Rock River Basin June Update FINAL ISSUE(PDF)
Rock River Basin June 2017 Update and FINAL ISSUE
We will be discontinuing the Update after this issue. We sincerely thank our long-time volunteer and RRC Friend, Marie Rubietta, for her excellent service compiling these updates. Thanks also to Peggy Compton and the UW-Extension for helping to distribute these updates.
You can always find out about Rock River Coalition affiliated events at our website (rockrivercoalition.org) and Facebook page. The Rock River Coalition also has a paper newsletter that is mailed to our members and available from our website at: http://rockrivercoalition.org/archives/. To become a member of the Rock River Coalition, please visit http://rockrivercoalition.org/get-involved/membership/.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources emails a monthly update on the Rock River Recovery and basin events at the following location: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/tmdls/rockriver/ – click on the “Subscribe” button on the right side bar.
This Update will be posted at: http://rockrivercoalition.org/events/events-page/
You may also “Like” the Rock River Coalition on Facebook to keep up-to-date on activities.
Rock River Coalition (RRC) Events
June 12-18 Rock River Snapshot Initiative to Detect Aquatic Invasive Species: River Alliance, in partnership with the DNR, Rock River Coalition and Jefferson, Washington and Waukesha counties, will be hosting the first Rock River Snapshot Initiative to map out aquatic invasive species in the Rock River Basin. This multi-day event will give volunteers of all ages across the basin a chance to participate in one of several identification trainings. For information on training dates and locations, click on “events” at www.wisconsinrivers.org or contact Amanda Perdzock, aperdzock@wisconsinrivers.org.
Become A Stream Steward: Volunteer to Monitor Stream Health!
Looking for a way to take action to protect streams in the Rock River Basin? Become a citizen stream monitor with the Rock River Coalition (RRC). No prior skills are necessary. Only a few hours each month are required. From April to October, our citizen stream monitors collect data vital to understanding the health of our streams across the Rock River Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and various County Land and Water Conservation Departments will use the data to better understand watershed protection and restoration needs.
Sign up for a workshop today. At these workshops you will learn how to measure water clarity, stream temperature, dissolved oxygen, and how to assess stream health by examining aquatic insects. Equipment provided – just bring a towel, waders or wear shoes with toe protection that can be worn in the water. Pre-Registration Required. Spaces fill quickly so register today!
2017 Training Opportunities
Saturday, June 10, 2017 (9:30 am-3:00 pm)
Location: Marsh Haven Nature Center, Waupun
Facilitators: Nancy Sheehan, RRC Stream Monitoring Program Coordinator, Amanda Perdzock, AIS Program Director, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Jesse Weinzinger, Conservation Biologist, Mussel Monitoring Program, WDNR. This workshop will also feature mussel monitoring and aquatic invasive species monitoring.
For more information go to:
Rock River Coalition, Citizen Stream Monitoring:
http://rockrivercoalition.org/projects/citizen-stream-monitoring/
Water Action Volunteers Program:
http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/wav/monitoring/index.html
Waukesha County, Citizen Stream Monitoring Program: http://wiatri.net/cbm/whoswho/results.cfm?OrgID=191
New Online Live Interactive Map: Created by Andy Hoernemann of the Friends of Badfish Creek Watershed, this online interactive paddling map with popup windows offers detailed information about and photographs of numerous waypoints for entry and exit. View map at live site: www.tinyurl.com/badfishmap. Also, FBCW is creating an educational watershed poster to be posted in the Badfish Creek Wildlife Area kiosk at the Old Stage Road, DNR parking lot with a QR code to link paddlers to the map.
Natural Resource Calendar of Events
UW-Milwaukee Field Station Summer Courses: (Click here to register ) Workshop fee: $105. Available for 1.4 CEU. (Not offered for college credit)
June 12-17 – Vegetation of Wisconsin
June 16-17 – Sedges Identification and Ecology
July 14-15 – Wildlife Inventory and Monitoring,
July 28-29 – Aquatic Invertebrates
August 4-5 – Grasses: Identification and Ecology
Aug 18-19 – Aquatic Vascular Plants: Identification and Ecology
Jun 8 Wisconsin. Invasive Species Council Meeting: 9:30 am-3:00 pm. MacKenzie Center, Poynette, WI. (Badger Den Room). Hear presentation on predictive models of invasive species habitat across Wisconsin; receive committee reports and updates. Lunch at noon, followed by Annual Invader Crusader Awards ceremony, 1:00-3:00 pm.
Jun 8 Yahara Lakes 101 with Jake Vander Zanden and Mike Spear: 8:00-9:00am. The Edgewater, Madison, WI. + Google Map. What do invasive zebra mussels and spiny water flea mean for water quality in the Madison lakes? 608-535-8200, https://cleanlakesalliance.org/event/yahara-lakes-101-jake-vander-zanden-mike-spear/
Jun 11 Bark River Family Paddle: 9:30 am. Put-in is at Burnt Village Park (County Hwy N), #48, to take-out Fort Atkinson Public Launch (N. Water Street West), #65. Be unloaded and ready to shuttle vehicles by 8:45 am at put-in site. Please RSVP at friendsofgha@gmail.com. Paddle craft rental available from 2Rivers Bicycle & Outdoor at 920-563-2222. [see flyer.]
Jun 11 7th Annual Fools’ Flotilla: 9:30 am-12:00 noon. Yahara River, Madison, WI. Costume up yourselves; dress up your boat, your kids, and the dog too. Bring some instruments and play along with the floating bands! Prizes awarded for the most foolish of fools. No cost and no registration required. Details: www.wisconsinrivers.org/events/display/item/fools-flotilla
Jun 14-Aug 17 Prairie, Landscape, & Garden Tours at UW-Whitewater: Free, open to public. These are walking tours with low activity levels. Registration requested. Questions: Kari Borne, 262-472-1003 or bornek@uww.edu. Register: http://www.uww.edu/ce/garden. maps: http://www.uww.edu/campus/.
Jun 16-18 28th Annual Energy Fair: Midwest Renewable Energy Association, (MREA), Custer, WI. http://www.theenergyfair.org https://goo.gl/maps/a9G5GGASesP2
Jun 19-23 Pollinator Week at the Domes: 9:00 am-12:00 noon. Mitchell Park Conservatory, Milwaukee, WI. Celebrate pollinators with activities, hikes, stories, animal visits, tips, and food samples. Attend for regular admission during week in morning hours. Stop in any day. Free to Friends of the Domes members. https://milwaukeedomes.org/show-dome-exhibits
Jun 21 Tour North Cherokee with Conservation Resource Supervisor Paul Quinlan: 6:30–8:30 pm. Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, Madison. Walk through a cross-section of our largest and perhaps most famous conservation park, ranging from upland forest to wet prairie, to riverine marsh. Sponsored by Madison Parks. more details»
Jun 22-24 2017 Building a Land Ethic Conference – Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide: University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, Baraboo, WI. https://www.aldoleopold.org/post/conference-to-explore-urban-rural-divide/
Jun 23 Clean Water Association Healthy Lakes Conference: 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Oconomowoc Community Center. An opportunity for lake residents, associations and water lovers to hear about effective work being done to improve our lakes. $15 in advance or $20 day of event. http://www.cleanwaterassociation.com/healthy-lakes-conference 608-279-2732.
Jun 23 NASECA – Equations for Success: Holistic Approaches to Stormwater Management & Conservation and Leveraging Green Infrastructure: 8:00 am-3:15 pm. La Crosse, WI. (Breakfast & registration begins at 8 am). Lunch and transportation provided. Registration: $99 (includes breakfast, lunch, 5 CE/PDH, and learning materials) Agenda/Map and registration form
Jun 24 Butterflies of Cherokee Marsh: 10:00 am-12:00 noon. Cherokee Marsh, North Unit, 6098 N. Sherman Ave., Madison. Observe a variety of butterflies as they take nectar from wildflowers and learn about their identification, behavior and lifestyle. Bring binoculars if you have them. Wear long pants and hat. http://madisonaudubon.org/field-trips/2017/6/24/butterflies-of-cherokee-marsh
Jul 14-15 Olbrich’s 2017 Home Garden Tour: 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Features 7 enviable eastside neighborhood gardens. Talk with homeowners, landscape architects, and Master Gardeners to get tips on how to incorporate various garden techniques in home landscapes. Tickets available at Olbrich’s Growing Gifts Shop. http://www.olbrich.org/events/homegardentour.cfm
Jul 16 Aztalan Day Tour: 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Aztalan State Park. The Town of Aztalan Museum and School will be open, with a Friends of Aztalan table on the grounds. Tours are free but a state park sticker will be needed for vehicles. http://www.orgsites.com/wi/aztalan/
Jul 22 Archery Jamboree: 8:00 am. MacKenzie Center, Poynette, WI. Hosted by Friends of MacKenzie, this family-oriented archery event will include an adult and youth competition, food booths, archery displays, and many other archery related activities. MacKenzie Center.
Jul 30-Aug 2 Conservation Connections & Creating Pathways to Sustainability: Soil & Water Conservation Society 72nd International Annual Conference, Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, WI. Conference Registration is now open.
http://www.swcs.org/en/conferences/2017_annual_conference/
Aug 26 2017 Wisconsin Bat Festival: 9am-5pm and 7pm-9pm. Mitchell Domes, Milwaukee, WI. Activities for children, families, educators and conservation professionals everywhere, while eliminating misinformation that has created needless fears of bats. 7pm-9pm Science Night, watch bats emerge at sunset: https://milwaukeedomes.org/show-dome-exhibits
Grants/Awards/Contests (K-12 entries are in the K-12 section below)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking applications from Wisconsin landowners for its premiere wetland restoration program, the Wetlands Reserve Easement (WRE). Applications are accepted year-round for funding. Contact your local USDA NRCS Service Center for more information, visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov or 608-662-4422 ext. 252, greg.kidd@wi.usda.gov.
K-12 Teachers and Students
Receive a free copy of Teaching in Nature’s Classroom: Core Principles of Garden-Based Education. Thanks to generous support from the Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, paperback and ebook editions are available for free to educators. http://www.teachinginnaturesclassroom.org/
Hoo’s Woods Raptor Education Program: Mission is to rescue and rehabilitate birds of prey, and to inform and educate in schools, scouts, community organizations and general public regarding wildlife and habitat. More information: https://www.facebook.com/HoosWoodsRaptorCenter
Fishing Wisconsin: Places to take kids fishing: Find your favorite fishing spot. This kid-friendly spot list was prepared by local Dept. of Natural Resources fish biologists: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/anglereducation/takekidsfishing.html
The Water Cycle: The NRCS water cycle poster is back by popular demand.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/water/?cid=stelprdb1046868
Jun 10 Breeding Birds of Zeloski Marsh: Adventure for kids by Wisconsin Young Birders Club. 6:30-9:30 am. Zeloski Marsh, East Parking lot, W8825 Alley Rd, Lake Mills, WI. (View Map) Free, open to kids ages 10-18 and their chaperones. Bring plenty of water; snacks will be provided! Must RSVP. Send yours to: wisconsinyoungbirdersclub@gmail.com
Latino Earth Partnership Summer Institute: An initiative to engage educators in ecological restoration and water stewardship rooted in Latino cultural knowledge and community. Institute will allow educators to deepen their knowledge and connect with other educators. Spanish and non-Spanish speakers of all backgrounds are welcome! Find out more.
June 15–16, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Urban Ecology Center, Menomonee Valley
June 27–28, Madison, Wisconsin: UW–Madison Arboretum Visitor Center
Jun 26-29 or July 17-20 Intro to Field Investigations- Summer Teacher Workshop: For 4th-8th grade teachers. $180/person. Includes meals, lodging, linens, resources and instruction. Space limited. More information: 745-479-6456, ext.232 or register on line: http://www.treesfortomorrow.com/programs/adults
Publications
Still Feeling the Burn: Author: David J. Eagan. A wild parsnip warrior revisits the nasty invasive, just in time for its warm-weather return. http://dnr.wi.gov/wnrmag/2017/06/Burn.PDF
Visit a Wetland: An introduction to 100 special wetland spots in Wisconsin are highlighted with a guide to each place. https://wisconsinwetlands.org/learn/about-wetlands/explore/
Solar Energy Financing Guide: Empowering Wisconsin Local Governments: Local governments and tribal nations have an opportunity to save money and create jobs by joining the growing renewable energy economy, according to a new publication from the UW-Extension, by author, Sherrie Gruder. http://erc.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/14/files/2017/04/SolarEnergyFinancing.pdf
Wisconsin amphibian and reptile field guides: Bring these little field guides on your next outdoor adventure to identify any frog, snake or turtle you may see along the way. All proceeds from sales of these field guides goes to reprinting them and to educational materials. Order your field guides today
Websites
Blue Sky Science: What is water scarcity, and how do our daily habits contribute to it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KNTD2pL9Ks
ATV course requirements: Anyone who operates an ATV on public riding areas – e.g. trails, frozen waters, routes, permitted county and/or forest lands – who is at least age 12 years of age and who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must have completed a safety certification course. http://www.atvcourse.com/usa/wisconsin/
Oak wilt in Wisconsin: Oak wilt is widespread in southern Wisconsin but in much of northern Wisconsin it is still a new and uncommon disease. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestHealth/OakWilt.html
Do you know what is hiding in your woods? First and foremost, DO NOT BRING FIREWOOD from your home to your cabin in the woods. http://woodlandinfo.org/content/do-you-know-whats-hiding-your-woods
Gypsy Moth Aerial Spraying: Western and central Wisconsin counties are scheduled to be treated for gypsy moth May-August. Sign up to receive e-mail notifications about treatment plans at http://gypsymoth.wi.gov or toll-free Gypsy Moth Information Line, 1-800-642-6684. Press option 1 for updates.
Reduce Your Water Footprint: The rainwater that falls from your roof after a storm could play an important role
in protecting our country’s rivers and streams. Learn how to reduce your water footprint with a rain barrel. https://www.rivernetwork.org/get-involved/reduce-your-water-footprint/
Employment Opportunities
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Radio Programmer. Job Announcement Code(s): 17-01333. Dane County. Full Time/40 hrs/week. Contact: Julie Jaksa, HR Specialist Senior, 608-266-0520, Julie.Jaksa@wisconsin.gov. Deadline to apply: June 12, 2017. Preview Assessment
Miscellaneous
New Watershed Exhibit at Henry Vilas Zoo: The new attraction is an interactive watershed model that lets children explore and create their own landscapes and water flows. The watershed model is located in the Discovery Center and is sure to provide a fun and educational experience. http://www.lakewingra.org/new-watershed-exhibit-henry-vilas-zoo
New DNR Proposed Program Guidance Available for Public Comment: The new draft guidance “Forest Tax Law Handbook”, concerning forest management is now available for review and comment on the Proposed DNR Program Guidance webpage. It is open for comment until June 30, 2017. Send comments to: Amanda.Swearingen@Wisconsin.gov
Aquatic Plant Management: In order to protect diverse and stable communities of native aquatic plants and prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants, please contact your local aquatic plant management coordinator before engaging in any aquatic plant management or nuisance control activities as a permit may be required. http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/plants/
River Network’s 8th Annual National Rain Barrel Program will continue through June 2017 to provide free supplies and guidance to allow member groups from around the U.S. to bring the benefits of stormwater conservation into their communities. Interested individuals should check for rain barrel construction events planned nearby, and follow the River Network on Facebook for forthcoming announcements.
Organizations with Frequent Program Offerings:
Aldo Leopold Foundation, Baraboo, www.aldoleopold.org
Clean Lakes Alliance, www.cleanlakesalliance.com
Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Madison, www.CherokeeMarsh.org
Horicon Marsh International Education Center, www.horiconmarsh.org
Madison Audubon Society, Inc., www.madisonaudubon.org
Midwest Renewable Energy Association, www.the-mrea.org
Niagara Escarpment Resource Network, www.escarpmentnetwork.org
Riveredge Nature Center, Newburg, www.riveredge.us
The Prairie Enthusiasts, www.ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org
Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee, www.urbanecologycenter.org
UW Madison Arboretum, www.uwarboretum.org
Woodland Landowner Information Education, http://woodlandinfo.org/
Woodland School, http://www.aldoleopold.org/WoodlandSchool/
Wisconsin Ground Water Association www.wgwa.org/
Wisconsin Wetlands Association, www.wisconsinwetlands.org/
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This list was compiled by Marie Rubietta, UW-Extension Jefferson County, marier@jeffersoncountywi.gov and edited by Peggy Compton, Regional Natural Resources Educator, UW-Extension, peggy.compton@ces.uwex.edu, 608-342-1633.
For general information or to subscribe: https://lists.uwex.edu/mailman/listinfo/rock-river-basin-update. University of Wisconsin, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties cooperating. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and American with Disabilities (ADA) requirements.