Rock River Basin September 2015 Update The Rock River Update is a listing of events and other items of interest for people in and around the Rock River Basins of Wisconsin. The update is available online at the beginning of each month. Inclusion is not an endorsement of a program, publication or website.
Subscribe to this list at: https://lists.uwex.edu/mailman/listinfo/rock-river-basin-update. The Update will be posted at: http://rockrivercoalition.org/events/events-page/
Rock River Coalition (RRC) Events To receive informational flyers on RRC events, send an email to [email protected]
2015 Rock River Coalition and the Environmental Law Institute Wetland Webinar Series: Wetlands, Wildlife Habitat and Flood Hazards in the Rock River Basin. Sept 17, 3:00 pm: Roxanne Gray, Mitigation Sector Specialist with Wisconsin Emergency Management, will address the Rock River Inundation Mapping, the first to be completed in Wisconsin, and Ronald Flanagan, CFM, principal planner of Flanagan & Associates, LLC., will address Tulsa’s Innovative Floodplain Management program.
Oct 29, 3:00 pm: Kyle Magyera, Policy specialist for Wisconsin Wetlands Association, will present on Model Wetlands Ordinances for Citizens and Governing Bodies.
Nov 12, 3:00 pm: Rebecca Kihslinger, Science and Policy Analyst and colleagues from the University of North Carolina Institute for the Environment, Floodplain Acquisition Programs: Improving Community Resilience and Achieving Habitat Benefits, and How to engage local residents and vulnerable communities. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3115380803241876737?ct=t%282015_Series_Intro7_23_2015%29&mc_cid=7e 5d5065ec&mc_eid=e54267b363.
Sustainable Strategies 2015 – Webinars for Wisconsin’s Municipal Professionals: Noon-1:00 pm, third Thursday of each month. UW-Extension, WDNR, Town & Country RC&D and the Rock River Coalition invite you to register for this free webinar series designed to provide a forum where professionals from Wisconsin’s public, private and nonprofit sectors can highlight and share their work creating environmentally sustainable communities. Upcoming Water Star Webinars: Sept 17: Urban Phosphorus Loads- Identifying Sources and Evaluating Controls Oct 15: Lessons Learned the Hard Way – Achieving Sustainability in the Real World Nov 19: Life Cycle Analysis Dec 17: Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI)-Envision Assessment For more information and to register: http://waterstarwisconsin.org/
Sept 16 Rock River Board Meeting, 5:15-7:15 pm, Room 12 at UW Extension office, Jefferson, WI. Please confirm time and location prior to meeting.
‘Like’ the Rock River Coalition on Facebook to keep up-to-date on activities.
Natural Resource Calendar of Events
Sept 7 Pleasant Valley Conservancy Annual Labor Day Tour: 1:00-4:00 pm. Tour the 140 acre natural area in western Dane County, WI, near town of Vermont, containing prairie remnants, wetlands and extensive oak savannas. Trip leaders: Kathie & Tom Brock ([email protected] or 608-238-5050). Co-sponsored by Madison Audubon Society. Find more information here: http://www.theprairieenthusiasts.org/2015_Summer-Fall.pdf
2015 Field Trip Series Hosted by Wisconsin Wetland Association: Sept 10-11 Wild Rice Harvest Rhinelander Flowage- Designed for beginning harvesters, this tour will be led by wild rice expert, Peter David. Harvest activities will take place on high quality private wild rice beds. Tour limit: 10 participants.
Sept 17-18 Penokee Hills and Kakagon/Bad River Sloughs- A tour from the headwater wetlands of the Bad River in Penokee Island down to the wild river beds of the internationally recognized Kakagon/Bad River Sloughs estuary. $250/person. Includes most meals and materials. Lodging is not included. For reservations and trip agendas, call Wisconsin Wetlands Association: 608-250-9971.
Sept 11 Deadline for Call for Nominations for Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Gold Seal Awards: Cast your vote for your favorite state park, forest, or trail in this year’s contest categories. Winners will be honored with a Gold Seal Award at the Awards Banquet, Nov 14, 2015. Patty Loosen, [email protected] 608-264-8994.
Sept 12 Garden Education Seminar at Hoard Historical Museum: Herb Seminar – Lavender. 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. 401 Whitewater Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI. No admission fee. Co-presented by Jefferson County Master Gardeners. [email protected] or 920-563-7769.
Sept 12 Explore the Wild Lands of Cherokee Marsh: 9:00 am-Noon. Hike off trail through a large, diverse peat wetland to discover scenic sedge meadows, fens, and emergent marshes. Visit an oak savanna island undergoing restoration to benefit red-headed woodpeckers. $17/person. http://cherokeemarsh.org/#events
Sept 13 Birding at Zeloski Marsh: 9:00 am-Noon. Lake Mills Wildlife Area, Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County, WI (View Map) Led by: Brad Webb ([email protected] ) Free. Tour includes about 1.5 miles of walking to get good views of these birds. http://madisonaudubon.org/calendar/event/birding-at-zeloski-marsh1/
Sept 17 Land Use, Climate Change and Yahara Lakes Flooding: 7:00 pm. UW-Madison, Varsity Hall, Union South. Free, open to public. Presented by Ken Potter, Chair of the Water Resources Management program; Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, UW-Madison. http://www.nelson.wisc.edu/events/event.php?e=2462
Sept 20 Native by Design: Gardening for a Sustainable Future: 8:45 am – 4:30 pm. Using UW Arboretum's Native Plant Garden as an outdoor classroom, conference offers workshops, take-home tips, & living examples. Keynote: "Wild Gardening with Art and Purposefulness," Nancy Aten from Landscapes of Place, LLC. Registration required by Sept 10.
Sept 20 HKE MKE 2015: 8:00 am-1:00 pm. Urban Ecology Center, Riverside Park map 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee, WI. Enjoy a hike through scenic Milwaukee while supporting the Urban Ecology Center! Family-friendly and tailored to different abilities so everyone can participate. https://give.urbanecologycenter.org/milwaukee/events/hke-mke-2015/e53677
Sept 26 Celebrate Sturgeon Fest with Riveredge! 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Lakeshore State Park, downtown Milwaukee, WI. Sponsor and release your own lake sturgeon into Lake Michigan for $10 per sturgeon. A family event with children and adult activities, educational displays, and more! Food available for purchase. Visit our Sturgeon Fest webpage for more information.
Sept 27 Autumn Art on the Marsh 40th Year! Celebrate Fall – Celebrate Nature – Celebrate Art: 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Discher Park, Horicon, WI. More info.: [email protected]
Sept 27 Amazing Bumble Bees (Earth Partnership for Families Program): 12:30 – 3:00 pm. Learn about lifecycle and identification features of our native bumble bees and the important role they play in pollinating plants. This is a drop-in program in the Visitor Center. A naturalist-led hike will take place 1:30–2:30 pm. https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/
Sept 29 Chainsaw Class Level #1: 8:00 am–5:00 pm. Part 1 of 4 level series through Safety and Woods Working training program (SAWW). $135. Participants in Level 1 training spend time outside and in the classroom, practicing techniques to operate chainsaws safely, comfortably, and productively. http://riveredgenaturecenter.org/event/chainsaw-class-level-1/
Oct 3 Trail of the Ancient Hemlocks: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Guido-Rahr Sr. Tenderfoot Forest Reserve, Vilas County, WI. Naturalist and author, John Bates will lead you back in time to experience a rare 500-acre forest of ancient hemlocks and sugar maples. Registration required. $30 (children 12 and under free) Lunch provided. http://www.wisconsinrivers.org/events/display/item/ancient-hemlocks
Oct 3 Wisconsin Solar Tour: 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Homes and businesses around Wisconsin will open their doors to share strategies for energy-efficiency and renewable energy. Come and learn about solar, green building techniques and sustainable living ideas from the people who own, live in, or work in these homes and buildings.
Oct 10-11 Archeology Weekend: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Horicon Marsh International Education Center, N7725 Highway 28, Horicon, WI. A family event for all ages and is focused around the archeology, history, and pre-history of the Horicon Marsh and surrounding area. Admission is free. Activities held both outdoors and inside on both levels. Contact: 920-387-7893
Oct 10 38th Annual Monroe Street Festival: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Madison, WI. www.monroestreetfestival.com
Oct 12-13 Adaptive Planning: New Solutions for Changing Times: 2015 APA Wisconsin Upper Midwest Planning Conference. Monona Terrace, Madison, WI. Keynote Speaker: Chuck Marohn, PE, AICP – President, Strong Towns. http://wisconsinplanners.org/event/upper-midwest-apa-planning-conference-adaptive-planning-new-solutions-for- changing-times/
Oct 17 Chainsaw Safety Level 1 – Women Only: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. Leopold Center, Baraboo, WI (Limit of 10) Cost: $110 ($100/members) Course is certified through Safety and Woods Working (SAWW) training and is the first part in a 4-level series. Level 1 focuses on introducing participants to open face felling. 608-355-0279 www.aldoleopold.org
Oct 18 Trolley Tours: 1:00 pm. Univ. of WI Arboretum, Madison. Narrated 45–minute tours aboard the Badger Trolley begin at 1, 2, and 3:00 pm. Tickets available at 12:30 pm on day of tour at Visitor Center. View beautiful fall color and learn about the Arboretum’s history and purpose. Fee: $5 per person, children 5 and under free.
Oct 21-24 Midwest Environmental Education Conference: Monona Terrace, Madison, WI. Hosted by WAEE (Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education). This Year’s theme is Promoting Access to Environmental Educational Experiences. www.meeconference.org
Oct 22 Still the Geography of Hope: How Public Land Can Restore the Soul, and the Environmental Movement: 7:00 pm. Monona Terrace, Madison, WI. Lecture presented by Timothy Egan, author and New York Times columnist. Free, open to public.
Oct 23 Wisconsin People & Ideas 2015 Fiction and Poetry Contest Reading: 5:30-7:00 pm. A Room of One's Own Bookstore, 315 Gorham Street, Madison. Join the Wisconsin Book Festival for an evening of the best new writing from Wisconsin. See more at: http://www.wisconsinacademy.org/events/wisconsin-people-ideas-2015-fiction-and-poetry- contest-reading#sthash.V6uwBfdr.dpuf
Oct 31 Leopold Center Art Discovery Day: 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Leopold Center, Baraboo, WI. If you are an artist or artisan who would like to submit an application for consideration to be a part of Art Discovery Day, contact Maria Kopecky, [email protected] or 608-355-0279. Applications due 9/28/15. http://www.aldoleopold.org/Programs/artday.shtml
Nov 5 Wisconsin Wetlands Awards Celebration Program: 6:30-9:30 pm. UW-Madison Arboretum. Join this celebration that recognizes individuals and groups whose work advances our tri-fold mission - the protection, restoration and enjoyment of Wisconsin’s wetlands and related ecosystems. http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/awards.htm
Nov 27-Dec 6 River Alliance of Wisconsin 2015 Online Auction: 8:00 am-9:00 pm. Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts, priceless river experiences, fine wine and dining packages, and unique art, while saving rivers! http://www.wisconsinrivers.org/auction
2016 Feb 23-25 21st Annual Wetland Science Conference: Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay, WI. Program will include a keynote address, organized symposia, topical oral sessions, a poster session, working groups, a banquet, and field trips to area wetlands. Details: www.wisconsinwetlands.org/ 2016conference.htm or 608-250-9971.
Grants/Awards/Contests (K-12 entries are in the K-12 section below) USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking applications from Wisconsin landowners for its premiere wetland restoration program, the Wetlands Reserve Easement (WRE). Greg Kidd, Assistant State Conservationist for NRCS−Wisconsin, has announced applications are accepted year-round for funding. 608-662-4422 ext. 252, [email protected]. Contact your local USDA NRCS Service Center for more information or visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov
Surface Water Grants: Check out the DNR's new streamlined website for these grant programs, including: Lake Management Planning, Lake Protection & Classification, River Protection, River Planning, and Aquatic Invasive Species Control. http://dnr.wi.gov/Aid/SurfaceWater.html
K-12 Teachers and Students FishKids Did you know some kinds of fish are safer to eat than others? These fun stories and games will help you and your family choose your fish wisely, whether you catch them yourself or buy them in a store.
Teaching Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders: Six Lessons from Aldo Leopold: http://www.aldoleopold.org/post/six- lessons-from-aldo-leopold/
Publications Wisconsin Lakes Trivia Game: Test your knowledge about Wisconsin lakes. Discover fun facts about lake history, fish, wildlife, sports and recreation. Learn tips on how to protect our lakes while you play. Order from UW-Extension’s online bookstore: http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Search.aspx?k=lakes+trivia. On sale now for $13.50.
Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook: Identifies the best areas of the state to manage for different natural communities, key habitats, aquatic features, and native plants and animals using an ecosystem management perspective. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/landscapes/Handbook.html Revised 8/24/2015 Contact: Andy Stoltman 608-266-9841
Aquatic Plants of the Upper Midwest: A photographic field guide to our underwater forests – New Second Edition! http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/UWEXLAKES/Pages/resources/bookstore/APUM.aspx $38.
Preventing Wildfires: New publication by The Wisconsin DNR, Division of Forestry. Order via email: [email protected]. Publication FR-547. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestManagement/publications.asp
Websites Fish Consumption Advisories & Fish Advisories Quick Finder: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/fishadvisories/index.cfm http://riveredgenaturecenter.org/bug-lady-blog-sand-wasps/
Visit EPA's Low Impact Development Page to learn more about the relationship between green infrastructure and low impact development. LID is an approach to land development (or re-development) that works with nature to manage stormwater as close to its source as possible.
Birding and Bird Conservation: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/outdoorrecreation/activities/birding.html
Draining boats and livewells can stop invasive species in their tracks: http://lakes- l.blogs.govdelivery.com/2015/06/draining-boats-and-livewells-can-stop-invasive-species-in-their-tracks/
Employment Opportunities Educator (Marine/Freshwater Science Focus ): Discovery World, Milwaukee, WI. Full-time. Discovery World is looking for a full-time, responsible, independent-working individual to join its Education Team to create, enhance, and deliver experiences to school groups and the public. http://www.discoveryworld.org/job-opportunities/full-time-educator-marine- freshwater-science-focus/
Associate Geologist/Environmental Scientist: 40 hrs/wk. Employer: SCS Engineers, Madison, WI, 2830 Dairy Dr., Madison, WI. To apply, send a single PDF with cover letter and resume to [email protected] (principals only, no recruiters). More information: http://www.wgwa.org/job-listings/
Miscellaneous The Explorium. New at Horicon Marsh! Come to Horicon's brand new exhibit: The Explorium. For more information: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/wildlifeareas/horicon/education.html 50 Years of Wisconsin Wild Rivers: Activities and events are being scheduled through-out the year to celebrate. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/WildRivers/?utm_source=FeatureImage&utm_medium=Homepage&utm_campaign=201506 10_WildRivers
Diagnosing spots on tree leaves: Ag-Podcast, 3.08 min. Brian Hudelson, UW-Extension Plant Disease Diagnostician at UW- Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, talks about what types of tree leaf diseases to be aware of in the state and what to do about these diseases. http://fyi.uwex.edu/news/2015/07/10/diagnosing-spots-on-tree-leaves/
Organizations with Frequent Program Offerings: Aldo Leopold Foundation, Baraboo, www.aldoleopold.org Clean Lakes Alliance, www.cleanlakesalliance.com Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Madison, www.CherokeeMarsh.org Horicon Marsh International Education Center, www.horiconmarsh.org Madison Audubon Society, Inc., www.madisonaudubon.org Midwest Renewable Energy Association, www.the-mrea.org Niagara Escarpment Resource Network, www.escarpmentnetwork.org Riveredge Nature Center, Newburg, www.riveredge.us The Prairie Enthusiasts, www.ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee, www.urbanecologycenter.org UW Madison Arboretum, www.uwarboretum.org Woodland Landowner Information Education, http://woodlandinfo.org/ Woodland School, http://www.aldoleopold.org/WoodlandSchool/ Wisconsin Ground Water Association www.wgwa.org Wisconsin Wetlands Association, www.wisconsinwetlands.org/
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This list was compiled by Marie Rubietta, UW-Extension Jefferson County, [email protected] and edited by Peggy Compton, Regional Natural Resources Educator, UW-Extension, [email protected], 608-342-1633. Please send notices and potential listings to Marie.
For general information or to subscribe: https://lists.uwex.edu/mailman/listinfo/rock-river-basin-update.
University of Wisconsin, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties cooperating. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and American with Disabilities (ADA) requirements.
La Universidad de Wisconsin-Extensión, un empleador con igualdad de oportunidades y acción afirmativa (EEO/AA), proporciona igualdad de oportunidades en empleo y programas, incluyendo los requisitos del Título IX (Title IX) y de la Ley para Americanos con Discapacidades (ADA).