5^th Annual Citizen-based Monitoring
Conference


Citizens and scientists
working together to monitor
Wisconsin's natural resources


Stoney Creek Inn
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Friday, October 24 - Saturday, October 25, 2008

This year’s conference took place in Onalaska, nestled in the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Anyone involved or interested in monitoring natural resources was welcome to attend.

Courtesy of DiscoverOnalaska.com

Friday's schedule included an in-depth look at strategic partnerships between UW Cooperative Extension and citizen groups and how successful nonprofit organizations finance their programs. Discussions and one-on-one access to an array of natural resource and nonprofit business specialists followed. On Friday evening, author and naturalist Kenny Salwey, nicknamed the "Last River Rat", talked about a lifetime of observations on the Mississippi River. The day concluded with recognition of outstanding programs, citizens and youth or student monitors.

Saturday morning featured updates on citizen projects from around the state. A concurrent "how-to" mini-session covered:

• Effective Strategies to Help Train and Manage Volunteers
• Connecting Teachers, Curriculum and Monitoring Projects
• Sustaining Long Term Programs