1 woman tracing 10 years of citizen science on 100 miles of the Kickapoo River
The VSN Voyageur is on her way!
Read her blog
View the VSN Voyageur Gallery
As a part of an assessment of the Kickapoo Watershed, the Valley Stewardship Network’s Water Quality Program Manager, Sarah Grainger—the “VSN Voyageur”—will embark on an 8-day paddling journey down the Kickapoo River in the name of science and education.
Click here to make your VSN Voyageur pledge and support science and education (type “VSN Voyageur pledge” in the comments text box to make sure your donation is properly directed to this project!).
This 100-river-mile up close and personal journey from Ontario to Wauzeka/Steuben will trace 10 years of citizen-based monitoring in the Kickapoo River Valley. Information collected by the VSN Voyageur will be combined with water quality data from the past ten years of citizen-based monitoring in a Watershed Assessment Report to be published in 2011. According to Grainger the use of this information is widespread. In addition to informing local land use decisions, it also assists the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and area counties in evaluating the health of the watershed.
On this journey the Voyageur will collect information such as the amount of oxygen in the water, the clarity of the water and the existence of diverse aquatic life forms. She will employ many of the same water quality testing techniques and precision instruments as utilized by the WDNR.
September 19th, 10:00 a.m.: Launch the Voyageur Paddle (see event details)
All are invited to help VSN launch this four-county journey on September 19th by joining a group paddle from Ontario to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. The Voyageur and group will commence their paddle at 10 am at the Titanic Canoe Rental property in Ontario. Please contact Bill at Titanic Canoe at 1-877-GET-SUNK if you need to rent a canoe to join this stretch of the voyage.
September 19th, 5:00 p.m.: After Paddle BBQ (see event details)
Help us celebrate the Voyageur’s first day on the river. Paddlers and non-paddlers are invited to join the “After Paddle BBQ (potluck)” at Campsite I at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
September 20th, 10:00 a.m.: Educational Demonstration (see event details)
On Monday, September 20th, grade and high school students are invited to join the VSN Voyageur for water monitoring and invertebrate identification workshops starting at 10 am. The day’s activities will end with a “Farm to School on the River” luncheon at noon. Ask your school if they will be participating in this event.
Paddling the length of the Kickapoo is no easy feat. Log jams from the 2007 and 2008 floods and subsequent high-water events have left large stretches of the river near impassible. The stretch from La Farge to Readstown is potentially the most treacherous. As such, the Voyageur’s journey from Monday afternoon to Wednesday evening will be focused on making it through the obstacles.
September 22nd, 6:00 p.m.: Nourish the Voyageur Potluck in Readstown (see event details)
VSN members and friends are invited to celebrate the Voyageur’s success at a potluck in Readstown Park at 6pm Wednesday, September 22nd.
September 24th, 1:00 p.m.: Voyageur at Applefest (see event details)
September 24th: Voyageur at Applefest (see event details)
3:00 to 4:00 p.m.: Meet the Voyageur for outdoor & water education activities and demonstrations
6:00 -8:00 p.m.: Friends of Gays Mills (FGM) VSN Voyageur Reception
September 26th, 6:00 p.m.: Voyageur Finale Party in Steuben (see event details)
The Voyageur faces her last major challenge south of Gays Mills, overcoming log jams and patiently navigating the river’s meandering nature. Upon completion, supporters will welcome the Voyageur back to land with a celebration of food and music near Steuben 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 26th. Please join VSN for this public event in honor of the Kickapoo Valley Watershed.
Support the VSN Voyageur!
VSN asks for your support for this voyage in the name of education and science by means of pledges and participation. Participation in the above noted events furthers the goal of education and awareness of the watershed. Providing a pledge for the journey ensures continued monitoring of the watershed by VSN and participation from citizen monitors.
Click here to make your VSN Voyageur pledge and support science and education (type “VSN Voyageur pledge” in the comments text box to make sure your donation is properly directed to this project!).
- Paddle Pledge: $5 & up receives a VSN Voyageur button
- Portage Pledge: $25 and up receives a VSN T-shirt and Voyageur button
- Kickapoo Pledge: $50 and up receives a VSN membership, t-shirt, and Voyageur button
- Voyageur Pledge: $150 and up receives a VSN membership, t-shirt, Voyageur button, plus 1-day canoe rental at Titanic Canoe in Ontario, WI
Along with VSN members, the following businesses have generously donated supplies and funds to support the VSN Voyageur’s historic paddle:
Please contact the VSN office at 637-3615 or vsngeneral@gmail.com for more information about supporting the VSN Voyageur’s journey or joining her at one of the public celebrations.
Click here to view a map of the VSN Voyageur’s route and details for events along the way.
VSN Voyageur
1 woman tracing 10 years of citizen science on 100 miles of the Kickapoo River
Read her blog
View the VSN Voyageur Gallery
As a part of an assessment of the Kickapoo Watershed, the Valley Stewardship Network’s Water Quality Program Manager, Sarah Grainger—the “VSN Voyageur”—will embark on an 8-day paddling journey down the Kickapoo River in the name of science and education.
Click here to make your VSN Voyageur pledge and support science and education (type “VSN Voyageur pledge” in the comments text box to make sure your donation is properly directed to this project!).
This 100-river-mile up close and personal journey from Ontario to Wauzeka/Steuben will trace 10 years of citizen-based monitoring in the Kickapoo River Valley. Information collected by the VSN Voyageur will be combined with water quality data from the past ten years of citizen-based monitoring in a Watershed Assessment Report to be published in 2011. According to Grainger the use of this information is widespread. In addition to informing local land use decisions, it also assists the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and area counties in evaluating the health of the watershed.
On this journey the Voyageur will collect information such as the amount of oxygen in the water, the clarity of the water and the existence of diverse aquatic life forms. She will employ many of the same water quality testing techniques and precision instruments as utilized by the WDNR.
September 19th, 10:00 a.m.: Launch the Voyageur Paddle (see event details)
All are invited to help VSN launch this four-county journey on September 19th by joining a group paddle from Ontario to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. The Voyageur and group will commence their paddle at 10 am at the Titanic Canoe Rental property in Ontario. Please contact Bill at Titanic Canoe at 1-877-GET-SUNK if you need to rent a canoe to join this stretch of the voyage.
September 19th, 5:00 p.m.: After Paddle BBQ (see event details)
Help us celebrate the Voyageur’s first day on the river. Paddlers and non-paddlers are invited to join the “After Paddle BBQ (potluck)” at Campsite I at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
September 20th, 10:00 a.m.: Educational Demonstration (see event details)
On Monday, September 20th, grade and high school students are invited to join the VSN Voyageur for water monitoring and invertebrate identification workshops starting at 10 am. The day’s activities will end with a “Farm to School on the River” luncheon at noon. Ask your school if they will be participating in this event.
Paddling the length of the Kickapoo is no easy feat. Log jams from the 2007 and 2008 floods and subsequent high-water events have left large stretches of the river near impassible. The stretch from La Farge to Readstown is potentially the most treacherous. As such, the Voyageur’s journey from Monday afternoon to Wednesday evening will be focused on making it through the obstacles.
September 22nd, 6:00 p.m.: Nourish the Voyageur Potluck in Readstown (see event details)
VSN members and friends are invited to celebrate the Voyageur’s success at a potluck in Readstown Park at 6pm Wednesday, September 22nd.
September 24th, 1:00 p.m.: Voyageur at Applefest (see event details)
September 24th: Voyageur at Applefest (see event details)
3:00 to 4:00 p.m.: Meet the Voyageur for outdoor & water education activities and demonstrations
6:00 -8:00 p.m.: Friends of Gays Mills (FGM) VSN Voyageur Reception
September 26th, 6:00 p.m.: Voyageur Finale Party in Steuben (see event details)
The Voyageur faces her last major challenge south of Gays Mills, overcoming log jams and patiently navigating the river’s meandering nature. Upon completion, supporters will welcome the Voyageur back to land with a celebration of food and music near Steuben 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 26th. Please join VSN for this public event in honor of the Kickapoo Valley Watershed.
Support the VSN Voyageur!
VSN asks for your support for this voyage in the name of education and science by means of pledges and participation. Participation in the above noted events furthers the goal of education and awareness of the watershed. Providing a pledge for the journey ensures continued monitoring of the watershed by VSN and participation from citizen monitors.
Click here to make your VSN Voyageur pledge and support science and education (type “VSN Voyageur pledge” in the comments text box to make sure your donation is properly directed to this project!).
- Paddle Pledge: $5 & up receives a VSN Voyageur button
- Portage Pledge: $25 and up receives a VSN T-shirt and Voyageur button
- Kickapoo Pledge: $50 and up receives a VSN membership, t-shirt, and Voyageur button
- Voyageur Pledge: $150 and up receives a VSN membership, t-shirt, Voyageur button, plus 1-day canoe rental at Titanic Canoe in Ontario, WI
Along with VSN members, the following businesses have generously donated supplies and funds to support the VSN Voyageur’s historic paddle:
Titanic Canoe Rental, Ontario, WI
WI River Outings, Boscobel/Sauk City, WI
Please contact the VSN office at 637-3615 or vsngeneral@gmail.com for more information about supporting the VSN Voyageur’s journey or joining her at one of the public celebrations.
Click here to view a map of the VSN Voyageur’s route and details for events along the way.