2005 Citizen-Based Monitoring Conference

Camp Jorn
Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
Friday, October 21 - Saturday, October 22, 2005

"Citizens and scientists working together to monitor Wisconsin's natural resources"

The conference focused on how volunteer data is being used by the DNR, new monitoring initiatives, and practical workshops.

FOTSCH was invited to make a presentation on the importance of the stewardship role of riverbank property owners:

Riparian Property Partnerships
Scott Peterson, The Friends of the St. Croix Headwaters

The Friends of the St. Croix Headwaters (FOTSCH) organization was formed in late December 2004. As a non-profit, citizen-based friends group FOTSCH been very active in getting Governor Doyle to propose the Wild River designation for the St. Croix River headwaters segment.

FOTSCH has been successful in securing funding and garnering support and volunteer time from riparian property owners along the St. Croix. Partnerships have been established with local citizens as well as about a dozen "stakeholder" organizations.

The data that the volunteers have gathered using WAV protocols, and UW-Stevens Point faculty and staff have gathered using advanced methods, will be used to assess overall river health, support a case for protective designations, and provide a baseline for water-quality trend analysis.

FOTSCH plans to continue its work by educating citizens about the use of shoreline buffers, expanding content on its website (www.fotsch.org), involving citizens in collaborative scientific studies (e.g., dragonfly, crayfish, mussel, and fishery), pursuing the acquisition and restoration of a commercial cranberry bog, and working to establish conservation easements along the river.

A copy of the presentation slides can be downloaded here (required Adobe Reader).