(69) Wisconsin’s Freshwater Estuary Initiative

Travis Olson - Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, Madison, WI
Becky Sapper - University of Wisconsin-Extension, Ashland, WI
Robin Shepard - University of Wisconsin-Extension, Madison, WI
Cathy Techtmann - University of Wisconsin-Extension, Ashland, WI

Concurrent Session: D3:  Statewide Extension Initiatives

This presentation will provide an overview of Wisconsin’s Freshwater Estuary Initiative. Freshwater estuaries occur where rivers enter the Great Lakes and provide important natural and economic benefits for communities. This Initiative is a statewide effort to increase the understanding and stewardship of Wisconsin’s freshwater estuaries. It is a multi-faceted effort that includes the designation of a National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) on Lake Superior and an assessment of Wisconsin’s freshwater estuary needs.

A Wisconsin NERR will join a national system of 27 sites that are living laboratories for studying coastal wetlands and neighboring natural communities.  Research at these sites increases scientific knowledge and is translated into practical, on-the-ground actions that benefit citizens and communities. There is currently only one other freshwater NERR site, and it is located on Lake Erie in Ohio.  Establishing a NERR on Lake Superior will bring additional national recognition to the value of freshwater estuaries and allow collaborative opportunities with the Lake Erie NERR. The University of Wisconsin-Extension has been leading and facilitating the NERR site selection process. An overview of the group processes being used will be presented as an example for other large-scale collaborative efforts.

To help understand the freshwater estuary needs that should be addressed in Wisconsin, a comprehensive needs assessment was also completed.  Great Lakes freshwater estuary needs were examined through the use of facilitated coastal community working sessions and a detailed survey.  Participants in the needs assessment process included individuals with relevant expertise, experience, or interest, and included resource experts and community leaders.  The needs assessment results are an important component of developing an efficient and effective protection strategy for Wisconsin's Great Lakes freshwater estuaries. The methodology provides a replicable Cooperative Extension model for assessing natural resource needs.

Patrick Robinson
University of Wisconsin-Extension
UW Green Bay Campus – MAC 212
2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, WI, 54311, USA
Phone: 920-465-2175
Fax: 920-465-2143
patrick.robinson@ces.uwex.edu
ORAL