Fox-Wolf Basin (Page 2)

https://fwwa.org/2023/06/21/ag-outreach-coordinator/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ag-outreach-coordinator

Sharon Cook

Ready for the Blitz? 2023 Great Lakes Landing Blitz June 29-July 9

On: June 20, 2023

In: 2023, aquatic invasive species, CBCW, Clean Boats Clean Waters, fox-wolf, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Great Lakes, Great Lakes Landing Blitz, Landing Blitz, Outreach and Education

Wisconsin’s Busiest Boating Holiday; Help Prevent Invasive Species This July 4th

Every year, tens of thousands of Wisconsinites and visitors take to the water in early July to celebrate summer and the 4^th of July, the state’s busiest boating holiday. Starting this summer, our long running Clean Boats Clean Waters Landing Blitz has been fulling incorporated into the Great Lakes Landing Blitz, joining all of the Great Lakes states and provinces in the effort to educate boaters that simple clean up steps and draining water from the boat and live wells can help to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

In Wisconsin, from June 30-July 9, many boaters will be greeted at landings and access points by volunteers and regional aquatic invasive species prevention partners sharing the simple but powerful message: YOU can protect lakes and rivers form aquatic invasive species impacts. Clean Boats Clean Waters boat inspectors will give out a brand new red, white, and blue boat trailer sticker with a boat graphic showing people all the places where plants, tiny animals and potentially contaminated water can hide.

“It only takes a minute to remove plants, animals, mud or debris from boats, trailers and equipment and to drain all water from bilges, livewells and bait buckets,” said Erin McFarlane, the Statewide CBCW Educator with Extension Lakes. “These simple steps help keep invasive species from hitching a ride from one lake or river to another.”

Do your part to keep Wisconsin waters healthy and stop the spread of AIS by following these easy steps:

Inspect boats, trailers and equipment for attached aquatic plants or animals.
Remove all attached plants or animals and mud
Drain all water from boats, motors, livewells and other equipment.
Never move live fish away from a waterbody.
Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
Buy minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer.

Following these steps helps boaters comply with Wisconsin state law which prohibits the transport of aquatic invasive species. To learn more about invasive species and their impacts to Wisconsin’s waters and economy, visit the DNR’s Aquatic Invasive Species Efforts webpage.

Photo Credit: Alyssa Reinke (FWWA)

Questions? Comments? Contact Chris Acy, the AIS Coordinator covering Brown, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties at (920) 460-3674 or chris@fwwa.org!

Follow the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance’s Winnebago Waterways Program on our Winnebago Waterways Facebook page or @WinnWaterways on Twitter! You can also sign-up for email updates at WinnebagoWaterways.org.

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance program. The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is an independent nonprofit organization that identifies and advocates effective policies and actions that protect, restore, and sustain water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin.

Check out the Keepers of the Fox Program at https://fwwa.org/watershed-recovery/lower-fox-recovery/

Reporting invasive species is a first step in containing their spread. Maintaining and restoring our waters and landscapes can reduce the impacts even when we don’t have other management options to an invasive species.

The post Ready for the Blitz? 2023 Great Lakes Landing Blitz June 29-July 9 appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Support Trash Free Waters
Join the Trash Free Waters Email List

https://fwwa.org/2023/06/20/ready-for-the-blitz-2023-great-lakes-landing-blitz-june-29-july-9/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ready-for-the-blitz-2023-great-lakes-landing-blitz-june-29-july-9

Chris Acy

Volunteers Play ‘Cleanup Bingo’ at ’23 Walleye Weekend

On: June 12, 2023

In: 2023, Event - Non-FWWA, festival, Fond du Lac, Fox-Wolf Basin, June, Outreach, TFW, trash, trash free waters, volunteer, volunteers, Winnebago Waterways, youth

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance set up an educational booth at the 2023 Walleye Weekend festival in Fond du Lac. On Saturday, June 10th, Fox-Wolf’s Trash Free Waters and Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention programs were on site providing education to festival attendees from Oven Island in Fond du Lac’s Lakeside Park. The Trash Free Waters program engaged vistors with a “Cleanup Bingo” activity, where volunteers were given a reusable cleanup bingo card, trash grabbers, gloves, and a trash bag, and they set off to clean up litter in the park–hoping to get a “bingo” on their cards. Once they found a trash item from any horizontal, diagonal, or vertical line on the card, the volunteers returned to the Fox-Wolf booth to collect a prize item for their efforts. We underestimated the level of excited volunteers would have in taking on this activity, and quickly ran out of prize items after only a couple of hours.

Throughout the day Saturday, Fox-Wolf staff talked with more than 300 festival goers about how they can help protect our water resources. Our young cleanup volunteers removed over 10 pounds of trash from a small area in the park, and developed the connection that what happens on the land affects our lakes and rivers. We are inspired by the level of effort and determination from our young volunteers, and we look forward to offering this activity at our next Trash Free Waters outreach event.

For more information, please contact:
Kelly Reyer
Trash Free Waters Program Coordinator
Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance
kelly@fwwa.org
920-915-1502

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Kelly Reyer

Now hiring! Winnebago Waterways Director

On: May 26, 2023

In: announcement, employment, Employment Opportunities, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Hiring, Job, Lower Fox River, Water quality, Winnebago Waterways, Wolf River

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is growing! Join Us!

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is currently seeking the right person to join our team as Winnebago Waterways Director!

Winnebago Waterways Director – Full-Time
The Winnebago Waterways (WW) Director is part of the management team of the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance (Fox-Wolf). The WW Director is responsible for advancing the mission of Fox-Wolf throughout the Winnebago Waterways Recovery Area. The successful Director will bring skills in partnership development, revenue generation and project management to advance watershed restoration goals. In addition to being responsible for the administration and advancement of the strategic plan of the Winnebago Waterways Recovery Effort, the key duties include regional coordination, overseeing program staff, working with the organization’s management team to advance organization-wide fundraising, marketing, and community outreach efforts.

While reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Development Director will work closely with other Directors and all program staff to build support for organizational initiatives.

Full Position Description

To apply, email resume and cover letter to jessica@fwwa.org

The post Now hiring! Winnebago Waterways Director appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Sources:
Spatial Distribution of Benthic Invertebrates in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin – Courtney Heling
2022 Chironomid Assessment Report – Lake Winnebago and Upriver Lakes, Winnebago County – WDNR
The Biology of Chironomus plumosus (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin – William Hilsenhoff
Lake Bottom Mysteries by Sandy Wickman and Jeffrey Dimick – Lake Tides Volume 40, No. 1, Winter/Spring 2015

https://fwwa.org/2023/05/26/wwdirector/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wwdirector

Sharon Cook

Species Spotlight: Lake Flies!

On: May 25, 2023

In: aquatic, bird, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, fresh water, habitat, katie reed, lakes, Outreach and Education, pelican, species spotlight, Water quality, Winnebago, Winnebago Waterways

It’s May in the Winnebago area, which means everyone’s favorite mother’s day tradition is back: Lake Flies (Chironomids)! These non-biting midges typically hatch around Mother’s Day in late May, though this time frame can shift depending on winter conditions. A second, smaller hatch of lake flies often occurs in late summer.

Lake flies seen around Lake Winnebago are a collection of different midge species, the most numerous likely Chironomus plumosus, also known as the buzzer midge. During the large May hatch, you can easily tell how this species got their common name – there is a low hum from the sheer number of the midges.

Alexsuchy - CC BY-SA 4.0

These flies have wing lengths around 6 mm, and bodies as long as 13 mm. When they emerge to create mating swarms, adults live for only 3 – 11 days. Since they do not have functional mouthparts, they do not bite or even eat! The location and size of swarms are highly dependent on the wind, and are often concentrated on areas that contrast with the background. Females lay masses of eggs on the water surface, which then absorb water and sink to the lake bottom. These eggs hatch shortly after and become midge larvae. The larvae undergo 4 stages, the first of which is free swimming. During the following three stages, the larvae make and live in a tube, collecting food at the bottom of the lake. Then the lake flies emerge in May or late summer and start the cycle over again.

Many species eat lake fly larvae and adults are therefore very important for the food web in Lake Winnebago. In fact, lake fly larvae help support the sturgeon population and contribute to our large self-sustaining lake sturgeon population. Other fish species eat the larvae stages and birds including purple martins and warblers eat the flying adults. Though the large hatching event can be a nuisance for us, they are critical for the food webs of the Winnebago Lakes. Remember, though they can be very annoying, they only last about 2 weeks! Their impact on the rest of the system lasts for much longer.

Article written by Katie Reed, Winnebago Waterways Coordinator: katherine@fwwa.org
Featured Image Credit: Janet Graham CC BY 2.0
Additional Image Credit: Alexsuchy CC BY-SA 4.0

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance recovery initiative. Contact us at wwinfo@fwwa.org

The post Species Spotlight: Lake Flies! appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

https://fwwa.org/2023/05/25/species-spotlight-american-white-pelican-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=species-spotlight-american-white-pelican-2

Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop June 17th, 2023

On: May 23, 2023

In: Barrel, Bay of Green Bay, build, community, Event, Event - FWWA, EVENT - NEWSC, Fox-Wolf Basin, Green Bay, Keepers of the Fox, Keepers of the Fox Event, NEW Water, NEWSC, northeast wisconsin, opportunity, Outreach and Education, project, rain, rain barrel, stormwater, Upper Fox River, Urban Stormwater, Watershed Project, Workshop

https://fwwa.org/2023/05/23/build-your-own-rain-barrel-workshop-june-17th-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=build-your-own-rain-barrel-workshop-june-17th-2023

Alyssa Reinke

What’s That Plant? Know What’s In Your Water Garden

On: May 11, 2023

In: 2023, aquatic, aquatic invasive species, Bay of Green Bay, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Garden, invasive, invasive species, Keepers of the Fox, Lower Fox River, Outreach and Education, prevent, Upper Fox River, water, water garden, water hyacinth, winnebago waterwas, winnebago waterway program, Winnebago Waterways

Ensuring Your Water Garden Doesn’t Harbor Invasive Plants

As you’re choosing your plants for your water gardens and backyards this spring, be sure you aren’t accidentally growing an invasive plant that could do harm to our lakes and rivers! But don’t take our word for it! Here’s some tips from Melinda Myers, nationally known gardening educator, horticulturist, arborist, author, speaker, and TV/radio host with more than 30 years of horticulture experience!

Questions? Comments? Contact Chris Acy, the AIS Coordinator covering Brown, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties at (920) 460-3674 or chris@fwwa.org!

Check out the Keepers of the Fox Program at https://fwwa.org/watershed-recovery/lower-fox-recovery/

The post What’s That Plant? Know What’s In Your Water Garden appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

https://fwwa.org/2023/05/11/whats-that-plant-know-whats-in-your-water-garden/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=whats-that-plant-know-whats-in-your-water-garden

Chris Acy

Total raised as a result of Go Green night at the Wisconsin Herd Game March 17, 2023

On: April 27, 2023

In: basketball, Event - FWWA, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Funding Opportunity, fundraising, oshkosh arena, sports, thank you, Winnebago County, Winnebago Waterways, Winnebago Waterways Program, wisconsin herd, wwp

Thank you to the Wisconsin Herd, Oshkosh Arena, and Winnebago County and the Winnebago Solid Waste Department for having the Winnebago Waterways Program as the non-profit of the night at the Wisconsin Herd Game on March 17, 2023. It was an exciting game and thanks to all who bid on the Go Green jerseys following the game, we raised $1650.57! These funds will be used to further our water quality restoration and protection efforts. Thank you for all your support!

The post Total raised as a result of Go Green night at the Wisconsin Herd Game March 17, 2023 appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

https://fwwa.org/2023/04/27/wisconsin-herd-march-17-result/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wisconsin-herd-march-17-result

The Cornell Lab: All About Birds – American White Pelican

Species Spotlight: American White Pelican

On: April 26, 2023

The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) used to be a rare sight in Wisconsin, now these birds, with wingspans up to 9 feet, are frequently spotted in large numbers in the Winnebago System! The American White Pelican has an orange, long, pouched bill (beak) that can grow a protrusions during the breeding season. The tips of their bills have a small hook at the tip. Their necks are long, and their bodies are usually snowy white with black flight feathers. Their legs and feet are orange though younger birds’ can appear more gray-pink and darken with age, and their feet are webbed. Adult pelicans can weigh about 16 pounds, making them one of the heaviest flying bird species.

American White Pelicans are piscivorous, meaning they primarily eat fish. The American White Pelican forages for food mostly in shallow waters in open areas of marshes, lakes, rivers, and ponds but can forage in deeper water. American White Pelicans do not submerge or dive for food. Instead, they dip their bill into the water and scoop up prey into their pouch, then tip their bill above their head to swallow. A typical pelican can reach down to about 3 feet below the surface of the water, and can eat about 3 pounds of fish a day! In Wisconsin, pelicans have been recorded eating common carp, as well as other fish species. They can also eat amphibians like frogs and invertebrates like crayfish. Pelicans sometimes work together to forage for food. A group of pelicans can corral fish into shallow areas or to the center of a U formation or circle to more easily catch prey.

Adult American White Pelicans on Water (National Park Service)

Pelicans at a nesting colony (Winnebago Waterways User Submitted Photo)

Young Pelicans (USDA)

Pelicans start to breed when they reach about 3-6 years old and travel to their breeding colonies in March – May. These colonies are typically on islands. Nests are built on the ground in colonies with other pelicans, as well as other bird species like cormorants and gulls. Usually pelicans lay 2 eggs. The eggs and hatched young are vulnerable to predators like eagles, foxes, and raccoons. Studies show that pelicans can live up to 30 years.

Historically, American White Pelicans were found in Wisconsin but their population sharply declined in the late 1800s – 1900s due to hunting and habitat loss. In the last 20-25 years, their populations have grown tremendously in Wisconsin, prompted likely by loss of breeding grounds in the West but also due to habitat restoration projects and pollution cleanup. In the lower Green Bay area, the number of white pelicans grew from about 250 in 2005 to more than 3,000 in 2021. Protecting their habitat and water quality is important to their continued success in the Winnebago System.

Article written by Katie Reed, Winnebago Waterways Coordinator: katherine@fwwa.org

Featured Image Credit: Russ CC BY 2.0

Sources:

American White Pelican – EEK Wisconsin – Environmental Education for Kids

USDA – Tommy King – Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service – American White Pelicans

SeaGrant – University of Wisconsin – Researchers investigate the impact of water birds on Green Bay

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance recovery initiative. Contact us at wwinfo@fwwa.org

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https://fwwa.org/2023/04/26/species-spotlight-american-white-pelican/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=species-spotlight-american-white-pelican

Winnebago Waterways web page

Local Business Continues Support of Water Quality Initiatives

On: April 26, 2023

In: 1% for the planet, Appleton, business, donation, Donation Story, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, FWWA, Inc., Lake Winnebago, Motto, rob riley, Water quality, Winnebago Waterways

Lifetime Business Member of Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

A huge thank you to Rob and his team at Motto Inc. (pictured above), a locally owned and operated business, for their continued support of Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance’s water quality initiatives in the Winnebago Waterways Recovery Area. Last year, Motto Inc. donated $18,262 to Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. This year they beat their own record by donating $25,000! Their donation will have an even bigger impact because a percentage was matched by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation’s Give Big Green Bay program.

In addition to their generous donation, Motto Inc. has volunteered with Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. Last winter, the Motto Inc. team volunteered to sow native plants and take care of them over the winter. These plants will be used in our shoreline restoration projects!

Motto Inc. is also a business member of 1% for the Planet, which connects businesses and individuals who pledge to give 1% of their sales back to the planet each year with approved environmental nonprofits around the world. This partnership will help Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance connect with more businesses who share the same values of promoting water quality and environmental stewardship.

Motto Inc. lives up to their commitment through quality branded products and their ongoing support of various causes that improve the community and environment. We invite you to learn more about this local business by visiting their website: www.mottoinc.com

Thank you to Rob and his Motto Inc. team for their continued support!

The Winnebago Waterways Program facilitates regional coordination and implementation of recovery efforts for the Winnebago Lakes and surrounding watersheds. Priority implementation projects are outlined in the Winnebago Waterways Lake Management Plan. Winnebago Waterways is a program of the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is an independent non-profit organization that works to protect and restore the water resources of the Fox-Wolf River Basin. We are focused on finding cost effective, science-based solutions. To meet our goals, we work with partners to maximize efficiencies, bringing resources to those who are already doing great work while utilizing our strengths to fill gaps when needed.

About 1% for the Planet

1% for the Planet is a global organization that connects dollars and doers to accelerate smart environmental giving. Through business and individual memberships, 1% for the Planet inspires people to support environmental organizations through annual membership and everyday actions. The organization advises on giving strategies, certifies donations and amplifies the impact of the network.

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, their members have given more than $250 million to environmental nonprofits to date. Today, 1% for the Planet is a network of more than 3,000 business members, an expanding core of individual members and thousands of nonprofit partners in more than 90 countries.

If you are interested in learning more about 1% for the Plant and how to become a business partner, please contact Korin at korin@fwwa.org.

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Questions? Comments? Send us an email at wwinfo@fwwa.org.

Follow the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance on social media: Winnebago Waterways on Facebook and @WinnWaterways on Twitter!

The post Local Business Continues Support of Water Quality Initiatives appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

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