2009 Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference
Friday, June 19, 2009
Telemark Resort and Convention Center in Cable
The Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference is a great opportunity to network with area lake group representatives, waterfront property owners, volunteers, local decision-makers, and others interested in protecting Wisconsin’s water resources. Lake protection and restoration success stories from area groups will be featured at this event, along with results from collaborative projects to achieve positive change on our lakes. Other sessions will explore ways to address land use concerns and zoning enforcement challenges. Plus, learn more about the status of aquatic invasive species prevention and control efforts in Northwest Wisconsin by joining in a panel discussion with County AIS Coordinators.
Agenda*
* Agenda may change.
7:30 am Registration check-in and exhibits.
View the many lake-related exhibits on hand, network with lake enthusiasts, and enjoy continental breakfast.
7:30 Northwest Wisconsin Waters Consortium Annual Meeting.
Led by Waldo Asp, Sawyer County Lakes Forum
8:45 Welcome and Opening Remarks.
Earl Cook, WAL President and Washburn County Lakes and Rivers Association, and MaryJo Gingras, County Conservationist at the Iron County Land Conservation Dept.
8:55 Balance and Harmony on the Shore.
Lucas Stiemann, Siren 7th grader and third-place winner in the Junior Division of the 51st annual State Conservation Speaking Contest
9:00 The History of Conservation.
Randy Stark, Chief Conservation Warden of the WDNR Bureau of Law Enforcement
As the Chief Conservation Warden of the WDNR Bureau of Law Enforcement, Randy Stark, along with his management team, is responsible for administration, management, and supervision of law enforcement operations of the 208 wardens across the state.Stark believes the key elements in protecting and enhancing our natural resources are: promoting community involvement and ownership in conservation at the local level, coalition building and partnerships, education to ensure we make informed decisions, and enforcement of laws designed to protect our natural resources and the people who use them. He is a strong proponent of providing youth outdoor experiences to connect them to the natural world and transfer Wisconsin’s conservation ethic to future generations.
Randy’s presentation will focus on some key people, challenges and events that shaped the history of the conservation movement in the United States since early 1800’s. He will tell the conservation story in a manner that he hopes will stimulate appreciation for the foresight, dedication and sacrifice of those who came before us, and provide inspiration to us in our day to tackle current conservation challenges on behalf of future generations.
10:00 Break
10:15 Choose 1 of 4 concurrent sessions
1 A. Basic Lake Science 101.
Tim Asplund, DNR State Limnologist, and Pamela Toshner, DNR Northern Region Lake and River Management Coordinator
Lakes are fascinating. Statewide and local DNR Lakes Team staff will share the physical, chemical, and biological basics that make them so. This presentation will begin with a brief lake science overview followed by more detail on current events, policies, and strategies related to lake management. Find out how people shape lakes for the better and the worse. Discover the lake legacy the glaciers left behind. Take a look at the lakes that dot the Northwest Wisconsin landscape and discuss the management challenges and opportunities they face. Share your lake questions and observations too.
1 B. Legal and Legislative Updates.
State Representative Nick Milroy; and Earl Cook, WAL President and Washburn County Lakes and Rivers Association
Representative Nick Milroy (D-Superior) was elected to represent the 73rd Assembly District in 2008. He serves on the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Committee on Fish and Wildlife, and Committee on Forestry. This is a great opportunity to hear a legislator’s perspective on our state’s policy-making process. We’ll explore the role of science in shaping legislation. Plus we’ll examine the progress of several lake-related bills WAL is working on in this legislative session.
1 C. Tree Management on Your Lakeshore Property.
Jason Fischbach, UW-Extension
The beauty of the Northwoods lakes comes from the stately pines, gorgeous maples, and all the other trees along the lakeshores. In this presentation, Jason will discuss the forests of the region and provide detailed information on how to manage and protect the trees on your lakeshore property. He will discuss planting, care, and management of pines, oaks, maples, birch, and even cover some shrubs.
1 D. Care and Feeding of Your Lake Association.
Jim Brakken, Bayfield County Lakes Forum, and Sandy Anderson, Whitefish Lake Conservation Organization
Jim and Sandy will lead a discussion of great ideas that will help keep your lake organization active and engaging. Subjects will include creative fundraising ideas, volunteer recruiting, free and easy websites, interesting guest speaker sources, door prize sources, and much more. Share your ideas, too!
11:15 Break
11:30 Choose 1 of 4 concurrent sessions
2 A. Fireworks Over Lakes.
Bob Korth, UW-Extension Lakes, and Ted Griggs, Whitefish Lake Conservation Organization
To some nothing is more inspiring or beautiful than the dazzle and sizzle of a great fireworks display. Join us for a look at fireworks over the water. We will discuss the benefits, the cost and concerns with engaging in this traditional summer pastime. Is it a patriotic expression, or a hazard to our health? How do I approach a neighbor that is driving me crazy with fireworks, or a person that wants to stop me from using them? How should our lake community approach this?
2 B. Zoning for Shoreland Owners.
Lynn Markham, UW-Extension Center for Land Use Education
In this session we will discuss how the specific ordinance components of shoreland zoning work together to protect lakes. Then we’ll move into the legal processes that apply to permits, variances, conditional use permits, and appeals. We’ll explore questions such as: Where does shoreland zoning apply? What are the purposes of shoreland zoning? How do our shoreland living decisions affect lake-wide property values, water quality, fisheries and wildlife?
2 C. Shoreland Buffers Step-by-Step.
MaryJo Gingras, County Conservationist at the Iron County Land Conservation Dept.
This presentation will cover the basic principles of shoreland habitat restoration including: important functions of buffers, site preparation, plant selection and layout, planting techniques, and maintenance. The program will feature photos of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers that are appropriate for various soil conditions across northern Wisconsin.
2 D. Marketing Lakeshore Protection.
John Haack, UW-Extension St. Croix Basin Educator, and Bret Shaw, UW-Extension\UW-Madison Environmental Communication Specialist
Community Based Social Marketing is an approach to outreach that promotes the voluntary behavior of lakeshore owners by offering benefits they want, reducing barriers they are concerned about, and using persuasion to motivate their participation in program activities. Bret and John will describe this approach within the context of a pilot project on two Burnett County Lakes. The session will include tips on how you can apply marketing ideas within your lake community.
12:30 pm Luncheon
1:00 Address by Matthew Frank, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary
Appointed by Governor Doyle in September 2007, Secretary Matthew Frank brings environmental enforcement experience and a love for the outdoors to the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. Secretary Frank has helped Governor Doyle achieve significant conservation milestones, including long term reauthorization and increased funding for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, passage of the Great Lakes Compact, and enacting a strong mercury rule that will significantly reduce mercury and other hazardous air pollutants in the environment. Secretary Frank is also leading efforts to address invasive species, non-point pollution of lakes and streams, water conservation, and wildlife habitat protection.
Secretary Frank is a strong proponent of Governor Doyle's Energy Independence initiative and action to address climate change. He was a member of the Governor's Global Warming Task Force, which provides a blueprint for Wisconsin to be a national leader in clean and renewable energy, energy conservation, and greenhouse gas reduction.
1:30 pm Choose 1 of 4 concurrent sessions
3 A. Conservation Star Home Project.
Dale Olson, County Conservationist at the Sawyer County Land and Water Conservation Dept., and Dennis Clagett, Chippewa Flowage Area Property Owners Association
Waterfront property owners who set good examples of lake-friendly waterfront living are recognized as Conservation Star Homes in this collaborative project of the Sawyer County Land and Water Conservation Dept. and Sawyer County Lakes Forum. People who are taking steps to protect water quality and wildlife habitat illustrate to neighbors just how easy and enjoyable it is to be a good lake steward. In this session we’ll learn how the Conservation Star Home Project works. We’ll explore the role of project ambassadors, who visit with their fellow shoreline homeowners to assess existing conservation measures. We’ll learn how property owners’ shoreland management questions and concerns are addressed. Plus, lake organization members have an important role to play in promoting this project.
3 B. Zoning Enforcement Challenges.
Bill Bussey, Bayfield County Corporation Counsel; Ruth King, Washburn County Board of Adjustment; and Web Macomber, Washburn County Zoning Administrator
Bill, Ruth, and Web will describe the process they each follow in their respective county government roles to enforce their shoreland zoning ordinances. The discussion will be based on the description of a specific zoning ordinance violation scenario. The panel will describe the enforcement options at each stage and the problems associated with particular courses of action. Our case starts with a call to the County Zoning Department from a neighbor regarding an activity at a nearby property and ends with action in court to enforce the ordinance and decisions of the Board of Adjustment. To wrap up, our panel will address questions from the audience.
3 C. Lakewide Conservation Stories.
Jim Miller, Deer Lake Conservancy, and Carol LeBreck, Bony Lake Association.
Highlights from two local large-scale lake projects will be discussed here. First, we’ll hear about the great strides that the Deer Lake Conservancy has made toward meeting an ambitious watershed phosphorus reduction goal. This was achieved through installation of a variety of best management practices, land purchases, and conservation easements. This story will focus not on the nuts and bolts of project design and installation, but rather on how the organization built its capacity to successfully fund and carry out the projects.
Next, we’ll learn more about a citizen-led project on Bony Lake to restore vital habitat in the shorelands and shallows around this lake. The project is a 3-year collaboration of riparian owners with the Bayfield County Land & Water Conservation Dept., Sigurd Olsen Environmental Institute (Northland College), and DNR personnel. Monitoring native, as well as invasive, species is an important educational component that helps people understand the value of protecting diminishing native aquatic and shoreland communities.
3 D. So You Want to Help Your Lake? Fitting the Organization to the Lake.
Bob Korth and Patrick Goggin, UW-Extension Lakes Program
A lake organization can play a key role in defining the future of your lake. Most lake organizations share the goals of preserving and protecting their lakes, but the abilities, authority and structure of the various groups can vary greatly. Join us in a discussion of the history of lake organizations and discover what they can and can’t do.
2:30 Break
2:45 County Aquatic Invasive Species Program Reports.
A panel of Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinators from Northwest WI counties will share highlights of their activities. Learn more about the status of AIS prevention and control efforts in our area, and participate in a discussion to explore how your lake community’s AIS prevention efforts tie into county and regional initiatives.
3:45 pm Adjourn
Register for the NWLC
The cost to attend the NWLC on Friday, June 19 is $45 per person. This includes program materials, lunch and refreshments.
Registration is due by June 13.
Download the conference brochure (includes agenda, registration form, and location map):
Download paper registration form (PDF 600 KB)
Telemark Resort and Convention Center: Directions and Lodging
42225 Telemark Road
Cable, WI
East from Cable, on County Road M to Telemark Road.
For lodging reservations, please call: 1-877-798-4718 (toll free) or (715) 798-3999.
Or visit the Telemark website: http://www.telemarkresort.com/
Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference sponsors
- Bayfield County Lakes Forum
- Burnett County Lakes and Rivers Association
- Douglas County Association of Lakes and Streams
- Iron County Land and Water Conservation Department
- Sawyer County Lakes Forum
- University of Wisconsin Extension
- Washburn County Lakes and Rivers Association
- Wisconsin Association of Lakes
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources