Welcome
We are the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department! We've launched this website to invite you to learn more about our staff, our work, and our partners. We are the main link between state & federal programs and county residents, and we act as a source of education on how to successfully manage and enjoy our valuable soil, land, and water resources. Thank you for visiting!
About Us
Our Mission:
Our mission is "to halt and reverse the depletion of
the state's soil resources and the pollution of its waters,"
as stated in Wisconsin Legislature.
the state's soil resources and the pollution of its waters,"
as stated in Wisconsin Legislature.
Who we are: At the Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD), we work in cooperation with a committee of elected supervisors to conserve the land and water resources in Oneida County, and meet local soil, water and related natural resource priorities. Healthy lakes and habitat improve every aspect of life in the Northwoods, from fisheries to recreation to tourism to choosing real estate! Using proactive conservation planning, we can successfully manage our clean air, soil, and water, so that our region will be a better and healthier place for future generations of Oneida County residents.
What we do: Staff of the LWCD deliver conservation and educational programs in cooperation with county, state, and federal agencies, plus local groups such as non-profits, lake associations, and schools. Our goals and objectives are listed in the Oneida County Land & Water Resource Management Plan which outlines priorities approximately every five years. Here are a few:
- Aquatic Invasive Species! Oneida County’s AIS program is a proactive task-oriented group with a coordinator and a team of seasonal assistants. Their activities in the community regularly receive media coverage, raising awareness of the importance of cleaning boats, draining live wells, and keeping invasives contained.
- Terrestrial Invasive Species! We've partnered with Vilas County’s conservation department to create a cooperative invasive species management area (CISMA) to address terrestrial invasive species, a growing issue in the Northwoods along roadsides and at recreational sites.
- County Cost-Share Program! We manage a cost-share program offering state funds towards projects like shoreline restoration, soil and bank erosion control, and native plantings. The LWCD also maintains equipment for rent to landowners carrying out activities relating to soil and water, and provide education and guidance on a variety of topics for county residents.