Wisconsin Lakes Partnership
2011 Convention Archive
Thursday Workshops
April 14, 2011
1:00-4:00pm
Getting Involved in Local Government - Running for Office in Wisconsin Counties and Towns
Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00pm
This workshop will introduce you to the roles and responsibilities of Wisconsin's Towns and County governments and help you understand what duties and challenges you can expect from local elected offices. You'll develop a clearer picture of where to turn to get more involved in issues affecting your lake after a discussion on the different authorities that come with towns and counties. Not sure you're ready to run for office? Use your knowledge to participate in public meetings and talk to your elected officials. If you are considering running for office the discussion will help you understand both your official duties at each level of local government as well as some of the challenges in becoming a public figure. Each region is unique and this panel has the unique perspective of having worked statewide with all of Wisconsin's counties so come prepared with your questions and get involved!
Presenters:
- Mark O'Connell, Executive Director, Wisconsin Counties Association
- Richard Stadelman , Executive Director, Wisconsin Towns Association
- Dan Hill, Local Government Specialist, UW-Extension Local Government Center
Limit: 50
Lake Assessment Planning and Management
Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00pm
This workshop will describe the latest methods for developing and implementing lake water quality management plans. The first half of the workshop will focus on: 1) assessing a lakes nutrient condition using state and EPA criteria to guide the planning process; 2) developing realistic water quality goals and putting together the necessary elements of a plan and; 3) choosing the best management practices and strategies for protecting, improving and restoring lake water quality. The second half will interactively explore scenarios for successful implementation. This will be a technical workshop designed for lake leaders, managers and consultants with a good understanding of basic limnology.
Presenters:
- Carroll Schaal, Lakes Team Leader, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Tim Asplund, Water Resources Management Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Pam Toshner, Water Resources Management Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Buzz Sorge, Lake Management Coordinator and Planner, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Limit: 50
Solving Lakeshore Problems Through Whole Property Management; The Sustainable Landscape Perspective
Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00pm
Landscapes, gardens, and yards that negatively affect the lake and create work and frustration for the owner are regularly constructed on lake properties. This workshop will build awareness about factors such as erosion, water quality, invasive species and other problems which are directly related to whole property management. Participants will be lead through the thought process, as well as the physical process, of creating landscapes that fit individual personalities and lifestyles and solve nagging lakeshore problems. Join in to learn about whole property management and methods of creating sustainable landscapes that generate true benefits.
Presenter: Tom Girolamo, Owner of Eco-Building & Forestry, LLC. and president of Landscapes For Life Foundation Inc
Limit: 50
Educating for Stewardship
Thursday, 1:00-4:00pm
Educating the next generation of lake leaders and stewards of our land and water resources is an important responsibility of THIS generation! Teaching, mentoring, and inspiring the young people who will assume the stewardship of our lakes and their surrounding natural habitats is a worthy and extremely important goal for all of us…no matter what our roles within the broader society might be. This workshop will highlight a variety of hands-on, project-based learning experiences that actively engage youth in learning about our waters and working to solve problems that are facing us.
Part of this workshop will focus on the Iron County Woods & Waters Project, an engaging project for local high school students that fosters appreciation for local natural resources, expands understanding of resource management, and provides a practicum in scientific methods and research. This program provides hands-on research and field investigation of the American marten and Common loon, in addition to snowshoeing, radio telemetry, orienteering, forestry and water quality testing equipment, GPS, field survey methods, wildlife and forest management, land use impacts, aquatic plant identification and monitoring, and more. Several of these students will present their research and results during this workshop.
Presenters:
- Mary Jo Gingras, Iron County Land and Water Conservation Department
- Diane O'Krongly, Hurley High School
- Zach Wilson, North Lakeland Discovery Center
- Mercer School Students (2)
- Hurley School Students (2)
Limit: 50
Drawing Water - Using the Arts to Communicate and Educate
Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00pm
This interactive workshop will help you think on the “right side of your brain” as you consider ways to use the arts to educate lakeshore residents and visitors about the critical issues facing your lake. Artists and scientists involved in the exhibit, “ Drawing Water, Artists and Scientists Explore Northern Lakes”, will share their work in a guided tour of the exhibit. Workshop participants will explore ways to use creative writing, poetry, various art media, and children’s art as tools to communicate science with the public. Speakers John Bates (poet and naturalist) and Terry Daulton (pastel artist and biologist) will lead the session with special presentations by fiber artist Bonnie Peterson, and sculptor and environmental educator Jim Ramsdell. They will be joined by partner scientists from the University of Wisconsin – Center for Limnology. The goal of this session is to give you tools to draw on the creative inspiration your lake inspires and create your own community art/science collaboration.
Presenters:
- Terry Daulton, Painter and Biologist
- John Bates, Naturalist and Poet
- Jim Ramsdell, Sculptor
- Bonnie Peterson, Fiber Artist
- Ann Sinsass, Watercolor Artist
- Mindy Schnell, Watercolor Artist
- Susan Knight, UW-Center for Limnology
Limit: 50
Social Marketing Campaigns for AIS
Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00pm
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a significant threat to the health of Wisconsin lakes. Although several institutions have implemented campaigns to increase public awareness of AIS, many have failed to consider the role that public opinion leaders who work with anglers can play in encouraging positive environmental behaviors. Research consistently demonstrates that when people are unsure about what to do in terms of adopting new behaviors, they are likely to pay attention to trusted sources that have authority in their community. In order to better understand the role these opinion leaders may play in encouraging positive AIS behaviors among anglers in Wisconsin, we conducted a statewide survey of bait vendors and fishing guides, a random sample survey of Wisconsin residents, and interviews with fishing club leaders and marina owners throughout the state. Preliminary results indicate that levels of awareness of AIS are high among the public and identified opinion leaders. Results of this research will be highlighted, focusing on important considerations for future social marketing and outreach campaigns that encourage behaviors to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin.
Presenters:
- Bret R. Shaw, Assistant Professor and Environmental Communication Specialist, UW-Madison
- Kajsa E. Dalrymple is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Limit: 50
Networking Tools for Lake Groups: Facebook, Wikis and Blogs
Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00pm
Is your lake looking for new and potentially easier ways to communicate online? Wondering whether or not the web can help your organization collaborate more effectively? This session will cover three of the more popular Web 2.0 applications to bring lake groups up to speed with Facebook, blogs, and wikis.
Presenters:
- Eric Olson, Director and Lake Specialist, UW-Extension Lakes
- Jackie Askins, UW Extension Public Information Specialist
Limit: 12
Note: We are asking participants to bring a laptop to the workshop if they have one, and will likely send instructions for creating a Facebook account prior to the convention so that we can use that account in the workshop to get information onto a lake Facebook page.
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