Stream Monitoring Webinar Series Announced

Water Action Volunteers is Wisconsin’s volunteer stream water quality monitoring program – basically a stream-based equivalent to our CLMN lake monitoring program. All of these webinars are free and open to the public, but there is an online registration link for each one below the webinar description.

Catch the WAVe – Water Action Volunteers Webinar Series
Fall-Winter 2018-2019
Tuesdays, Noon-1:00 pm (Central Time)

October 16, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: What is the Water Telling Us about the Land?
This webinar will explore what the water in our lakes and our streams tells us about our land. In Wisconsin, the land “makes” water as the precipitation that falls on the land becomes the flow in our streams and the water in our lakes. Our streams “integrate” the water that falls on different parts of our land at different times. Finally, our lakes “store” water, sometimes for years, when the rate of water entering is small compared to the size of the lake. And that’s just the beginning. Because the composition of the water changes dramatically as precipitation works its way through our land, the land will also control the quality of the water moving into our streams and lakes. The result is a fascinating story but a complex task as we try to figure out what our water is telling us about the land.
Presenter: Paul McGinley, Water Quality Specialist, UW-Extension
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8353439928954676993

October 30, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: An Introduction to Stream Ecology
What IS stream ecology anyway? Where do streams come from and what lives in them? What are the basic definitions and importance of these five physical features of streams: temperature, flow, pH, light and dissolved oxygen? UW-Platteville Stream Ecologist Kris Wright will answer these questions and much more.
Presenter: Kristopher Wright, Aquatic Biologist, UW-Platteville
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/863126916781131267

November 13, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: Office Hours with DNR Biologists
You have questions? We have answers! As citizen stream monitors your work and your data is closely tied to the work of our Wisconsin DNR professionals who have experience in and knowledge about streams across our state. Craig Roesler and Camille Bruhn, Water Quality Biologists in northwest and west central Wisconsin, respectively, will be on hand to answer questions and discuss your stream and data interests. The topics and flow of the webinar will be directed by YOU. So join us for this opportunity to “ask the experts”.
Presenters: Craig Roesler and Camille Bruhn, DNR Water Quality Biologists
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/727516451146336771

November 27, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: Using the Surface Water Data Viewer to Find Stations and Data
This webinar will cover the basics of using the Surface Water Data Viewer, DNR’s mapping application. Join us to learn how to search for monitoring stations and water quality data. If time permits, we will also cover a few of the basics for the Water Condition Viewer.
Presenter: Ilana Haimes, WAV Data Management and Special Projects, WDNR
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5936407707758522371

December 11, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: Understanding Macroinvertebrates
Scrapers, shredders, gatherers, filterers, and predators, OH MY! In this presentation, Kris Wright will explain the importance of aquatic invertebrates and help you understand their diversity and functions in the environment. You will come away being as excited about macroinvertebrates as he is, guaranteed!
Presenter: Kristopher Wright, Aquatic Biologist, UW-Platteville
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3178821550179847939

January 8, 2019: 
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: The Madness behind the Methods: WAV Stream Flow Explained
At training sessions and in streams each month, volunteers often have questions about the WAV stream flow methods, such as why the first number in stream depth is always “0” and why we have a velocity correction factor for stream bottom type. You may be surprised to know the rigor and research that is behind the WAV flow method. Tune in to hear Kris Stepenuck discuss the evolution of WAV stream flow methods and the related research that was included in her PhD thesis!
Kris Stepenuck, Extension Assistant Professor, University of Vermont
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8390094348977929219

January 22, 2019:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: Increase Your Success in Finding and Submitting Grants
If you or your organization relies on grants to fund stream monitoring or other education and outreach activities you probably know that it can be a daunting task to keep the funds flowing and your work progressing. Not only do you need to find those grant sources but you also have to develop and submit a proposal that will rise to the top and be awarded the funds you have requested. This webinar will include practical ideas that will help you be more successful in your pursuit of grand funds.
Dave Nolan, Watauga Grant Consultants
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3867903079493483779