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 items to be added contact Suzanne Wade at suzanne.wade@ces.uwex.edu.
May 3, Waterville Field Station (Waukesha County) 8:30 – 2:30, contact Jayne Jenks, at
262-896-8305, jjenks@waukeshacounty.gov
May 5 & 6 Lake Mills, 5:30 – 8:00pm, contact Ed Grunden at 920-648-2673 or ed@rockrivercoalition.org
May 28 & 29, Edgerton, 6:00 – 8:00pm Contact Anne Miller, 608-754-6617 ext.118 or amiller@co.rock.wi.us
May 8, Rock River Coalition Annual Meeting 5:00 – 7:30pm Joseph Megaans Restaurant, Lake Mills
Nominate yourself or another for the RRC Board.
June 3, RRC Board Meeting, 4:30 – 6:30 UWEX Jefferson County
June 23, Send Your Legislator Down the River 4:00 – 8:30pm, DNR Horicon Service Center, email to receive a flyer or go to www.rockrivercoalition.org for more information.
Other Natural Resource Activities Calendar of Events
Websites for centers and others offering multiple programs are listed after Calendar of Events.
May 3 2nd Annual Running the Root – 10 am-12 pm – UW-Parkside’s Root River Environmental Education & Community Center, 1301 6th St., $10/person, $10 boat rental (limited supply). Advance Registration required. Info: Sarah Murray, 608-257-2424 ext. 121. Download a registration form.
May 3 Forest Ecology and Management: From Soil to Sky – Potter Preserve, Baraboo, WI. 9:00 am – 12. Cost: $25 (ALF members $20). Class Limit: 25. Meets Master Woodland Steward requirements. Info at www.aldoleopold.org/woodlandschool.
May 3-4 Rock River Archeological Society will be hosting their Native American History weekend. Sat, May 3: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; Sun. May 4th: 10:00 am – 3 pm. Activities will be conducted at the DNR Field Office and grounds in City of Horicon. Info: Bill Volkert: 920-387-7877;william.volkert@wisconsin.gov.
May 7 Wednesday Evening Watershed Walk – Walk begins at 6:30 pm, Governor’s Island, Mendota Health Institute, Cinder Lane, Madison. Questions: Nancy Schlimgen, Naturalist, Benedictine women of Madison, nschlimgen@benedictinewomen.org or 608-836-1631, ext.159; www.benedictinewomen.org
May 9-12 Horicon Marsh Bird Festival – A full schedule of activities can be found at: www.horiconmarshbirdclub.com. Click on Bird Festival and then go to Events.
May 10 Spring Cleaning for Clean Springs - Friends of Lake Wingra, Spring 2008 WOW (Windows on Wingra) Event. 9:30-noon, Edgewood College, Mazzuchelli Center, Rm 103. No fee, register by contacting info@lakewingra.org or 663-2838.
May 10 Central Wisconsin Lake’s Conference – 8:30-3:10 pm, Adams County Community Center, Adams, WI. Lake Citizens in Action – How local land use can help your lake. Fee: $10, includes lunch, refreshments, materials. For registration form: 608-339-4237 or www.adamscountylakes.org.
May 10 ‘Adopt-A-Site’ Litter Cleanup – 10:30 am-12:30 pm- Locations in and around Lake Ripley/Cambridge area. The Lake District can provide bags and cleanup supplies, and disposal of collected garbage. Ph: 423-4537 Lake Ripley Management District or e-mail: ripley@charterinternet.com.
May 10 Native Plant Day 9 am – 2 pm at UW-Madison Arboretum Visitor Center. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about starting a prairie, savanna, woodland, butterfly/hummingbird or rain garden. Contact Sara Minkoff, 608-263-7760 or sminkoff@wisc.edu. Preregistration is required.
May 10 Kickapoo with Kark – 10 am-3:30 pm, Landing 4 - Explore one of southwest Wisconsin’s great paddling rivers with veteran canoeist, Rick Kark. Info: www.wisconsinrivers.org or contact Sarah Murray, 608-257-2424 ext. 121. Space Limited. Registration required. $25/person (lunch & shuttle provided).
May 10 Game of Logging – Level III at Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, Baraboo, WI., 8:30 – 5:00, Limit:15. Cost: $75 ($70 ALF). Instructor Ken Lallemont, Timber Resources. www.aldoleopold.org/woodlandschool.
May 14 Wednesday Evening Watershed Walk – Walk begins at 6:30 pm. Jackson’s Landing, Town of Westport, 5485 Willow Rd, Waunakee, WI. Questions: Nancy Schlimgen, Naturalist, Benedictine women of Madison, nschlimgen@benedictinewomen.org or 608-836-1631, ext.159; www.benedictinewomen.org
May 15 Call for Presenters for 2008 WAEE (Wisconsin Assoc. for Environmental Education) Fall 2008 Conference, held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at Wyndham Airport Hotel & Convention Center, Milwaukee, WI. Visit www.uwsp.edu/waee for on-line form.
May 17, 18 4th Annual Spring Woodland Rendezvous, 17th at 9:00 am-4:00 pm and 18th at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Seno Woodland Education Center. A reenactment of the historical gatherings of frontiersmen and their families. E-mail senocenter@senocenter.org or call 262-536-3222.
May 17 Wildlife and the Health of Your Land – Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, Baraboo, WI, 9 am –12 pm. Cost: $25 (ALF members $20). Class Limit: 20. Instructors: Dr. Stan Temple, UW-Madison professor emeritus and ALF senior fellow. Info: www.aldoleopold.org/woodlandschool
May 19-21 - 19th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference “Progress Through Partnerships: Collaborating to Protect Our Watersheds”, Mystic Marriot Hotel and Spa, Groton, Connecticut. Click Here for more info.
May 21 Wednesday Evening Watershed Walk – begins at 6:30 pm. North Mendota Natural Resource Avea, Dane County Parks, Waunakee. Questions: Nancy Schlimgen, Naturalist, Benedictine Women of Madison, nschlimgen@benedictinewomen.org or 608-836-1631, ext.159; www.benedictinewomen.org
May 28 Wednesday Evening Watershed Walk, begins at 6:30 pm, Holy Wisdom Monastery, Benedictine Women of Madison, Middleton, WI. Questions: Nancy Schlimgen, Naturalist, Benedictine Women of Madison, nschlimgen@benedictinewomen.org or 608-836-1631, ext.159; www.benedictinewomen.org
May 30 Baraboo Float and Riverfront Tour – See the Baraboo seven years after its last dam was removed, and learn how the restored river is helping reshape Baraboo’s downtown. More info: www.wisconsinrivers.org or contact Sarah Murray at 608-257-2424 ext. 121.
May 30 & 31 Field Herpetology: Identification of Wisconsin Amphibians and Reptiles, Natural History Workshop, UW Milwaukee Field Station: 3095 Blue Goose Rd, Saukville, Instructor: Dr. Josh Kapfer. Contact: Cynthia Boettcher at 262-675-6844 orcboetcher@uwm.edu / www.uwm.edu/Dept/fieldstation
June 2008Invasive Species Awareness Month: aquatic invasive species. More info: contact Julia Solomon, Aquatic Invasives Education Specialist, UWEX & WDNR at: julia.solomon@wisconsin.gov
June 2-Aug 15 Fundamentals of Environmental Education - Environmental Education Online Summer Course through UW-Stevens Point, WI –. To learn more: www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/
June 2-Aug 22 NRES 410/610 Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation - Environmental Education Online Summer Course through UW-Stevens Point, WI. Info: www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/
June 4 Wednesday Evening Watershed Walk – 6:30 pm Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy, Friends of Pheasant Branch, Middleton. Questions: Nancy Schlimgen, Naturalist, Benedictine Women of Madison, nschlimgen@benedictinewomen.org or 608-836-1631, ext.159; www.benedictinewomen.org
June 7 It’s Kind of Fun to Do the Impossible – 9 - 11 am at UW-Madison Arboretum Visitor Center. Ken Leinbach, Exec. Dir. Urban Ecology Center presentation on the transformation of a crime-ridden city park into an outdoor classroom, research station and ecology center. Fee: $17 members, $20 public. Note: Includes lunch. Contact Sara Minkoff, 608-263-7760 or sminkoff@wisc.edu
June 7-22 – Take a Stake in the Lakes Days - http://www.takeastakeinthelakes.com/ Dane County's spring cleaning for the lakes and rivers and a celebration of our water resources.
June 8 Wednesday Evening Watershed Walk – Starting at 1:00 pm, Gov. Nelson State Park, 20th Anniversary Celebrations, Waunakee. Questions: Nancy Schlimgen, Naturalist, Benedictine Women of Madison, nschlimgen@benedictinewomen.org or 608-836-1631, ext.159; www.benedictinewomen.org
June 9-14 Vegetation of Wisconsin, Natural History Workshop at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Field Station: 3095 Blue Goose Rd, Saukville. Instructors: Dr. James Reinartz and Marc White. Contact: Cynthia Boettcher at 262-675-6844, cboetcher@uwm.edu / www.uwm.edu/Dept/fieldstation
June 11 Wednesday Evening Watershed Walk – At 6:30 pm, Dunn’s Marsh (Take a Stake in the Lakes Days), Dawley Conservancy Park, Fitchburg. Questions: Nancy Schlimgen, Naturalist, Benedictine Women of Madison, nschlimgen@benedictinewomen.org or 608-836-1631, ext.159; www.benedictinewomen.org
June 11 Milwaukee River Basin Rain Garden Fair – 6:30-9:30 pm. Training and Vendor Exhibition at Muellner Building in Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI. Admission is free, open to general public. For info: http://www.wauwatosa.net/display/router.asp?docid=3226
June 14 Creek Day, Cam-Rock Park, 10:00 – 2:00, volunteers needed, contact Janice Redford: 608-423-4438 or redford@bminet.com
June 16 Leopold Education Project: Advanced Techniques Workshop – (Registration Deadline June 9, 2008). Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona, 8:30-3:00. Cost: ALNC Members: $20/person; Non-Members: $25/person. Instructor: Treva Breuch, LEP. Register www.naturenet.com/alnc , click on General Info, then Registration. Send in the Adult Workshop Registration form or call 608-221-0495.
June 17 & June 21 Lake Ripley Rain Garden Workshop Session 1, 7:00 - 9:00 pm - Amundson Community Center, Cambridge. Session 2 10:30 – Noon Oakland Town Hall, followed by Native Plant Sale until 3:00pm. Registered participants will learn about rain gardens from the experts. Fee of $15 covers both workshops. Space is limited, sign up early, preference will be given to Lake Ripley Watershed Residents. Ph: 423-4537 Lake Ripley Mgmt. District or ripley@charterinternet.com
June 20, 21 Sedges: Identification and Ecology, Natural History Workshop at UW Milwaukee Field Station: 3095 Blue Goose Rd, Saukville – Instructor: Dr. Anton Rznicek. Info: Cynthia Boettcher at 262-675-6844 or cboetcher@uwm.edu www.uwm.edu/Dept/fieldstation
June 20-22 19th Annual Midwest Energy Fair, Custer, WI. Eco-Municipality expert, Torbjörn Lahti , Project Director for Sustainable Robertsfors, a 5-year sustainable community demonstration project, featured speaker. Admission: $10/day or $25 for all 3 days. http://www.the-mrea.org/energy_fair.php
June 21 Wilderness Shores Paddle on the Menominee – Paddle on the Menominee River and learn about the 1997 Wilderness Shores Settlement Agreement, a breakthrough in how hydro dams are regulated. Info: www.wisconsinrivers.org or contact Sarah Murray at 608-257-2424 ext. 121.
June 22-25 Conference: Sustainability 2008: Green Practices for the Water Environment. Gaylord National on the Potomac, National Harbor, MD. Organized by Water Environment Federation http://www.wef.org/Sustainability/
June 23-25 Crisis or Opportunity? Sustaining and Strengthening Forest-Based Industries in the Great Lakes Region - Great Lakes Forest Alliance, Inc., Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, WI. Info: www.greatforests.org or contact Stefan Bergmann, 608-442-1255 or Stefan@greatforests.org
July 7-11 Ecological Geology - Natural History Workshop at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Field Station: 3095 Blue Goose Rd, Saukville. Instructor: Dr. Roger Kuhns. Contact Cynthia Boettcher at 262-675-6844,cboetcher@uwm.edu / www.uwm.edu/Dept/fieldstation
July 17 Bikes and Brews on the Sugar River – Get a view of the Sugar River near New Glarus from the bike path that runs beside it. Then join us for refreshments and conversation on a summer evening. Info: www.wisconsinrivers.org or contact Sarah Murray, 608-257-2424 ext. 121.
July 18, 19 Fishes of Wisconsin: Identification and Ecology - Natural History Workshop, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Field Station, 3095 Blue Goose Rd, Saukville. Instructor: Dr. Michael Pauers. Contact: Cynthia Boettcher at 262-675-6844,cboetcher@uwm.edu / www.uwm.edu/Dept/fieldstation
July 19-27 The Isle Royale Institute Summer 2008 Course - Ecology of Isle Royale - ED 5560, Cost: $800 covers Michigan Tech tuition, course materials, ferry transportation to and from Isle Royale, 9 days of food, and some camping equipment. Limited to 18 participants. Info: www.iri.mtu.edu
July 24-Aug 1 50 Years of Wolf Moose Research Course - ED 5630, Cost: $800 covers Michigan Tech tuition, course materials, ferry transportation to and from Isle Royale, 9 days of food, and some camping equipment. Limited to 18 participants. Info: www.iri.mtu.edu
July 25, 26 Common and Nuisance Algae - Natural History Workshop at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Field Station, 3095 Blue Goose Rd, Saukville. Instructor: Dr. Craig Sandgren. Contact Cynthia Boettcher at 262-675-6844,cboetcher@uwm.edu / www.uwm.edu/Dept/fieldstation
Aug 14 3rd Annual Milky Moonlight in Milwaukee - Experience the beauty of the moon rising over Lake Michigan on a paddle through the heart of Milwaukee’s downtown. More info: www.wisconsinrivers.org or contact Sarah Murray at 608-257-2424 ext. 121
Aug 14-17 Wisconsin Coverts Project workshop in Woodruff, WI, at Kemp Natural Resources Station, for private landowners who are interested in enhancing their woodlands for wildlife. Applications due June 15th. Visit: http://wildlife.wisc.edu/extension/wicovertsproject.html or contact Jamie L. Nack, 608-265-8264.
Sept 2-Nov 6 NRES 410/610 Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Audiences – New Environmental Education Online Fall 2008 Course offered through UW-Stevens Point, WI. To learn more: www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/
Sept 8-Nov 28 Fundamentals of Environmental Education - Environmental Education Online Fall 2008 Course offered through UW-Stevens Point, WI. To learn more: www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/
Sept 8-Dec 5 NRES 410/610 Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation - Environmental Education Online Fall 2008 Course through UW-Stevens Point, WI. www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/
Sept. 9-11 4th Annual Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach & Service Programs National Conference: Diverse Practices by Natural Resource Outreach & Service Programs – Held at T Bar M Resort & Conference Center, New Braunfels, Texas. Details, check: www.nralliance.org in early June.
Sept. 12, 13 (dates tentative) Wetland Delineation - Natural History Workshop at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Field Station: 3095 Blue Goose Rd, Saukville. Instructor: Dr. Don Reed. Contact Cynthia Boettcher, 262-675-6844,cboetcher@uwm.edu / www.uwm.edu/Dept/fieldstation
Sept 22-Nov 21 NRES-703 Leadership Development in Natural Resources: Strategic Planning and Implementation - Environmental Education UW-SP Course Online Fall 2008. www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/
Oct 3-4 Citizen-based Monitoring Conference, Onalaska, Wisconsin
Oct 29 – Nov 1 Wisconsin Environmental Education Association Annual Conference - “Urban EE: There's more to a city than its skyline”, Wyndham Airport Hotel & Convention Center - Milwaukee, WI. More info: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/waee/Events/fall08.htm
ORGANIZATIONS WITH MULTIPLE OFFERINGS
Urban Ecology Center – 1500 E. Park Place, Milwaukee, www.urbanecologycenter.org or
Contact: Carljean Buhk, 414-964-8505, x105.
The Woodland School, Baraboo, WI. Classes for new and experienced land stewards. Visit www.aldoleopold.org/woodlandschool or call: 608-355-0279
Grants/Awards/Contests
(for K-12 entries are in the K-12 section below) Conservation Fund Accepting Applications for Kodak American Greenways Awards Program, provides small grants ($500-$1,000 each; maximum $2,500). to stimulate the planning and design of greenways. http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10012012/conservation
WaterSense Labeled Faucets and Aerators on Shelves Soon. Independently certified to perform as well as or better than standard faucets, maintaining good water pressure while not exceeding 1.5 gpm. For info: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/specs/faucet_final.htm
Inland Seas: Understanding and Protecting the Waters of the Great Lakes - A film by Great Lakes WATER Institute scientist Rebecca Klaper, will play at Discovery World’s Digital Theater at 11:30 each Saturday and Sunday in May. Admission to Discovery World required. See discoveryworld.org.
For K-12 Grade Teachers and Students
Congratulations to Middleton High School “Red Team” for placing first in the Wisconsin Envirothon. Next they will compete in the Canon Envirothon at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, July 29 -August 4, 2008. Next year’s Envirothon Friday, April 24, 2009 at the Lion’s Camp in Rosholt, WI.
HippoWorks Helps Teach Kids about Global Warming - A new 12-part cartoon series "One by One, Ton by Ton, Let's Stop Global Warming!", an educational tool for teachers, each episode concludes with questions and a glossary for a follow-up classroom discussion. http://www.hippoworks.com/
Biodiversity Conservation Teaching Resource - New online journal, Lessons in Conservation (LinC), provides educators and students with the most up-to-date resources and thinking in biodiversity conservation. Info: http://ncep.amnh.org/linc/
Global Climate Change Research Explorer – Students can explore scientific data relating to the atmosphere, the oceans, areas covered by ice and snow, and the living organisms in all these domains. http://www.exploratium.edu/climate/index.html
Global Warming 101 Expedition with Will Steger ~ Online – This spring, National Geographic Explorer Will Steger and team of young adventurers from Norway, Great Britain, Canada, U.S. will bring their High Arctic dogsled expedition to educators and learners through multimedia dispatches: http://www.epa.gov/region3/ee/sedp.htm
WCEE Resource Library - The Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at UW-SP houses the Environmental Education (EE) Resources Library for use by educators in Wisconsin. Included are forestry education resources: forestry education resources. Library: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/library/index.htm
A Wonderful Resource – for You: eeinwisconsin.org - This new clearinghouse provides the most up-to-date guide to Wisconsin’s environmental education organizations, facilities, programs, materials and professionals around the state. www.eeinwisconsin.org
May 16 Rendezvous School Day Seno Education Center, Cost $2.00 per student. Registration info will be mailed in the spring. To book now, e-mail: senocenter@senocenter.org or call 262-536-3222.
June 17-18 – Birds on the Wing Two-Day Teacher Workshop (Registration deadline June 11, 2008) Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona, 8 - 4. Designed for educators of middle school students. Cost: ALNC Members: $40/person; Non-Members: $45/person. Register www.naturenet.com/alnc, click on General Info. Phone Registration: 608-221-0495. Info: Susan.Gilchrist@sbcglobal.net or 608-249-5030.
KEEP Summer Courses – Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) is offering two professional development courses at UW-Stevens Point: NRES 730 Energy Education in the Classroom and NRES 732 Doable Renewables: RenewableEnergy Education in the Classroom. Info: KEEP Web site and click on Professional Development.
July 7-Aug 21 Student Environmental Development Program – (SEDP) is seeking teachers, students, and partners for this community-based environmental leadership development program which uses a holistic approach to teach inner-city students (ages 12-14) about environmental and health related issues. Info: http://www.epa.gov/region3/ee/sedp.htm
July 8-18 Earth Partnership for Schools WI RESTORE Leadership Institute – UW Madison Arboretum, Madison. Two teachers from each school are trained in the ecological restoration process. Team members will receive a total of 3 college credits and a travel stipend for participation in the institute. Tuition will be waived by UW-Madison. Info: Sarah Gilbert at LEAF, 715‐346‐4924 or sarah.gilbert@uwsp.edu.
July 21-23 From Forest to Finish: A community-based learning course for school forest educators, Reedsburg School Forest. A course for 4th-12th grade teachers and non-formal education. Course applies project based learning methods to research the question “What is the environmental impact of using wood products?” Registration of $30 will be available soon on the LEAF website.
Aug 11-13 From Forest to Finish: A community-based learning course for school forest educators, Eicho School Forest. A course for 4th-12th grade teachers and non-formal education. Course applies project based learning methods to research the question “What is the environmental impact of using wood product?” Registration of $30 will be available soon on the LEAF website.
Aug 20 Wilderness Writing for Wild Youth, 1 pm-5 pm, Boston School Forest (Stevens Point). Fee $25 includes Nature Writing Field Guide for Teachers ($25 value). Info.available HERE.
Leaf’s “Tree of the Year” - ssues of the LEAFlet, for next four seasons, will show how their adopted tree, is changing with the passing of time. (You may want to try this “tracking” activity with your students, too! – If you need help identifying your tree, see LEAF’s Tree ID Key:http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/leaf/treeid.shtm
Tell Us a Story! Win Something Fun! Send your kids stories and pictures, about Wisconsin’s forests (with student permissions), and you’ll be entered in our drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Acorn Naturalists (http://www.acornnaturalists.com/). Just send your story to: leaf@uwsp.edu
