2011

Speaking for Lakes

(Click Here for archived materials, presentations & much more! )

How do you speak for lakes?

For over three decades, the Wisconsin Lakes Convention has provided an exceptional opportunity for people to come together and share their water interests with other concerned citizens and lake professionals. This year, hundreds of attendees united to celebrate, protect and speak for Wisconsin’s legacy of lakes. If you were not able to attend all of the sessions you had hoped, or you would like to view a particular presentation again, you're in luck! The following archive is here for your perusal. If you do not find the archived information you are looking for, please contact us at uwexlakes@uwsp.edu or 715-346-2116.  

2010

Fringe Benefits:
Restoring Wisconsin Shorelands & Shallows

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For many of us, lake shore lands and the shallow areas near shore conjure up many blissful emotions. They are places where memories are born. A place where picnics, laughter, and many wet adventures played out. The 2010 Wisconsin Lakes Convention took an in depth look at these critical areas. The Convention featured national experts on the nature and inner workings and restoration of the shore land areas. Experts from around North America gathered to discuss the research, management options, educational ideas and needed policy changes to deal more effectively with this important issue.

On these pages you will find copies of many of the presentations given at the event. The lake topics featured here cover the entire suite of lake management issues with a focus on the preservation and restoration of shore land areas.

2009

Back To Balance:
An Aquatic Invasive Species Symposium

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The 2009 Wisconsin Lakes Convention featured an international symposium on aquatic invasive species.  Experts from around North America gathered to discuss the research, management options, educational ideas and needed policy changes to deal more effectively with this prevailing issue.  The goal of the symposium was to share this knowledge with agency staff, lake citizens, businesses, elected officials, and others to help get our lakes “back to balance.”

While AIS is an important issue, it is not the only challenge facing Wisconsin lakes.  Wednesday and Friday workshops offered hands-on training and discussion on many important lake topics including AIS, lake ecology, interpreting and using lake data, working with local partners for lake protection and running a more effective lake group.

2008

Learning From Lakes

(Click Here for 2008 archived materials)

What have we learned from Lakes?

They are a meeting place for groups of individuals from varied backgrounds, each with their own set of values, who realize how important these waters are to all of us and to future generations.

The 2008 Wisconsin Lakes Convention included 12 workshops, a field trip, and 36 concurrent sessions that offered approximately 450 participants to “learn from lakes.”  Business partners and non-profit organizations exhibited a wide variety of products and programs. Pat Rivers, Project Manager for the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership spoke on conservation of Wisconsin’s glacial lakes. Jeff Bode of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and Attorney Bill O’Connor, each shared lessons we have learned from lakes and each other over the past 30 years.

They emphasized the importance of continuing our strong preservation efforts via partnership and state water law. Secretary Matthew Frank and Representative Garey Bies also addressed attendees. Randy Stark, Chief Conservation Warden of the Bureau of Law Enforcement for WDNR refreshed all of us on the people, challenges and events that shaped the history of the conservation movement in the United States, and provided inspiration for us to tackle current challenges on behalf of future generations. Inspiration was taken to a new level when National Geographic Live speaker Chad Pregracke showed how individuals CAN make a difference through passion and perseverance as he led us through his “Crusade to Clean America’s Rivers.”

2007

Agents of Change

(Click Here for 2007 archived materials)

Approximately 550 people gathered in Green Bay for the 29th Wisconsin Lakes Convention themed “Agents of Change”.

Governor Doyle spoke about the importance of lakes and his support of efforts to affect positive change. DNR Secretary Scott Hassett, State Senator Robert Cowles and State Senator Mark Miller also addressed attendees about making a difference for lakes. Many discussions focused on the issue of “change” – changes happening to lakes from global climate change, invasive species, and human use; and ways for lake enthusiasts to be effective ‘agents of change’.   Internationally renowned lake expert Dr. John Magnuson discussed “Changing Strategies in a Changing Climate” and how global climate change will affect Wisconsin lakes. Former Newsweek correspondent and author, Peter Annin, traced the history and growing tensions over Great Lakes water use and the precarious future of water diversion in the Great Lakes states.

The packed agenda included 15 workshops, a field trip, and over 40 concurrent sessions. Business partners and non-profit organizations exhibited a wide variety of products and programs. The Convention was also a time for recognition of the hard work and passion so many people have for lakes.