(Above) Stream volunteers in the late 1990s. 

The Water Action Volunteer (WAV) program is excited to celebrate 30 years of stream monitoring!

WAV began in 1996, evolving from a school-based program called "Testing the Waters." Over the years, WAV has continued to grow and change to better monitor our streams and rivers, such as adding new partners and expanding programming.

We are excited to continue celebrating WAV's 30th year milestone at this year's Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention “Decades of Dedication” (April 15-17, 2026). The 2026 Lakes and Rivers Partnership Convention will look back on the long-term programs and the accumulated actions of countless people that have persevered through many decades. 

Head on over to the convention website to register to attend, browse the convention agenda, and sign-up for pre- or post-convention workshops!

WAV staff will also be in attendance so stop by our table and say hello!

Join us on Wednesday, March 11th at 12pm for our final Winter Water Talk of the season! Webinars are co-hosted by the Water Action Volunteers Program and the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Program. 

The case for protecting ecologically critical shorelands in northern Wisconsin has never been clearer.  Learn why and how the Northwoods Land Trust uses innovative tools such as conservation easements and land donations to permanently protect these habitats so critical to water quality and aquatic life.

SPEAKER BIO

John Heusinkveld is semi-retired, now a half-time Conservation Outreach Specialist at the Northwoods Land Trust in Eagle River, WI since May 2025.  Formerly Executive Director of the North Lakeland Discovery Center, and Assistant Director at UWSP Treehaven Field Station.  

(Above) Volunteer during a WAV Habitat Assessment Training in Manitowoc, WI.

We recently learned from the DNR that the final scores we have used for our WAV Stream Habitat Assessments are slightly off from the DNR’s scoring system for small wadeable streams (<= 33 ft or 10 meters wide). Since WAV volunteers follow the same method to assess fish habitat on small streams as DNR biologists, our final scores should match. 

Due to a past error, we’ve been using the final scores for larger streams and rivers. So, we redesigned the datasheet and updated the training guide on the WAV website to reflect the new final scores so that you can accurately understand the quality of fish habitat on your small river or stream. We apologize for the miscommunication!

The data that volunteers have entered into SWIMS is still correct. There are no changes needed to the method itself, or to the SWIMS database.

Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention
“Decades of Dedication”
April 15-17, 2026
Stevens Point, WI

Registered for the convention and looking for more ways to get involved? Can't make the entire convention, but still want to find ways to connect?

Check out the convention's pre- and post-convention workshops!

These interactive, in-person workshops taking place the day before the main convention begins and the afternoon of the last day of the convention. You can register for these as an add-on to your convention registration or as stand-alone workshops. 

Workshops include:

Note: Most workshops are limited to 40 participants; please register early to reserve your spot.

The convention and workshops are open to everyone, from water professionals to folks who simply love Wisconsin's waterways. WAV will also have a table at the convention so stop by and meet us in-person! 

This annual convention is brought to you by the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership.

We hope to see you there!

(Above) Rusty Crayfish. Photo by Paul Skawinski.

The Wisconsin Invasive Species Council is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Invasive Species Action Awards!

Award recipients are Wisconsin residents and organizations who made significant contributions in 2025 to prevent or manage invasive species that harm Wisconsin's native habitats. Nominees can be individuals, groups, or organizations that have shown exemplary efforts to address issues related to terrestrial or aquatic invasive plants and animals.

To nominate an individual or organization, download and complete a nomination form [PDF] and email the completed form to invasive.species@wisconsin.gov by midnight on Feb. 15, 2026.

Water Action Volunteers Program (WAV)

Phone: (608) 331-0173

Email: wav@extension.wisc.edu

wateractionvolunteers.org

The Water Action Volunteers (WAV) stream monitoring program is an ongoing partnership between the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and nearly 50 local partner groups and organizations.