Watershed Education News

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus

Test results returned in recent weeks show that a virus detected in fish from the Lake Winnebago system, Lake Michigan and Green Bay hasn't spread more widely in Wisconsin, as originally feared. Those results suggest there's a very real hope that viral hemorrhagic septicemia can be kept out of most of Wisconsin lakes and rivers, where it could prove a serious threat to a broad range of native fish.

Everyone needs to take steps to avoid accidentally spreading VHS this summer. Fish immune systems are stronger with warmer water temperatures and better able to withstand the virus, but infected fish still carry the virus during this time. VHS outbreaks are expected as water temperatures cool in the fall to 60 degrees. For more information, download our VHSv summary ( 1 page, 94 KB).

Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a specially designed place in your lawn that allows water to collect and slowly seep into the ground. The plants in a rain garden slow down the storm water runoff and absorb or trap many of the pollutants. To learn more about designing and installing a rain garden, download the How-To Manual for Homeowners or order the Rain Garden Educator's Kit. For training on rain gardens, see our Upcoming Events page.

Ephemeral Pond Monitoring
Become part of a volunteer project to identify, inventory, and monitor the ecology of ephemeral ponds. Ephemeral ponds are present only part of the year, drying up later in the summer but available as habitat for a variety of amphibians, macroinvertebrates, and wildlife during spring and early summer. To learn more, visit the Southeast Wisconsin Ephemeral Ponds Citizen Monitoring Project web page.

Construction Site Erosion Control Workshops
Each spring, UW-Extension offers workshops on controlling erosion from construction sites. These workshops offer the latest information on erosion control techniques and regulations. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, contact Andy Yencha at 414-256-4631 or by email.

Woodland Owners Conference
The 21st annual Southeast Wisconsin Woodland Owners Conference will be held in January or February 2010. Plan to come and learn the latest about woodland management from experienced public and private professionals. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, contact Andy Yencha, 414-256-4631 or andrew.yencha@ces.uwex.edu

Milwaukee River Basin
The Milwaukee River Basin covers 900 square miles and is home to nearly 1 million people. Everyone who lives, drives, works or plays in the Milwaukee River Basin has an impact on the water quality of the river and everyone has the power to help protect and improve their local water ways. For more information, visit the web site for the Milwaukee River Basin Partnership.

Root-Pike River Basin
The Root-Pike River watershed drains approximately 327 square miles in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties. The Root-Pike Watershed is comprised of five smaller watersheds that drain to Lake Michigan: Root River, Pike River, Pike Creek, Oak Creek and Wind Point. For more information, visit the web sites for the Root-Pike River Basin or the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network.

Fox River Basin
The Fox River Basin is home to 500,000 people in Kenosha, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. The Southeast Fox River Partnership has been formed to protect, restore, and enhance the natural resources of the basin through a cooperative team effort by partners representing federal, state, municipal and private entities. For more information, visit the Fox River web site.

Andy Yencha
Watershed Educator
Milwaukee County UW-Extension
9501 W. Watertown Plank Rd.
Wauwatosa, WI 53226-3552
414-256-4631 phone
414-256-4646 fax
andrew.yencha@ces.uwex.edu

• Root-Pike River Basin
• Southeast Fox River Basin
• Multi-Agency Land & Water Education Grant Program
• Stormwater education
• Organizational development
• Woodland owners conference

Gail Epping Overholt
Milwaukee River Basin Educator
Milwaukee County UW-Extension
9501 W. Watertown Plank Rd.
Wauwatosa, WI 53226-3552
414-256-4632 phone
414-256-4646 fax
gail.overholt@ces.uwex.edu

• Milwaukee River Basin
• Stormwater education
• Rain gardens
• Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern
• Ephemeral Ponds Citizen-Based Monitoring
• Menomonee & Kinnickinick Watershed Restoration Plans & Citizen Involvement
• Southeast Wisconsin Watersheds Trust