University of Wisconsin - Extension

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin River of Words (ROW) program is designed to foster children's appreciation and knowledge of Wisconsin's water resources through artistic expression. A series of workshops for teachers and non-formal educators will provide information about specific watersheds and creative activities and techniques to get K-12 children to turn their observations of nature into works of art. ROW is a national art and poetry program focusing on watersheds, brought to Wisconsin by the University of Wisconsin-Extension Lakes Program and the Wisconsin Center for the Book.

Attendees will participate in watershed awareness and poetry/art activities that can be replicated with students. They will also receive a binder of educational materials. Workshop facilitators will include the Wisconsin ROW coordinator as well as local poets, artists or naturalists.

"We all live in a watershed," said Mary Pardee, UW-Stevens Point/Extension lakes education specialist. "ROW asks kids to educate themselves about their home

watershed, then unleash their imaginations through art and poetry. This workshop will give those who work with children tools to start this process."

A watershed is an area of land through which water flows, both aboveground and underground, on its way to a stream, river, lake or ocean. Every time it rains, water flows off the land and into the closest stream or other waterway. On its way, it picks up sediment, trash, oil, fertilizer and debris and carries it along, eventually depositing everything into the nearest body of water. The entire area of land that drains into the same body of water makes up a watershed. Any landscape, rural or urban, is made up of many interconnected watersheds. To find your watershed, visit the EPA web site at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/state.cfm?statepostal=WI

River of Words workshops are scheduled at the following locations:

• August 9 -- Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  Limit of 25 participants.

  Cost: $40 includes materials. Bring a lunch or go to a nearby restaurant.

• August 23 -- Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee

  Limit of 20 participants.

  Cost: $40 includes materials. Bring a lunch or go to a nearby restaurant.

• September 20 -- Treehaven Field Station, Tomahawk, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  Limit of 25 participants.

  Cost: $50 includes materials and lunch.

  Limited availability to Friday night lodging for an extra fee of $30 (Call Mary at 715-346-4978 to inquire.)

• September 27 -- Great Blue Peace Camp, Hudson, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  Limit of 15 participants.

  Cost: $45 includes materials. Bring a picnic lunch.

• October 18 -- Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  Cost: $35 includes materials. Bring a picnic lunch.

  Note: A state park sticker will be required for entrance to the park. A $5 day pass can be purchased at the park.

  Participants are encouraged to register at least two weeks before the workshop they wish to attend. Register online on the Wisconsin ROW web site at http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/row/ . For more information, contact Mary Pardee via email at mpardee@uwsp.edu or call 715-346-4978.

  Six DPI clock hours are available for the workshop. To finalize your registration, please send a check payable to UWEX-Lakes Program to: UWEX-Lakes/River of Words, College of Natural Resources, 1900 Franklin St., Stevens Point, WI 54418. To learn more about the national ROW program, visit the web site at http://www.riverofwords.org .