The working group and workshops are open to all conference participants as well. We would still like to get sense of how many people to expect so when you register please indicate which you plan to attend. The working group will be geared towards gathering input, whereas, the workshops will be an opportunity for participants to gain hands on experience with the two topics.
FIELD TRIP 1: Watershed Approach to Wetland Restoration
Mike Dahlby, Chippewa County Private Lands Conservation Specialist
Ashley Steinke, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, Special Projects Coordinator
JD Armstrong, Pheasants Forever, Farm Bill Biologist
Chippewa County's Private Lands Conservation Specialist Mike Dahlby will introduce us to the restorations of two prior converted wetlands that were implemented in 2005 and 2009. The County implemented these projects in preparation for a planned approach to wetland restoration and non point pollution control. As part of a proposed priority water implementation plan for Little Lake Wissota, Chippewa County seeks to implement a watershed management approach to restore natural wetland hydrology at critical landscape positions.
Field trip leaders will also discuss an innovative corporate-funding mechanism to support Chippewa County's ongoing wetland conservation work in this economically conservative time. Recognizing that 92% of their product is water and that their business depends on the health of local water sources, Leinenkugel's Brewing Company of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, contributed $10,000 to implement a wetland restoration demonstration project at one of the tour sites. As further commitment to water sustainability, Leinenkugel's made a significant financial commitment towards collaborative wetland restoration activities over a five year period. This unique public and private partnership to restore wetlands will serve as a model and will benefit from the assistance of several non-profit conservation organizations, including Pheasants Forever and the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association.
Throughout the field trip we will discuss wetland restoration marketing strategies and the benefits to water quality and wildlife habitat. Discussions will include, but won't be limited to, identification of potentially restorable wetlands, anticipated wetland water quality functions from different restoration landscape positions, practical restoration techniques, measurement of success, and local/social considerations.
JD Armstrong, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist, and Ashley Steinke, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Special Projects Coordinator, will join us on the tour to talk about the roles their organizations will play in recruiting landowners as well as project design, implementation, and financing.
FIELD TRIP 2: Muddy Creek State Wildlife Area
Mandy Little, University of Wisconsin-Stout Biology Department
Jess Carstens, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Matthew Kuchta, University of Wisconsin-Stout Physics Department
Max: 30 participants
Muddy Creek State Wildlife Area provides key ecosystem services such as nutrient retention, flood abatement and wildlife habitat. Field trip participants will hear about the local geology of the area and the role that Muddy Creek may play as a sink for nutrients and in flood abatement based upon local soils, topography and bedrock. We will also learn about management for wildlife productivity and wildlife issues. The trip will be led by a botanist, wildlife biologist and geologist, offering multiple perspectives on this unique wetland area.
Winter is an excellent time to explore Muddy Creek due to ease of travel over the frozen ground. Weather permitting we will walk to several wetland sites in order to learn about their history and management. These communities include wetlands with wild rice populations; black ash / yellow birch Sphagnum swamp; large, recently-burned sedge meadow and large cattail marshes. Adjacent uplands include oak forest and managed prairie. Join us as we explore this 2,000 hectare wetland system in Western Wisconsin.
FIELD TRIP 3: Private Wetland Restorations for Wildlife
John Dunn, Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Supervisor
Jon Olson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Private Lands Specialist
Lee Christenson, Private wetland landowner/WWA 2008 Wetland Protection Award Recipient
This combination driving-walking tour will take us to a number of wetlands restored for wildlife habitat on private lands that also provide a variety of ecosystem services to their surrounding landscapes. We will visit and/or discuss wetlands restored by groups with long-standing partnerships: the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Natural Resources Conservation Services' (NRCS) Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) and private citizens. The trip leaders will offer perspective on how these groups collaborate on various projects to restore altered hydrology, re-establish habitat for migratory birds and improve water quality for wetlands and connected ecosystems.
The tour will begin by driving south from Eau Claire to observe several small, private wetland restorations. These projects are the result of landowners seeking agency support to fill/plug ditches, restore wetland hydrology and attract migratory birds. Dunn and Olson worked together on these projects using WDNR state wildlife and USFWS funding. Olson and Dunn have worked together over the past twenty years on a variety of waterfowl-related wetland restorations on private lands.
At the southernmost end of the trip, Christenson will give us a personal tour of his restored family farm in southern Eau Claire County. Christenson's commitment to wetlands led to his significant personal investment to transform eroding farmland into an oasis of wetlands and other wildlife habitats that support native birds, frogs, fish and mammals. A biologist and wildlife enthusiast, he has worked hard to restore high quality wetland habitats. Olson also advised and provided assistance to Christenson on the restoration of his properties.
Time permitting, on our way back to Eau Claire we will stop by the Roinestad Wetland Reserve Program restoration, which resulted from collaboration between the WDNR, USFWS and NRCS.
WORKSHOPS
We are pleased to welcome the Institute for Conservation Leadership to lead two workshops with the aim of strengthening organizations and coalitions that protect and conserve wetlands
Max: 30 participants for each session
Workshop 1: Leading Cooperative Efforts
Friday, Feb. 12, 1:30 - 3:00PM
Collaborate more effectively - and with ease! This workshop provides tools and processes for successfully starting and sustaining cooperative efforts and coalitions. Learn how to make the most of each partner's talents and resources, plus explore a range of options for nonprofits to team up or restructure for greater impact or efficiency in today's environment, drawing on new case studies and models collected by ICL.
Workshop 2: Effective Project Management
Friday, Feb. 12, 3:30 - 4:30PM
This short workshop will offer easy-to-use project planning tools and management tips to help individuals and groups be more effective. Topics will include how to keep projects focused on goals; developing accountability mechanisms; clarifying decision making authority and responsibilities; and anticipating what might go wrong (and right!).
WORKING GROUP
How Will Climate Change Impact Wisconsin's Wetlands?
Friday, Feb. 12, 1:30 - 4:00 PM
After a brief recap of the climate projection data presented in the Thursday session, Impacts of Climate Change on Wetlands, participants will be asked to share their best professional judgment about how projected changes in temperature, precipitation, and the frequency of severe weather events will affect the quality, extent, and functions of wetlands across the state. We will discuss which impacts are most likely and which wetland types or areas of the state are most vulnerable. We will also seek information on long-term data sets, case studies and ongoing research that could help with the assessment of climate impacts on Wisconsin's wetlands. The input from this session will be shared with the WICCI Water Resources Working Group.
Special thanks to Tim Asplund and Tom Bernthal (both WDNR) for their contributions as co-planners and facilitators of these wetlands and climate change sessions.
