Winnebago County WI Land & Water Conservation

06/03/2026

🌲 Thank You, Winnebago County Landowners 🌲
This year, 100,250 trees were distributed in Winnebago County through the Wisconsin DNR's annual tree sale program. The Winnebago County LWCD partners with the DNR to support the program by providing supplies and resources that assist landowners in planting and establishing trees.

Thank you to everyone who ordered and planted trees this year. Whether you planted a few hundred seedlings or several thousand, every tree planted today is an investment in cleaner air, healthier soil, cleaner water, and a stronger environment for future generations.

🦸‍♂️ Trees are nature's superheroes. Through photosynthesis, trees use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into the energy they need to grow. As a bonus, they release oxygen back into the atmosphere—the very air we breathe.

🌱 A mature tree can absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

💧 Trees are natural water managers, reducing runoff, preventing erosion, filtering pollutants, and helping keep our lakes and rivers cleaner.

🌳 Trees can absorb 10–150 gallons of water per day and release most of it back into the air, helping store, filter & release stormwater.

📅 Thinking about planting next year? Mark your Calendars!
Tree ordering for the 2027 planting season opens October 1, 2026. Orders remain open until inventory sells out, and popular species often go quickly—so order early! https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/TreePlanting

🌳 Ready to plant? The Winnebago County LWCD offers tree planting equipment and supplies year-round:
• Tree Planters (for tractor planting)
• Tree Planting Spades (for hand planting)
• Fertilizer & Root Moisturizer
• Tree Shelters (Tubes, nets & stakes to protect seedlings)

Items available for rent and/or purchase. Contact LWCD for details. https://www.winnebagocountywi.gov/718/Tree-Planting-Supplies

05/14/2026

Happening this weekend! Another opportunity to buy native plants for your property - and support local conservation with Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter and Heckrodt Wetland Reserve. Saturday is supposed to be top ten weather day, make plans to spend some time enjoying the Wetland Reserve while you're there.

Make sure to go early if you're looking to buy plants - Wild Ones has a limited supply of plants leftover from their pre-order sale. Already ordered? This is also pick-up day for their annual sale.

Mark your calendars for this weekend! Heckrodt will be hosting a brat fry on Saturday May 16th at the same time as the Wild Ones Plant Sale. All proceeds from the brat fry will help support habitat management at the Reserve. We hope to see you there!

05/08/2026

🌱 Planting season is in full swing on our local farms! As you travel our rural roads, please be patient, slow down, and use extra caution around farm equipment. These hardworking farmers are putting in long hours to provide essential products for our communities. Let’s all do our part to help everyone make it home safely to their families and friends. 🚜💚

Farmers and drivers, it’s important to be cautious on the roads! Be aware of your surroundings on the road. Learn more tips from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

🚗 Drivers – Please slow down and be patient when approaching farm vehicles. It’s illegal to pass agricultural equipment in a no-passing zone. When legally passing, consider the possibility of the farm vehicle turning left into a roadway or field entrance.

🚜 Farmers – To enhance safety and visibility, be sure you have the appropriate lights and signage on your vehicle.

05/06/2026

Wetland Restoration & Flood Resilience 🌿💧
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the recent flooding; this is a difficult time for many in our community.

As people begin to recover and look ahead, we’re here to help reduce the impacts of future high-water events on your property. Conservation practices like wetland restorations play an important role in managing water on the landscape.

Wetlands help:
• Store water and reduce downstream flooding 🌧️
• Improve water quality by trapping sediment and nutrients 💧
• Recharge groundwater 🌎
• Provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators 🦆 🐝

❓Did you know? Wisconsin has lost about 50% of its wetlands since the late 1800s, changing how water moves across our landscape.

Our department offers technical assistance and cost-share opportunities for landowners interested in wetland restoration practices such as ditch plugs, tile breaks, embankments, and scrapes.

If wetland restoration or other conservation practices fit into your long-term recovery plans, we’re here to help. Contact us to learn more about eligibility and available funding.

To learn more or get started:
📞 920-232-1950
🌐 https://www.winnebagocountywi.gov/lwcd

Additional Resources:
👉Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance:
https://fwwa.org/wetland-restoration/

👉Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wetlands/restoration.html

👉Wisconsin Wetlands Association:
https://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/

👉U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/basic-information-about-wetland-restoration-and-protection

05/04/2026

🌱 Volunteer Opportunity: Rain Garden Workday 🌱
These gardens are located right outside of the Land & Water Conservation Department Office at the front of the James P Coughlin Center - JPCC. Come join us in helping care for our outdoor space!

Thank you to Extension Winnebago County Horticulture for their work maintaining and caring for this garden. Join them for this hands‑on rain garden workday! No experience needed.

📅 Friday, May 15
⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (join for any portion of the time)
📍 Coughlin Building, 625 E County Rd Y

Anyone is welcome - no prior experience needed! We’ll work together on general rain garden maintenance and improvements, including weeding, planting, mulching, and light cleanup. It’s a great way to learn about rain gardens while helping care for a community space.

🌼 Please dress for outdoor work and bring gloves and any basic hand tools you may have
🌼 Water and snacks will be provided

Questions or interested in helping? Feel free to reach out at 920-232-1976 to let Jacob know you're coming. We appreciate any time you can give and hope to see you there!

🌱 Volunteer Opportunity: Rain Garden Workday 🌱
Join UW Extension Horticulture for a hands‑on rain garden workday in Winnebago County!
📅 Friday, May 15
⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (join for any portion of the time)
📍 Coughlin Building, 625 E County Rd Y
Anyone is welcome - no prior experience needed! We’ll work together on general rain garden maintenance and improvements, including weeding, planting, mulching, and light cleanup. It’s a great way to learn about rain gardens while helping care for a community space.
🌼 Winnebago County Extension is an approved volunteer site for Master Gardener volunteers
🌼 Time spent can count toward Master Gardener volunteer hours
🌼 Please dress for outdoor work and bring gloves and any basic hand tools you may have
🌼 Water and snacks will be provided
Questions or interested in helping? Feel free to reach out at 920-232-1976. We appreciate any time you can give and hope to see you there!

Winnebago County WI Land & Water Conservation Winnebago County, Wisconsin Government

04/24/2026

Great explanation from Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance at the recent flooding in our area and how it is still travelling through our communities. This is a clear look at watershed-wide impact in real time, and how water moves through the entire system.

04/22/2026

What an amazing way to spend Earth Day - out in the great outdoors at Norbert Rich School Forest with 4th Graders from Winneconne Community School District. Thanks for having us! We hope you learned lots and had a great day in the sunshine!

04/22/2026

Earth Day vibes at the James P. Coughlin Center 🌎 New green growth is here 🌱but these rain gardens have been supporting wildlife all winter.

Inspired? Here are a few ways to get involved locally:

🌿 Thinking about a conservation project on your property? Our department offers cost-sharing to help you get started::
• Rain gardens
• Shoreline habitat restoration & shoreline protection
• 🆕 Multiple conservation buffer options for agriculture land
• Explore more practices—from soil health and waterway systems to wetland restoration and manure management: https://www.winnebagocountywi.gov/681/Conservation-Practices

🧹 Join the 2026 Watershed Cleanup
• Team up with Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance on May 2 for a watershed-wide clean-up with sites across Winnebago County and beyond. Sign-up: https://fwwa.org/what-we-do/trash-free-waters/cleanup/

🌱 Plant native:
• Order native plants from Green Lake County Land Conservation Department (Deadline May 1): https://greenlakecountynativeplantsale.square.site/
• Find more native plant retailers: https://www.winnebagocountywi.gov/698/Contractor-List

🏕️ Go to CAMP:
• WI Land+Water Youth Conservation Camps (June/July for middle & high school students): https://wisconsinlandwater.org/our-work/youth-education/conservation-camp

♻️ From Winnebago County Solid Waste:
• Backyard compost bins available NOW!
• Household hazardous waste collection begins in May
• Electronics recycling event — May 2 (Menasha)

🌊 Local Flood Updates:
• Stay informed with Winnebago County Emergency Management
• Flood Resources: https://www.winnebagocountywi.gov/319/Flooding-Information

04/02/2026

📢 Office Closure Notice

Our office will be closed on Friday, April 3 in observance of a County Holiday.

We will resume regular office hours on Monday, April 6 from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday–Friday).

Thank you!