Robert Korth, lake management extension specialist in the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources, has received a $64,500 grant amendment from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to expand the UW-Extension Lakes Program.

The program trains and supplies citizen volunteers throughout the state to help monitor the ecological health of Wisconsin lakes by collecting data and distributing information. The program focuses on educating and organizing individuals and lake associations about the growing need to watchdog our valued lake and shoreline resources.

The amendment is an addition to an original grant of $454,000 received in 2005. The additional money will be used to purchase further lake monitoring equipment for the program and to fund Sandra Wickman as a purchasing specialist. She will assist in finding the best prices and equipment for the monitoring process. Wickman also will ensure that the new equipment arrives in the right places at the proper times to supply the approximately 1,300 citizen volunteers involved in the program.

For more information on the many lake and shoreline initiatives at UWSP e-mail uwexlakes@uwsp.edu or visit the DNR Web site at www.dnr.wi.gov/invasives.

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