Document Actions
(19) UW-Extension’s Role in Wisconsin’s Municipal Stormwater Education Efforts
Suzanne Wade, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Jefferson WI
Chad Cook, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Oshkosh WI,Kendra Axness, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Green Bay WI and Darren Lochner, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Eau Claire, WI
Concurrent Session: A4: Exploring Partnership Models
More than 220 Wisconsin municipalities received stormwater permits in 2006, in accordance with new state and federal stormwater rules. The permits require municipalities to develop a suite of stormwater management programs, including information and education programs for residential landowners. Stormwater programs and projects are generally assigned to municipal engineers, public works directors, planning department staff, or county conservationists. These employees, who are generally not educators, have identified “support with information and education programs” as a primary need for compliance with the stormwater rules.
UW-Extension educators have stepped in to address this need at both the state and local levels. At the state level, a collaborative effort between UW-Extension state and regional specialists, county educators, municipalities and the Department of Natural Resources resulted in a template for a municipal stormwater education and outreach plan. At the local level, UW-Extension educators have participated in (and in some cases convened) partnerships that allow municipalities to pool resources and share information to ease implementation. These efforts together have strengthened municipal stormwater education programs and demonstrated the value of Extension to state and local partners.
The presenter will describe the statewide municipal stormwater education collaboration, emphasizing the development of the plan template, will provide an overview of Extension’s local involvement in Wisconsin’s municipal stormwater partnerships, and share a specific example of Extension support for a Chippewa Valley partnership.
Suzanne Wade
University of Wisconsin-Extension
UW-Extension Jefferson County
864 Collins Road
Jefferson, WI 53549, USA
Phone: 920-674-8972
Fax: 920-674-7200
suzanne.wade@ces.uwex.edu