The Four Lakes Sierra Club and the First Unitarian Society have joined together to create the Water Sentinel Ministry Team.
The team has had a great response to the initial recruitment to find people interested in exploring the water resources of our area. Some of the ideas for activities offered by volunteer leaders include:
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Water monitoring – What can we learn from water monitoring and can the Water Sentinels team play a role in protecting our area waters and cleaning them up?
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Stream quality – Ever wonder whether streams are different in an urban and rural setting? Join us and let’s find out.
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Permaculture and water-friendly gardening and horticulture – We will get a tour of a property being restored using land and water friendly techniques.
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Snowshoeing – Snowshoes provide a great way to explore our parks and lakes in winter. Look for a fun and educational outing this winter.
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Fishing – Fish provide an indication of the quality of lakes. We will take a fishing trip next spring/early summer.
Our goal is to offer a range of activities that will appeal to a wide variety of people. A planning group will be meeting soon to follow up on these ideas and more. To join the Water Sentinel Team, please contact Liz Wessel, 238-9934, lizmwessel@gmail.com or Cindy Rose, 271-6440, crose5@att.net.
Water Sentinel Update – May 2017
Water white papers
The Sierra Club volunteers with staff and volunteer support (See May 3 below) are releasing a series of white papers to highlight water issues in the state with local examples. The first paper was on Water Quality and the remaining papers will cover water quantity, lead, Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and energy and water. The papers will be posted on the Sierra Club website. https://sierraclub.org/wisconsin/protecting-water-resources.
These papers are not new research but summaries of existing research, local examples of water challenges and ideas and recommendations for decision makers and leaders, both local and state level to address these issues. The intent is to provide some common understanding for water issues and suggestions on actions to address the issues that face our water resources.
Releasing Water white papers – Volunteers needed in Madison area
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 (6:00 p.m.)
Location: Sierra Club office, 754 Williamson St., Madison
The Sierra Club John Muir Chapter will be releasing four additional white papers in May with press events in locations out state:
May 10: Lead problems in Wisconsin (Racine)
May 17: Water Quantity Issues (Stevens Point)
May 24: Factory Farm Pollution (Eau Claire)
June 7: Energy and Water (Milwaukee)
At the Water Team meeting on Wednesday, May 3 at the Sierra Club office on Williamson Street, we will make plans to support these events. We will outline tasks we can undertake to make these events successful and assign volunteer tasks/jobs, including getting volunteers to make press calls, help with social media, write press releases, deliver reports and press releases to the Capitol etc.
We'll also plan an Activist Capitol Tour (has to be on a weekend due to hours of the Capitol) where we'll have fun learning how to find a Senate office, the Sargent of Arms, and more! Any questions or if you cannot make the meeting Wednesday but still would like to help, contact Liz Wessel,
lizard59sc@yahhoo.com or 608.238.9934.
Water Monitoring Training
Saturday, May 6, 2017 (9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
Location: Amundson Center, Cambridge
Facilitators: Nancy Sheehan, RRC Stream Monitoring Program Coordinator, and Patricia Cicero, Water Resource Management Specialist, Jefferson Co. Land & Water Conservation Dept. At this workshop, you will learn how to measure water clarity, stream temperature, and dissolved oxygen. You will also learn how to assess stream health by examining aquatic insects.
Saturday, May 6, 2017 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Location: University of Wisconsin, Waukesha Field Station, Oconomowoc
Facilitator: Jayne Jenks, Waukesha County Parks and Land Use Dept. At this workshop, you will learn how to measure water clarity, stream temperature, and dissolved oxygen. You will also learn how to assess stream health by examining aquatic insects.
Trout Unlimited Workday – Stream access and bank restoration
Saturday, May 6 (9 a.m. to noon)
Our last Spring workday will be at a newly acquired DNR easement on Gordon Creek. The DNR is wanting to add more easements in this area and clearing out this section will help to convince other landowners to sign up for an easement.
What: Cutting and treating honeysuckles, invasive brush, and box elders to benefit trout stream habitat and provide access to the stream. Also, friendly camaraderie, refreshments, coffee, and a chance to give back to the resource!
Where: Driving west from Madison on Hwy 151, take Hwy 78 south out of Mt. Horeb toward Blanchardville. The worksite is on the north side of Blanchardville. There is no parking available on Hwy 78, you will need to park on Baker Street, also known as Iowa Cty. Rd. F. Here is a
map.
Bring: Rubber boots, work gloves, sturdy shoes, and loppers and hand saws; otherwise, the chapter has equipment you can use. Also, bring reusable water bottles that can be refilled from our 5-gallon water jug. As a conservation club we need to reduce our use of plastic bottles and throw away cups. Reusable coffee mugs will also be available.
Parking: Do not park on Hwy 78. Park on Baker Street (Iowa Cty. Rd F), which is on the north side of the cemetery and across the street (west) from the work area.
If you have questions or think you can help or cannot find the site, please contact Jim Hess at
jim.hess@tds.net or 608.288.8662. TU would appreciate RSVPs to get a volunteer count estimate. We look forward to seeing you there!
Lakes and Watershed Commission Meeting
Thursday, May 11, 2017 (5:00 p.m.)
Location: City County Building (210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Madison) - Room 354
Presentation of final report to the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission and Capital Area Regional Planning Commission by Dr. Ken Potter, chair of the Committee. 6 p.m.
Dane County Watershed Network Gathering - Communication workshop on framing techniques
Monday, May 15, 2017 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hawthorn Public Library, 2707 E. Washington Ave, Madison
Muddying the water – How frames affect perceptions of watershed issues. Learn some research-based techniques for using framing to advocate for watershed issues. Attendees are encouraged to bring their difficult communication issues for discussion during and after the presentation.
To register, go to this
link.
Water Monitoring Training
Saturday, May 20, 2017 (9:30 a.m. - 3:30p.m.)
Location: Turtle Creek Parkway Facility, Clinton
Facilitators: Nancy Sheehan, RRC Stream Monitoring Program Coordinator, Anne Miller, Conservation Specialist, Rock Co. Land Cons. Dept. , David Hoffman, Community Coordinator, Rock County Parks, and Lisie Kitchel, Conservation Biologist, Mussel Monitoring Program, WDNR. At this workshop you will learn how to measure water clarity, stream temperature, and dissolved oxygen. You will also learn how to assess stream health by examining aquatic insects. You will also learn about mussel monitoring!
Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz – Volunteers needed!
July 1, 2017 (8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m,, followed by a free lunch)
Location: Start at Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture & Conservation Center (5201 Fen Oak Drive, Room 121)
The Fourth of July weekend is one of Wisconsin’s busiest boating holidays and this year, citizen volunteers will mark the eighth annual landing blitz campaign by helping boaters learn how they can stop aquatic hitchhikers. Landing blitz volunteers will be stationed at hundreds of boat landings statewide where they will spread friendly reminders to ensure that boaters are taking actions, such as removing plants and draining water, to stop invasive species and protect the waters they enjoy. The Dane County Land and Water Resources Department, with support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, will be hosting a special training for volunteers in Dane County that would like to help with this year’s landing blitz. At this workshop, attendees will he trained as a Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteers and then go out to boat landings in teams to help educate the public. Individuals attending the workshop will have the option to continue volunteering throughout the summer in coordination with the Clean Boats, Clean Waters Dane County staff person.