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2017 Education, Training, and Networking Series

Part of the mission of the Dane County, Wisconsin Land and Water Resources Department’s five divisions (Administration, Land Conservation, Office of Lakes and Watersheds, Parks, and Water Resource Engineering) is to support area residents and organizations in their resource management and protection activities.

The opportunities listed below are sponsored by the Department to support Dane County Parks friends groups, water-related organizations, partner groups and individual volunteers by sharing best management practices and providing capacity-building opportunities. This document is updated regularly with additional events as they are planned.

Events without an educational focus or events hosted by other organizations, can be found on the following sites: Office of Lakes and Watersheds, Parks, Take a Stake in our Waters.

All events are free unless otherwise noted. Events will fewer than 10 registered participants will be canceled.

May 15: Muddying the Water: How Frames Affect Perceptions of Watershed Issues

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Hawthorn Public Library (2707 E. Washington Ave, Madison - meeting room)

The words and images that we use to contextualize watershed issues can help communicate why an issue matters, how it should be defined, who is responsible and what should be done. In this session, Kristin Runge (Community Development Specialist, UW Extension) will help us explore communication methods and research-based techniques that can be used for communicating and advocating for watershed issues.

Sponsored by the Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds and the Dane County Watershed Network.

Register here

May 22: Parks Division Organization and Operations

10:00 am - Noon

Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture & Conservation Center (5201 Fen Oak Drive, Madison - Room 121)

Join Dane County Parks staff to learn how the parks division is organized and operated.

Sponsored by the Dane County Parks Division. Space is limited. Priority will be given to Dane County Parks friends groups.

Register here

June 6: Summer Invasive Weed Control

Tour 1: 9:00 - 10:00 am

Tour 2: 11:00 am - Noon

Anderson Farm County Park (914 Union Road, Oregon WI)

Join Lars Higdon, Dane County Parks Naturalist for a walk through a new prairie at Anderson Farm County Park. Learn to identify prairie plants and removal techniques of invasive species.

Sponsored by the Dane County Parks Division. Space is limited. Priority will be given to Dane County Parks friends groups.

Register here

note: We're using SignUp.com. Review the options listed, select a tour time, and and sign up. You will NOT need to create an account or password.

June 7: Beef Cattle Pasture Walk & Fencing Demonstration

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Stoneman Farm - Kevin & Keely Oppermann (2559 South Syene Rd, Fitchburg)

Kevin & Keely Oppermann operate a cow-calf grass-fed beef operation with Scottish Highland cattle. They have used the Scottish Highlands to clear woody brush species on this and their rented land. This pasture walk will feature and compare soil health of well-established forage pastures, recently-seeded pastures, and pastures that will be grazed. Participants will gain hands-on experience in the repair and construction of high tensile electric perimeter fence.

Sponsored by the Dane County Land Conservation Division and the Dane County Grazing Network.

This event is for Dane County Farmers and Landowners interested in learning more about Managed Grazing.

Register here

June 13: WI First Detector Network - Invasive Species Workshop

9:00 a.m. - Noon

Lussier Family Heritage Center, 3101 Lake Farm Road, Madison WI

Join Mark Renz and Anne Pearce from UW Extension and the Wisconsin First Detector Network for an invasive species workshop. In this workshop, participants will practice identification of several invasive species and learn about helpful identification resources. In addition, they will be introduced to the Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN) smartphone app, which allows anyone to map and monitor invasive species- a great tool for volunteers working in Dane County Parks! Participants will also learn more about specific management techniques for some of our most common invasive species, including recommendations for selecting herbicides.

Volunteers need to bring smartphone or app tablet and download the app following these instructions.

Register here

note: We're using SignUp.com. Review the options listed, select a tour time, and and sign up. You will NOT need to create an account or password.

July 1: Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz

8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (followed by a free lunch)

Start at Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture & Conservation Center (5201 Fen Oak Drive, Room 121)

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 years landing blitz with the option to continue volunteering throughout the summer. At this workshop, volunteers will he trained as a Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteer and then go out to boat landings in teams to help educate the public.

Register here

July 11: Woodland Plant ID Walk

Walk 1: 9:00 - 10:00 am

Walk 2: 11:00 am - Noon

Stewart Lake County Park Shelter #1, (3101 County Highway JG, Mt. Horeb, WI)

Join Lars Higdon, Dane County Parks Naturalist for a walk through the woods where you will learn to identify woodland plants.

Sponsored by the Dane County Parks Division. Maximum of 15 participants per group. Priority will be given to Dane County Parks friends groups.

Register here

note: We're using SignUp.com. Review the options listed, select a walk time, and and sign up. You will NOT need to create an account or password.

Sept 9: Starkweather Creek Aquatic Invasive Species Paddle

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Olbrich Park

Are you a stream or nature lover? Do you want to keep our streams free from invasive species but worry you don’t know enough to help? Then join us on September 9th to learn what it takes to become a Riverine Early Detector for invasive species The day will start with a brief training on identifying and documenting invasive species, followed by a paddle on Starkweather Creek. Canoes will be provided courtesy of Friends of Starkweather Creek, though participants are welcomed to bring their own.

This event is hosted by River Alliance of Wisconsin, Dane County Office of Lake and Watersheds, and Friends of Starkweather Creek.

Register here

September 13: Summer Plant ID Walk

Walk 1: 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Walk 2: 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Badger Prairie Shelter #1

Join Lars Higdon, Dane County Parks Naturalist for a walk through the beautiful prairies at Badger Prairie County Park. This is a great way to experience the beauty of the prairie and to learn more about the plants. Please RSVP and sign up for one of the hour long tours. Each tour is limited to 15 people. This event is co-hosted by Dane County Parks and the Dane County Watershed Network.

Register here

note: We're using SignUp.com. Review the options listed, select a walk time, and and sign up. You will NOT need to create an account or password.

September 21: Watershed Network Gathering - Reducing Salt to Keep Water Fresh

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District

We use a lot of salt in our water softeners and on our roads, and it takes a toll on fresh water. Rising levels of chloride (a component of salt) in local water bodies and drinking water have prompted Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Dane County, and other partners to take action to reduce salt. It’s a lot easier and less expensive to keep salt out of water than to remove it, and steps we all take to reduce salt use can help protect water while keeping water bills low.

Register here

September 23 : Tree Risk Assessment