Land Conservation Committee Agenda Packet (PDF)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person needing assistance to participate in this meeting, should contact the Office of the County Clerk at (920)746-2200. Notification 48 hours prior to a meeting will enable the County to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to that meeting. AGENDA 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Establish a Quorum 3. Introductions 4. Election of Vice-Chair 5. Adopt Agenda / Properly Noticed 6. Correspondence 7. Public Comment (Maximum agenda item of 30 minutes with a maximum of three minutes per speaker) 8. Supervisor Response 9. Approve Minutes: 3/12/26 LCC Minutes 10. Extension 10.1. Educator Report – Candis Dart, 4-H Program 10.2. Director’s Report – Jayna Hintz 11. Soil & Water Conservation Department 11.1. LCC Chairperson Cost-share Agreement Approvals Between Meetings 11.2. Groundwater Monitoring  Spring Sample Results Forum – July 7, 2026 11.3. Invasive Species  Resolution 2026-__ - Approval of National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Sustain Our Great Lakes Grant for Invasive Species Control  Goats for Invasive Species Control 12. Area and State Association 12.1. Lake Michigan Area Association 2026 Conservation Award 12.2. Lake Michigan Area Association Spring Business Meeting, June 5, 2026 – Marinette County 13. Matters to be Placed on a Future Agenda or Referred to a Committee, Official, or Employee 14. Next Meeting Date: July 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – Regular LCC Meeting 15. Adjourn Deviation from the order shown may occur Notice of Public Meeting Thursday, May 14, 2026 8:30 a.m. LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Door County Government Center Chambers Room, 1st Floor 421 Nebraska St, Sturgeon Bay, WI Oversight for Soil & Water Conservation Department and Extension Door County This meeting will be conducted by teleconference or video conference. Members of the public may join the meeting remotely or in-person. To attend the meeting via computer: Go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/894770381 42?pwd=ITPGB4hHhT0ZW4Oxv2jlSU kMj2eOlb.1 To connect via phone: Call: 1-312-626-6799 Webinar/Meeting ID: 594 7703 8142 Passcode: 086034 Page 2-3 4-6 7 8-17 1. Meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chair Todd Thayse. 2. Establish a Quorum - Roll Call Present: Todd Thayse, Jacob Brey, Colin Jeanquart, and Claire Morkin. Morgan Rusnak joined online at 8:33. Absent: Vinni Hancock. Others present: Greg Coulthurst, Beth Hanson, Tim Dahl, Payton Lolwing, Jason Miller – SWCD, Jayna Hintz, Aerica Bjurstrom, Paul Salm, Candis Dart – UW Ext., Supervisor David Englebert, and members of the public. 3. Adopt Agenda / Properly Noticed: Motion by Jeanquart, seconded by Brey, to adopt the agenda as posted. Motion carried. 4. Correspondence: None 5. Public Comment: None 6. Supervisor Response: None 7. Approve Minutes: Jeanquart made a motion, seconded by Morkin, to approve the January 8, 2026 Land Conservation Committee meeting minutes. Motion carried. 8. Extension 8.1. Aerica Bjurstrom reported that the statewide survey of the cost of raising heifers continues, shooting for 40 farms to complete the survey by June 1, and Manure Haulers 101 training in Spanish is underway. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is spreading rapidly in poultry, has not been found in dairy, information is available at go.wisc.edu/HPAI-resources. UW-Ext has a variety of farm safety resources available, and Milk Quality class continues with videos available in Spanish & English. 8.2. Paul Salm reported that he has finished three classes on Digital Literacy/Cyber Security, We Cope, and Estate Planning, plans are to again offer Estate Planning virtually. Other programs include the care givers class, a four-session class, and currently looking to add some facilitators to conduct the Strong Bodies class in the rural areas to assist in developing strength to prevent falls in the elderly. 8.3. Candis Dart reported there is currently 179 4-H members. Events recently held include communication contest with approximately 20 participants. Events coming up include Super Saturday, a poultry workshop, foods workshop, 4-H small animal swap, and preparation for the fair. Also hoping to start some quiz bowl teams. 8.4. Jayna Hintz, Area Extension Director, introduced herself and provided prior work experience within UW- Extension and explained the realignment within the UW-Ext offices. LCC members introduced themselves. 9. Soil & Water Conservation Department 9.1. Invasive Species Jason Miller provided information on recent grants received. Brey made a motion, seconded by Jeanquart, approve the WI DNR AIS Surface Water Education Grant- Stary Stonewart Management in the amount of $4,995.19 and Door County Community Foundation Grant - Wildlife Parsnip Control in the amount of $4,998.00. Motion carried. MINUTES Thursday, March 12, 2026 LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Door County Government Center Chambers Room, 1st Floor 421 Nebraska St, Sturgeon Bay, WI Oversight for Soil & Water Conservation Department & UW-Extension "These minutes have not been reviewed by the oversight committee and are subject to approval at the next regular committee meeting." Page 2 of 17 Motion by Morkin, seconded by Jeanquart, to approve resolutions for WI DNR AIS Grant for Spiny Waterflea & Starry Stonewort Prevention in the amount of $23,988, and EPA GLRI WDNR Grant for European Frog-bit in the amount of $10,000, and forward to County Board for approval. Motion carried. 9.2. Groundwater Coulthurst referred to the flyer in the packet about the spring well testing program which has begun, test drop-off dates are April 17 and 18, and the results presentation will be on July 1, 2026. 10. Area and State Association 10.1. Coulthurst reported on the Lake Michigan Area Land & Water Conservation Association BOD Planning & Budget Meeting on January 9, 2026. Thought the presentation on a comparison to NR151 Silurian Standards regarding water quality was very disappointing, they only looked at brown water incidents that were reported to County Health Department, not using information that Door County has collected, and there was not much information provided on the Tiling topic. 10.2. Door County received the $200.00 Conservation Award from the LMALWCA, will bring back suggestions to LCC on who to distribute these funds to. 10.3. Lolwing reported that four staff members attended the WI Land + Water 2026 Conference on March 4-6, 2026. Lolwing and Dahl reported on break-out sessions they attended: new version of SnapPlus program, stream bank protection, culvert design & replacement, wake boats, tree rings, grazing, phosphorus removal systems, and how solar farms and data centers impact Wisconsin. 11. Sustainability Matters to be Considered: None 12. Legislative Matters to be Considered: None 13. Matters to be Placed on a Future Agenda or Referred to a Committee, Official, or Employee: Using goats to control Invasive Species 14. Next Meeting Date: May 14, 2026 at 8:30 am – Regular LCC Meeting 15. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn by Brey, seconded by Morkin at 9:14 am. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted by Beth Hanson, SWCD Administrative Assistant Page 3 of 17 Door March/April 2026 Report The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law. Agriculture: Aerica Bjurstrom, Dairy Educator • Manure 101: Three training sessions for manure applicators and farmers where participants learn to apply manure safely and accurately to keep themselves safe, protect the environment, and increase farm profitability. • A series of 7 in-person half day workshops (and one virtual) for Wisconsin DNR permitted farms (CAFOs) owners/managers/key staff, their agronomic & engineering consultants, and agency staff working with these farms where participants learned the latest research/updates on reducing nitrogen losses and how to use the Ag Water N loss assessment tool, the root causes and ways to prevent manure spills/incidents, and updates from the DNR on nutrient management and other policies. Participants are better equipped to prevent manure spills and aware of the N loss assessment tool. • An interview with Spectrum News for dairy farmers and consumers, where I provided context on current milk price trends, market volatility, and the factors influencing farm-level profitability, to help our broader community understand how pricing impacts farm viability, local economies, and the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry. • An ongoing monthly electronic newsletter for farmers, agriculture professionals, and agriculture service providers, where timely research-based information, management strategies, industry updates, and educational opportunities are shared to support informed decision-making, improve farm productivity and sustainability, and strengthen the overall agricultural community. • A webinar on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Best Practices for Dairy Farms and Dairy Employees for dairy producers, farm managers, and dairy employees, where participants learned practical biosecurity protocols, employee training strategies, and herd monitoring practices to reduce disease transmission risk, protect animal and human health, and strengthen the long-term resilience and economic sustainability of dairy operations. Community Development • A one-hour conversation for nonprofit leaders throughout the region, where we shared information on the following topic: As a leader within an organization sometimes your role is to be a coach for your staff, volunteers, and board. To introduce the topic, Dawn VanderVoort and Melinda Pollen from UW-Madison Extension will describe how they train adults to tactfully provide advice and direction but leave the leadership and decision making to the youth in Extension’s 4-H program. Through this conversation, nonprofit leaders and staff will learn the difference between leading, managing and coaching, and how training and coaching are different. Participants will leave with growth goals in their coaching mindset. Crops and Soils/Nutrient Management: Chris Clark, Outreach Specialist • End of March started the 2026 DATCP insect trapping survey. Chris has 2 trapping sites. Checked every Wednesday the data is shared via an email or UW uses it to send out insect pest text alerts to those who sign up for regions of WIS. • April 14th held the Pesticide Applicator training/exam for Brown, Kewaunee and Door. Door still remains a site where anyone can sign up to come in and Holly will proctor the exam. Kewaunee also does this. • Badger Crop Connect webinar series started in April, every other Thursday, and provides timely presentations to farmers/agronomist throughout the growing season on weather impacts, insects, disease, crop research/reports from corn, soybean and alfalfa experts, soils, weeds, and nutrient management topics. All are either attended Page 4 of 17 Door March/April 2026 Report The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law. live 12:30-1:30 pm or you can watch recordings afterwards on YouTube links. https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/programs/badger-crop-connect/ • April 21st was the first of the SnapPlus Version 3 software training webinars. Running 11:00-12:30 pm with different topics for each webinar. Participants can either attend live or check recording after the events. The schedule includes May 12, June 2 (topic is Karst), June 16, July 21, and Aug 18. Locally we will have an in-person training at the Kewaunee Co Fairgrounds, June 25th. • Chris Clark is working with Aerica to overlap an alfalfa fertilizer recommendation project in same fields she uses for annually scissor clip/WI alfalfa yield and persistence project. Which will ramp up May 21. The collaborating farms for 2026 include. Dairyland Farms- WAYP/DIH, Heims- Scissor clip/DIH, Kinnard- WAYP/DIH, Jeanquart- Scissor clip/DIH, Baudhuin- Scissor clip/DIH, Ebert- WAYP/DIH, Siegmund- Scissor clip/DIH, Mleziva-Scissor clip/DIH, Kane- Scissor clip/DIH, Weise Brothers-WAYP/DIH, and Country Aire- WAYP/Scissor clip/DIH. • Chris is presenting UW Extension Manure Project results at the 2026 Dairy Symposium May 12 in Madison. Health and Well-Being: Laura Apfelbeck/Jace Purdy, Nutrition Coordinators • A collaborative effort with local partners to spotlight our regional efforts to increase access to healthy, locally grown produce in food pantries and community meals. The goal of this effort is to showcase our work in The Big Apple Project as a model to support sustainable healthy food sources for food pantries and to highlight one approach to improving food security. • An opportunity for food pantries in Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Door Counties to work collaboratively to leverage buying power in order to purchase wholesale produce for food pantry use. Through this effort, participating pantries are able to purchase locally grown Wisconsin produce to increase the availability of fresh produce for low-income people. • Planning and preparation for direct education series with youth at Door County Boys and Girls Club. The goal is to get 2 nutrition education series, with 3 different groups of kids, to encourage healthy eating and active lifestyles. • Preparing for collaboration between Extension and UW-Green Bay to support community and increase the effectiveness of direct education and systems change efforts in our region through community nutrition intern. • Sustainability for food access projects. At this time, FoodWIse in Door County is slated to end in September of 2026 so sustainability is key. Starting in June 2026, Grow it Forward of Manitowoc Co will take over The Spud Run and The Big Apple Project, providing a multi-county area with fresh produce. Grow it Forward is uniquely positioned to provide transportation and the effort to deliver produce to other pantries is part of their mission, dignified access to good food. They have been providing transportation to Door County food pantries for the past year. Human Development and Relationships: Paul Salm, Educator • A 7-session course, Planning Ahead, helps adults of all ages to make end-of-life financial, healthcare, and final wishes decisions in order to reduce the stress experienced by survivors and to ensure that their wishes are honored. Classes held at the ADRC in Sturgeon Bay and the NWTC campus in Sister Bay. • WeCope classes are being held at the NWTC campus in Sister Bay for those experiencing mental, emotional and financial anxiety. This 7-session course empowers adults with effective, evidence-based strategies to manage stress, build resilience and enhance their well-being. Page 5 of 17 Door March/April 2026 Report The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law. • Healthcare in the Digital Age is a workshop for leaders in the Northeastern region of the state (elected officials, community and economic development, healthcare related fields) where participants explore the critical connection between broadband access and improved health outcomes—and how these advancements drive local economic growth. Natural Resources • An online course (The Forest Resilience Series) for Northeast Wisconsin private family forest landowners, where participants learn about sustainable forest management for key forest ecological health concerns: a lack of prescribed fire, invasive plants, a lack of tree regeneration and Emerald Ash Borer Impacts. This course helps landowners become informed decision makers on management actions they can do to improve their wood's forest health and ecological resilience. • Maps showing the elevation and thickness of the Maquoketa Group aquitard, including its internal layers, across a multi-county area in eastern Wisconsin. Users include regional land use planners, water managers, environmental engineers, researchers, and private citizens interested in the extent and thickness of this important regional aquitard. Provides unbiased information about the region's geology and hydrogeology to inform decision making. • A study to better understand the groundwater flow system in the Silurian dolomite aquifer in Kewaunee and southern Door Counties. Results from this study will help local resource managers make decisions about drinking water wells, land use, and related activities. Positive Youth Development: Candis Dart, 4-H Program Educator • 4-H Super Saturday: An event for Door County 4-H youth to explore different project areas that they might be interested in. Projects were led by volunteers who shared their time and talents and helped youth learn new skills and to create a final project that they will be able to exhibit at the Door County Fair. • 4-H Foods Workshop: An event for Door County 4-H youth to explore the Foods project through a variety of breakfast food themed sessions. Projects were led by volunteers who shared their time and talents. • 4-H Historical Event: An event for Door County youth (4-H and non-4-H members) to explore the history of Door County while creating fun historical themed projects. The event was planned as part of the Door County Historical Society's 100th Anniversary celebrations. • Monthly meetings of the Door County 4-H Adult Leaders Association where the volunteer members are provided with support, updates, and oversight from the Door County 4-H Program Educator. Page 6 of 17 ROLL CALL Board Members Aye Nay Exc. Dist. 1 D. Englebert Dist. 2 T. Thayse Dist. 3 J. Tlachac Dist. 4 N. Robillard Dist. 5 J. Miller Dist. 6 K. Fisher Dist. 7 C. Morkin Dist. 8 C. Jeanquart Dist. 9 R. Shaw Dist. 10 A. Heim Peter Dist. 11 H. Bacon Dist. 12 N. Norton Dist. 13 D. Vogel Dist. 14 H. Zettel Dist. 15 E. Gauger Dist. 16 T. Cain-Bieri Dist. 17 D. Smith Dist. 18 V. Hancock Dist. 19 P. Pluff Dist. 20 W. Kalms Dist. 21 N. Goss BOARD ACTION Vote Required: Majority Vote of a Quorum Motion to Approve Adopted 1st Defeated 2nd Yes: No: Exc: Reviewed by: , Corp. Counsel Reviewed by: , Administrator FISCAL IMPACT: Any required match will be in the form of funds already included in SWCD’s operating budget and DCIST donations, per lines 21-23 of this resolution STW Certification: I, Jill M. Lau, Clerk of Door County, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution that was adopted on the 26th day of May 2026 by the Door County Board of Supervisors. Jill M. Lau County Clerk, Door County Resolution No. 2026-__ APPROVAL OF NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION SUSTAIN OUR GREAT LAKES GRANT FOR INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL TO THE DOOR COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: WHEREAS, Sec. 59.52(19) Wis. Stats. empowers the County Board to accept 1 donations, gifts, or grants of money for any public governmental purpose within the 2 powers of the County; and 3 4 WHEREAS, Resolution 75 -84 entitled “Gifts, Grants & Donations to the 5 County of Doo r” requires approval of the Door County Board of Supervisors, for 6 acceptance of all donations, gifts, and grants whether in the form of money, or 7 personal or real property; and 8 9 WHEREAS, Pursuant to Rule of Order No. 39, County Board is to be provided 10 notice of and must approve any donation, gift or grant equal to or in excess of 11 $5,000.00 prior to acceptance; and 12 13 WHEREAS, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded 14 Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department (SWCD) the Sustain Our Great 15 Lakes (SOGL) grant of $200,000 with a total project cost of $394,376.89. The 16 purpose of said grant is to hire staff and c ontractors to conduct treatments of 17 Phragmites australis , knotweed, purple loosestrife and other priority invasive 18 species; and 19 20 WHEREAS, No new budget funds are being requeste d. The required match 21 of $194,376.89 will be provided by SWCD’s operating budget , DCIST donation 22 dollars, The Nature Conservancy, and the Door County Land Trust; and 23 24 WHEREAS, The Land Conservation Committee (“LCC”) has voted to support 25 accepting the above-described grant in the amount of $200,000 with a total project 26 cost of $394,376.89. 27 28 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Door County Board of 29 Supervisors does hereby authorize the Door County Soil & Water Conservation 30 Department to accept the grant as described above. 31 32 33 SUBMITTED BY: LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Todd Thayse, Chair Claire Morkin Jacob Brey Preston Pluff Vinni Hancock Dave Smith Alexis Heim Peter Page 7 of 17 Targeted Grazing for Invasive Plant Control Page 8 of 17 Why consider goats? • Plant management can be expensive & labor-intensive on difficult sites • Goats can more easily access steep, brushy, or hard-to-access areas • May reduce herbicide usage and follow- up labor • Not meant as a replacement, but another tool in the toolbox 2 Page 9 of 17 Traditional vegetation management • Hand pulling • Cutting • Herbicide • Burning • Biological control 3 Page 10 of 17 Targeted grazing • Using livestock to accomplish specific vegetation management objectives 4 Page 11 of 17 Immediate Impacts of Targeted Browsing • Significant short-term reductions in both buckthorn and native plants • Native species richness decreased by nearly 1/3 5 Goat grazing impacts on plant diversity Goat grazing impacts on buckthorn Page 12 of 17 Long-Term Implications • Native plant diversity increased one year post-browsing • Buckthorn cover and stem density also increased 6 Goat grazing impacts on buckthorn Goat grazing impacts on plant diversity Page 13 of 17 Effectiveness of Livestock for Phragmites Control • Both goats and cattle cause a decrease in stem density and height • Caused significant trampling damage • Increase in native plant diversity 7 Goat grazing impacts on Phragmites Goat grazing impacts on plant diversity Page 14 of 17 Management Considerations • Need enclosures to force them to consume Phragmites • High-intensity, short-duration rotational grazing • Young growth is more palatable 8 Page 15 of 17 Things to Consider • Cost per acre ranges from $600 - $1,300 • Varies based on access, fencing, herd size, and number of grazing passes • Not every site is suitable for grazing (e.g., wetlands) 9 Page 16 of 17 InvasiveSpecies Control Using Goats Webinar– https://youtu.be/oFBKZKBvmCU?s i=aWnU0j-m1e9-bjZi Page 17 of 17