Rock River Basin January 2010 Update
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Rock River Updates is a listing of events and other items of interest for people in and around the Rock River Basins of Wisconsin. We strive for a once a month mailing. Inclusion is not an endorsement of a program, publication or website. If you have questions about this update or if you have items to be added contact Suzanne Wade at suzanne.wade@ces.uwex.edu .
Rock River Coalition/UW-Extension Sponsored Events
To receive informational flyers on RRC events email marier@jeffersoncountywi.gov
Jan 12 RRSG Meeting Beloit Wastewater Treatment Plant 9:30 – Noon
Jan 15 Deadline Winter 2010 Rock River Reflections Newsletter deadline. Email Suzanne Wade at suzannew@jeffersoncountywi.gov (note new county email, UWEX email remains the same) with stories or photos.
Jan 20 RRC Board Meeting 4:30 – 7:00pm UWEX Jefferson County
March 10 Rock River Recovery Plan – Initial planning meeting, Lake Mills Community Center 1:00 – 4:00pmcontact Steve Warrner at stephan.warrner@wisconsin.gov
April 10 RRC Confluence ~8:30 – 3:00 Lake Mills Community Center for all current and interested monitors. Contact Ed Grunden at ed@rockrivercoalition.org if interested in stream or wetland monitoring in 2010.
Natural Resource Calendar of Events:
Jan 13 NR 115 – Understanding New Shoreland Regulations: (#1772-3) Local Government Center’s Land Use, Planning and Zoning WisLine Series.Fee $20/person. Available at any WisLine site 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Contact WisLine Registrations at (608) 262-0810 or consult the registration brochure online at http://lgc.uwex.edu/WisLines/index.html
Jan 19 - Feb 19 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Offers Conservation Opportunities for Farm and Wildlife Lands: Wisconsin sign-up for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) will be open until Feb 19 for 2010 funding. Visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov, or contact NRCS office at your county USDA Service Center.
Jan 20 Put the Lid on Stormwater: Overcoming Technical and Policy Challenges of LID, Symposium & Exposition: Three full-day accredited workshops, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Minneapolis Marriott Southwest. Register: www.foresterevents.com or call: Scott Nania, 805-682-1300, Ext.136.
Jan 21, 22 Road to Opportunities: Profiting from Renewable Energy & Regional Food: 12th Annual Midwest Value Added Agriculture Conference and 4th Annual Wisconsin Local Food Summit, at Ramada, Eau Claire, WI. Also: Value Added Agriculture “College”, Jan. 20, 2010. Info: www.rivercountryrcd.org
Jan 23 Volunteer Stream Monitoring Symposium: UW-Stevens Point's University Center, 9 am – 3:30 pm. Registration fee: $10/person due by Jan. 15, 2010. Visit website: http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/level2/Symposium/2010/symposium2010.html or Contact Allison Werner (awerner@wisconsinrivers.org 608-257-2424 ext. 13 ) or Kris Stepenuck (kris.stepenuck@ces.uwex.edu 608-265-3887).
Public Hearings on Revisons to Runoff Rules, NR 151, 153 and 155: 1pm all locations:
Jan 25 Outagamie Cty Hwy Dept., Holland Rd, Appleton
Jan 28 Best Western Trail Lodge, Eau Claire
Feb 2 State Office Building, Waukesha
Feb 10 Lyman F Anderson Agricultural & Conservation Center, Madison
Feb 11 Rib Mountain Municipal Center, Wausau
Feb 25 UW Platteville, Platteville
View or download proposed rule revisions and supporting documents and electronically submit comments at: https://health.wisconsin.gov/admrules/public/Home (Search website using "NR 151", select "NR 151, 153, 155 Relating to Runoff Management Performance Standards and Grants."). Written comments on proposed rules may be submitted until Feb. 26, 2010 via mail to Carol Holden, DNR - WT/3, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921 or by e-mail to carol.holden@wisconsin.gov<mailto:carol.holden@wisconsin.gov>.
Jan 26 Conservation Lobby Day 2010: Citizens meet one-on-one with their legislators to share their conservation values. Registration opens Oct 26 at www.conservationvoters.org
Jan 30, 31 Wisconsin's first Training For Transition (T4T): At The Fish Hatchery in Delafield, WI. $125. Info. and registration on-line: http://store.midwestpermaculture.com/jan30-31delafieldwi.aspx or call Kate Heiber-Cobb (608-213-2230).
Feb 4-5 Protecting Erosion & Stormwater Investments in Hard Economic Times: NASECA 7th Annual Conference, at Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison, WI. Register by January 29, 2010. Register Online. space limited. Questions: email: education@naseca.org; Driving Directions.
Feb 11 Key EPA Internet Tools for Watershed Management Workshop: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm,
Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey Campus, Templin Nursing Building, Lab 101, 5800 Godfrey, IL Fee: $15. Deadline is February 4th. You must pre-register to reserve a computer seat. E-mail Alison Meanor at ameanor@prairierivers.org to register.
Feb 11-12 15th Annual Conference: Wisconsin Wetlands Association: At Plaza Hotel & Suites, Eau Claire, WI. Registration and Info: http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/2010program.htm or contact Katie Beilfuss, Outreach Programs Director, 608-250-9971 or programs@wisconsinwetlands.org
Feb 13 Changing Lakes-Changing Policy: 8:30 am-3:00 pm, Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee, WI. Fee: $35 includes materials, lunch, refreshments. Register at www.wisconsinlakes.org or call 800-542-5253 (WI only) or 608-661-4313.
Feb 18 Basics of Wisconsin Water Law: 8 am-4:30 pm, UWM School of Continuing Education, Fee: $295, CEU: 0.7, Program No. 4830-8601. Add To Registration Form Info.: Customer Service, sce@uwm.edu, 414-227-3200, 800-222-3623
Mar 4 & 5 Emerging Challenges for the Waters of Wisconsin, 2010 AWRA Annual Meeting: Madison Marriott West, Middleton. Visit: www.awra.org/state/wisconsin/ for updates.
March 11-12 Construction Site Stormwater Best Management Practices: 8am-4:30pm. Fee: $395. Program No. 4830-8602. Info.:https://www4.uwm.edu/sce/registration/add.cfm?id=34302 or contact Murali Vedula, Program Director, mvedula@uwm.edu, 414-227-3121.
Mar 30-Apr 1 Get Involved: Fringe Benefits-Restoring Wisconsin’s Shorelands and Shallows: 32ND Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention, KI Convention Center, Green Bay, WI. Early Bird Deadline March 8, 2010. Info: www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/conventions
Apr 7-11 2010 National Association for Interpretation Region 5 Workshop: Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center, Baraboo, WI. Info: http://www.nairegions.org/5/ or call Howard April, 414-425-8550; howard.aprill@milwcnty.com
Apr 20, 21 Fourth Annual Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference: Earth Day at 40: Valuing Wisconsin’s Environmental Traditions, Past, Present & Future, Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, Madison. View conference agenda on Program page and visit our contact page.
Apr 22 Theory and Practice of Phosphorus Removal: 8 am-4:30 pm, UWM School of Continuing Education, CEU: 0.7, Program No. 4830-8603, Fee: $295. Info: Murali Vedula, mvedula@uwm.edu, 414-227-3121. Online Registration: https://www4.uwm.edu/sce/registration/add.cfm?id=34382
Apr 24 Project RED Training by the River Alliance: 9 am to 1 pm in Conference Room at Dane County Land & Water Resources Building. Questions: Contact Patricia Cicero, 920-674-7121 or patriciac@jeffersoncountywi.gov
Apr 25-29 7th National Monitoring Conference-Monitoring From the Summit to the Sea: Denver, CO. Focus on water quality and water quantity monitoring for improved understanding, protection, and restoration. Info: http://acwi.gov/monitoring/conference/2010/index.html
ORGANIZATIONS WITH MULTIPLE OFFERINGS
Check out the websites for full schedule
Woodland School Fall/Spring Courses: (From October 2009 - May 2010) Prescribed burning, timber stand improvement, wetland management, birding. View detailed course descriptions or register online. Info: Alanna Koshollek, Woodland School Coordinator, 608-355-0279, ext. 30.
Riveredge Nature Center, Visit www.riveredge.us. or contact Mary Holleback at 800-287-8098
Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Madison. Visit www.CherokeeMarsh.org or contact info@cherokeemarsh.org or 608-467-5207.
Horicon Marsh, N7725 Hwy. 28, Horicon, WI 53032-9782. Contact: William K. Volkert, 920-387-7877; William.volkert@wisconsin.gov
Urban Ecology Center – 1500 E. Park Place, Milwaukee, www.urbanecologycenter.org or Contact: Carljean Buhk, 414-964-8505, x105.
Aldo Leopold Foundation, Inc., E13701 Levee Rd., Baraboo, tours@aldoleopold.org or www.aldoleopold.org or Contact: Tour Coordinator, 608-355-0279, ext. 27.
UW Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison, www.uwarboretum.org, info@uwarboretum.org or Contact: Pat Brown, 608-263-7888.
Madison Audubon Society, Inc., 222 S. Hamilton St., Suite #1, Madison, www.madisonaudubon.org masoffice@mailbag.com or Contact: Karen Etter Hale, 608-255-2473.
Midwest Renewable Energy Association, 7558 Deer Rd., Custer, WI. www.the-mrea.org chris@the-mrea.org or Contact: Chris Talbot, 715-592-6595.
Wisconsin Wetlands Association, 222 S. Hamilton St. #1, Madison. Laura.england@wisconsinwetlands.org, www.wisconsinwetlands.org or Contact: Laura England or Rachael Carlson, 608-250-9971.
Grants/Awards/Contests (K-12 entries are in the K-12 section below)
Coastal Management Fellowship: Application deadline is 4:00 p.m. CST, January 29, 2010. In 2010-12, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, in Madison, WI, has been selected as a site for hosting a fellow. Details and info. at www.csc.noaa.gov/cms/fellows.html or e-mail: csc.fellowships@noaa.gov
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Green Roof Granting Program Contract, No. P-2516: Request for Proposal due date: February 12, 2010. RFP is located in Procurement section of MMSD website at www.mmsd.com. Direct inquiries to: James P. Morgan at (414) 225-2132 or e-mail jmorgan@mmsd.com
Fiskars Community Garden Grant: Community garden groups, schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities are all encouraged to apply. Only group applications will be considered; single individuals are not eligible for a Project Orange ThumbSM grant. Application materials link http://www.projectorangethumb.com/pot/
Besadny Conservation Grants Available: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin matching grants up to $1,000 to support small-scale conservation projects. info@wisconservation.org or call 866-264-4096. Application deadline: January 15, 2010.
Publications
Wisconsin Water Library has a new acquisitions list; some suggestions on great reads about ice fishing, and books about the wide variety of invasive species.
Draft Report of the National Lakes Assessment : Report Identifies poor lakeshore habitat conditions and high levels of nutrients as widespread stressors impacting lake water quality in the U.S. At: www.epa.gov/lakessurvey or direct link: http://www.epa.gov/lakessurvey/pdf/nla_report_low_res.pdf.
Websites of Interest
Wisconsin-Polar Bears International Tree Planting Partnership: A Forestry Division partnership with Polar Bears International (PBI). A Forestry Division webpage at http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/polarbear/ includes information to help anyone interested in tree planting to get started immediately.
Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer Internet site at www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov contains new information on the EAB infestation in Southeast WI; the Urban Forestry Toolkit is available from the EAB Internet site. Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer hotline: 1-800-462-2803.
Job Openings
Water Quality Specialist: Position open at Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Inc., to coordinate their volunteer water quality monitoring program. Details at: http://www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer/Special/jobs.html
Miscellaneous
2009-2010 Lafayette County LCD/ALEA Native Plant Sale: Provides funds to support Integrated Environmental Studies throughout Argyle School (4K-12th grade). Info: Les Bieneman (608) 543-3318: LeBieneman@argyle.k12.wi.us; and www.argyle.k12.wi.us/plantsale.htm
K-12 Teachers and Students
NEW-LEAF Announces: Four Traveling High School Forestry Education Kits Available for check out from four locations across the state. No fee for using the kits: CESA #2 Milton, Connie Isackson 608-758-6232 x339, isackson@cesa2.k12.wi.us, www.cesa2.k12.wi.us/resources and CESA #3 Fennimore. This kit is available only to members of CESA #3.
New Invasive Plant Species Education Lessons Website: UW-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, announces a new Invasive Plant Species Education Lessons website. http://www.uwstout.edu/faculty/jamesk/Invasive_Plant/Invasive_Plant.htm
WEEB School Forest and Forestry Education Grants: Nearly $400,000 available to support school forest and general forestry education in Wisconsin. Deadline for applying: Postmarked by February 13, 2010 or hand delivered by 4:30 PM February 12, 2010 Info: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/weeb/grant-program/index.htm
Besadny Conservation Grants Now Available: Special to K-12 Public School Teachers! Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin will fund one to several $500 to $1000 projects to support outdoor education activities in Wisconsin schools. Application deadline: Jan.15, 2010. Click here for more info and application materials.
Toyota Tapestry Grants: Deadline: January 18, 2010. Grants totaling $550,000 offered to K-12 science teachers for innovative projects to enhance science education in 2010-11 school years. http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry
$5,000 Award for Outstanding High School Teachers: Applications accepted for 2010 Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award. Deadline is January 15, 2010. More info. at http://www.neefusa.org/bartlettaward.htm
Feb 13 Wisconsin Environmental Education Board Grant Program: Deadline for 2010-2011 grant cycle. Anticipated grant awards of $115,000 or $190,000. For application packet or info: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/weeb or contact Ginny Carlton, 715/346-3805, email: weeb@uwsp.edu
Feb 20. Project Learning Tree PreK-8 Educator Workshop: Milwaukee Public Museum, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. PLT’s creative supplemental teaching activities are interdisciplinary with PreK–8 teaching activities and in-depth secondary modules. Registration fee: $45. Register by contacting Dawn Koceja by e-mail at: koceja@mpm.edu or call (414) 278-6943.
Feb 22 Call for nominations for the Energy Educator of the Year Awards. Due date for nomination form and narrative. See KEEP Web site: www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/Networking/index.htm#Awards, for nomination form. Awards are $1,000 and additional resources (worth up to $250) to further energy education efforts. Info: contact Jennie Lane, 715.346 .4770 or email jlane@uwsp.edu.
Mar 20. Project WILD Educator Workshop: Milwaukee Public Museum, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Over 150 activities to develop awareness, knowledge, and identification skills for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Receive two guides with lessons for grades k-12. Fee: $45. Info./register by contacting Dawn Koceja; e-mail koceja@mpm.edu or call (414) 278-6943.
Apr 22 Earth Day: Take time to celebrate our natural resources and do something to help sustain our water, air, forests, lakes and rivers. Check out EEK! to find fun activities to get kids involved this year.
Apr 30 Wisconsin's Arbor Day: Annual state nursery program provides 75,000 free tree seedlings to Wisconsin fourth grade students for this celebration. Get ready by getting kids involved in this year's 4th Grade Writing Contest and 5th Grade Poster Contest. Also, 4th grade teachers can order free tree seedlings
May 22 Project WILD Educator Workshop: Milwaukee Public Museum, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Over 150 activities designed to develop awareness, knowledge, and identification skills concerning aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Participants receive two guides with lessons for grades k-12. Fee: $45. Register: Call Dawn Koceja (414) 278-6943 or by e-mail at: koceja@mpm.edu
June 22-25 Great Lakes Forestry Tour: Duluth, MN. Each summer the Temperate Forest Foundation organizes intensive woods and mill tours for teachers in various regions throughout North America. There is absolutely no cost to teachers! Info.:http://www.forestinfo.org/Teachers/2010/lstt.htm
