29th Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention

Convention highlights

• Convention Keynote Speakers
• Convention Highlights for Lake Groups
• Exhibitor and Convention sponsor information

The annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention brings more than 500 lake enthusiasts together to celebrate and learn about Wisconsin’s lakes. The 2007 Convention theme, Agents of Change, will focus on ways we each can be a force for positive change in our lake communities. We’ll discover ways to effectively reach decision-makers and shape good public policies. We will also explore lake science, management, wildlife, water law, economics, land use, and other current lake topics.

With choices of 15 different hands-on Thursday workshops, 39 different concurrent sessions on Friday and Saturday, plus a field trip and distinguished keynote speakers— the convention offers something for every lake enthusiast!

The Wisconsin Lakes Convention is hosted by the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership, a nationally recognized collaboration of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes.

Convention Keynotes

Dr. John Magnuson

Everyone’s talking about climate change. The climate is changing and this change will affect the lakes of Wisconsin. Join Dr. John Magnuson, nationally renowned researcher on climate change and Wisconsin lakes, as he charts a course into the unclear future of Wisconsin’s water resources. John’s work includes the assessments of lakes and streams for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as well as for the Union of Concerned Scientists’ "Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region." The changes that are in motion will demand new strategies and actions to manage our waters.

Peter Annin

Join former Newsweek correspondent, Peter Annin, as he provides groundbreaking insight into the battle to protect one of North America’s most valuable natural resources. His new book, The Great Lakes Water Wars, has been called the definitive book on the Great Lakes water diversion controversy. Peter will explore the hidden history and precarious future of the highly controversial Great Lakes water diversion issue. What’s the connection between Great Lakes and Wisconsin’s inland lakes? Join us and find out.

Special invited guests

Governor Jim Doyle (invited), Senator Mark Miller (invited), DNR Secretary Scott Hassett, and other political leaders will remind us of the importance of being an effective lake advocate

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Convention Highlights for Lake Groups

Whether you are new to the lake or a committed lake leader, the Lakes Convention is the best opportunity for you and your lake organization to gain a significant amount of useful information and resources in a short period of time.

Get the latest updates on emerging water policy issues, conservation success stories, and protection tools to use in your community. The convention is also a great time to rejuvenate your lake spirit by meeting new lakes folks and catching up with old friends. Lake groups routinely send a band of delegates to split up among the array of sessions and share what they’ve learned with their lake community.

Here are just a few highlights:

• Lake district commissioner training
  Do you feel a little unsure about what you are doing as a lake district commissioner? Whether you are new to your lake district or a seasoned lake district commissioner, this workshop will help you sort through the requirements of being a commissioner and operating a lake district.
• Effective lake organizations— developing leaders, finding and keeping volunteers
  Wondering how to take your lake organization to the next level? Concerned about who will lead and where they are going to come from? Having trouble keeping volunteers and finding new people? This hands-on training will help you find solutions to these challenges, focusing on the development of strong leaders and a system to keep everyone engaged and moving the organization toward its goals.
• Introduction to Lake Management Planning
  New information, better methods, changes in technology and new funding programs make planning for the protection or restoration of our lakes an evolving process. This workshop show you how to get started, how to determine what type of planning you need, the best methods for collecting and analyzing information, and how to use lake grants and other resources to support your efforts.
• Can You Hear Me Now? Giving Effective Testimony to Legislators at a Public Hearing
  Using a mock legislative hearing as a teaching tool, workshop participants will learn the techniques of effective citizen input and equip themselves to communicate with their elected public officials, whether in writing, in person, at meetings, or through the media. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls of poor communication and gain confidence as a lakes advocate.

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