SRBP Spotlight Series

Other Projects

From May to November 2007, the SRBP hosted a presentation/field trip series called "Watershed Protection in the Spotlight." Programs featured local citizens, groups, government entities, businesses, and others who strive to preserve and protect water quality in the Sheboygan River Watershed. The program was funded through a WEEB Grant awarded to the SRBP, along with funding and support from the Sheboygan County Planning and Resource Department, the UW Extension Basin Education Initiative and Midstar Printing.

Previous Spotlight Series

Our Fish Can't Jump
November 8, 2007
Representatives from Ozaukee County, Northern Environmental and WDNR presented findings in the evaluation of eleven Ozaukee County streams. The information shared included the importance of taking fish migration into consideration when placing culverts during road building projects. This spotlight series was geared towards street and highway departments. The event was held at Kohler-Andrae State Park. Read press release.

Herding Cats on the Sheboygan Marsh
October 20, 2007
WDNR and Sheboygan County staff discussed how they worked together to manage water levels on the marsh. Camp Y-Koda staff discussed their annual 5th grade ecology program held at the March and shared data they collected. The presentation was followed by boat rides into the Marsh. Read press release.

Land as a Life Preserver
October 6, 2007
Guests visited the Sauk Creek Natural Preserve and Lion's Den Gorge Natural Area. The Sauk Creek Nature Preserve is a 20+ acre natural area with rapids classified as I-III. The Preserve aids in protecting water quality. The Lion's Den Natural Area is the last stretch of private, undeveloped bluff land between Illinois and areas will north of Ozaukee. It harbors diverse wildlife, rare plant life and springs along the gorge walls. Ozaukee Washington Land Trust and Ozaukee County staff discussed how to obtain land parcels for preservation. Read press release.

Rebuilding our Lost Wetlands
Participants learned how to help restore a wetland in their own backyard!

A visit to the Armen O. Schwengel Preserve in Belgium, Wisconsin was conducted where visitors viewed a restored wetland habitat. Read press release.

WAV Testing at Maywood
This summer, Sheboygan North High School Graduate Patrick Cassidy volunteered to demonstrate WAV testing techniques at a camp for 8th graders at Elwood H. May (Maywood) Environmental Park in Sheboygan. See photo to at top of page.

WAV is a program sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the University or Wisconsin Extension (UWEX). WAV volunteers conduct water quality tests at a monitoring site on a river of their choice. They monitor temperature, dissolved oxygen, stream flow, transparency (clarity), habitat for fish and wildlife, and “biotic index” (inventorying what types of water critters live in the river) to determine the quality of the river water at their testing site. Many of the tests are performed at least monthly and the data collected are input via the internet to a statewide database.

The camp at which Patrick made his presentation focuses on fish. His WAV testing fits in well, since water quality determines the type of fish that live in a river or whether the river can support fish at all. He hopes that his demonstration inspires other youngsters to get excited about water protection and water testing and perhaps become WAV volunteers. “People need to get involved,” says Patrick. “The WAV program member numbers are too low and volunteers need to be more reliable.” Perhaps Patrick’s demonstration will produce some new, dedicated WAV volunteers. Read press release.

Camp Marina
Our first "Spotlight" presentation was held at the Sanderling Nature Center at Kohler Andrae State Park. Featured speakers were Brian Bartoszek, Sr. Environmental Engineer from Wisconsin Public Service. He spoke about the past and present clean up efforts underway at the former gassification plant at Campmarina. View complete Campmarina presentation. Read press release.

Our second speaker was "Beetle Lady" Terri Lyon, a local resident leading the "Beetle Mania" project in Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Calumet Counties.

Ms. Lyon raises specialized beetles that control the spread of purple loosestrife, an invasive plant species that chokes our wetlands.

To learn more about the volunteer Beetle Mania program contact Terri Lyon.