From a "Fire & Ice Winter Festival" in Pewaukee and a drinking water public forum in Madison, to a "Get Wet and Energized" gathering for schoolchildren at UW­Stevens Point and a "Mississippi Mud Day" in La Crosse, people are gearing up to learn more about water in our state. Events range from serious discussions about such issues as the dangers of water privatization and the detection of E. coli bacteria in drinking water to activities that add fun to the mix, such as group paddling trips, volunteer cleanups and wetland restoration projects.

Wisconsin's Year of Water takes place during a time of increasing awareness around the world about the importance of water and the threats to our global water supply. The year 2003 is also the International Year of Fresh Water (sponsored by UNESCO) and the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

In Wisconsin, organizations and residents are excited about taking time this year to celebrate water and raise awareness about water issues. "Here in Menominee County, we want to do our part by educating citizens to help create a larger awareness and enduring passion by each and every person who relies on this most precious resource," says Jeremy Johnson, Menominee County conservationist and forester. A Lake Fair held by the Legend Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District on May 3 will help spark citizen involvement, Johnson says.

The First Annual Wisconsin Groundwater Festival, to be held May 9-10 at UW­Stevens Point, will be a fun-packed event for families, says organizer Denise Kilkenny-Tittle. "We'll bring that hidden resource, groundwater, to the surface," she says. The festival will bring some 600 schoolchildren from around the state to a hands-on "Get Wet and Energized" field trip day drawing connections between groundwater, surface water, energy and humans. (More information at 715-346-2722.)

Here is a sampling of the many events planned:

• The Wisconsin Basin Initiative meets in a Partner Team Summit 2003 on March 29 in Stevens Point, offering citizens a chance to learn about watershed-based management of water resources. More information at 920-388-4313, UW-Extension Basin Educator.
• A River/Bay Clean Up Day and River Rally takes place April 19 in the Fox River and Green Bay area. Cleanup volunteers should contact Wess Damro, Brown County Household Hazardous Manager, 920-492-4950, Damro_WW@co.brown.wi.us.
• In La Crosse, a "Mississippi Mud Day" fair on July 31 will mark the docking of the American Queen. Mud Day will highlight refuge and fishery activities from around the state, especially hatchery work related to sturgeon and endangered mussels. The American Queen will host the "Celebrating a Century of Conservation" cruise from July 26-Aug. 2, beginning in St. Louis and ending in St. Paul. On board the Queen, centennial celebrations will occur each day highlighting the National Wildlife Refuge System, particularly the Mark Twain Complex of refuges and the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife & Fish Refuge. For more information, call 507-494-6216.
• The Department of Natural Resources is planning a variety of events around the state. Take part in fishing clinics conducted by DNR and local sports groups, tour one of the state's fish hatcheries to see where crews raise 70 million fish every year, or enjoy one of the water-themed events or interpretive programs planned at the state parks. In addition, DNR plans on offering online resources to help youth educators teach students about celebrating and actively caring for Wisconsin's water resources. Call 608-264-8942 for more information.

Contacts:

Victoria Harris, Water Quality and Habitat Restoration Specialist, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, UW­Green Bay, 920-465-2795, harrisv@uwgb.edu

Shaili Pfeiffer, Waters of Wisconsin associate, Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, 608-263-1692 ext. 21, smpfeiffer@wisc.edu

Lisa Gaumnitz, public affairs manager, Dept. of Natural Resources, 608-264-8942, Lisa.Gaumnitz@dnr.state.wi.us

Renae Anderson, state information officer, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 608-276-8732 ext. 227, renae.anderson@wi.usda.gov

Derek Scheer, water policy director, Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, 608-251-7020, dscheer@environmentaldecade.org

Linda Jameson, communications director, Biodiversity Project, 608-250-9876, ljameson@biodiverse.org