MREA's Energy Fair Keynote audience

Spotlighting Land Care at MREA’s Energy Fair

Expressing our commitment to care for the land takes many forms. Some care for the land through the power of consumer choices that influence how natural resources are utilized, such as purchasing energy efficient products for our homes or fuel-efficient or electric cars to drive. Others physically care for a specific piece of land by reducing invasive species, creating wildlife habitat, and more. Regardless of how you express your land ethic, the Energy Fair June 21-23, 2019 in Custer, Wisconsin provides a unique and fun opportunity to learn more, share experiences, and be inspired!

MREA's Energy Fair postcard

In this fast-paced world, we know how incredibly challenging it can be to stay attuned to all the new practices, knowledge, and products that can inform a sustainable lifestyle. For that reason, we are very excited to partner with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) on this year’s Energy Fair. For the past 30 years, MREA has been bringing together experts from across the country on energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, green construction, and sustainable living for the 3-day affair. It’s the longest running event of its kind in the nation!

In 2018, the Energy Fair added the Land Ethic track with speakers and workshops focusing on land management topics relevant to private landowners. This year with coordination and support from the Aldo Leopold Foundation and My Wisconsin Woods the Land Ethic track will have expanded offerings. Featuring six presenters and Sunday’s keynote speaker Curt Meine, the Land Ethic track brings an additional layer to the sustainability theme at the fair. “For 30 years we have worked to help people throughout the Midwest reduce their energy use and develop their own onsite renewable energy,” explains Nick Hylla, MREA’s executive director. “Recently, more and more people have been approaching us for resources on land management and conservation. We are very excited to be working with the Aldo Leopold Foundation and My Wisconsin Woods this year to host a series of workshops at The Energy Fair to help people realize their conservation goals.”

Presentations in the Land Ethic track will focus on a variety of topics from forestry and wildlife to birds and invasive species to citizen science. Whether you are new to owning land, are an aspiring landowner, or have owned land for many years you can expect new information and insights from these extremely knowledgeable natural resource professionals who are eager to share information and answer your questions.

  • Aldo Leopold, Phenology, and Climate Change with Stan Temple, Senior Fellow and Science Advisor for the Aldo Leopold Foundation
  • Managing Habitat for Birds and Other Wildlife with Yoyi Steele, Former Important Bird Area Wisconsin Program Coordinator and Mike Mossman, Retired Wisconsin DNR Forest Community Ecologist
  • What About My Woodlands? Getting Started with John Nielsen, Founder and CEO for Nielsen and Nielsen Foresty, LLC
  • Introduction to Woodland Invasives with Kelly Kearns, Terrestrial Invasive Plant Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Managing Your Land for Wildlife with Matt Weegman, Biologist for the National Wild Turkey Federation
  • Managing Your Land – Getting Started with Steve Swenson, Director of Conservation and Carl Cotter, Leopold – Pine Island Important Bird Area and Stewardship Fellows Coordinator both for the Aldo Leopold Foundation
MREA's Energy Fair Keynote audience
Keynote tent at the Energy Fair where Curt Meine will speak Sunday.

Whether you join us for one talk or stay for the entire series, visit the Aldo Leopold Foundation and My Wisconsin Woods exhibitor booths to continue the conversation. You can talk with staff about specific resources and technical assistance to help advance your property goals.  We look forward to meeting you and helping you in your journey of caring for the land. Here’s to celebrating the summer solstice while soaking in the sunshine and lots of information from this engaging line-up of land care experts.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for a discount or at the gate. View the pre-fair program for details on pricing, lodging, and programming. We hope to see you there!