Land Conservation Department

Joe Van Berkel
County Conservationist
Sauk County West Square Building
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI 53913
Room #232
Phone: (608) 355-3245
FAX: (608) 355-3292
EMail: conservation@co.sauk.wi.us

The Sauk County Land Conservation Department is a subdivision of county government established under chapter 92, Wisconsin statutes. The department works under the direction of the
Land Conservation Committee and coordinates natural resource management and environmental enhancement activities within county boundaries and administers a variety of county, state, and federal initiatives. It cooperates with and furnishes financial, technical and planning assistance to agencies, units of government, organizations and individuals.

The department places particular emphasis on soil conservation, water quality improvement, groundwater protection, flood control, nonpoint water pollution abatement, erosion control, wildlife habitat improvement, farmland preservation and animal waste management, and strives to promote the awareness of natural resources and their value to the citizens of Sauk County. It administers cost-share programs that provide funds to landowners who install conservation or best management practices. Individual staff assistance is provided to landowners and operators in the development of conservation plans and the survey, design, and layout of conservation practices. The department administers a variety of programs such as the manure management, farmland preservation program, Dell Creek Watershed project, Land and Water resource management cost share program, wildlife damage claim and abatement program, county tree sale program and others designed to enhance the natural environment here in Sauk County. It provides Environmental Education to both adults and youth within Sauk County.