2009 Stream Leaders Workshop

Links to pdf versions of speaker handouts and presentations are included in the agenda below.

10:00 AM Welcome and Introductions

10:15 AM Working With Local Schools

• Kris Stepenuck will share information about the new stream monitoring curriculum for middle and high school students and how we hope volunteers can get involved.
• Deb Weitzel, Middleton High School biology teacher who has participated in stream monitoring with her classes and clubs for many years, will share her recommendations about how schools work best with community volunteers, how volunteers can make connections with schools, and what sort of time commitment may be involved when working with schools.>> View presentation (794 KB pdf file)
• Deb will also share tips and techniques for working effectively with middle and high school students. >> View handout (42 KB pdf)

11:15 AM How to Communicate with Local Decision Makers

• Lynn Markham, Shoreland and Land Use Specialist with UW-Extension, will work with participants on the issue of knowing what decision makers to focus on in communicating a particular water resource issue. Each individual or watershed group has issues which concern them. Knowing which decision maker has the authority to effect each issue and to what degree that person can effect that issue can be confusing for most citizens. This session will address the specific issues of the participants of the Workshop. >> View handout about "Who makes river-related decisions?" (23 KB pdf file)
  >> View handout about "Working effectively with local gov't to protect and rehabilitate lakes and streams" (135 KB pdf file)

12:15 PM Lunch (provided)

1:00 PM Reaching Out to the Media with Your Story

• Dr. Bret Shaw and Graduate Student Elizabeth Goers will share helpful hints about presenting intriguing story ideas to local reporters, developing hooks to help ensure your story will be a hit, writing letters to the editor, and framing issues to reach broad audiences >> View presentation (878 KB pdf file)

2:00 PM Stream Ecology

• Enrich your minds and get your feet wet with the hands on session with Bobbi Peckarsky, Honorary Fellow & Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Zoology & Entomology at UW-Madison. We're always being asked about macroinvertebrates and linkages between insects, oxygen content and temperature, so we're taking advantage of the summer day to engage you in a streamside science session that will build upon your stream monitoring basics. Dr. Peckarsky is a well-known stream ecologist who is excited to share her knowledge with you. >> View presentation (965 KB pdf file)

3:30 PM Adjourn