2022 PSCC Annual Conference Programs
Our first-ever in-person and virtual annual conference was attended by more than 100 conservation professionals — a record for us! Everyone seemed ready to meet face-to-face after two years away. Despite a light snowfall in the afternoon and evening, many enjoyed the trails and beautiful atmosphere of Starved Rock.
As always, our presenters provided everyone with exciting updates on the progress made throughout Illinois to further preserve, protect, and encourage stewardship of our wild places.
Prairie State Hike App Update — PSCC Media Consultant Sandy Kaczmarski
PSCC Annual Report of Land Conservation Achievements — GIS Consultant David Holman
PSCC Legislative Review — Eliot Clay, state program director, Illinois Environmental Council
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Update — Director Colleen Callahan; Ann Marie Holtrop, chief, Division of Natural Heritage
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Update — Executive Director Todd Strole
Natural Areas Stewardship Act — Ann Marie Holtrop, chief, Division of Natural Heritage, IDNR
Updated Species Recovery — process, leads, status
Land Trust Alliance Report — MaryKay O’Donnell, Midwest senior program manager
Prescribed Burn Associations — A Valuable Tool We Can’t Lose — Brent Masiero, Great Rivers PBA and Jesse Riechman, Souther Illinois PBA
Latest Invasive Species Research — Chris Evans, University of Illinois Extension
A Sustainable and Diverse Funding Model for Land Stewardship Programs — Steve Barg, Jo Daviess Conseration Foundation
Educating and Engaging Future Stewards through Citizen Science — Edith Auchter, treasurer, Citizens for Conservation
The Conservation Leader Internship Program: How land trusts can support the next generation of diverse leaders in conservation — Land Conservation Specialists Kim Elsenbroek and Megan Oropeza, Land Conservancy of McHenry County
Cultivating Community and Empowerment — Director Amy Doll, Friends of the Illinois Nature Preserves
The Fight to Save an Ancient Prairie — Kerry Leigh, Natural Land Institute
30X30 Illinois — Lindsay Keeney, conservation director, Illinois Environmental Council
Terrafirma Update — National Trends and Observations on Stewardship Challenges — Leslie Ratley-Beach, vice president, Alliance Risk Management Services, LLC
The Nature Conservancy Climate Assessment for Illinois — Karen Petersen, The Nature Conservancy
Access Ability Wisconsin: Outdoor Access 4 All — Gary Stott, Access Ability Wisconsin
Sangamon River, Piatt County, Land Conservation Foundation