Nature/Environmental/Science

John Bates

Spring Paddling in the Northwoods: A Cornucopia of Life

Quetico - main floor Sat 1:30pm-2:15pm

Superior - main floor Sun 10:30am-11:15am

Early May, the ice just off, birds funneling in from everywhere, woodland wildflowers in profusion, trees popping leaves from buds, and no mosquito or black fly hatch quite yet. Is there a better time in the world to be alive? Or a better place to be than on a wild river or lake? Here's a sampler of all the life coming alive in May from the view of a canoe or on a portage.

John Bates

The Love Language of Rivers

Superior - main floor Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

Superior - main floor Sat 12:30pm-1:15pm

Rivers speak to us in so many metaphors. William Least Heat-Moon writes, "A river - with its attendant cascades, eddies, boils, and whirlpools - is the most expressive aspect of a natural landscape, for nothing else moves so far, so broadly, so unceasingly, so demonstrably, and nothing else is so susceptible to personification and so much at the heart of our notions about life and death." We paddle rivers in large part because of what they help us feel. Come listen to selections from some of ... Read More

Curtis Casto

The Onion Bag Solution: Empowering Paddlers to Protect Our Waters

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sun 10:30am-11:15am

Trash in our rivers and lakes is more than an eyesore-it's a threat to the ecosystems we love. But paddlers are uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. In this inspiring session, Curtis Casto, founder of the Onion Bag Litter Prevention Project, shares how a simple mesh bag can transform any paddling trip into an act of stewardship. Learn how the project began, how it's grown into a grassroots movement, and how paddlers across the country are using onion bags to clean up waterways-one ... Read More

Tamara Dean

River Bellwethers

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sun 12:30pm-1:15pm

Native freshwater mussels, each capable of filtering ten to forty gallons of water daily, are vital to keeping our rivers healthy. But their losses-from overharvesting, damming, pollution, and warming waters-are legendary. "River Bellwethers," based on an essay from Dean's collection, Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless, presents the fascinating stories of determined Wisconsinites who battled government officials, changed policy, and set new standards to protect native mussels. Their ... Read More

Gina LaLiberte

What’s That Green Stuff? Identify Algae Blooms Where You Paddle

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sat 1:30pm-2:15pm

Do you wonder what that green "stuff" is that you see while paddling? Join Gina as she examines some common algae and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that are often spotted in waters of the upper Great Lakes region. Take a close look at cyanobacterial blooms, learn to identify potentially harmful blooms, and review practical tips for how to stay safe while enjoying time on the water.

Bear Paulsen

Wilderness Babies

Superior - main floor Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

Most wilderness travellers give similar reasons for visiting the backcountry, among them: recreation, relaxation, inspiration, and seeing wildlife. Everyone loves seeing animals. It's a thrill to see animals in their natural environment especially when you have successfully hunted them with a camera. Babies are rarer than adults and even more exciting. Bear will share pictures and stories from memorable encounters with youthful wildlife across North America. Come for a gamut of wildlife from ... Read More

Rolf Peterson

The recovery of wolves in Isle Royale National Park

Caribou - upstairs Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

The ongoing study of wolves and moose in Isle Royale National Park has a long-term goal of understanding the role of wolves in this isolated and protected ecosystem. The National Park Service re-established a wolf population in 2018-2019 after the recent native population virtually died out from inbreeding, caused by dwindling ice formation on Lake Superior. Wolves have been shown to have a major influence on the population dynamics of moose as the two species fluctuate in a roughly inverse ... Read More

Evan Sirianni

The Search for Sculpin: Exploring the Kickapoo River Watershed

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Sat 9:30am-10:15am

The Wisconsin Driftless Area is a well-known destination for trout anglers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Its scenic coulees and cold, spring-fed streams provide endless aquatic recreational opportunities. Yet many of the region's coldwater fish species have not received the same management attention that trout, and as a result many of their populations have declined or disappeared from the area. Today, fisheries managers recognize the importance of managing entire fish communities. ... Read More

Seth Taft

Friendship Matters: The Trail Ahead for Wisconsin State Parks

Sylvania - main floor Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

For 125 years, Wisconsin's State Park System has been a cornerstone of our state's identity - connecting people to nature, supporting local economies, and preserving the landscapes that define us. Today, as our parks face record visitation alongside chronic underfunding, we stand at a pivotal moment for stewardship and sustainability.

This session will explore the current state of Wisconsin's State Park System, highlighting the successes, challenges, and opportunities that define ... Read More

Tamara Thomsen, Sissel Schroeder

Navigating Wisconsin's Dugout Canoe Landscapes

Bear - upstairs Sun 12:30pm-1:15pm

More than 120 dugout canoes reported from Wisconsin range in age from 81 to over 5,200 years old. Three-quarters of these canoes have been found in or near water, including a number of dugouts in Lake Mendota in Madison. The Madison area has been a significant dwelling place for Indigenous people for more than 12,500 years in archaeological terms, and since time immemorial for the Ho-Chunk and Menominee people. Watercraft played a principal role in the area's transportation network. The Lake ... Read More