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FIELD TRIPS & WORKING GROUPS
Field Trip 1: Wetland Mitigation Tour Alice Thompson, Thompson & Associates Wetland Services Pat Trochlell, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wetland mitigation laws for some private wetland fill projects in Wisconsin were adopted in 2002. Since then, dozens of local mitigation sites and a few large scale bank projects have been constructed. How are small on-site mitigation sites faring? We plan to visit a local on-site mitigation project that is in its third year of monitoring and maintenance with the wetland consultant who planned and restored the wetland: Alice Thompson, and the DNR wetland ecologist who reviewed and regulated this project: Pat Trochlell. Each will present her own view of the project, its successes and challenges, and how this site compares to other on-site mitigation projects they have both been involved with. This site was restored by bulldozing up to 18 inches of sediment that buried the original wetland soil. The challenges in the first three years have included drought and invasive species, both reed canary grass and purple loosestrife. Alice will show photos and diagrams to give you the flavor of the site in the growing season.
Alice Thompson has a Masters degree in Biology from UWM and is the principle author of Wetland Restoration Handbook for Wisconsin Landowners, and Chair of Wisconsin Wetlands Association. She has restored wetlands throughout south east Wisconsin for on-site mitigation projects, reversing regulatory fill violations and restoring ecological functions on land-trust and public lands. Pat Trochlell is the chief wetland ecologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. She has degrees in wildlife management, wildlife biology and soil science. In addition, Pat is a certified professional wetland scientist, a licensed hydrologist and soil scientist. She works on wetland regulatory, assessment and policy issues. Field Trip 2: Wetland Restoration Tour Art Kitchen - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jason Dare - Property Manager Waukesha Land Conservancy We plan to visit two sites in western Waukesha County to view wetland and prairie restorations completed in 2005 and 2006. The first site is a private landowner restoration on the Jeff Senglaub property involving sediment removal, berm removal and installation of a water control structure into an existing drain tile line. Art Kitchen, USFWS Partner's for Fish and Wildlife Program biologist, will lead a discussion of wetland restoration techniques and the site challenges that had to be overcome, along with future vegetation management issues. The second site is a wetland and upland restoration on the Ottawa Wildlife Refuge, owned by the Waukesha County Land Conservancy. Land manager Jason Dare will give an overview of the long-term goals of the Conservancy as well as specific site management objectives for the refuge. Weather permitting, we will take a short hike to view a restored wetland and adjacent prairie restoration and discuss treatment practices and future management needs such as invasive species control and prescribed fire. Hope you can join us for the tour! Field Trip 3: Wetlands in Winter - Scuppernong River Habitat Area Don Reed - the Chief Biologist of South Eastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission Ron Kurowski - Educator and Naturalist with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Explore the wonder of wetlands in winter. Join fieldtrip leaders Don Reed, the Chief Biologist of South Eastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and Ron Kurowski, Educator and Naturalist with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, as we explore local wetlands in the winter. Scuppernong River Habitat Area: Within the last several years, intense management practices, such as brush and tree removal and large landscape fires have helped to produce the largest native wet prairie remaining east of the Mississippi River. Today this 3,500 acre area supports large areas of several rare native plant communities, such as wet to wet mesic prairies, sedge meadows, and fens. In addition, the area supports more than 45 plants, animals and insects that are either state-threatened, -endangered or "of special concern". We will tour areas that are presently being cleared of dense brush and trees, as well as other areas that are further along in the restoration process. Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras as this site will offer excellent opportunities to capture the beauty of wetlands in winter! Proposed Invasive Species Classification Rules - What Regulations & Species Should be Included? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is in the process of developing administrative rules to classify and regulate invasive species. The rules will address invasive plants, animals and non-agricultural plant pests. WDNR staff members have been working with the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species over the last three years to develop the criteria and process for this classification. DNR staff will be seeking public input into the process in the coming months.
The working group at the conference will allow participants to learn and ask questions about the draft rules as well as provide input to inform development of the rules and the proposed species to be listed. Some of the wetland species to be discussed, such as reed canary grass and phragmites, are particularly problematic because of the existence of native and non-native ecotypes and/or important commercial uses that must be considered. For more information prior to the conference, see dnr.state.wi.us/invasives/classification.
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