state.wi.usDeals with a wide range of issues including land conservation, environmental protection, pesticide regulation, nutrient management and others.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
www.dnr.state.usHas responsibility for coordinating all programs necessary to provide a clean environment and a full range of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association
www.wlwca.orgAssists county land conservation committees and departments with the protection, enhancement and sustainable use of Wisconsin natural resources and to represent them through education and government interaction.