Our individual actions and expectations can impact local water. Kathy Lake’s talk will discuss a variety of pollution prevention opportunities including the salty truth.
Keeping pollutants out of the water that are challenging and/or costly to remove is good for our resources and our pocketbooks. Current MMSD pollution prevention initiatives range from Yahara WINs – phosphorus reduction throughout the Yahara River Basin, to mercury and chloride reduction and into fats, oils, greases and the not so flushable items.

Topics Covered:
- Backyard pollinator plantings
- The link between wildlife and pollinator habitat
- Seed mix selection
- Prairie establishment techniques
- Biology of pollinating insects and beekeeping

Topics Covered:
- Backyard pollinator plantings
- The link between wildlife and pollinator habitat
- Seed mix selection
- Prairie establishment techniques
- Biology of pollinating insects and beekeeping

Topics Covered:
- Oak restoration
- Prairie and pollinator habitat establishment
- Aspen regeneration techniques
- How to selectively thin trees in your forest
- Learn how to plan a habitat management project
Free to IPAW members, $10.00 for non-members.
- Identifying and monitoring invasive plants
- Management techniques
- Bring your questions for our experts
The Barron Field Day is brought to you by the Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a wetland invasive threatening river and lakeshores across the state. Learn how to use beetles that feed on purple loosestrife. Using these beetles will reduce these weeds to manageable numbers. The training will outline the time and equipment needed. It will also describe the steps needed to complete a purple loosestrife biocontrol program.
As part of the Plant Identification Workshop Series, this workshop provides the advanced skills and experience necessary to identify and sample woodland plants. The workshop will focus on identifying spring woodland species of Wisconsin in both the lab and field. Covered topics include: plant anatomy, dichotomous key use, and proper sampling techniques.
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify common species by sight
- Use simple dichotomous keys to identify plant genera and/or species
- Demonstrate field plant sampling techniques
Click here for a full itinerary.
Instructor Bio
Sophie Demchik is an associate instructor at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she teaches plant and natural resource courses.
As part of the Plant Identification Workshop Series, this workshop provides the skills and experience necessary to identify and sample grasses and sedges. The workshop focuses on identifying common grasses and sedges in both lab and field settings. Topics covered include: plant anatomy, key use, and sampling techniques.
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify common species by sight
- Use simple keys to identify plant genera and/or species
- Demonstrate field plant sampling techniques
A workshop itinerary is available at GraminoidIDWorkshop2019_agenda.pdf.
Dr. Stephanie Lyon spent her early years in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains in eastern Tennessee, where she developed a passion for botany. At UWSP, she teaches several botany classes, including upper-level courses in Vascular Plant Taxonomy and Agrostology (the study of grasses and their close relatives). Dr. Lyon is the director of the UWSP herbarium.
As part of the Plant Identification Workshop Series, this workshop is designed to provide the skills and experience necessary to identify and sample wetland plants. The workshop focuses on wetland, and some aquatic, species of the Upper Midwest. To accomplish this, Stephanie Lyon, Ph.D. and Paul Skawinski, will review plant anatomy in relation to keys as well as proper field sampling techniques.
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Categorize common wetland communities of the Upper Midwest
- Use simple keys to identify plant genera and/or species
- Demonstrate field plant sampling techniques
Instructor Bio
Paul Skawinski is the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Educator for UW-Extension’s Lakes Program and author of Aquatic Plants of the Upper Midwest. Paul also teaches Aquatic Plant Taxonomy at UW-Stevens Point. Additionally, he has worked with aquatic invasive plants for almost 15 years. Paul is an avid plant photographer. Whether on the job or after hours, he enjoys spending time on lakes kayaking and snorkeling.
Dr. Stephanie teaches botany classes, including upper-level courses in Vascular Plant Taxonomy and Agrostology (the study of grasses and their close relatives) at UWSP. Stephanie is the director of the UWSP herbarium.
Much of Wisconsin was covered in prairie and oak savannah before settlers arrived. Restoring prairie on your land will help bring back wildlife, rebuild soil and pass on what Aldo Leopold called, “the land ethic” to your children.
As part of the Plant Identification Workshop Series, this workshop provides the skills and experience necessary to identify and sample prairie plants. The workshop focuses on identifying common prairie plants of the Midwest. It will cover plant anatomy, key use, and sampling techniques.
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify common species by sight
- Use simple keys to identify plant genera and/or species
- Demonstrate field plant sampling techniques
Click here for an itinerary for the workshop.
Instructor Bio
Sophie Demchik is an associate instructor at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she teaches plant and natural resource courses.