Skip to main content
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point > CNR Associated Programs > Extension Lakes > UWSP | UW Extension Lakes - Programs - Convention - 2018 - Concurrent Session 7

Friday Concurrent Session 7
50 minutes

April 20, 2018 ~ 10:45-11:35 am

Your Lakes Convention will offer over 50 concurrent session options. Click here to view the different themes.

Agenda subject to change.

Aquatic Invasive Species - Friday, 10:45-11:35 am

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Restoration:

*Two 25 minute presentations.

Removal of Phragmites and Restoration with Native Plants at UW-Stevens Point

A half-acre area of dense Phragmites in Schmeeckle Reserve on the UW-Stevens Point campus was treated twice with Imazapyr, and remaining live plants were removed by hand. Three small ponds/depressions within the site were given separate treatment strategies. Seedbank analysis showed very few desirable species within the Phragmites stand, so native species were introduced via plugs and seeds in 2016. Native plant introduction was crucial to the success of this project. A July 2017 floristic inventory showed 85 species growing in the area formerly dominated by Phragmites.
 
Presenter: 
Paul Skawinski, Statewide Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Coordinator, UW-Extension Lakes

PRESENTATION:

Restoring the Ecological Landscapes of “High Profile” AIS Sites in Oneida County

Join the Oneida County AIS Team as they share their integrated management approach to control and eradicate two “high profile” AIS sites: Yellow Iris along the shoreline at Rhinelander’s Boom Lake boat landing and a 0.05-acre Phragmites site located at the bottom of a highway drainage ditch. But wait, there’s more! The AIS Team rehabilitated and restored both of the AIS-degraded sites using local native seeds they collected and germinated. The Team will explain why observing both sites' ecological health and complexities served as an indicator for developing a successful management and restoration plan, engaging school groups and volunteers in restoration efforts, and their plan to provide long-term management.
 
Presenters:
Stephanie Boismenue, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, Oneida Co. WI
Thomas Boisvert, Aquatic Invasive Species Project Assistant, Oneida Co. WI

PRESENTATION:

Ecology - Friday, 10:45-11:35 am

Restorative Ecology:

*Two 25 minute presentations.

Recovery of Bald Eagles and Ospreys in Wisconsin

The recovery of Bald Eagles and Ospreys has been a 50+ year effort by many people, agencies, and organizations in Wisconsin. Both species were placed on the endangered species list in 1972, with bald eagles coming off in 2007 and ospreys in 2009. Statewide surveys to monitor abundance and distribution of nesting bald eagles found 1,590 active nests in 2017. Similar surveys for ospreys completed in 2016 found 558 active nests. Much of the work to recover both species occurred when they were receiving extra protections while listed, but now that they have been delisted and recovered, is the work done? This presentation will explore the timelines, work completed, and on-going conservation efforts occurring to keep these majestic species abundant and successful inhabitants of our lake and river habitats across the state.
 
Presenter: 
Jim Woodford, Program Manager, DNR Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation

PRESENTATION:

Trumpeter Swan Population Recovery

Learn about the history and development of Wisconsin’s Trumpeter Swan Recovery Program, and lessons the program has learned along the way. Walk away with 3 action steps: 1) Visualize a goal and develop strategies to achieve it; 2) Be patient and persistent; and 3) Develop a dependable network of collaborators to support and engage the project.
 
Presenter:
Sumner Matteson, Biologist and Avian Ecologist, WI Department of Natural Resources

PRESENTATION:

People, Policy & Politics - Friday, 10:45-11:35 am

Economic/Water Law:

Shoreland Management

How do we manage shorelands and floodplains to protect lakes at the local level? How can people get involved in local government to protect our lakes over the long term and our waterfront property values? In this session we’ll share stories about how zoning developed, and the value that it brings to our lakes today. We’ll talk about ways “lake people” can spread the word about the benefits of keeping our lakeshores healthy.
 
Presenters: 
Lynn Markham, Center for Land Use Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 
Kay Lutze, Water Regulations and Zoning Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Research - Friday, 10:45-11:35 am

Citizen Data:

*Two 25 minute presentations.

Waters at Risk: Citizen Action, Public Health, and Science combine to confront the glacial pace of meaningful changes in a Central Sands County

The Central Sands Region, including Portage County, represents a suite of soils susceptible to groundwater contamination, now experiencing unprecedented agribusiness land use changes heavily dependent on the use and discharge of groundwater and nutrient sources. Regulation of both unchecked extraction rates and the influx of a myriad of ag-related compounds to local aquifers is inadequate or non-existent. Recognition of the negative public health impacts, decreased land values, and change in rural land uses and character has recently galvanized citizen action groups across the state. 
Our presentation outlines the efforts of one county’s residents to examine the broad issues associated with contaminated groundwater and implement local enforcement standards designed to benefit all stakeholders within the county, equitably sharing the costs and responsibilities for maintaining this shared and vital resource. Citizen groundwater monitoring data, combined with that from publicly accessible water sources has been the primary source of information that has been used to understand the magnitude and long-term groundwater quality trends in the county.
 
Presenters all speaking as citizen volunteers not on the basis of their professional organizations: 
Pete Arntsen, Senior Hydrologist, Sand Creek Consultants 
Ray Reser, Geoscientist, UW-Stevens Point Museum of Natural History
Anne Abbott, Professor Emeritus Health Promotion and Wellness, UW-Stevens Point

PRESENTATION:

Sources and Fates of Nitrate, Phosphorus, E. Coli and Chloride that Impair the Kewaunee, Ahnapee and E. Twin River Watersheds

The proposed citizen-science study will examine the sources and fates of nitrate, phosphorus, E. Coli and chloride that impair the Kewaunee, Ahnapee and E. Twin River watersheds in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.  Results obtained over the past five years by Kewaunee CARES / WAV volunteers will be combined with recent data obtained by other researchers, and historic data, to improve understanding of the subject (and directly related) pollution impairments of the major rivers / watersheds that dominate Kewaunee County.  Finally, the presentation will address the importance of applied “citizen-science” studies of key water (and air) pollution problems that otherwise would not be monitored, quantified, understood, and reported for public consideration.
 
Presenter:
Gerald Pellett, Research Associate, Kewaunee CARES/WAV

PRESENTATION:

Restoration - Friday, 10:45-11:35 am 

Healthy Lakes with an Emphasis on Native Plantings

Wisconsin’s Healthy Lakes initiative launched in 2013 and continues to engage lakeshore property owners with simple projects like fish sticks, 350 ft2 native plantings, diversion and rock infiltration projects, and rain gardens. Native Plantings are the most popular choice amongst participants so we’ve made it easier for folks to understand how to mesh their property conditions with personal interests and choose from six native planting options. We will share a Healthy Lakes overview, and then dive into the new 350 ft2 Native Planting guidance, including site assessment, plant selection, and maintenance. Finally, a landscaping contractor will share his tips and tools when working with landowners on these projects.  
 
Please visit www.healthylakeswi.com to learn more about the statewide initiative.
 
Presenters: 
Pamela Toshner, Water Resource Management Specialist, WI Department of Natural Resources
Patrick Goggin, Lake Specialist, UW-Extension Lakes
Nick Homan, Owner, Lakescape Solutions, LLC.

PRESENTATION:

Watershed Connections/Water Quality - Friday, 10:45-11:35 am

Round Table Talks

Whether you were intrigued by something you heard in this Watershed Connections/Water Quality “stream” earlier today, or if you missed those sessions and want to find out more about these incredibly successful partnerships and projects, this session will be of interest to you! Join a small-group, “round-table” discussion of two topics (from the four listed below), as well as participate in full-group sharing and conversation around all four of these featured partnerships and topics. Bring your questions and your desire for interaction. 
Moderated by Ken Genskow and Peggy Compton, UW-Extension
Fox Demo Farms: Developing Outreach Strategies
Presenter: Whitney Passint, Outreach Coordinator 
Bringing Partners Together: Finding Common Ground
Presenters: Robert Bird and John Bohonek, Dodge County Land and Water Conservation Department 
Using Citizen-collected Data for Management and Decision Making
Tony Janisch, Executive Director, Superior Rivers Watershed Association 
Green Lake Association: Finding and Leveraging Funds to Meet Your Project Goals  
Charlie Marks, Administrator, Green Lake Sanitary District 
​​​​​​​
©1993- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point