The Extension Institute of Natural Resources helps individuals, communities and the state coexist with Wisconsin’s rich water, mineral land and forestry resources. Extension’s Lake Superior National research reserve and Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center are examples of research and programming that serve Wisconsinites living in a resource-rich state.

The Regional Natural Resources Education Program serve Dodge county with programming to protect our land and water resources. Learn more here

Water Programming

Leading and facilitating water quality projects across the state

Natural Resource Educators are providing leadership on nutrient reduction and water quality projects across the state. Projects involve collaboration with key stakeholders including federal, state, and local partners such as lake associations and producer-led watershed initiatives. Educators also provide expertise in program development, process facilitation, stakeholder engagement and development of educational materials

Regional Natural Resources Educator serving Jefferson County: Currently vacant

Forestry Programming

Engaging private woodland owners to encourage sustainable forest management

Natural Resources Educators and key partners are leading classes (Learn About Your Land and Your Land, Your Legacy) and other efforts to engage landowners in the sustainable management of Wisconsin’s privately-owned forests. NREs create content for landowners on a variety of topics in publication, video and website formats. Learn more at Woodlandinfo.org or check out our YouTube channel

Forestry Educator serving Jefferson County:

Tony Johnson
Located at the Fond du Lac Extension Office
Email: Anthony.Johnson@wisc.edu
Phone: 920-929-1173

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Major Programs and Partners for  Extension Natural Resources include:

The Rock River Coalition: The Rock River Coalition’s mission is to educate and bring together people of diverse interest to protect and improve the environmental, economic recreational and cultural resources of the Rock River Basin in Wisconsin. The Rock River Basin is the area of land that drains to the Rock River. It covers 3,700 square miles and includes all or part of Jefferson, Dodge, Rock, Dane, Columbia, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Washington, Waukesha, Walworth and Green counties. A joint endeavor of , the Rock River Coalition,  Extension and the Rock River Stormwater Group is a quarterly newsletter – the Rock River Reflections. More information about the RRC and to view current and past issues are available on the Rock River Coalition website: http://www.rockrivercoalition.org

Rock River Basin TMDL: More than 62 segments of the Rock River Basin are on the state Impaired Waters list due to excess phosphorus and sediment. The EPA requires states to study the sources of these pollutants, determine how much of each pollutant the water can handle and then allocate this pollutant ‘loading’ to different sectors such as to individual wastewater treatment plants, industry and municipal stormwater systems. They also allocate an amount of each pollutant to runoff sources such as agriculture and construction sites. This is generally a significant decrease in the amount of phosphorus and sediment being delivered by these different sources. The target is known as the Total Daily Maximum Load or TMDL, it is determined through a computer model. For more information on the current status is available at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/303d/RockRiverTMDL/