Lake District Commissioner Training - Session II: Lake District Finances

Tuesday, 1:30-4:30pm

The second session of the Lake District Commission Training will focus on lake district finances. Budget preparation, dissemination, adoption, and operations will be reviewed. This session is intended to provide lake district commissioners with tools designed to help lake districts meet state guidelines and requirements with respect to the financial operations of the districts.

 

Name That Plant! Aquatic Plant Identification

Tuesday, 1:30-4:30pm

Do you ever wonder about which water plants are in your lake? This workshop helps with the identification of aquatic plants by giving you a hands-on learning experience to heighten your time spent on the lake. By becoming more knowledgeable about water plants, this workshop will aid you with various lake projects, grants, and management plans.

 

 

Limnology 101: So You Want to Understand Lakes?

ALSO OFFERED IN MORNING

This workshop will cover the basics of lake science and management. Join us as we share the insights about the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics that make these watery gems so unique.

The manual removal of EWM sparks involvement and volunteer teamwork, an option that can lead to healthier lakes as well as lake associations and districts. This inexpensive option of removal is shown in this presentation for the best practices, operation, equipment, management tools, and ideas. With pictures and videos available throughout, the manual removal of EWM will help save you money and help our lakes gain great rewards.

 

 

DIY Lake Monitoring Gear

Tuesday, 1:30-4:30pm

DIY (do-it-yourself) lake monitoring style! Join our workshop and actually go home with your own hand-made lake view scope, Eurasian water-milfoil collection bag and crayfish trap. All materials, directions, and hands-on training will be provided. We will also have examples (and directions) of other lake monitoring equipment including collection nets and zooplankton tows.

 

 

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Lake Data on the Web

Tuesday, 1:30-4:30pm

Come and learn what’s new on the web. Starting this spring, you can enter lake and invasive species data right from the DNR Lakes website, using a simplified interface to SWIMS. We will walk you through how to enter your data. Learn how to access graphs, reports and data. Find out what’s available and what is coming in the near future. Learn about our blog! Also, be the first to preview our mobile phone-friendly options! Finally, explore our brand new lake and AIS interactive maps. This hands-on workshop will enable you to produce and report data like a professional.

 

 

 

 

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Using GIS and the Web to Monitor and Communicate Shoreland Health

Tuesday, 1:30 - 4:30pm

 

Learn how to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to explore the world around you and share ideas with people. Participants will learn the basics of GIS mapping software and explore a variety of free GIS programs, like Google Earth and ArcGIS Online.

 

 

Variances, Appeals, and Water Resources: Navigating the Board of Adjustment

Tuesday, 1:30 - 4:30pm

This session will provide an overview of the decisions made by the zoning board of adjustment or appeals, including variances, conditional uses and administrative appeals. An interactive exercise will highlight the process and legal standards involved in making decisions. New, existing, and aspiring zoning board members are encouraged to attend.

 

Connecting Youth with Nature: Workshop at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

Tuesday, 1:30 - 4:30pm

Join us on a walking tour of the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary's recently restored fishing area. In 2006, the Sanctuary began an intensive renovation of one of our lagoons; draining, dredging, installing aeration pumps, and building a beautiful waterfall to help with circulation. With the greatly improved conditions we are able to stock and maintain a very active fishing area for youth and handicapped adults. Please dress to be outside as we will walk the property and discuss the Sanctuary’s efforts to engage youth.

 

 

Cast a Line: How Can Angler Education Inspire YOUR Community?
Join us as we highlight the key components of this FREE angler instructor curriculum through active participation and FUN activities! You will learn how this program promotes responsible fishing while protecting Wisconsin's Lakes and motivating youth to care about the future of the resource. See how hosting a workshop in your community can enhance your efforts to get people out on the water through fishing events that inspire adults to get involved in getting today's youth off the couch, into the outdoors and into one of Wisconsin's most venerable traditions. Come see how we can help your community Cast a Line!

 

 

Lakes in a New Light: Blending Art and Science to Connect At-Risk Youth to Wisconsin’s Lakes
As a companion project to Darby Nelson’s acclaimed book, For Love of Lakes, “Lakes in a New Light” is a Northwest Passage program that empowers at-risk teens to explore both ecology and the human connection to lakes through photographic and scientific journeys of discovery— both of lakes and of themselves. The project was conceived through a partnership formed between Darby Nelson and Ben Thwaits at the 2012 Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention, and the project was launched in July, 2012. In this presentation, Darby and Ben will discuss how the central message of For Love of Lakes was translated into a curriculum that has facilitated an unprecedented level of learning, self-expression, and lake stewardship among Wisconsin’s most marginalized youth. Participants’ stunning photographs will be unveiled for the first time.

 

 

County-wide Lake Organizations' Roundtable

Tuesday, 1:30 - 4:30pm

Join us for a roundtable exchange with representatives of county lakes and rivers associations. Others involved in county matters or interested in learning more about countywide association operations are welcome too. This roundtable is an opportunity to network with your peers in an informal setting and bring forward topics that you would like to discuss. Does your organization have an exciting project, success story, or helpful resources to share? We’d also like to hear your perspectives on current issues and challenges your county’s lakes and rivers face. Plus, we’ll explore ways to collaborate regionally on issues that affect our waters.

 

 

Exploring Civic Engagement

Tuesday, 1:30 - 4:30pm

Before Membership Drives and Citizen Outreach, Consider Your Civic Engagement Stance
Before you work to increase your lake association's membership, first consider the philosophy and governance of your organization. Does your lake association have clear principles and standards for giving your members a voice in decision making? Do you see your organization as part of a civic infrastructure that helps to govern for the common good of clean water? Lynne will discuss her thought processes and experiences at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as she explored her own civic engagement stance and helped to encourage others to do the same. She will share lessons learned as MPCA moves toward fully integrating civic engagement into watershed planning efforts, and will highlight a few local government civic engagement initiatives already underway.

 

 

Engaging Others in Restoring and Protecting Water Quality
As an organization, you have identified your purpose as working on improving water quality. However, it will take the collective efforts of many beyond your organization to be effective in restoring and protecting our waters. How do you go about effectively engaging and working with others to address water quality? This session will explore answers to that question by looking at why civic engagement is important in addressing water quality, what is civic engagement, and suggestions for doing effective civic engagement.

 

 

Limit: 40

Restoring Ecological health to Your Land: A Workshop for Owners of Larger Parcels

Tuesday, 1:30 - 4:30pm

Do you own a large tract of forest with lake, river and wetlands? Are you looking for an ecological approach to manage the health of your resource? This workshop will take you through a step-by-step management planning approach that draws on both the science of ecosystem management and the land ethic of Aldo Leopold.

 

 

 

 

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