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How do we measure success? We measure success through person to person connections and the level of commitment to our watershed communities. We are willing and able to join forces with our partners, but are equally comfortable working independently. Our projects prove successful time and time again because of our significant commitment to our waterways and because we seek the most appropriate means to achieve the best possible outcome regardless of circumstances. Committed to Project Completion: We do everything in our power to keep the promises made for the quality of the water. When 2005 federal funding for one of our partner organizations fell through mid-project, USRWA redirected over $13,000 - more than 1/3 of our annual budget – to complete this volunteer-labor project on the West Branch of the Upper Sugar River. Board and staff agree it was needed, even though this means a reduction in staff hours for future years, because failure to complete the project may have compromised the health of the stream.
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Data Collection, Research, and Maps We have been collecting data first hand in the Upper Sugar River Watershed since early 2004 using a number of methods. Our intent is to create a baseline of data that will allow us to recognize changes to our waterways quickly and definitively. This information is shared freely with the public, as well as local, county and state agencies. At this time, we do not attempt to interpret the data, but instead choose to remain as objective observers. Volunteer Monitoring: We use micro-chips, called Tidbits, as part of our ever-expanding Volunteer Stream Monitoring program. Tidbits, record the temperature of the water every hour, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Beginning in the summer of 2006, we have also started methodically photographing each site when the tidbits are retrieved – this is about three times per year. Beginning in 2007, we launched a pilot program with a core group of committed volunteers on Schlapbach Creek. This program trained volunteers on how to use a number of automated data collection devices, in a concentrated area that is currently experiencing landscape changes. The idea is to get volunteers on and off the streams efficiently while still maintaining information standards; something that can be particularly important when communicating changes to local, county or state officials. Coming soon! Upper Sugar River Monitoring Data and how it compares to other watersheds in South Central Wisconsin. Are you interested in volunteering? Click here for a printable list of volunteer opportunities and how to sign up. Research Projects, Assessments and Reports: USRWA feels that assessment and prevention efforts are key to the health of our streams; in fact we hold this obligation equally with our basic monitoring, stream bank maintenance and restoration projects. Before manure made the news, we were already working with a University of Wisconsin graduate student (who has now graduated and joined our board) via a WI DNR grant map potential and varied threats In addition, we compiled prevention recommendations that maintain and improve water quality. We are the first watershed in Wisconsin to use GIS mapping technology to assess the risk level to our waters from manure run-off. Through the efforts of a University of Wisconsin student researcher and years of relationship building with the local agricultural communities, we were able define areas ripe for cooperative conservation intervention. The resulting report has been shared with local, county and state policy-makers, land use planners, farmers and other landowners and is available by contacting our office or by following the link below. In 2006 we completed two, year long assessments for targeted areas in the Upper Sugar River Watershed: one for the entire headwaters region and one for the Schlapbach Creek sub-watershed. The reports were completed as part of a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) and have been reviewed by WI DNR staff. Within each report is a list of both general and specific recommendations that USRWA feels will maintain and in some cases improve the water quality in each area. We have again been awarded a competitive WI DNR grant so that in 2007 we may begin implementing our recommendations for Schlapbach Creek. In other words, the report is getting put to good use; not sitting on shelf collecting dust. Links to this report as well as our report on the state of the Upper Sugar River Headwaters are below. Feel free to contact the USRWA office if you have any questions. Maps: USRWA has seen changes throughout the years and we have a number of maps that capture moments in the landscape. Feel free to review these maps to learn about your watershed, however please be aware that they reflect the best information available to us at a given point in time and therefore may not be the most current information. Please contact the USRWA office if you have questions or concerns. Link to the Surface Water Data Viewer, Wisconsin DNR's online water resource mapping tool
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Stream Bank Maintenance and Restoration Back to the “Banks”: We like to get out on the streams! USRWA is currently focusing on maintaining the native oak savannah and prairie landscapes that once dominated our watershed. Most of our work is done on public lands or private lands with fishing, hunting, or conservation easements in place. Each year, we work with Upper Sugar River land owners, other conservation organizations, Dane County and WI DNR to prioritize which areas need our specialty: tree trimming and brush cutting. The bulk of the work is done with volunteer labor. While we do not yet have all the exact locations set, USRWA has a number of stream bank workdays scheduled for 2008. We need people of many different skill levels: chainsaw operators, stump treatment applicators, brush “snippers,” and of course brush pullers & “pilers!” It should be noted because of the nature of the work (trees falling, targeted use of chemicals, use of nail guns etc), we ask that our stream bank volunteers and LUNKER building volunteers be at least 18 years of age or older, or be 16 years old and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please, do not bring children under 16 years of age; we welcome their involvement at many of our other volunteer opportunities and events. Thanks for your understanding. Are you interested in volunteering? Click here for a printable list of volunteer opportunities and how to sign up. If you are interested in obtaining chainsaw safety training, please contact the USRWA office or visit our NEWS Page for the next scheduled workshop. (Note: chainsaw safety not required for all stream bank work. Please call the office if you have questions or concerns.) Lunker Lovers? In 2005, USRWA and its partners completed 20 miles of stream restoration on the West Branch of the Sugar River. When that stretch was removed from Wisconsin’s Impaired Waters List (Federal Clean Water Act 303(d)) later that year, we knew we were on the right track. We continue to host stream bank work days and work cooperatively with Dane County Land Conservation and Lakes & Watersheds Offices and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to identify and prioritized streams in need. We are most famous for our LUNKERS. As volunteers, we are guided by priorities and available funding set via the combined efforts of contractors, regulatory agencies and fellow non-profits. We build the LUNKERS for projects inside our own watershed and assist our neighbors – chances are, if you know of a project involving LUNKERS in South Central Wisconsin, it’s likely USRWA had a hand in their creation. In 2006, USRWA volunteers coordinated the ordering of LUNKER building supplies & equipment and basic construction training for the benefit of a project just outside of our watershed; the German Valley Creek restoration project. While both USRWA volunteers and Dane County employees spent time building the needed structures, it should be noted that most of the labor for this project came from our fellow volunteers at Deer Creek Sports Club, Trout Unlimited and Badger Fly-fishers. Find out more about these organizations, and others on our Links Page. It should be noted because of the nature of the work (trees falling, targeted use of chemicals, use of nail guns etc), we ask that our stream bank volunteers and LUNKER building volunteers be at least 18 years of age or older, or be 16 years old and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please, do not bring children under 16 years of age; we welcome their involvement at many of our other volunteer opportunities and events. Thanks for your understanding. Are you interested in volunteering? Click here for a printable list of volunteer opportunities and how to sign up.
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Watershed Education & Training Contractor Workshops and other Local, County & State Cooperative Efforts: USRWA's diverse membership and impartiality have allowed us to become increasingly involved as contractors and communities make important decisions that may affect the Upper Sugar River Watershed. We are less concerned with land use decisions, and much more involved in how the intended use is implemented or actualized. We welcome the opportunity to speak with your group or simply exchange ideas at your work group, council or committee table. Currently, USRWA staff & volunteers are participating in a number of committees and workgroups as a means to keep the needs of the Upper Sugar River Watershed in balance with the needs of individuals and the communities in which they live. Click here to view and print a list of our current activities. Please take a look at some of our past presentations (coming soon!), or feel free to contact our office at 608-437-7707 or usrwa@usrwa.org if you have questions or would like to extend an invitation to USRWA. Stormwater Education: Rain Barrels & Classroom Presentations: In addition to our involvement with local, county and state stormwater issues, we are making our own grassroots effort to reach schools and homeowners. We want everyone to know about the abundance of the Upper Sugar River Watershed, and we offer a few suggestions on how to protect and manage it. Rainbarrels have become a popular part of the USRWA household stormwater education program. They not only capture rainwater, reducing the amount of run-off into our waterways, but many gardeners feel rain water is the best choice for healthy flowers, trees, and veggies. USRWA features a "low-tech" rainbarrel: Each one is outfitted with a gravity-fed garden spigot, trap-door for maintenance and a tandem/overflow valve. Because of our volunteer efforts and low-tech design, we are able to produce our rainbarrels inexpensively; We ask for a $50 donation for each rainbarrel delivered in Dane County. This covers the cost of materials, with about $3.00 from each sale going toward our administration and education program fees. If you would like to purchase a rain barrel you have two options:
We do not provide installation services, but we are happy to report that our fellow conservation-minded non-profit, Sustain-Dane, builds and installs rainbarrels throughout the county. If you would like to compare, check out their Web site at www.sustaindane.org. There is a link to their rainbarrel program on the front page. The rain barrels are built in batches by volunteers, as needed. This is a fun family activity, with tasks easily divided between adults (saw & drill operation) and kids (info packets & tandem valve installation). Are you interested in volunteering? Click here for a printable list of volunteer opportunities and how to sign up. Classroom presentations are much anticipated and enjoyed by USRWA staff. It’s fun to work with teachers and their students and an excellent way for us to reach out to schools to spread “watershed awareness.” Thanks to the generosity of UW-Extension, generally our presentations use an Enviro-scape, a hands-on model of a mixed use landscape that demonstrates a number of stormwater flows and potential concerns. Other activities vary, but may include discussion groups, water “critter counts” or other water quality testing demonstrations. We understand that different age groups have different needs and we are happy to work with any teacher to help meet Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction science or social studies guidelines. Unfortunately, due to our own staff limitations, we are limited to 2-3 presentations (or days of presentations) per calendar year. Please contact the USRWA office at least one month in advance (or earlier) if you are interested in a classroom presentation at your school. Call 608-437-7707 or e-mail usrwa@usrwa.org. We do not currently have a corps of volunteer classroom presenters, but if enough interest is demonstrated, we would consider hosting a “train the trainer” type workshop in the future. If you would like to spread watershed awareness to your local school, contact USRWA at usrwa@usrwa.org. Please type “watershed awareness volunteer” in the subject line. Be sure to include you full name, phone number, and school district – a background check may be required for participation. There are many wonderful resources available for teachers and homeowners regarding water science, watershed function and stormwater. We’ve compiled a few of our favorite resources on our LINKS Page. This is by no means an all-inclusive list, but is a good start. Enjoy!
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Watershed Awareness Gear Would you like to spread good cheer and promote watershed awareness? We have a number of items to help. USRWA members enjoy reduced pricing and free or reduced shipping for most items. How do I become a member? You may print an order form and mail it along with your check made payable to: USRWA, PO Box 314, Mount Horeb, WI 53572. Sorry, we are unable to accept credit cards at this time. Items may also be purchased in person at the USRWA office at 207 East Main Street, Mount Horeb, WI 53572 – please call 608-437-7707 for office hours or to make an appointment. Thank you!
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Volunteer Opportunities USRWA has a wide range of seasonal and year-round volunteer opportunities. Some are related to our Projects, events and meetings, and may require special skills, training or a willingness to receive training. Other opportunities have fewer considerations but are equally important to us as we fulfill our day to day commitments. Most of our volunteers are also USRWA members or members of one of our partner organizations, but this is not a requirement. We welcome your participation and interest as a means to learn more about our organization and the people that work for the Upper Sugar River Watershed. Feel free to stop in on one of our workdays, participate at any of our events or contact the USRWA executive director to visit our office. We do hold two exceptions for volunteer roles; we require our board members and advisors to be USRWA members in good standing to serve on behalf of all our membership. You can learn more about the USRWA Board of Directors on our PEOPLE page. Are you interested in volunteering? Click here for a printable list of volunteer opportunities and how to sign up.
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Contact the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association at:
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