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Thursday
Concurrent Session 4
40 minutes

April 6, 2017 ~ 2:35-3:15 pm

Agenda subject to change.

Mindful Management of Aquatic Invasive Species - Thursday, 2:35-3:15 pm

How Are We Attempting to Control Invasives in the Marketplace?

Aside from accidentally, how are invasive species entering Wisconsin? Many are sold in pet shops, nurseries, the internet, and even on social media like Facebook. Unfortunately, the buyers and sellers of these products are often not aware of Wisconsin’s NR 40 Rule. Efforts are underway to reach out to these various markets. This presentation will discuss the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s actions to suppress the presence of invasive species in the marketplace; aka organisms in trade (OIT).
 
Presenter:      
Mary Bartkowiak, Invasive Species Outreach Coordinator, WI Department of Natural Resources

 

A Network for Prevention: Expanding Resources for Rehoming Exotic Pets

The release of unwanted exotic pets into the environment is a pathway of concern for new invasive species. The Habitattitude Rehoming Network was created for Green Bay and the Fox Cities to serve as a rehoming resource for pet owners that have unwanted pets and no other options for rehoming. The Network plans to create outreach materials and partner with additional exotic animal rescues to fill the needs identified in a 2016 survey of pet stores and animal rescues. Providing a convenient alternative to release and educating pet owners about area rehoming resources will reduce the frequency of release of unwanted exotic pets and protect our waters from new invasive species.
 
Presenter:       
Korin Doering, Winnebago Waterways Program Coordinator, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

 

Bringing Policy Makers to the Watertable - Thursday, 2:35-3:15 pm

The Feds in Wisconsin: The Crucial Role of the U.S. Government in AIS Prevention and Control

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have captured the attention of everyone that uses water for fun or business. The Federal government has been instrumental in bringing AIS to the United States and has been instrumental in their control and prevention as well. What Federal agencies are involved in the AIS issue, and what role do they play in Wisconsin's struggle to prevent their arrival or contain and control their impact? From financial contributions, to policies and regulations, the Federal government is a partner against AIS.
 
Presenter: 
Robert Wakeman, Statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, WI Department of Natural Resources


Citizens Minding Our Waters - Thursday, 2:35-3:15 pm

Kangaroo Lake Preservation and Restoration

Our presenter learned about “Fish Sticks” at the Partnership Conference four years ago. See how the Kangaroo Lake Association (KLA) received a small planning grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), which initiated a Fish Sticks program, as well as a bulrush restoration program, in their shallow, healthy, 1,122 acre lake near Baileys Harbor, Door County. In 3 years, they placed 65 trees (35’-50’) harvested from The Nature Conservancy land. Communication with volunteers, members, hosts, and the media educated landowners and the public about the value of “wood in the water." This past year, the KLA received a WDNR Regional Partnership Award for KLA’s 20+ year history of partnering and working collaboratively to study and improve the water quality, plant life, and fishing.
 
Presenter: 
Tom Schneider, President, Kangaroo Lake Association in Door County

 

A Citizen-led Success Story to Improve Water Quality and Battle AIS

Over multiple decades, the English Lake District in Manitowoc County has successfully dealt with a discharging barnyard, agricultural drain tiles, eroding steep cropland and winter application of animal waste in their lake's small watershed. Most recently, a herbicide resistant hybridized Eurasian watermilfoil is being battled with numerous herbicide and mechanical treatments. Through multiple lake planning grants and a persistent volunteer, the watershed has been able to implement a number of abatement practices in the watershed. Tom will share the methods to this success.
 
Presenter: 
Tom Ward, Invasive Species Coordinator, Manitowoc County Lakes Association

 

Mindful Connections: Rivers, Lakes, Groundwater and Watersheds - Thursday, 2:35-3:15 pm

Water Quality Models to Support Watershed Planning

Nonpoint implementation efforts in lake watersheds must be efficiently planned to best utilize the staff and financial resources of watershed managers. The planning process involves locating sources of nonpoint pollution, determining appropriate BMPs, and calculating the resulting load reductions. This session will describe how the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' (WDNR) PRESTO-Pollutant Load Ratio Estimation Tool, the WDNR’s EVAAL-Erosion Vulnerability Assessment for Agricultural Lands, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's STEPL-Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Load can assist watershed managers in this planning process.
 
Presenter: 
Theresa Nelson, Water Resource Engineer, WI Department of Natural Resources

Water on Our Minds: Social and Psychological Connections to Water - Thursday, 2:35-3:15 pm

Water is Life

Students at Point of Discovery School have been studying water sustainability, fresh water management, and the significance of water "Then and Now" in Stevens Point. Several students will share their findings with the community through art, poetry, charts, reports, and essays. This session will share the process and outcomes.
 
Presenter: 
Cathy Barbier, Language Arts Teacher, Point of Discovery School, Stevens Point, WI
 

Minding the Science of Water Research - Thursday, 2:35-3:15 pm

Monitoring Lake Shore Habitat: Why Do It and How to Use the Results!

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources developed a consistent, statewide protocol for monitoring the health of near shore lake habitat. This session will provide an overview of the protocol and discuss the goals of habitat monitoring and the basic elements of a healthy shoreline. Green Lake County will then present their habitat survey results from a variety of lakes and share how they plan to use this information for lake management.
 
Presenter: 
Katie Hein, Water Resources Management Specialist, WI Department of Natural Resources

Presentations:
 

Psychological Barriers and Unintended Consequences in Outreach Campaigns Promoting Natural Shorelines with Property Owners

Despite the benefits of natural shorelines to lake health, encouraging property owners to modify their landscaping practices can be challenging.  This session will describe social science research that revealed some challenges and potentially unintended consequences of these outreach programs and will offer recommendations about how to communicate more effectively with lakeshore property owners.
 
Presenter: 
Bret Shaw, Professor in the Department of Life Sciences Communication, UW-Madison and Environmental Communication Specialist, UW-Extension

     

 
 
 
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