Conservation

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

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

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

Marcy West

Water Lovers Role in Protecting Landscapes

Killarney (Spark by Hilton) - Hilton Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

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

Utilizing the lessons learned in the timeline of the failed La Farge Lake and Dam project to the unique protections for the 8,600-acre Kickapoo Valley Reserve in southwest Wisconsin, Marcy will clearly illustrate why water lovers need to care about the larger landscapes. Weaving politics, behind the scenes anecdotes, and life lessons offers audience members some thought-provoking methods they can use in their own backyard.