The Dirt
President’s Message: Tyrone Larson
“Dirt” is defined as an “unclean substance” or “a substance that spoils the cleanness of somebody or something.”
In my daily profession, I catch myself using the word “dirt” instead of soil. Some may say it is a swear word in our profession, but it is a common word to the average person. After I looked up the definition on dirt, it made sense why the general public views dirt and/or soil in a negative tone. What many do not realize is that we can not survive without it!
Now, more than ever, our conservation programs need to be strong with the push of ethanol and biodiesel production. Some may say that we need to get back to the basics. Education, outreach, and leading by example will be important methods to show the average person that dirt is much more than something that spoils the cleanness of somebody or something.
In January, the chapter put on an excellent conference entitled “Wisconsin Water Levels: Are They Rising or Falling? We had an average turnout of attendees, but had great participation from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Student SWCS Chapter.
Speakers included:
James Lubner – University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, Education Coordinator
Tim Asplund – Wisconsin DNR, Limnologist
Sam Morgan – Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company, Vice President of Operations
George Kraft – UWSP, Professor of Water Resources
Patrick Nehring – UW Extension, Waushara County
All the speakers did an excellent job and answered the conference’s theme with a YES!
Once again, Dr. Pete Nowak from UW Madison did an excellent job of moderating the conference and challenging the attendees with questions for the future.
One new thing we tried this year was to have every attendee complete an evaluation form for the conference. Those suggestions and/or recommendations are already being used in planning for the 2009 annual meeting. Early plans are to hold the meeting in the Platteville area to engage the SWCS student chapter located there and also to tour the UW Platteville Pioneer Farm. The planning committee is working on several good topics for next year’s meeting – stay tuned!
Our membership is holding well, but we could always use more. I challenge everyone to recruit one new member for this year. I have already recruited 6 new members this year and will continue working towards my goal of 10 new members.
Plans are currently being developed for a summer tour in the Madison area. The potential date is Friday, July 18, 2008. Also, in the works, is another social outing to a Madison Mallards Baseball game on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Please stay tuned for more details!
For the resources,
Tyrone Larson
2008 WI SWCS Chapter President