Past Events and Programs

Past Events and Programs

 

Canoe Expeditions, Fall 2014

Gather the family together for a fun adventure! Experience the Sheboygan River, stretch your paddling muscles, and learn about the clean-up and restoration work on a free guided trip with Camp Y-Koda!                      Registration Required. Contact Camp Y-Koda at yeducation@sheboygancountyymca.org or 920-467-6882.

Friday, October 24, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Thursday, October 30, 10:00am-12:00pm
Friday, October 31, 10:00am-12:00pm
Sunday, November 2, 10:00am-12:00pm
Wednesday, November 5, 10:00am-12:00pm
Saturday, November 8, 12:30pm-2:30pm

Registrants will be contacted by Camp Y-Koda a few days in advance of the trip with final details. River section featured on each trip determined by water conditions.

 

 

Sheboygan River Dredging Restrictions Open House, Tuesday September 16, 2014 @ 5:00pm to 6:30pm

Mead Library’s Rocca Room

Meet to ask questions and see maps and other information regarding dredging work that was done in the Sheboygan River. Understand what it would mean to have the “dredging restrictions impairment”removed from Sheboygan River’s list of injuries. Provide your feedback at the meeting or by September 30. For more information, contact WDNR Sheboygan River AOC Coordinator, April Marcangeli at 920-893-8527 or april.marcangeli@wisconsin.gov.

Native Plant Walk, Wednesday September 17, 2014 @ 5:30-6:30pm

Meet at the University Drive wetland to join local ecologist, Scott Horzen, to see and identify some of the native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and other plants growing in the habitat projects. Gain insight on differences in the second year of growth vs. the first year. Travel to other sites if time allows. No registration required, but for possible weather cancellations call 920-459-5918 up to two hours prior to program start.

Buckthorn Removal, Monday September 22, 2014 @ 5:30-7:30pm

Meet Amy Kretlow on the hill on University Drive to join other volunteers in the fight against invasive buckthorn, then take a break with ice cream and your fellow river-enthusiasts. Long sleeves, insect repellent, gloves, sturdy shoes and a pruning shears or saw recommended. No registration required, but for possible weather cancellations call 920-459-5918 up to two hours prior to program start.

Bat Monitoring Training, Monday August 18, 2014 @ 7:30-9:30pm

UW-Extension office

Join director of the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory, Bill Mueller, to learn about the biology of Wisconsin bats and how to detect them as they hunt for insects in the night sky. Learn to use a fun gadget called the “Ana-Bat” detector. The training consists of one hour indoor training and one hour outdoor training, so dress for the weather. We’re looking for a few dedicated volunteers to make bat monitoring in Sheboygan their hobby! Come just to learn or come to volunteer, but please register by August 15.

 

Friday Morning Bird Walks, 2014Wednesday Morning Bird Walks

July 11, 7:30am
August 8, 7:30am
September 12, 7:30am

Join Dave Kuckuk, Debbie Beyer, and other local birders, for a morning walk to identify birds along the Sheboygan River. We’ll start at Esslingen Park and drive to other project sites and eBird hotspots as time allows. Drop in for just a short excursion before work, or stay for several hours. Our observations will be submitted to ebird. Bring your binoculars and field guide.

 

 

Invasive Plant Pull & Ice Cream Social, 2014Invasive Plant Pull Ice Cream Social

July 14, 6:00-8:00pm
August 11, 6:00-8:00pm
August 25, 5:30-7:30pm
September 8, 5:30-7:30pm
September 22, 5:30-7:30pm

Enjoy fresh air and exercise along the river cutting or pulling garlic mustard, buckthorn and other invaders. Then take a break to enjoy ice cream and socialize with your fellow river-enthusiasts. Long sleeves, insect repellent, gloves and sturdy shoes encouraged. Meet on University Drive along the Sheboygan River. For possible weather cancellations call 920-459-5918 two hours prior.

 

 

 

hoary-bat-with-moth-c-merlin-d-tuttle-bat-conservation-international2Bat Survey Canoe Trip, 2014

June 25, 8:00pm

July 9, 8:00pm

September 23, 6:30pm

Help us navigate the night-time waters and survey for bats in the lower portion of the Sheboygan River. Registration is required to reserve a free canoe, contact Camp Y-Koda at 920-467-6882 or yeducation@sheboygancountyymca.org

 

Native Plant Walk, 2014P1000400_Asclepias_incarnata_(Asclepiadaceae)_Flower - Copy

Wednesday June 25, 6:00-7:00pm
Wednesday July 23, 6:00-7:00pm
Wednesday August 20, 6:00-7:00pm
Wednesday September 17, 5:30-6:30pm

Join local ecologist and Sheboygan River project contractor, Scott Horzen, to see and identify some of the native trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges and wildflowers planted at the habitat projects. Discuss their ecological importance and get ideas for “going native” with your own landscaping. Park along University Drive and begin with a walk in the wetlands across from Lutheran High School. Travel to other sites if time allows. For possible weather cancellations call 920-459-5918 two hours prior to the program start.

 

 

Want to plant native wildflowers? 2014

We have an exciting and unique opportunity to establish native wildflower gardens as a backyard habitat restoration demo along the Sheboygan River at the new Glas Coffee House on 14th Street. The Sheboygan River Basin Partnership is seeking funding for the native plant stock and is hoping volunteers will help with planting this spring. If interested, please leave a message for UW-Extension Sheboygan River Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Kretlow at 459-5918 or akretlow@uwm.edu.

 

 

eBird 2014: Calling all birders! We’re looking for a few people to regularly bird along the Sheboygan River Area of Concern and enter their observations on Cornell Laboratory’s eBird web-based database. Birders of all skill levels welcome!

 

Invasive Plant Ground-Army, 2014

Join in Sheboygan County’s fight against invasive species by adopting a portion of the Sheboygan River bank or floodplain to protect it from invasive plants. Participate in a training to learn how to control these aliens along the river or on your own land. Great family or club activity

 

 

Sheboygan River Canoe and Kayak Trips, Summer 2014

Experience the Sheboygan River, stretch your paddling muscles, and learn about the clean-up and restoration work on a free guided trip with Camp Y-Koda! To register contact Camp Y-Koda at 920-467-6882 or yeducation@sheboygancountyymca.org   Registrants will be contacted by Camp Y-Koda a few days in advance of the trip with final details. River section featured on each trip determined by water conditions.

Saturday June 14, 9:00am-11:00am

Sunday June 15, noon-2:00pmCanoe Trip on the Sheboygan River_20110912_002

Wednesday June 18, noon-2:00pm

Saturday June 21, 9:00am-11:00am

Sunday June 22, noon-2:00pm

Saturday June 28, 9:00am-11:00am

Sunday June 29, noon-2:00pm

Wednesday July 2, noon-2:00pm

Saturday July 12, 9:00am-11:00am

Sunday July 13, noon-2:00pm

 

 

 

Camp Y-Koda 8th Annual Litter Cleanup Event, Saturday, May 17, 2014 Camp Y-Koda

“Clean the river now, keep it clean forever!”

Enjoy a morning walk or paddle along a stretch of the Sheboygan River picking up litter in this great family and community event! In cooperation with the Sheboygan River Basin Partnership and the UW-Extension, we will again be picking up trash along various stretches of the Sheboygan River and other local areas. Bring your own canoe, use a Camp Y-Koda canoe for free, or walk a riverside park. Please be prepared for any kind of weather; rain, sleet, or sunshine, we will be picking up litter!

New this year, Camp Y-Koda will be collecting old shoes as a fundraiser. The registration deadline is May 10, 2014. To register contact Camp Y-Koda at 920-467-6882 or yeducation@sheboygancountyymca.org

 

Group Bat Survey Walks, 2014Picture1

Come join Amy Kretlow and Debbie Beyer to walk one of the Sheboygan River bat survey routes and practice using the Ana-Bat Detector. We’ll walk a survey route and collect data to accompany additional data being collected by volunteers (some of you!). Wear good walking shoes and bring insect repellent! For possible weather cancellations call 920-459-5918 two hours prior to the program start.

April 17, 8:00pm, Kiwanis Park

May 1, 8:15pm, Deland Park

May 15, 8:30pm, Glas Coffee House

June 12, 8:45pm, South Pier turn-around

 

 

Bat Monitoring Training, Thursday April 10, 2014 @ 7:00pm Copy DSC02354

UW-Extension Office

WDNR biologist, Paul White, will teach about the biology of Wisconsin bats and how to detect them as they hunt for insects in the night sky. Learn to use the “Ana-Bat” detector, which is a gadget that records bat vocalizations imperceptible to the human ear. Also, learn how to search for bat roost locations. Expect a 1-hour indoor program followed by 1-hour outdoor practice. Good walking shoes a must! This prepares you for loaning the Ana-bat to do your own surveys, or for joining the group bat walks. Registration required.

 

 

Learn about Frogs & Toads, Saturday, March 15, 2014 @ 10:00-noon   Gray Treefrog Medley

UW-Extension Office

Join Debbie Beyer for a training on Wisconsin frog and toad biology, how to identify their calls,  and techniques for participating in Wisconsin’s Frog and Toad Survey. This training is encouraged if you plan to join the Frog’n Fridays. Registration required.

 

 

 

News and Views on the Sheboygan River, Tuesday, March 11, 2014 @ 6:30-7:30pm

Maywood Ellwood H. May Environmental Park

Join Debbie Beyer, UW-Extension, and Caitie McCoy, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, for this update on Sheboygan River fish and wildlife and community perceptions studies.  Learn about next steps and how you can be involved in helping the Sheboygan River heal.

 

 

 

What is your Sheboygan River story? Saturday, March 8, 2014 @ 10:00am-noon

May 1959 - in Sheboygan Harbor (Historical Society)Sheboygan County Historical Museum

Gather for a brief presentation of recent history in the restoration of Sheboygan River fish and wildlife by UW-Extension educator, Debbie Beyer. Bring along artifacts (photos, objects, articles, etc.) you’d like to show others pertaining to the Sheboygan River’s past or present and share your Sheboygan River story in (5 minute segments) informally with the audience. This program is the kick-off of a Sheboygan River oral history project for documenting the variety of experiences and memories people have of the Sheboygan River.

 

 

 

 

The Winners of the Sheboygan River Billboard Contest.Billboard Final

Winning Photos by: Bradley Gumtow & Debbie Beyer

Winning Slogan by: Andrew Gumtow

Billboards were located in 2013: 1) Business 42 and Union Dr.  2)Business 42 and Washington Ave  3)Indiana and 30th  4)Pennsylvania ans 14th  5)North Ave and 15th

 

Sheboygan River Canoe and Kayak Trips, Fall of 2012

Registrants will be contacted by Camp Y-Koda a few days in advance of the trip with final details. River section featured on each trip determined by water conditions.

Kayak Trip: Wednesday September 18th, 9:30-noon

Kayak Trip: Saturday September 21, 9:30-noon

Canoe Trip: Wednesday, October 16th, 9:30-noon

Canoe Trip: Sunday, October 20th, 1:00-3:30pm

 

 

7th Annual Sheboygan River Clean-up Fesival, Saturday May 18, 2012 @ 10:00am- 2:00pm

 Camp Y-Koda pick up liter by canoe or on foot, or stencil storm drains. Free lunch and activities at Camp. Great individual, family, or club volunteer event! Contact Camp at 920-467-6882 and campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org to register.

 

 

Sheboygan River Highlights,  November 28th and December 12, 2012 @ 5:30 – 6:00 PM

Curious about what is happening on the river? Meet in the upper dining room of the Highland House Restaurant on November 28th and UW-Extension Offices (5 University Dr. Sheboygan) on December 12th for a brief update of the dredging and habitat restoration activities. Ask questions, get answers! No registration required.

 

 

Sheboygan River Project Tours, November 10th and December 1st, 2012 @ 9:30-11:30 AM

Meet at the Sheboygan County UW-Extension Office, One University Drive, Room 5024 for a brief overview of the habitat and dredging projects, then caravan in your own vehicle to the project sites. Rain or shine, dress for the weather. No registration required.

 

 

Be a Community Hero, Explore and Restore the Sheboygan River- November 10, 2012

Options from which to choose, or do them all:

Call 920-459-6644 to register by November 5 for your free lunch.

Remove Invasive Plants – See Spawning Salmon – Get free lunch!  8:00-9:00 Willow Creek invasive plant removal. Activities will include cutting and piling buckthorn and honeysuckle bushes on the banks of Willow Creek, a trout stream that has excellent fall salmon viewing.  Meet at Plank Road Trailhead on Erie Avenue (1/2-mile west of Shopko) (see map).  Dress for the weather and bring gloves and pruning shears, if you have them.

Take a tour!  9:30-11:00 Tour the Sheboygan River clean-up and habitat projects.  Meet at Sheboygan County UWEX office, Room 5020 for a brief overview, then caravan down the river to view projects sites.

Free lunch for registered participants!  10:00 – 2:00 Today’s your lucky day! All registered participants for these programs get free lunch tickets. Take your free lunch ticket to Gander Mountain where the Sheboygan River Basin Partnership (SRBP) will thank you for your efforts and give you a free lunch – brat/hamburger, cookies and soda/water!

EXPEDITION-POSTER-Summer-2012-Final-page-001-150x150 (1)

 

 

 

Sheboygan River TAC and CAC River Tour, on Monday, September 17, 2012 @ 9:30 – 3:00 p.m.

The Sheboygan River is a-buzz with restoration and remediation! Tour 3-4 habitat restoration project sites, watch 2-3 dredging projects in action and hear about the steps, challenges, advantages, and lessons-learned in going from planning to implementation in a 2-year timeframe. This trip is geared toward agency staff and those participating on Wisconsin AOC technical advisory committees and community/citizen advisory committees.

We will meet at the Sheboygan County UW-Extension Office http://sheboygan.extension.wisc.edu/office-map-and-directions/ and bus participants from there. Full agenda is linked below.

Sign-up today at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sheboygantour if you have difficulty with this link, please contact Sarah Traaholt at (715) 685-2672 or sarah.traaholt@ces.uwex.edu and she will help you get registered. Sheboygan Tour Agenda Sept 2012

 

 

Family Kayak and Canoe Expeditions, 2012

Gather the family together for a fun weekend adventure! Paddle down the Sheboygan River and learn about what is being done to improve its health. Join us for the entire series to paddle the full stretch of the Area of Concern from just past the Sheboygan Falls Dam to the Sheboygan Harbor!

Section 1—River Parkway to the Harbor

  • Wednesday, July 25, 4:30pm-6:30pm
  • Saturday, July 28, 10:00am-12:00pm

Section 2—Kohler to Esslingen Park

  • Wednesday, August 1, 4:30pm-6:30pm
  • Saturday, August 4, 10:00am-12:00pm

Section 3—Rochester Park to Kohler

  • Wednesday, August 8, 4:30pm-6:30pm
  • Saturday, August 11, 10:00am-12:00pm

 

 

Adopt-A-Beach Clean-up, Saturday, September 15, 2012 @ 9:00am-12:00pm

Deland Park

Join members of your community in cleaning up the shorelines and celebrating the Great Lakes as we team up with Alliance for the Great Lakes! The Alliance for the Great Lakes brings together thousands of volunteers throughout the Great Lakes region annually to have fun and give back to the beautiful beaches and shorelines that they love.

 

 

Sheboygan River Public Information Meeting January 25, 2011, @ 6:30-8:30 pm

John Michael Kohler Arts Center (theater)

View and/or print flyer for event

Projects to remove navigation sediments and PCB contamination, and to restore fish and wildlife habitat:

  • Fish and Wildlife Habitat Projects at Taylor Drive/Indiana Avenue, Wildwood Islands, and Kiwanis Park
  • Dredging from Kiwanis Park to 8th Street Bridge
  • Dredging from 8th Street to Mouth of River

Your activities may be impacted by the operations associated with these projects in 2012. Please join us for presentations, displays and discussion to learn about project goals, plans, time lines, boating, traffic logistics, and more. Presentations by: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Army Corps of Engineers City of Sheboygan—SEH, Inc. With additional exhibits by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Sheboygan River Basin Partnership.

 

Sheboygan River Kayak Expedition, Wed, October 19, 2011 @ 9am – 12pm

EOS, 668 South Pier Dr. Sheboygan, WI (map)
DescriptionSheboygan River Kayak Expedition Wednesday, October 19, 9:00am-12:00pm, EOS on South Pier Follow the current and explore the Sheboygan River AOC – watch for wildlife, enjoy the scenery and sounds, maybe even bump into a few salmon! Gain an understanding of why the Sheboygan River is considered one of the 43 most areas in the Great Lakes drainage basin needing special attention and what you can do to help restore its health.
Sheboygan River Expeditions 2011 Sign Up to Explore and Learn More! For more information and to register, contact Camp Y-Koda at campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org or (920)-467-6882.

Sheboygan River Salmon Safari, Wednesday, Oct 5, 2011 (TBA)

Esslingen Park, Sheboygan, WI (map)
DescriptionSheboygan River Salmon Safari Wednesday, October 5, Esslingen Park Learn about the ecology of highly sought-after salmon, gain a few tips for catching them from local experts and view them as they swim by. Uncover the meaning of the expression, “match the hatch” and develop an understanding of lifecycles and relationships beneath the flowing water of the river.
Sheboygan River Expeditions 2011 Sign Up to Explore and Learn More! For more information and to register, contact Camp Y-Koda at campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org or (920)-467-6882.

Annual September Adopt-A-Beach Clean-up, Sat, September 24, 2011 @ 9am – 12pm

Deland Park, 882 Broughton Dr, Sheboygan, Wisconsin (map)
Annual September Adopt-A-Beach Clean-up Saturday, September 24, 9:00am-12:00pm, Deland Park Join members of your community in cleaning up the shorelines and celebrating the Great Lakes! The Alliance for the Great Lakes brings together thousands of volunteers throughout the Great Lakes region to have fun and give back to the beautiful beaches and shorelines that they love.
Sheboygan River Expeditions 2011 Sign Up to Explore and Learn More! For more information and to register, contact Camp Y-Koda at campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org or (920)-467-6882.

Sheboygan River Kayak Expedition, Mon, September 12, 2011 @ 1pm – 4pm

EOS, 668 South Pier Dr. Sheboygan, WI (map)

Sheboygan River Kayak Expedition Monday, September 12, 1:00pm-4:00pm, EOS on South Pier Follow the current and explore the Sheboygan River AOC – watch for wildlife, enjoy the scenery and sounds, maybe even bump into a few salmon! Gain an understanding of why the Sheboygan River is considered one of the 43 most areas in the Great Lakes drainage basin needing special attention and what you can do to help restore its health.
Sheboygan River Expeditions 2011 Sign Up to Explore and Learn More! For more information and to register, contact Camp Y-Koda at campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org or (920)-467-6882.

Rhythms of the River – Sheboygan River Celebration and Fundraiser at the Highland House, Wed, September 7, 2011 @ 5pm – 8pm

Print or view flyer

820 Indiana Avenue Sheboygan, WI 53081-4949 (map)
Rhythms of the River – Sheboygan River Celebration and Fundraiser Wednesday, September 7, 5:00pm-8:00pm, Highland House Restaurant Invite your friends, relatives and fellow water conservationists to celebrate the phenomenal effort underway to clean-up and restore the Sheboygan River. Enjoy a meal, brief program and music at the Highland House! Music provided by Great Lakes folk artist, David H.B. Drake. $1.00 from each ordered entrée (anytime Sept. 7) will support Sheboygan River Basin Partnership projects and programs.
Sheboygan River Expeditions 2011 Sign Up to Explore and Learn More! For more information and to register, contact Camp Y-Koda at campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org or (920)-467-6882.

Historic Camp Marina Superfund Clean-up Tour, Tues. August 16, 2011 @ 12pm – 1pm

10th Ave. and Water Street in Sheboygan, Wisconsin (map)

Historic Camp Marina Superfund Clean-up Tour Tuesday, August 16, 12:15pm-12:45pm Join us over the lunch hour to see and hear details of the monumental task of cleaning up PCBs, PAHs and NAPLs that have persisted for decades. Dress for the weather. Program is on-site at 10th Ave. and Water Street in Sheboygan.
Sheboygan River Expeditions 2011 Sign Up to Explore and Learn More! For more information and to register, contact Camp Y-Koda at campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org or (920)-467-6882.

Bats of the Sheboygan River, Aug 10, 2011

UW-Ex Room#5022

Discover why bats are important to the Sheboygan River ecosystem and what is being done to learn more about them. Your bat-expedition begins indoors, then takes you outside for a walk along the river to detect bats with your eyes and a high-tech bat detector!

Presented by: Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory, WDNR, and UW-Extension.

Sheboygan River Expeditions 2011.  Sign Up to Explore and Learn More!   For more information and to register, contact Camp Y-Koda at campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org or (920)-467-6882.