Convention Recap
From April 15–17, the Stevens Point Holiday Inn Convention Center became the epicenter of Wisconsin’s water conservation movement. Under the theme “Decades of Dedication,” hundreds of lake lovers, scientists, and advocates gathered to reflect on the legacy of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s while passing the torch to a new generation of stewards.
If you couldn’t make it to Stevens Point this year, here is a look at what we learned and celebrated during three days of “Water Week.”
🌊 Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future
The convention kicked off with a powerful reminder that “monumental challenges take time.” Speakers highlighted how the programs we rely on today—like the Clean Water Act milestones and early AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) monitoring—are the result of relentless work by those who came before us.
- Keynote Highlights: Discussions focused on the long-term data sets that now allow us to track climate impacts on lake ice-off dates and water clarity over fifty-plus years.
- The Next Generation: A major focus this year was on recruitment. Workshops like “Lessons Learned in Environmental Education” gave us new strategies to engage youth and ensure the “culture of doing” continues.
🛠️ Hands-On Workshops & New Tools
The breakout sessions were packed with actionable advice for lake associations and districts. Some of the most-talked-about sessions included:
- PFAS Management: A holistic, systemic look at how Wisconsin is tackling “forever chemicals” at the local level.
- Healthy Lakes & Rivers: Training on selecting and designing practices like rain gardens and rock infiltrations to handle the increasingly intense runoff we’ve seen recently.
- Digital Tools: The WDNR demonstrated new online tools designed to help lake leaders gather water quality data and generate professional-grade watershed health reports.
🏆 Celebrating Our Stewards
The highlight of Thursday evening was the Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards. These awards recognized the extraordinary volunteers and professionals who keep our waters healthy. Seeing the “Decades of Dedication” in person—individuals who have served on lake boards for 30+ years—was a truly humbling experience.
🛶 Mindful Moments
It wasn’t all data and policy! Many attendees enjoyed the “Wander” through UW-Stevens Point’s Schmeeckle Reserve. Guided by the principles of the book Blue Mind, these sessions allowed us to reconnect with the emotional and cognitive benefits of being near water—reminding us exactly why we do this work.
What’s Next?
As we head back to our respective shorelines, the message is clear: Persistence pays off. Whether you are managing a dam, fighting AIS, or just trying to get a youth program started, your “Decades of Dedication” are what will keep Wisconsin’s waters blue for the next half-century.
Did you attend the convention? Share your favorite takeaway or a photo from the event on our Facebook page!
For more resources and to download presentation slides from the convention, visit WisconsinWaterWeek.org.
