Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

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