Red Cedar River Watershed Conference coming to Stout

The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.
·3 min read

Mar. 7—MENOMONIE — The health of the Red Cedar River watershed will be the focus of this year's 11th annual Red Cedar River Watershed Conference.

The conference, slated for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday at UW-Stout, will feature three keynote speakers and several breakout sessions, including one with two Stout professors and one with a UW-Eau Claire professor, the university announced in a news release.

The purpose of the conference, stated the university, is to bring together professionals, educators, activists and residents from around the region to discuss ways to improve water quality within the Red Cedar River watershed, which includes about 40,000 acres of open water and 4,900 miles of waterways in northwestern and west-central Wisconsin.

Speakers will examine issues related to point- and nonpoint-source pollution.

Keynote presentations will include:

* 8:45 a.m., Jim Boulter, UW-Eau Claire professor of chemistry and environmental studies, "Wisconsin's Changing Climate and Agriculture's Role"

* 12:05 p.m., Rick Clark, owner of Clark Land and Cattle Farm and Farm Green Consulting, "Farm Green for the Future"

* 2:45 p.m., Chad Pregracke, founder and president of Living Lands and Waters, "From the Bottom Up."

Also presenting will be UW-Stout biology Assistant Professor Nicole Hayes and social science Professor Tina Lee.

Their presentation, titled "It Takes All Kinds: Ongoing Multidisciplinary Water Research and Action at UW-Stout," will review nutrient trends in the watershed. The review will have a specific focus on the Red Cedar River, Hay River and lakes Tainter and Menomin.

The professors will also discuss the eutrophication status of both lakes. Eutrophication occurs when high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen cause blue-green algae blooms and dissolve oxygen levels, the university stated.

Additionally, Hayes and Lee will share updates about ongoing and future watershed-related research activities at Stout.

These activities include the LAKES Research Experience for Undergraduates program and monitoring supported by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin; the establishment of the Center for Rural Opportunities and Prosperity and Red Cedar Learning Hub; new data about the health of the watershed; ongoing efforts at protecting and improving the watershed; and new initiatives that aim to support the local economy and farmers.

UW-Stout has an environmental science program, a biology concentration within the applied science program, and the Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation.

The City of Menomonie and Dunn County are the conference's major sponsors.

"The County Board decided to become a major sponsor of this important conference because improving the water quality in the Red Cedar Watershed is one of our highest priorities," stated Kris Korpela, county manager, in the news release. "So much of what makes Dunn County special revolves around our rivers, lakes and streams, and this conference is an excellent way to explore what new initiatives we might take to make our waterways as pristine as possible."

Chase Cummings, a Dunn County conservationist, has helped plan the event.

"Much of my time is spent on water quality issues, and this conference is a great opportunity to discuss best practices with experts from around the state and country," Cummings stated. "I feel privileged to be on the conference's planning committee and look forward to the incredible presentations and discussions that will be offered at the 2023 conference."

Other sponsors include the Jennie-O Turkey Store, WESTconsin Credit Union, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Rain to Rivers, Xcel Energy, Andersen Corp., Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin and Red Cedar Lakes Association.