The Wisconsin Coverts Project

3 days of indoor sessions and outdoor experiences for
landowners who want to enhance their woodlands.

                                
 

                               
  What is a "Covert"?
"Covert" pronounced "kuh-vert" is a 14th century English word describing a dense thicket that provides shelter for wildlife.

 
                               
The Coverts Workshop:
Using sound ecological principles, this three-day workshop focuses on actions you can take to
enhance your land's wildlife abundance and diversity. 
 

  • We'll get you on the land to show you how
    management can make a difference.

  • You'll see how you can improve wildlife
    habitat and benefit financially from your
    land.

  • We'll give you the resources to manage
    your woodlands (books and pamphlets).

  • You'll find out who to contact for your
    woodland management needs: private,
    state, and university wildlife and
    forestry specialists.

                                
 

A Cooperative Program:

In exchange for the free, 3-day workshop and materials, participants agree to become COVERTS
COOPERATORS, sharing what they have learned with their communities.

Since 1994, 374 Coverts Cooperators (representing 337 properties) have attended Wisconsin’s 13 workshops. Cooperators own or are responsible for managing 320,000 acres (includes 165,000 acres of industrial forest) of Wisconsin woodlands. The Coverts Cooperators from the first 14 workshops have reached out to at least 7,100 other landowners in the state accounting for an additional estimated 275,000 acres in Wisconsin. The total land base impacted through 15 years of the program is estimated at almost 600,000 acres.

The individual CAN make a difference, and it's one of the most rewarding time investments you
can make.

                                
 

   Cooperators Agree to...

  • develop a sound woodland wildlife
    management plan for their land.

  • reach out to and motivate other woodland
    owners in their community, and be
    available to answer questions from them.

  • maintain for at least one year an up-to-
    date set of reference materials (provided
    free of charge by the Coverts Project).

 

                                

 

You CAN make a difference in your land’s wildlife abundance and diversity.

And it’s one of the most rewarding time investments you can make.

 
 

 

Comments From Wisconsin Landowners:

Since 1994, private landowners statewide have taken part in Coverts workshops.  How popular are the workshops?  Just take a look at some participants' comments taken right from participant evaluations.

  • "A great experience - I wish I had the benefit
    20 years ago."

  • "Thanks for a job well done!  I was very pleased with the program.  I didn't think that there were so many people who shared my enjoyment in woodland management.  Now I realize that we
    are a powerful group."  

  • "This is an excellent outreach program.  Private woodland owners must be involved and this
    program can provide the means."

 

 

                               

                               
  Additional Information:                                
 

When is The Wisconsin Coverts Project?

Held annually, usually the weekend before Labor day weekend in August from Thursday (starting at 4pm) through Sunday (ending at 12:00pm). 

                                
 

What does it cost?
Costs, including lodging and meals, are paid for by the program sponsors.

 

                               
 

Who can attend?

Any woodland owner or person responsible for managing a parcel of wooded land in Wisconsin is eligible to apply.  There is no minimum acreage requirement; we are most interested in persons with outreach
potential/influence in their community.

                                
 

Where is the Wisconsin Coverts Project held?

The program has been held at various locations in the past, but most recent workshops have been held at the University of Wisconsin’s Kemp Natural Resources Station in Woodruff, WI.

                               
  Located in Oneida County, Kemp’s 135 acres support some of the last old-growth forests
in the Lake states.  The station provides
opportunities for natural resources research, instruction and outreach amidst the lakes and
forests of northern WI. 		                               
  The boathouse serves as the indoor classroom with state-of-the-art equipment.                                
  Attendees stay in a lodge overlooking Lake
Tomahawk.  		                               
 

Click here for more information about Kemp Natural Resources Station