Underwater Glider

The Great Lakes Observing System reported on the University of Minnesota-Duluth launching an underwater glider in Lake Superior.

On Sept. 26, 2009, Jay Austin, professor at the University of Minnesota - Duluth, successfully recovered his Autonomous Underwater Glider (AUG) after a nine-day data collecting mission. During its mission, it "flew" approximately 250km in the western arm of Lake Superior, making an equivalent of nearly 1000 conductivity, temperature and depth (CDT) casts.

The AUG's first mission was to move back and forth along the waters near Two Harbors collecting data, making 16 crossings of the shelf over about 4 days. After that, the glider swam over to the Wisconsin shore and back, producing a 30-km long section (see chart for raw, not-yet post-processed data). According to Austin, the cross-lake sections took about 24 hours to complete. He recalled the glider typically ran at about 35cm/s, slower than advertised, but thinks there are some things he can do to improve this.

The AUG is designed to collect real-time data at least once every three hours or when the AUG has completed a mission, whichever comes first. "While running it can be a bit un-nerving, this thing is really cool and provides a sort of data impossible to collect from ships or moored platforms," Austin said. "Hopefully this is just the first of many gliders in the Great Lakes!"

GLOS assisted with financing the daily operating costs which were on the order of $100-$150 per day (excluding boat time to get it out and back). Currently, the data the AUG is collecting is limited to temperature. Eventually Austin would like to collect data on a wide range of parameters, from oxygen levels to chlorophyll content.

For more information contact Jay Austin, 218-726-8773 or jaustin@d.umn.edu.

Wisconsin's New Invasives Rule

Gene Lemmenes, Charly Ray and Gene Brevold cut and treat Japanese Knotweed in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Invasive species classification administrative rule (NR 40) went into effect on September 1, 2009.

This rule is important for Wisconsin because invasive plants and animals displace native species, disrupt ecosystems, and harm recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. They also damage commercial, agricultural, and aquacultural resources.

Because invasive species lack the predators and competitors they faced in their homelands, invasive species can spread rapidly and aggressively. Controlling invasive species is difficult, and getting rid of them is often impossible. People play a major role in spreading invasive species, and can also help keep them from spreading.

Some of the prohibited or restricted species found in northern Wisconsin include: Japanese Honeysuckle, Garlic Mustard, Spotted Knapweed, Leafy Spurge, Japanese Knotweed, Common and Glossy Buckthorn, non-native fish, zebra mussels, emerald ash borer and European gypsy moth.

The rule also requires several preventative measures to limit spread of invasive species, and includes permit and enforcement provisions. More information about the rule is online the Department of Natural Resources website.

In the Lake Superior Basin, we are lucky to have the Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area, a group of agency and nonprofit partners that meet regularly to coordinate work across the basin. CWMA members lead work parties to train volunteers in invasive control work, they coordinate regional strategies and initiatives for managing invasives and provide information to the community on actions we can take to prevent or control the spread of invasive species.

Whittlesey Creek Outdoor Classroom Rain Garden Revealed!

Thanks to stellar National Park Volunteers Judy and David Kay, the rain garden and patio at the Whittlesey Creek NWR Outdoor Classroom is looking beautiful!

The rain garden is planted with native perennial plants with small signs that talk about how rain gardens can soak up extra rain runoff so sediment doesn't flow overland into the creek. It's also very pretty!

Judy spent hours and hours this past weekend weeding the garden, laying landscape fabric and mulch. Her work on this garden allows the perennials to really take hold so there will by much less maintenance needed in the future.

In addition, the paver patio that can serve as a base for aquatic exploration along the small branch of the Whittlesey Creek, has been cleared of weeds. This is a nice spot for small groups to have easy access to the creek.
An artesian well is flowing and offers a tap to fill water bottles.

This outdoor classroom is a wonderful facility to have available at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Many thanks for the TLC provided by Judy and David.

Wisconsin Lake Superior Partner Team Meeting July 13

Wisconsin Lake Superior Partner Team Meeting
Monday, July 13 at 4:00-5:30pm
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland, WI
Refreshments will be provided

1. Welcome and introductions

2. Bad River Watershed Association updates - Matt Hudson 40 minutes
a) Updates on funding and project
b) Solicit feedback on strategies for project implementation

3. Fish Creek Watershed Management and Restoration Plan introduction – Tom Fratt 10 minutes

4. Lake Superior Day July 19 discussion – Lissa Radke 10 minutes

5. St. Louis River 303(d) data inventory project request for input – Megan O’Shea 10 minutes

6. Outdoor Classroom in the Superior Municipal Forest review– Diane Nelson 10 minutes

7. Forestry & Watershed Management in Wisconsin’s Lake Superior Basin update– Ruth Oppedahl 10 minutes

8. Other matters for the good of the cause

June 26 Conservation Observance Day Honors Cora and Mark Liebaert

Join us for the 2009
Wisconsin Conservation Observance Day
Friday, June 26, 2009
10:00am – 3:00pm
At the Liebaert Family Farm, Riverview Ranch
7925 E. Munnings Rd., South Range, WI (near Superior)

Recipients of the 2008 Wisconsin Conservation Farmer of the Year
This free program will include: Speakers, lunch, exhibitors, and farm tours and demos

Mark and Cora Liebaert jointly own and operate a 600-acre farm in northern Douglas County which has been in their family 100 years this year. The Liebaerts also manage 200 acres of rented land. They are veteran graziers who raise and finish 80 grass-fed, pure-bred Black Angus cattle which they direct-market to local consumers. Besides this, the Liebaerts also raise several hundred pumpkins, a couple of horses, a few dogs and cats and a strong, wonderful family.

Mark and Cora manage their herd through rotational grazing; in fact, they started rotational grazing in 1985 before there were even names for such operations in their area. Mark has been instrumental in the rotational grazing efforts in Wisconsin, serving as a role model for others by sharing his successes and knowledge at local, regional and state venues, including hosting several pasture walks at his farm, teaching a rotational grazing class and speaking at the state Grass Works conference.

Other highlighted accomplishments include:

- Lowest cost hay producer in the state - Mark only uses 300 gallons of diesel fuel a year to operate his 600 acre farm plus 200 acres of rented lands; this figure also includes plowing his roads!

- One of the highest relative feed values in the state at more than 20% higher than the state average.

- Mark's first conservation plan was established in 1984 and has installed a variety of conservation plans since, the most recent being several access roads/animal crossings and heavy-use protection areas.

- Mark and Cora continue to participate in the Lake Superior Streams Volunteer Monitoring Program and they've taught others how to do their own monitoring.

- They host an annual Pasture Walk, follow a private Forest Stewardship Management Plan, and welcome opportunities to use their land and knowledge to help others learn - this sometimes includes bringing calves to kindergarten classes!

For more information see the Wisconsin Association of Land & Water Conservation website.

River Volunteers Needed to Detect Invasives in Northwestern Wisconsin-- Training Offered July 18

New Zealand Mud Snails have been detected in the Superior Duluth Harbor. NZMS have invaded western trout streams where they form mats on stream bed destroying habitat for fish and invertebrates.

The River Alliance of Wisconsin has launched Project RED (riverine early detectors), a new citizen monitoring program that trains river enthusiasts (paddlers, fishermen, WAV monitors, etc.) to identify and report 15 invasive species within river corridors statewide. During a free training hosted by the Bad River Watershed Association, the Friends of the White River, and Trout Unlimited Wild Rivers Chapter, the River Alliance will teach you to monitor your river by canoe, kayak, or on foot for 15 species of concern.

The Alliance will help you choose locations and a monitoring schedule that are convenient to you and your volunteers. The Alliance will also provide you with online data management tools available through www.citsci.org that help you report and map your findings. Detect It, Report It, and Fight It! Project RED provides you with the necessary tools to be a Riverine Early Detector. The protocols are easy and fun. Use this activity to become more familiar with your river or stream and to engage your friends and neighbors!

Project RED training is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 from 9:00-1:00pm at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center 2 miles east of Ashland off of Hwy 2. To reserve your space, please call Sarah Traaholt at 715-685-2672 or email sarah.traaholt@ces.uwex.edu.

See the River Alliance to learn more about invasive species in our river corridors and how you can help in the fight against invasives.

Woodland owners to tour pellet plant June 20 in Hayward, WI

HAYWARD -- Not since the energy crisis of the late 1970s has pelletized wood fuel become so popular. Don Kaiser, Executive Director of the Pellet Fuel Institute, estimates new or expanded facilities number over 40 coming on line in the last couple of years.

Here in the heart of the Northwoods forest products industry, Great Lakes Renewable Energy (GLRE) broke ground for the construction of a $7 million wood pellet plant in Hayward in April of 2008, which is operating at full capacity today. GLRE is on US Hwy. 63 South in Hayward, across from the Louisiana Pacific plant.
The Northwest Chapter of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners (NWWOA) will be touring the pellet plant on Saturday, June 20. A short NWWOA board meeting starts at 9:15, with registration for the tour set for 9:45-10:15 a.m.

At 10:30, GLRE General Manager Herb Seeger, and other employees will lead four small group tours, including demonstrations of debarking, drying, milling, pelleting, packaging, log yard activities and log scaling.

Products sold under the GLRE Lumber Jack brand name include Premium Wood Fuel Pellets, Animal Bedding, Aspen Kitty Litter, Wood Fiber Bedding and Commercial Fuel Pellets. The different species of trees used for these products will be discussed.
From 11:45 to 12:30, a box lunch will be served, including turkey and ham on croissants, pasta salad, fruit salad, chips and drink, at $7 per person.
Reservations for lunch must be made by June 17, by contacting Jim or Alice Kissinger at (715) 865-3419 or ajkiss@centurytel.net, with payment at the registration table.
At 12:30, GLRE representatives will take questions from the visitors, and from 1 to 2:30, a wood-chipping demonstration will be provided in the plant or on video.

The Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association is committed to educating and supporting private forest landowners in managing their land for all woodland benefits, now and in the future. The Northwest Chapter general membership meets four times each year, offering educational programs and opportunities for forest landowners to meet and share information and experiences about their woodlands. The Northwest Chapter serves private woodland owners in Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn counties.

For more information, contact Ellie Williams, Bayfield County NWWOA representative, at (715) 765-4789.