- A focused master’s degree in Natural Resources/Environmental Education identifies and nurtures environmental education leaders
Primary and secondary education teachers throughout Wisconsin know they should and could be teaching environmental education to their students, but they often don’t know how. A master’s program in Natural Resources/Environmental Education (NR/EE) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has granted degrees to more than 150 teachers who are addressing this dilemma: they are training colleagues to integrate environmental education into K-12 curricula; developing plans to use district natural areas; creating student environmental clubs, and involving students in analyzing and solving community environmental problems. Teachers in this program eventually impact 15,000-20,000 Wisconsin youth to become better stewards of the environment.
- Assessing the Economic Worth of a Clean Lake Puts the Cost of Improving Water Quality in Perspective
Officials in Delavan, Wisconsin have set aside funds for maintaining the water quality of their local lake, thanks largely to a study conducted by UW-Whitewater economists. Capitalizing on a major Delavan Lake rehabilitation effort completed in 1992, researchers assessed the value of the cleaner, healthier lake to its surrounding community. They proved that, beyond the obvious environmental benefits of the rehab, the entire region enjoyed economic gains in the form of increased property values, tourism, jobs, and retail spending. The well-publicized findings now serve as a tool for local, state, and national officials who make decisions about investing resources in lake quality protection.
- Better pest management helped producers reduce pesticides and save money on $184 million Wisconsin soybean crop
Soybean producers and agricultural professionals who participated in University of Wisconsin-Extension Pest Management Education programs bettered their practices for managing the soybean aphid. By improving control of the pest while minimizing use of chemical pesticides, these farmers minimized crop damage, saved time and money and protected the environment.
- Constructive dialog on land use concerns helps farmers weigh their interests with those of their non-farm neighbors
As farm and non-farm populations converge, Wisconsin enacted Livestock Facilities Siting legislation encouraging constructive dialogue among rural neighbors. UW-Extension assessed research-based performance standards for new and expanding livestock operations, and engaged public involvement. In 2005, county educators and community partners presented workshops helping elected officials understand the state law for revising local ordinances. In four of the counties involved, 181 farmers and elected officials developed or modified local livestock facility siting plans or land use policies that complied with local and state regulations.
- Extension Response to June 2008 Floods
In June 2008, record rains on saturated soils caused widespread flooding, costing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Thirty southern Wisconsin counties were declared disaster areas. Backed by campus specialists, county extension faculty helped their neighbors assess damage and document losses even as floodwaters were rising. They contributed to positive impacts for farmers, families, homeowners, businesses, agencies and communities, from reduced losses, risks, stress and anxiety, to improved local and state agency performance.
- Fostering professional practices among commercial manure applicators
For-hire manure applicators manage about 4 billion gallons of dairy manure each year, making them major partners in regulatory compliance. UW-Extension responded to their request for professional development with an interagency-industry collaboration to train new and existing firms. The industry now enforces professional standards under UW-Extension guidance, regulators and trained applicators are building mutual trust, and certified firms save on insurance.
- La Crosse area entrepreneurs learn how Geographic Information Systems can strengthen local economies
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a multipurpose technology that links map features with related databases, represents a growing marketplace in which the demand for services far outweighs the supply. To keep pace, a UW-La Crosse GIS applications and training program introduced area business, government, and higher education personnel to the versatility and features of GIS. In addition, project planners held meetings with local decision-makers to discuss potential GIS projects. The effort resulted in contract work for UW-La Crosse''s Center for Geographic Information Systems.
- Managed grazing improves pasture yields and small farm profitability
Wisconsin’s small dairy and livestock farms make a big contribution to the state’s economy, yet remain vulnerable to market forces. With UW-Extension education through local partners and grazing networks, dairy and livestock producers are securing federally cost-shared pasture improvements, selecting economical forage varieties, adding fencing, controlling aggressive weeds, practicing land stewardship on hillsides, exploring niche markets and writing business plans.
- Roadside Geology of Wisconsin brings state’s natural history to a highway near you
To create a handy trip guide for amateur and professional geologists alike, UW earth science educators combined their research knowledge, crisscrossed Wisconsin, and worked with an artist to illustrate the state's key geologic features. With its maps of the physical highlights of more than sixty state, county, and city parks, the Roadside Geology of Wisconsin has become a catalyst for public geoscience education.
- Shoreline Incentives Program protects and restores Northern Wisconsin lakes and natural resources
As natural shorelines vanished, UW-Extension Burnett County worked with local partners to create a unique program restoring native trees and plants along lakes and rivers. The Burnett County Shoreline Incentives Program demonstrates that development and recreation can be balanced with natural landscape, clean water, aquatic health and wildlife habitat. Preservation and restoration projects have been completed on 507 properties along 37 miles of shoreline.
- Wetland delineation training improves the consistency and accuracy of wetland mapping in Wisconsin
A pair of workshops taught by experts on Wisconsin soils, hydrology, vegetation, and wetland policy has filled a statewide need for training in wetland identification and delineation. Working with the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other governmental agencies, the UW-La Crosse Office of Continuing Education and Extension created the classes to help standardize the state’s delineation procedures. Government agents who oversee Wisconsin wetlands say the courses have improved the quality and consistency of delineations filed by the private sector. This not only saves government staff time and energy, it prevents mistakes that could be costly to landowners, developers, and consultants.
- Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and Basin Education Program: Building local capacity for long-term emergency preparedness
Why were Spring Green area homes and businesses still submerged months after floodwaters receded from most of southern Wisconsin? A Cooperative Extension water basin educator and geological survey scientists teamed up to merge the results of a 20-year geology study with a new groundwater flow model to educate residents about why the area flooded, and why the flooding persisted. Understanding that a high water table and low topography compounded effects of record rainfall, residents and officials could then move forward.
- Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program helps teachers spread the word on energy education
More than two thousand Wisconsin teachers have learned ways to incorporate up-to-date energy education activities into their classrooms since 1995 through the K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP). Teachers take part in an average of 22 courses each year, which in turn helps tens of thousands of students throughout Wisconsin appreciate the need to conserve energy and make changes in their lifestyle important to our state, nation and world.
