Agriculture

NR-151: Kay Water Definitions

Please register by Tuesday, May 31, for the for Key Water Definitions of NR 151 - Case Studies and Discussions from the Field webinar at https://conta.cc/3KXKJds.  The webinar will run from 10:00 a.m.-Noon on Thursday, June 2.  

Water on Wisconsin farms presents itself in many different forms.  Even categories like surface water and groundwater have subcategories that often require guidance to define and interpret.  Now that we have addressed the history of and contents of NR 151, join county, DNR, and DATCP staff for the next installment of the NR 151 training webinar series.  More information can be found here.

Strategies for Land Stewardship Summit

Join farmers, farm advisors, conservation professionals, and others for this peer-to-peer learning opportunity to get practical insights and ideas about how to be successful and profitable with cover crops, no-till, and other soil and water conservation practices. 

June 21-22, 2022 - Walworth and Rock Counties, WI

REGISTER HERE

Summit activities will include

• Farmer-led tours of two southeast Wisconsin farms that are demonstrating cover crops, no-till, strip till, and nutrient management strategies 
• Presentations about research and programs that can support farmers’ success with conservation practices
• The opportunity to connect and share ideas with peers about the practicalities and profitability of practices to improve soil health and water quality
• The opportunity to share ideas with regional U.S. EPA and NRCS staff on how to make programs and policies aimed at supporting farmers’ adoption of conservation practices more accessible and effective.

Youth Tractor Safety Virtual Course 

The Wisconsin Youth Tractor & Machinery Safety Certification Program is designed to meet requirements established by the US Department of Labor, pertaining to special provisions made for the employment of youth ages 14-15 on farms not operated by their parents. In addition, Wisconsin Act 455 provides specific provisions for tractor operation by 12-13 year olds.

Tractor Safety Virtual Course (online, open to WI residents)

July 11-15 8:30-12:00 with driving exams TBD

https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/july22/register

Questions about the program can be directed to farms@extension.wisc.edu

Monitoring

DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Virtual Webinar Training Archives

The following series of AIS education materials, presentations, and webinars are DNR archives from training events in 2021. DNR is maintaining these online training resources to provide virtual options throughout the COVID pandemic. Please share these resources widely.

Boat Gear and Equipment Disinfection and Decontamination Manual Code

Anyone working under a DNR contract or permit must adhere to our disinfection manual code when working in/near surface water to prevent moving invasive species. Come learn what this manual code entails and how to be compliant. Feel welcome to bring questions.

Webinar Recording [Video] (53:49)

Presentation [PPT]

Crayfish ID

Learn about laws regarding crayfish and native and invasive crayfish ID.

Webinar [Video] (1:45:50)

Presentation [PPT]

How to take invasive species verification photos

Photos are a great way to verify identification of invasive species. Join this webinar to learn how to take the best photos to verify a species identity.

-AIS Early Detection Verification Process

-Instruction for reporting aquatic and wetland invasive species with photos

Webinar: [Video] (38:47)

Presentation: Verification & photos

Invasive Aquatic Plants

Learn about how to identify common aquatic invasive plants.

Webinar Recording [Video] (42:01)

Presentation [PPT]

Invasive Aquatic Animals

Learn about how to identify common invasive aquatic invertebrates.

Webinar Recording [Video] (23:34)

Presentation [PPT]

Invasive Riparian Plants

Learn about how to identify common invasive riparian plants.

Webinar Recording [Video] (25:42)

Presentation [PPT]

Department of Natural Resources AIS monitoring protocol review

AIS monitoring is conducted by citizen, partner and staff. While protocols are similar, professional-level monitoring involves intensive surveys with special equipment. Come learn how professional-level AIS monitoring protocols are implemented.

Webinar Recording [Video] (1:10:44)

PPT Presentation [PDF]

Upland-ish Invasive Plant ID

Learn about how to identify nearshore invasive plants.

Webinar Recording [Video] (18:32)

Presentation [PPT]

BONUS

Here is a webinar that combines identification for all the species groups if you want to view at once:

Webinar Recording [Video] (1:51:28)

Outreach

7th Annual Health Lakes Conference

June 3, Oconomowoc

The 2022 Annual Healthy Lakes and Rivers Conference will be held in person on June 3rd 2022 at the Oconomowoc Community Center.  Topic covered will include:

• Road Salt Effect on Lakes;
• Aquatic Invasive Species:
• Healthy Shorelines;
• What you can do to be a great Lake Ambassador;
• The 2022 Healthy Lakes and Rivers Award
• and more! Conference ends with a Pontoon Boat Ride

Turtle Nesting Season Is Underway. You Can Help Protect Them.

With turtles beginning to emerge from rivers, lakes and wetlands to lay eggs in nearby uplands, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking the public to give turtle mothers and the next generation of turtles a helping hand by following a few easy actions on World Turtle Day, May 23, and throughout the turtle nesting season.

Wisconsin’s 11 turtle species lay eggs in nests from late May through June in sunny and well-draining uplands, where they are highly visible along roads and in residential yards. Many females are run over by vehicles during these annual nesting migrations, a leading cause of turtle decline throughout Wisconsin. Turtle nests also experience high levels of predation, as populations of nest-raiding animals such as raccoons, skunks and coyotes have grown beyond historical levels.

“The nesting season is a really tough time to be a turtle mother. Many are removed from the population by car collisions on roads, while some protected species are illegally taken from the wild and sold in the illegal pet trade,” said Andrew Badje, DNR Conservation Biologist. “Protecting adult females and turtle nests in the wild are the best ways to conserve turtle populations in Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin’s protected turtle species face additional challenges. Wood turtles and Blanding’s turtles cannot reproduce until they reach 12 to 20 years, and ornate box turtles tend to produce few eggs each year. Therefore, the removal or death of even one female turtle per year can lead to population declines or elimination of local populations.

The DNR encourages people to consider following these protective actions from now until the end of July:

• Build a nest cage to protect turtle eggs and hatchlings if turtles are nesting on your property. Follow these instructions and watch a step-by-step video on how to build a nest cage that keeps predators out and allows hatchlings to exit on their own.
• Drive with caution on roads that are near wetlands, lakes and rivers. Slow down, be alert and reduce distractions.
• Report turtle observations, road crossings and nest sites using the Turtle Reporting Form for the DNR’s Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program. DNR conservation biologists use these reports to more effectively manage and conserve turtles.
• Report suspicious illegal activity associated with turtles to DNR’s Violation Hotline by calling or texting 1-800-847-9367.
• Help protect Wisconsin’s native turtles by keeping wild turtles in the wild.
• Learn additional ways the public can help to further protect Wisconsin’s turtles.

Stormwater (MS4)

Chapter NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code Updates Effective

Chapter NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code contains requirements for storm water Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permits.  An updated Chapter NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code became effective on April 1, 2022.  The revised administrative code contains increases to construction site notice of intent application fees that will become effective on Jan. 1, 2023.  A webpage summarizing key changes is available at NR 216 Rule Updates.

The Challenge of Wisconsin's Water Abundance: Managing Stormwater in a Watershed Context

from: Wisconsin Lawyer

Wisconsin’s abundant water resources are remarkable. Wisconsin has 15,081 inland lakes totaling about 1.2 million acres and approximately 5 million acres of wetlands. Together, Wisconsin’s lakes and wetlands account for approximately 18.5% of the state’s total area. Wisconsin also has more than 12,600 rivers and streams whose combined length is more than 88,000 miles. But that’s not all: On average, Wisconsin communities receive approximately 37 inches per year of precipitation. At a time when much of the United States is experiencing water shortages, Wisconsin is fortunate to have such abundant freshwater resources.

An abundance of water can be a mixed blessing. It requires that stormwater runoff be effectively managed from both a water quantity and a water quality standpoint. Stormwater can result in floods that damage urban property, farmland, roads, and other infrastructure. It can also damage streambanks, lakes, and wetlands through erosion and sediment deposit. Nutrients and sediment from agricultural runoff, and salt and other contaminants from urban runoff, are also significant sources of water quality impairment for Wisconsin’s surface waters.  Read more...

Wastewater

Wastewater Operator Certification Training

A "certified operator" is an individual who has met the requirements of Chapter NR 114, Wisconsin Administrative Code [exit DNR], and has been issued a certificate by the DNR to operate one or more of the classifications of wastewater treatment plants.  Ch. NR 114, 499 and 524 Wis. Adm. Code require an operator to earn continuing education credits to maintain an active certification. These continuing education requirements are designed to help operators keep current on new requirements and technical innovations as well as acquire additional knowledge and skills. The training calendar has numerous training opportunities, available here.