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Partners and Other Organizations
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.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
www.nrcs.usda.gov USDA 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.
Farm Service Agency
www.fsa.usda.gov The 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.
U.S. Forest Service
www.fs.fed.us Manages public lands in national forests and grasslands which encompasses 193 million acres.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
www.fws.gov Works 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.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.state.il.us Our 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.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
www.dnr,state.mn.us Works 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.us Deals with all forms of pollution including cities, landfills and manure management.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
www.dnr.state.us Has responsibility for coordinating all programs necessary to provide a clean environment and a full range of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Illinois Department of Agriculture
www.agr.state.il.us Works to promote and regulate agriculture in a manner which encourages farming and agribusiness while protecting Illinois’ consumers and our natural resources.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and land Stewardship
www.agricuture.state.ia.us Dedicated 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 Iowa’s agriculture products and animal health.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
www.mda.state.mn.us Works 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.
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
www.datcp.state.wi.us Deals with a wide range of issues including land conservation, environmental protection, pesticide regulation, nutrient management and others.
The Nature Conservancy
www.nature.org A leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important land and waters for nature and people.
Pheasants Forever
www.pheasantforever.org A 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.org Dedicated 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.
National Wild Turkey Federation
www.nwtf.org Promotes conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of our hunting heritage.
Has several local chapters in the area.
Whitetails Unlimited
www.whitetailsunlimited.com Supports educational programs, habitat conservation and preservation of our hunting tradition. Has several chapters in the area.
Ducks Unlimited
www.ducks.org Ducks 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.
Trout Unlimited
www.tu.org Works to conserve, protect and restore North America’s cold water fisheries and their watersheds.
State Wildlife Action Plans www.fishwildlife.org/action_plans_states.html
As 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.
Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts
www.ilconservation.com Grassroots organization to serve Illinois 98 soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Districts
www.agriculture.state.ia.us/swcdistricts Provides support to Iowa’s 100 SWCD’s through staffing, financial incentive programs and funding for commissioner expenses and field office operations.
Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
www.maswcd.org Provides leadership and a common voice to Minnesota soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association
www.wlwca.org Assists 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.
Green Lands Blue Waters Initiative www.greenlandsbluewaters.org Supports 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.
Land Trusts
There are several Land Trusts that operate in the Driftless Area. The purpose of these organizations is to help protect and preserve sensitive lands and waters and other natural resources in the areas they cover. Below are links to some of them.
The Prairie Enthusiasts www.theprairieenthusiasts.org Covers northeast Iowa, southwest Wisconsin and northwest Illinois.
Gathering Waters Conservancy www.gatheringwaters.org Covers all of Wisconsin.
Driftless Area Land Conservancy www.driftlesslandtrust.org Covers 4 counties in southwest Wisconsin.
Natural Land Institute www.naturalland.org Covers northwest Illinois.
The Driftless Area has 6 Resource, Conservation and Development Areas. By working together on local RC&D Councils, communities, all levels of government, and grass-roots organizations develop opportunities that sustain and improve our communities, local economies, and natural resources. The RC&D’s are a part of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Below is contact information and websites if available.
Blackhawk Hills RC&D
Dave Dornbusch, Coordinator
http://blackhawkhills.comDave.Dornbusch@il.usda.gov Northwest Illinois
Hiawatha Valley RC&D
John Beck, Interim Coordinator
John.Beck@mn.usda.gov Southeast Minnesota
Limestone Bluffs RC&D
Warren Johnson, Coordinator
warren.johnson@ia.usda.gov East Central Iowa
Northeast Iowa RC&D
Lora Friest, Coordinator
lora.friest@ia.usda.gov Northeast Iowa
River Country RC&D
Pam Herdrich, Coordinator
www.rivercountry.orgPam.Herdrich@wi.usda.gov West Central Wisconsin
Southwest Badger RC&D
Steve Bertjens, Coordinator
www.swbadger.comSteve.Bertjens.@wi.usda.gov Southwest Wisconsin
Farm Bill Issues
The websites listed below have information dealing with current and proposed farm bill concerns. They may have a variety of opinions on different issues related to various parts of the farm bill and do not neccesarily reflect views of the Driftless Area Initiative.
The Minnesota Project www.mnproject.org The 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.
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy www.iatp.org The 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.
Land Stewardship Project www.landstewardshipproject.org The 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.
McKnight Farm Policy www.mcknight.org/hotissues/overview_farmbill.aspx The 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.