University of Wisconsin - Extension

GREEN BAY, Wis.-2003, the Year of Water, marks the 25th anniversary of the Wisconsin Lakes Convention. To celebrate, the Rivers Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Ground Water Association, Wisconsin Wetlands Association and University of Wisconsin-Extension have joined the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership in bringing you this year's event. The convention is one of the largest and most significant of its kind in the nation. Students, business leaders, government officials from lakeshore communities across Wisconsin will gather in Green Bay on April 10-12, to celebrate "Silver Reflections, Golden Projections: 25 Years of Lake Partnerships."

Two days of workshops will provide information on monitoring programs, current lake research, shoreline management, lake restoration, planning, water law, organizational development and more. The convention will take place at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay.

A pre-conference workshop on Thursday, April 10, entitled "Where the Waters Meet," explores the science, issues and policies of Wisconsin-wetlands, groundwater, lakes and rivers. Representatives from various citizen organizations committed to the protection of Wisconsin's waters and the life systems they support will discuss threats, challenges and future steps. Participants will learn about land use initiatives that affect water quality, the status of local and global water supplies, wetland, river and lake ecology and a host of other issues, including what citizens can do to help.

Scott Hassett, recently appointed Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will address the Thursday luncheon and Governor Jim Doyle has been invited to address the Friday luncheon. Friday's plenary session will feature a discussion of key issues by state legislators. Representatives of The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership will provide insight on the history and future directions of lake management in the state. Breakout sessions will feature topics ranging from lake management and aquatic plant and animal life to cutting edge lake technologies.

Kevin Shibilski, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, has been invited to address the Lake Stewardship Awards Luncheon on Saturday. Participants will have the opportunity to attend additional workshops. On Saturday afternoon, a summit on fishing and aquatic invasives will be held immediately following the convention. Experts, sportspeople, legislators and citizen activists will discuss a number of issues including the impact of invasives on ecosystems and aquatic habitat.

The convention is sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of Lakes, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and University of Wisconsin-Extension. This network of concerned citizens, academics, agency personnel and local leaders is recognized as one of the nation's best examples of a working partnership, the principal mission of which is to protect our state's significant water resources.

For convention and registration information, visit the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership web site at www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/conventions . Registration closes April 1. For more information about the conference, call 715-346-2116 or contact the UW-Extension Lakes Program, College of Natural Resources, UW-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481. For lodging information, contact the KI Convention Center/Regency Suites in Green Bay at 800-236-3330 or 920-432-4555.