WOCA 2026 Meeting Agenda

2026 Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association Annual Meeting
Trees For Tomorrow Conference Center, Eagle River, Wis.

Friday, July 31

5 to 6:55 p.m.: Dinner and Social at Trees for Tomorrow. The meal will feature grilled “fireman’s corn,” and brats and/or hamburgers/cheeseburgers. Location: Outside the dining hall.

Evening Sessions. Location: Trees for Tomorrow main classroom/conference center.

  • 7 to 8 p.m.: A Few Minutes with the WWF’s New Executive Director
    Featuring Cody Kamrowski, Executive Director, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.
  • 8 to 9 p.m.: The Origins and Lifestyles of American Martens on the Apostle Islands
    Featuring Julie Olson, Biologist.

Saturday, Aug. 1

7 to 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast

7:35 to 7:45 a.m.: Welcome to Trees for Tomorrow, Cheryl Todea, Executive Director.

7:50 to 8:50 a.m.: A Look at Modern Airguns
Featuring Dan Small, Outdoor Wisconsin Legend

8:55 to 9:55 a.m.: The Research Behind Trap Standards and Trapping BMPs
Featuring John Olson, Retired DNR Furbearer biologist.

Break

10 to 11:30 a.m.: Finding & Documenting Lake Mendota’s Ancient Dugout Canoes
Featuring Professor Sissel Schroeder, Professor of Anthropology at UW-Madison.

11:35 a.m. to 12:10: Silent Auction Closes, Prizes Awarded; Group Photo at Education Center entrance

12:15 to 12:55 p.m.: Lunch Break

1 to 2 p.m.: The Joys and Challenges of Access Ability Wisconsin
Featuring Monica & Steve Spaeni: Monica is AAW’s president and founder, and Steve is AAW’s director of operations and a Board member.

2:05 to 3:05 p.m.: The Issues that Trouble Wisconsin’s Conservation Wardens
Featuring Ben Gruber, Union President, Wisconsin Conservation Wardens.

3:10 to 4:40 p.m.: Is the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation Obsolete?
Featuring Bryan Richards, Former biologist with USGS and director of the CWD Alliance.

Break (and/or “Rain Date” for group photo session)

4:45 p.m.: WOCA Business Meeting

  • Review of WOCA 2025 minutes, WOCA budget and finances; Room/conference rates, Laurel Steffes.
  • Donations for 2025-2026, Scholarship Program update: Laurel Steffes, Art Barlow.
  • Elect/appoint WOCA officers and BOD representatives.
  • Dates for next year’s WOCA conference at Trees For Tomorrow: July/August?

5 to 5:30 p.m.: WOCA raffle and door prizes

5:30 p.m. Adjourn.

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