About Extension Lakes

Our Lakes, Our Responsibility

Through our diverse outreach and education, we provide resources, training, and support to thousands of people interested in lakes, including waterfront property owners, scientists, water management specialists, educators, students, and the general public.

Extension Lakes Staff (L to R):
Amy Kowalski, Paul Skawinski, Erin McFarlane, Evan (Paul) Zdroik, Sara Windjue

six smiling Extension Lakes staff members in front of a lake

Statewide Programs and Networking

We coordinate and provide statewide support and resources for several Wisconsin programs and networking opportunities that play an important role in protecting and preserving our shared waters. These include: Wisconsin’s Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN), Clean Boats, Clean Waters Watercraft Inspection Program, the Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute, Healthy Lakes & Rivers, and the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership Convention. Learn more by clicking through the arrows below.

Clean Boats, Clean Waters

Watercraft Inspection Program

Take action and help prevent and contain aquatic invasive species. 

Learn More about CBCW

Citizen Lake Monitoring Network

Collect and share high-quality lake monitoring data to inform lake management.

Learn More about CLMN

Lake Leaders Institute

Enhance Wisconsin’s lake resources through leadership, training, and civic engagement.

Learn more about Lake Leaders

Lake Tides & Lake Ripples

Stay up-to-date on lake events and research, learn fun facts, and get inspired with ways to protect and preserve our shared waters.

Healthy Lakes & Rivers

Five simple and inexpensive best practices that improve habitat and water quality on your shoreland property.

Learn more about Healthy Lakes & Rivers

Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention

A statewide educational gathering that brings together respected experts, grassroots organizers, and passionate water advocates.

Search our Convention Collection

History

1974 marked the beginning of a formal partnership between the state, the university, and local lake groups; today this is referred to as the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership. That year, the legislature passed a law enabling lakes to form lake districts, new units of government that focus on inland lakes. State grants were shared with the new districts to study, plan, and carry out lake management efforts.

That same year, Extension Lakes began statewide programming and outreach regarding lake district law. Today, our role has expanded to not only assist lake groups, but also inform the general public.

 

Wisconsin’s Public Trust Doctrine

In 1848, the public trust doctrine was enshrined in Article IX, Section 1 of the Wisconsin Constitution, which states that navigable waters remain “common highways and forever free.” This doctrine requires that the navigable waters of the state be held in trust for all state residents and U.S. citizens. The public trust doctrine arises from language drafted as part of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and was incorporated verbatim into the Wisconsin Constitution in 1848. Read more in The Wisconsin Lawyer, a publication of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Sept. 2022

Meet the Staff

Profile Photo: Amy Kowalski

Amy Kowalski

  • Communications Specialist
  • Extension Lakes
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203 Trainer Natural Resources
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Profile Photo: Erin McFarlane

Erin McFarlane

  • Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator
  • Extension Lakes
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212 Trainer Natural Resources
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Profile Photo: Paul (Evan) Zdroik

Paul (Evan) Zdroik

  • Database User Support Specialist
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Profile Photo: Paul Skawinski

Paul Skawinski

  • Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Educator
  • Extension Lakes
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231 Trainer Natural Resources
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Profile Photo: Sara Windjue

Sara Windjue

  • Interim Director
  • Leadership Capacity Development Specialist
212 Trainer Natural Resources
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A minimalist black-and-white line-art logo in the shape of the state of Wisconsin featuring a large circular sun above a layered landscape with water reflections, a silhouetted person paddling a canoe, a heron, and tree line along the shore. The design uses thin white contour lines on a black background, creating a calm, nature-inspired scene with a modern, artistic style.

Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership

What, or rather WHO, is the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership? We all are!

Wisconsin has an incredible team working for the continued well-being of our lakes and rivers. With 15,000+ lakes and over 84,000 river miles connected to millions of wetland acres, no one entity can do the job alone. The Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership joins science, education, and people working together to care for our waters. Since its genesis in the early 1970s, this partnership has been recognized as a national model of collaboration. The Partnership has three core partners: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Extension Lakes, and Wisconsin Lakes.

The Partnership is a statewide, multi-faceted effort that reaches far beyond the core groups to include regional, county, Tribal, non-profit, and federal partners. Our goal is to continue to protect and preserve our shared water legacy and support those meeting the challenges that come with the management and stewardship of Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers. Want to be involved in Partnership opportunities? Contact Extension Lakes at lakes@uwsp.edu​ or 715-346-2116.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

SCIENCE/REGULATION

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is state government agency that supplies the scientific research, technical expertise, and regulatory authority for our waters.

Visit the DNR Lakes page
Extension Lakes

EDUCATION/OUTREACH

The Extension Lakes team, housed in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, connects stakeholders and provides supporting educational materials and programs.

Go back to Extension Lakes Home
Wisconsin Lakes

ADVOCACY/POLICY

Wisconsin Lakes (a.k.a. Wisconsin Association of Lakes) is the statewide, non-governmental association that mobilizes Wisconsinites to be advocates for our waters.

Visit the Wisconsin Lakes website

Extension Lakes
College of Natural Resouces, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
800 Reserve St. Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897
Phone: 715-346-2116
Direct comments to lakes@uwsp.edu