When: postponed due to COVID-19.
The community is invited to celebrate citizen science day on Saturday, April 18, 9AM-noon at the Belleville Public Library. This year's celebration will bring all generations together to honor one of the longest running citizen science efforts in our area: the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association (USRWA). Through hands-on activities and discussions with experts, participants will have opportunities to experience what these citizen scientists do, and learn why they do it. It will also be an occasion to express appreciation for their service to our community. Light snacks will be provided.
Since 2007, the USRWA has been organizing volunteers to monitor agricultural impacts on water quality and invasive species by gathering periodic data from up to 20 distinct sites upstream of Belleville. They have trained hundreds of volunteers and were instrumental in establishing the Lower Sugar River Watershed Association which monitors sites downstream of Belleville. Farmers, developers, and policy makers rely on the USRWA to determine which activities endanger our drinking water, our soil, our ecosystem, recreational opportunities, and ultimately our local economy. Since 2017, USRWA has been monitoring mussel populations as well, thus empowering the DNR to measure the success of interventions designed to restore watershed health.
Citizen Science Day is an annual event celebrated around the world to raise awareness of science which is conducted for fun or for moral reasons, rather than for money. “The power of citizen science is the massive impact that is made by everyday people, individually and collectively,” said Darlene Cavalier, Founder of SciStarter a website used by over 100,000 citizen scientists. In previous years, Citizen Science Belleville has hosted Citizen Science Day events featuring Alzheimer’s research, climate change measurement, drug discovery, and addressing Zika.
About the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association
The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit conservation organization that uses education and citizen-based monitoring to supports the management of 115 miles of stream in Dane County. Inquiries may be directed to executive director Wade Moder (608-437-7707, info [at] uppersugar.org).
About Citizen Science
Belleville Citizen Science Belleville is an open group of volunteers who meet 7-8 PM on 1st and 3rd Mondays at Grace United Methodist Church (246 W Pearl St, Belleville, WI) to conduct replication studies advancing health, relationships, and/or well-being. Inquiries may be directed to Chris Santos-Lang (920-747-0335, langchri [at] gmail.com).