Calendar of Upcoming Events

 

UPCOMING EVENTS from the River Alliance:

In the coming weeks, the River Alliance of Wisconsin is providing several opportunities for citizens to take part in the fight against aquatic invasive species, and to protect the waters that they fish, swim, and boat upon. All events are free, and will provide citizens with on-the-ground actions that they can take to protect their waterways. A Clean Boats, Clean Waters training on Saturday, April 30 in Prairie du Sac will train volunteers on how they can work to educate boaters and anglers about stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species, and a Project RED training on Saturday, May 14 will provide attendees with the knowledge to monitor their own "home" rivers and streams for aquatic invasive species. A May 21 "AIS Action Day" will be a fun and educational opportunity for interested parties to get out on the Lower Wisconsin River and learn more about aquatic invasive species, and what we can do about them. More info below.

Clean Boats, Clean Waters training, April 30 in Prairie du Sac

The River Alliance of Wisconsin, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW), and other partners are working to raise awareness about the threat of aquatic invasive species (AIS) that are likely to hitch a ride on the equipment of unsuspecting boaters and anglers. Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) volunteers will assist in a larger effort to educate boaters and anglers at boat landings on the Lower Wisconsin River and help ensure that they do not spread aquatic invasive species from one waterbody to another.

The Lower Wisconsin River, due to its proximity to such largely-visited and AIS-infested waterbodies as the Mississippi River and the Madison area lakes, is particularly at risk of AIS invasion. Prevention is the best defense against AIS, and you can help! As a CBCW volunteer, you will spend a few hours this summer alongside a fellow volunteer or River Alliance staff member at boat landings on the Lower Wisconsin River speaking with boaters and anglers. It's a great opportunity to protect the river and other nearby waterbodies while learning more about the resource. CBCW volunteers have been instrumental in slowing the spread of AIS, having contacted over 180,000 people at boat landings statewide.

Not only will CBCW volunteers assist firsthand in preventing the spread at boat landings, they will also provide valuable information that will contribute to the development of an Aquatic Invasive Species Strategic Plan for the Lower Wisconsin River Basin. To learn more about the Lower Wisconsin River AIS project and becoming a CBCW volunteer, visit the River Alliance of Wisconsin website at: http://www.wisconsinrivers.org/conservation-projects/lower-wisconsin-river-ais-strategic-plan <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=ocjj49cab&et=1105327443800&s=393&e=001oW_FMQjVxCe6iHF0owgvmlGAXkMvv8jxEfmzHAL1MQzdftUGCRt34OrrPfZuVxQuPsexJsoKu2RHK77ZEJU2htzJQcma3icNz-K_5IXRJpufqiSsA3LekHEC9sk04Vw6RralcfGzY8X0aH2gXtAPBaQKmiZixh4rAEMelo2gVCh-rcCEFJpXaLxK9EL5yT5gO0rmXvOATMtERXOd4rQVbQ==>

Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 9am - 11:30am
Location: Blue Spoon Cafe' <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=ocjj49cab&et=1105327443800&s=393&e=001oW_FMQjVxCehzdbj63DWfeapSibhXy2l_ctbg7qOtKu_6H54T_YhXfXmIn-JBH7BNlfP14jKlhTTZXwRnYqZif74D3lg77d-y5g3b8w_zQsk_RJpRgX4jGumhESw3MfYnlCSmTDYZtFlL7-yGQziQ1GmPj27tvcjl4goamK1AVrGpUSK83ioP1HMo7uo482lhaL3nYpD4tfkBeKCYE1CYk4ObW_BrItHFypW1YG-SrZD8cHKtF01zU7VH965XU2tXc0kxVcGPijrgwus-humTNgcUN2d5cjM7_ZGxnISn2sXKTeKGuH3qsVd0x77a7Vug7cpvE0SjSdm_S9nPMIZaHQnpbTR9Erku-XX4Cc1SRYKJsr8zoJ5JHJz-F3byEcJH8TGgNBzttxWgiK2dUJ5x7fQ1J15szFqzsuvaWvh4Rluq1aHJFa8p3blh_8-eQ7IPgSZRBrGgPk=> , River Room (550 Water Street, Prairie du Sac, WI)
Cost: Free, and refreshments will be provided
RSVP: Matt Krueger, River Alliance of Wisconsin at (608) 257-2424 x125 or mkrueger@wisconsinrivers.org

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Project RED (Riverine Early Detectors) training, on May 14 in Madison

The River Alliance of Wisconsin will once again be coordinating Project Riverine Early Detectors (RED), a citizen monitoring effort to identify invasive species in our river corridors. Since 2009, we have trained approximately 150 individuals who together have reported over 100 infestations of Japanese knotweed, purple loosestrife, Eurasian watermilfoil and many other invasives from Florence County to Grant County. This project has been effective in engaging local groups and managers in the effort to prevent the spread of invasive species down our rivers and to control pioneer infestations. Groups such as the Friends of Badfish Creek and the Friends of the Platte River have begun control efforts of Japanese knotweed and Japanese hops to protect their rivers as a result of participating in this project.

Participants will be provided the knowledge and materials to be able to identify 16 invasive species of concern including aquatic plants, wetland plants, snails, mussels, cra

yfish, and algae. After we discuss identification, you will be informed how to monitor for these species within river corridors and how to report your findings. In return, we ask that you monitor your favorite river or stream this summer/fall. Looking for an excuse to get out and paddle and/or wade? You found it!

NEW IN 2011! This year we will be focusing a few new species, such as yellow floating heart and Louisiana red swamp crayfish, in addition to 12 species that we have been monitoring for in the past. We will also be transitioning our data storage from www.CitSci.org <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=ocjj49cab&et=1105327443800&s=393&e=001oW_FMQjVxCfd58qgMF-wHTuCF2qzPoPDwEyFWpKcMqzh-qwGs97Vq4yMrFSgepfxEAX5lGJ4vLnZavbwLRmTQy4xOtfenRnASchqNLZmp1TCgD3bXPzqnR1PLNFy5Ajn-MrN6zjpSTC4kSf9zh5b5c7A4gDutGhUN_IvHsmurBtevhpEoCjTpA==> to the Wisconsin DNR's SWIMS online database. This will ensure that your data is easily accessible to resource managers statewide. This year we will also provide to all participants a biweekly phenology e-newsletter containing the latest news about invasive species in Wisconsin and their phenology (when the plants are bloom or the animals or most active, etc.)

Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011
Time: 9:00am - Noon
Location: Dane County offices at 1 Fen Oak Court, Madison, WI 53718 Map <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=ocjj49cab&et=1105327443800&s=393&e=001oW_FMQjVxCeB8OnXyzXEPFYR0wLOoI5eWKEy_JSWv3Mx5QgbC5-Sh9Yc0J1OlIzR9acDsyOg0IVEL92tKFRTbHcaXZFrax2b1didLNOPVctBszkeiQeCPEMUN9DFL55Gz7mg8wYO7y4pJ2It3z4J-gq5BPjdllHreewlCLaEz8R0fADru5-6ZOLNdTdSvLS-A9M9wedJb-Uj6zLaHVCm_PITnBsetTdNu-haZnAUXkRq5ibBuliUBrtvnakThuYS9mD0WQnlNCW9S0_1qC2FO-OCKuIhrIoAYZX9X_h5ZQcivYtdDUa3gRpnZw0VUPRarTYWQ60WcMt_0luU9o6w9RzMk08E_2pZUnjzSM9GMvY6wg6q79J_QZ0yFZgEczkf3hikPZtetszSX0IqSzy5cFYl1zdSbEo->
Cost: Free AND Delicious Snacks will be Provided!
RSVP Requested: Contact Laura MacFarland, River Alliance of Wisconsin at (608) 257-2424 or lmacfarland@wisconsinrivers.org

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Lower Wisconsin River "AIS Action Day" on May 21 in Prairie du Sac

River Alliance and Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW) will be holding event that combines education and fun around AIS, on Saturday, May 21. At 9am, we'll put our boats in the water at the Prairie du Sac VFW landing, and paddle from Prairie du Sac to Ferry Bluff. We'll stop along the way to identify invasive species, learn about particular AIS of concern, and play "river bingo!" Afterwards, we'll gather in August Derleth Park in Sauk City for snacks and refreshments. Family-friendly, and children are welcome. Participants must provide their own canoe, kayak, or boat, as well as personal flotation devices. A shuttle will be provided.

Date: Saturday, May 21, 2011
Time: 9am - 1pm
Location: Meet at Prairie du Sac VFW boat landing at 9am, finish at August Derleth Park in Sauk City at 1pm

Cost: Free, and refreshments will be provided. Participants must provide their own boat, water, PFD, sunscreen, etc.
RSVP: Matt Krueger, River Alliance of Wisconsin at (608) 257-2424 x125 or mkrueger@wisconsinrivers.org or Timm Zumm at FLOW, 608-575-0325 or wisriverfriends@yahoo.com

 

Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) Calendar

Woodland School Courses

MIPN Events

Invasive Species Awareness Month (ISAM) Calendar