Hear how eight high school students gave up a week of their summer to study atrazine in lakes.  This is a powerful example of how young people can positively impact their environment "now" and not have to wait until society considers them “adults”.  Learn how these students tested 32 lakes in Dane and Jefferson Counties and found residues of atrazine still entering lakes, despite state restrictions on its use since 1995.  Prior to this study, little testing of atrazine in Wisconsin surface waters had been completed. 

Presenters:  Cambridge High School Environmental Club Students

Lakeshores are one of the most diverse and important habitats when it comes to wildlife use.  Our presence on the lakeshore, and our propensity to modify the lakeshore, can dramatically impact wildlife use.  In this presentation we’ll review the creatures that depend on the lakeshore, learn about the importance of suitable wildlife habitat, and discuss the contribution of wildlife to the overall quality of our lakes.  We’ll delve into ways to protect, enhance, and restore lakeshore habitat for wildlife and even discuss ways to address wildlife when it becomes a nuisance to us.  Join us for this lively discussion on the “wild side” of lake living!

Presenter: Scott Craven, UW-Extension

Identifying the economic value of natural resources is often a difficult endeavor.  Techniques that work well to determine the economic value of a new business, airport, or university often fall short when dealing with natural resources.  In this presentation we’ll examine ways to put an economic value on our natural resources, discuss shortcomings with different techniques and provide examples of ways techniques have been used by others.

This presentation will provide the conceptual underpinnings of measures commonly used for resource valuation and illustrate results from their application to environmental resources in Wisconsin and elsewhere.  The focus will be upon understanding the usefulness of such results in resource management, decision-making processes.  Connecting the economic value of natural resource activities to decision-making gives communities a tool to use when evaluating their future.

Presenters: John Stoll, UW-Green Bay, and Catherine Neiswender, Winnebago County UW-Extension

Water levels are managed in many Wisconsin lakes, often for hydroelectric power or other activities.  Learn about observed changes to aquatic plant communities when winter drawdowns were discontinued in two major impoundments on the Chippewa River in Chippewa County.  This session will cover the importance of having a comparison of aquatic plant communities when making management decisions for invasive and rare species, and how aquatic plant information will aid managers in future re-licensing permits for hydroelectric dams.

Presenter: Jo Heuschele, Beaver Creek Reserve Citizen Science Center