Outstanding Koshkonong Creek Watershed Program Held in Cambridge

The rain did not affect the attendance of an educational and recreational program about the Koshkonong Creek held at the Amundson Community Center in Cambridge on Sunday, April 26th,2009.  The event explored all aspects of the creek located in eastern Dane and western Jefferson counties.  This was the Rock River Coalition's first event highlighting the uniqueness of a local watershed.  Almost 70 people from all over the Rock River Basin attended the event – participants came from Cambridge, Edgerton, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Madison, Watertown, Lake Mills, and Whitewater.

The event began with presentations by resource professionals looking at the undiscovered treasures of the creek - history, ecology, and immerging issues.  Richard Moen discussed the history of the Koshkonong Creek, Craig Kopacek from the DNR discussed common and uncommon wildlife in the watershed, Laura MacFarland of the River Alliance of Wisconsin talked about invasive species, Dave Johnson from the DNR told participants about local groundwater concerns, Paul Garrison of the DNR discussed the surface water, Mary Linton of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association addressed immerging watershed issues and Lori Leonard of NRCS wrapped up the presentations with information on available conservation programs for landowners.  Mrs. Steven’s fifth grade class from Cambridge Elementary presented their studies on the Koshkonong Creek.

Participants explored informational booths from area organizations including Friends of Cam-Rock Park, Jefferson County Parks & DNR regarding the Glacial Heritage Area, Lake Koshkonong Wetland Association, Wisconsin Wetland Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rock River Coalition, River Alliance of Wisconsin, Jefferson County Bike Club, Sustain Dane, and the Cambridge fifth grade creek project.  Well water testing kits were provided by the Madison/Dane County Public Health Department.

Following the activities, participants braved the rain to explore the watershed on various fieldtrips. Nolan Kollath led a birding trip in Zeloski Marsh.  Suzanne Wade, UW-Extension Rock River Basin Educator, took participants on a tour of local raingardens and native shorelines.  The Cambridge/Oakland Wastewater treatment plant opened their doors for a guided tour.  Penny Shackelford of the Lake Koshkonong Wetlands Association led a field trip to the Lake Koshkonong flood plain forest.

After the fieldtrips, everyone gathered at the Amundson Community Center for dinner and door prizes.  Dinner was donated by Heather’s Bar and Grill of Rockdale, Subway of Cambridge, and the Friends of Cam-Rock Park.  Door prizes included a framed painting from the Koshkonong Galleries, gift certificates from Chris’ Curve Café, Dane County trail passes, Jefferson County dog park passes, Friends of Cam-Rock Park t-shirts, Rock River Coalition t-shirt, Tyranena Brewing Company bandanas, hat and t-shirt, Ripley Bakery and Eatery coupons and a painted feather.  Thank you to all of the local businesses for supporting this event!  Thank you to the event sponsors: The Friends of Cam-Rock Park, UW-Extension Rock River Basin, and the Rock River Coalition.

Keep your eyes peeled because the Rock River Coalition plans to hold similar events on other watersheds in the Rock River Basin.