Soil Health & Watershed Groups

Valley Stewardship Network

West Central Wisconsin

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Valley Stewardship Network: 25 Years of Community-Led Conservation in Wisconsin

For a quarter of a century, Valley Stewardship Network (VSN) has been at the forefront of grassroots conservation in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. Founded on the belief that healthy watersheds begin with informed and engaged communities, VSN is celebrating 25 years of community-based work to protect and restore land and water through conservation, education, and research.

Working alongside watershed councils, nonprofits, agencies, and universities, VSN provides technical assistance and leadership to implement stewardship practices that protect water quality, stream habitat, and climate resilience. Their approach is deeply collaborative and rooted in local knowledge, empowering communities to take ownership of their environmental future.

Tangible Impact Across the Region                                                                                                                                                   

VSN’s work has already made a measurable difference:

  • Supported the formation of five community-led watershed councils, including the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council, Tainter Creek Farmer-Led Watershed Council, West Fork Neighbors Watershed Council, Bad Axe Watershed Stewards, Kickapoo River Watershed. VNS also helped launch the Hill Country Watershed Alliance, which represents multiple watershed groups all striving for the same outcomes.
  • Planted over 70 acres of native prairie STRIPS, which reduce runoff, improve soil health, and support pollinators and wildlife.
  • Implemented conservation grazing practices to enhance ecosystem resilience and soil structure.
  • Facilitated water quality monitoring at 21 stream sites, building a robust dataset to track environmental change and guide future action.

Through these efforts, VSN is not only restoring landscapes but also strengthening rural economies by linking conservation to economic development, tourisms, and community well-being.

 

Fishers & Farmers Collaboration with VSN

Fishers & Farmers Partnership has funded six projects in collaboration with Valley Stewardship Network to help with watershed projects in southwestern Wisconsin including:

 

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Resilient Watersheds

VSN’s future plans are ambitious and inspiring which  include:

 

  • Facilitating local watershed planning to guide long-term conservation strategies.
  • Expanding prairie acreage through direct planting and landowner engagement.
  • Sustaining grassroots leadership by supporting both existing and emerging watershed councils.
  • Promoting regenerative agriculture to build soil health and climate resilience.
  • Expanding ecological monitoring of water, soil, pollinators, birds, and wildlife to measure the success of conservation practices.

Guiding Principles and Goals

VSN’s mission is grounded in three core goals:

  1. Promote Best Management Practices that improve water quality, climate resilience, and habitat through outreach and technical support.
  2. Increase community involvement by growing membership and engaging with a broader network of conservation stakeholders.
  3. Serve as a regional resource hub, connecting individuals and organizations with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to protect Wisconsin’s natural heritage.

Watershed or Service Area Map

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